King, Rufus (1755-1827) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03159 Author/Creator: King, Rufus (1755-1827) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 June 1785 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 22.5 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy
King, a Continental Congressman, discusses Knox's eastern [land] claim: "I am uninformed of the merits of your eastern claim, but presume they are such as sufficiently warrant the report of the committee on your applications, and therefore am concerned at the decision of the House." Relates that Colonel [Benjamin] Tupper should "discharge the duty of surveyor for a given period, after which [Rufus] Putnam may come on."
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Following the American Revolution, Putnam engaged in real estate investment. He served as a surveyor for the Confederation Congress and used the knowledge he received while surveying to make land purchases. In 1786, a group of men from Massachusetts, including Putnam and Benjamin Tupper, founded the Ohio Company of Associates. The company planned to purchase land in the Northwest Territory west of the Seven Ranges. Both Putnam and Tupper had participated in survey expeditions led by Thomas Hutchins and believed that the region had great potential (from the Online Encyclopedia of Ohio History).
[draft]
New York 27th. June 1785
My dear Sir,
I am uninformed of the merits of your eastern claim, but presume they are such as sufficiently warrant the report of the committee on your application, and therefore am concerned at the decision of the House - this must console you, that you may bring the business again before the Legislature, and with confidence that if the measure is right, you will finally succeed - We go on here, much [2] in the Stile pursued when you was with us - I wish your return, but have heard nothing more than affectionate wishes on the same subject from any quarter - I think you may free yourself from any apprehensions that your absence will be misconstrued by Congress - you may be assured that assembly contains a number of worthy men, who are very sincere friends -
I wrote to Colo. Tupper by this post, on the idea suggested in your first Letter, and also in a Letter from Mr. [3] Putnam - I pray you to present my best respects to your Mrs. Knox, and to esteem me your very obedient servant
Rufus King
Genl. Knox. -
I have directed a Letter to Tupper at Boston - pray if he is not there, take up the Letter and forward it -
RK
[docket]
from Rufus King Eqr
27 June 1785
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