Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Adams, John (1735-1826) to Henry Knox

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.07375 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 March 1800 Pagination: 1 p. ; 24.6 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

President Adams received Knox's letter of February 27. Adams expresses his concern that after recommending Knox's son, Henry, for a commission in the US Navy, the Senate did not approve. He tells Knox that there is little else he can do. Adams says, "the Navy however is a scene of momentous responsibility to me and if a ship should be lost by any Man for whom I shall have made myself thus exclusively answerable, you know what candid constructions will be put upon" me.

[draft]
Philadelphia March 10, 1800
I have recd the favour of your Letter of the 27th of last month, and feel myself much interested in the Subject of it. Mr Stoddert had before shown me your Letter to him and to your Son and I had consented to the Idea Suggested in them. The Navy however is a Scene of momentous responsibility to me and if a ship should be lost by any Man for whom I shall have made myself thus exclusively answerable, you know what candid constructions will be put upon your
old Friend and humble Sert
John Adams
General Henry Knox
Thomaston Massachusetts

Adams, John, 1735-1826
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, Henry Jackson, 1780-1832
Stoddert, Benjamin, 1751-1813

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources