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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.06037 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0121] January-March 1794 |
| Title | Henry Knox to James Sullivan about a canal engineer and need for America to rely on its own engineers |
| Date | 1 February 1794 |
| Author | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) |
| Recipient | Sullivan, James |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Apologizes for not responding to Sullivan's earlier request for information on a canal engineer from Europe who recently arrived in Philadelphia (see GLC02437.05964). Knox waited to write until the engineer, Mr. Weston, an Englishman, arrived in the city from the countryside. This still has not happened. Will ask Mr. Morris if Mr. Weston can be spared to help on Sullivan's project at the Middlesex Canal Company. Knox says he cannot speak for Weston's abilities, but that the company in Philadelphia is satisfied with his work. Tells Sullivan the project will succeed only if they have a good plan from the beginning. Recommends the abilities of Captain John Hills. Declares America needs to rely on its own citizens for projects like this. Says "Upon the morals and steadiness of our own people we may depend, while foreigners in too many instances are defective in these essentials." Will send a letter to Hills on this subject. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War General Canals Infrastructure Transportation Science and Technology Global History and Civics Commerce |
| People | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Sullivan, James (1744-1808) |
| Place written | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Theme | Science, Technology, Invention; Merchants & Commerce |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | James Sullivan and Thomas Russell to Henry Knox about canal building |