26-28 February 1787

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Two parts. First part written 26 February 1787. Notes he missed the post at Hartford, Connecticut and only has time to write a quick note. Describes how long and difficult his journey has been, particularly for Mrs. Swan, and says he will never go by land again. Mentions that General [Benjamin] Lincoln will be in town, at which point Swan hopes to learn his future rank. Says he saw [Colonel David] Humphreys in Springfield, Massachusetts dressed "in all the extra elegance of Paris. Noted as written at Bruce's Leicester. Second part dated 28 February 1787. Writes that he forgot to…

GLC02437.03471

2 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Swan

Mentions some legal papers that he is trying to get an attorney assigned to. Discusses horse breeding and the recipient's recent trip through Connecticut.

GLC02437.03479

30 October 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Returns Swan's account against John Campbell, "who has been liberated from Goal by an oath of Insolvency & gone to Europe." (Swan had a dispute with Campbell; see GLC02437.03437). Says he does not know what the charges of Colonel [Alexander?] Hamilton are on this business, but will let Swan know when he finds out. Supports the new Constitution, and believes it will be adopted ultimately. Adds, "Should Massachusetts & the other Eastern states embrace it eagerly much evil would be avoided." Date from docket.

GLC02437.03690

25 November 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Silas Talbot

Discusses the circumstances of Talbot's sons who are now in France. States they have been well received by the intendant of Normandy and that Count Montmorin, acting as Minister of Marine since the resignation of the Marquis de Castries, has placed them in the volunteers of the 3rd class in the royal navy. Also discusses their various expenses for room and board. Mentions a statement given by Monsieur La Forest and relays that he wants an answer concerning the reimbursement of funds. States, "It was also hinted by Mr. La Forest that it would be beneficial were you to obtain letters from Mr. […

GLC02437.03714

20 December 1787

Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for the information from Monsieur La Forest about his sons, who were in France for their education (see GLC02437.03714 for a related letter). Laments that he did not meet up with La Forest when he was in New York and discusses paying the bills for his sons board and education in France. Asks Knox to help him get the money to the Intendant of Normandy, who has advanced the sums needed to accommodate Talbot's sons.

GLC02437.03731

January 19, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Knox transmits a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette delivered to Knox by the Count de [Moustier], a French Minister. He informs Sullivan, Governor of New Hampshire, that Lafayette wrote the letter "on the supposition of your being in this City and President of Congress." Discusses ratification of the Constitution: "The fact however is that the present system called the confederation has run down... something must be done speedily, or we shall soon be involved in all the horrors of anarchy, and separate state interests..." Notes that if Massachusetts and New Hampshire reject the Constitution…

GLC02437.03765

January 28, 1788

Tillier, Rudoph, fl. 1788-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Henry Knox]

Tillier introduces Knox to Mr. Tardiveau, possibly Barthelemi Tardiveau, the author of a memorial Tillier had previously given to Knox. Identified as a copy in the docket.

GLC02437.03776

March 29, 1788

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan refers to his attempts to meet with merchants and manufacturers in France. He writes, "The reason why the French in this Quarter, have not been able to sell their manufrs. as low as the English, I saw in a moment,- there is not that invention & care used as in Great Britain, to save labour- People being plenty they continue to employ them, because they have done it for a long time." Discusses the replacement of human labor with machines in French manufacturing. Notes that the Marquis de Lafayette has offered to write Swan letters of introduction. He hopes his memorial on French and…

GLC02437.03830

14 December 1788

Sumner, Job, 1754-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses the proposed Constitution of Georgia (not included). Notes that three members from each county are appointed to meet at Augusta in January: "I shall only say, that from the disposition of the People, and in particular that of their members of the Convention, from this County, I think the Constitution will be totally rejected- should this be the Case, we shall then have to make a better one..." Discusses the Articles and the power of the Governor. Comments on relations with American Indians in Georgia: "When we get a permanent Peace with the Indians, and a good Government, I think…

GLC02437.04053

3 January 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Thanks him for his last letters. Apologizes for not writing to him about private matters, but alludes to the fact that the custom in Europe (where Swan is) is for the post officers to open the mail, so he did not feel comfortable going into detail. Hopes very sincerely that Swan is able to extricate himself from financial difficulty and "avail yourself of the rising prosperity" of the United States. Mentions that he has been in Boston and Swan's wife and children are in perfect health. Discusses the new Constitution of the United States, explaining that the legislatures of New York and…

GLC02437.04068

16 September 1789

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Exeter, likely in New Hampshire. Refers to Knox's influence in the government, and asks that he uses it to recommend James Wheelock, the brother of the current president of Dartmouth College. Describes Mr. Wheelock's qualities and skills.

GLC02437.04358

15 October 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Informs Swan of recent Congressional proceedings. Describes the Senate and House of Representatives convening from April to September, and passed revenue and judiciary laws. Adds that Congress plans to reconvene at the end of January.

