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McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01933 Author/Creator: McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 February 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; Height: 24.2 cm, Width: 18.2 cm Order a Copy

Written by General McDougall to Major General Knox. Says that Colonel Brooks has no doubt reached him before this letter, but hopes to give an update to events in Congress since. Says "Nothing has since been done by Congress on the Subject of our memorial [on army pay and officer's pensions]." Reports that Georgia, Maryland, and Delaware are not represented at the moment. Says "The Kings Speech is the only intelligence, which has reached this of any moment, relative to a Peace." Thinks Congress is leaning in support of the army, but he cannot be certain. Says members of Congress focus on two things: the profits to be made by some with peace, and the losses to be sustained by others. Says "the wretched conditions of the Army is not thought of, but when some of its members remind them of it." Says his stay is becoming irksome, but will stay as long as there is a prospect of getting Congress's support. Wants to know the temper of the army after news of the peace arrives. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

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