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Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Viscount de Noailles

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02163 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 June 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 34.3 x 21.3 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Knox to the Viscount de Noailles. References two of Noailles's letters -- one from Boston and the other from France -- that needed to be answered. Says he did not know where to send the answer as Noailles was rumored to be anywhere from Gibraltar to Jamaica. Says no matter where he gets this letter, he hopes Noailles will "remember that you have a friend in america who wishes you the most perfect happiness." Goes on to say "The glorious peace, by which the American Liberty is so amply established, will ever be remembered to have been the Work of France - Our gratitude and affection for your illustrious nation will never [dull?] with time." Says they have started an officers society called the Society of the Cincinnati and that it is to include the French officers. Hopes he will be a part of it. Is sorry he could not express his friendship in person before he left America.

[draft]
West Point 16 June 1783

I deserve to be punished by Dear Viscount [strikeout] [inserted: because I] have not written twenty letters acknowledging the receipts of your two favors one from Boston and the other after you [arrived] in France. But honestly I knew not where to [direct] [inserted: to] you, At one moment we were told [struck: that] you [inserted: had] accompanied his highness the [Count D [Artois]] to assist [strikeout] [inserted: in dueling] the [kimlers] against the rock of Gibraltar, at another that you [will] with the [Count D' Estaing] and [struck: your] The Marquis [just] [strikeout] upon the point of sailing against Jamaica. But wherever you [strikeout] [inserted: maybe] when you receive this, whether meditating or executing new plans of Glory remember that you have a friend in america who wishes you the most perfect happiness [struck: and] [strikeout] [inserted: through the] course [strikeout] [inserted: of] Life.
The glorious peace, by which the American Liberty is so amply established, will ever be remembered to have been the work of France - Our gratitude and affection for your illustrious nation will [not] [illegible] with time, [struck: and] [inserted: a] cease only with [one name] [2] and being.
The officers of the American Army have formed themselves into a Society to be called The Cincinnati in which we have taken the Liberty to associate all the Generals and Colonels of the French army. We hope for your concurence - Colonel Gouvion will more fully inform you of the nature and extent [struck: of the] of this matter -
I lamented your departure from America As I learned that I had not [strikeout] impressed with you with those strong sentiments of hardship which I was anxious of myself - leaving me [strikeout] to hope the pleasure of a line from you at your leisure. You may depend upon my [illegible] in upon [your mind] those [struck: with letter] [strikeout] [inserted: with] with the Signature of your respectfully affectionate.
H Knox
Viscount de Noailles -

[docket]
To
Viscount de Noallies 16 June
1783

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