Autograph Letter Signed

Wayne notifies Knox of refusal to accept appointment

Letter, advises refusal of subaltern appointment.

Ltr, adv refusal of subaltern position.

1792

04

01

Philadelphia

Henry Knox

Anthony Wayne

Philadelphia

orders and advice of the president

committing my military character to the fortuitous events of the war

giving up peace and ease

relinquishing certain pleasing prospects in the civil line

thanks for the friendly part you have taken

ready to serve him with my life and best services

seriously and maturely cosidered the confidential and friendly communication

entertain the most greatful and lively sense of the favourable opinion the president is pleased to express of my military abilities

kind intention in my favor

wanting in duty

great and good man

accept an appointment in which its more than probable I should be restrained from rendering that service to my country

subaltern station

1792040140101

1

Philadelphia April 1 1792

Dear Sir

I have seriously & maturely considered the confidential (partially underlined) and friendly communication with which you honor's me yesterday_ and entertain the most greatful & lively sense of the favorable opinion the President (partially underlined) is pleased to exprefs of my military abilities_and of his very kind intention in my favour;
But shou'd be wanting in duty_not only to that great and good man_but to myself was to accept of an appointment in which its more than probable shou'd be restrained from rendering that service to my Country_in a subaltern station_that my experience might otherwise afford, if subject only, to the orders and advice of the President (partilly underlined) and yourself.
I can not therefore think of committing my military character (which is dearer to me than life) to the fortuitous events of the War_which I can not direct and shou'd it be crowned with sucefs_undecipherable & honour will belong to an other_which

(last line is undecipherable)
have in the disgrace, after giving it peace and ease_and relinguishing certain pleasing prospects in the Civil (underlined) line to which I am invited by my fellow Citizens

Be pleased to accept of my sincere thanks for the friendly part you have taken_and afsure the Pesident that I shall always be ready to serve him with my life and best services in a situation which I cou'd win, and except them to the best advantage & with effect
I have the honor to be with every sentiment of Esteem Sir
Your most Obet
& every
Humblest
Anty Wayne


undecipherable I will do myself the honor
to call when at undecipherable
if you will be at undecipherable

The Humble
Genl HKnox