Relative Rank of Major Generals, Knox's Pecuniary Situation, Etc.
Document 1798Wolcott refers to the fact that the three Major Generals for the Provisional Army were appointed the same day although it is clear that Hamilton was intended to be the first Major General. He believes Knox should decline service as his pecuniary situation makes him a likely tool for speculators. There should be nothing done regarding the organization of the Army until deliberate consultations have been conducted.
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informed the request
You would say from, come on with the expectations of [undecipherable]
[undecipherable] of [undecipherable] respect. [undecipherable] has done as [undecipherable] Thomas
[undecipherable] of no avail, [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] actually held in [undecipherable] which he
has [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] require.
[undecipherable] here you have [undecipherable] was, let us, [undecipherable],
require your attention to the State of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable]
Plan for conducting the Department [undecipherable] from [undecipherable]
[undecipherable] for [undecipherable] granted in respect to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable].
[undecipherable] you with the [undecipherable] for, it is [undecipherable], of [undecipherable], [undecipherable] of
which [undecipherable] contains a [undecipherable] portion [undecipherable] and —
[undecipherable] reform.
A [undecipherable] has taken place in the form [undecipherable]
the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] under the Treaty — from which it
[undecipherable] you. This is a subject upon which [undecipherable] wish to —
[undecipherable]
I am Dear Sir [undecipherable]
Signed Oliv Wolcott
[undecipherable]
The [undecipherable] [undecipherable] is probable [undecipherable] —
To [undecipherable] which is answered to Trenton
Trenton Feb 10 1795
Dear Sir [Private]
[undecipherable] I [undecipherable] at the last week, or on Sunday [undecipherable],
A [undecipherable] by the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] from the [undecipherable]
[undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable], [undecipherable] or [undecipherable]
[undecipherable] with others which [undecipherable] [undecipherable]
[undecipherable] as [undecipherable]. The [undecipherable] such may be considered as a [undecipherable] —
[undecipherable] in which the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] were made — [undecipherable]
you as [undecipherable] in the rank of [undecipherable] General [undecipherable]
[undecipherable], that the [undecipherable], had I transmitted [undecipherable] —
I [undecipherable] by an official letter [undecipherable] the [undecipherable],
[undecipherable], that you [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] — [undecipherable]
I [undecipherable] on him to be his duty of [undecipherable] on the [undecipherable] [undecipherable],
[undecipherable] me to try to you [undecipherable], that the affair which
has [undecipherable] or [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to be attributed
entirely to the [undecipherable: President]. I will admit that he has been in [undecipherable]
[undecipherable] [undecipherable]. The affair was, however, unfortunately [undecipherable]. [undecipherable]
General Washington & the [undecipherable: President] have not been [undecipherable: understood] by each
other.
The question of rank being settled, I sincerely hope that
General Knox will decline [undecipherable]. The [undecipherable] affair [undecipherable], [undecipherable] &
[undecipherable] that this is no prospect of his [undecipherable] his [undecipherable] [undecipherable]
& I wish [undecipherable], that he [undecipherable] of western Speculators, some [undecipherable] of
character [undecipherable] him.
As a friend to your fame, & the public interest, I
cannot omit to request, that no conversation may take place respecting
his [undecipherable] of [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] your personal feelings will be much [undecipherable]
by such an information as I will give you when we have the [undecipherable]
to meet.
In the next place let me request, that as little may be
done in [undecipherable] to the organization of the [undecipherable], before this —
Our [undecipherable] different [undecipherable] upon the State [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]
[undecipherable], that the [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] are all [undecipherable]
& [undecipherable] nothing will [undecipherable] without a thorough reform. [undecipherable] do
not [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] for making appointments in the great sections
of our Country or the [undecipherable] of individual officers. [undecipherable]
you may feel [undecipherable] in your own [undecipherable], yet it will be well to
[undecipherable] that the same power will be [undecipherable] by those who may
not be equally well informed. [undecipherable] are made, the
service [undecipherable] to [undecipherable]
[undecipherable] I [undecipherable] to it without [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] you [undecipherable]
[undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] at the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] when [undecipherable] [undecipherable],—
I am, [undecipherable]
Your ob. Ser.
Signed Oliv Wolcott.
Tobias [undecipherable], Esquire.
[32]
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Description
Wolcott refers to the fact that the three Major Generals for the Provisional Army were appointed the same day although it is clear that Hamilton was intended to be the first Major General. He believes Knox should decline service as his pecuniary situation makes him a likely tool for speculators. There should be nothing done regarding the organization of the Army until deliberate consultations have been conducted.
Date
10/10/1798
Author
Recipient
Sent from
Trenton
Repository
Collection
Document number
1798101090001
Page start
1
Note
Marked "private".
Notable persons
Alexander Hamilton
Oliver Wolcott, Jr.
John Adams
James McHenry
George Washington
Henry Knox
Major Generals
Notable locations
Trenton
Notable items
Commission

