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to Henry Knox
April 27, 1785
St. John de Crevecoeur, J. Hector, 1735-1813
Crevecoeur, French consul in New York, delivers a letter from "the good Marquis," possibly the Marquis de Lafayette (letter not included).
GLC02437.03133
May 11, 1785
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834
Lafayette hopes this letter finds Knox in New York arranging for his duties as Secretary of War. Rejoices in Knox's selection as "the patriot and the soldier are nobly united in your person." Says Knox can write to him as a friend or as secretary of...
GLC02437.03144
to James Webber
2 July 1785
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Dicusses the Birmingham wares, which are in the care of Henry Jackson (refer to GLC02437.03164). Relates that the Consul of Sweden informed him that a bill owed by William Knox, Henry's brother, has been paid. Discusses other financial matters...
GLC02437.03163
[Report of General Knox's letter to Dr. Gordon]
2 April 1786
Later copy. Apparently an excerpt of GLC02437.03257, outlining an incident between General George Washington, the Comte de Grasse, General Rochambeau, General Henry Knox, and Lord Cornwallis. Note at top of page reads, "Report of Genl Knox's letter...
GLC02437.03258
to Pierre Charles L'Enfant
19 April 1786
Writes that he has received L'Enfant's note from this morning. Does not believe the members of the Society of Cincinnati in France have received their diplomas yet. Does not have the names of the members because all the information was left in the...
GLC02437.03261
February 14, 1787
Fleury, François-Louis Teissèdre, vicomte de, 1749-1799
Written from "Port Louis, Isle of France," present-day Port Louis, Mauritius. Relates that Mr. Sears stopped at the Isle of France on his way to and from Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China), and brought him a letter from Major Samuel Shaw. Fears...
GLC02437.03454
to Marquis de Lafayette
January 19, 1786
Francastel, Nicolas Jean, fl. 1784-1786
An English translation of GLC02437.03238 in a different hand. This letter was written by Parisian jeweler Nicolas Jean Francastel, who was one of the creators of the jeweled eagle insignia worn by some members of the Society of the Cincinnati (Claude...
GLC02437.03239
to Henry Knox [in French]
May 16, 1786
Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron von, 1730-1794
Baron von Steuben writes to Knox in French asking if he will send him an excerpt of a letter written by the Marquis de Lafayette regarding his trip to Prussia. Says everyone has interest in the place where they spent the springtime of their lives...
GLC02437.03267
to John Green
11 October 1786-21 November 1786
Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794
Written from Canton, present-day Guangzhou, China. Writes a long narrative regarding a dispute with Captain John Green, who helmed the ship Shaw traveled on during his first visit to China in 1784. The first page contains a letter to John Green from...
GLC02437.03310
6 December 1786
Writes to Webber to discuss a variety of business matters. Explains why he has not written in some time, but thanks him on Mrs. Knox's behalf for advice he wrote to her the previous July. Provides an update on the status of merchandise (such as...
GLC02437.03367
February 7, 1787
Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797
Discusses financial arrangements and is happy to hear that Knox has received part of the monies owed him. Writes, however, that "[a]s Mr. Soderstam and Goodeve has not yet paid, must request you to take every step, which you may judge most prudent...
GLC02437.03445
February 12, 1786
Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809
Writes a friendly letter on a variety of topics. First, mentions that [Samuel] Shaw has set sail for the East and wishes him God's blessing. Hopes that he return safely to his friends and is richly rewarded; hopes that a Mr. S. does not disturb...
GLC02437.03242
5 March 1786
Writes that he is happy Webber approves of the negotiations he conducted with the firm of Broome & Platt, and brings him up to date on the status of their negotiations. Declares that Mr [Samuel] Ogden has sold a lot of Webber's goods but had to sell...
GLC02437.03245
12 March 1786
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
General Nathanael Greene writes, "I thank you for the public attention you are paying to my public Trophies; but I have been so embarrassed and perplexed in my private affairs for a long time past which originated in the progress of the War that I...
GLC02437.03251
August 1, 1786
Lafayette says a letter of recommendation was requested by Madame Gregorie, who has claims to present to the General Court in Massachusetts. Thought the best way to help her was to introduce her to Knox "who can better than Any Body Advise Her How to...
GLC02437.03289
to Henry Knox and Samuel Ogden
21 November 1786-3 December 1786
Written from Canton, present-day Guangzhou, China. Writes a lengthy letter updating his friends Knox and Ogden on the status of his business in China. Says he is pleased to finally be able to write, but is sad to report on the illness and death of...
