Knox, William, 1756-1795 to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05035 Author/Creator: Knox, William, 1756-1795 Place Written: London, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 June 1791 Pagination: 8 p. : docket ; 22.5 x 18.8 cm. Order a Copy
References Henry's letter of 6 April. Says he has sent 13 letters to him, the last from Dublin on the 13 or 20 June. Says his last letter informed Henry of his "motives for coming here namely to negociate some funds by which I might be kept from sinking in Dublin." Is sorry that Thomas Randall "cannot find it convenient to wait agreable to my proposition to him, from a perfect knowledge that the amount will bear hard upon you..." Offers to refund him when he is successful. Says Gouverneur Morris is here but has not made a great sale of land. Reports that William Temple Franklin has closed a large sale for Robert Morris in the "Gennessee Country" for about 40 or 50,000 pounds. Says Franklin also sold another Pennsylvania estate for Morris. Says the Genesee lands were sold to a trio of English and Scotchmen for speculation. Says Knox might be surprised to learn that Gouverneur Morris was empowered by Mr. Macomb to sell the 10 townships on the St. Lawrence River. Thinks it is strange as he thought he had the sole power to sell those lands. In debates on the subject of who had the right to sell the land, "he made use of all that oratorical reasoning upon the subject of you which you, and his other acquaintance know him to be very capable." William says he told Morris he would continue as he was doing despite this new development. Gives his analysis of the situation and discusses developments of the Flucker estate and his correspondence with Mrs. Harwood, one of Lucy's sisters. Discusses the French Revolution, noting that there was "News that the King, Queen, their children and the Kings sister Princess Elizabeth had taken their flight from the Capital at midnight the 20th and 21st that they were missed on the morning of the 21st at Six OClock." People are speculating that since they got clear of Paris they could make the German border in 15-20 hours. Reports other rumors from French diplomats in London. Writes, "the consternation in Paris on the Discovery of the Kings Departure was great and every body in Arms - that no violence had taken place." Reports that Lafayette and the Jacobins are in agreement on the situation. Says once news arrived of the King's capture the National Assembly sent a delegation to escort him and his family back to Paris. Mentions the situation of the British Fleet. Says the American Consuls in Britain are subpar and hopes better people are selected. Goes on to say he would like to be named one if it can be done with propriety. Reports on his borrowing. Mentions a book that should be forwarded to George Washington is being sent with this letter.
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