4 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of damaged gunpowder sold from the magazine at West Point for $60 per ton. Because the price was so low, he thought Knox might not be aware of the sale. Will make inquiries if there was wrong doing involved. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature. Marked private on address leaf.

GLC02437.03512

8 April 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Jeremiah] Wadsworth

Thanks Wadsworth for a salmon he sent. In reference to Wadsworth's request for clothing and shoes for the troops, tells him to acquire it and he will be paid out of the warrants he already received (see GLC02437.03509 for Wadsworth's letter). Reports that Colonel [David] Humphreys has arrived and can inform Wadsworth that Congress is considering the issue of the troops but nothing has been decided yet. Responds to Wadsworth's letter about the sale of damaged powder sold from West Point (see GLC02437.03512). States that Captain Price is in charge there. Knox trusts Price but he does not have…

GLC02437.03513

11 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States "I do not wish to have anything to do with the Clothing of the Troops, but if you send me another warrant of one or two thousand dollars I can probably get the money & it will be when in my hands ready for your order - " Also informs Knox that he will look into the issue of the powder, referring to a sale of damaged gunpowder from West Point (see GLC02437.03512 and .03513).

GLC02437.03517

15 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the allocation of money from the Treasury warrants. Believes the troops "at all hazards" need to be paid. Wants the next warrant to be used to pay the officers or "they...will consider themselves as greatly injured & will give weight to the opposers of a Federal Government ... " Expresses anxiety about the possibility of rebellion if the men are not paid, "this state I am persuaded never was so ripe for rebellion as at present the friends to Chaise [Shays] & his party are increasing & growing bolder every day - they have in general carreid their Elections throughout the…

GLC02437.03522

5 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Notice of payment sent to Jeremiah Wadsworth]

Knox's warrant to Wadsworth to pay $3000 to Captain Joseph Wilcox "paymaster to the quota of troops raised by the state of Connecticut agreeably to the resolve of Congress of the 20th of October 1786...being the amount of an order of the board of Treasury on William Imlay Esqr. receiver of continental taxes for the state of Connecticut..." The troops were raised to quell Shays's Rebellion. Noted as written at the War Office.

GLC02437.03543

3 June 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a financial matter related to Mrs. [Catharine] Greene. Comments extensively on the Constitutional Convention: "I am persuaded the Convention will do nothing very decisive but they may give us a lead our General Assembly will finish this week without doing much harm no Paper Money no tender act will be made if you can persuade the Convention to be bold you may hope for a change of measures in the States if they are turned or divided- all our hopes of a good Government are over - Mr. [Roger] Sherman I am told is disposed only to patch the old System- if he is stuborn [sic] he will…

GLC02437.03565

9 June 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Asks Wadsworth to please pay $498 to Major William North. Noted as a copy.

GLC02437.03575

10 July 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses an order for $400 from Messrs Sam Ward & Brother. Also describes plans for repaying a balance of Knox's. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03600

July 19, 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Returns letters that he borrowed, including one from "the Marquis" (possibly Lafayette), and sends greetings from mutual friends. Also asks Knox to "forward the inclosed with yours to the Marquis's care."

GLC02437.03606

August 19, 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a business plan proposed to him by Major [Winthrop] Sargent for an upcoming voyage and the risks that accompany the proposal. (See GLC02437.03638 for Winthrop's views on the voyage). Mentions one of his officer's requests for payment. Describes the financial ruin and plight of Nathanael Greene's (Catharine Greene) widow and children. Asks Knox to forward the Marquis's [Lafayette's] letter to her. Worries about Greene's sons and their education. Complains about the numerous payment applications and loans requests he has received along with requests from people who wish him to…

GLC02437.03637

8 September 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Requests money to pay the firm of Samuel Ward & Brothers. Notes that the sum can be charged to his account. Includes a note from the firm to pay Mrs. Catharine Greene, the widow of General Nathanael Greene. Page two contains a 15 September 1787 note signed by Phineas Miller, noting that the sum was received for Mrs. Greene.

GLC02437.03658

23 September 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that they have not been able to obtain a cow yet that will produce enough milk for the whole winter but hopes to soon. Says when they do purchase a cow she will need to be driven in a herd of cattle as opposed to being sent by water. Notes that a strong political party is forming against the convention (the Constitutional Convention, which had finalized drafting the Constitution four days earlier) and Wadsworth fears the new government may not be formed. Notes "if the Massachusetts rebellion had continued we might hope their is many of our Leading Men who dread the lessening…

GLC02437.03667

11 November 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that there is no money in the treasury of the Connecticut branch of the Society of the Cincinnati. Adds that he will ensure the money they owe to Major L'Enfant (for Society egale medals) will be paid to him as soon as possible.

