Washington, George (1732-1799) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09434 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Germantown, Pennsylvania Type: Manuscript letter Date: 1794 Pagination: 1 p. ; 31 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy
Later copy, "No. 19 Copied from & compared with the Original Feb'y 8th 1854." Marked private. Mentions a letter from Mr. Bradford concerning Colonel Neville and Major Lenox (possibly referring to David Bradford, Presley Neville and Marshal Lenox). Discusses an insurrection (the Whiskey Rebellion), and instructs Knox to pursue an unspecified plan.
The Neville mansion in Pennsylvania was burned in 1794 by irate farmers during the Whiskey Rebellion. Bradford is often referred to as a leader in the rebellion.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
[Draft]
No. 19 Copied from & Compared with the Original
Washington Feby 8th 1854 -
Germantown friday 8 O'clock P.M. 1794.
(Private)
Dear Sir,
Mr Bradfords letter (which I presume you have seen and) which was sent to me by express, conveyed to my mind a different idea than it is now impressed with from the Secretary of States account of the conversation he has had with Colo. Neville and Major Lenox - I concluded from the first (combined with the articles in the morning Gazettes) that the insurection west of the mountains was not only general but that [struck: that] [inserted: the] [inserted: struck: the] insurgents were on the point of embodying and would receive no mission.. Under these circumstances I could see no propriety in the absence of the officers of the Government: nor [inserted: how] I how I could stand justified in permitting the measure - but as I do not perceive that the accounts of the Inspector & Marshal place matters in a worse light than they stood before - I consent to your persuing your plan - and wish you a good journey and a safe and speedy return -
Yours always
Go: Washington
Superscribed General Knox
Philadelphia
Genl Knox.
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