Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to Marquis de Lafayette
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03451 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter Date: 13 February 1787 Pagination: 11 p. : docket ; 32.3 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy
Provides an account of Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts. Claims the "discontents in Massachusetts" were "speedily and effectually suppressed." Says these discontents were immersed in "Opinions which perhaps were necessarily diseminated previous to and during the revolution [which] seem to produce effects materially different from which they were intended." Discusses the debts, factions, and "the recourse to arms" of the farmers of Hampshire, Berkshire, and Worcester counties. Discusses the government's reluctance to resort to bloodshed in suppressing the rebellion, which consisted of 2,000 farmers and war veterans who shut down the court in Worcester. Says Governor James Bowdoin called for 5,000 troops to be led by General Benjamin Lincoln. Mentions that Captain Shays, one of the leaders of the uprising, was under Lafayette's command in 1780. Goes on to describe Lincoln's victory over the rebels. Says he can trust the news in this letter because he has received updates from Lincoln himself. Says that Arthur St. Clair has been elected president of the Continental Congress. Says Congress has "many weighty affairs" to consider. Noted as a copy on the docket.
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