细节
KNOX, Henry (1750-1806), Secretary of War. Autograph letter signed ("HKnox") as Secretary of War to "His Excellency Governor [John] Hancock," New York, 31 January 1790. 4 pages, folio, written in Knox's very bold hand, marked by him "Private" at top of page 1, clean partial separations along folds (without loss, repairable). Docketed by Hancock on page 4.
"REPUBLICS ARE...MORE PRODUCTIVE OF HAPPINESS, AND AN ENLARGEMENT OF THE HUMAN MIND, THAN ANY OTHER SORT OF GOVERNMENT"
A very fine letter from Knox, who had owned a bookstore in Boston prior to the Revolution and risen to become Washington's most trusted advisor, serving since 1784 as Secretary of War. Knox, delicately seeking to enlist Hancock's support for his proposed national militia, writes: "In my private capacity, I take the liberty of enclosing your Excellency my report on the subject of a republican national militia. The result of my reflections on republics are, that they are more productive of happiness, and an enlargement of the human mind than any other sort of government. But that they cannot be secured against the machinations of the cunningly interested, and ambitious characters, unless the people will sacrifice some portion of ease, and establish strong institutions which when confirmed by habit shall serve as a barrier and protection to the republic. Deeply impressed with the opinion that we are now assuming a permanent cast of character, I am highly solicitous that it should be of such a nature as to shield liberty, that emanation of the divinity."
"If the people of the United States reject a national militia on account of its expence, or the sacrifices of personal convenience it may require, we shall probably suffer the flood tide I know what fate the principles of the plan will meet. But should it receive your hearty approbation it would take deep root and the effects would be visible to remote posterity. For it is easily enough foreseen were so powerful a state as Massachusetts to adopt such a system, that its neighbors would not sit easy under such a formidable weapon, and would therefore adopt it also in its own defence." While Hancock's Lieutenant Governor may oppose the militia, he hopes that the principle of rotation "would obviate his objections, unless he should apprehend that the framer of the [Society of the] Cincinnati [Knox] to be incapable of genuine republicanism." He adds that Mrs. Knox "has presented me with another son (her ninth child), so you see Sir by the blessing of God we are preparing our proportion of young militiamen."
Knox's hopes for the expansion of the army in accordance with his plan was ultimately defeated by a fractious Congress.
"REPUBLICS ARE...MORE PRODUCTIVE OF HAPPINESS, AND AN ENLARGEMENT OF THE HUMAN MIND, THAN ANY OTHER SORT OF GOVERNMENT"
A very fine letter from Knox, who had owned a bookstore in Boston prior to the Revolution and risen to become Washington's most trusted advisor, serving since 1784 as Secretary of War. Knox, delicately seeking to enlist Hancock's support for his proposed national militia, writes: "In my private capacity, I take the liberty of enclosing your Excellency my report on the subject of a republican national militia. The result of my reflections on republics are, that they are more productive of happiness, and an enlargement of the human mind than any other sort of government. But that they cannot be secured against the machinations of the cunningly interested, and ambitious characters, unless the people will sacrifice some portion of ease, and establish strong institutions which when confirmed by habit shall serve as a barrier and protection to the republic. Deeply impressed with the opinion that we are now assuming a permanent cast of character, I am highly solicitous that it should be of such a nature as to shield liberty, that emanation of the divinity."
"If the people of the United States reject a national militia on account of its expence, or the sacrifices of personal convenience it may require, we shall probably suffer the flood tide I know what fate the principles of the plan will meet. But should it receive your hearty approbation it would take deep root and the effects would be visible to remote posterity. For it is easily enough foreseen were so powerful a state as Massachusetts to adopt such a system, that its neighbors would not sit easy under such a formidable weapon, and would therefore adopt it also in its own defence." While Hancock's Lieutenant Governor may oppose the militia, he hopes that the principle of rotation "would obviate his objections, unless he should apprehend that the framer of the [Society of the] Cincinnati [Knox] to be incapable of genuine republicanism." He adds that Mrs. Knox "has presented me with another son (her ninth child), so you see Sir by the blessing of God we are preparing our proportion of young militiamen."
Knox's hopes for the expansion of the army in accordance with his plan was ultimately defeated by a fractious Congress.
注意事项
Tax exempt.