January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Petition related to the estate of Thomas Flucker]

Petition by Henry Knox to the General Court of Massachusetts regarding the estate of Thomas Flucker. Asks for authorization to request that bonds be paid, and other administrative tasks associated with executing the estate.

GLC02437.09102

2 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Land agreement]

Document is signed by Henry Knox and various other people. A land agreement between Henry Knox and the inhabitants of Owls Head, Maine. Knox agrees to supply the inhabitants who agree to his terms with warranty deeds. The land is being sold for four shillings an acre or 2/3 of a dollar per acre. The document contains the full terms of the agreement along with details about surveying the land. Document appears to be a duplicate of GLC02437.09200.

GLC02437.09199

1 October 1783

Bell, William, fl. 1783-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: [Request]

Requests 20 pounds of bread and 20 pounds of beef for General Henry Knox's family. Contains a note on page two written by Jacob Johnson who confirms receipt of rations.

GLC02437.09759

October 1783

Manuscript document

Title: Abstract of provisions issued to General Henry Knox

Appears to be a list of goods issued to Henry Knox throughout the month of September in 1783. Items include bread, flour, beef, soap, candles, country rum, rum, and salt. Title taken from the title of the document.

GLC02437.09810

3 January 1785

Cox, William, fl. 1785

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt]

Two receipts are included on the same page. The first receipt is signed by William Cox for receiving two pounds and eight shillings from Henry Knox on 1 January 1785 for eight loads of goods. The second receipt is signed by William Mackintosh for receiving three pounds and 14 shillings and five on 1 January 1785 from Knox.

GLC02437.09814

14 November 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Petition to the General Court of Massachusetts]

Petitioning for the right to land they believe they are entitled to under previous laws. Also signed by Isaac Winslow, Isaac Winslow Jr., and Samuel Winslow as heirs involved in this case. Docket on the second page, signed by Samuel Phillips.

GLC02437.10423

10 May 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Report]

Cover letter of Knox's report regarding troops furnished by various states for each year of the Revolutionary War as well as conjectural estimates of militia. On April 23, 1790, Congress instructed Secretary of War Knox to "to lay before the House an account of the troops, (including the militia,) and also of the ordnance stores furnished from time to time by the several States, towards the support of the late war." Congress requested this report as part of the ongoing controversy over Hamilton's proposed assumption of state debts. Knox sent his report to Congress on May 10; it was delivered…

GLC02437.10586

February 25, 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Henry Knox]

Has arrived in Philadelphia, but has not yet seen Mr. Morris. Describes a meeting he had with General George Washington in Alexandria. Notes that Washington received Knox's letter and that Washington was "highly delighted with the prospect of Peace and good order."

GLC02437.03470

29 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Jeremiah] Wadsworth

Knox left Philadelphia for New York because his daughter Lucy was ill, but by the time he arrived, she was feeling better. Hopes to obtain warrants from the Board of Treasury to pay the arrearages of pay and clothing to the Connecticut troops. Relates that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia on 25 May with seven states. George Washington will preside over the Convention, and [William] Jackson will serve as secretary. Ten states are now present at the Convention, but Maryland, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are all absent.

GLC02437.03557

20 April 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a financial matter involving warrants and a sheriff, of whom Wadsworth writes, "I find the sherif will fight hard and tho no body justifies him-" Notes that the sheriff received ill treatment in the office of Mr. Milligan. Plans to travel to the Greene residence, referring to the home of Catharine Littlefield Greene, widow of the late General Nathanael Greene. Notes that if Mrs. Greene consents, he will send George Washington Greene on the next packet for France. Requests that Knox ask St. John (possibly Crevecoeur) if he knows of any officers who might attend to George on the…

GLC02437.03851

May 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth discusses the recruitment of troops. He writes, "I have farther investigated the Bermuda business I am persuaded there will be a Garrison [there] of one or two thousand men..." referring to British soldiers. Refers to the possible adoption of the Constitution by Virginia and North Carolina. Writes, "This State as well as Massachusetts will be represented & [Governed] principally by federal Men- and I begin to hope our new Machine will be put in motion in all this Year." Mentions the opposition of Rhode Island and New York to the Constitution. Notes that George Washington Greene…

GLC02437.03881

3 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Writes, apparently of the recent Shays' Rebellion, "The insurrection here has certainly been of an alarming nature. It must have extensive consequences." Discusses the potential goal of the rebels and possible ways to protect the town of Springfield.

GLC02437.03304

22 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Mentions the probability of war with the Indians and advises on the need to make preparations. Encourages the promotion of Major [possibly John] Wyllys, an "excellent officer," to the frontier forces. Discusses the "Philadelphia arrangement," perhaps referring to a loan Wadsworth was working on with Robert Morris in which Congress would borrow money from them against future income from the treasury.

GLC02437.03318

19 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Writes of his recent visit to Philadelphia to discuss with Robert Morris a loan that Morris and Wadsworth were planning to make to Congress. Relates the terms he worked out with Morris on Wadsworth's behalf (see GLC02437.03330, in which Wadsworth gives Knox permission to work out the terms of the loan for him with Morris).

