1To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln (Washington Papers)
I was honored by the reciept of your favour of the 7th Ulto, and your circular address by one of the last Posts. I wish your Excellency had not in so decided a manner expressed your determination to retire from the head of the order of Cincinnati. I shall communicate your address to our delegates at the next general meeting, and to our State society. I have made three trips into the eastern...
2Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
General Lincoln did not complete this extended account of Shays’ Rebellion for GW until 4 Mar. 1787, a month after he had defeated and dispersed Daniel Shays’ followers at Petersham on 4 February. Hence Lincoln’s letter, to which GW responded on 23 Mar. 1787, served for GW not as a running report but as a recapitulation of developments in Massachusetts. It was primarily Henry Knox, the...