Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to George Washington

Requests a certificate from Washington for Winthrop Sargent, who Knox describes as "really clever and... an excellent artillery officer." Promises to procure limestone when the weather improves. Discusses Washington's refusal of a gift from the Legislature of Virginia. States, "My jealousy for your fame is so high, that I should prefer seeing you cincinnatus like, following your plow rather than accepting the least pecuniary reward for services, which fairly challenge the approbation of posterity, but thank the supreme God, you are happily placed above the necessity of receiving any assistance." Suggests the money should instead go to "the maintenance of the widows, and the support and education of the orphans of those men of their own line..." Reports that he accepted the appointment of Secretary at War, noting "From the habits imbibed during the War, and from the opinion of my friends, that I should make but an indifferent trader, I thought upon mature consideration that it was well to accept it..." Complains of the position's low salary ($2450 per year), discussing his relatively precarious financial state. Text extends into the margins of pages two and three. Knox's retained draft.