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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Washington, George (1732-1799) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09386 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Newburgh, New York Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 14 May 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 34.4 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Washington writes to Knox, commander at West Point. Supports Knox's approval of officers' court martial of rioters. Writes, "I am loth at this time to consent to the absence of Officers from their Corps,- wanting their influence as much as possible, to quiet & allay the discontents of the Soldiers." Allows Knox to consent to officers' absence under special circumstances. Instructs Knox to give non- commissioned officers or soldiers with "mutinous dispositions" furloughs for "any length of time they wish- we are better without them than with them." Relates that General Huntington (possibly Jedediah) was also given liberty to furlough men the previous day.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

[draft]
Head Quarters 14th May 1783

Sir
I approve of your sentiments given to the Officers commanding the Regiments at West Point, respecting the carrying into execution the sentence of Courts Martial upon the Rioters, mentioned in your Letter of this day. - & [inserted: they] will stand justified with me.
I am loth at this time to consent to the absence of Officers from their Corps, - wanting their influence as much as possible, to quiet & allay the discontents of the Soldiers, - but in cases, where you find extraordinary circumstances require it, I submit to your giving liberty for such Officers to be absent for a short time.
I am Sir
Your Most
Obedient Servant
Go: Washington
Majr. Genll. Knox

If there are any non Commissioned Officers or Soldiers whose mutinous dispositions appear to arise from their anxiety to be discharged the Army, you have my full permission to give them Furloughs for any length of time they wish - we are better without them than with them. [2] The same
liberty for furloughing the Men [inserted: of the Connecticut Regts.] was
yesterday [struck: to] given to General Huntington
[docket]
From His Excellency
Gen Washington
May. 1783 -
Original
No 40 -

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Huntington, Jedediah, 1743-1818

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