1787

Hanson, A.C., fl. 1787

Book

Title: Laws of Maryland, made since 1763... .

Large folio, unpaginated. Reverse leather binding. Printed by Frederick Green.

GLC05881

1790

Prison reform

Pamphlet

Title: Extracts and Remarks on the subject of punishment and reformation of criminals

Printed by Zachariah Poulson. Published by order of the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons.

GLC05883

1795

Wythe, George, 1726-1806

Book

Title: Decisions of cases in Virginia by the High Court of Chancery, with remarks upon decrees by the Court of Appeals, reversing some of those decisions.

Wythe's name is handwritten on title page as Chancellor of Virginia. Signed on inner front cover by James M. Whittle. Signed on title page by James Henry, 1795 (possibly the Virginia delegate to Continental Congress in 1780). Includes a multitude of cases. One page 132, contains a case alleging that the British government has not recompensated Virginia residents adequately, after stealing enslaved people. Richmond: printed by Thomas Nicolson

GLC05884

1785-1812

Langdon, John, 1741-1819

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Autograph letterbook of outgoing correspondence, most 1785-88, 1805-8 & 1811-12

Including letters to John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Thomas Pickering, John Sullivan, Charles Thomson, James Bowdin, and other State governors regarding military affairs, state customs regulations and the need for interstate coordination, appropriations for the Continental Congress. The need for a stronger central government, the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

GLC05896

16 April 1783

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General Heath to General Knox. Reports that General Washington ordered the officers of each state in the army under his immediate command to meet to give their decision on the Congressional resolution of 23 March (this offered five years pay as commutation instead of half-pay pensions for life). Says that the Massachusetts line is meeting at the public building at New Windsor next Friday and wants Knox and the other Massachusetts officers at West Point to be there. Asks that he collect their sentiments and pass them along by the time of the meeing if they cannot make it.

GLC02437.02096

7 August 1783

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests that Knox intercede with the Commander in Chief, George Washington, to obtain a discharge for a man named Mr. Shaw. References his advanced age and that he had a Captain's commission from the state of Massachusetts. He is therefore, not a "proper person" to serve as a private soldier.

GLC02437.02373

22 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Heath

Written and signed in a secretarial hand for General Knox by his aide-de-camp Major Samuel Shaw. References Heath's letter of 7 August. Says with respect to John Shaw he can only extend his furlough as only the commander in chief can offer a discharge (see GLC02437.02360). Says that is impossible now as Washington is on a visit to Congress. Second page is a copy of another letter in the hand of Samuel Shaw (he accidently signed the letter and then crossed out his signature). This letter refers to John Shaw's poor health and need for a longer furlough. Says it was extended until next April.

GLC02437.02405

February 14, 1787

Fleury, François-Louis Teissèdre, vicomte de, 1749-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Port Louis, Isle of France," present-day Port Louis, Mauritius. Relates that Mr. Sears stopped at the Isle of France on his way to and from Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China), and brought him a letter from Major Samuel Shaw. Fears that Shaw's trip has not been very profitable. Discusses problems with international trade, especially with China and India. Mentions that Lord Cornwallis, "our York's acquaintance," is in command in all the British possessions, and is presently at Calcutta. Asks to be remembered to Generals [George] Washington and [Nathanael] Greene, as well…

GLC02437.03454

19 April 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Encloses an agreement made by Colonel Crane's regiment to accept the commutation of five years full pay in lieu of half pay for life. Knox also accepts the commutation.

GLC02437.02105

28 May 1783

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a Lieutenant-Colonel [John] Popkin and whether or not he should stay at his post as Superintendent of Recruiting Services in Boston, Massachusetts, as the recruiting service has been closed.

GLC02437.02137

11 June 1783

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a list [not included] of people appointed by the Massachusetts line to a committee to "prepare an address to his excellency the commander in chief, &c on the happy issue of the war."

GLC02437.02158

2 April 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Hichborn

Writes that though he has written only once since he left Boston, his affection has not diminished for Hichborn. Is happy to hear all his Boston friends, including Hichborn, are well; this is frequently reported to Knox by his "valuable chronicle" Henry Jackson. Relates that his wife Lucy is in poor spirits as her mother [Hannah Waldo Flucker] died the previous December, and she now only has one sister left [Mrs. Hannah Urquhart]. Due to this circumstance he is interested in renewing his attentions to the "eastern estates," likely the Waldo Patent…

GLC02437.03259

12 November 1786

Higginson, Stephen, 1743-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Henry Knox]

Discusses the upcoming possible war with the Indians, and especially the financial prospects of Congress. Believes that Congress will be able to raise more money. Mentions that the Treasurer (possibly Robert Morris) has offered his loan, and that others in a position to do so will feel compelled to provide funding as well. Recipient inferred from content. See GLC02437.03317 and .03343 for related information.

GLC02437.03336

25 November 1786

Higginson, Stephen, 1743-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that since his last letter, the loan for raising men to oppose the Indians has been offered, and it has been debated for several days. The reference to "Indians" is code for the troops being raised to suppress Shays's Rebellion. Explains different positions on the subject. Mentions that Shays' Rebellion has factored into the discussion. Seems to think they will, in a few days, have the money necessary for enlisting the men. Encloses a newspaper article about the doings of the General Court (not present). Also discusses how well the government seems to be functioning. Recipient…

GLC02437.03343

14 December 1786

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is presently at Mr. [Stephen] Bruce's, whom he and Knox have discussed "respecting his supplying in some way as a public agent." Thinks this is a good time to determine that point. Writes, "Bruce is in every respect perfectly ready & I have no doubt the issue will be [illegible: met] to a charm." Declares that Harry [likely Henry Jackson] is fully engaged in this business. Mentions that Bruce has sent letters to the Commissioners and to Knox on the subject. Sends regards to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.03379

26 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Hichborn

Writes that he received a letter regarding Mr. [Stephen] Bruce's contracting to provide rations for the troops currently being raised. Would be happy to consider him for the contract, but his powers are constrained as the Board of Treasury has "agreed on the principles of an extensive contract for all the demands of the establishment." The Board is apparently planning to select one contractor to provide payment, clothing, and rations, and other supplies. Seems to suggest it might be possible for Mr. Bruce to contract with the one overarching contractor. Under these circumstances, the…

GLC02437.03393

January 20, 1787

Higginson, Stephen, 1743-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses raising troops to fight against the insurgents, in particular to fight under Colonel [possibly Michael] