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Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00223 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Lake George, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 December 1775 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 30.7 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy

Longs to see his wife and plans to in three weeks. Discusses activities relating to the transport of artillery captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga earlier that year to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that both his and William Knox's health has been good. Quips about his rotund figure. Discusses the "Bravery of America" and a growing awareness of it among the British prisoners he has seen: "Enemies who would not before this allow the Americans a Spark of Military virtue." Blesses America and Lucy. Links God watching over Americans to God watching over Lucy in particular. Written from Fort George in Lake George, New York. A pencilled note on the verso dated 12 March 1861 identifies the prisoners Knox mentions as from military engagements at St. Johns and Montreal.

Fort George Dec 17. 1775 -
My dearest Companion
It is now twelve days since I've had the least opportunity of writing to her who I value more than life itself, how does my charmer? is she in health & in spirits? I trust in God she is - My last Letter mention'd that I was just going of Lake George about 36 miles in length - We had a tedious time of it altho the passage was fine - in Coming back it was exceedingly disagreable - but all danger and the principal difficulty is now past & by next Thursday I hope we shall be able to set out from hence on our way home - with our very valuable & precious Convoy - if we have the good fortune to have snow I hope to have the pleasure to see my dearest in three weeks from this date - don't grieve my dear at its length I wish to heaven it was power to shorten the time - A time already elaps'd far beyond the bearance of [struck: my] an eager Expectation to see you - We shall cut no small figure [struck: with] In going thro' the county with our Cannon Mortars &c - drawn by eighty Yoke Oxen - I have not had an Unwell hour since I left you, My brother Wm is also exceedingly well & has been of the utmost service to me - I most fervently [struck: pray] wish that my dear dear Lucy might have been equally happy with Respect to her health - had I the power to transport myself [inserted: to you] - how eagerly rapid would be my flight - It makes me smile to think how I should look - like A tennis Ball bow'ld down the steep [2] steep [struck: of Reason] - Give my love to my friend Harry I certainly should have written to him but every minute of my time is taken up in forwarding the important Business I'm up - My Compliments to Mr Pelham & family - [struck: If be] I have had the pleasure of seeing a considerable number of our enemies prisoners to the Bravery of America - Enemies who would not before this allow the Americans a Spark of Military virtue - their note is now chang'd - some are to be [inserted: much] pitied - others are not so much - All in a degree - their infatuation is surprising - but trust [inserted: will] have its End - May he who holds the hearts of all flesh in his hands incline America to put their sole confidence in him & then he will Still continue to be their Leader & may he condescend to take particular care & give Special directions to your Guardian Angell Concerning You
Adieu My only Love
for the present Adieu
HKnox
I inclose this in the General's Dispatches
Mrs Knox
[address leaf]
Mrs. Knox
at
Newton
near
Cambridge
[docket]
Genl Knox from Fort George
Decr 17th 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

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