To George Washington from Henry Knox, 4 April 1794
From Henry Knox
[Philadelphia] 4h April 1794
Sir
Capt. Williamson who is settled in the Genesee Country has given me the enclosed intelligence,1 and in a subsequent conversation which I have had with him he seems impressed with the Authenticity of the speech of Lord Dorchester, and also of his general ill dispositions towards this Country.2 I am sir respectfully Your humble Servant
H. Knox
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. Charles Williamson (1757–1808), a native of Scotland, came to the United States in 1791 as the land agent for a London investment group known as Pulteney Associates. Most of this company’s land lay in the present-day New York counties of Allegany, Livingston, and Monroe, all of which incorporated a portion of the Genesee River, and the counties of Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates. Williamson became a U.S. citizen in 1792, and by 1793 he was a resident of Ontario County, where he was active in local politics. He later represented Steuben County in the state assembly, 1796–1800. The enclosed intelligence has not been identified.
2. For the speech given by Lord Dorchester on 10 Feb., see n.2 of George Clinton’s letter to GW of 20 March.