Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) [Report regarding Henry Knox's salary]
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02748 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript letter Date: 30 October - 1 November 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 23.8 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy
Copy of a letter dated 1 November 1783 from Benjamin Lincoln to Robert Morris, along with a copy of a Congressional resolution dated 30 October 1783. The letter and the resolution concern Congress's decision that Henry Knox should be allowed the pay of a Major General in a separate department during his command at West Point. The original resolution was signed by Charles Thomson, miscopied here as "Thompson." Copies written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide de camp.
War Office 1 Nov. 1783
Dear Sir,
By the enclosed resolution of Congress you will learn that Major General Knox is to receive the arrears of such subsistence as Major Generals in a separate department have heretofore received. The resolve is not so explicit as it might have been, but as far as I can learn conversing with the gentlemen who supp[text loss:ort] the measure, it appears to me the intention of Congress was to allow General Knox One hundred and sixty [inserted: six] dollars for the expences of his table per month, seventy six of which have been received. The balance of ninety dollars per month is due from the first day of September 1782 to the last day of November 1783, fifteen months, amounting to thirteen hundred and fifty dollars -
I have the honor to be,
dear Sir,
with very great esteem,
Your obedient servant,
Signed B Lincoln
Hon. Robert Morris Esq
Superintendent of Finance.
[2] "By the United States
in Congress assembled, Octo. 30 1783.
Resolved, by nine States,
That General Knox be allowed the pay of a Major General in a separate department during his command at West Point, his additional pay granted by the resolution of 12 Jany 1781 to cease during the time he receives the aforegoing allowance.
That the Superintendent of Finance take order for paying to Major General Knox the arrears of such subsistence as major Generals in a separate department have heretofore received.
/Signed/
Cha Thompson Secty
Copy S. S.
[docket]
Papers respecting an allowance to MG Knox while commanding West Point -
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.