Smith, Paschal Nelson (d. 1805) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01329 Author/Creator: Smith, Paschal Nelson (d. 1805) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 January 1782 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 23.5 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy
Thanks him for his last letter, and adds the congratulations of himself and Mrs. Smith, as well as of Mr. and Mrs. Sears, on the birth of Knox's son. Comments that they are "very happy to hear Mrs. Knox & the young Stranger were so well." Discusses the loss of Captain Magee's and Captain Grinnell's brigs: "I could have forgiven dame Fortune for my part, if she had stop'd there, but She has been illnatured enough to persue Mr. Sears & me for the last twelve months, almost without intermission, with Losses & disappointments, if she does not soon relent, we shall be left without anything for her to prey upon." Mentions he has no news but has heard a rumor that the "Governor of Martinico has taken St. Eustatia from the English & restored it to the Dutch." Comments that he has not yet heard from Knox's brother William. Finally, discusses a court case: "I hear you are a member of the Court for the tryal of our Friend General Howe, is he like to come off with honour, & are we like to have the pleasure of seeing him in Boston this Winter, these enquiries between ourselves." (General Howe is probably General Robert Howe, who faced a court martial for losing the city of Savannah, Georgia.)
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