Hichborn, Benjamin (1746-1817) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03498 Author/Creator: Hichborn, Benjamin (1746-1817) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 March 1787 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 23.6 x 21.4 cm. Order a Copy
Asks Knox to ensure the enclosed letter (not present) gets on the packet and apologizes for troubling Knox with his private matters. Discusses the upcoming election for the governorship of Massachusetts. States that John Hancock will have 3/4ths or 4/5ths of the votes and that "Lincoln is very popular but he with Bowdoin is damned by his connections (Higginson & Co.). I give you this information because Harry & many of your good Friends are blind."
[draft]
My dear Sir,
I have not a scrap of paper from my office but what I have torne from a billet [to] enclosing [an] a letter which I must beg [y] favor of you to be sure of it's going in the Packet - I feel ashamed to trouble you [inserted: so often] merely in my private concerns, but the News papers can furnish more than all my knowledge except on one point, which [inserted: if] you will, keep [strikeout] a profound [secret], as to the Channel in which you receive it. I will communicate [strikeout] [with] as you seem to consent to know what it is & I have promised as required, I have to tell you that Hancock will have 3/4th if not 4/5th of y votes next week to be Governor - Lincoln & Bowdoins friends have made a great [illegible] in dividing their force - Cushing will be Lieutenant & so they [rap] it up
[struck and written upside down: Mr & Mrs Hichborn]
Lincoln is very popular but he with Bowdoin is doomed by his Connections [Higginson & Co.] I give you this Information because Harry & many other of your good Friends are blind -
Mrs Hichborn joins me in Respects to Mrs Knox's
yYours affectionately
B Hichborn
[address leaf]
The Honble Major General Knox
Minister at War
private New York
[docket]
From Colo B. Hichborn
25 March 1787 -
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