Manuscript: Text Transcription

Henry Knox to Jeremiah Wadsworth Regarding the "Insurgency"

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New York 24 March 1787

I have received my dear friend, your favor of the 19th instant covering a certificate of the sum due Serjeant[sic] Webster. With the sincerest dispositions to serve him I am unable to do it. The accounts of the regiment are not yet settled and provision made to pay the balances that shall be found due on account of the pay of the last year. Some modification of the troops now in service will soon take place, and I hope that an effectual arrangement will be taken for the payment of the arrearages--The moment the thing is practicable, he will be paid I return you the certificate.

There are nine states represented at present --The states generally have chosen for the convention--Rhode Island and Connecticut the only exceptions--I think it probably circumstance that Genl Washington will be at it - I hope you will be at Cincinnati in order to assist in persuading the Genl to Continue in the chair of the Society.

The little predatory incursions of the insurgents of Massachusetts, are the last struggle of an expiring faction - If the Supreme Court act with vigor, and a few executions take place, the business of insurgency in Massachusetts will most probably be finished for the present.

The state of Massachusetts have voted £5000 LMy [lawful money?] for to clothe & partly pay the federal troops in that state. I say voted because but a small part of the £25000 originally voted has been paid--The two sums together amount to 25000 dollars --This would clothe, subsist, and pay 300 men, and their officers a considerable time - I have ordered Colo Jackson if the state ever provides him with the means to march his corps to Springfield, in which case I should direct Colo Humphreys to move his men to West Point - You know that I shall depend on you feeding them at that post on condition that you are furnished with orders on the loan office of Connecticut for the amount - I do not desire you should run any risques on the subject but that you should be made secure by orders.

I hope your amiable daughter and son arrived without injury, or as pleasantly as the season would advise.

I am my dear sir
Your affectionate
Knox

Colo Wadsworth