Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Benjamin Lincoln
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01760 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 December 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 33.8 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Writes that as he has been charged with being the commander of West Point, he must, with General George Washington, determine any changes or additions to West Point "as may tend to give it that solid strength which the nature of the service may require." Discusses some changes he would like made to the structure of the redoubts, which would require timber. To obtain the timber, he needs teams of oxen to pull it, and he is having trouble acquiring the timber and oxen. Asks Lincoln to empower the Quarter Master General to help him in his endeavor.
[draft]
West Point 23 Dec 1782
Sir
His Excellency the commander in chief having honored me with the command of this important post, it becomes my duty to point out such [struck: defects and remedies] repairs and additions, as may tend to give it that solid strength which the nature of the service may require
I have mentioned to his Excellency the General, that it is essential to the existence of the post, that the four redoubts in the superior height should have [strikeout] some proofs, the timber for which can be obtained only by means of the [snow]. Upon an application to the quarter Master for having the effect [they matter] I am informed that he is in his present situation unable to render the [assistance] required. I am therefore with the approbation of [struck: his Excellency] the Commander in chief [under] the necessity of requesting of you that the Quarter Master General be empowered to perform the service above specified, which will take [struck: twenty four] [inserted: forty eight] yokes of oxen forty five or fifty days.
I am sir with the highest Respect
The honorable your most Obedient
General lincoln secetary [sic] War Sevt
HKnox
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