Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04509 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 February 1790 Pagination: 2 p. : 30.3 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy
Writes a response to Knox's proposed plan for regulating the militia and gives his opinion that it has "great merit" and "if cordially embraced it would make ours the strongest militia in the world." But believes the people of Massachusetts will not adopt the plan. "The expence, pay of officers, no pay of men, the burden on Masters, calling the youth indiscriminately, disfranchised for a time in certain cases, officers excluded from actual service, subjection to a draught, for a service of three years &c &c will be magnified here and dam the bill." Thinks it is a bad time to bring this up to the General Court.
Boston Feby 12 1790
My dear Sir
I have attentively read over and over again your proposed system for regulating the militia of the United States I am now sincerely to give you my opinion on the Subject I think it has in it great merit and it will at once evince your close application and strength of mind and that if cordially embraced it would make ours the strongest militia in the world. -
The people will not, however, adopt it [inserted: here] if I know Massachusetts, The expence, pay of officers, no pay of men, the burden on Masters, calling the youth indiscriminately, disfranchised for a time in certain cases, officers excluded from actual service, [strikeout] subjection to a draught, for a service of three years &c &c will be magnified here and dam the bill - . I think [2] there could be no moment more unfortunate than this to bring forward a thing of this nature. We shall have an other General Court before any thing of the kind can make it, appear and among us they may think differently from the present
I am my dear friend
with the warmest
affection your
friend & servant
B. Lincoln
Genl Knox
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