Knox, Henry (1750-1806) To The Committee of the State of Jersey for examining the inlistments [sic] of their lines-at Morris Town
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00909 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New Windsor, New York Type: Manuscript letter Date: 16 March 1781 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 32.2 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy
In Samuel Shaw's hand, and signed by Shaw for Knox. Discusses an incident where a Captain Hugg gave unauthorized discharges to a number of enlisted men who were his neighbors. Title from docket.
[draft] [partial]
...You will observe by the paper No 1, which is a copy of the original muster roll, the time of their enlistments, and the periods for which they were engaged, according to the oaths of the officers then present with the company, the Captain (Hugg) and the Capt Lieut. having resigned. The men in January 1780 became uneasy and claimed their discharges. This uneasiness probably took its rise from Capt Hugg; the person who inlisted them, having given to some of the men, who were his neighbours, certificates that they were inlisted for three years only. When the circumstance of the certificates came to my knowledge I wrote to Capt Hugg "That in justice to the men and to the public, he ought to come to camp, then at Morris Town, and by his affidavit prove who [2] of the men were entitled to their discharges." Capt Hugg accordingly came in February and informed me "That he had been guilty of a great error in giving any certificates; for if his salvation depended upon it, he could not swear who were entitled to their discharges...
This gentlemen, is nearly the State of the case, which will be represented to you by Elijah Price. It was always understood by me that the men were inlisted for the war, and I never heard the contrary supposed until Capt Hugg gave some of them certificates, which, when called upon, he refused to support on oath. It is my sincere wish to do the fullest justice to these brave soldiers, who have uniformly supported a good character. But it is impossible to discharge them...
[3] ... The men I believe were convinced that I taken every method in my power to render them justice, and were in consequence perfectly easy until the late commitions in the Pennsylvania and Jersey lines. They now wish to represent their situation to you. I know not the powers you are possessed of, but am certain that justice to the public, as well as to the men, will govern your conduct...
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