Details
KNOX, HENRY, Major General, Secretary of War in Washington's Cabinet. Letter signed ("H. Knox," a bold signature) as Secretary of War, to "the President and the Directors of the Bank of New York," War Office, 26 August 1789. 2 full pages, folio, discreetly strengthened at central folds, otherwise in very good, clean condition.
BORROWING FUNDS FOR TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS
In an official letter, beautifully written in a bold, formal scribal hand, Knox "has the honor to transmit you a copy of a letter which I this day received from the President of the United States [Washington's letter of 26 August, see Fitzpatrick, 30:391). In order to promote the Commissioners [David Humphreys, Cyrus Griffin and Benjamin Lincoln] who are to negotiate the Indian Treaties with the necessary means to effect the objects of their mission, I have to request of the President and the Directors of the Bank of New York an immediate loan of ten thousand dollars, and further sums from time to time if the same may be found necessary, to execute this business, not exceeding in the whole the sum of twenty thousand dollars. On the loans the Bank shall make...it will be allowed by the public its customary interest. And as soon as I shall receive the Warrants specified in the President of the United States' letter, the same shall be deposited in the Bank to the amount of the sums loaned...."
Under the new Constitution, the Treasury Department had not yet been formed, and in his letter to Knox, Washington advised that "as soon as the Treasury Department shall be organized, Warrants will issue... according to law..."
BORROWING FUNDS FOR TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS
In an official letter, beautifully written in a bold, formal scribal hand, Knox "has the honor to transmit you a copy of a letter which I this day received from the President of the United States [Washington's letter of 26 August, see Fitzpatrick, 30:391). In order to promote the Commissioners [David Humphreys, Cyrus Griffin and Benjamin Lincoln] who are to negotiate the Indian Treaties with the necessary means to effect the objects of their mission, I have to request of the President and the Directors of the Bank of New York an immediate loan of ten thousand dollars, and further sums from time to time if the same may be found necessary, to execute this business, not exceeding in the whole the sum of twenty thousand dollars. On the loans the Bank shall make...it will be allowed by the public its customary interest. And as soon as I shall receive the Warrants specified in the President of the United States' letter, the same shall be deposited in the Bank to the amount of the sums loaned...."
Under the new Constitution, the Treasury Department had not yet been formed, and in his letter to Knox, Washington advised that "as soon as the Treasury Department shall be organized, Warrants will issue... according to law..."