To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 June 1794

From Henry Knox

War department June 5th 1794

The Secretary of War respectfully reports the following matters and things arising out of the Acts passed the present session, as necessary to be performed within the Department of War, in addition to those specified in a report on the 10th of April 1794.

First. The execution of the law for the fortification of Annapolis, about which some previous measures have been taken.1

Second. The raising the corps of the Artillerists and Engineers.2

Third. Any regulation which may be necessary in pursuance of the laws for detaching eighty thousand militia.3

Fourth. The completion of the naval arrangements, such as

1. Deciding on the sizes of the frigates.

2. Deciding on the places at which they shall be built.4

3. The execution of the law relatively to gallies.5

To these are to be added the measures necessary to be taken with respect to the south western frontiers.

H. Knox secy of war

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

1. Knox was referring to "An Act supplementary to ’An Act to provide for the Defence of certain Ports and Harbors in the United States,’" approved 9 May (Stat description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends . 1:367).

2. "An Act providing for raising and organizing a Corps of Artillerists and Engineers," approved 9 May, directed the engagement of 764 non-commissioned officers, privates, and artificers "for the term of three years, by voluntary enlistments" (Stat description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends . 1:366-67).

3. "An Act directing a Detachment from the Militia of the United States" was approved 9 May (Stat description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends . 1:367-68).

4. The frigates were to be constructed under the authority of "An Act to provide a Naval Armament," approved 27 March. The act authorized GW "to provide, by purchase or otherwise," four 44-gun ships and two 36-gun ships (Stat description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends . 1:350-51).

5. Knox was referring to "An Act to authorize the President of the United States during the recess of the present Congress, to cause to be purchased or built a number of Vessels to be equipped as Galleys, or otherwise, in the service of the United States," approved on this date. The act authorized GW to build or purchase and man and equip "a number of vessels, not exceeding ten." Eighty thousand dollars was appropriated for that purpose (Stat description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends . 1:376).

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Source Project: Washington Papers
Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 June 1794
Author: Knox, Henry
Recipient: Washington, George
Date: 5 June 1794

Reference

Cite as: “To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 June 1794,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-16-02-0158. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 16, 1 May–30 September 1794, ed. David R. Hoth and Carol S. Ebel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2011, pp. 192–193.]

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