GLC02437.03699

12 December 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a cow and calf he sent Knox and gives advice on how to feed them. Mentions falling off his horse. Comments on the anti-federalists, "Our antifederals are busy but will be distanced - tho aided by your deeds in NY & Pensa from whence they daily receive pamphlets & newspapers full of wrath slandor & wit..." Stamped "N. Haven."

GLC02437.03723

23 December 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is happy to hear that Pennsylvania adopted the Constitution. Mentions the debates over the Constitution in Connecticut. Hopes to set out soon for New York "as soon as that business is over" and possibly attend Congress. Mentions that "Old Pluckemin" [a dog] has died. In a postscript, writes, "If Publius comes out in a pamphlet I would want to have a number" (likely a reference to the Federalist Papers). States that everything written about the constitution in New York is "forwarded under cover to our Wrong Heads - & every under hand manner taken to prevent our adopting it..." Recipient…

GLC02437.03736

9 January 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth declares, "This moment from Convention- Where the proposed Constitution was passed 127 Yeas- 40 Nos- it ought to be remarked that all the [first?] Characters in the Convention were for the Constitution and Gen James Wadsworth the only man of any real consequence who was against it Our Governor Deputy Governor late Governor Griswold & all the Judges of the Superior Court were present except one- & for it - All of ye Council for - (one against it Gen Wadsworth)." Letter dated 1787, but docket (and content) reveal that it was created in 1788. With unsigned free frank.

GLC02437.03756

12 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Plans to transmit $29,000 worth of warrants from the Board of the Treasury to Wadsworth within the course of one week to pay for the recruiting service. Discusses Virginia's possible adoption of the Federal Constitution. Writes, "Mr. A[rthur] Lee informs me that by the elections it appears that 63 are against the constitution, and 67 - for These are all the elections excepting the back coun[ties]..." Mentions the attempts of Patrick Henry and Colonel [William] Grayson to influence the "back counties" against the Constitution. Notes that Mr. [James] Madison "seems to be of opinion that the…

GLC02437.03835

17 April 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Replies to Knox's letter from 12 April (GLC02437.03835). Discusses army pay warrants. Has "ransacked the County a couple of good cows." Promises to send a cow to Knox when one can be obtained. Speculates on the possible adoption of the Constitution by Virginia and New York: "I don't believe [George] Mason and old [William] Grayson will be very influential in Virginia- and hope the exertions of the Federalists will continue to be industrious in New York for as I came thro E & W Chester I found the Antis had been busy and too successful." Further relates his views on whether New…

GLC02437.03843

23 April 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that Mr. Skinner is driving cattle and oxen to New York for Knox. Writes, "Yesterday your Cow & Calf began their March by Land for New York in Company with Seven of the Finest fat oxen in the World two of which are far beyond any I ever saw tho not of the great Breed they are large but their flesh is so thick on them that they can hardly walk..."

GLC02437.03854

11 May 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Connecticut politics, mentioning James Wadsworth. Promises to send pumpkin seeds from his garden. Mentions that Mr [Joel] Barlow [see GLC02437.03874] will be travelling on a packet for France, and will be able to take care of George.

GLC02437.03869

1 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Connecticut politics, referring to a sheriff whose actions may slow the payment of warrants. Informs Knox he will send him a letter via Pierpont Edwards, who will soon take a seat in Congress. Notes receipt of a circular letter from the General Meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati soliciting payment for Pierre L'Enfant, who designed badges for the Society of the Cincinnati. Intends to pay L'Enfant for his services and encloses something to Platt (presumably) money for that purpose. Wants to finish paying by the 4th of July.

GLC02437.03882

3 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I am told the Present Post riders from New York to this Place are asking Congress for additional pay." Complains that "they have performed badly- deprived us of the benefit of stages on the road." Asks Knox to help him persuade Congress to revive the use of stagecoaches in mail delivery between Connecticut and New York.

GLC02437.03887

15 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Headed by Knox as an "Extract of a letter to Colonel Wadsworth." Writes, "I have recruits in Pennsylvania and Jersey nearly ready to march..." Asks how much dependence he can place on the Connecticut warrants as a resource.

GLC02437.03895

15 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for updating him on the progress of the Virginia convention for ratification of the United States Constitution. Writes, "I am just now informed by a friend who has been into New Hampshire that their [sic] is little doubt but that state will adopt it." Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03896

17 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he will be able to pay his dividend of bank stock in early July. Asks that Knox inform him if he decides to draw on Wadsworth immediately for 2,000 dollars. Writes, "I am obliged to have recourse to some Magic to get hold of Money on your warrants- but you see I am not without some success." Thanks Knox for transmitting news of the likelihood of Virginia's adoption of the Constitution.

GLC02437.03901