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Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.06704 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter Date: 14 April 1796 Pagination: 4 p. ; 22.4 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

Declines the appointment as a commissioner to negotiate the boundary between Maine and Canada (part of Jay's Treaty). Cites his preoccupation with the construction work being done on his home, as well as the conflict of interest he faces due to his land ownership in Maine. Suggests Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth or Judge [James] Sullivan instead. Adds that he has written to Colonel [Timothy] Pickering suggesting that he might remain at the head of the committee for the time being, in order to suggest that the Committee would appear ready to execute the treaty at any time. Knox's retained draft.

[draft]
Boston 14th April 1796
My dear Sir
I have received your kind favor of the 4th instant. [struck: It always will ever be] I shall always regret [struck: any obstruction to comply with] [inserted: every circumstance what may obstruct a compliance on my part with] your wishes public or private. The Appointment of Commissioner, would mar most essentially my plans for the summer, and which are [struck: in a] [inserted: at a considerable] train of execution - [struck: If I have with approval [illegible],] I shall have sixty workmen employed during the summer, in errectg mills, [struck: but] and other buildings opening slate and marble quarries, and in keeping lime and [struck: bring] bricks. [struck: in [illegible] a power] [inserted: illegible] These are [2] [inserted: and other things] experments to raise a revenue while my lands are gradually selling at the lest nimbel prices
There is another circumstance which I confess [inserted: confidentialy] has a considerable influence on my mind declining the business. I am directly and collaterally very much interested in the lands of the district of Maine. [struck: The impressions I have respecting the boundery are] [inserted: such impressed] that our claim is not well founded, [struck: although [illegible] by many people] But the people in this State have their expectations [struck: illegible] [inserted: buoyed] up on the subject - Any decision therefore contrary to their wishes [strikeout] may be liable to wrong Constructions, not only against me as interested [3] but against the executive, for appointing such a person. It would seem upon closer reflection most proper that the Commissioner should not be of this State. My mind lately has [strikeout] fixed upon Colonel Wadsworth. Judge Sullivan would make a very proper agent or advocate for the US.
I have however in a private letter to Colonel Pickering mentioned that under certain circumstances the appointment might remain as at present - Not that I desire it, but merely as it might [struck: at present ostensibly [illegible]] be expedient, to have an ostensible appearance [4] on the part of the executive of a readiness to execute the treaty.
The great mass of the people of New England, I truely believe 9/10th approve of [struck: answer] [inserted: reply] to the House as [struck: illegible] as [struck: unansw] unanswerable and highly wise - The abuse of [struck: the Jacobenane] [inserted: certain newspapers] newspapers, [struck: has produced no other sensation than indignation] produces no other effect than indignation No cheife national magastrate ever possessed more love, and veneration than you do - [struck: This]

The President of the US

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Sullivan, James, 1744-1808
Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804
Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

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