Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to [Mercy Otis] Warren [incomplete]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03640 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 August 1787 Pagination: 5 p. : docket ; 32.4 x 20.6 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the proceedings of a convention (referring to the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia) and mentions the Society of the Cincinnati. Says the Convention is coming to a conclusion and that the proceedings will likely end the 15th of next month. Weighs in on some of the consequences the Convention may bring and opinions others may have. Informs Warren about the recent loss of his and Mrs. Knox's youngest child.
[draft]
21 August
New York 1787
Madam
Your highly esteemed favor of the 21st of June was duely received. [struck: Since then] my [struck: repeated] absences and avocations [inserted: lately] have been such that I have [struck: hitherto] been unable [struck: to an] [inserted: at an earlier period] to sit down to form a reply - [struck: I have been in Philadelphia one half of the t] Indeed I [struck: a little] wished that that [struck: something] [inserted: somewhat] of the proceedings of the convention [struck: might be disclosed,] [inserted and strikeout] [inserted: might] be known, in order to discover [struck: in a degree] the complexion the remainder of our lives might assume so far as depended on the [struck: kind] government - Although this [strikeout] [inserted: wish] has not [struck: happened] [struck: taken place] [inserted: been gratified] in such a manner as to be communicated at present [inserted: at present] yet it is well ascertained, that great [2] [struck: great] unanimity prevails - that their deliberations are drawing to a conclusion that the great points [afixed], and that the convention will probably separate before the 15 of next month - [inserted: In this situation [inserted: of things] all the [lovers] of their country will want to receive the result of the deliberations of the Convention]
I look forward to that period [struck: when the proceedings of the convention] shall [struck: be disclosed] [struck: with some [inserted: a] degree of anxiety -] [struck: some ordered] [inserted: I am persuaded that some] [inserted: Intelligent] Spirits [strikeout] [inserted: may] [struck: I am persuaded] [inserted: may] [regarrd [sic] the propositions of the convention [struck: as] inadequate to remedy the evils of our situation - while others and a great majority too will be apt at the first blush to consider the [inserted: proposed] government as too high toned
But if the characters of the convention be considered - The matter they propose as [fully] the nature of the creature man, the government will most probably receive the fiat of the multitude
[3] If however it should be otherwise - If the still small voice of reason be not heard -
[inserted: If local [struck: Democrats] demagogues successfully oppose the erection [of] [a fair] national republic - ] we [struck: shall] shall [strikeout] [inserted: most probably feel the force of blind] events - whether they shall be rigid or flexible - adverse or fortunate, must be [left] [inserted: for the present] to those beings who see further than we poor mortals -
[struck: You are pleased madam to request my information] The information you are pleased to request on certain points [struck: of] respecting the Cincinnati and the characters of certain gentlemen shall be candid & given to you when [struck: I shall] I shall have the honor of seeing you which I hope will be in [inserted: in July] October or Novr [strikeout]
[4] Mrs Knox and myself have recently sustained the sharp affliction of losing our youngest child of about 11 months old, of a disorder incident to children & when cuttig their teeth - However much our affections have been lacerated on this occasion, we are forced to believe that [struck: every event] [inserted: the suffering in which we are & every [event then]] is governed by infinite wisdom - [struck: and although nature will be indulged in her feelings] [struck: Our [inserted: The] senses [inserted: of man] are over powered with the extent [inserted: magnitude] and effulgence of the illegible] inanimate nature - [inserted: Infinitely diversified indeed, but [illegible] irregular [illegible] from atoms [inserted: up] to worlds to systems and [inserted: to] [assembly] of systems, [struck: [strikeout] onto infinity] [inserted: ad infinitum] - [struck: Reason &] [inserted: analogy] Philosophy & Religion teach us that there is [inserted: also] a glorious system of [struck: intelligence] [inserted: invisible] intellectual [inserted and strikeout] beings - and although in this stage of our [struck: existence] [inserted: being] we cannot have [inserted: [I [define the mode] or] [struck: the] connection [strikeout] our
[5] I beg General Warrent [sic] to accept my best wishes for his happiness mental and corporeal - I am madam with perfect respect and esteem
Your most obedient humble
Servant
H Knox
Mrs Warren.
[docket]
To Mrs Warren
21 August 1787
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