Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00400 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 July 1776 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 32.2 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Responds to a letter in which Knox described a meeting between George Washington and an adjutant general from the British army seeking to deliver a letter and negotiate a truce (the story was written to Lucy in GLC02437.00385). Claims that the information about the conference had not been known to anyone else in Boston. Seeks Knox's permission to have the account printed. Mentions that the Continental troops have left Boston triggering the creation of a new militia. Comments on preparatory activities of Colonel Craft's regiment. Discusses a privateer's seizure of a ship bound for New York and capture of several Scotsmen, including Benjamin Davis, a sandemanian preacher. Reports supplies on board. Davis and the other prisoners were brought to Boston, where the guards had to prevent the people from attacking him. Another ship was blown up. Mentions the smallpox outbreak. Discusses other naval activities.
[draft]
"…I recd: your very agreeable Letter of 22d Int: give'g me Acct: of the Interview between the Adjutant General of there Army and Generall Washington[.] I am much pleas'd with the behaveor of the General - and I think Mr. Adjutant Generall must have return'd with a in [h]is Car - on read'g you[r] Letter I found something new in it, that no other person here had recd. from new york - (Parson Gordon myself and a few others if we find any thing new we commonly communicate it) Therefore I read this part of you[r] Letter in the Post Office to Seperate Gentlemen that were there present - In the Eveng: Mr Gill the Printer wait'd on me and told me he heard I had such a Letter that he intend'd to Print General Lee's Letter &cc to the Congress giving an Acct: of Sir Peter Parkers Defeat at South Carolina in a Land Bill - that he would be Oblge to me to give him that Paragraph in you[r] Letter that mention'd what part at the Conference - I think'g you would not be against it, and wish'g at the same time to let my Countrymen know with what spirits the General behave'd, I gave it him. It is not known who it came from - But is Introduce'd, A Paragraph of a Letter from a Generall Officer at New York - to his Friend in this Town - [2] …Since the Continental Troops are all gone and a going from here, the Inhabitants of the Town begin to think we are not Safe - and the whole Town are warm to put the Militia of the town in Some Order - I verly believe if the Trooops had tarre'd here the whole Campaign there would have been nothing done in respect to our Militia and if you did not want the Troops with you I think it's best for the whole they are gone from here - by that means there will be 1000 more good Soldier's on the Continent - Arnold Wetts & Deacone Stores has been spoke to, to take the Command of the Militia - But I believe Majr. Davies is the Man that will have it - I don't know where they can get a better man in this Town … Yesterday two of the Continental Cruiser's sent into Salem a Large Ship Loads with all kind of good's - some Wine Porter dry Goods &cc bound from Halifax to Generall [3] Howe at New York - that Pious [Rashel?] Benja: Davis and a number of Scotchmen that stole goods from the Gentlemen of the Town - are Passenger on board her - there seem's to be a generall rejoic'g - allmost as much as at the News from Carolina - there was another Ship in Company with this which one of our Cruiser's Engage'd but by some accident or other some Powder took Fire on board the Privateer & blew her up - kil'd 3 Men dead and 8 or ten wound'd - The Ship take'g the advantage of this made all Sail She could & run away - the Privateer is not Entirely lost but very much damang'd - The small Pox is allmost gone through the Town - very few have dy'd with it - some have been peper'd of at a great rate - Colo. Roberson is [Live'g?] and that's all - I like to have forgot it - about ten day's ago Mr Darby's Privateer of Salem took 2 Prizes one a Large Ship from Jamaca and the other [a] Sloop from Halifax Bound to York - the Sloop has got safe into Salem - But the Ship in going into Newbery, last Wensday was retaken by a Frigate, that was Cruse of there the Ship was so far in - they saw her retaken from the Town - the men all got into the Boat and Left her, and got safe to Newbery - the Ship had on board 450 Hhd. Suger Do Rum & 27 peices Cannon - 9 & 6 pounds - a great loss …"
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