Cornell, Ezekiel (1733-1800) to Henry Knox
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01088 Author/Creator: Cornell, Ezekiel (1733-1800) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 July 1781 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 32.7 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Signed "E." Cornell, on the Congressional Board of War, discusses General Nathanael Greene: "Notwithstanding fortune sometimes frowns on our friend Greene I am happy to see by a late resolution of Congress that his conduct meets the approbation of that Honl Body..." (Greene was Commander of the Southern Department). Agrees with Knox, that the present force is insufficient to take on a large military operation. Jokes with Knox about the Board's failure to respond to letters. Also notes that three armed men robbed a mail carrier near Wilmington, Delaware: "I have good reason to believe they gained little Inteligence of consequence perhaps imprudent things from individuals. I think I see some Gentlemen uneasy already."
[draft]
Philad.a July 26. 1781
Dear Genl.
I thank you for your letter of the 21st Instant which I had the pleasure to receive yesterday -
Not withstanding fortune sometimes frowns on our friend Greene I am happy to see by a late resolution of Congress that his conduct meet the approbation of that Honl Body -
It gives me pleasure to find that my account of the Action in Virginia was exagerated. I shall [inserted: say] nothing more on the subject then that I took the information from a private letter to Colo. Grayson -
I cannot but feel with you an account of the Uncertain state of the Army and am fully convinced of the impossibility of any thing Capitol being executed under present Circumstances But one circumstance I cannot pass by in silence. You say One Governor - [2] has not answered one of His Excellencys letters tho he had wrote six - can it be possible? Has he ketchd the infection from this Board? I hope not
So far as respects the particular state of publick [illegible] at the Board you will receive officially [strikeout] by this conveyance -
I have no news to write only that the Southern port was robed of his Mail the day before yesterday six miles on this side Wilmington by three Armed men I have good reason to believe they gained little Inteligence of Consequence perhaps imprudent things from individuals. I think I see some Gentlemen uneasy already -
I am your Huml Servt
E -
General Knox
[docket]
Cornell
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.