Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to William Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00556 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Morristown, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 March 1777 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 31.9 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Says that since William's happiness is important to him, he will not prevent his brother from joining the army once William has completed certain essential family business. Arranges for William to pick up his baggage from various spots in New England. Asks William to purchase clothing for him, and advises him to learn to ride before joining the army. Believes "if we had our army or a large part of it on the Spot we should be able to give Great Britain so deep a wound that the very remembrance of it would make her bleed...more for fifty years hence - every thing however is right & all order'd by Providence for the best."
[draft]
"…I wish for your happiness & think it so intimately connceited with my own that to hurt the one is to wound the other and from this principle although I leave my Lucy to the favor and mercy of less disinterested hazards than yours yet I shall not oppose you entering the Army after you have accomplish'd in part what is absolutely necessary of the happiness of our little family - I desird Major Sayres to sned you the Cloaths &c in a Trunk from Sprinfield - All my Summer Waiscoat and Breeches are at New Haven[.] I have desird Lucy to write for them - there is a Hat at New Haven I wish might be forwarded to me If I remember the Linning of it was black either get the Linning of that chang'd and send it me or get a new one made in Boston and send it [2] on to Springfield - There must be allow'd of that Account I paid Mr. Austin Genl Washingtons Coat & Linning - buy me two pairs white Silk Stockings. it would not be amiss before you came into the army to learn to ride - keep your knees close to the saddle & bring in your toes - those people at Dartmouth and Ebenezer Garey of some place in Connecticut ought to pay their debts - I should be happy to oblige Mr Harrod In paying him for the Year I did not occupy his House - but it is so Absolutely Repugnant to my Ideas of Just and equity that I cannot bring myself to pay him that peice of politeness - please to make my Compliments & excuse to him - If we had our Army or a large part of it on the spot we should be able to give great Britain so deep a Wound that the very remembrance of it would make her bleed at every pore for fifty years hence - evry thing however is right are order'd by Providnece for the best …"
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