Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to William Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00953 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Wethersfield, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 May 1781 Pagination: 3 p. : address : dockets ; 31 x 18.6 cm. Order a Copy
Recently arrived in Wethersfield with Generals George Washington and Duportail to meet General Rochambeau and Admiral Louis Jacques comte de Barras de Saint-Laurant to discuss "matters of great consequence." Expresses relief regarding William's management of an unspecified debt. Hopes for the safety of the Amsterdam, a ship. Comments on his distress regarding the depreciation of paper currency, asking William to procure "hard money" if he can. Adds that he will be paid as a Brigadier of Infantry, and asks William to look into the matter of his pay and "send a copy of the award." In a post script, asks William to tell "Harry" [Henry Jackson] "he must come on by the 1st of June or he will be black ball'd."
Washington and Rochambeau held the Wethersfield meeting to discuss where French troops would be sent/stationed. Initially, Washington planned a campaign to regain New York from the British but instead used these plans as a bluff, launching a campaign against Yorktown.
[draft]
I am here my dear Brother, having arrived last evening with his Excellency the General and General Duportail to meet Genl Rochambeau and admiral Barras upon [some] matters of great consequence - We came here last night. The [French] Gentleman will be here tomorrow and we shall probably depart in two days after. I left Lucy & the children well.
I received your favor of the 10th instant previous to my departure from New Windsor. I am extremely happy to hear from you that the affair of the debt is so securd that it will not admit of any further [difficult] [2] litigation. This is a solid matter and I sincerely wish you could make it any way subservient to your views in trade. I hope the Amsterdam is safe as I have not seen any thing of her capture in New York papers. I believe the intelligence of the first informants was premature.
I wrote you a few days ago from New Windsor by Mr Samuel [Carry]. I hope you [well] be able [to effect] something on this note. [For we are] in the greatest distress for want of [hard cash]. The paper may as well state as Continental [struck: has] is at an end - The latter was [1050] in Philadelphia and the [former 6 for one]. indeed neither in the vicinity of [Camp] will [purchase] [3] any thing, therefore I pray you if possible send [on] [some] let it be ever so small soon. I apprehend if the state have any hard money you might procure some on the following [leave]. In giving my notes they have considered me as a brigadier of Infantry [whereas] my pay is 25 [Pnds] more this will bring [them] indebt to me nearly 80 pounds hard payable last march - I pray you to look into this matter and have it settled. and send me a copy of the award. This sum will [be to] be added to the former
Adieu my dear friend
Hknox
Tell Harry he must come on by the 1st of June [strikeout] or he will be black ball'd.
[address]
Mr William Knox
Boston
post
[docket]
From Brig.r Genl Knox
Wethersfield May 20th.
1781
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