12 August 1791

Bird, Henry Merttins, 1755-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References receiving "polite attentions" from Knox the last time he was in New York. Offers his services "in the disposal in London of your American funds, of which I understand you are a considerable holder." When he arrived in London he learned that "some steps I had taken previous to leaving America had procur'd to Bird Savage & Bird of London, the house of which I am a partner, the consignment of between 2-300,000 dollars of your 6 prCent." Says that the public in London is unfamiliar with these funds and their sale has been slow. Notes he has been having advertisements produced…

GLC02437.05117

2 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Breck

Reports that Madame de la Val and Mr. de la Roche are "respectable emigrants from France [and] are desirous of visiting the province of Maine." They are traveling through Boston for this purpose. Asks Breck to offer civilities to them.

GLC02437.05139

7 September 1791

Bird, Henry Merttins, 1755-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Includes copies of two letters. The originals were written in London. First letter written on 7 September and second letter on 5 October. The first letter says "I have not been deceived in my expectations that the American Stock would rise our house having within this week sold large quantities of it at 107 1/2 percent & there is no reason to doubt that it will shortly get up to 110." Encourages Knox to send stocks to England for sale. Says Bird Savage & Bird has sold $175,000 worth of 6 percent stock in the last 5 weeks. The second letter says his mercantile house has continued…

GLC02437.05146

9 September 1791

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox's pardon "for the intrusion of a letter on business yesterday morning - I had not heard 'till late in the afternoon of your House being a House of Mourning, or I shou[l]d never have broke in on you at such a season." This is in reference to the death of Knox's son Marcus (see GLC02437.05152 and .05162). Sends his sympathies. Tells Knox that "true indeed is the observation of the Poet that We are all Pensioners on the bounty of an hour. Such are the terms on which He who Wills all things gave us life; and we must submit." Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.05148

25 September 1791

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends condolences on the death of Knox's son, Marcus. Says "Pray do not be surprised if, after what I have written to you respecting Bank Stock, I should become a Citizen of Philadelphia and that only in a private Character." Laments living in Boston because of the recent high assessment of his taxes (for the coming year, he owes $1,100). Says the twenty richest people in Boston are being forced to pay for the entire expenses of the city. Claims "for eight years past my only employ has been to spend money & establish manufactures, & as I can effect the first as conveniently any where…

GLC02437.05167

26 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Henry Knox declines subscribing to the building of a theatre]

Signed in text. Knox, writing in the third person, proclaims great respect for Thomas Wignell and Alexander Reinagle "yet he begs leave to decline subscribing to the erection of a new theatre" (likely the Chestnut Street Theater in Philadelphia).

GLC02437.05168

27 September 1791

Bruce, Phineas, 1762-1809

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Jackson

This is a copy of Bruce's letter in Jackson's hand (includes Jackson's signature). Discusses the purchase Knox is about to make of the "million of Acres between the Rivers Penobscot & Schoodie." Says the tract has fewer swamps and better soil than their adjoining purchase made earlier. Describes the country as "beautiful & romantick, interspersed with small hills, Valleys & fine fresh meadows." The timber consists of rock maple, beech, black and yellow birch, oak, elm, and some cedar and pines. Reports that the lakes are numerous, but only two or three of any magnitude have been…

GLC02437.05170

2 October 1791

Beckwith, George, 1753-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that he did himself the honor to visit Knox this morning in order to invite him to dinner at the City Tavern the following Tuesday at 4 o'clock. Notes that Knox will have the opportunity to "meet your neighbour & friend Mr. Laurence." States that he is "Anxious to promote the benign purposes of peace! good humour! and intercourse! I am happy at all times in the being employed in whatever may have a tendency to promote such objects, which cannot conclude better than by a little eating and drinking."

GLC02437.05181

5 October 1791

Brett, Piercy, fl. 1788-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [John Maunsell]

This appears to have been sent to British General John Maunsell, who mentioned to Knox that he would pass along letters from Brett (see GLC02437.05188). References receiving a letter "with the enclosed from your brother the Clergyman." Writes, "I have no news to send you this time; the times do not afford any. The troubles of Europe are nearly at an end, and every thing begins to assume a face of tranquillity. Louis the 16th has accepted of the new constitution, and all the people of France, [&] Paris in particular, rejoicing thereat, and nothing now heard in any quarter of that city but…

GLC02437.05186

9 October 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Breck

References receiving Breck's letter from his son. Thanks him for his sympathy upon the death of his son Marcus. Says "Language is utterly inadequate to convey any idea of the agony of our souls upon the occasion." References Breck's previous letter where he ranted about the high taxes the assessors implemented in Boston. Would be happy to have Breck as a neighbor in Philadelphia if he should move. Reports that "House rent is here exceedingly high." Goes on to explain the rental real estate market in Philadelphia. Praises the house of Mr. Simmons, a coachmaker, at the corner of Chestnut and…

GLC02437.05189

14 October 1791

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 5 October, which enclosed John Pope's note for eight dollars. Knox sent Carrington a copy of a memorandum on a meeting he had with Pope on 5 October (see GLC02437.05187). Describes Pope as "unhappy in his habits of wandering, and is considered in a degree crazed. he was once a young man somewhat pioneering - his talents were more than common." Adds that even now, several scraps of poetry written by Pope are "not intirely contemptible." Relates that Pope left Virginia for Kentucky about 12 months previously. After that, Carrington heard he traveled to New Orleans.…

