Knox, William (1756-1795) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00430 Author/Creator: Knox, William (1756-1795) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 August 1776 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 20.7 x 16.2 cm. Order a Copy
Gives a detailed account of a town meeting in Boston's Old Brick Meeting House about smallpox, and a debate over the propriety of multiple office holding especially when it links civil and military authorities. [James] Otis and Major [Paul] Revere argued on opposing sides. Mentions that they read a letter addressed to Henry Jackson in order to hear the news. Discusses getting the buttons and cloth that Knox ordered.
[draft]
"...That you should be glad to hear any thing concerning town affairs accordingly I'll give you some accot. of our town Meeting which I mention'd to you in my last that we were going to have The Town being assembl'd in the Old Brick meeting house proceeded to Business by choosing twenty eight persons as a committee to see the Town clens'd of the small pox. after which they chose two Selectmen in addition I believe to a number previously chosen. The two were Mr. Jona Greenleaf and Mr. Broomfield in the Afternoon The town met again in the representatives Chamber where they had warm debates con [2] concerning the propriety and impropriety of one person's holding a number of offices more particularly on the Military and Civil Authorities being connected in that way. There were many speakings on both sides. Mr. Otis (who by the way seems in a good way of making a great man again) and Mr. Jo. Barrell were in favor of one person's holding but one office. Collo. Crafts and Major Revire (who by the by are Committee men) were their Opposers: each party had their Auxiliars. The first seem to have got the advantage. The argument appears to be laid aside for the present, the meeting is not yet over I suppose the dispute will be reviv'd, after that they proceeded to shun field officers for the Militia of this Town they made choise of Mr. Heny. Broomfield for Colo. Mr. Tho. Dawes for Lt Collo: but not without opposition from the north [3] northernders who wanted to get a person of their own spoke for Colo: I don't know who the major is or whether he is chosen Collo. Jackson is out of Town, but we oppen'd his Lettr. for the sake of hearing the news - I don't recollect whether I inform'd you what Clarke said concerning the Buttons - But I'll be sure of letting you now that he says he never redd. any order for any since I sent you them by Mr. Carnes of the Hospital and further says that if you will send him word what number you'd wish to have he will make 'em immediately - the Blue Cloth I cant procure or a least I can find any at present..."
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