Henry Knox (1750–1806) was self-taught in military strategy and tactics from a young age. In 1775, after meeting and impressing John Adams (1735–1826), Knox received Adams’ recommendation for a position in the Continental Army. That same year, Knox met George Washington (1732–1799), beginning a long-lasting friendship. Knox distinguished himself early in the war, particularly with his successful capture and transportation of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston, which led to his promotion to Chief of Artillery. By the war’s end, Knox had risen to the rank of Major General. He served as the nation’s first Secretary of War under President Washington. Knox’s relationship with Washington helped define his military career and positioned him as one of Washington’s trusted advisors during the formation of the new republic.
Washington’s April 1787 letter to Knox underscores both the personal and professional nature of their friendship. Also an advocate for constitutional reform, Knox, along with James Madison (1751–1836), helped persuade Washington to attend the Constitutional Convention despite Washington’s initial reluctance. In this letter, Washington discusses his concerns for the upcoming Convention and the General Meeting for The Society of Cincinnati. Although he had already given word to Edmund Randolph that he accepted his appointment to the delegation, Washington remained unsure about participating. He was concerned that insufficient state representation and delegates with limited authority could compromise the convention’s effectiveness. Given Washington’s support of significant constitutional reform, he doubted the value of attending if the convention could not adequately address the issues with the Articles of Confederation.
In the second half of the letter, Washington addressed his role as president of The Society of the Cincinnati. He expressed his desire to discuss his role and similar concerns for the upcoming general meeting with Knox and others upon his arrival in Philadelphia. Washington’s apprehensions were driven by some state societies rejecting reforms established at the previous year’s general meeting. Uncertain whether these reforms would be upheld at the upcoming meeting, Washington worried that any resulting discord within the society might reflect poorly on his leadership.
Washington’s letter reflected the political climate of the time, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding efforts to revise the Articles of Confederation. While he recognized the need for a new and stronger government for the United States to endure, Washington remained concerned about the challenges of uniting the states toward this goal.
My dear Sir,
The early attention which you were so obliging as to pay to my letter of the 8th ulto is highly pleasing and flattering to me. Were you to continue to give me information on the same point, you would add to the favor; as I see, or think I see, reasons for and against my attendance in Convention so near an equilibrium, as will cause me to determine upon either, with diffidence. One of the reasons against, it, is an apprehension that all the States will not appear and that some of them, being unwillingly drawn into the measure, will send their Delegates will come so fettered as to embarrass, and perhaps render nugatory, the whole proceedings. In either of these circumstances - that is—a partial representation—or cramped powers, I should not like to be a sharer in this business. If the Delegates come with such powers as will enable the Convention to probe the defects of the Constitution to the bottom, and point out radical cures—it would be an honorable employment—but otherwise it is desirable to avoid it—and these are matters you may possibly come at by means of your acquaintances among the Delegates in Congress who undoubtedly know what powers are given by their respective States. You also can inform me what the prevailing opinion with respect to my attendance, or non-attendance, is; and I would sincerely thank you for the confidential communication of it.
If I should attend the Convention, I will be in Philadelphia previous to the meeting of the Cincinnati,[1] where I shall hope and expect to meet you and some others of my particular friends the day before; in order that I may have a free and unreserved conference with you on the subject of it; for I assure you this is in my estimation, a business of a delicate nature—,that the design of the Institution was pure I have not a particle of doubt. That it may be so still, is perhaps equally unquestionable. But, is not subsiding of the Jealousies of it, to be ascribed to the modification which took place at the last General Meeting? Are not these rejected in toto by some of the State Societies, and partially acceded to by others? Has any State so far overcome its prejudices as to grant a Charter? Will the modifications and alterations be insisted on, or given up, in the next Meeting? If the first, will it not occasion warmth and divisions? If the latter, and I should remain at the head of this order, in what light would my signature appear in contradictory recommendations? In what light would the versatility appear to the Foreign members, who perhaps are acting agreeably to the recommendations of the last General Meeting? These, and other matters which may be agitated, will, I fear, place me in a disagreeable prediction if I should preside; and were among the causes which induced me to decline the honor of it, previously to the meeting. Indeed my health is become very precarious—a Rheumatic complaint which has followed me more than Six months is frequently so bad, that it is with difficulty I can raise my hand to my head, or turn myself in bed. This, however smooth and, at times agreeable other matters might be, might almost in the moment of my departure, prevent my attendance on either occasion.
I will not at present touch on any other parts of your letter, but would wish you to ponder on all these matters, and write to me as soon as you can. With the most sincere friendship I am My dear Sir Your affected Servant. G. Washington
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