Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Jonathan Williams
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01250 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Yorktown, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 October 1781 Pagination: 3 p. : docket Order a Copy
Announces the surrender of the British and German forces under Lord Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown, which occurred two days earlier. Explains that the enemy was given the same terms of surrender that the American forces received at Charleston the year before. The enemy forces number greater than 7000 men. States that there were over forty ships in the harbor. Comments on the unmatched harmony between American and French troops and offers praise for the French. Williams was a diplomat who served as an inspector of arms shipments with his uncle Benjamin Franklin's mission to France.
Camp before York in Virginia 21 October 1781
My dear friend. It is with great satisfaction that I announce to you the important event of the surrender of the [inserted: British & German] Army under Lord Cornwallis [struck: in York] [inserted: which had taken [place] at York & Glocester [sic]] to the Army of America [struck: & France] [inserted: & France] - This [struck: important] [inserted: great] affair was completed on the 19th instant, when [strikeout] British [struck: flag Colours were] the [struck: British] [inserted: enemy] surrendered prisoners of War, and had the same honors granted them which were granted to the American garrison at Charlestown. That is there [sic] were not permitted to unfurl their colours or play an American or French march. The numbers of the Enemy including officers and sick amount to more than 7000. Two hundred pieces of ordnance nearly one half of which are brass. A great number of Arms, &c.
There were in the harbour upwards of 40 sail of topsail vessells & many [struck: some] [inserted: of a] smaller [size].
This stroke [struck: my dear sir] [2] which I have not time to give you in detail is one of the most important that could have happened, [struck: and is] as it effects the [Valuation] of the weakest part of the Continent.
The harmony and good understanding which prevails between the American & french troops [strikeout] has no parallel. We love each other as if of the same nation. [Strikeout] The benefits received from France are so numerous & important that we should be ingrates indeed were we not highly impres'd with their magnanimity - at the same time my dear Country man I pass the highest encomiums possible on our enlightened & gallant allies, permit for your satisfaction to say to that [our] [struck: troops] American troops are [struck: worthy for] [inserted: rich in] soldierly virtues and are worthy to fight by the side of they that is mortal & perhaps a little more.
I am so extremely harried with [struck: business that] of my professional duties that it is impossible at this moment to obey the dictates of my heart in giving you [3] more particular information, but you will receive that from the Duke [Lauzern] [sic]. I shall by the first opportunity write you again in the meantime believe my [sic] to be your affectionate Humble servant
HKnox
Jonathan Williams Esqr.
[docket]
To Jonathan Williams
Esqr. Nantz or Paris
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