Greene, Catharine Littlefield (1755-1814) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04630 Author/Creator: Greene, Catharine Littlefield (1755-1814) Place Written: Bethlehem Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 June 1790 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 25.7 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy
Writes about her current state of melancholy over her misfortunes. Relates an anecdote about her little daughter finding her crying and declaring, "oh My Dear Mama I wish I could die, that I might lesson [sic] your cares." Reports that this incident "[p]ierced [her] through [her] very soul." Discusses some upcoming legal matters, including one in which General [Henry] Jackson will be her adversary. Declares that she must see a Mr. Miller about these issues and hopes to travel to New York to intercept him. Noted as written in Bethlehem, state unknown.
Bethleham June 20th 1790
My Dear Genl,
I have been honord by yours of the 16 of June for which, receive my thanks warm from my heart.
If this letter is tinctured a little with meloncholly, you should not be surprised since I have more time to reflect on my Misfortunes tho I am more stedily imployd, than when I was with you for while my fingers are occupied my thoughts are left to roam at large and what adds to my misery is, the [extreme] sensibility of my children upon the slightest change of my countinance this morning my little Cornelia came in to my Room, My spirits were a little depressed O my Mama have you bad news No My love Why than that tear I was only thinking of my affairs She imediately burst into tears and said oh My Dear Mama [2] I wish I could die, that I might lesson your cares, her conversation Pierced me through my very soul and has left me so dejected that I could not sleep I have therefore got out of my bed [to hope] by communicating it to you (who are so generous as to pardon my weaknesses) I might relieve my [text loss]
and now while it occurs to me, let me [tell] you, that Col, or rather Genl Jackson is one of the persons who is to be my opponent this he has declared Publicly
It will be highly necessary that I should see Mr Miller before he goes to connecticut I will therefore try to meet him at New York as soon as I can Yet if he should be well enough and should not be the bearer of those wished for papers: I will thank him if he can come here and I will also thank you to tell him so as I feel very reluctant in going in the stage perhaps quite alone [inserted: or] with a stranger. Pardon the liberties I take with [3] you and pardon me for asking for one more letter just to let me know by the next stage if Mr Miller has arrived if he has brought those papers, and if my Brother is in New York for which favor I will promis not to trouble you with any more of my nonsence which I think will be a good bargin on your side and if you do not [say so too] you will have more gallantry than sincerity
God Bless you and yours
[Prays] your devoted
C Greene
[address leaf]
The Honorable Major Genl Knox
Secretary at War New York
[docket]
June 20 from Mrs
Greene
answered 28 [ulto]
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