Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Nathanael Greene
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02955 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Dorchester, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 February 1784 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 32 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Knox discusses possibilities of visiting Greene and his family. Hopes Greene is interested in the Society of the Cincinnati. Refers to a cannon he intends to engrave for Greene. Written in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.
[draft]
Dorchester Near Boston - 15 Feby 1784
I have apologies [inserted: innumerable] [struck: without end] to make you for not having written since my arrival here, [but of the whole catalogue a diminution] of affection is not [strikeout] of [the number] - It was my hope that some particular matters which I have with the government here would have been adjusted in such time as to have admitted of my making a Journey to Newport for the sole purpose of gratifying those sensations [illegible] with you and [inserted: Mrs Greene] that will [ever] be my [struck: pride and] happiness to entertain - I am now rather apprehensive that I shall not be able [struck: to perform] [inserted: [to go] now] by reason of the [terms] of business, but if it is possible I shall [& you will see me] - If you [struck: should] & Mrs Greene could make it convenient to come this way you will find besides your friend, a people who will rejoice to shew you how much they esteem you - Indeed Our [strikeout] friend the Genl and you [2] absorb the whole praise of our republick -
[struck: I do not know exactly how far you are] [inserted: I hope you are deeply] interested in our Society of the Cincinnati, but Burkes pamphlett has created [strikeout] [inserted: here &] as far I can learn throughout [N] England jealousies of an instant [institution] - Jealousies [unwarranted] by the conduct of the [Army], or [inserted: by the] [struck: their] finances [inserted: of the officers] - perhaps among you Carolinians the matter may be different, in consequence [struck: of the great Fortune of] of [the inequalities] of [Fortune] - Whatever may be the terms of the honest part of the community, I assure myself they will subside when [struck: the] experience (of the officers [struck: shall] [strikeout] in the capacity of Citizens) shall have more matured [struck: their judgments their] their judgements.
I intended to have had your Cannon engraved at West Point, & engaged a man to execute the inscription & Emblem unfortunately [he] found upon examination that all [3] that all the Cannon there were engraved already [struck: having no opp] - I have written since I came here to Mr [Hodgdon] at Philadelphia to have two of those [struck: at Philadelphia] at that place, engraved with the enclosed inscription, which I hope will be agreeable to you - If it should not give me the [illegible] & I will have it put in some other form - He will let me know his progress in the business which I will communicate to you
We have taken a house at Dorchester about 5/ miles from the town, where my Lucy and I will be happy indeed to receive you & Mrs Greene - It is but forty minutes ride from town [and one limits] to walk & bustle - as you are a kind of light dragoon you would ride it commonly in twenty minutes - We both beg you to present our [strikeout] [struck: respects] perfect respect & affection to Mrs Greene - I am my Dear friend
Your truly affection
HKnox
[docket]
To Genl Greene 15 Feby
1784
No 25 -
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