Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to George Washington [incomplete]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03087 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter Date: 21 January 1785 Pagination: 4 p. ; 32.2 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Comments on a recent trip Washington took to his western lands. Expresses relief that Washington did not travel as far west as he originally planned due to "the indians being in a bad temper." Referring to settlers on Washington's lands, writes "You must have been chagrined to have found your Lands possessed by a... people who hold in contempt equity- the first principle of Society." Discusses disunity among the states, writing, "We are entirely destitute of those traits which should Stamp us one nation- and the Constitution of Congress does not seem to promise any capital alteration for the better." Reports on his tour with General Benjamin Lincoln to the eastern line of Massachusetts (present-day Maine, in the area of Passamaquoddy Bay). Writes, "We went to the eastern line of this State, and found that the british have made excessive encroachments upon our territories." Contains two dockets, one on the first page and another in pencil on page four.
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