Knox, William (1756-1795) to Henry Knox
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03980 Author/Creator: Knox, William (1756-1795) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 September 1788 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 32 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
William, attending business in Henry's absence, transmits two letters from Lucy Knox (possibly GLC02437.03976 and GLC02437.03979). Notes that Congress recently addressed the question of its permanent location. Six states were in favor of New York, while four were in favor of Philadelphia, "so the question was lost as seven states are necessary for the decision." Discusses military matters: Royal Flint's clothing contract with [the War Department?]; Joseph Howell's appointment as Commissioner of Army Accounts; correspondence with Arthur St. Clair and Josiah Harmar; business with William Duer; Jeremiah Wadsworth's departure for Hartford, etc. Discusses news from Europe. Mentions "...the [British] prohibition of the wheat from this Country on account of the Hessian Fly." Notes that one of Henry's cows is missing and Caesar, possibly an enslaved person or servant, has been searching for her.
The "Caesar" Knox mentions may be Caesar Lloyd Cummings. Caesar Lloyd Cummings (d. 1792), one of six civilian employees in the War Department, was a free black man. He worked as the department messenger. (At least one source indicates that Cummings had served there since the Board of War's creation in 1777.) However, as he was employed by the War Department and not the Knox household, it is uncertain whether this Caesar is, indeed, Caesar Cummings.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.