Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to James Swan
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03479 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter Date: 2 March 1787 Pagination: 2 p. ; 32.5 x 20.7 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions some legal papers that he is trying to get an attorney assigned to. Discusses horse breeding and the recipient's recent trip through Connecticut.
[draft]
New York 2 March 1787
I wrote you my dear sir [struck: last] on the 25 that Mr Nathl Ingraham, had, enclosed me certain papers relative to a Mr John Campbell now in goal in this City with requests that I would put the papers into the hands of an attorney in your behalf in order if possible to recover the balance stated at £83. 10/. Agreably to his request, I gave the papers to Colonel Hamilton, who required me to empower his attorney Mr De Huert to carry on the Action - But it seems no letters of attorney can be granted, by a late law unless the authority [inserted: when [not] is formed] [illegible] is expressly ascertained and acknowledged before one of the Judges of the Supreme Court - Therefore the request of Mr. N Ingraham, that I would cause the said Campbell to be sued [inserted and struck: on yr behalf] is [construed] not to be a sufficient ground whereon I can [forward] a letter of attorney [inserted: on yr behalf] [strikeout] - [struck: Will you therefore] [inserted: It is necessary that] write me an explicit letter on this subject in order that I may confer on Mr De Huert a proper authority to commence the [point] - This must be done on your part [strikeout] before April term -
[2] [struck: Apropos how deep [struck: have been] [inserted: are] the prejudices of mankind! The Yoke oxen to the plow, cart horses to Carriages for pleasure]
Somebody has informed us that your horses, refused, to carry you up the hills of Connecticut and that you bought a Yoke of uncommonly [stuck: size] [inserted: large] white [strikeout] [inserted: bulls] as well to assist in the uphill transportation of your selves, as to propogate the breed on [Swans] Islands - Jupiter [struck: ha] has once you know metamorphosed himself, into a bull and another [time] into a [swan] in order to effect his favorite [purposes] - should you suppose one of your Connecticut bulls, [struck: I would] [strikeout] [inserted: watch from those or, he [may] do more than dream of bliss, as the] to [bee] This June - Jupiter (and since his allurements to his [fawn], [strikeout] delightful [recreations] [strikeout] are sufficiently [great]) [struck: It [would] make an ox] [inserted: Should your specious be well [illegible] [inserted: make an ox] of him, and prevent, the like conduct for the future - [inserted & struck: young man of 21 years] [inserted struck sentence] But [drop by] this state I shall [inserted: A young man of 21 years of age, in New Jersey a religious enthusiast, a few days ago, deprived himself of his [virtues] in order that he ought be really [illegible] [where] [illegible] some suppose however that he did it [or] [illegible] he [illegible]] Be happy to receive a line from you informing of your safe arrival and that you had a comfortable journey - The weather has been charming
- We are all well - every day since yr departure
Jas Swan Esr -
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