Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to Alexander Hamilton

Written by Major General Knox to Hamilton who had left the army in March 1782. References Hamilton's letter of 7 July. Discusses retaliation against "a captain of the 57 regmnt" (Captain Charles Asgill), for the murder of Captain Joshua Huddy by Loyalists. Asgill was to be executed after the British refused to hand over Lippincott, who the Americans said was responsible for Huddy's death. Washington felt he could not recede from this course of action but wants all other possibilities exhausted before the execution is carried out. Reports Washington will likely demand of Sir Henry Clinton that "the guilty be punished before the innocent'." Says they are waiting for the court martial proceedings of Lippincott to be sent. Says this affair has caused much bad blood between the Tories and regular troops in New York "and this rancor seems to increase as the matter is protracted." Does not support execution, "But yet it will difficult for the General circumstanced as he is with his own declaration, the resolution of Congress on the subject and the expectations of the people, to find reason to justify him to the publick for a total suspension of the matter. If it can be done constantly, he will be happy, not to be obliged to have recourse to a measure, the execution of which must cost him grief and pain." Says there is no news and that Washington has not yet returned from Philadelphia, where he is meeting with Rochambeau.