Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to George Washington

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10153 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 October 1783 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 35.7 cm, Width: 23.2 cm Order a Copy

Thanks Washington for writing to General Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary of War, on his behalf, requesting "an extra allowance from the public as head of the ordnance and during the time I have been in the command of these posts." Refers to a journey taken by Major Samuel Shaw to gain "information and if possible a favorable resolve" from Congress, apparently on his own and on Knox's behalf. Writes, "I hope it cannot be thought an unreasonable solicitation, to be placed upon the same footing with my predecessors, as an equal..." Notes that Generals [Alexander] McDougall, [William] Heath, and [John] Paterson have obtained additional compensation through application to Congress. Requests that Washington provide Shaw with a certificate of his services, noting a certificate "under your Excellencys hand might be of the greatest utility to him." Lucy Knox sends her regards to Martha Washington. Knox's retained draft.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799
McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786
Heath, William, 1737-1814
Paterson, John, 1744-1808
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824
Washington, Martha, 1731-1802

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources