Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to John Hancock
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01562 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter Date: 2 September 1782 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 33.3 x 20.6 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Major General Knox to Massachusetts Governor Hancock. Says Colonels Putnam and Hull comprise a committee of the Massachusetts Line to request an explanation on the status of payment of half pay pensions to officers. Says they "have no doubt as to the substance but are anxious to learn the mode fixed." Says the decisions of other states has them worried, but that they still have faith in the good sense of Massachusetts's leaders. Tells Hancock that the war's end will bring home men of the "highest degree of honor and integrity."
[draft]
West Point 2 September 1782
Sir
The Colonels Putnam, Brooks, and Hull, are a Committee of the Massachusetts Line, to request of the Legislature, an explanation, hereafter the officers are to rely upon the State for the payment of the half pay order'd by Congress [inserted: with] it in present form or any other, which may be more agreeable to the community. The [struck: officers [inserted: army] have no doubt as to the substance, [struck: and] [inserted: but] are anxious to have the [struck: forms explained] [inserted: mode] fixed. The officers who have had the best opportunities, to observe the dispositions of th the people of the respective states, [struck: have the] [inserted: desire] the most solid satisfaction, from the good sense and liberality which they believe to exist in Massachusetts. They are persuaded that those principles [struck: are] will support their claims. They look up to your Excellency as their political head and promise themselves that you will [inserted: not only] think their requests reasonable, but that they shall find all [strikeout] [inserted: proper] protection and countenance. [struck sentence] from your [struck: noble] [inserted: high] station
I hope your excellency will place
His Excellency Govr Hancock
[2]
the assertion to its proper motive when I declare my firm [struck: persuasion] [inserted: belief] that the termination of the War will return to their County, men, of the highest degree of honor and integrity, both officers and soldiers, who will as [struck: far as their numbers shall extend], be firm supporters of the Laws & [illegible] [struck: of their County], and whole [strikeout] experience & to many, will form a noble barrier, against all enemies, [struck: on internal & external] at home or abroad.
The Line, [struck: honored me by placing] [inserted: did me the honor to place] me in the committee with the above Gentlemen, but circumstances, without my controul [sic] prevent [struck: my obeying their desires] [inserted: a compliance with their desires] [inserted: strikeout], and my ever ardent wishes to [struck: be without] endevor to serve them.
I have the honor to be
With great respect
Your Excellencys
Most Obedient
Sert
[docket]
To Governor Hancock
2 September 1782
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