Gouverneur Morris to Henry Knox concerning army pay - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.01897
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0053] 1-13 February 1783
Title	Gouverneur Morris to Henry Knox concerning army pay
Date	7 February 1783
Author	Morris, Gouverneur (1752-1816)
Recipient	Knox, Henry
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Written by Morris as the Assistant Superintendent of Finance to Major General Knox. Wants to give him an update on affairs. Says "It has given me much Pain to see the army looking wildly for a Redress of Grievances" -- a reference to the half-pay pensions the officers desired. Says that "During the War they find you useful and after a Peace they will wish to get rid of you And they will see you starve rather than pay a six Penny Tax.." Says experience has made him take this point of view. Predicts that "the best Legislature on the Continent will do Things which the worst man among them would in his private Capacity be ashamed of." Suggests that the officers should align themselves with the other creditors of the government to achieve their goal. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Subjects	Newburgh Conspiracy Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Continental Army Soldier's Pay Finance Pension Petition Continental Congress Congress Taxes or Taxation Government and Civics Poverty Morality and Ethics
Place written	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Theme	The American Revolution; Government & Politics; Banking & Economics; Creating a New Government
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information	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 [draft] Philadelphia 7 Feb.y 1783 Dr Knox - Col.o Brooks being about to depart I will drop you one or two Lines with as many Sentiments on the Scale of our affairs. It has given me much Pain to see the Army looking wildly for a Redress of Grievances to their particular fates. Separate Provisions and no Provisions are tantamount in my Idea for any Laws which they can repeal they will repeal as soon as they find it expedient. The same Principle of Convenience which will lead them to take Care of the Army and leave other Creditors unnoticed will operate effectually against the army when it is disbanded after a Peace. During the War they find you useful and after a Peace they will wish to get rid of you and then they will see you starve rather than pay a six Penny Tax. These my dear Friend are Sentiments which Experience has compelled me to adopt against my Will. And I declare to God it is my sincere opinion that [2] that the best Legislature on the Continent will do things which the worst man among them would in his private capacity be ashamed of. It is therefore not my Persuasion but my Conviction that the only wise mode is for the Army to connect themselves with the public Creditors of every Kind both foreign and domestic and unremittingly to urge the Grant of general permanent funds adequate to the whole Interest and which increasing with our Numbers and Wealth will consequently absorb the Principle. The Army may now influence the Legislatures and if you will permit one a Metaphor from your own Possession After you have carried the Post the public Creditors will garrison it for you - Adieu Remember me to Mrs. Knox and beleive me Most sincerely Yours Gouv Morris [docket] From Gouveneur Morris Esqr 7th Feby 1783

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