Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00965 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New Windsor, New York Type: Autograph letter Date: 8 June 1781 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 33.7 x 20.7 cm. Order a Copy
Replies to a letter he received from Washington on the same day. Refers to another letter Washington enclosed, from General [Ezekiel] Cornell. Cornell's letter referred to lead and cartridge expected to arrive from Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. Further discusses gathering ammunition from other states, noting "the demands from the southward and westward so great as to claim the utmost economy..." Notes that General Duportail applied to the Quartermaster General for [artillery gun] platforms. Knox's retained draft.
[Draft]
New Windsor 8th June 1781
[struck: I this] I received your Excellncys favor of this day enclosing Genl Cornells letter of the 24th ultimo informing of the quantity of lead & Cartridges which may be expected from Boston and Providence, and of the request of the State of New Jersey for Ammunition. It appears from General Cornells letter that the [struck: State &] prospects [inserted: of addition to your start] are [struck: so] moderate, and the demands from the southward and westward so great as to claim the utmost oeconemy [inserted: if the quanty prove possession] [struck: relient <?>] [struck: Your] [inserted: If your] Excellency [inserted: should] think [struck: the State] proper the State of New Jersey might receive at Succasunna 15 or 20,000 at most. There are at that place under the charge of [inserted: the] a [conductor] [inserted: Eayers] about 60,000 which were the spare [struck: Hires] [inserted: cartridges] of the Pennsylvanian line and which I have directed to be brought [strikeout] to this placce as soon as [strikeout] teems [sic] can be procurd for that purpose -
In consultng with General Duportail on the subject of the operations [2] in contemplation he conceived [struck: the plat] the [strike-out] the platforms to be within the line of his duty, and he informed he should apply to the QMGeneral for [struck: their] to procure them but I am not able to say how far he has proceeded - We are sawing timber for the Carriages at Belknops mills [struck: but for] and hope to be able to procure a sufficiency [struck: for that purpose but it] [inserted: soon]
I have the honor to be
with the utmost Respect Your
Excellency most obedient
Servant
His Excellency General Washington
[docket]
To his Excelcy Genl
Washington 8th June
1781
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