Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Benjamin Lincoln
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03453 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Manuscript document Date: 14 February 1787 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 32.4 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Marked "copy." Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Discusses Lincoln's success at stopping Shays' Rebellion and dispersing the insurgents. Mentions how the rapid defeat of the insurgents will affect orders previously given to Colonel [David] Humphreys and Colonel [Henry] Jackson to move their regiments to Springfield, Massachusetts. Says he has been keeping General Washington and Congress abreast of Lincoln's actions. Comments on the upcoming Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and expresses his firm support of it. Believes the objections voiced by many are not well-founded. Hopes that Massachusetts agrees to send delegates to the convention and that they select Lincoln, Mr. [Rufus] King and Mr. [Stephen] Higginson to be among them.
[draft]
New York 14 Feby 1787.
My dear Sir
While I thank you for your kind communications of the 5.th Ins.t I most heartily congratulate you on the successful events contained therein - Were not your military reputation [inserted: already] highly established your maneuvers would have elevated it: but circumstanced as you are in the opinion of your friends and the world; Shays' rebellion is not a field in which you could gather fresh laurels. It will be a sufficient satisfaction to you that you have dissipated a [struck: rebellion] cloud that threatened a violent storm - But I must quit this subject or I may launch out into a Panegyric which might not be so well received by you.
I wrote you by Major North on the 9th. Instant and informed you that I had directed the continental recruits in Massachusetts and Connecticut to repair to Springfield to serve as a guard for the Continental Arsenal and Magazine. But since you have so completely dispersed the Insurgents I have countermanded the orders to Colo. Jackson, on the principle that the expense preparatory to and consequent on the movement would absorb all [2] all the money he has which is destined to the recruiting service alone, and also that the alteration of his rendervous would materially injure his business of recruiting - I have however continued the orders of Colonel Humphreys in their full force, and his numbers will probably amount to one hundred men who will probably be an adequate protection to the stores. If however you should be of a different opinion and will inform me thereof I will order Colonel Jacksons recruits to Springfield -
I have communicated at the requests of our Old friend General Washington the history of your movements from time to time and I have also submitted the substance of your information to Congress. The solicitude discovered for your complete success has been very considerable. I am happy that it has been so [struck: comp] amply gratified.
The Convention proposed by the commercial convention last September to meet in Philadelphia in May next engrosses a great portion of the men of reflection - Some are for and [3] and some against it, but the preponderance of opinion is for it - None of the New England States have yet chosen, and it appears quite problematical whether any will chose, unless Massachusetts. I have endevored to investigate all that has been alledged against the convention and I confess I do not think the objections so well founded as many people do - The Convention will be at liberty to consider more diffusively the defects of the present System than Congress can who are the executors of a certain system - If what they should think proper to propose after mature deliberation should require the assent of the people of the respective states, which is supposed necessary in an original compact, [struck: and] The convention could recommend to the respective Legislatures to call State Conventions for the sole purpose of choosing delegates to represent them in a Continental Convention in order to consider and finally decide on a general Constitution & to publish the same for observance - If a differently constructed republican Government should be the object, the shortest road to it will be found the convention. I hope therefore that [4] that Massachusetts would choose & that you Mr. King & Mr. Higginson should be three of the Delegates
I am Sir
HKnox -
Copy
General Lincoln
[docket]
Copy of a Letter to Genl
Lincoln. 14 Feby 1787 -
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