Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05535 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 July 1792 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 31.7 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions being "attacked with the cursed fever" last week, but is now better. Wishes he could be with her and the family. Informs that Mrs. Smith is doing better after being very ill with a "disorder in her bowels." Writes that "Our President [George Washington], Mrs. Washington and family departed yesterday..." Writes of events in England and France exclaiming, "What unpleasant work on the frontiers of France! - England will go into confusion - do you not think Tom Paine has excited great commotion in mens minds to be honored with a royal Proclamation against his writings."
Thomas Paine's, Rights of Man, published in 1791 and 1792 argued that popular political revolution is permissible when a government does not safeguard its people, their natural rights, and their national interests. It caused a furor in England and Paine was tried in absentia, convicted for seditious libel against the Crown and sentenced to hanging. He escaped the sentence, having already departed for France, where he spent the next 10 years.
[draft] [partial]
... Our President, Mrs Washington and family departed yesterday, leaving me for a legacy the baths and ice house...
Mr & Mrs Lear set out today for the eastward - to return the latter end of [3] September -
Hitherto the weather generally has not been intolerably hot - I meditate an excursion into the country [per form] in five days as a change of air and exercise - But I do not know whether I shall execute it - What unpleasant work on the frontiers of france! - England will go into confusion - do you not think Tom Paine has excited great commotion in [struck: mends] mens minds to be honored with a royal Proclamation against his writings -
Yours ever and ever
HKnox
God bless Lucy Henry Julia &c &c -
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