George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Henry Knox, 28 February 1794

From Henry Knox

War department February 28. 1794

Sir

I have the honor to submit to your consideration a request from the Governor of this State for the loan of four brass Nine pounders.1 I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your obedient Servant

H. Knox

LS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.

1Thomas Mifflin’s brief letter to Knox of 28 Feb. asked for “the loan of 4 Brass nine pounders, to be employed in the defence of our Frontiers,” which “shall be returned when required.” In his reply of 1 March, Knox wrote that GW “regrets Sir, that the principles which have been invariably adopted, both under the old as well as under the present government relatively to keeping together the Ordnance and Stores in possession of the United States, notwithstanding the desire of many of the individual States, preclude his compliance in this instance” (both letters, PHarH: Executive Correspondence, 1790–99).

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