Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Thomas Shild
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01200 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Trebell's Landing, Virginia Type: Manuscript letter Date: 30 September 1781 Pagination: 2 p. + docket Order a Copy
Orders Shild, captain of the schooner Betsy, to load his vessels with oak planks on the eastern shore of Maryland. Describes the planks as essential supplies for the siege of Yorktown. Authorizes the impressment of materials and procurement of assistance. Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw with a vertical addition in Knox's hand.
Sir,
You are, with the vessels appointed for that service, to proceed with all possible dispatch to Somersett on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and there load them with all the oak plank from 2 to 3 [struck: ½] inches [inserted: & from [struck: and] 12 or 18 feet in length] which you can find, and also with as much pine plank from 1 to 3 inches as will complete the loading of said vessels. This plank being absolutely essential in the operations against the enemy, every exertion must be made use of to obtain it, and in case a sufficient quantity of it can not otherways be had, you are [struck: here] hereby authorized to impress as much as shall be wanting, [insert: giving receipts to the proprietors for which the United States will pay the merchantable price] for which [insert: proceeding] this shall be your sufficient warrant.
Given this 30 Sept 1781
By order of His Excellency the
commander in chief
[2] You are also authorized to procure as aforesaid any assistance of teams or small craft in the transportation or loading your vessells. The great necessity for these articles will I hope be a sufficient inducement for you to make all possible dispatch to return to this place, of which you will inform me me the instant of your arrival.
Trebells Landing
James River
30 Sepr 1781
To Capt Thomas Shild
of the Schooner Betsey
O quid tue te Solution
be! bis? bia abit. O superbe! quid superbis?
Ra Ra Ra Tua superbia te superabit
es, et in Terra es, et in terram ibis
Ram Ram Ram Et sis ut ego nunc
ibis, et sis ut ego nunc
[docket]
Orders to Capt Childs
to procure plank
30 Sepr. 1781.
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