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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.00558 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0016] January-April 1777 |
| Title | William Knox to Henry Knox about raising money so he can join the army plus business news |
| Date | 25 March 1777 |
| Author | Knox, William (1756-1795) |
| Recipient | Knox, Henry |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Continues the discussion about raising money from his last letter, GLC02437.00555. Still believes that he will soon have raised the necessary funds, and will then be free to join the army. Hopes to receive the quills, wax, etc. that day. A French General has arrived and met with General Heath, and more French ships are expected. The General is most likely Phillipe Charles Jean Baptiste Tronson du Coudray. |
| Subjects | Finance Continental Army Book Selling Merchants and Trade Commerce France Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Navy Maritime Global History and Civics |
| People | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Knox, William (1756-1795) Du Coudray, Philippe Charles Jean Baptiste Tronson (1738-1777) Heath, William (1737-1814) |
| Place written | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Merchants & Commerce; Naval & Maritime |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | Philippe Charles Jean Baptiste Tronson du Coudray was a French officer who signed up to serve with the American army. While in France Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane tried to recruit talented officers to help fill the ranks of the American army. In exchange for his promise to bring a number of supplies with him to America, they offer du Coudray the command of all American artillery without consulting anyone. When du Coudray arrived a struggle broke out over whether or not he should replace Knox in this role, and whether the government was obligated to honor Deane's promise. Knox and a number of his fellow officers threatened to resign if a foreigner was placed over an American in such an important position. In the end Knox kept his position, and Du Coudray was appointed inspector general and placed in charge of the works on the Delaware. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide Download PDF |