Humphreys, David, 1752-1818 to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03302 Author/Creator: Humphreys, David, 1752-1818 Place Written: Hartford, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 September 1786 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 22.9 cm, Width: 18.9 cm Order a Copy
Colonel David Humphreys, who has been elected to the Connecticut Legislature, writes to Knox about his opinions about the state militia. Wants to obtain a copy of the report he wrote for Congress on the subject. Would like his opinions in order to prevent anything contradictory to them from being passed. Writes, "In the present tumultuous times, you will readily conceive, my dear General, how much the public safety & even our very existance [sic] as a nation, may depend upon placing our Militia in proper hands & putting it upon an eligible footing." Also describes the nature of the new Legislature: "We have a good number of our army friends in the present Assembly, such as, Genl Huntington, Colo. Wadsworth, Wyllys, Bradly & several others; who may not be personally known to you- The complection of the whole Legislature cannot yet be decided; but there seems to be some favourable attention in the sentiments of the people: nothing need be a stronger proof of this, than the appointment of Majr Judd to a seat in the Assembly, by a town, from which three years ago, he was obliged, literally, to fly for his life on account of commutation." Sends his love to Lucy Knox.
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