December 27, 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that he has confirmed the loss of ships Knox invested in by speaking both to McGee and Col. Sears (see GLC02437.01306). Comments that Col. Sears would like him to invest in another ship McGee will be sailing, upon returning from transporting flour to Havana; adds, "If you do, I wish most heartily that Fortune may be in a better humor, and by prospering the next voyage, make you ample amends for last disappointments." Declares that he wrote a letter to Knox's brother and gave it to the Marquis Lafayette who was waiting to set sail from Boston. He writes, "Nothing has been done, or is…

GLC02437.01311

January 10, 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments that he hoped he would receive news that Knox had gotten the promotion he deserved, but was disappointed to find that Congress had decided not to consider it at present. Comments, "However disagreeable it would be for an officer in your station to quit the army, especially at a juncture so promising as the present, yet I am to well persuaded of your inflexibility in a resolution taken upon the clearest grounds, that I look on your resignation as a certain consequence, Should they refuse or unnecessarily delay to comply with the reasonable expectations of yourself and friends." Adds…

GLC02437.01331

28 February 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Was informed by General Benjamin Lincoln that Knox's promotion has not yet gone through, though he and the rest of Knox's friends agree that it should, and are in support of the resolution Knox has taken "in case of a refusal on the part of Congress to comply with it." If Knox is promoted and needs a new aide, Shaw describes a young man, Samuel Newman, from the Boston area who he believes would be a good choice: "He is sensible, brave, and good natured, in short, my dear sir, I think he is a gentleman who would suit you very well, and were I to be consulted in the choice of a fellow laborer…

GLC02437.01359

5 March 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp, to Brigadier General Knox. Says he was mistaken when he told Knox the lower house of the Massachusetts legislature has passed an act for payment of notes for 1782 for officers and soldiers who still remained in the service. Tells how they decided against the measure. Feels himself lucky as he had already disposed of his notes. Sends this letter by General Benjamin Lincoln, whose stay in Boston started "much speculation. Whether New York or Canada is the object of the ensuing campaign is not fully determined, though the knowing ones seem to…

GLC02437.01364

21 March 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp, to Brigadier General Knox. Letter expresses the touchiness Revolutionary officers had about rank. Says no word on Knox's promotion is to be had. Hopes "The period, however, cannot be remote when Congress must decide - and either do you justice or dispense with your further services." Goes on to express dismay at Knox not receiving the promotion. References the letter he sent on 5 March as well as another he sent a week earlier. Says since his 5 March letter he has been able to reach a settlement with Massachusetts for his pay for 1780.…

GLC02437.01370

16 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Sears

Written on paper of two sizes: the smaller measures 25.7 x 20.4 cm, and the larger measures 32 x 23 cm. Asks Sears to discharge a specified amount of money to Colonel Clement Biddle and to Colonel Samuel Griffith. Thanks him "heartily, for your kindness to myself and Mrs. Knox, and for that substantial friendship and assistance, without which the service in which I have been engaged, would have been peculiarly different. I anxiously wish for some opportunity to convince you or yours how deeply impressed I am with a sense of your kindness." Briefly discusses his recent business at…

GLC02437.01407

16 May 1782

Sears, Isaac, 1730-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Sears, who was known for his early and vehement support of the patriots in New York, to Major General Knox. References Knox's letters of 23 January and 1 May. Says his first "orders" are paid and the other will be paid when due. Is happy he could offer his services to Knox and his wife. Refrains from speaking on political matters, but hopes to be able to see Knox in New York soon. Says "it appears to me the heart of the American War is near at an end, but don't believe we shall have a peace very soon, unless the French and Spanish gains some great advantage over the British in the…

GLC02437.01418

24 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Thomas Seward

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "I have directed a company under Capt. Lt. [Isaac] Guion from Col. [John] Lamb's regiment to relieve yours now Stationed in the Northern department. You will therefore obtain permission from Maj. Gen. [William Alexander] Lord Stirling to collect your men and repair to this post as soon as possible. You must carefully examine all the waggons and other carriages which were taken from General [John] Burgoyne in 1777, and such of them as are fit for Service must be brought here in their present state - the…

GLC02437.01626

5 June 1783

Sears & Smith, fl. 1775-1785

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a letter from William Knox and expresses the wish to see him in New York. Also asks Henry Knox if he could give "information when the British are to [leave] the City [New York] ... " Sears & Smith refers to the merchant company owned by partners Isaac Smith and his son-in-law, Paschal N. Smith.

