George Washington to Henry Knox asking Knox's advice regarding the Society of the Cincinnati - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.09396
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0077] January-August 1786
Title	George Washington to Henry Knox asking Knox's advice regarding the Society of the Cincinnati
Date	1 June 1786
Author	Washington, George (1732-1799)
Recipient	Knox, Henry
Document Type	Correspondence; Non-governmental organization document
Content Description	Transmits a letter (not included) and asks Knox's advice regarding the Society of the Cincinnati. Notes that all papers of the Society are in the care of the Society's Secretary General, thus he cannot answer Mr. Jefferson's questions (possibly Thomas Jefferson, who was critical of the Society). Notes that some Society members obtained badges from Major [Pierre Charles] L'Enfant's Agency. Criticizes the badges L'Enfant created, noting that L'Enfant overcharged for the badges and misused the money he received. Has not seen L'Enfant since a Society meeting in 1784.
Subjects	President Revolutionary War Society of the Cincinnati Fraternal Organization Finance Morality and Ethics Government and Civics
People	Washington, George (1732-1799) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) L’Enfant, Pierre Charles (1754-1825) Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
Place written	Mount Vernon, Virginia
Theme	The Presidency; The American Revolution
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information	The Society of the Cincinnati is a military hereditary society that was initiated by Henry Knox. The suggestion of the Bald Eagle as the Cincinnati insignia was made by Major Pierre L'Enfant. 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 June 1.st 1786. My dear Sir, The Post of last week brought me (by way of New York) a letter, of which the inclosed is a Copy. I transmit it, not only for your perusal, but for information, and advice. All the papers respecting the Society of the Cincinnati being in possession of the Secretary Genl. or the Assistant Secretary, and my memory very defective; I cannot speak with precision to M.r Jefferson, or decide on any thing which is pleasing to myself. From what I can recollect of the matter, all the Officers who chose to make use of Major L'Enfant's Agency to obtain the badge of the Society, not only commissioned him to bring them from France, but furnished him with the means. I [2] I did this myself for 6 or 8. He brought many more. I have some reason to believe on a speculating Scheme; and demanded so much for them, as, if my Memory serves me, to disgust many Members of the Society, and induce them to apply to an Artist in Philadelphia, who, it was said, would not only execute them as well, (and without the defect which was discovered in the French ones,) but furnish them cheaper. This and L'Enfant's misapplication of the money (if the fact is so) for those he did receive, may have been the Sources of the present difficulty. On the one hand, it will be very disagreeable to the American Officers to be freely spoken of on this occasion. On the other, it may not only be hard but distressing to comply with the demands of the Parisian [3] sian Artisan, as we are not only unacquainted with the extent, but in some measure with the nature of them. What is become of L'Enfant? I have not seen him since the general meeting of the Society which was held at Philadelphia in May 1784, nor, that I recollect, have heard of him 'till M.r Jefferson's Letter came to hand. Mrs Washington joins me in every affectionate wish for M.rs Knox, yourself, & family. And with sentiments of the warmest friendship I am ever Your's Go: Washington Major General Knox By forwarding the inclosed letter you will oblige GW [docket] His Excellc.y Genl Washington 1 June 1786 Original No. 21 - [struck: From Genl. Jackson]

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