Autograph Letter Signed

On the Education & Future of Nathanael Greene's Son

Knox extracts a letter received from the Marquis relating to the education of Mrs. Greene's son, possibly the son of the late General Nathanael Greene (likely to be George Washington Greene, the older of Greene's 2 sons). Supposes that the boy should be educated in France before finishing at an American college. Comments on the travels of fellow officers, and the death of one. In a post script he mentions that General Washington will probably attend the (Constitutional) convention.

On the Education & Future of Nathanael Greene's Son

1787

04

22

New York

letter marked (private)

Jeremiah Wadsworth

Henry Knox

loan officer

Marquis

Mrs. Greene

son

private family

Greene

McQueen

Burnet

Shaw

Colonel Lewis

Captain Randall

Captain McGee

Colonel Humphreys

General Washington

New York

Paris

Charleston

France

America

Canton

coast of India

Batavia

public letter

warrants

payment

educated

school

equal care

bargain

timber

commercial arrangements

excellent academy

college

habits and manners

sloop

ship

ship Hope

advantageous sale

wares

naval stores

teas

accounts

Convention

His habit, and manners, will be better formed in that Country than in ours, but his Sentiments & Love for his Country should be fixed in America

1787042205010

1

4

H Knox, April 22nd
1787
(Private) New York 22 April 1787
My dear Wadsworth - I thank you for your kind favor of the 15th instant - I have enclosed herewith my public letter to you of yesterday and two warrants as the loan officer for 4500 dollars, of which I pray you sincerely to interest yourself in the payment -
I have received a letter from the Marquis of which the enclosed is an extract - "of February 7th 1787 "I have written to Mrs. Greene, but received no answer. It seems that you are of opinion her son ought not to be educated in Paris, nor in a private family - But I will endeavor to find a school for him where she shall direct, and whatever she and you hire me to do for him Thanks - done not only with equal care, as if he was my child, which would have been during our just and good friends life, but with a care more particular as I will every day fancy myself, that I give to the departed soul of poor Greene, an account of my conduct towards the son, whom he have intended
intended to intrust to my care - Mr McQueen of Charleston had some intention to admit young Greene into the bargain he might make above timber - Mr. Barret in uniting with Colo Wadsworth in commercial arrangements will be glad to see him admit Greenes concerns into the confederation - Wadsworth and yourself might make some plan of that kind." The latter part of the paragraph is an [undecipherable] to me so I transmit the whole to you.
I think if Mr. Greene would consent, that it would be for the happiness of her son to be educated in some excellent academy in France, until he should be fourteen or fifteen and then to finish his studies at some college in this Country - His habits, and manners, will be well formed in that country than in ours, but his sentiments & Love for his country should be fixed in America - I wish you would write to our friend Mrs. Green on the subject, I will also
A little sloop was this day arrived from Canton, after a passage of 4 months and a few days - By her I have a letter from my friend Shaw of the 3rd Decr dated at Canton poor Colonel Lewis is dead - Shaw will go to the coast of India and Capt Randall
will return with Capt McGee in the ship which may he expect in the course of next month - The ship Hope, [undecipherable] their sails stopped at Batavia, and made an advantageous sale of her wines and naval Stores - Teas had refer in Canton 30th [undecipherable] the erie came out ladened on [undeciperable]
I shall expect Colonel Murphy in a day or two with his accounts, therefore I pray you, to exert your influence to process the money.

I am my dear Sir
Your affectionate HKnox


I believe Genl Washington
will come to the convention}