GLC02437.02147

3 July 1783

Sears & Smith, fl. 1775-1785

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter written by a representative of Sears & Smith to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter to Isaac Sears of 24 June. Says the jewelry that Henry's brother William Knox sent has not been sold. When they opened up the box they discovered the articles were pieces they would have a hard time selling in their store. Ended up giving them to Joseph Peirce to dispose of, as they thought he could sell them more readily. He has had no success though. If he wants them auctioned off, they will arrange for it. Says the items are "old, odd, unsaleable." William wrote that he took the jewelry…

GLC02437.02229

13 August 1783

Sears & Smith, fl. 1775-1785

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a letter, along with a trunk and "one small Bundle of Merchandize [sic] for you" from his brother William. States that all three of his shipments have arrived, "to the amount of £1000 Sterling" and that they will try their best to sell the goods for the highest profit. Mrs. Sears and Mrs. Smith both send their compliments to Knox and his family.

GLC02437.02384

27 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sears & Smith

Replies to a previous letter and asks Sears and Smith to hold onto some items that his brother William had sent him via the firm. Discusses the British evacuating New York. Says New York will probably be evacuated by 20 October but not much earlier. Sends them both his and his family's compliments.

GLC02437.02427

22 September 1783

Sears & Smith, fl. 1775-1785

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States that they will keep the trunks of merchandise with them until they see Knox again. Mr. Sears will leave for New York as soon as the British evacuate so "he may enter the City soon after Civil government is established there..." Apologizes for having trouble selling the wares that William Knox, Henry Knox's brother, had entrusted to them.

GLC02437.02554

16 October 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on Congressional proceedings. The report to Congress included the issue of allowing extra allowance on the ordnance claim and a resolution respecting separate departments. Mentions which states support it and which do not, in addition to his deep interest in this business. "Public service" written on address leaf, which bears a free frank signed by "B. Lincoln" (Benjamin Lincoln).

GLC02437.02670

October 23, 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a Congressional meeting that may determine whether Knox should be granted an allowance for Major General of a separate division. Since they did not have enough representatives from the states, the decision has been postponed and is causing Shaw some anxiety. Free frank signed by Benjamin Lincoln and noted as sent "On Public Service," though the "On Public" portion is missing due to text loss.

GLC02437.02702

30 October 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his experience with Congress, in particular, making forced compromises in order to bring about a successful end to Knox's business. "I need not tell you how happy I am that this matter is at last brought to a close. Instead of one, it seems a twelvemonth since I left you, - the chagrin and mortification inseparable from an attendance on Congress is beyond any thing."

GLC02437.02726

5 November 1783

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Request to deliver ammunition as soon as possible. Noted as sent via "Public Service."

GLC02437.02757

5 November 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Orders regarding transport for cannons]

Orders for a Sergeant Searl to transport two cannons and carriages to Princeton, New Jersey. Noted as a copy. Docket in the hand of John Lillie, Knox's aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.02758

18 November 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Philip John Schuyler

Informs Schuyler that he has received his letter concerning "sundry articles for which I enclose an order ... " (not included). Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.02787

7 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Sears, George Clinton, Samuel Broome, and Robert Livingston

Knox writes to Colonel Sears, Chancellor Livingston, Governor Clinton, and Broome, a merchant and bookseller. Recommends Colonel Stevens, possibly Ebenezer Stevens, to the recipients' acquaintance. Relates that Stevens will be taking up residence in New York City to work as "a dealer in lumber of all sorts, and probably to construct, for buildings of various kinds."

GLC02437.02924

3 May 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philip Schuyler

Knox asks Schuyler to help him arrange transportation for the Minister of France to St. Johns (possibly present-day Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec). Asks if there are boats on Lake George or Lake Champlain that could adequately transport the minister to St. Johns. Inquires as to the number of men he should send from West Point to facilitate the minister's transportation.

GLC02437.02996

8 August 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp, writes a friendly letter to discuss a variety of matters. First, he forwards "Mr. Gardiner's oration on the anniversary of independence. If you can travel through so much various matter as it is composed of, it will be a strong proof of your perseverance." References a letter he sent Knox on 1 August, saying that it was "written in the bitterness of my soul, and what is worse, a bitterness which still continues"; he is having problems settling his father's estate, and is resigned that the outcome will not benefit himself or any of his siblings. Relates some…

GLC02437.03174

5 September 1785

Sayre, Stephen, 1736-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to ask that if Knox leaves Baron de Poellnitz's house "before any other person appears as his Attorney," he should pay Mr. Anthony Bleeker the balance he owes for rent, as the Baron wants to provides money for his children. On the verso is a note signed by Anthony Bleeker specifying the amount due from Knox. See GLC02437.03172 for a related document.

GLC02437.03183

9 September 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

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 money they owe in the next year. Provides a lengthy and detailed explanation of the firm's financial dealings, including the ways the war interfered with their business. Adds some information about the money they owe to the firm of [James] Webber & Co. Relates possible solutions to the problem.

GLC02437.03190

16 September 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

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 settling this debt), but will be unable to agree to the conditions requested by Knox. Describes a story the firm told him about their debt to Ludlow Gold of New York, which they also cannot pay, as evidence of the serious financial trouble their firm is in. Shaw also mentions that upon receiving the goods owed to him and Knox, he noticed…

GLC02437.03195