Public service and naval power
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Public service and naval power
Description
Letter to the Secretary of War, discussing the building of a frigate and the functions of a Naval Department.
year created
1794
month created
04
day created
02
author
sent from location
Mount Pleasant
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Henry Knox
Jonathan Williams
notable location
Mount Pleasant
notable item/thing
application of the force
business of a minister
requires the additional qualities of genius, military talents and decision
latter duty cannot be in better hands
think your country has a right to expect from your office the less important and more laborious services
present retirement with a certain but moderate income
happy as long as I keep my desires with the reasonable bounds of a decent competency
confess, however, that my mind is not insensible to the calls of my country and a great regard to my children's future situation
induce me to accept such emoluments as would enable me to keep their property in a more productive state
ready to engage in any duty consistent with a conviction in my own mind of being adequate to the task
consistent with such repute as might be reasonably expected
marine department naturally divides itself into two branches
relates to construction equipment & all matters of detail
business of an intendant or commissary
requires integrity order and activity
other relates to appointments
thank you most heartily for the kind motives which occasioned our last conversation
my efforts could in any way be useful to you
happy on principles of personal attachment to afford every assistance in my power without any other reward than the reflection of having rendered an acceptable service
denomination you mentioned is not compatible with such ideas as result from a reflection of my past situation as a public servant
contemplation of my present circumstances
already built one frigate and executed an office of extensive trust
notable phrase
application of the force
business of a minister
requires the additional qualities of genius, military talents and decision
latter duty cannot be in better hands
think your country has a right to expect from your office the less important and more laborious services
present retirement with a certain but moderate income
happy as long as I keep my desires with the reasonable bounds of a decent competency
confess, however, that my mind is not insensible to the calls of my country and a great regard to my children's future situation
induce me to accept such emoluments as would enable me to keep their property in a more productive state
ready to engage in any duty consistent with a conviction in my own mind of being adequate to the task
consistent with such repute as might be reasonably expected
marine department naturally divides itself into two branches
relates to construction equipment & all matters of detail
business of an intendant or commissary
requires integrity order and activity
other relates to appointments
thank you most heartily for the kind motives which occasioned our last conversation
my efforts could in any way be useful to you
happy on principles of personal attachment to afford every assistance in my power without any other reward than the reflection of having rendered an acceptable service
denomination you mentioned is not compatible with such ideas as result from a reflection of my past situation as a public servant
contemplation of my present circumstances
already built one frigate and executed an office of extensive trust
document number
1794040240001
page start
1
Item sets
Transcribe this document
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (4 pages) | AKU01 (4 pages) | Collection: Henry Knox Papers. [microfilm] | R: 35, P: 77 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Jonathan Williams | Mount Pleasant | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |