A sarcastic letter from Gouverneur Morris to Henry Knox regarding the conduct of Congress at Elizabethtown - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.01608
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0046] September 17822
Title	A sarcastic letter from Gouverneur Morris to Henry Knox regarding the conduct of Congress at Elizabethtown
Date	13 September 1782
Author	Morris, Gouverneur (1752-1816)
Recipient	Knox, Henry
Document Type	Correspondence; Military document; Government document
Content Description	Written by Morris as Assistant Superintendent of Finance to Major General Knox. A sarcastic letter expressing annoyance about Congress and their activities after receiving information on the conduct at Elizabethtown -- probably a reference to the negotiations for prisoner exchanges or for the evacuation of New York City taking place there. Says "Our Sovereign Lords the Congress have at length assented to (not approved of) our Conduct at Elizabeth town." It seems that Congress was not willing to respond harshly to General Sir Henry Clinton's letter, which expressed things the American negotiators were not pleased with. Says Congress has "been compelled to adopt our Principles," which probably means they were convinced of the propriety of responding harshly to Clinton's letter. Reports that the bearer of this letter will bring copies of the latest accounts of the enemy. Gives odds of "a Million to one" that the British General will not have power to "form Great Seals" -- probably a reference to possible stalling tactics that might be adopted by the British in the negotiations. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Subjects	Prisoner of War Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Congress Global History and Civics Diplomacy Military History Continental Congress
Place written	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Theme	The American Revolution; Foreign Affairs; Government & Politics
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] Phila:a 13 Sepr 1787. Dear Knox Our Sovereign Lords the Congress have at length assented to (not approved of) our Conduct at Elizabeth Town. After the abusive Letter of Sir H. Clinton, it would have seemed to [inserted: be] proper that an immediate approbation should have taken Place, even tho the matter might have been somewhat questionable. As it is, they have (unwittingly) done us the highest Honor. They have been compelled, to adopt our Principles; and if one could with Propriety scrutinize & criticize the Conduct of our Masters, we might think that they have only erred in imitating Sir Henry's talents for Bilingsgate, and in going into unnecessary forms of a Great Seal &c &c- The Bearer of this will bring you Copies of the accounts against the Enemy as far as hitherto collected. [2] I think it is a Million to one that the British Gen:l is not able to meet you with adequate Powers, I mean as to form Great Seals &c. &c- Present me to Mrs Knox- adieu yours Gouvr Morris P.S. Skinner has sent his accounts which are with the Treasury. [docket] From Gouverneur Morris [Eq] 13 Septr 1782

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