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Knox, William, 1756-1795 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04010 Author/Creator: Knox, William, 1756-1795 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 October 1788 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 32.4 cm, Width: 20.1 cm Order a Copy

Reports War Office business. Discusses Lieutenant Pratt's recruits and his orders to march to Fort Pitt. Refers to matters in the Northwest Territory, clothing inspection and packing, and a [Congressional] committee's inspection of the War Department. Of the inspection and resulting report, writes, "I do not think it looks unfavorably to you- but which with defference [sic] to their great wisdom might I think as well have been left undone, as it acquaints the world with secrets, which should have been less extensively known." Reports that Robert Morris is in town, and the "Old Congress" will shortly conclude. Received news from Mr. la Forest: the Archbishop of Toulouse, Prime Minister of France (Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne) has been dismissed and no successor had been appointed as of 3 September; [Jacques Necker] is again the Director of Finances of France. Complains that he has been confined to his chamber "with an ague in [his] face."

Knox, William, 1756-1795
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Lomenie de Brienne, Etienne Charles de, 1727-1794
Necker, Jacques, 1732-1804
Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

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