To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 October 1792
From Henry Knox
Philadelphia 14 October 1792
Sir
I have the honor with great diffidence to submit hints of points in the War department which appear necessary to be mentioned to the Legislature at their approaching session.
Arsenals are exceedingly wanted in the middle and southern states for the well ordering of the military stores—But as this is a ticklish subject it is omitted for the present.1
I have also the honor to submit a letter from Governor Lee of the 4th instant, with the draft of an answer thereto, which if it should receive your approbation may be transmitted by tomorrows post.2
I propose to set out early tomorrow Morning for the Eastward. I hope from circumstances to meet my family and return by Sunday or monday of the next week.3 I have the honor sir to be with perfect Respect Your Obedient Servant
H. Knox
ALS, DLC:GW; ADfS, NNGL: Knox Papers; LB, DLC:GW.
1. On 3 Sept., GW had written Knox requesting his opinion about what to include in the address to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that GW presented on 6 Nov. 1792. No list of “hints” has been identified.
2. Henry Lee’s letter to Knox of 4 Oct. 1792 has not been identified. Knox replied to Lee on 14 Oct. from Philadelphia that the president “has directed me to inform you that from his present view of the subject, he does not conceive any measures on the part of the Legislature of Virginia necessary for the defence of the frontiers. . . . the respectable force authorized by Congress during their late session, together with the militia which the laws authorize him to call into service, will prove adequate to the occasions which may arise.
“He has farther desired me to tender his thanks for your ideas relatively to the Block-houses, for the purpose of cutting off the communication between the Northern and Southern Indians, which he will take into his consideration” ( 6:97).
3. Knox returned to Philadelphia from his trip to New York City sometime between Friday, 19 Oct., and Thursday, 25 Oct. (see Knox to William Duer, 19 Oct., and to Thomas Randall, 25 Oct., NNGL: Knox Papers).