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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.03440 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0079] January-March 1787 |
| Title | Translation of a French letter from Pierre Huet de la Valiniere, Vicar General to Charles Thomson |
| Date | 3 February 1787 |
| Author | Valiniere, Pierre Huet de la (1732-1806) |
| Recipient | Thomson, Charles |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Body of the letter in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Original letter written from "Kaskaskias in the Illinois." Writes that he left New York to go west in May 1786 and has received very few provisions from Congress. Has enclosed a written piece (not included) regarding the fertility of the lands in this region and hopes the addressee will have it printed in the gazettes. Provides extensive information on the quality of the land, the crops that grow there, and the cultivation techniques necessary. Relates that the land "produces naturally and without labor excellent wine, sugar, and syrup, agreeable plumbs, wallnuts, alum mulberries of three sorts and strawberries in abundance." Discusses the location of the land, and the navigability of the Mississippi and other rivers in the area, in order to arrive at the location. Mentions that he showed Generals [Henry] Knox, [Moses] Hazen and Sinclair [perhaps Arthur St. Clair] a piece written in French & English on the subject. Asks for some money for transportation and a servant. |
| Subjects | Frontiers and Exploration Westward Expansion Immigration and Migration Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Journalism Alcohol Transportation Travel Continental Congress Congress Finance Revolutionary War General Indentured Servant |
| People | Thomson, Charles (1729-1824) Valiniere, Pierre Huet de la (1732-1806) St. Clair, Arthur (1737-1818) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Hazen, Moses (1733-1803) |
| Theme | Agriculture; Westward Expansion; Creating a New Government |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |