Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to John Hancock
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01408 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 May 1782 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 33.4 x 21.3 cm. Order a Copy
Written on two different sizes of paper: the first is 33.4 x 21.3 cm, the second is 13 x 21 cm. Writes to Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts, to ask that eighteen-year-old Isaac Winslow be allowed to return to land his family owns in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Knox implies that Isaac's father, also named Isaac, is a loyalist. Relates that Isaac "hopes no conduct of his father will prevent his residence in a country for which he has the greatest respect." Young Isaac was sent away to Canada at age 11 when the enemy arrived, and is now eighteen and has landed in New York. Knox emphasizes young Isaac's innocence and desire to be of service to his country.
It seems likely that the younger Isaac Winslow (1763-1806) was born to loyalist Isaac Winslow (1709-1777) and Lucy Waldo, and that the land to which Knox refers is part of the Waldo patent, a tract of land Knox would later attempt to purchase in part due to a claim his wife, Lucy Flucker Knox, had on the land.
Philadelphia 1 May 1782
Sir
I beg leave to state to your Excellency, the case of a young Mr Isaac Winslow, son to the late Isaac Winslow Esqr of Roxbury. This young Gentleman, was taken from Boston by his father at the [inserted: its] time the enemy evactuated it [struck: not] [inserted: being] than [struck: being] [inserted: not] eleven years of age. The greater part of the War he has been in canada and at present is at New York. having [struck: now] arrived [struck: at a time of life which being he such of 17 &] [strikeout] [inserted: so nearly] eighteen years of age, when he [struck: must] can in some degree decide for himself he is extremely anxious to return to his native country, and truly hopes no conduct of his fathers will prevent his residence in a country for which he has the greatest respect. He has [struck: never] [inserted: not] been in any office under the Army, and has never [inserted: I presume] in the least degree render'd himself [inserted: personally] obnoxious to his countrymen. He [struck: has determined to live & die in this country and to present himself and [strikeout] the protection to the laws of this country, which he is [determ fully.] He seems inclined, to present himself [struck: to his countrymen,] [inserted: to your Excellency as the head of the State and the executive of the State] and [struck: hopes] [inserted: entreats] he shall be permitted to enjoy the citizenship of the most [liberal] Constitution in the world. [2] If this should be the case I earnestly request your Excellency to consider his [struck: case, and] innocence & years and [struck: under the constitution of these Laws which have been [strikeout] and which might by a vigorous [strikeout] application affect him as easy as possible] and to [struck: consider] [inserted: request] him in as favorable [point of service] as your high Status will permit.
I have been lately at Elizabeth Town in the State of New Jersey [strikeout] [inserted: [to treat] with [such] British [commissions] relative to [pensions] [inserted: [illegible]] [inserted: relative to pensions] [struck: with you] british commissions, [struck: and there] I saw [inserted: there] this young [struck: gentleman] [inserted: man] whose youth and apparent innocence joined to earnest entreaties that I would write to your Excellency induced me to comply hoping that [inserted: with his [struck: request] wishes] he might be of [inserted: future] service to his Country. [paragraph struck: I am conscious that [struck: my motives] for [struck: this] [inserted: my] application is dictated by the surest motives of humanity, and I pray your Excellency to consider my request in [other] [struck: other point] manner than as [struck: cons] you may find it consistent with the duties you owe to the constitution.
I have the honor to be with
The greatest respect your Excellencys
Most obedient and most
Humble Sevt
HKnox
His Excellency
Governor
[struck: Humb] Hancock
[3] I am conscious that my application is dictated by the surest motives of humanity. I hope I request nothing inconsistent with the duties your Excellency owes to the Constitution. if I do, I am certain that it will not be granted.
[docket]
To his Excellency
Governor Hancock
respecting a young Mr
Winslow. 1 May 1782.
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