GLC02437.03311
January 7, 1787
Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804
Letter contains Wadsworth's reaction to Knox's analysis of Shays' Rebellion and includes Wadsworth's own ideas on the matter. Believes that despite the actions of the insurgents, they and their supporters would not vote for anyone "who have not the...
GLC02437.03409
February 18, 1787
Langdon, John, 1741-1819
Asks Knox for assistance in providing for his family as he had a debt in England and "all the merchandize [sic] I had from thence was taken from my place of depository by the British ... " Also asks if Knox has any open positions, as he needs the...
GLC02437.03461
to J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur
8 May 1785
Knox writes to Crevecoeur, French consul at New York. Expresses his regret at Crevecoeur's loss of important papers. Apparently responding to Crevecoeur's request for information related to the Revolutionary War, writes, "...I was not at the...
GLC02437.03141
March 1784
Gouvion, Jean Baptiste, 1747-1792
Informs Knox that the Society of the Cincinnati is "... sure do well in this country, but the news we have from america give me some uneasiness, the american gentlemen who are in paris and not members of the Society are much against it, chiefly Mr...
GLC02437.02988
to William Hull
25 May 1784
Informs Hull, commandant of West Point, that Hull has been appointed to go to Canada to ascertain when the British will withdraw their troops from the western posts. Hull will attempt to acquire information from the Commander of British forces in...
GLC02437.03006
[Receipt of $300 from General Knox]
13 June 1784
Hull, William, 1753-1825
Acknowledges receipt of money to cover his trip to Canada (Hull was assigned by Knox to ascertain from Frederick Haldimand, Governor of the Province of Quebec, when the British would withdraw their forces from posts within United States boundaries).
GLC02437.03021
to John Doughty
16 August 1784
Discusses Doughty's treatment of a specific store of powder. Notes that Doughty should care for the arsenal under his watch to the best of his ability until further instructions are received from Congress. Reports that Frederick Haldimand...
GLC02437.03041
[Receipt for traveling expences]
9 October 1784
Mitchell, John, fl. 1755-1790
The State of Massachusetts pays Mitchell for expenses incurred on his trip to Boston. Mitchell traveled to Boston to give evidence regarding his previous survey of the St. Croix River. Henry Knox was recently appointed by the State of Massachusetts...
GLC02437.03056
December 1, 1784
Webber, a London merchant and friend of William Knox, responds to a letter from Henry Knox (GLC02437.03068). Expresses happiness at William's recovery from an episode of mental illness. Reports that William will soon sail from London to Boston....
GLC02437.03071
5 May 1785
Expresses his gratitude for the care Webber has taken to assist his brother William, who suffered from mental illness. Mentions a box of books, sent from London by Sharp, that were damaged in transit. Writes, "I am not well acquainted with the...
GLC02437.03139
3 August 1785
Writes to Webber, a caretaker and friend of Knox's brother William in England, regarding William's illness. Comments that he is very happy to hear William is doing well and that his prospects for recovery are positive. Discusses the likelihood that...
GLC02437.03171
10 August 1785
Randall, Thomas, ?-1811
Captain Thomas Randall writes to inform Knox that he has arrived in Baltimore after his trip to China with Samuel Shaw. Writes that "we stopped sometime at Batavia the capital of the Dutch settlements in the East Indies where the reception our flag...
GLC02437.03176
6 September 1785
Broome & Platt (firm), fl. 1785
The writer, on behalf of the firm of Broome & Platt, encloses documents detailing the correspondence between the firm and its creditors in England, as requested. Outlines the firm's dealings with John Blackburn, of London, who until July 1783 was...
GLC02437.03185
[Receipt for goods received from the firm of Broome & Platt]
12 September 1785
Duplicate of GLC02437.03193, in the hand of Samuel Shaw. Receipt of "sundry goods" received from the firm of Broome & Platt, "charged at their lowest cash price, amounting to seven hundred and ten pounds four shillings, sterling money of Great...
GLC02437.03192
16 September 1785
Writes to explain the status of their dealings with the firm of Broome & Platt, with whom they are trying to settle a debt. Relates that Broome and Platt acknowledge the amount of money they still owe Webber & Co. of London (on whose behalf Knox is...
GLC02437.03195
to Thomas Mifflin and Congress
24 May 1784
Responds to a letter from Thomas Mifflin, President of Congress, requesting Knox to engage in correspondence with the Commander of British forces in North America, likely referring to Frederick Haldimand. Mifflin had requested Knox to inquire when...
GLC02437.03003
to Louis-Marie Noailles
July 2, 1784
Knox writes to Viscount Noailles, brother-in-law of the Marquis de Lafayette. He expresses his friendship for Noailles, and discusses American trade and relations with Great Britain. Refers to public opinion of the Society of the Cincinnati...
