Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to William Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00378 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 July 1776 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 21 x 14.4 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions that he wrote to Henry Jackson about the British ships that sailed up the Hudson on 12 July 1776 and their engagement with artillery. Describes an attempt by General William Howe to have a letter delivered seeking a truce, which was rejected because it was addressed to Mr. Washington instead of General Washington. In a reference to the Declaration of Independence, the messenger claimed the letter was of a civil matter, not a military one. He expects the message to be brought again, which it was. Asks William to give the wife of Thomas Seward twenty dollars and to inform her that Seward had gone on a mission north of New York City. Seward was a captain lieutenant in Knox's artillery regiment.
New York July 15.1776
Dear Brother.
I received your favor by the post for which I am oblig'd to you, I wish I had time I would give you a lengthy one in return but it is not in my power I wrote to M Jackson by Mr Slick of 2 Ships and three tenders passing this Town last friday, they now are about 24 miles above this city, we hear they are much damag'd, Yesterday Lord Howe who arriv'd about 2 Hour after The Ships past sent a flag up to this City they were met about 4 miles by a Boat, who desir'd them to stay about 2 miles Off & they would Report the matter to His Excellency - the Genl sent Col Read & myself down who after Genteel Saluations [sic] on both sides presented a Letter to George Washington [2] He was told we had no such [strikeout] address in our Army - He ask'd us to look on the Letter, which was written fairly - & Frank'd Howe he said the Letter was on civil business entirely thus Lord Howe had come out with [such powers] and lamented Exceedingly that he had not arriv'd a little sooner we suppos'd he meant the Declaration of Independence
- He ask'd by which address Genl or Mr Washington chose to be address'd we told him that he must be sensible of the Rank Genl Washington held in American Army - that the matter was no News that the same affair was altercated last summer he said he was Exceedingly sorry the Letter Could not be recd. and after mutual polite Salutations we [struck: posed] we suppos'd he was Capt of the Eagle man of war the Ship Lord Howe Came in - I expect the flag will again return again sometimes I write Mr Jackson & write [some] you
[3] Pay Mrs Sarah Seward wife of Capt Lt Seward 20 Dollars, and inform her that Cap Seward is well and gone up to the Highland Forts about 50 miles from this City up the river - he lives near [illegible] ferry - don't neglect this
I am in great haste
My dear Brother Yours
Most Affectionately
Henry Knox
[address]
M. William Knox
Boston
[docket in upper left corner of page one]
Lettr from Collo Knox
July 15. 1776
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