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Tilghman, Tench (1744-1786) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01659 Author/Creator: Tilghman, Tench (1744-1786) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 October 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 32.7 x 22.8 cm. Order a Copy

Written from "Head Quarters" by Colonel Tilghman to Major General Knox. Says Knox's "letters" came to hand last evening. Says Washington has gone down to the river and that he cannot answer him until tomorrow. Reports that "Vessels have arrived in short passages from Holland to Boston - letters down to the 20th of Augt. say that the French, Dutch and English Fleets had returned safe and sound into port." Says the British have not determined whether to relieve Gibraltar or not. Claims "it was in danger and must fall without Speedy relief." Reports that British affairs in the East Indies are bad. On the peace negotiations says "Terms of the Belligerent Powers high and hard - Britain as obstinate as the Devil."

[draft]
Head Quarters 12.th October 1782
Dear Sir
Your letters came to hand late last Evening, and as his Excellency was obliged to go down the River at day light this morning, you cannot have an explicit answer till tomorrow -
Vessels have arrived in [short] passages from Holland to Boston - letters [down] to the 25th of Augt. say that the French, Dutch and English Fleets had return'd safe and sound into port - French and [inserted: English] West India [Trade] [safe] arrived - The British had not determined whether to relieve Gibraltar or not - it was in danger and must fall without speedy relief - English affairs bad in the East Indies - they confess an [obstinate] action off Pondichery the 20th of March but say no ships were [taken] on either side - Say their accounts by their Packet from Madras are disagreeable - The Negociations were going on - Terms of the Belligerent Powers high and hard - Britain as obstinate as the Devil.

Yrs Sincerely
Tench Tilghman

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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