Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to Lucy Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00363 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 July 1776 Pagination: 3 p.: address : docket ; 31.8 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Tells Lucy she was right not to return to New York because it is unsafe. Henry would be too worried if she were in danger. Discusses a Mrs. G[reene], who shocked her husband by coming to the city. Remarks that "the peace of this Town & of the safety of the ladies is upon the most precarious tenor imaginable." Explains that the British are close and could strike any time, giving the Continentals only ten minutes to prepare, and Lucy only ten minutes to escape if she were with Henry. It would be even more dangerous because Lucy has a new baby and the road conditions would be unknown. Explains that the British have 10,000 men on Staten Island and are getting reinforcements. Discusses the importance of defending New York, stating that "The eyes of all America are upon us" and "posterity will bless or curse us." Comments skeptically on having "their dear little pledge at Fairfield." Informs her that the ladies are telling "dismal stories of [Lucy's] living." Tells Lucy not to take advice from Palfrey's wife, who is also in Fairfield, Connecticut, because, in part, "she wants to see her husband and he wants to see her because she is a woman." Informs Lucy that an artillery party destroyed a British ship, after which the British burned the remains. Comments on shooting at ships. In a note at the end, comments that he does not like Mr. A., and he believes Packard cheated Lucy in his market accounts.
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