Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to William Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01064 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Sleepy Hollow, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 July 1781 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 33.3 x 21.1 cm. Order a Copy
Thanks William for money he recently sent. Reports that Lucy Knox and their children have gone up the Hudson River on a visit. Discusses his hopes for an end to the Revolutionary War, writing "I sincerely pray God that the War may be ended this campaign that public and private felicity may be again restored." Discusses British movement in the South, noting, "Our affairs to the Southward have an agreeable aspect and convince us although the Enemy may establish posts, they cannot conquer the Country." Criticizes what he calls "vile water-gruel governments which have taken place in most of the States..." Praises Massachusetts, stating "The same tone, sentiment, & exertion, pervading all the States would indisputably render this the last Campaign." Reports that the British recently sent ships up the Hudson River to sabotage Continental communication but were unsuccessful. Promises to write as often as possible, though the post follows a circuitous route. Written at Philipsburgh, New York (present-day Sleepy Hollow).
Camp at Phillipsburg 11 miles from Kings bridge
20 July 1781
I received your favor my dear friend & Brother by the Colonel with the Guineas, which you forwarded by him. It happily arrived in point of time to clear us from Winter qrs. and to afford something for Lucy and her little family to subsist on for the Summer. I have also received yours since [struck: by which] you inform of the [exchange] you made of the remaining paper for the hard, and of your intentions to forward it soon. General [Heath] will be a good hand for this purpose.
Lucy with her sweet children have gone up this river with Mrs Cochran on a visit to some families. I suppose she will proceed perhaps as far as Albany - after which I think she will [sit] down in Jersy for the remainder of the Campaign - although we are not bad in accomodating ourselves to our circumstances, yet I sensibly feel the inconveniences we labour under to accumulate in proportion [2] in proportion to the encrease of our family - I sincerely pray God that the War may be ended this campaign, that [public] and private felicity may again be restored. how far we shall be able to effect any thing capital is yet uncertain - There are some pretty strong indications of an intention of the enemy to evacuate Virginia either totally or partially, perhaps an approach to New York has & will accelerate their motives - If we could oblige the Enemy to bring from the Southward 2000 or 3000 men we should have reduced them nearly to the situation they were in two or three years ago. Charlestown may be difficult for us to obtain. But the mere possession of that Town to the Enemy without the surrounding country would be totally inadequate to the expences in keeping it - Our affairs to the Southward have an agreable aspect and convince us although that Enemy may establish posts, they cannot conquer the country. This is a point of vast [3] importance establish'd, and what must operate greatly to our advantage in the negociations in Europe. The Country East & north of the Susquehannah may laugh at the efforts of Britain provided proper exertions are made. But the vile water gruel governments which have taken place in most of the States, are totally disposition'd to the exigencies of the War, and are productive of sentiments unworthy an [energic] republick. however I hope we shall wade through. I cannot in justice omit paying some compliments to our state. The policy appears to be enlargd & liberal and the exertions greatly surpass at this present time any state in the Union. The Same tone, sentiment, & exertion, pervading all the States would indisputately render this the last Campaign.
The Enemy lately sent some ships up the river, with an intent to interrupt our communication by water with West point but they yesterday returnd without effecting [4] any thing of Consequence.
I shall write you as frequently as I shall have opportunities, but the post is by such a circuitous route, as to require ten or 11 days to reach from this to Boston having to go from hence to Fish Kill in the first instance. I pray you to write me as often as you can although you shall have nothing material to say -
I am my Dear Brother with the greatest affection
Your HKnox
Please to give my love to Colo Sears & family & Mr & Mrs Smith -
[docket]
From Brigadier Genl
Knox. July 20th 1781
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