Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Benjamin Lincoln
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10101 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Manuscript letter Date: 3 March 1783 Pagination: 1 p. ; 40.2 x 25.2 cm. Order a Copy
Later copy. Copied 15 December 1853, in Boston, Massachusetts. Marked as "private." Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to Lincoln, Secretary of War, apparently regarding the settlement of the Newburgh Conspiracy. Knox remarks, "I most earnestly conjure you to urge, that every thing respecting the Army be decided upon before peace takes place. That events must be certain, therefore no time ought to be lost. The Army are anxiously waiting the result of General [Alexander] McDougalls mission... if they should be disbanded previous to a settlement, without knowing who to look to, for an adjustment of accounts... they will be so deeply stung by the injustice and ingratitude of their country as to become its Tygers and wolves." A note at the bottom of the page indicates that, as of 1853, Reverend R. C. Waterston (possibly Robert Cassie Waterston) of Boston possessed the original letter.
In December 1782, McDougall presented a petition to Congress from dissatisfied officers who sought payment for their service, among other requests. General George Washington diffused this potential mutiny, known as the Newburgh Conspiracy, with a speech delivered to the officers 15 March 1783.
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