Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to John Lamb
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01355 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 February 1782 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 33.5 x 20.9 cm. Order a Copy
Responds to Lamb's letter (see GLC02437.01354) that the notes which were to be paid to the officers were intended, by Robert Morris, to counterbalance the clothing provided for the soldiers. Morris's priorities are first to provide the soldiers and officers with rations, second to provide clothes (which these notes were intended to do for the officers), and third to provide pay, which they are working on obtaining. Argues that an officer who paid for clothing out of his own purse may use the payment as he likes, but that the intention was to pay for clothing for the officers. Mentions the Marquis de Lafayette.
[draft]
Philadelphia 15 January 1782
Dear Colonel
I received your favor of yesterday by Mr. Wetzell. [struck: I did not no] The notes [inserted: to which you refer] Mr Morris intended to issue [struck: were not on account of pay but] as a counterballance, to the soldiers clothing. I understood him that he was determined [strikeout] [inserted: [now]] to make partial payments- this first principle is to feed the Army, this is [struck: done] [inserted: effected] by the soldiers drawing their rations and the officers their subsistence- The 2d to clothe the Officers and soldiers- and these notes were intended as the officers part- The 3d to pay the Army which I am persuaded when done will be in exact proportion from the drummer to the General. [inserted: The officers of] your regiment [struck: may is] [inserted: are] from Captain [Rubbles] information in particular circumstances having besides the clothing drawn at York, a large ballance still due from the state of New York which you are on the point of [strikeout] receiving. This may preclude the necessity, [inserted: with] which must oblige many [inserted: off] officers to receive the notes in order to equip themselves [2] for the field- The clothing [struck: coming] [inserted: to officers] which was shipped on board the Marquis de la Fayette was taken by the Enemy, which induces Mr Morris to make use of the only resource in his power- An officer who has amply provided himself with clothing from his [own] purse may or [inserted: may] not make use of the notes as he pleases- I am charmed with the Sentiment of the Gentlemen not to receive payment without the [soldiers] [struck: have] also receive a proportion, but the exigencies of a great [struck: proportion] [inserted: number] of the [inserted: officers of the] Army will not permit the application in this instance to be universal.
I hope your intended applications to the State of New York to fill your regiment will meet with the success [struck: with the public] which its [inserted: importance] deserves. I wish you a good journey and a happy sight of your family
I am Dear Colonel
Your Affectionate
Humble Servt
HKnox
Colonel Lamb
[docket]
To Col. Lamb
15 Feby 1782.
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