Settler life on the western frontier
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Settler life on the western frontier
Description
Reverend McClure writes Secretary Knox on Arthur St. Clair's campaign. Discusses Indian warfare and frontier and pioneer life. The southern people today experience what the first settlers of New England felt, writes McClure. The foundations of all empires are laid in blood. Suggests that difficulties with Indians will prevent too extensive an immigration over the Western Territory, which if unchecked, could result in some to "lose the habits of subordination in society". He is worried that the frontiersmen will not have the "restraints of law and government" and will "adopt the habits of savages." Also mentions his brother James who lost a leg in the war, and who died in Dublin; he was master of a ship from Exeter.
year created
1792
month created
09
day created
03
author
sent from location
East Windsor
recipient
sent to location
Philadelphia
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Henry Knox
David McClure
James McClure
Arthur St. Clair
Indians
pioneers
settlers
notable location
Philadelphia
East Windsor Connecticut
Hartford
Exeter
Dublin
Ireland
New England
Mississippi River
Western Territory
West
frontier
notable item/thing
changes in this mutable world are many and frequent
inclose two discourses on the death of worthy friends
pledge of affectionate remembrance
master of a ship
promising boys that I saw with you
lost a leg in the war
frontier people of the southern states now experience the calamities that the first settlers of New England felt
foundations of all new empires are laid in blood
gradually & speedily lose the habits of subordination in society
restraints of law & government
means of education & religion
adopt the habits of savages
harder to civilize than the present inhabitants
proceed no faster than they can carry the arts of civilization
wise ordering of providence
thousands would spread themselves of that boundless region from the lakes to he Mississippi
so many attempts had been made to conciliate the hostile tribes as I find by your public declaration had been made
affords the mind some consolation when we can deduce good out of evil
calamity of the indian war I think productive of one great good of the negative kind
prevention of a too extensive emigration over the western territory
write you again and should write you oftener if you were more at leisure
your thoughts and time I am sensible have been very busily engaged in the great and arduous affairs which are entrusted to you
ability and integrity in the management of them
felt with you for the unfortunate events relative to our common defence against a savage enemy
pacific measures which I wished ardently at first are now probably too late
notable phrase
changes in this mutable world are many and frequent
inclose two discourses on the death of worthy friends
pledge of affectionate remembrance
master of a ship
promising boys that I saw with you
lost a leg in the war
frontier people of the southern states now experience the calamities that the first settlers of New England felt
foundations of all new empires are laid in blood
gradually & speedily lose the habits of subordination in society
restraints of law & government
means of education & religion
adopt the habits of savages
harder to civilize than the present inhabitants
proceed no faster than they can carry the arts of civilization
wise ordering of providence
thousands would spread themselves of that boundless region from the lakes to he Mississippi
so many attempts had been made to conciliate the hostile tribes as I find by your public declaration had been made
affords the mind some consolation when we can deduce good out of evil
calamity of the indian war I think productive of one great good of the negative kind
prevention of a too extensive emigration over the western territory
write you again and should write you oftener if you were more at leisure
your thoughts and time I am sensible have been very busily engaged in the great and arduous affairs which are entrusted to you
ability and integrity in the management of them
felt with you for the unfortunate events relative to our common defence against a savage enemy
pacific measures which I wished ardently at first are now probably too late
document number
1792090340101
page start
1
Item sets
Transcribe this document
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (4 pages) | AKM10 (4 pages) | Collection: Henry Knox Papers. [microfilm] | R: 32, P: 67 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Reverend David McClure | East Windsor | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | Philadelphia | [n/a] |