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Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Clement Biddle

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01287 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 November 1781 Pagination: 4 p. ; 23 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Thanks him and Mrs. Biddle for their kindness to Mrs. Knox and their young daughter while in Philadelphia. Comments that Biddle's knowledge of his orders during the siege will excuse his inability to write frequently. Stresses his interest in ensuring that American battalions are filled with troops. Describes the recent illness and death of Mr. Custis, George Washington's stepson, while he was at camp with Washington as an aide. Mentions that General and Mrs. Washington were present for his "last gasp." He is waiting for General and Mrs. Washington and Mrs. Custis to arrive, but "Mrs. Knox seems inclined to go to Philadelphia to lye-in, but we cannot determine on the matter untill Mrs. Washington arrives." Asks Biddle to inquire into lodgings in Philadelphia for Mrs. Knox for three months, and stresses his desire to make her comfortable, regardless of price. Mentions Nathanael Greene and Tilghman, possibly Tench Tilghman, George Washington's aide-de-camp. Struck note on the left side of first page.

Mount Vernon on the Potomack 11th Novr 1781

I have to thank you my dear sir & Mrs Biddle for your kindness [struck: and attention] to Mrs Knox while in Philadelphia, and in extending [struck: of] it in her absence to her little daughter. These instances of rem[inserted: em]brance to an old fellow soldier have made the most durable impressions on my mind [&] my happiness [inserted: in that respect] will be in proportion to the opportunity I shall have of convincing you of the sincerity of my esteem.
Your knowledge of the [struck: kind of ] [inserted: arduous] service in which I was engaged during the seige will readily form an excuse of my not writing you [inserted: more fully &] frequently [struck: during] in the course of it, [struck: which] [inserted: indeed it] was renderd [struck: more] unnecessary considering that the General, [informed] Congress of the essentials which you [must instantly] have [participated] [inserted in the bottom margin: Potomack] [2] we have been so busy as not to have had time to have formed a judgment of the probable consequence of [strikeout] the important event. our sentiments however are pretty unanimous that under any circumstances [struck: we] America ought to exert every [reserve] to fill its battalions - if this is your sentiment [preach] up the Doctrine untill it shall be accomplished.
His Exellency the General, & Mrs Washington amidst flattering public prospects have Received the most fatal blow to their domestic felicity - The amiable Mr Custis, Mrs Washingtons only child has just been obliged by the rigid hand of fate to pay his last debt to nature -his patriotism led him to camp to participate [inserted: in some degree] of the dangers of his [inserted: amiable &] [illustrious] [struck: & amiable] father, where he contracted the seeds of his disease which in [3] [struck: a few days] [inserted: a week or two] terminated his life, at Colonel Bassetts Mrs Washingtons Brother In law about 30 miles distant from Wmsburg - Mrs Washington & Mrs Custis and the General were present at his last Gasp- It is only for an affectionate parent, to form a tolerably adequate idea of the [spirit] [inserted: of t] this [illegible] stroke [struck line].
The General Mrs Washington & Mrs Custis are expected up here in four or five days [struck: when we shall determine whether we shall] Mrs Knox seems inclined to go to Philadelphia to lye-in, but we cannot determine on the matter untill Mrs Washington arrives, suppose she should [struck: would] [inserted and struck: determine] [inserted: decide to go to Phi[strikeout]ladephia] [inserted: and] if not [possible] to [struck: obtain] [inserted: hire] rooms ready furnished for two or three months? the lodgings are so [inferiorly] inconvenient for her situation that it is impossible, for her to think of it - I pray you [4] my dear sir to make the inquiry without any [making any] agreement - we should not [strikeout] hesitate about a few pounds more or less [struck: in order] to be well accommodated - and if demanded [struck: have] [may] or part of it advanced - I will write you in a few days of our determinations on this head - Our friend General Greene his [sic] much respected in the Southern States.
Mrs Knox [strikeout] begs you to present her love to Mrs Biddle & Mrs [M] to which I pray my respectful compli[ments] may be added-She heard of your honest exultation on receiving the news by our friend Tilghman
I am my Dear sir
Your affectionate
HKnox
Colonel Biddle

[written and struck in the left margin of page one: In the mean time I shall be obliged by your [making any] little advances which he may request which I shall gratefuly [struck: cheerfully] return on my arrival in Philadelphia

[docket]
To Colonel Biddle 11 Nov
1781

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786
Custis, John Parke, 1754-1781
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Washington, Martha, 1731-1802

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