Knox, William, 1756-1795 to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01060 Author/Creator: Knox, William, 1756-1795 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 July 1781 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.5 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Refers to an ensuing campaign and the potential for "disposing of the British fleet." Remarks on the prevalence of British ships in the Boston harbor and adjacent waters. Reports that the House of Lee and Jones lost a ship to the British, consequently losing a total of £15,000. Reports that the merchants of Boston persuaded the Governor (John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts) to ask the French Admiral (the Comte de Barras) for protection, but he said that American privateers had been engaging his men and tempting them to desert, thus he could not assist the merchants with a fleet. The merchants in turn threatened to "dicountenance the engaging French Sailors aboard their vessell[s]" in order to persuade the Comte to assist them. Discusses new monetary emission, reporting "... the very small proportion of specie that is circulating renders business peculiarly dull ... " Refers to an account between Mr. Winslow and [Henry] Knox.
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