Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to David Humphreys
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03389 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 December 1786 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 31.6 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Apparently responding to GLC02437.03334. Apologizes for not writing sooner. Writes, "Brevet rank in general appears to me to be delusive and far from answering the purposes designed by it - It sours and disgusts all who are not the objects of it, and it implants in the heart of its professor a restless disposition until he obtains the emoluments and substantial benefits of his title -The progress of this presently render rank more intricate in its nature than landed property held under the various servants of the feudal system - For these and other reasons, I cannot fully accede to your ideas on the subjects of the Lt Colonels Commandant possessing the hand of Brigadiers." Provides several other ideas related to changing military grades, which he hopes to put into effect instead. Marked "private."
[draft]
(private)
New York 23d December 1786
My dear Sir
I beg your pardon for not [struck: sooner] [inserted: strikeout] answering [inserted: sooner] your favor of the 10th of last month. But the hope of [struck: soon] [inserted and struck: soon] accomplishing the objects of the military establishment in a manner that would afford satisfactory prospects [strikeout] induced me to defer it untill that period should arrive.
Brevet rank in general appears to me to be delusive and far from answering the purposes designed by it - It sours and disgusts all who are not the objects of it, and it implants in the heart of its possessor a restless disposition untill he obtains the emoluments and substantial benefits of his title - [struck: In its process] [inserted: The progress of [strikeout] this presently renders] rank [struck: becomes] more intricate in its nature than landed property held under [struck: all] the various servants of the [2] the feudal system - For these and [struck: many] other reasons, I cannot fully accede to your ideas on the subjects of the [struck: Brevets, of] Lt Colonels Commandant possessing the [brevet] rank of Brigadiers.
But I am convinced [strikeout] that the good of the service demands that the commanding officers of the regiments should be full Colonels, and that the [grads] of the field officers should be as formerly they were, Col Lt Col & Major - The reasons as you justly observe which [rendered] the commanding officers of regiments to be [obliged] Lt Colonels commandants, ceased with the [british War] - I hope to effect this alteration, and [inserted and struck: I hope] and that it will be satisfactory to you -
I am my dear sir
Your affectionate
H Knox
Colonel Humphreys -
[docket]
To Colonel Humphrey
23 Decr 1786
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