Washington, George (1732-1799) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09413 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 April 1787 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 32.2 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Transmits a copy of an excerpt from a letter (see GLC 02437.03338) sent by Mr. Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson). Notes that the excerpt pertains to a translation of the article "Cincinnati," from the Encyclopedie Methodique, and reflects the way the French view the Society of the Cincinnati. Since Washington cannot read French, he has to rely on Jefferson's comments on the article, and has asked "a gentleman who lives in my family" to prepare a translation he encloses [not present]. Allows Knox to decide how to present the topic of the article to the Society of the Cincinnati.
The Encyclopédie méthodique par ordre des matières ("Methodical encyclopedia by order of subject matter") is a 206-volume encyclopedia that was published between 1782 and 1832 by the French publisher Charles Joseph Panckoucke and his daughter, Thérèse-Charlotte Agasse. The General Society of the Cincinnati is a historic association in the United States and France with limited and strict membership requirements.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Mount Vernon 27th. Aprl 1787.
My dear Sir
Hurried as I am I cannot (not expecting to see you in Philadelpa) [inserted: withhold] the copy of a Paragraph in a letter which came to my hands yesterday from Mr. Jefferson, and a translation of the article "Cincinnati" from the Encyclopedie Methodique; forwarded to me by the same Gentleman as they relate to the Society & serve to show the light in wch. it is viewed in France.
I do not know what the Article from the Encyclopedie Methodique contains as it is in French further than from the purpose of Mr. Jeffersons letter and being received but yesterday it could not be translated previous to my departure but have desired a Gentleman who lives in my family to do it and have left this letter to be sent with it.
In my present state of mind I can hardly form an opinion whether it will be best to lay the matter before the Society as coming from Mr. Jefferson or as from a person of as good information as any in France I must therefore leave it wholly with you to do as you may think most proper. You know my sentiments from the proceedings of the last General Meeting and from my Circular letter.
In haste I am
Yr. Affecte. Servt
Go: Washington
Majr. Genl Knox
[address]
The Honble
Majr. Genl Knox.
New York - or
Philadelpa.
[docket]
His Excellency Gen W[text loss]
27 April 1787
Original
No 15 -
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