To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24 March 1794
From Henry Knox
War department March 24. 1794
Sir
I think it necessary that you should be acquainted with the following information received this day from Doctor Hutchins who set out from Fort Washington on the 17 of February and arrived at George Town in Kentuckey 12 Miles from Lexington on the 19th and remained in several parts of Kentucky among which two days were passed in Lexington which he left on the 24th of Feby. From the best of his information in conversing with all classes of people and particularly with some Gentlemen from Louisania the Doctor was convinced that Clarks expedition was at an end, the causes he was not particularly acquainted with, but it was supposed owing to a want of confidence in the French Agents. he heard nothing of Colonel Montgomery who was said to have taken post at the Mouth of Cumberland.1 I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your obedt Servant
H. Knox
LS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
Thomas Hutchins of Pennsylvania served as a surgeon’s mate for the troops currently under the command of Gen. Anthony Wayne in the Northwest Territory from 11 April 1792 until his resignation on 14 Dec. 1793.
1. On the expedition being planned against the Spanish colony of Louisiana by Kentucky residents George Rogers Clark and John Montgomery, see Edmund Randolph to GW, 27 Feb. (fourth letter) and its enclosure. On the French agents sent to Kentucky to encourage this expedition, see n.2 of Edmund Randolph to GW, 15 February.