Knox, William (1756-1795) to Henry Knox

[draft]
Boston September 28th. 1781
My dear Friend and Brother.
In my late Letter of the 22d Inst. I informed you of my intention of making a Visit to Continent of Europe and that I should make as great exersions [sic] as were in my power, to leave America sometime in October, and now from the forwardness in which my affairs are I expect to put my designs into execution, provided a Vessell should offer so soon; there are two or three wch tis supposed will be ready about the first of November, I shall endeavour to make choise [sic] of the best, The French Ships both Frigates & Transports I find will sail soon from hence but not for Europe, so that the expectations of a conveyance in one of them are at an end. I have proceeded so far as to collect in Bills about Six Hundred pounds Sterling and have reason to suppose I shall be able to make an addition of two or three hundred more from my Stock. I have Letters from Amsterdam By the Brigantine Gates, which arrived last Week [struck: fro] at Newbury in 36 Days from thence, when this Vessell left the [Texil?] the Harriet & Becky and several other Vessells bound to this Quarter were laying there, and were to sail in a short time under convoy of the Indian, a Large Ship mounting 28 32 pounders on her main Deck & 20 brass 24s. on her Quarter Deck, she is commanded by a Capt. Guillan from So Carolina, and was procured in Amsterdam on account of that State: several passengers are expected out in her particularly Mr. John Temple, (who was in Holland when the Gates left it & who tis said was materially serviceable to Mr. Trumbul in procuring [struck: that gentleman] him his enlargement in England) Mr Trumbul Major Jackson [illegible] Magee was at Gottenburgh, he as well as these other Vessells may be expected hourly if they should get in safe, there will be something clever coming from your proportion of the two Briggs which I should think of converting into Bills of Exchange to be forwarded in Addition to what I shall otherways have, which will certainly be more eligable [sic] than your [2] having it made use of in any other way, as without doubt the larger the sum is that I shall take, the larger in proportion will be the quantity of Goods, I have a prospect of obtaining on Credit, which will probably be more advantageous than an additional interest in those Vessells or in any others procured by the same money.
I informed you in my last, that from the Sale of the last Cargo of the Amsterdam (according to Colo Ss. [struck: acc] information) there will be a Ballance [insert: of about £300] in your favor, which sum you probably will have occassion for, and can draw on him occasionally: previous to my departure he will give me your acco[?] I shall forward you, I hope this sum and what you have considerable reason to expect from the public now [struck: they are] [inserted: it is] in Cash will admit of your being very comfortable during my absence, mentioning public money I find part of that [struck: mo] wch. arrived here is to be invested in Exchange on France at the advantageous [inserted: illegible] of 30 & 33 1/3 Discount with what intention I am ignorant, but I cannot think it would be ill-timed were you to write Mr. Morris, or whoever may have [inserted: ye] disposal of the public Cash at Philadelphia, (For I cannot supposed but this money will be forwarded [inserted: there] or that any further expectations from our State will be well founded, as [struck: they] we have no prospect of being in Cash soon) your demand on the public is very considerable and if it was settled, would be an essential addition to our little Capital, if any thing of this kind can be effected [struck: and] even if I should have sailed from hence, there will be many oppertunities [sic] this Winter for Europe by wch. Bills might be forwarded to our Friend Mr Jona Williams at Nants (who is also always happy to hear from you) or to Messrs. John De Neufville & Son in Amsterdam, whether this can be effected or not I shall expect to hear from you, thro' those channels, any Letters sent to the care of Colo Sears or Mr Smith even if from your distance from Boston you should not hear of a Conveyance they will be careful to forward them by the First that may [3] offer.
By the Brigo. Gates my Correspondents have forwarded me very Satisfactory Letters, they have received my several remittances, wch. with I shall take along [inserted: on their [struck: acct.] part] will close my Accounts in Europe; these Letters are additional inducements for me to be in Europe the next Winter & Spring, whether there should be a peace or not, if the former should take place, my being there will be probably of material consequence [struck: to me], and if the plan of the English Ministry, in the reduction of the Southern States should fail, (which from appearence [sic], we have every reason to expect) The British from necesity [sic] will make the best terms they can for themselves in the Spring, this is the general opinion of those who speculate deeply [inserted: in politics] both on this and the other side of the Atlantic.
In my last I gave it as my opinion that nothing could be affected respecting the Eastern Lands at present, however it is certainly an object wch. may be look'd up to as of [inserted: material] consequence at a future period, and considered as a derniere resort in case [inserted: of] accident in Bussiness [sic] pursuits. I have disposed of a very small quantity of the Old Stock nor do I expect to unless Phila. Bell should happen to make a Visit to this quarter.
Thus much my dear Friend on Bussiness wch. to us [struck: after] are at least among the most enteresting [sic] considerations: and now I will inform you that By the Gates, we are informed of a very spirited engagement between a Dutch & English Fleet in wch. the Dutch tho' [inserted: by] three ships of the line inferior to Admiral Parkers squadron [inserted: had the advantage] the particulars of wch. are in the inclosed [sic] papers; The States of Holland are very well disposed in our favor & my Correspondents [4] expect in their next Letters to inform me of the 20 United States & provinces [struck: all] being upon the long [inserted: wished for] terms with each other, previous to this time, I beleive [sic] our Independence has been acknowledged in Holland, and your Friend Mr. Adams received as Ambassador, I hope you will forward me a Letter for him, and your other Friends in Europe, if I should have sailed they will be sent after me, those attentions you very well know are commonly well received.
By Express from His Excellency Governor Trumbull, information has been recd. in Town of the British having returned to New [strikeout] York having had a severe action with Compte De Grace, in wch. they lost the Terrible of 74 Guns and had three ships much wounded, this we beleive to be true: Tis said the Fleet from Holland has arrived at Casco Bay [inserted: consists of] the particular Vessells I mention'd to you in the fore part of this Letter since writing wch. the intelligence has arrived, Colo. S. beleives this, and we all wish it may be confirmed. I received your favor of the 8th. Inst. from Head of Elk & hope your prospects will be realiz'd soon enough for me to be the bearer of the pleasing intelligence to Europe.
I have written you an Epistle nearly as long as one of St. Pauls, I have reason to suppose it will [inserted: not] be less pleasing to you, who I esteem as my best & most indulgent Friend enclusive [sic] of Fraternal attachments. My Sincere affection attend my Sister who I can assure you has not a Small proportion of it, and to [illegible] dear Hal & Lucy. I hope you have written and continue to write by every conveyance, & that you will not forget the tender of my Services to the French Gentlemen.
I am my Dear Brother
Yrs Most Affectionately
Wm. Knox
Brigr. Genl Knox.

[docket]
From Mr William Knox
28 Septembr 1781 -