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Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to James Bowdoin

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03380 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter Date: 15 December 1786 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 31.6 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

Writes, "Major [Winthrop] Sargent will have the honor to deliver your Excellency this letter. Although his dispositions are military, yet he finds himself constrained on consideration of his former rank to decline the appointment to a company of Artillery with which your Excellency lately favored him. But as it is possible that the commotions which now exist in Massachusetts may demand the services of every friend of good governt he will with great zeal render every service in his power to check the progress of rebellion." Recommends him as an excellent officer.

[draft]
New York 15 December 1786
Sir
Major Sargent will have the honor to deliver your Excellency this letter. Although his dispositions are military, yet he finds himself constrained [inserted: by [strikeout]] [inserted: on consideration of his former [rank]] to decline the appointment [struck: of] to a company of Artillery with which your Excellency lately favored him. But as it is possible [struck: that since the employment] [inserted: that the commotions which] now exist in Massachusetts may demand the services of every friend of good governt [struck: I beg leave to recommend him,] he will with great [struck: pleasure] [inserted: [strikeout]] [inserted: zeal] render every service in his power to [strikeout] [inserted: check] the progress of rebellion.
[struck: The long acquaintance] The perfect knowledge I have of his merits and services during the late war, induce me to recommend him to your Excelly and an excellent officer, and a gentlemen of the [2] highest [probity] and honor

[docket]
His Exy Govr Bowdoin
15 Decr 1786
[struck: By] [Recommedt]
Major Sargent

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790
Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

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