Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Marquis de Lafayette
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02166 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 22.7 cm. Order a Copy
References "several" letters he received from Lafayette. Says his brother William is indebted to Lafayette for all the kindness shown to him. William asked that it be acknowledged. Goes on to say "America is infinitely indebted to you for your assistance, in the moment of her deepest distress, and from thence up to the present auspicious period - She recognizes the favors she has received with an unbounded attachment to you." Says he will personally remember "the pleasures of your friendship with the ardor of a lover." Says Lafayette's godson Harry will be taught the same. Believes the sentiment for a "Government unfettered by local or state policy" does not exist, but that the Americans will be a "united people." Predicts "Our affection for France will be perpetual." Says that Colonel Gouvion will inform him of the founding of the Society of the Cincinnati, which will involve many French officers.
[draft]
West point 16 June 1783
I am indebted to you my dear Marquis for several letters which I have had the [struck: great] pleasure to receive. My Brother is indebted to you for [struck: many civilities] [inserted: much kindness,] which he has pressed me to acknowledge with [struck: great gratitude] the greatest fervor of gratitude. and America is infinitely indebted to your [struck: for your] for your [struck: personal and political services] assistance, in the moment of her deepest distress, and [struck: up to] from thence [struck: up] [inserted: up] to the present auspicious period - She recognizes the favors she has received with an unbounded attachment [struck: to you] [inserted: to you] [struck: and] for myself I shall [inserted: ever] recur [inserted: to] the [struck: happiness] pleasures of your friendship with the ardor of a lover, and my Harry your Godson shall be taught the same sensations
[struck: And if I have my doubts]
From the information of the General This supposed you may be on your passage to America therefore I shall not trouble you with details upon any subject - Our system of policy will mend & become good - [struck: because] it is the growing sentiment that there will be no dignity or safety but in a general Government unfettered by local or state [policies] [2] we shall have general funds and we shall be a united people. Our affection for France will be perpetual.
Colonel Gouvion will [struck: tell] inform you of the Society we have formed in which we ha[ve] taken the liberty to involve a great number of the officers of the Army which [illegible] [under] the orders of the Count Rochambeau - We consider you ex[text loss] as an American and therfore [sic] one of us without any particular specification -
Permit me to press you to write me as frequently as your occasions may admit and be assured I shall be a punctual correspondent - suffer [struck: me and] Mrs Knox [inserted: & myself] to present our respectful compli[ments] to the Marchioness your Lady - [struck: we flatter ourselves with the pleasure of seeing her one day] [line strikeout]
I am my dear Marquis with
great affection
Your sincere friend
& humble Sevt
HKnox
Marquis de la Fayette -
[docket]
To Marquis de la Fayette -
16 June 1783 -
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