Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) 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 #: GLC02437.00554 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 March 1777 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 31.7 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy
Reports "News Glorious News" that a French ship loaded with artillery and arms for the Americans landed at Portsmouth last week. Also carried French officers "well recommended by Doct. Franklin" and an account stating that a similar ship will soon arrive with more weapons. Also reports that two "Fine Prize Ships" worth 50,000 pounds were recently captured from the British. Many of these same events are mentioned in GLC02437.00555. Wishes to know if he should still try to recruit men for a regiment. Notes that he has begun training a number of men to play the fife, and hopes to retain a fife major to continue this training. Worries that the officers there are becoming uneasy.
Henry Jackson was a colonel in a continental regiment who later rose to the rank of brevet Brigadier-General.
Boston Marh. 20 1777
Dr Harry
News Glorious News - Last Tuesday a large French ship arriv'd at Portsmouth from France, She has on board 1,000 Barrells Powder, 12,000 Stand of Arms. I say, Twelve Thousand Stands of Arm's a Complete Set of Cannon for the Frigat at Portsmouth, & a very Large quantity of Woolens &cccc with a French General Collo & Major, these Gentlemen come well recommend'd by Doctr: Franklin, this Ship brings an Acct: that at the same time & from the same Port, that a French 50 Gun Ship Sail'd for this Port - with 50 Brass Field Peices & other war like Stores, all and every Part of this, may be depend'd on as a Fact - yesterday arriv'd in this harbour 2 very fine Prize Ships bound from London. Load'd with dry Good's of all kind's, said to be worth £50,000 Stre:g
Your Regt. here goes on I believe but Slow'y - I wish the matter was determind [2] with respect to mine, I dont know what to think or what to do - I have put a number of Lad's to learn the fife and drum. - I wish to know if my Regt: should not be rais'd, if I shall be allow'd the expence I am at in Teach'g them, - If I am not - I will dismiss them - I want you to do me a kindness, that is to give Liberty to your Fife Major to tarry here, two Months to instruct my Lad's that are a Learn'g of him - it will not only oblige me, but will be of Service to the army in generall, I believe it is in my Power to take him from you - but that I will not do - only let me have him 2 Mo that's all I want
my young Gentlemen that have gage'd with me as Officers - begin to grow very uneasy - Hary I wish something could be done about it one way or the other - god bless you my dear Lad
yours
H Jackson
[address leaf]
HQ
Brigadier Genl: Knox
post Morris Town
[docket]
Colo Harry Jackson
Boston March 19. 1777
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.