Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Sherman, John (fl. 1780) 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 #: GLC02437.00794 Author/Creator: Sherman, John (fl. 1780) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 January 1780 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 30.6 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy

Captain Sherman writes, "By the arrangement which Colo [John] Crane has or will transmit to the Board of War I feel myself most essentially and peculiarly injured, he has deranged me without even consulting me on the Occasion, which I conceive an assumption or rather an usurpation of Power- an adversion to the Resolve of Congress respecting the Most of the Reduction of the Army. must at once dictate to him, the Impropriety and absurdity of his Conduct- The only Method of having his capital grievance redressed, is I presume, by a Representation to you, which I most seriously do, in full Confidence..." Sherman is resistant to being "reduced to the Necessity of retiring from Service." Asks for Knox's "patronage and advice."

Possibly Jonathan Sherman (1763-1847).

[Draft]
Boston January 4th. 1780
Dr General -
By the Arrangment, which Colo. Crane has, or will transmit to the Board of War, I feel myself most essentially and peculiarly injured, he has deranged me without even consulting me on the Occasion, which I conceive an Assumption or rather an Usurpation of Pwer - an Adversion of the Resolve of Congress, respecting the Mode of the Reduction of the Army, must at once dictate to him, the Impropriety and Absurdity of his Conduct - The only Method of having this capital Greivance redressed, is I presume, by a Representation to you, which I most seriously do, in full Confidence, that the Efforts of him, who meant well, & endeavoured to do well [2] may not at this day, be reduced to the Necessity of retiring from Service, to satiate the Whim & Caprice, of a Person who willingly woud deprive me of Bread. I must beg your assistance, Patronage and Advice on this occasion, which so materialy concerns me - wou'd be happy of your Sentiments on the Subject -
I am with the greatest
Respect & Esteem (Sir) your
most obet &
huml Servant
Jno. Sherman -
Gen Knox
[address leaf]
Honble:
Brigadier Genl: Knox
Artillery Park
New Windsor
[docket]
From
Capt Sherman
4 Jany 1780

Sherman, Jonathan
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources