Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00626 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter Date: 17 July 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 20.2 x 15.8 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions the capture of the Fox, a British frigate. Apparently, the Fox was retaken by the British, but this news is uncorroborated. Colonel Jackson expects to be called in to pay Knox's contribution to a privateer. Suggests that Henry persuade his wife Lucy to sell her phaeton (a horse drawn carriage), noting that Lucy keeps the carriage in case Henry approves her to visit him at military headquarters. Reports that between the phaeton and the chaise, Lucy will need two more horses than she has. Writes, "maybe you'll say it is none of my Business, if she wants 10 Horses, your pay as a Brigr will support it..." Notes that a prize arrived at Dartmouth (possibly Massachusetts) with sugar, rum, and cotton.
[draft]
Boston July 17. 1777
Dr Friend
I did not recei.e a line from you by the Post, owe'g I suppose to the hurry of Business-
In my last I wrote you, Cap.t Manley had taken the Fox Frigate & had man'd her out of
the three ships- & that she was on a Cruise with him- By a Flag that arriv'd at Portsmouth yesterday from Halifax, she bring acc:t of the Fox being retaken & sent in there two days before the Flag sail'd- She was retaken by a 64 gun ship- and at the same time a 40 gun ship was in Chase of Capt. Manley- I do not report this as a Fact- some believe it & others do not- The ship at Newberry [2] is allmost ready to sail she is said to be the best ship on the Continent- I expect be call'd on in a few days, for 2. or ?300. [Lmy] more to pay off your propotion [sic] of s:d Ship. as the Maj:r when he left Boston told me it was not in power to let me have the money, I defered him to mention the matter to you when he saw you- if M:rs Knox was will'g to part with the Phaeton I could sell it, for ?200- I think she had better part with it. it is only so much dead stock, & not of the least service to her- She keeps it in expectation of go'g to head quarters which if she should go, it would be [rong] to go in that, it would cost at least ?100 Lmy for another horse to match the one she has [3] got- & then she must have another horse for the Chaise- (maybe you'll say it is none of my Business, if she want 10 horses- your pay as a Brig:r will support it, and pray hold your tongue) if she should go to Camp I would advice to sell all but the Horse & Chaise- & to hire a Carrage. I think the [text loss] be the least trouble & one ha[text loss] expence- before you reciev[text loss] I think the Maj:r must be with you- tell him I expect he writes me every Post- & all the affair that take place in Camp- I should have wrote him but had not time- a Prize arriv'd at Dartmouth with 450 HD Sugar- some rum & cotton Fact-
Yours for Ever
[address]
To
Brigadier Gen:l Knox at
Gen:l Washington's Head Quarters
[docket]
Colo H Jackson
17th July 1777
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