Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to George Washington

Copy in Samuel Shaw's hand and signed by him for both Knox and Morris. Knox and Morris assumed the public would be interested in the POW report they recently submitted to Congress, so they wrote this letter for Washington with information they excluded from that report to avoid its publication. Says they "had no opportunity of bringing forward distinctly the affairs of Mr. Laurens. By pushing it abruptly into notice we might have obstructed but would not have forwarded your views for his release. Had our general propositions been acceded to, his exchange would have followed necessarily. Had they acceded to those terms which would have justified us in consenting to partial exchanges, that of Mr. Laurens would have been brought forward among the foremost." Says they hinted that Laurens might be exchanged for Lord Cornwallis. They think the British are willing to work with the Americans to get these exchanges "concluded in a satisfactory manner." Reports on the "board of directors" -- a group appointed by the British Ministry -- that is dealing with prisoner exchanges with the British commanders in America. They say "We are thoroughly convinced that this board and their powers are more odious and more disagreeable to the British army than to us. The disgust against them among the military is general, but they have numerous adherents among the disaffected." Says mutual hatred and jealousy between the two is apparent. Says "We are convinced that the late murder of Captain Huddy [this is a reference to the Huddy-Asgill affair] was by their authority." Tells Washington that if he presses the issue, he might split the generals and the board even further. Also says "Should a British officer be executed in consequence of a refusal to deliver up or punish the guilty, the resentments of the army will be proportionably inflamed." (a British officer was held for execution in retaliation, but was eventually released). Says there are other problems behind the British lines, as Tory refugee troops are upset about the possibility of being sent to the West Indies. The Tories fear the crown will desert them as soon as they can. Says commerce is at an ebb in New York and that "the quantity of goods in New York is smaller than is generally supposed." Reports that a pardon might push the Tories out of the British camp and truly hurt their enemies. Says "There are many things which it is imprudent to commit to paper, and which Colo. Smith will inform you of." Says there is reason to believe the British will not pay for the upkeep of the Convention Army (the captured troops from the Battle of Saratoga in 1777).