[Major General Henry Knox. Secretary of War his letter 2^d June 1786. accompanied by a Sword &c. &c.] War Office of the United States New York, June 2^d 1786 Sir, The United States in Congress assembled were pleased by their resolve of the 7^th of July 1777 to express their just sense of your merit and of the officers and soldiers under your command for the distinguished prudence, activity, enterprize, and valour, in an expedition to Long Island, and to direct that an elegant sword should be presented to you, for your conduct on the occasion. I have the honor Sir, to transmit the sword to you as a perpetual evidence of the enterprize, in the direction of which, you displayed such military merit, and of the approbation of the highest authority of the United States. I am Sir With great respect Your most obedient and very humble servant Knox Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs [Address panel: General Knox's letter with a sword presented by Congress to Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs Middletown Connecticut] [Franking notation: undecipherable]