Discusses Congress's proposed disbandment of the troops according to the resolve of Congress dated 21 October 1786. States that although he feels for the men who have made the military their life, the public were utterly unable to support them by reason of the non compliance of all the states excepting Virginia with the requisition for that purpose... He feels that if Congress decides to appoint a new Inspector General, they will choose Sargent. However Major William North, the current Inspector General, may just continue in the post. Comments that he has no information on a map of Sargent's because Mr. Hutchins has not returned yet.

Is anxious for Sargent to enter the military establishment in a manner agreable [sic] to your feelings, and if it was entirely up to him, Knox might create a special position just for him. Relates that Congress has directed a legionary corps to be raised, and he cannot alter arrangements which have already been made. Has always wished that the corps for artillery and engineers be the same, but it is up to Congress. Asks whether he might consider the office of Inspector of the Troops, which Major [William] North has resigned. Discusses what ranks and benefits Congress might associate with that office. Explains other offices that might be more suitable to Sargent than the office he has rejected, Captain of Artillery in the Massachusetts line. See GLC02437.03432 for Sargent's reply.

Informs Knox that he is not disappointed by the disbandment of the troops since he was expecting it. Discusses William North's retracted resignation of the office of Inspector General, which Sargent was to have taken over as North's replacement. Expresses his embarrassment over this as everyone thought he would receive the appointment until North decided not to resign. To have told me absolutely that he would not continue in the office - & inform'd a number of my friends that he had resigned in my favor, & to resume it (thereby apparently displacing me at his own Pleasure) more than a little mortifies me. Thanks Knox for some trouble he took with Sargent's maps. Stamped Boston. Free stamped on address leaf with no signature.

Thanks him for his letters. Never doubted Knox's good wishes toward him, or his desire to promote Sargent's military achievements. Is acutely aware of Knox's responsibilities and does not want to put him in an embarrassing position because of his desire to attain an appointment. Though he wanted the Captaincy of Artillery, he even moreso wanted Knox's high esteem, both during military service and in civilian life. Writes, Consider [...] how severely I must have been wounded by [William] North & [Elnathan] Haskell- who were both my Junior Officers during [an] the war & who have Majorities in the Legion. In response to Knox's offer of the position of Inspector of Troops, he thinks himself inadequate for the position. Encloses paper (not present) describing General [Benjamin] Lincoln's expedition. Sargent would have liked to join the expedition, and Lincoln and Governor James Bowdoin wanted him to go, but he did not believe there was an appropriate position available to him. Writes, General Lincoln offerd indeed to make me his Adjutant Genl but I was sure I could not discharge the duty, to my own Satisfaction. Finally, discusses the status of the Massachusetts insurgents. See GLC02437.03413 for a related document.

Discusses the resignation of Mr. [William] North, from the Inspector's Office. Alerts Knox that North may write to Knox and members of Congress in support of Sargent. Free stamped on address leaf with no signature. Appears to be docketed by Knox.

Discusses financial business in relation to the Ohio Company and the western lands. Signature clipped, resulting in text loss of the first portion of the letter. Stamped Boston.

Later copy. Written from the War Department. Explains that Mr. Caleb Swan will be taking thirty five thousand dollars in post bank notes for the pay of the army, and that Sargent's name has been added to the notes for greater security. When Swan wants to exchange the notes for cash, he will need Sargent's to do so; asks that Sargent oblige.