Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Samuel Osgood
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02875 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 December 1783 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 33.8 x 21.1 cm. Order a Copy
Knox writes to Osgood, a Continental Congressman. Thanks him for the "disinterested attention" he has paid Knox in several instances. Assures Osgood he prizes their friendship highly. Reports that George Washington has instructed him to dissolve several corps and reorganize the soldiers whose terms have not expired into an infantry and artillery. Writes, "This business has been painful on account of discharging the officers and soldiers at this [severe] season without pay, and in many instances the men are miserably clad." Refers to an instance in summer of 1783 when officers petitioned Continental Congress for land west of the Ohio River (the Newburgh Petition was presented by men who, in many cases, had not been paid for their service in the Continental Army, and they asked for land as payment). Asks if the petition has been considered. Discusses rumors that he may be appointed to take the place of Benjamin Lincoln (presumably as Secretary of War). In a post script, writes "I think the pay & other emoluments of a major general, in a separate department, exclusive of any encumbrances... would not be an unreasonable expectation,- and that would satisfy me."
[draft]
Westpoint 30 December 1783
my dear Sir I cannot leave this place, without [struck: writing] forwarding one line expressive of my esteem, and affection, & thanking you for the disinterested attention you have [struck: afforded] [inserted: shewn] me in several instances. These you may be assured are treasured upon my mind, and I hope I may have some opportunity, more than mere words, to convince you how highly I prize your friendship.
His Excellency General Washington has committed to me the charge of disolving [sic] the general corps of this army [struck: in this department], and forming [a regiment] of Infantry of 500 rank, and file [struck: and] one Corps of Artillery of about one hundred men, of those soldiers whose times of service do not expire untill after the commencement of the year 85 so that [struck: they] [inserted: all] will have [struck: one] [inserted: at least one] year to [service] [struck: without any] [strikeout] This business has been [struck: unpleasant] [inserted: painful] on account of discharging the officers and soldiers [inserted: at this severe season] without [struck: a farthing of] pay, and in many instances the men [inserted: are] miserably clad. I hope it will [struck: now] soon be closed and [inserted: that] I shall be able to make [2] me report to Congress and the General.
Some time last summer a considerable number of officers petitioned Congress for a grant of land westward of the Ohio. I am uncertain whether you were in Congress at the time, but it seemed to depend on certain cessions which were about [be] [sic] made to Congress by Virginia. whether this point has been admitted or not, we are not acquainted. I shall be much obliged to be informed of the State of the matter and the probability of its [issue]
There have been [struck: some] intimations given to me [struck: from] [inserted: by] several persons, of [struck: an intention] [inserted and struck: the wishes] [inserted: the wishes] of some gentlemen [struck: to] [inserted: in Congress that I might be] in the place of Genl Lincoln, upon a certain reduced Scale. If I should have the honor of an officer of [struck: that place] [inserted: that place] combined with the execution of [struck: the] any arrangements which might be taken to form a system of ordnance for the united states [inserted: and the [strikeout] with [struck: part a salary] [inserted: appointments] [inserted: strikeout] as would [struck: pay the expences, and prevent [strikeout] I should [strikeout] cheerfuly accept it]
[line inserted on page three: [struck: with] [inserted: and] the charge of any troops who may be retained in service, with such appointments as would pay the expences, and prevent involving myself, I should cheerfully accept it.]
But upon very parsimonious principles [struck: I should] [inserted: I] could [not in] justice to my family accept of any thing to their prejudice. The General, has directed me to continue to superintend these posts and the military [strikeout] [inserted: affairs] in this quarter [3] [inserted: some other arrangements should take place or] untill the pleasure of Congress should be known. [inserted and struck: I [mention] this in the greatest confidence.] I shall go to Boston as soon as [struck: the [strikeout] arrangements be made at which place] [inserted: matters are put in order for the [illegible] at a [illegible] Cases] I shall expect the pleasure of a line from you [struck: and I shall [inserted and struck: have the pleasure to] write you from thence]
I am [strikeout] my dear sir
with great trust and [sincerity]
Your affectionate and obliged
humble servant
HKnox
P.S. [struck: I should think the pay & other emoluments of a major General in [illegible] department exclusive of any [illegible] would [strikeout] us unreasonable expectation, exclusive for the [inserted: strikeout] performance of the above [illegible] This would content me.]
Honorable Mr Osgood
& this would satisfy me
P.S. I think the pay & other emoluments of a major General, in a seperate department, exclusive of any encumbrances [inserted: to those performances of the above [illegible] services] would not be an unreasonable expectation, and that would satisfy me
[docket]
To the hon SOsgood Esqr
30 Decr 1783
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