Henry Knox To Gouverneur Morris About Benjamin Lincolns Deployment To Deal With Shays 16 January 1787

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Marked copy on the docket Details General [Benjamin] Lincoln's deployment with 4,000 men to deal with Shays and his supporters. Writes that Lincoln will begin at Worcester, trying to protect the Court, and then make several more stops around the state. If the insurgents do not choose to oppose him in his parties, he will proceed to search for them individually. Is pleased to hear that both he and Robert Morris have been chosen to attend the Philadelphia convention: I ardently wish for many reasons that the States would unanimously send delegates to it, but the various opinions respecting it will prevent. I most exceedingly wish Massachusetts and the eastern states would be at it, but they appear to think it an irregular step and inadequate to our critical situation - will you muster up all your arguments in favor of it, and forward them to me? I will not make a bad use of them. Is unsure when Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth will arrive, but knows there have been delays in his travels. Also reports that recruitment of troops has been going pretty well, but we exceedingly want the clothing, and every thing rests on the proposed contracts. Body of letter and signature penned for Knox by Robert Pemberton, his post-war aide.