Wheaton, Joseph (1755-1828) to Mason Wheaton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.06339 Author/Creator: Wheaton, Joseph (1755-1828) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter Date: 3 February 1795 Pagination: 2 p. ; 32.9 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy
Is happy to hear that his uncle, Mason Wheaton, is doing well and expresses his warm feelings for him. Heard that Henry Knox is going to be Mason Wheaton's neighbor soon and writes, "it is a satisfaction which requires energy to express that so great a character and so able and good a man (Genl Knox) is I am informed to be a near neighbour to you." Feels this will be a great advantage to the area if Knox is able to use his "active genius, and republican perseverance." He states of Knox, "If this great general could but have had his plans executed by our legislature, I could have [proposed?] much more frontier security and some additional internal order...it is enough for you, that you gain a prize, which the United States have lost for ever." Knox was Secretary of War from 1785 to 1794. In postscript, tells him to direct mail to "Joseph Wheaton Sergant [sic] at Arms to Congress United States. Philadelphia."
The House of Representatives elected its first Sergeant at Arms, Joseph Wheaton in 1789. The Sergeant at Arms is the chamber’s principal law enforcement official.
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