16 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Later copy of letter written by Knox to Lafayette at GLC02437.03276. Thanks Lafayette for the kind treatment given to his brother William. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase jeweled eagle badges for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati. L'Enfant returned to America in 1784 and brought back many badges purchased on credit. The price proved too high for some officers, which left L'Enfant in a bind. Goes on to say that the Society approved of L'Enfant's conduct and owed 630 dollars to him for his services in France…

GLC02437.03275

July 25, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox references Lafayette's letter from May 5, 1787. Says the letter gave information that was "truly important and evinces that the french nobility possess the true spirit of justice & liberality." Tells him that there are dangers and that he "must not either sleep nor slumber politically." Reports that "Our friend Genl Washington is anxiously engaged in the business of thr forming of the political machine." Says delegates from every state except Rhode Island have met at a constitutional convention for the past two months. Declares, "They are secret in their councils, [conceiving] such…

GLC02437.03616

October 24, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Says he has probably already heard of the results of the Constitutional Convention. Says "The propositions being essentially different, in many respects from the existing Confederation, and which will probably produce different national effects, are contemplated by the public at large with an anxious attention. The discussions are commenced in the news papers & in Pamphlets, with all the freedom & liberality which challenge a people who are searching by their own experience after a form of government most productive of happiness." Expresses his affinity for a stronger national…

GLC02437.03680

March 18, 1788

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expected to write this morning, but was interrupted by deputies of the "dutch patriots." While he was speaking to them he says he had a copy made of his letter to the General, possibly referring to George Washington, and has enclosed it (not included here). Asks him to communicate it to Alexander Hamilton. He has not written to John Jay as [William] Short has promised to do so.

GLC02437.03825

May 15, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Marked "Copy." Letter in a secretarial hand. Says that Joel Barlow, later known as one of the Connecticut Wits, will deliver this letter. Knox identifies Barlow as the author of "The vision of Columbus," a long epic poem in heroic couplets. Barlow went to Europe as an agent for a company that wanted to sell western lands to French emigrants. Knox says Barlow is traveling with the son of Nathanael Greene, George Washington Greene, who is to study with Lafayette in France. Says Catharine Greene and Colonel Wadsworth have written him on the subject of "Master Washington's education," and he will…

GLC02437.03874

January 3, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox has only received a short note from Lafayette (on recommendations for the Society of the Cincinnati), since last June. Believes it is due to the suspension of packets between France and America, as Count de Moustier, the French minister to America, has also not received letters. Says they heard that General Nathanael Greene's son was placed in a respectable academy near Paris. Hopes his conduct is good. Reports that "Our Country is busy in making elections for the new Government - what is to take place the 1st of March. The people at large are becoming more and more strongly attached to…

GLC02437.04071

February 4, 1789

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette anxiously awaits ratification results of the U.S. Constitution, discusses debates between himself, Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson and "Common Sense" [Thomas Paine] regarding the need for Constitutional amendments, and stresses the importance of "the General's" [George Washington's] acceptance of the presidency. He begins by updating Knox on European affairs, saying that they are "too much Entangled together for me to give you an Exact description." He mentions that the Ottoman Empire, with the assistance of Great Britain, is attacking both the Russians and Austrians, and that Britain fears…

GLC02437.04105

May 24, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox says it is a long time since he has heard from Lafayette. He is glad that the packets between American and Europe will soon be re-established. When he can communicate better says he will update Lafayette on affairs in America. Says "You will have been informed already that our Constitution is established and fully in operation - That the Glorious Washington is at its head, and that therefore it will have the fairest chance for success." Ends by introducing a Mr. Colden (there is a space where the first name was supposed to be filled in) of New York. Colden wants to go to France to study…

GLC02437.04218

24 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Knox signs with his initials. References receiving several letters from William since 7 April. Has no excuses for why he has not written more often. Says this letter will not be long because there is a ship in port that is just about to leave for Liverpool and this note needs to be on it. Says they are all well and situated comfortably near the city at Bush Hill, Vice President John Adams's house. Adams was away at Braintree, Massachusetts, so the house was available. Reports he is going into a good house in Philadelphia in the autumn. Is surprised that William is living "in a strange…

GLC02437.05027

14 August 1781

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Lamb to Brigadier General Knox. Accuses Colonel John Crane of defrauding solders under his command of their pay. Says many of the Crane's officers have accused him of these crimes. Says Lieutenant Colonel Stevens has publicly accused him and informed Crane of the names of other officers. Refuses to do duty with Crane until he exonerates himself from the charge. Says Crane needs to "appear before the world" and deny the charges.

GLC02437.01132

18 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Lamb

Written at camp near Dobbs Ferry. Gives specific orders for mobilization of Lamb's regiment, and apparently the entire artillery park. Indicates they should cross the Hudson River at Kings Ferry. Closing and signature in the hand of Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.01139

28 September 1781

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Lamb asserts that Trebell's Landing is the best place to disembark the ordnance for the siege of Yorktown and requests men for the task. Reports that the return of stores Knox requested is impossible because Colonel Stevens (possibly Ebenezer Stevens, who was Colonel in Lamb's regiment) did not make an account of the stores on the vessels. Informs Knox that Captain Duncan has arrived with howitzers and carriages.

