George Washington to Henry Knox discussing an expedition against the Wabash Indians - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.09421
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0097] October-December 1790
Title	George Washington to Henry Knox discussing an expedition against the Wabash Indians
Date	19 November 1790
Author	Washington, George (1732-1799)
Recipient	Knox, Henry
Document Type	Correspondence; Government document
Content Description	Discusses an expedition against the Wabash Indians. Expresses disappointment in General [Josiah] Harmer. Expected little from Harmer, after hearing he was a drunkard. Instructs Knox to present other important matters before Congress, as they occur to him, preceding Washington's arrival. Notes that recent heavy rains may hinder his progress to Philadelphia. Marked private at the top of page one.
Subjects	President Military History American Indian History Alcohol Corruption and Scandal Northwest Territory Northwest Indian War Congress Extreme Weather
People	Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Washington, George (1732-1799) Harmar, Josiah (1753-1813)
Place written	Mount Vernon, Virginia
Theme	The Presidency; Government & Politics; Native Americans
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information	Harmer, while leading an expedition in 1790 against Indians in the Ohio Territory, inadvertently led his troops into an ambush. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF Mount Vernon Novr. 19th 1790. My dear Sir, (Private) I have received your letter of the 10.th instt, and will declare to you without reserve, that my forebodings with respect to the Expedition against the Wabash Indians are of disappointment; and a disgraceful termination under the conduct of B. Genl. Harmer. I expected little from the moment I heard he was a drunkard. I expected less as soon as I heard that on this account no confidence was reposed in him by the people of the Western Country. - And I gave up all hope of success, as soon as I heard that there were disputes with him about command. - The latter information is from report only; but the report of bad news is rarely without foundation. If the issue of this Expedition is honorable to the Concerters of it, & favorable to our Arms, it will be double pleasing to me; but my mind, from the silence which reigns, and other circumstances, is prepared for the worst; - that is - for expence without honor or profit. If any thing more than the statement of this business for the information of Congress should [2] occur to you, previous to my arrival, be so good as to digest it, for it is my wish to have every matter which may occur to the heads of Departments as well as to myself, ready, if proper to lay before that body, at the opening of the Session. - With sincere friendship, & affecte. regard I am - ever Yrs. Go: Washington PS. I expect to commence my Journey for Philadelphia on Monday, but from the State of the roads after the incessant and heavy rains which have fallen, my progress must be slow. - GW Maj.r Genl Knox. [note along right margin of page 2] Private [opinion] [address] Private Majr. Genl. Knox [docket] The President of the U.S. Mount Vernon Nov 19. 1790 - Original No. 30 -

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