Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00576 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Morristown, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 April 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 32.3 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Says that he always writes "by the post" and wishes she would do the same "as it is now conducted with some regularity." Hopes that her inoculation works, and that both she and their daughter not "have too many or too few" pocks. Wishes Lucy could choose where the pocks go on her face, and hopes the inoculation will not harm either Lucy or the baby's health. Assures her the army is growing. Says that William Knox is now headed for Philadelphia. Believes Lucy's brother is in Augustine. Hears news that Silas Deane is travelling to the Hague and that Prussia, Sweden and "Dane" desire American ambassadors. Is hopeful about the war saying things look "as favorable as possible after an unfortunate campaign."
[draft]
Morris - Town 20th. April. 1777.
My dear Lucy
I wrote you a short note by the post to day least Capt Speakman by whom I write this should not arrive so soon as the post - and give you the same disagreable sensations which I feel when the post brings no letters from my Love - I have always written by the post, & had done so the day when [Genl. Johnnot] din'd at Head Qrs. and I beg that you also would write by it as it is now conducted with some regularity - in your Letter of the 10th you inform me that You were to take the small pox that day by innoculation - Heaven guard my Love and her babe thro' that distemper and dissolve her of her fears on that account - if you were then innoculated it must have broken out by this, - I hope you will have one or two or as many as you have a mind to in your face - pray cant' you by force of Imagination as in other cases have them where you please - if so have [2] to have one over each eye brow and one each Cheek and one on yr Chin. don't let my little baby have too many or too few - [struck: the] she may bear a considerable number, I will pray that you may have it in such a way as will not prejudice yr Health in future - have I acknowledged your two welcome Letters by Capt Treat and the post - I don't know how many Letters this makes which I've Written to you but think 8 or 9 - I shall consider it as the latter and number accordingly - I had wrote you 5 the 1st instant as I [send] by a [illegible] - Let me beg of you not to omit writing while the small pox is upon you - and send them by the post as usual - Colo. Gabriel Johnnot must have given you an account true as he Conceiv'd it but I assure you we by no means think ourselves Despicable - [Force] arrives almost every day - Sir William has protracted his movement to the present and perhaps will not move [under] a Week - Philadelphia imperial Philadelphia is his object. Ships have been in the Delaware but gone out again - a few days ago a fleet sail'd from N York but with out troops I believe [3] their Course from the Hook S E - perhaps for Philadelphia and perhaps for the West Indies - your brother Tom must be in Augustine as the 2d Battalion of the Royal Americans are there - we have lately a Vessell arriv'd from Gottenburg in Liveden laden'd with military stores - its said Mr Deane is gone to the Hague, and that Prussia Sweden &c have desir'd that Ambassadors may be sent from the United States of N. America - Matters ripen in France as fast as we could wish and are [text loss] I hope providence has so far smiled [text loss] to have permitted some Capital [text loss] to the eastward - I think matters look as favorable as possible after an unfortunate Campaign - write me often and as I am call'd [By] God bless You my dear Lucy
H Knox
Give my Love to your Aunt Mrs [illegible] &c.
[address leaf]
Mrs. Lucy Knox
Boston
favord by Captn Speakman
Gen: Greene sends his Compliments and hopes you
to get well thro the small pox
[docket]
Morris Town
20th April.
1777 -
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