Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to James Wilkinson
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10308 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 12 July 1794 Pagination: 2 p. ; 39.6 x 23.7 cm. Order a Copy
Attempts to bring about a resolution of a conflict between Wilkinson and General Wayne. States "[i]ndeed, the circumstances of the difference of opinion and coolness between you and General Wayne causes great pain both to the heart of the President and mine." Does not want this disagreement to cause dissention or "violent injury to the armies." Noted as private in the upper left corner. Heavily waterstained both at the top and bottom of the papers. Watermarked "J Watt & C Patent Copying/Sold by J Woodmason/London." Letterpress copy.
Wilkinson was a U.S. soldier and statesman, who was associated with several scandals and controversies. He fought in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, eventually rising to the rank of General. He was appointed governor of the Louisiana Territory in 1805. General Wayne most likely refers to General Anthony Wayne, an United States Army general and statesman. He was the first to provide formalized basic training for regular Army recruits and Legionville was the first facility established expressly for this purpose. The Treaty of Greenville was procured due to Wayne's military successes against the tribal confederacy and gave most of what is now Ohio to the United States, and cleared the way for that state to enter the Union in 1803. Supposedly the reason General Wayne was nicknamed "Mad Anthony" Wayne, was because he could lead an army with two and a half hours of sleep or less.
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