St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818 to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05157 Author/Creator: St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818 Place Written: Fort Washington, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 September 1791 Pagination: 5 p. : docket ; Height: 30.5 cm, Width: 18.2 cm Order a Copy
References a letter he wrote Knox from Lexington on 4 September. Encloses a duplicate of that letter here (not included). Says all the troops he is supposed to have arrived on 9, 10, and 12 September, except the Kentucky militia. Has received Knox's letters of 11, 18, and 25 August with their enclosures. Writes, "The Anxiety Sir, which the President has expressed that the Operations of the Campaign should begin at an early period does not surprise me, and the Delays that have hitherto taken place have been to me the most irksome that can possibly be imagined." Wants Knox to reassure the president that he will do all that he can. Reports that rains kept the troops from reaching the Miami River until 8 September. Describes their camp and supply situation. Writes, "No sort of Suspicion respecting the Quality of the Powder has taken place here - it will be proper however to have the proof made you have been pleased to direct but it must be done with caution otherwise the Suspicion might be raised by it, and at that stage of the Business, it would be ruinous." Will have trouble complying with the order to keep up a line of communication with the War Department while on campaign. States that he will avoid any "coolness or discontent" with General Butler. Encloses a general return of the troops from 1 September (not included). Says there is a total of 2,120 men. Relates that a group of Indians arrived at the fort. They wanted to visit their families who were prisoners. Smoked a calumet and interviewed them. Writes, "They had long been in friendship with with [sic] the Americans, and tho' the stroke had fallen upon them they had done nothing to deserve it, but, on the contrary were themselves in danger from their own People for their attachment to us - They lay all the blame on the Miamies and Shawanese and begged for Peace." Encloses General Wilkinson's speech as well as other extracts of letters (not included). A full list of enclosures is on the docket. Noted that Knox received the letter on 25 October.
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