Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Catharine Greene
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03333 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 November 1786 Pagination: 2 p. ; 31.7 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Consoles Mrs. Greene on the death of her husband, General Nathanael Greene. Writes that he planned to console her in person, but due to unforeseen circumstances will be unable to do so. Declares that he loved the General very much, as she knows, and that he and his wife send their affections to her and her children.
[draft]
NYork 10 November 1786
My dear Madam, A Constant expectation of paying my respects personally, has hitherto prevented my writing to you, since your return from Georgia. But circumstances uncontrollable by me, have given me different difficulties and deprived me of the melancholy satisfaction of condoling with you, on that stern stroke of Fate, the death of your beloved and illustrious husband -
That I loved him you know & the feelings of my heart at this moment fully confirms - But unsearchable and rigid [struck: degr] decrees have torn him from you, his friends and his Country - May we be reunited in a state of [text loss]tence, where there shall be more happiness [text loss] less misery - Hope that charming quality of the [text loss] mind dictates that it shall be so; and although [text loss] by which this event shall be effected [but] [text loss]ident yet it may [not be the less] certain - But [text loss]s decisive on the subject and establishes the [text loss] Permit me [2] permit me to say, that [inserted: I] feel myself so strongly interested in every thing that relates to you and your children, that I shall ever rejoice to hear of your happiness; and if it should so happen, that any [struck: effort] [inserted: labors] of mine [could] [text loss] thereto, they should be most chearfully exerted for that purpose -
Mrs Knox unites with me in my presentg our sincere affections to you and the children
I am my dear Madam
with the purest friendship
Your most obedi[text loss]
humble Sert
HK[test loss]
Mrs Catharine Greene -
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