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Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to Alexander McDougall

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01999 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 March 1783 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; Height: 34.5 cm, Width: 20.8 cm Order a Copy

Written by Major General Knox to General McDougall. Says he wrote a letter to McDougall on 3 March. Says the officers were quiet at that point, but that their impatience and unhappiness is coming to a crescendo now. Makes a reference to the first Newburgh Address, which had been making the rounds among the officers. Reports that it asked for a meeting of general and field officers. Says that "The Commander in chief has requested the meeting to be postponed untill next Saturday." Says he does not know the influence of the letters on the officers as the ice in the Hudson has kept him from travelling or hearing news. Says the officer want to do something to obtain justice though and that "What will be the result God Knows." In reference to half-pay pensions says "I know not how by any violence we can obtain a settlement of accounts." Goes on to discuss the implications of the Newburgh letters and the upcoming meeting of officers. Post references McDougall's letter of 27 February, which appears to have sent bad news. Hopes the army will not take matter into their own hands.

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