Draft of a Letter from Henry Knox to George Washington about Congress Decisions and Stores, 23 April 1781

Book excerpt: Argues against Congress's decision to discontinue the post at Fishkill, commanded by John Ruddock, Deputy Commissary of Military Stores. Its proximity to West Point and to army in the field, as well as the armory located on site, renders the post indispensable to Knox. Also expresses opposition to moving the stores from Fishkill to West Point. With Respect to the dismission of Mr Ruddock, I can have nothing to say, but that it is a disagreeable service indeed where a man after six years faithful services, without the imputation of an official crime that I know shall be dismis'd, with almost his whole pay due for four years, and that at a time when there are not... more officers of his station than are wanted. Knox's working draft.