4 July 1789

Manuscript document

Title: [Minutes for the Society of the Cincinnati meeting of 4 July 1789]

Docket suggests that this copy of the minutes was created by a Thomas Jainson on 25 January 1836. Minutes for an annual meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati held 4 July 1789 at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston, Massachusetts. Topics discussed include financial relief for a Society member, David Mason, Jr. (see GLC02437.04255 and .04269), and reports from the Standing Committee. Also includes motions that passed at the meeting.

GLC02437.04270

14 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Barrett

Received his recent letters with their enclosures, and delivered the enclosures to the President. Writes that the President's recent illness has limited his ability to consider candidates for public office, but agrees that Barrett's documents will receive the fullest consideration.

GLC02437.04283

15 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Discusses Bourne's request to borrow money. Due to the debts owed on the Flucker estate, he cannot advance money to him from the estate, but he would be willing to loan him fifty dollars.

GLC02437.04288

16 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Breck

Writes that this letter will be handed to Breck by Mr. John Henry, who works for the American Theatre. Since Pennsylvania has repealed laws against dramatic performance, Mr. Henry wants to expand his theatre into that state. Contends that the theatre under the direction of Mr. Henry and a Miss Hallan is conducted with the greatest propriety.

GLC02437.04292

20 July 1789

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to recommend a friend, Mr. Hall, for a clerk's position under Knox in the War Department. Describes Mr. Hall's past military service as well as his misfortunes in civilian life, and describes him as old but honorable and of great ability. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.04296

22 July 1789

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received his recent letter and is "happy to hear that your Child is out of danger." Writes that he must again bother Knox on the subject of judicial appointments. Mentions that he wrote to the President on the subject about three weeks ago about his interest in being appointed "Marshall of the federal Court for the district of Pennsylvania" but has heard nothing back from him. Is a bit concerned because the President has always employed him in his private affairs. Asks Knox to mention him to the President if he gets the opportunity, and to mention that Biddle's accounts have been settled…

GLC02437.04299

23 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierce Butler

Received his favor via Captain Hall (see GLC02437.04296). Would like very much to be able to help Captain Hall, but he already employs many clerks and does not have any vacancies at present.

GLC02437.04303

3 August 1789

Bruce, Stephen, ?-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has not, until now, solicited Knox regarding employment because of his awareness that many of Knox's friends must have already asked. Writes that he believes Knox will soon be reappointed to his position and hopes he will be able to continue to provide services and supplies to Knox as he needs them.

GLC02437.04313

13 April 1788

Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Henry Knox]

Expresses concern about the ratification of the Constitution and what it might mean for his future career. Describes his "native Ambition of serving [his] Country in Some...capacity..." Asks for help in obtaining a government position and mentions prior experience in commerce and goes on to state that "the establishment of which on proper principles view as one of the great leading Steps to our future national greatness..." States that he has applied for a consulship in Spain. Watermarked "C Taylor" and with a hunting horn in a crest with "GR" underneath.

GLC02437.10212

13 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Explains an issue with Major Pierre L'Enfant and the Society of Cincinnati. Major L'Enfant was sent to France to present Eagles to the French members of the society, at the society's expense. Was granted a sum of money for the purpose, but in his zeal to serve the society, he had more than 100 extra Eagles cast by the artist there, Mr. Francastle (goldsmith Nicolas-Jean Francastel). When he returned to America, he found that the society could not reimburse the extra expense, and the Eagles were not selling. The debt could ruin the Major, and Knox is concerned for him, as well as for the…

GLC02437.03273

23 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Writes that he hopes to be able to visit General Washington at Mount Vernon soon. Is convinced of the General's affection for him and feels sure that his limited correspondence will not be misconstrued; is aware that responding to too many letters can be difficult, and he has been traveling to and from Massachusetts on both public and private business, which has prevented him from writing. Argues that the political system currently in place is inadequate: "The powers of Congress are utterly inadequate to preserve the balance between the respective States, and oblige them to do those things…

GLC02437.03319

November 14, 1786

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Extract of a letter in the hand of Tobias Lear, secretary to George Washington. Explains that he proof-read entries from the "Encyclopedie Methodique" on the "Etats unis" and the "Cincinnati," and gave corrections to the author. Also gave the article on the Cincinnati to Colonel [David] Humphreys and the Marquis de Lafayette to get their corrections, and encloses it for General Washington to read. Discusses the Society of the Cincinnati: "I have never heard a person in Europe, learned, or unlearned, express his thoughts upon this institution, who did not consider it as dishonorable &…

GLC02437.03338

December 21, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Writes, "The insurgents who were assembled at Worcester in Massachusetts have disbanded- The people at Boston seem to be glad at this event and say it was the effect of fear- But the fact is that the insurgents effected their object, which was to prevent the Court of Common Pleas from proceeding to business. It is probable that the seizing some of the insurgents at Middlesex occasioned a greater number of them to assemble at Worcester than otherwise would have assembled merely on Account of preventing the common Pleas." Adds that it appears that the government planned to bring the…

