Relief of the Sick at Bush Hill and Other News

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Knox XVII 162 Bush Hill 4th Septr 1791 My dear Sir I wrote you last week informing you of the sickness of your Steward and his children. I have now the pleasure to say they are on the recovery. He is much better and the children are in a fair train. - Their disorder appears to have been the worm fever, and he participated of the same sort of fever, although evidently mixed with the bilious fever- The sick part of our family family consisting of myself and several servants, who have had the intermittent of remittent fevers are also on the recovery. We shall leave Bush Hill and move into town in the course of the week. Both Mrs Knox and myself experience the most lively gratitude to you and Mrs Adams for your kindness in permitting us to occupy your house during the Summer, and we pray to accept our sincere thanks for the favor. Bush Hill is indeed the pleasant summer residence, but the fact is too well established by our experience, that from certain causes it is liable to vapours, morning and evening which are productive of ill health and unhappiness - perhaps this year may be singular on that account and therefore in tenderness to his owner one would not wish to speak loudly on this subject. Mr Cox has taken for you Mrs Keplies house the corner of fourth and arch street. The situation is excellent and the house tolerably good without having any large rooms but the rent 900 Dollars is extravagantly high - It was however that house or none, for there was not another good house to [rent?] in the City and there were a number of persons after it. There are no coach houses and stables to it, but they may be obtained [4 Sept 1791] XVII obtained in the neighborhood.
Affairs on the frontier are going on well although but slowly - The troops are about setting out upon the main expedition from Fort Washington and it is to be hoped the measure which are pursuing will establish tranquility with the Indians on the basis of Justice and Humanity. The President will set out in a few days 10 for Mount Vernon to return about the middle of October. Mr Jefferson set out yesterday for Virginia to return about the same period. With mine & Mrs. Knoxs affectionate respects to Mrs. Adams, I am Dear Sir with great affection and sincerity, Your friend and humble servant H Knox The Vice President of the United States

Type

Autograph Letter Signed

Description

Informs Adams that all of the sick at Bush Hill seem to be recovering nicely from their fevers. Thanks Adams again for the pleasurable stay at Bush Hill, and professes that the Knox family will be moving intoPhiladelphia within a few weeks. Tells Adams that he has obtained a house for Adams' use in the city, though the rent, at $900, is "exorbitantly high," but the only thing available. Mentions an expedition out of Fort Washington meant to deal with Indians. Tells that the president and Mr. Jefferson are both in Virginia at present, each expected to return sometime in October.

Date

09/04/1791

Recipient

Sent from

Bush Hill

Document number

1791090400001

Page start

1

Notable persons

John Adams
Henry Knox
steward
children
John Briesler
servants
Mrs Knox
Lucy Knox
Mrs Adams
Abigail Adams
Cox
Keplies
troops
Indians
President
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson

Notable locations

Bush Hill
Philadelphia
Fourth Street
Arch Street
frontier
Fort Washington
Mount Vernon
Virginia

Notable items

sickness
recovery
fever
summer residence
house
rent
coach house
stables
expedition