Protection of Norfolk
Document 1793President acknowledged need to protect Norfolk but did not want to authorize any actions that could incur expenses the U.S. could not fund.
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[Secty at War
May 10. 1793.
Relative to defence of the Town of Norfolk
XXX]
War department
May 10. 1793
Sir,
The President of the United States has directed me to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 8 instant relatively to the erecting some defence for the Town of Norfolk.
While he acknowledges the propriety of your observations, which apply to all the important towns of the extended Sea coast of the United States, he finds himself restrained at present from directing any measures, which must lead to considerable expences for which there is neither authority nor appropriation by the legislature of the United States —
I have the honor to be
with great esteem
Your Excellency's
most obedient Servant
Knox
Sect of War.
His Excellency
The Governor of Virginia
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Description
President acknowledged need to protect Norfolk but did not want to authorize any actions that could incur expenses the U.S. could not fund.
Date
05/10/1793
Author
Recipient
Sent from
War Department
Document number
1793051000101
Notable persons
Henry Lee
Henry Knox
President Washington
His Excellency governor of Virginia
Notable locations
War Department
Norfolk
Virginia
seacoast