Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to George Washington

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GLC#
GLC02437.03273-View header record
Type
Letters
Date
13 June 1786
Author/Creator
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Title
to George Washington
Place Written
New York, New York
Pagination
6 p. : docket ; Height: 32 cm, Width: 20.3 cm
Primary time period
The New Nation, 1783-1815
Sub-Era
Creating a New Government

Explains an issue with Major Pierre L'Enfant and the Society of Cincinnati. Major L'Enfant was sent to France to present Eagles to the French members of the society, at the society's expense. Was granted a sum of money for the purpose, but in his zeal to serve the society, he had more than 100 extra Eagles cast by the artist there, Mr. Francastle (goldsmith Nicolas-Jean Francastel). When he returned to America, he found that the society could not reimburse the extra expense, and the Eagles were not selling. The debt could ruin the Major, and Knox is concerned for him, as well as for the reputation of the society. Has discussed it with the Major and he would like to wait till the next society meeting, which will be in May 1787, and hopes that an inquiry will find that he was acting appropriately and help him with the debt. Would like Washington's opinion on the subject. Knox's retained draft.

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