Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. References 2 private letters from 7 and 10 August. Says he cannot furnish him estimates. Says he read over his last public letter (which was on the issue of soldiers pensions at half pay) to Lincoln of 31 July and cannot find anything improper in it. On the peace negotiations, he says "Unequivocally then, we have drank such liberal draughts at the fountain of peace that we can see no other object." Goes on to say that "The independence of America being fully acknowledged, say we[,] France will be easily satisfied by the adjustment of interests which it is in the power of Great Britain to make. Spain and Holland are too much like America, in the want of energy in their governments to be able to depart from the proposition which shall be thought reasonable by the imperial power." Says the idea of half pay for officers is an idea that is circulating now that peace is spoken of. Says the officers want to know if the state will conform to what Congress recommends. Says it would be beneficial if Lincoln was with the army to hear his advice. Says he thinks the army deserves to be properly compensated for its services and claims "a full denial of this justice will be a moral crime of great magnitude." Says the "old soldiers" deserve to be compensated and that those who enlisted before 1777 for the war's duration deserve to be compensated like the officers. Says "the expense of it can be no objection if the measure be just" as most of the officers have expended more than half their pay in the service of their country. Expresses frustration that Congress can do nothing. Says the other states need to follow Connecticut's lead and grant lands in lieu of half pay. Will send a list of books to recommend to Congress next week. 5 page letter -- first 4 pages on a sheet 33.5 x 21 cm. Last page on a smaller sheet -- 20.3 x 20.8 cm. The smaller page seems to be a cleaner write-up of material on page 3.