GLC02437.03385

January 14, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Knox updates Washington on various state conventions meeting to decide on ratification of the United States Constitution. Writes, "The new Constitution has hitherto been as well received as could have been expected considering the various existing opinions prejudices and parties in the respective states." Reports that Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut have all voted in favor of ratification. Mentions Jeremiah and James Wadsworth, both part of the Connecticut convention. Thinks Connecticut's decision to ratify will influence the Massachusetts convention (Massachusetts…

GLC02437.03762

18 May 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Breck

Writes that an acquaintance of his, Mr. Badcock, will be delivering the present letter, and has business which "will require the confidence of the judgment of some gentlemen well acquainted with mercantile matters." Is assured that Breck will be able to help. He and his wife Lucy send compliments to Mrs. Breck and their "social circle," whom they hope to see over the course of the coming season.

GLC02437.03268

25 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Thomas Theodore Bliss

Secretarially written and signed. Addressee listed as "Captain Bliss," may be Captain Thomas Theodore Bliss. Writes to make arrangements to send Bliss's daughter Betsey back to him. Betsey has apparently been staying with Knox and his family, possibly working as a servant. Adds, "I cannot refrain from mentioning to you that Betsey has been uneasy for a time lately with her situation - We have every [cause] to believe this disposition was created and kept up by an infamous Irish Girl who was in the House whose indentures we had bought but this grievance is at an end as the said Girl has…

GLC02437.03278

20 August 1786

Blackden, Samuel, fl. 1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that while he hopes that peace continues in America, it is hard to be in England and not see how "ill-disposed" the people there are to American independence. Believes that most British citizens think and hope America will come back under the English government, and all the newspapers, even the small, local ones, take that position. Discusses the possibility of a second war with England and how it would be fought. Suggests that America does not have sufficient cavalry so proposes that he have equipment made for their use. Also wishes to write to Congress for appointment as consul…

GLC02437.03294

13 September 1786

Broglio, Francois, comte de, fl. 1786-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox [in French]

Written from "Quartier Dauphin." According to the docket, written from Saint Domingue to recommend the Baron de la Valletiere for membership in the Society of the Cincinnati.

GLC02437.03299

22 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Bowdoin

Writes that he will receive by this post the act of Congress authorizing an additional 700 troops in the Ohio frontier, where the troops there are suffering attacks from local Indians. Reports that Congress has called for the states to pay into the treasury by June of the following year, but that they need money more quickly than that if they want to support the troops already in service and augment the force as well. Hopes that the wealthier men in Boston will agree to help support the government and that they can work out a measure in which they will be "confident of security, and a speedy…

GLC02437.03315

20 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bowdoin

Introduces Captain [possibly Jeremiah or Constant] Freeman as a worthy artillery soldier who served under Knox during the previous war. Recommends him for service in the Massachusetts line currently being raised.

GLC02437.03341

22 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to the Board of Treasury

Marked "copy." Written from the "War Office," likely in New York City during this period. Writes that his past agitations on behalf of payment for troops should convince them of his interest in providing for the public good. Believes that "the defective compliance of most of the States with the requisitions of Congress has been the Sole cause which has prevented better payments." Therefore, has conferred with Mr. Robert Morris and Mr. Jeremiah Wadsworth "in hopes that the public might derive substantial assistance from the great credit and monied influence of those gentlemen." Hopes that…

GLC02437.03342

25 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [John] Ashley

Thanks him for last month's letter. Asks him if he can provide any information from his quarter, and would be obliged by a letter from him when possible. Docket reads "To Mr Ashley Springfield -"

GLC02437.03348

November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Additional sources of funding for supplying troops]

Docket reads, "Some minutes of additional funds which might be pledged for a loan, or contract for supplying the troops." Lists various sources of funding, and the amounts he might be able to acquire through these sources.

GLC02437.03359

13 December 1786

Bruce, Stephen, ?-1801

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Bruce, apparently a merchant, writes to Knox to discuss a contract for supplying the troops in the Boston area. Has been working with General [Henry] Jackson and Colonel [Benjamin] Hichborn, providing them with necessary supplies. Includes terms for a potential contract to work as an official supplier.

GLC02437.03374

14 December 1786

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Shepard

Thanks him for the intelligence provided by his last two letters. Says that the last of the letters was received by "your confidential Friend Major Shepard," and he has talked with him extensively about the matters contained therein. Writes that the Council will meet on 20 December, "when the means of effectually suppressing the Insurgents will be taken into serious consideration." Will hear from him on the subject as Shepard may have an active part in the situation. Asks for his ideas on the best plan for that purpose, from start to finish: "Beginning with the support of the Worcester…

GLC02437.03378