GLC02437.01194

21 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter

Title: to John Adams

Later copy of GLC02437.01252. A detailed account of the siege of Yorktown. Affirms the correctness of Adams' ideas about a need to conduct a major attack against the British in the southern states. Announces the recent surrender of Lord Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown. Explains the "harmonious concurrence of circumstances" that made the victory possible, mentioning the fleet from the West Indies commanded by Admiral Compte de Grasse, the American and French troops marching down from the Hudson River, and a fleet from Rhode Island under the command of Compte de Barras. Provides a…

GLC02437.01251

3 January 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written by Brigadier General Henry Knox to his brother William Knox. References receiving several letters from William before he left Boston, but that they took a long time in arriving. Reports on several merchant ships that have been captured. Mentions the birth of another son: "I am happy to inform you that our domestic happiness encreases. Mrs Knox has presented me with another fine boy who was born on the 20th ultimo. he is almost the image of Harry, except that his limbs are rather longer. We name him Marcus Camillus, after a roman republic character to which I early became attached."…

GLC02437.01323

April 12, 1782

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter written by Lafayette to Major General Knox. Letter of introduction for Chevalier de [Lameth], whose brother was severely wounded in the attack on the redoubts at Yorktown. Asks that he be introduced to "our Brother officers."

GLC02437.01385

6 May 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Burlington, likely in New Jersey. Explains to Knox that per his instructions, they have performed some experiments comparing English and French howitzers. They have concluded that French howitzers will be useless unless they have specially-cast shells created for them, because the amount of powder they can hold is different from the amount English howitzers can hold. Has included some samples. Extends his compliments to Mrs. Knox and to Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.01411

4 June 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that per Knox's instructions, he brought all the howitzers and field pieces to Burlington, and finds them in very bad shape. He is having them inspected and repaired immediately. Wrote to Colonel [Timothy] Pickering to ask him to obtain horses and wagons for moving the ordnance, but Pickering replied that he had no money and they would have to hire horses and wagons when they need them. Lamb "anticipate[s] the difficulties, we shall meet with, in transporting the ordnance, and stores."

GLC02437.01438

19 June 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has, pursuant to Knox's instructions, sent Captain [William] Stevens to Secretary at War [Benjamin] Lincoln with a section of a howitzer shell and a request that Lincoln order Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch to produce the number of shells Knox requested. Lamb also asked General Lincoln to give Captain Stevens an order to the Financier for enough money to "defray his expences," but Lincoln said he did not need to go to the Financier until the shells were cast. Also relates that Captain Patten mentioned a machine in Springfield "for cutting Elevating-Screws" and asks Knox to order…

GLC02437.01457

4 July 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments that he only received Knox's most recent two letters the night before, which accounts for his late reply. Writes, "I have (previous to your directions) made appreciation to the Qr. Mr. Genl. [Quartermaster General] for the necessary number of Horses, and waggons, to move us on the shorter notice. In consequence of your Letter, of the 14th ultimo, I have ordered Mr. Frothingham, to move with the Conductors, as soon as possible." Sends compliments to Mrs. Knox and Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.01476

11 July 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that the present letter will be given to Knox by Mr. [Richard] Frothingham. Writes, "I yesterday received a Letter from Mr. [likely Samuel] Hodgdon, informing me the Shells at Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch's Works, are Cast. - and, that Genl [Benjamin] Lincoln requests, Capt. [William] Stevens may be sent, with a Party of Men to prove them - In consequence of this information, I have sent Capt. Stevens, to Philadelphia, to settle with Genl Lincoln, the mode of subsisting himself, and Party, while on this Service. We have no News here, except a report that the Enemy have evacuated…

GLC02437.01482

20 July 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that has noted Knox's previous letter, which indicates that artificers are working hard on wagons and tumbrils. However, "At the same time, I am sorry to inform you, that, they will fall far short of your expectations, in this particular owing to the great portion of time which has been taken up, in making the necessary repairs of the carriages, of those Pieces, that were brought from Philadelphia, to this place, many of which were in a wretched state." Writes that he is "chagrined" to find that a Lieutenant Fisk has resigned to avoid a Court Martial. Adds that the bearer of the…

GLC02437.01495

9 October 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "Agreable to your request, I call'd on Mr. Billings to see what progress he had made in his work - I find that, he has prepared one of the Cannon, and has traced the device - as the border is to be Engraved, it requires much time to prepare the Cannon properly for the reception of the design. - He means to give such part of the gun, as will be exposed to view, when mounted, a very fine polish, which will add greatly to its appearance. He cannot yet determine when he will be able to compleat the work; But promises to undertake nothing else, till they are done. I flatter myself that…

GLC02437.01655

June 16, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox references "several" letters he received from Lafayette. Says his brother William is indebted to Lafayette for all the kindness shown to him. William asked that it be acknowledged. Goes on to say "America is infinitely indebted to you for your assistance, in the moment of her deepest distress, and from thence up to the present auspicious period - She recognizes the favors she has received with an unbounded attachment to you." Says he will personally remember "the pleasures of your friendship with the ardor of a lover." Says Lafayette's godson Harry will be taught the same. Believes the…

GLC02437.02166

23 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written by General Knox to his brother William. References William's letters of 7 April 1783 and 13 June 1783. Says he received a letter from Messrs. Smith and Sears (see GLC02437.02229) that they received William's shipment, but that they have had a hard time selling the goods. Hopes William arrives in America soon as he wants his advice on purchasing property. Says New York will be given back to the Americans in six weeks and believes the remainder of the army will then be disbanded. Reports that the peace is glorious, but that the officers have not been paid what they deserve. Makes…

GLC02437.02410

15 October 1783

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Request for Knox to register him in order that he may settle his accounts and draw subsistance.

GLC02437.02658