Shay's Rebellion
Item
Type
Autograph Letter/Document Signed
Title
Shay's Rebellion
Description
Knox congratulates Gen. Lincoln on his success defeating the insurgents during Shays' Rebellion and speculates about the upcoming Philadelphia convention intended to correct the defects in the current government.
short description
Shay's Rebellion
year created
1787
month created
02
day created
14
author
sent from location
New York
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Benjamin Lincoln
Henry Knox
Daniel Shays
Major North
continental recruits
Colonel Jackson
recruiting service
Colonel Humphrey
our old friend General Washington
Congress
insurgents
delegates
Mr. King
Mr. Higginson
notable location
New York
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Philadelphia
notable item/thing
military reputation
Shays' Rebellion
laurels
accord
violent storm
magazine
expense
money
rendezvous
stores
history of your movements
complete success
convention proposed by the commercial convention
liberty
defects of the proposed system
mature deliberation
assent of the people of the respective states
original compact
continental convention
differently constructed republican government
notable phrase
The convention proposed by the commercial convention last September to meet in Philadelphia in May next engrosses a great portion of the attention of the men of reflection--
document number
1787021400001
page start
1
number of pages
4
transcription
New York 14 February 1787
My Dear Sir
While I thank you for your kind communications of the 5th instant, I most heartily congratulate you on the successful events contained therein. Were not your military reputation already highly (undecipherable) your manovors would have elevated it, but circumstanced as you are in the opinion of your friends and the world, Shay's Rebellion, is not (undecipherable) in which you could gather (undecipherable). It will be a sufficient satisfaction to you that you have dissipated accord that threatened a violent storm. But I must (undecipherable)(undecipherable) subjects or I may launch out into (undecipherable) which must not be so well received by you.
I wrote you by Major North on the 9th instant and informed you, that I had directed the continental recruits in Massachusetts, and Connecticut, to repair to Springfield to serve as a guard for the Continental arsenal and magazine. But since you have
Genl Lincoln
have completely (undecipherable) the insungents, I have countermanded the orders to Colonel Jackson, on the priniciple that the expence prefunatory to and consequent on the (undecipherable) would (undecipherable) the money he has, what is destined to the recruiting service alone, and also that the alteration of his rendevouz would materially insure his happiness of (undecipherable). I have however continued the orders of Col Humphrey when full (undecipherable) (undecipherable) (undecipherable) probably amount to one hundred men who will probably be an adequate protection to the stones. If however you should be of a different opinion and will inform me thereof I will order Col Jacksons recruits to Springfield.
I have communicated at the request of our old friend General Washington the history of your movements from time to time and I
have also submitted the substance of your information to congress - the solicitence discoverer for your complete success has been very considerable - I am happy that it has been so amply qualified.
The convention proposed by the commercial convention last September, to meet in Philadelphia in May next (undecipherable) a great portion of the attention of the men (undecipherble) reflection - some are for and some against it, but the preponderance of opinion is for it - None of the new (undecipherable) court states have yet chosen and it appears quite problematic whether any will choose unless Massachusetts. I have endeavoured to investigate all that has been alledged against the convention, and I confess I do not think the objections (undepherable) will founded as many people do - the convention will beat liberty to consider more
(undecipherable) the defects of the (undecipherable) system, that congress, can, who are the execution of a called system. It what they should think proper to propose after mature (undecipherable), should acquire the aspect of the people of the reflective states, which is supposed necessary (undecipherable) original compact, the convention, could recommend to the respective (undecipherable)local state conventions, for the sole purpose of choosing delegates to represent them in a continental convention, (undecipherable) to confirm and finally decide on a general (undecipherable) public the same for observance -The differently constituted republican government should be the object, the shortest road back will be found to be the convention - I hope therefore that (undecipherable) would choose, and that you Mr Kigs, and Mr (undecipherable) should be three of the delegates.
I am your truly affectionate friend and humble servant
H Knox
My Dear Sir
While I thank you for your kind communications of the 5th instant, I most heartily congratulate you on the successful events contained therein. Were not your military reputation already highly (undecipherable) your manovors would have elevated it, but circumstanced as you are in the opinion of your friends and the world, Shay's Rebellion, is not (undecipherable) in which you could gather (undecipherable). It will be a sufficient satisfaction to you that you have dissipated accord that threatened a violent storm. But I must (undecipherable)(undecipherable) subjects or I may launch out into (undecipherable) which must not be so well received by you.
I wrote you by Major North on the 9th instant and informed you, that I had directed the continental recruits in Massachusetts, and Connecticut, to repair to Springfield to serve as a guard for the Continental arsenal and magazine. But since you have
Genl Lincoln
have completely (undecipherable) the insungents, I have countermanded the orders to Colonel Jackson, on the priniciple that the expence prefunatory to and consequent on the (undecipherable) would (undecipherable) the money he has, what is destined to the recruiting service alone, and also that the alteration of his rendevouz would materially insure his happiness of (undecipherable). I have however continued the orders of Col Humphrey when full (undecipherable) (undecipherable) (undecipherable) probably amount to one hundred men who will probably be an adequate protection to the stones. If however you should be of a different opinion and will inform me thereof I will order Col Jacksons recruits to Springfield.
I have communicated at the request of our old friend General Washington the history of your movements from time to time and I
have also submitted the substance of your information to congress - the solicitence discoverer for your complete success has been very considerable - I am happy that it has been so amply qualified.
The convention proposed by the commercial convention last September, to meet in Philadelphia in May next (undecipherable) a great portion of the attention of the men (undecipherble) reflection - some are for and some against it, but the preponderance of opinion is for it - None of the new (undecipherable) court states have yet chosen and it appears quite problematic whether any will choose unless Massachusetts. I have endeavoured to investigate all that has been alledged against the convention, and I confess I do not think the objections (undepherable) will founded as many people do - the convention will beat liberty to consider more
(undecipherable) the defects of the (undecipherable) system, that congress, can, who are the execution of a called system. It what they should think proper to propose after mature (undecipherable), should acquire the aspect of the people of the reflective states, which is supposed necessary (undecipherable) original compact, the convention, could recommend to the respective (undecipherable)local state conventions, for the sole purpose of choosing delegates to represent them in a continental convention, (undecipherable) to confirm and finally decide on a general (undecipherable) public the same for observance -The differently constituted republican government should be the object, the shortest road back will be found to be the convention - I hope therefore that (undecipherable) would choose, and that you Mr Kigs, and Mr (undecipherable) should be three of the delegates.
I am your truly affectionate friend and humble servant
H Knox
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (7 pages) | KBA03 (7 pages) | Collection: General Collection | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Henry Knox | New York | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Benjamin Lincoln | [unknown] | [n/a] |