Contemporary Copy of Letter

Discussion of Robbery at Public Magazine & State Convention

Olney plans to make the public powder more secure. He has not yet been able to bring to justice the people who burgled the magazine. News has reached them that North Carolina ratified the Constitution; Olney is optimistic about the future of government. Olney draws on Knox to discharge a debt in New York.

Letter, discusses burglary at public magazine; discusses state convention.

1789

12

14

Providence

Henry Knox

Jeremiah Olney

Assembly

villains

Colonel John S. Dexter

Providence

United States

New York

North Carolina

Cumberland

public powder

magazine

punishment

stole

Constitution

general government

politics

policy

debt

crime

politics

great influence with many of the county members

necessity of discharging a debt in NewYork

true federalist

permit me to congratulate you on this important event

produce a happy change in the politicks of this state

give way to a more enlightened policy

every exertion will be made by the minority to effect the calling a state convention at the next session

not yet been in my power to detect

villains who stole the powder

attentive to the matter in hopes of discovering the villains

agreeable intelligence of the accession of North Carolina to the general government

approving the measures I had taken respecting the loss of the powder & more effectually securing the magazine

1789121440001

1

2

Providence 14th Dec.~1789
Dear Sir
Your favr of 20th Octr last is before me, approving the measures I had taken Respecting the loss of the Public Powder that was stolen & for more Effectually securing the Magazine against any future attempts- I am Sorry it has not yet been in my power to Detect & bring to Condign punishment the Villains who stole the Powder- I shall however be attentive to the matter in hopes of Discovering the Villains hereafter-
we have just Recd the very agreeable Intelligence of the occasion of North Carolina to the Genl. Government, permitt me sir to Congragulate you on this important Event, I hope it may produce a Happy Change in the Politicks of this State - our Assembly are to meet in the Town on the Third Monday of Janry next, when I hope the mistaken zeal that was [illegible] prevailed will give way to a more Enlightened Policy - every Exertion will be made by this Minority to Effect the calling a State Convention at the next session. Colo Jno S Dexter the Bearer of this is a member from Cumberland. I hope he will be able to [illegible] in him for the Assembly - as he is a True Federalist and has great Influence with many of the Country members
being under the necessity of discharging a Debt in New York, I take the Liberty to Draw on your infav
Infavr of Colo Jno S Dexter for Fifty Dollars inpart of my accot against the United States Since 1 July 1788 - which Sir please to pay & place to my accot
I am with great Esteem Sir Your Obed. Huml Servt
Jereh Olney
Copy Letter to the Secretary at War for a Draught of 50 Dollars 14th Decr 1789.
Genl Knox Secretary at War -