Lot 159
Knox, Henry (1750-1806). American Revolutionary officer, appointed U.S. Secretary of War in 1785 largely due to the influence of George Washington.
Letter Signed ("H Knox"). As Secretary of War. One page, folio, n.p., November 22, 1786. In brown ink. Matted and framed with a black and white image to an overall size of 27½ x 23½". With one horizontal and two vertical folds, an area of paper loss at right center edge. Still, in good to very good condition overall.
In one of the first years of his tenure as Secretary of War, Knox attempts to convince the Treasury Board that the low morale of troops may be caused by the shortage of supplies and funds in the battlefield -- obviously drawing on his experience as a Revolutionary officer. He politely states the problem as such: "It has been my invariable opinion that every will of which the troops were capable might be expected to result from their want of confidence in the public arrangements. I have been convinced that the defective complyance [sic] of most of the States with the requisitions of Congress has been the sole cause which has prevented better payments."
Estimated Value $500 - 700.
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| Realized $414 |
