Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01995 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 March 1783 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 33.5 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Sends his regrets to General George Washington as he was unable to make a meeting at Head Quarters due to the the large amount of ice in the river. Discusses the "extraodinary notification and address forwarded to Colonel Crane" (the first of the anonymous Newburgh letters, which had been circulated at camp the previous day, 10 March 1783). Washington had doubtless asked Knox to attend a confidential meeting of trusted officer to discuss response to the Newburgh Crisis. (For more information on that meeting, see background for GLC02437.10105.) Knox's retained draft.
The anonymous Newburgh Address had called for a meeting of officers the day this letter was written.
[draft]
[inserted in different hand: Washington]
West point 11 March 1783
My dear General
I should have been at Head quarters this morning agreably to your Excellencys request by Major Shaw, but there is so much ice in the river as to prevent all passing by water. I [struck: shall embrace the first] day [struck: the] If [struck: the ice will] If the State of the river will [struck: permit] [inserted: quit] tomorow I shall wait on your [inserted: Excellency] I believe no person, will go from West point in consequence of the [strikeout] [inserted: extraordinary] notification and address forwarded w Colonel Crane.
[struck: Colonel] I am My dear Sir
with the highest degree of respect
and attachment
Your Excellencys
most obedient Servt
H Knox
His Excellcy Genl Washington
[docket]
To His Excl Genl Washington
11th March 1783
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