February 11, 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Authorizes William, his brother, to conduct business on his behalf if he dies. Reports that he has been at Boston with his family for about three weeks. Relates details of the discharge of most of the Continental Army, noting that roughly five hundred soldiers plus artillery remain as a temporary measure to serve until Congress makes further regulation. Discusses business affairs extensively. Mentions the metal "argent," or silver, and asks William to procure articles such as "dining and tea table equipage... coffee teapots, sugar pots & horns & casters..." if he finds argent to…

GLC02437.02950

14 December 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Expresses relief and joy regarding William's recent recovery from an episode of mental illness. Relates that he and his family plan to move from Dorchester to rent John Singleton Copley's house in Boston. Discusses family news, mentioning his children Lucy, Harry, Marcus, and Julia. Encloses a letter to a friend of his mother-in-law in London (letter not included).

GLC02437.03076

December 16, 1784

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

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 probably be asked to serve in a ministerial post and might not have time to watch over his son's education in Boston. He hopes Knox will think about sending his son to France to study. Was happy to see that Congress was numerous and hopes they will do good. Will try to see Knox's brother William when he arrives in Europe.

GLC02437.03078

February 9, 1785

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette says since he recently arrived in Versailles that he has little news to report. He wants to let Knox know he is well though. Encloses a "Half official letter to Mr. Jay" (possibly GLC02437.03095). Says it is not to be printed.

GLC02437.03096

May 11, 1785

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

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 war. Lafayette goes on to say he might be a "useful tool in some expeditions," but that he should keep quiet about it. Says he had a chance to write John Jay a few words on "the affair of Longchamps, a journey I intend taking to be back in October, and a whale oil proposal, in consequence of what you told me at Boston, which is all what I could…

GLC02437.03144

June 12, 1785

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Previously thought Knox's brother William had returned to America, but he recently received news that he had been confined in a house in London since January because he was "disordered in His Head." Reports William is better and "in a few weeks will be able to go out, which he very much desires." Says he wanted to go to London upon hearing the news, but thought better of it as his travels would no doubt be noticed by many and might cause unseemly news about William to get in the newspapers. He sent a trusted family member instead, who has made sure William received proper care. He hopes that…

GLC02437.03155

September 17, 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

References Lafayette's letters of May and June 1785. Says "I had the unhappiness previous to the receipt of your benevolent letter of June to be fully informed of my Brothers insanity." Goes on to say he recovered his health and reason. Says he has proof of this through William's letters and reports from other friends. Reports that William is now in London and will soon sail for Boston. In reference to Lafayette's assistance, tells him to moderate his kindness or he will be oppressed by his goodness. He would like to send his son, Harry, to France to study under Lafayette, but says the boy is…

GLC02437.03196

6 November 1785

Kollock, Shepard, 1750-1839

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "On my quitting the army, you was so polite as to offer me a Certificate, manifesting that I quit the same with a fair character, but it being neglected on my part until this time, and it now might be of service to me, as a Candidate for Congress printing, would thank you for such Certificate per Bearer, and the favour will be soon acknowledged."

GLC02437.03214

March 1786

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette asks that his regards be sent to William Knox, Alexander Hamilton, and all his friends. Says "My little Anecdote I send as it was given to me, but I will take farther informations at the Naval office Upon Every Circumstances."

GLC02437.03256

August 1, 1786

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

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 act, and give Her Accounts of the frontier where she says she has some property." The docket says Gregorie was the claimant of Mount Desert Island in the District of Maine.

GLC02437.03289

February 13, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Provides an account of Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts. Claims the "discontents in Massachusetts" were "speedily and effectually suppressed." Says these discontents were immersed in "Opinions which perhaps were necessarily diseminated previous to and during the revolution [which] seem to produce effects materially different from which they were intended." Discusses the debts, factions, and "the recourse to arms" of the farmers of Hampshire, Berkshire, and Worcester counties. Discusses the government's reluctance to resort to bloodshed in suppressing the rebellion, which consisted of 2,000…

GLC02437.03451

May 5, 1787

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter provides a detailed update on French politics during the build-up to the French Revolution. Says he is busy in the Assembly of the Notables and has had little time to write. Says his recent letter to Alexander Hamilton will inform Knox of circumstances in the Assembly up until Easter. Wants Knox to inform Hamilton that he does not need to keep a motion he sent to him secret as the newspapers have published it in France. Says Michel Bouvard de Fourqueux, who succeeded Charles Alexandre de Calonne, could not last long (de Calonne had been ousted as minister of finance after suggesting…

GLC02437.03542

October 15, 1787

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette says this letter will be delivered by the new French minister to America, Count de Moustier. Thinks he is "well calculated on Every Account to please the people of America." Also wants to bring to Lucy Knox's attention the Countess de Bréhan, the count's sister-in-law, who is joining him. Says he has written an official letter to John Jay and a private one to Alexander Hamilton on the subject. Encloses new regulations for a board of war (not included). Thanks him for his last friendly letter. Postscript introduces the son of Mr. Dupont, who has impressed several of the ministers of…