GLC02437.04389

January 23, 1791

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that "the Count Montmorin, Minister for foreign affairs here, has written Mr. Otto, chargé des affaires auprès le Congrès, to use his influence with the President that the proposals of Schweizer Jeanneret & Co. should be accepted." Discusses plans for America to borrow money from Frenchmen. Notes that plans can now go forward if the terms are as favorable as borrowing from Holland. Continues discussing financial matters related to the Committe of Finance and Schweizer Jeanneret & Co.

GLC02437.04836

27 May 1791

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan says he wrote Knox letters on 27 December 1790 and 23 and 27 January 1791. Mentions new ministers from France arriving in America. Their primary goal is to address the U.S. debt to France. Discusses how they could find 40 million dollars to pay the debt. Claims "The circumstances of the finances of france, render this matter nearer at heart, than when first proposed. The deficiency in the Revenue with the expence, was not then known: it is now severely felt." Says if there ever was a moment the U.S. could help France, this is it. Claims borrowing from Amsterdam is not cheap at the…

GLC02437.04960

1 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Sullivan

Written by Secreatary of War Knox to General Sullivan. References Sullivan's letter of 30 April. Feels sorry that he was not made aware of Sullivan's son's desire to obtain a military appointment when there were still positions available. Emphasizes that the President of the United States would have been happy "to have into the army the son of so old and gallant a general." Will do his best to recommend Sullivan's son for any appropriate vacancies that become available.

GLC02437.04966

4 June 1791

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hoped to already have an answer to a letter he wrote back in December. Says the subject of that letter has taken another turn and he will write in a few days about it. Encloses letters that he hopes Knox will forward to Boston.

GLC02437.04974

31 July 1791

Tatham, William, 1752-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 22 July. Wanted to write by a return post but could not perform the analysis with Colonel Carrington's papers in time. This analysis is enclosed (see GLC02437.05093.02). This refers to "A Topographical Analysis of the United States of America." Says if there are any inaccuracies it was because of the haste with which he wrote. Will furnish his office with a fair copy once it is printed. States "in the mean while this will be found more correct than the first Copy which I gave the President: The Title of which I found it necessary to alter." Notes he entered…

GLC02437.05093.01

3 August 1791

Tatham, William, 1752-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes he enclosed by his last letter a Virginia sheet of his intended publication "Analysis of the United States" (see GLC02437.05093.02). Reports that the Clerk of the Federal Court thought it proper to suspend his certificate for copyright. Says an attorney working for the government told him the copyright was only good for Virginia. Writes, "This seems to be acting judicialy; and not ministerialy; and the advantages of speedy information to the Community may be somewhat delayd." States since they both know Attorney General Edmund Randolph, he hopes Knox will ask his official opinion…

GLC02437.05098

8 February 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Tatham [incomplete]

Discusses a proof sheet for Tatham's publication, "An Analysis of the State of Virginia." Comments on the contents of it, and suggests some edits.

GLC02437.05313

7 March 1793

Taylor, William, fl. 1793-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that the interest of Thomas Goldthwait in the Penobscot lands came into his hands part by purchase and part by a debt owed to Taylor's father, Nathaniel Taylor. Claims he now owns 1/5 of the township of Frankfort along the Penobscot River. Says it is more fully described in the agreement made with the heirs of the late Brigadier Waldo dated 1766. Believes the unknown legal situation has kept people from buying plots, but that "there are many persons every season who make temporary settlements, strip the Land of its valuable Timber and all the Cord-Wood which is near to the Water,…

GLC02437.05845

17 March 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Taylor

References Taylor's letter of 7 March (see GLC02437.05845). Tells Taylor that his claim on 1/5 of the township of Frankfort in Maine owned by Thomas Goldthwait is "utterly unfounded either in law or equity." Says the original grant was never secured and is therefore null and void. Claims to be in possession of proof.

GLC02437.05852

December 21, 1793

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he wouldn't normally bother Knox, but needs to update him on the situation because of the "cruel war" in Europe. Sends the latest news on 13 sailors captured by the "Algereen pirates." Swan expresses anger that the pirates are allowed to harass American shipping with tacit English approval. Goes on to say that "England by that treaty [of peace with Portugal] will prevent france geting [sic] supplies from america, she punishes us for adhering to the Treaty [from 1778], and for reorganizing their Republic." Believes three things can punish England and get the pirates to back off American…

GLC02437.06002

2 April 1795

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes the trading patterns between France, Spain, Britain, and the United States. States that Europe does not generally see America, or even Spain as a market for goods, but rather goes to England.

GLC02437.06380

17 May 1796

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reminds Knox that he needs a sum of money Knox owes him by 1 June. Declares that if his finances were not tightly arranged, and if his credit were not endangered, Swan would not be so insistent.

GLC02437.06743

10 August 1796

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses financial arrangements he has made with Knox. Relates his apprehension about entering into certain types of deals with Knox.

GLC02437.06797