Alexander, William (1726-1783) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01631 Author/Creator: Alexander, William (1726-1783) Place Written: Albany, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 September 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 33.9 x 20.8 cm. Order a Copy
Signs as Lord "Stirling." Writes that the laboratory and the old iron cannon has been shipped, by sloop, from Albany to West Point. Mentions that he had expected the military stores to be shipped also, but the Deputy Quartermaster has "disappointed" him in the amount of sloops available for shipping. Has not heard whether anything else was meant to be shipped from Albany, and had expected to get more information from Knox. Writes, "Inclosed is a Return of the Military Stores ready to be sent, and another of some QMG's Stores which I have directed to be ready, as I am sure they will be of much more use at West point than at this place. Burgoine's Waggons must go down their wheels are excellent, especially for the New England ox teams, wherefore they had best be sent to fishkill landing, the bodies are most excellent work and will do for Jersey or Pensilvania Teams." Asks Knox to write him with news of "any thing extraordinary, we get nothing here that can be depended on." Sends his regards to Mrs. Knox and the rest of Knox's family. GLC02437.01630 was originally enclosed.
[partial] [draft]
This being apart of the world from which there is nothing to communicate, I have hitherto only covered the memorandum's of the [Lumber] of the Laboratory; the whole of that building is now Shiped and gone from hence, with all the old Iron Cannon. The Military Stores would also have been Shiped before this time, had not the D Q M disappointed me in Sloopes, after assuring me he had them ready at a moment's warning, he has kept 100 fatigue men [illegible] since Monday morning. I have not yet been informed wether any other buildings are to be sent from hence to West point, as I have not had a line from any person on this Subject. I understood I was to receive my information from you and the QMG. Inclosed is a Return of the Military Stores ready to be sent, and another of some QMG's Stores which I have directed to be ready, as I am sure they will be of much more use at West point than at this place. Burgoine's Waggons must go down their wheels are excellent, especially for the New England ox teams, wherefore they had best be sent to fishkill landing, the bodies are most excellent work and will do for Jersey or Pensilvania Teams.
I must beg the favor of you to write me a few lines whenever there is any thing extraordinary, we get nothing here that can be depended on.
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