GLC02437.05195

16 October 1791

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 9 October (GLC02437.05189). Thanks him for looking into the housing market in Philadelphia, and agrees with him that "the extravagant high rents will produce a sufficient number of Houses to accomodate all who wish them, on moderate terms." As he has no business to attend to, will visit Philadelphia in the spring. Plans to either hire, purchase, or build a home. Notes that he is willing to consider Mr. Simmons's house if they can agree on a price. Explains other options in Philadelphia and goes on to lament the high taxes in Boston. Relates that it is too late for…

GLC02437.05197

27 October 1791

Bowes, Rebecca, fl. 1791-1792

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter reads in full, "Presuming on your generous friendship which is influenced by the dictates of humanity & friendship, I have address'd these Lines to you, not doubting your Candour will excuse the freedom I have taken - Being disappointed in receiving some assistance from a near Connection, to whom, I thought I could apply with some degree of confidence, has compell'd me, tho' with great reluctance to make this application to your Goodness for some kind for myself & family against the approaching winter, which will greatly relieve me from much anxiety, & add to your many…

GLC02437.05212

1 November 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Merttins Bird

References letters from Bird that were written 12 August and 7 September. Is glad to hear his health is good. Thanks him for the offer to sell his public stock, "[b]ut the high price of stock in America at present seems to preclude the necessity of any sales in Europe." Says the six percent stock is now selling for 23 shillings to the pound. Expresses gratitude for Bird's offer. Adds that he will get in touch if things should change.

GLC02437.05217

5 November 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Rebecca Bowes

Writes that he feels for the distress she described in her letter (see GLC02437.05212). Wishes he could help further, but is only able to enclose a bank note for fifty dollars. Instructs her to present the note to General [Benjamin] Lincoln, who will exchange it for cash. Encourages her to write again if she needs any further assistance.

GLC02437.05223

8 November 1789

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his attention to his son when he visited Philadelphia recently. Relates that his son will relocate either to New York or Philadelphia next spring for business. Also thanks Knox for introducing him to Mr. Martin. Breck and his family send their regards to Mrs. Knox and Miss Knox.

GLC02437.05229

10 November 1791

Bullock, Joseph, fl. 1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Meade

Provides some information on a land plot in Walnut Street Meade is apparently interested in purchasing. Includes dimensions of the lot, its price (1000 pounds), and its terms.

GLC02437.05234

18 November 1791

Bowes, John Hancock, fl. 1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for the help he provided to his mother, Rebecca Bowes (see also GLC02437.05212). Stamped as "free" above address.

GLC02437.05244

28 November 1791

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Bond from Shaw and Randall]

Docket identifies document as a copy. Date added later in pencil. Shaw, on behalf of himself and Thomas Randall, his business partner, declares that their firm is bound to George Bell's firm in Ostend, Flanders (he spells it "Ostende;" in present-day Belgium) for a particular sum of money. Outlines the terms of the financial transaction, which apparently involves the sale by Bell of Shaw's merchandise, including an assortment of teas. Signature witnessed by Joseph Bell and George Irving.

GLC02437.05247

28 November 1791

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Agreement between Shaw and Randall, and George Bell & Company]

Docket identifies document as a copy. Date, title and location added in a different hand. Agreement outlines a business transaction between the firm of [Samuel] Shaw and [Thomas] Randall, and George Bell & Company of Ostend, Flanders (he spells it "Ostende;" present-day Belgium). Bell's firm will apparently sell teas and other merchandise of Shaw and Randall's. Signatures of Shaw and Bell witnessed by Joseph Bell and George Irving. See GLC02437.05248 for further information.

GLC02437.05248

20 November 1791

Bell, George, fl. 1791-1795

Manuscript document

Title: [Memorandum of monies disbursed to Samuel Shaw by George Bell]

Ledger page outlines financial transactions between Samuel Shaw and George Bell (see GLC02437.05247 and GLC02437.05248 for related information).

GLC02437.05249

3 December 1791

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Manuscript document

Title: [Estimate for a canal built between Barnstable and Buzzard's Bay]

Includes measurements and expenses for the construction of a canal between Barnstable Bay and Buzzard's Bay constructed by surveyor John Hills.

GLC02437.05252

17 December 1791

Bell, George, fl. 1791-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Memorandum apparently addressed to S[amuel] Shaw. Discusses financial transactions, particularly sales and interest on merchandise (alludes to merchandise being sold by Bell on Shaw's behalf; see GLC02437.05247, GLC02437.05248 and GLC02437.05249 for more information.)

GLC02437.05260

24 December 1791

Burnham, John, 1749-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requesting acceptance of his resignation from public office. Briefly explains his motivations for resigning.

GLC02437.05272

26 December 1791

Burnham, John, 1749-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Stagg

Received his recent letter. Is ready to proceed, but is waiting for the "honorable Secretary" (Henry Knox, the Secretary of War) to accept his resignation. His request has not yet been sent in, so asks Stagg to forward it to Knox. (See GLC02437.05272 for related information.)

GLC02437.05275