Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to John Trumbull
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02240 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 July 1783 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 21.4 x 17.1 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Major General Knox to celebrated American artist Colonel John Trumbull. References Trumbull's letter of 20 June, which was delivered by his brother. Is glad he approves of the Society of the Cincinnati, and says he will be proposed for admission into the Connecticut branch at the next meeting. Says they might have been too hasty in the adoption of a medal. Describes it as "the Eagle with the emblems of cincinnati upon his breast. There is a beauty in the design as the bald eagle is peculiar to America and is, [on] the crest of the arms of the United States." Goes to say that Trumbull's friend Benjamin West, "whose mind has been in the habit of thinking upon these subjects may strike out something still more rich(?)." Asks him to bring the matter before West and he will take the results to the Society.
[draft]
West point [struck: 4] [inserted: 5] July 1783
Dear Sir.
I have had the [struck: honor] pleasure to receive your favor of the 20th of June by your brother.
I am happy that you approve of the Society of the [struck Cinincinati] Cincinnati. [struck sentence] I am certain that there cannot be a disentient [sic] [inserted: voice] to your admission [strikeout] I have mentioned the matter to General [Huntington] will propose you at the first meeting of the society for the State of Connecticut of which he is President.
[struck: I am] Perhaps we have been too hasty in the adoption of the medal. But we [2] have made one addition lately, [struck: which is] [strikeout] designed by monsieur L Enfant of the Corps of Engineers It is the bald Eagle with the emblems of cincinnatus upon his breast [struck: &] There is a [struck: peculiar] beauty in the design as the bald eagle is [struck: a b] peculiar to America and is, the crest of the arms of the United States-It is possible however that your friend Mr West whose mind has been in the habit of thinking upon these subjects may strike out something [inserted: still] more [rich] & beautiful. [strikeout] [struck: therefore] I shall [inserted: therefore] be under obligations to you to remember the matter, and if you could engage [struck: Mr West on the matter] [inserted: him] in it to transmit me the result, which I will lay before the Society. I wish you [struck: Sir] every possible success the the [sic] pursuit [3] of your favorite [plan], and that you may attain that superlative degree of [inserted and struck: professional] excellency which is possessed Your friend [struck: Mr West] [inserted: & Countryman]
I am Dear Sr
with great respect
Your
Humble Servt
HKnox
Colonel Jno Trumbull.
[docket]
To Colonel Jno Trumbull
5 July 1783
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