Washington, George (1732-1799) to Henry Knox
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.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09411 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 February 1787 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 23.1 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Thanks Knox for several letters, which put his mind at ease regarding General Benjamin Lincoln's military operations (Lincoln led the Massachusetts state militia in Shays' Rebellion) and the dignity of Government. Congratulates Knox on the recent suppression of Shays' Rebellion. Comments that Shays is "either a weak man - the dupe of some characters who are yet behind the curtain - or has been deceived by his followers." Reports the adjournment of the Assembly of Maryland regarding issuance of a paper emission. Wishes to see the country happy and at peace while "gliding down the stream of life in tranquil retirement." Hopes Knox will soon pay a visit, and send his and Martha's love to Knox and his wife Lucy. In a post script, notes that he received another letter from Knox, and is glad to hear of the decision of an unspecified Court (possibly related to Shays' Rebellion).
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Mount Vernon 25th. Feb. 1787
Accept, my dear General Knox my affectionate thanks for your obliging favors of the 29th, 30th, & 31st. of Jany. and 1st. 8th. & 12th. of the present month. -
They were indeed, exceedingly satisfactory, and relieving to my mind which had been filled with great & anxious uneasiness for the issue of General Lincoln's operations, and the dignity of Government.
On the prospect of the happy termination of this insurrection I sincerely congratulate you; hoping that good may result from the cloud of evils which threatened, not only the hemisphere of Massachusetts but by spreading its baneful influence, the tranquillity of the Union. - Surely Shays must be either a weak man - the dupe of some characters who are yet behind the curtain - or has been deceived by his followers. - Or which may yet be more likely, he did not [2] not conceive that there was energy enough in the Government to bring matters to the crisis to which they have been pushed. It is to be hoped the General Court of that State concurred in the report of the Committee, that a Rebellion did actually exist. - This would be decisive, and the most likely means of putting the finishing stroke to the business
We have nothing new in this quarter except the dissention which prevailed in, and occasioned the adjournment of, the Assembly of Maryland; that an appeal might be made to the people for their sentiments on the conduct of their representatives in the Senate & Delegates respecting a paper emission; which was warmly advocated by the latter and opposed by the former - And which may be productive of great, and perhaps dangerous divisions. - Our affairs, generally, seem really, to be approaching to some awful crisis. - God only knows what the result will be. It shall [3] shall be my part to hope for the best; as to see this Country happy whilst I am gliding down the stream of life in tranquil retirement is so much the wish of my soul, that nothing on this side Elysium can be placed in competition with it
I hope the postponement of your journey to this state does not amount to a relinquishment of it - and that it is unnecessary to assure you of the sincere pleasure I should have at seeing you under this Roof. - Mrs. Washington writes with me in every good wish for M.rs Knox yourself and family. - With sentiment of the warmest friendship
I am. Yrs
Most Affectionately
Go: Washington
PS.
I had wrote this letter & was on the point of sending it with others to the Post Office when your favor of the 15th. Inst. was handed to me. - This spirit & decision of the Court is very pleasing & I hope will be attended with happy consequences.
GW.
[docket]
Mount Vernon 25 Feby
1787 -
His Excellency Genl
Washington -
Original
No 9 -
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.