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| Field name |
Value |
| Collection Reference Number
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GLC02437.03456
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| From Archive Folder
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The Henry Knox Papers [0079] January-March 1787
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| Title
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Benjamin Lincoln to Henry Knox on pursuing Shays
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| Date
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17 February 1787
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| Author
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Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810)
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| Recipient
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Knox, Henry
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| Document Type
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Correspondence; Government document; Military document
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| Content Description
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Reports on the disbanding and scattering of the members of Shays' force, and explains that they are in pursuit of Shays, but "with little hope however of overtaking him." Describes how he chose to rearrange the troops in Hampshire and Worcester and the tasks given to many of the troops. Comments on how the government might now promote the best interests of the people. Marked "private" in Lincoln's hand. Signature clipped.
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| Subjects
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Revolutionary War General Military History Rebellion Mobs and Riots Shays' Rebellion Government and Civics Militia
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| People
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Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
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| Place written
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Pittsfield, Massachusetts
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| Theme
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Government & Politics; Creating a New Government; Agriculture
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| Sub-collection
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The Henry Knox Papers
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| Copyright
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The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
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| Module
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Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
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| Transcript
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Show/hide Download PDF [draft] Private Pittsfield Feby 17th 1787 - Dear Sir Nothing very material has taken place since my last of the 6th instant which covered the copies of several letters & other papers to the government That force under Shays which was then distressing does not now exist as a body. By the last acct - from Vermont Shays was making his way towards Canada, we are in pursuit of him with little hope however of overtaking him - Many of his officers have been apprehended besides a no. of leading characters in existing & in keeping up the rebellion - As soon as the main body of the insurgents were dispersed my next attention was so to divide & arrange our force as to prevent a injunction this I effected by throwing part of the troops into Worcester part into Hampshire & by taking post here with three regiments Parties from those regiments now occupy[ing] [2] [a] great proportion of the towns in this county while the troops in Hampshire & Worcester do the same in those counties - The troops are busily employed in recovering [inserted: the] submissions of the non commissioned officers and privates who are admitted to their oaths upon their delivering up their arms - those who say they had borrowed Arms are obliged to give up he loaners - some characters are admitted to bail while others are closely confined - I hope we shall soon have a court to set near this place to try the delinquents - A few prompt examples on ye spot will do more real service than ten times the No at a distance attended with the usual delays - Government may now acquire, not reacquire a tone which will promote its best interest and the happiness of the people officers in government should take a new stand and the [courtly] spirit, the ofspring of frequent elections should be absorbed in the [3] more noble sentiment that a perfect discharge of duty is the only real honor to be derived from office. - The last is a wicked sentence, which, when you have read, please to bisect perpendicularly, with your pen, the lines I have drawn tha[t] it will be x out. - Yours most Seriously Maj Gen Knox [docket] Pittsfield 17 Feby 1787 Genl Lincoln
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