Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05539 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 July 1792 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 32 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Writes that he was recently sick with the fever but has "surmounted the cursed disorder." Discusses his misgivings about whether William Duer will be able to pay the sums stipulated in their agreement. Expresses his dissatisfaction with his present duties and dismay at the situation in France. "Were I to leave this and any part of the public business be neglected I should receive no mercy at the public bar - What a humiliating picture of human nature do the affairs of france exhibit all mad stark mad - ... The spirit of turbulence, envy and malice which are excited in other climes have also assailed our political fabric and although persons seem to be the object, yet it is measures which are really so."
[draft]
Philadelphia Sunday 15th July 1792
I do believe my beloved Lucy, that the remark in your letter of the 8th instant (which I received yesterday), was entirely just [to wit] "that I was out of [strikeout] spirits when I wrote you on the [2de] instant - But it was not any conduct of yours which occasioned the depression. I had before been attacked with the fever [inserted: the day before] at a time I thought myself in high health - and I did not like such a momento of my imbecillity [sic]
I have however again surmounted the cursed disorder, and shall now brace myself up with the shower bath.
My judgement entirely approves of your decision to stay until the hot weather is over. In any event of the health of our children the conduct will bear to be tested by the principles of discretion.
It seems at this time questionable whether Duer will be able to execute his agreement to pay the sums stipulated the 8th of next month -
I do not [2] know whether it would be greatly to my advantage that he should execute it - but if he should it would certainly be a good thing - if he should not, I shall be where I was -
We will on our reunion set down and weigh all circumstances relatively to our future destination, and I flatter myself [struck: our] our judgments at our time of life will point out the situation which on a comparison of every thing shall appear to be the most rational - we have lived long enough without having a fixed object, - it is really therefore proper to decide what we are to do without further loss of time.
To continue to labor and toil in a public life is really pursuing an ignus fatuus My mind is well made up on its folly and I hope [3] yours is also. If the Winslows sell the object will be sufficient to employ us in the summer months for several years - and I beleive [sic] we might pass our winters either at Philadelphia New York or Boston -
Mr Izard has heard nothing from Carolina since my last - I think it not improbable that Mrs Smith may return [with] Mrs Izard to New York - at least this seems the present prospect -
I am pleased that you seem so satisfied with your situation. I would I were with you. But this is my wish, and not the reflexions of my judgement - Were I to leave this and any part of the public business be neglected I should receive no [mercy] at the public bar -
[4] What a humiliating future of human nature [struck: does] do the affairs of france exhibit all mad [stark] mad - Our poor little political [hack] just escaped from one storm will be liable to feel the agitations of Europe. The spirit of turbulence, envy and malice which are excited in other climes [strikeout] have also assailed our political fabric and although persons seem to be the object, yet it is measures which are really so.
You astonish me with the price of the markets. I should not dare to own it here - My love to our amiable sister my charming daughter - All the children and above all receive it my Lucy with all the ardor that I breathe it to thee!
Heaven bless you
HKnox
Mrs Knox.
[docket on first page]
Philadelphia
July 25th 1792.
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