GLC02437.03025
31 July 1784
Reports his lack of success in ascertaining information from Frederick Haldimand, Governor of the Province of Quebec. Transmits papers related to his proceedings with Haldimand (possibly GLC02437.03028). Promises to transmit a copy of the papers to...
GLC02437.03034
The substance of the commissioners speech to chiefs of the Penobscot Indians 4 September 1784
4 September 1784
Lists the Penobscot Chiefs as Oronoe (Orono), Squire Orson, Nicktumbowit, John Nepton, Peelsock, Wine [Measum] (possibly the Wine Meesor of other sources) and Wine Aremooglit. Congratulates the Penobscot tribe on their conduct during the...
GLC02437.03048
[Speech delivered to the Penobscot Tribe]
Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
Written at the Penobscot River, present-day Maine. Lincoln, a commissioner chosen to negotiate land boundaries with the Penobscot Tribe, praises the Penobscots' involvement in the Revolutionary War. Continues, "It is said that in your own Opinion...
GLC02437.03049
December 16, 1784
Lafayette reports to Knox that he will be leaving the United States from New York. Regrets that his situation renders him unable to see Knox in Boston before leaving. Expresses happiness on the birth of Knox's child. He has heard that Knox will...
GLC02437.03078
February 25, 1785
Killingley, Green, & Son, fl. 1785
Killingley, Green, & Son, a merchant firm, attempt to collect the balance of an account owed them by William Knox. Killingley notes that William is delinquent on the bill due to "the unfortunate gloom that hath pervaded [his] mind of late" (William...
GLC02437.03100
2 March 1785
Webber reports on the condition of Henry's brother, William, who suffered from mental illness. Writes, "I now am griev'd that I cannot send you more agreeable tidings, still continues in the same way, and I fear but little probability of a quick...
GLC02437.03102
9 September 1785
Relates that per Knox's instructions, he has gone to New Haven and met with Mr. [Samuel] Broome and Mr. [Jeremiah] Platt to discuss their outstanding financial business. Explains that Broom and Platt assured him they will not be able to repay the...
GLC02437.03190
Writes that the firm would have complied with Knox's wishes relating to the settling of their debt "had it been Practicable & prudent." However, it would have been "ruinous" to do so because they do not know the original cost of all their goods, and...
GLC02437.03194
27 September 1785
Writes, "I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receit of your favor of the 21st of August, but leaving Baltimore soon after prevented me from writing you, and being informed you were expected in this city. I delayed giving you a full account of my...
GLC02437.03202
30 September 1785
Draft of GLC02437.03204, written in the hand of Samuel Shaw.
GLC02437.03205
2 November 1785
Van Berckel, Franco Petrus, fl. 1790
Writes, "In answer to Your Letter of this day I have the honour of informing You, that the person, who has applied to You, having served me for the time of about two Years, has been always remarkable for his good behaviour and sobriety, and can be...
GLC02437.03211
to William Gordon
Writes that he is unaware of a present being sent from the King of France to General George Washington; declares that Colonel Laurens received money and goods but he thought they had been purchased. Provides information about a wartime incident...
GLC02437.03257
June 16, 1786
Knox references Lafayette's letter from February 11, 1786. He thanks Lafayette for his kindness toward his brother, William, when he was ill. Says that William has recovered and has been with him since October 1785. Hopes the recovery is permanent...
GLC02437.03276
31 May 1786-14 March 1787
Gardiner, Catherine, fl. 1786-1787
Written from "Newport." Explains that at the beginning of the war, Knox applied to the Provincial Congress in Massachusetts to exchange furniture with Gardiner's Loyalist aunt and uncle Barnes, Knox's furniture being in Boston. Due to poor...
GLC02437.03270
8 June 1786
Mentions the "embarrassments" of Mr. [Richard] Soderstrom, who has recently moved to a house nearby. Discusses the payments being made by debtors such as a Mr. Goodene, as well as the sale of goods. Mentions the health of his brother, William Knox...
GLC02437.03272
28 September 1786
Writes that it gives everyone pleasure to hear Mrs. Knox is "well a Bed - I please myself the Child will do well altho appearances may at present be against it." Discusses the brief arrival in town of a Major [possibly Richard] Platt and mentions his...
GLC02437.03303
20 April 1788
Discusses a financial matter involving warrants and a sheriff, of whom Wadsworth writes, "I find the sherif will fight hard and tho no body justifies him-" Notes that the sheriff received ill treatment in the office of Mr. Milligan. Plans to travel...
GLC02437.03851
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