Greene, Catharine Littlefield (1755-1814) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03898 Author/Creator: Greene, Catharine Littlefield (1755-1814) Place Written: Wethersfield, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 June 1788 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 23 x 18.3 cm. Order a Copy
Original from which GLC02437.03897 was copied. 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…"
[draft]
When our feelings are exquisit[e] it is difficult to express them - and much more so 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 have scarcely been out of my Mind an hour since Mr Miller returned from New York.
My knowledge of your character has always made me admire you, the friendship which subsisted between you and my beloved and ever Lemented [sic] husband created a tender [2] sentiment - but your goodness particularly to my little Boy - has filled me with the most lively gratitude - which would not however pain me if I had any other Method of shewing you my feelings than by profession only -
I am disgusted with professions - the world make use of them - alas I know too well how fallaciously[.] pardon therefore this seeming negligence - I have been waiting anxiously for the promised pleasure of seeing you till at length it has become necessary for me to take a Jorney [sic] to Newport which I had defered on that account - I hope however I shall either see you there or return soon enough to meet you here[.] [3] be please[d] to present me respectfully and affectionately to Mrs. Knox and give her for me a thousand thanks for her goodness to George I am my Dear Genl More than I can express your obliged friend and Sevt.
C Greene
Wethersfield June 15th 1788 -
General Knox
[address leaf]
The honorble
General Knox
Minister at War
New York -
[docket]
15th June 1788
Mrs Greene -
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