Henry Knox to George Washington informing Washington that expenses of his charge at West Point exceeded his expectations - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.10150
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0065] 16-30 September 1783
Title	Henry Knox to George Washington informing Washington that expenses of his charge at West Point exceeded his expectations
Date	29 September 1783
Author	Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Recipient	Washington, George
Document Type	Correspondence; Military document; Government document
Content Description	Knox, Commander at West Point, informs Washington (and Congress) that expenses of his charge at West Point exceeded his expectations, and he has used a considerable amount of his personal money to maintain the post. Hopes to be granted the same compensation as preceding commanders at West Point. Asks that Washington present his request before Congress. Knox's retained draft.
Subjects	Finance Soldier's Pay West Point (US Military Academy) Military History Continental Army Continental Congress Congress Revolutionary War General
People	Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Washington, George (1732-1799)
Place written	West Point, New York
Theme	The American Revolution; The Presidency; Government & Politics
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF [Draft] West point 29th Septr 1783 Sir, I beg leave to State to your Excellency and through you to the honor able Congress that the unavoidable expences arising from the command of this post and its dependencies [strike-out] [inserted: have] greatly exceeded any emoluments of office arising from my rank in the Army, and that in order to support [struck: that might] my station with some propriety so as not to reflect disgrace upon the [inserted: publick] rank I sustain I have been obliged to make use of my private resources to a considerable amount That it has uniformly been customary from the peculiar expences of the command to allow the emoluments of a major General commanding in a seperate department, but that said allowance was withdrawn time previous to your Excellencys [strike-out][inserted: ordering [strike-out me in the Command. [strike-out] [inserted: It may be unnecessary to] enter into a detail of circumstances which [strike-out] [inserted: have] rendered my command as expensive as [inserted: that of] any of my predecessers. It is sufficient that I can [strike-out] easily procure that it has been [inserted: strike-out] so. I therefore humbly hope to [strike-out] [inserted: have the same] compensation. [strike-out] I pray [strike-out] that your Excellency could have this goodness to place this request before Congress [2] in the manner that you may think it desirous I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your Excellys Most Obediet Servant H Knox His Excellcy General Washington [docket] To his Excellency Genl Washington 29 Septr 1783

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