General Knox

  Sept 24




                                              2.16

Honorable Major General Huntington

                         Norwich

New York September 24 1785 Dear Sir: I have received your favor of the 20th instant. I should have been happy to have been able to comply with any request of yours, especially as it relates to fostering the knowledge of the acts of war, which may, considering the dispositions of the good people of the United States be more likely to [undecipherable] away than any other — But I conceive that I have not power to loan or appropriate any of the public [undecipherable] without an order of Congress. There is an application of New-Hampshire to Congress for sixteen [unreadable]ices but it was not yet been acted when and where [unreadable] I hope it may yet be granted — If Congress suffer the in Cannon [unreadable] stores they have to be parcelled out among among the respective states it [undecipherable] my opinion [undecipherable] near [undecipherable] a total desrepution of them. The confederation directs that each State shall provide themselves with warlike apparatus, but its Congress shall supply the States, this article will be totally neglected. I thank you and Mrs. Huntington for your kind remembrance of Mrs Knox and myself – We often speak of you and number the days which we passed [undecipherable] chess points among [undecipherable] happy ones — Do you play chess now? -we have revined[?] to since we came here, as it is in considerable practice. Mrs Knox unites with me in presenting our affectionate respects to you Mrs Huntington and your little flock. I am [undecipherable] with the greatest regard Your very humble servant Knox

M. Genl Huntington