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Greene, Catharine Littlefield (1755-1814) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03897 Author/Creator: Greene, Catharine Littlefield (1755-1814) Place Written: Wethersfield, Connecticut Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 16 June 1788 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 23 x 18.2 cm. Order a Copy

Contemporary copy of GLC02437.03898. Expresses gratitude for recent arrangements Knox made for her son George Washington Greene to travel to France for his education. Writes, "…your goodness particularly to my little boy has filled me with the most lively gratitude which however would not pain me if I had any other method of shewing you my feelings than by professions only. I am disgusted with professions: The world makes use of them, alas I know too well how fallaciously…" A note on page two underneath the docket states: "In consequence of the great friendship which existed between Gen Greene and Gen Knox some of his children were confided to the direction of the latter." Location inferred from GLC02437.03898.

(Duplicate)
My Dear General
When our feelings are exquisite it is difficult to express them and much more so to the person by whom they are excited, of this I dare say your [sensibility] has frequently convinced you - and to this cause only I hope my Dear Genl you will ascribe my long silence - for be assured Sir you [struck: will] have scarcely been out of my Mind an hour since Mr Miller returned from Newyork. My knowledg of your charecter has always made me admire you, the friendship which subsisted between you and my beloved, and ever Lamented Husband, created a tenderer Sentiment but your goodness particularly to my little Boy has filled me with the most lively gratitude which however would not pain my if I had any other method of shewing you my feelings than by professions only. I am disgusted with professions. The world [2] makes use of them. alas I know too well how fallaciously pardon hencefore this [sumings] negligence I have been anxiously waiting for the promissed pleasure of seeing you till at length it was become nessary for me to take a journey to Newport which I had deffered on that account. I hope however I shall either see you there or return soon enough to meet you here. be pleased to present me most respefully and affectionately to Mrs L Knox and give her for me a thousand thanks for her goodness to George. I am my Dear General more than I can express your obliged friend and sert
Cath Greene
June 16th 1788

[docket]
from Mrs Genl Greene
June 16. 1788

Note-
In consequence of the great
friendship which existed between
Gen Greene & Gen Knox some
of his children were [confided]
to the [direction] of the latter

Greene, Catharine Littlefield, 1755-1814
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Greene, George Washington, 1776-1793
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

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