Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington
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 #: GLC02437.06098 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 May 1794 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 32.2 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the appointment of either Mr. [Thomas] Pinckney or [David] Humphreys as the minister to the Republic of France. Mentions Mr. Pinckney might transfer to France as long it is not disagreeable to him. Also notes Mr. Humphreys has not voiced opinions on the French Revolution and would make a good appointment. Recommends the following people, [Thomas] Jefferson, [James] Madison, Governor Henry Lee Virginia, John Rutledge, Elbridge Gerry, Doctor William Eustis, and Jedediah Huntington, along with a few others. Knox's retained draft.
[draft]
Sir
[struck: The Secretary of State having desired me [in] your name to transmit some names as ocur [sic] to me as [struck: proper] [inserted: suitable] for to be nominated Minister to France I have the [strikeout] [strikeout] & to transport submit the following. -]
[struck: If] Mr. Pinckney should not be [inserted: deemed] essential to Mr Jays negociations [inserted & struck: and of the agreement that I] I [struck: should be] [inserted: am] of opinion that he might be translated to France provided the measure should not be disagreable to him. But in either case I [struck: should] think Colonel Humphreys [struck: might be considered as a proper] appointment to France. I believe he has in no way indicated opinions as such to the french revolution - but on the contrary.
If [struck: a person] however it should be judged [2] [struck: should before] [inserted: proper to send a person] from America it occurs to [struck: Given the that the one or the other of the following] [inserted: then one of the following] characters [struck: would be suitable].
Mr Jefferson}
Mr. Madison}[struck: if not] the first if [attatianable] [sic]
Governor Henry Lee Virginia
[inserted: Govr Wm. Lee]
William Bingham Pennsylvania
[struck: Edward Rutledge]
John Rutledge SC
Edward Rutledge
Charles Thomson.
Elbridge Gerry
I have the honor to
be respectfully
Your humble svt
HKnox
The President of
the US.
[3] David Humphreys -
William Brougham -
Doctor Eustis-
[HG] Otis - De[illegible]
Lawyers -
parsons
Jedediah Huntington -
Massachusetts -
[Doctor] Eustis -
[HG] Otis
[4] 18. May 1794
Sir
In pursuance of the desire of the Secretary of State I have The honor to submit to your consideration the following characters, one of which it might be proper to nominate a minister to the republic of france.
[docket inserted on page three]
The President of
the US.
18 May 1794
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.