GLC02437.03674

December 14, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox says he has not heard from Lafayette in some time. Mentions that he wrote on the constitutional convention by the last packet. Reports on states that have called ratifying conventions to approve or reject the constitution. Has doubts specifically about Virginia and New York. Says Rhode Island has "too many schemes of convenience" to approve it. But says "it is highly probable that it will be adopted in the course of the year 1788 by nine states and more." Says he is anxious about rumors of war between France and England. Reports that those in the know claim the event is "inevitable."…

GLC02437.03726

December 26, 1787

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says the Chevalier de Lambert is the bearer of this letter. Claims that de Lambert had previously gone to America with letters from him, had served in the Continental Army and is entitled to a share of the lands set aside for veterans. Says de Lambert wants to be a farmer in the back settlement. Hopes Knox will offer advice and patronage.

GLC02437.03741

April 26, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Contemporary secretarial copy of a letter sent to Lafayette. Knox references Lafayette's letters from November 1787 and February 1788. Says that "The Convention by you Mr. Jefferson and Common Sense [Thomas Paine], judge wisely respecting the New Constitution requiring some amendments & of the time they should be effected." Of the Constitutional Convention says "The unanimity of the former convention may be regarded as a rare evidence of the empire of reason." Believes there will not have to be another convention. Says it is likely that nine states will accept the constitution over the…

GLC02437.03860

May 30, 1788

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette references receiving Knox's letter. Says he cannot respond fully as he has to attend a meeting on internal affairs. He wishes to introduce Jacques Pierre Brissot (who Lafayette refers to by the name he assumed, de Warville) and a man named de Ferriere. Reports that "M. de Warville Has Been a writer on the side of liberty, and Wishes to write on the American Revolution." Tells him to refer to the letters he sent to Hamilton and Jay for the most recent intelligence. Says "We are in a Critical Situation." Encloses a list (of French applicants to the Society of the Cincinnati; not…

GLC02437.03880

10 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Knox

Gives William instructions regarding the delivery of clothing to several posts (William is managing affairs in the War Office during Henry's absence). Also includes a draft note (on the same page), presumably for William to transmit to Captain Savage.

GLC02437.03992

December 10, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Letter of introduction for John Coffin Jones Esq. and his lady. Reports that Jones is a merchant of Boston of "highest estimation." Would be obliged for any protection and kindness he can show Jones. Place writ inferred from GLC02437.04047.

GLC02437.04048

January 10, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Letter of introduction to Lafayette for Major [possibly Elnathan] Haskell. Says he might remember Haskell from the camp of General Robert Howe. Says "He was a brave officer and is a worthy citizen." Reports that Haskell is going to Europe on some sort of business, which he has no doubt is honorable.

GLC02437.04085

October 15, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox writes that he is thankful to be able to send this letter by Count de Moustier, who was returning from his time as French minister to America. He will enclose the diplomas for the French officers in the Society of the Cincinnati. Says "The importance of the revolution in France is astonishing - one looks round in amazement and asks is it not a delusion, can it be true? This is a new Lesson to the Gods of the earth that there [distinction] is but a phantom of the imagination that an [illegible] people will know and ought to repress the abuses and oppressions of their rulers." Asks for…

GLC02437.04391

November 7, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox sends his sincere wishes for Lafayette's happiness. Mentions mutual friends, including the Marchioness de Bréhan, who was wary of returning to France due to the "state of affairs" there (the French Revolution). Reports that "We are all peace - Our beloved chief is on a journey to the Eastern States - He is received every where with all possible demonstrations of affection - long may he live to be the cheif of the U.S." Encloses a letter from Catharine Greene for her son, who was studying with Lafayette in France (not included here).

GLC02437.04407

4 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Informs his brother William Knox that he has given him power of attorney to sell his lands. Says he sent a map of the lands that are jointly held with Alexander Macomb, Philip Schuyler, John Taylor, Robert Morris, among others. Describes the lands and the waters around it. Tells William he also authorized him to sell "25000 acres laying in the Waldo Patent." Says he is selling the land because he needs the money, and will accept a lower asking price. If William can't sell the land, Knox expects him to "raise a sum of money thereon by way of Loan giving the Land as a security for the…

GLC02437.04714

6 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Tells William he is anxious about his sister-in-law Mrs. "Horwood" (Hannah Flucker Harwood) paying a debt Henry Knox owed to Mr. Longman. Writes, "I hope there is no unnecessary delay on the part of Mrs Horwood - She appears to have answered the business with judgment and fidelity." Also asks about the state of the St. Lawrence lands and Mr. Malcolm's "state of mind respecting the balance."

GLC02437.04720

17 February 1791

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes he has "put on board the Sloop Betsy, Benjamin Bayley Master, a paper parcel which, arrived in one of the London vessels; directed for you."

GLC02437.04858