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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.03276 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0077] January-August 1786 |
| Title | Henry Knox to Marquis de Lafayette discussing foreign and domestic affairs, William Knox, and Pierre L'Enfant's debt |
| Date | 16 June 1786 |
| Author | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) |
| Recipient | Lafayette, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Non-governmental organization document |
| Content Description | References Lafayette's letter of 11 February 1786. Thanks Lafayette for his kindness toward his brother William when he was ill. Says that William has recovered and has been with him since October 1785. Hopes the recovery is permanent. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase jeweled eagle badges for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati. L'Enfant returned to America in 1784 and brought back many badges purchased on credit. The price proved too high for some officers, which left L'Enfant in a bind. Goes on to say that the Society approved of L'Enfant's conduct and owed 630 dollars to him for his services in France, which Knox says was recently offered to him. L'Enfant refused the payment until the entire issue of the badges purchased on credit is cleared up with the Society. Says L'Enfant will write to Lafayette. Reports he will keep Washington informed. Knox also notes that he gave "our friend Baron Steuben" an extract from Lafayette's letter about von Steuben and also had it published. Thanks Lafayette for offering to watch over his son's education in France. Knox hopes they can exchange sons in the future. Talks of government and says "The revolution has presented us with the opportunity of [pursuing] a strong republican government - But nothing more than the opportunity[.] every home provinces, exchange in opinion But the federal government must be strengthened." Speaks of the character of the American people after the peace treaty with Britain. Reports that "The indians ... of the Ohio are troublesome to the Settlers." Believes the cause is "indiscretions on the part of the Settlers." Says there are 600 troops in the Ohio country and they are there to keep the public lands free from lawless settlers. Says there is enough western land to cancel the debt if it is sold properly. Says "The british were not [leaving] the posts this Summer." The British claim they will not leave them as they were not captured and because the Americans have not complied with treaty stipulations on refugees and debt. Knox says "I wish this was not true." Sends greetings to friends. |
| Subjects | Society of the Cincinnati American Indian History Revolutionary War General Children and Family Mental Health Health and Medical Fraternal Organization France Global History and Civics Finance Debt Clothing and Accessories President Immigration and Migration Journalism Education Revolutionary War Continental Army Military History Government and Civics Articles of Confederation US Constitution Treaty Frontiers and Exploration Westward Expansion Law Debt Economics Land Transaction Fortification Refugees Loyalist |
| Place written | New York, New York |
| Theme | Creating a New Government; Banking & Economics; Children & Family; Education; Foreign Affairs; Government & Politics; Health & Medicine; Merchants & Commerce; Native Americans; Westward Expansion |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | Copy of a letter from Henry Knox to Marquis de Lafayette discussing foreign and domestic affairs, William Knox, and Pierre L'Enfant's debt Henry Knox to Major Turner about Pierre Charles L'Enfant's money problems |