George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 March 1782

Morris-County 22d March 1782.

Sir

We did ourselves the honor to write to your Excellency from Elizabeth-Town on the 16th instant, after which, we concluded it necessary to retire from thence, as some people might have been induced, from a suppos’d neutrality, to have had improper communications with the Enemy. Mr Skinner proceeded to New-York on that day, but from bad weather was not able to return untill the 20th. We have enclos’d a letter from General Clinton to your Excellency, a copy of his answer to ours of the 16th, and our reply to him of the 21st. We shall be punctual on our parts as to the time, and shall be happy to receive any further instructions you may think proper to give us. We have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellencys most Obedient and Humble Servants

H. Knox

Gouvr Morris

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

Enclosure

New-York 18 March 1782

Gentlemen,

I am favored with your Letter dated the 16th instant, and am extremely concerned that mine to General Washington of the 7th did not arrive at Philadelphia time enough to prevent your Journey. It must however have been retarded in its passage by some delay on your side the Water, as Capt. Day[tons] receipt of it is signed on the 9th.

Altho my reasons for wishing to defer the meeting of the commissioners, to the 10th of next month still subsists. Yet as I am unwilling to expose you to an inconvenience by so long a delay, I am desirous of accomodating you by naming a nearer day and have accordingly appointed Thursday the 28th instant for my commissioners to proceed from hence to Elizabeth-Town, which being the earliest my occasions can admit, will I hope be agreeable to you. I am Gentlemen Your most obedient and Most humble

H. Clinton

Enclosure

Morris County March 21 1782

Sir

We had the honor to receive your Excellencys letter of the 18th this morning. We lament the delay of your letter to General Washington, principally as it may have tended to your Excellencys inconvenience. We pray you to believe sir, that we are perfectly sensible of your polite attention, to the circumstances of our situation.

We shall do ourselves the honor to meet your Excellencys commissaries at Elizabeth Town on the 28th instant. With great respect We are sir Your most obedient and Humble Servants

H. Knox

Gouvr Morris

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