GLC02437.03340

29 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Writes to Colonel Wadsworth regarding a loan Wadsworth and Robert Morris are arranging with Congress. Declares that Mr. [possibly Rufus] King will have explained everything, hopefully to Wadsworth's satisfaction. Wadsworth will receive a letter from the Board of Treasury and the terms of the proposed contracts. Knox has already showed the information to Mr. Morris, and he will be getting a letter as well. If Morris agrees to the terms, "it will be absolutely necessary for you to repair to Philadelphia, in order to make your private arrangements with each other." Hopes he is able to make…

GLC02437.03354

3 December 1786

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he received Knox's letter along with the letter from the Board of Treasury. Has written them back, and also written to Mr. [Robert] Morris to tell him he will come to New York to complete the paperwork if Mr. Morris approves of the terms. Is not fully reconciled to the business because it is a lot of money, but will agree to work with Mr. Morris if he approves (referring to a loan and contracts he and Morris are negotiating with Congress).

GLC02437.03363

December 11, 1786

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the lack of supplies faced by a group of soldiers he encountered, and mentions that he had to supply them himself because "not one shilling will be furnished by the state." However, he is running out of money. Declares that the Board of Treasury must reimburse him from the loan he and Mr. [Robert] Morris negotiated with Congress. Otherwise, Wadsworth must immediately stop furnishing the men. In addition, the heavy snow is making it difficult for him to continue procuring the supplies. In a post-script, discusses the forces working with Daniel Shays, and comments on the ability of…

GLC02437.03372

13 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Has received Wadsworth's last letter, and so has the Board of Treasury. Hopes he will not delay coming; everything rests on him, as everything stops until he and Mr. [Robert] Morris sign the papers (they are preparing a loan to Congress). Writes, "For Gods sake do not delay a single moment longer than is indispensably necessary." Discusses the Shays insurgents and mentions that he does not believe they will recede. Will write via Mr. [Rufus] King if he hears any more news. Also mentions several people who have been recently elected from Maryland to the national Congress.

GLC02437.03376

30 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Discusses how best to handle Shays and his supporters. Writes, "I will venture to predict that the insurgents must find security in Arms or they must fly the Country I found this opinion on the moral impossibility, of the existence of government with the spirit manifested by the insurgents - One or the other must give place - The insurgents are not the most numerous and therefore they will not have recourse to that expedients. - But they may think they shall advance themselves by arms, and having thrown down the gauntlet the government will take it up." Encourages Wadsworth to come visit,…

GLC02437.03395

10 February 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has had two conferences with Mr. [Robert] Morris, and writes that Morris is discouraged with the status of public affairs. Had understood that the "monied men" of Massachusetts would be providing funding as well, but they have not. New York has approved regulations limiting the amount that state will contribute, and Pennsylvania has contributed some money but must allocate much of it to its "own pension list." Maryland is having difficulties, as well. Declares that he and Mr. Morris both feel that "every thing wears a gloomy & unpromising aspect." Also comments on guarding the stores…

GLC02437.03448

January 28, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Informs he has persuaded the board of treasury to give orders on Mr. Imlay for $3000, which Knox encloses in another public letter of this same date. States that if Wadsworth could negotiate $1000 more, he will try to get the board to give that sum solely to be applied to the subsistence of the officers and the pay of the men of Colonel [David] Humphreys corps. The money being paid to Wadsworth was related to raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion. Writes that Congress will probably discuss the troops soon, "it is most likely they must be reduced however keep this entirely a…

GLC02437.03475

25 March 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States that a Mr. Welles, a subaltern officer, asked about clothing and pay and he is waiting on a warrant to give him an answer. Shoes and shirts are needed and are being made, but again, he needs a warrant to get them delivered. Has heard through General Benjamin Tupper that Colonel Phelps is in favor of the insurgents, referring to the armed uprising of Shays' rebellion. Wants Tupper to sign a statement of facts. Believes a few months time will show the necessity of having the stores guarded. Though the rebels were dispersed in January 1787 and many arrested, Wadsworth worries of another…

GLC02437.03500

28 March 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his unhappiness over not yet receiving the warrants he needs to pay the balance for rations at Springfield, Massachusetts. These warrants were likely related to raising troops to quell Shays' Rebellion. Wadsworth writes, "the troops may perhaps disband for want of food." Mentions more instances of insurgency in the state, including an incident in which Sergeant Hill and eleven recruits were beaten by some men that "spoke favorably of Shays." They were sent to prison but all escaped except Sergeant Hill and two recruits. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03504

31 March 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph document signed

Title: Receipts for warrants to the amount of 3000 dollars

Two (duplicate) notes of receipt of three warrants for $1000 each on William Imlay from Major General Henry Knox for Continental taxes for the state of Connecticut. Warrants numbered 115, 116, and 117. These warrants were related to raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion. Title from docket.

GLC02437.03505

1 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's letters enclosing warrants for $3000 (possibly GLC02437.03475) and encloses receipts (see GLC02437.03505). Mentions that the troops need clothing and that Colonel [David] Humphreys ordered some to be made. But if the troops are to be reduced, he will stop the clothing order. Fears that if the soldiers are discharged without pay, they may join the Shays' rebellion insurgents. Discusses other warrants and how the money would be allocated. Mentions that he wants to send Knox some salmon but that he has not been able to catch enough due to the weather. "Free" handwritten on…

GLC02437.03509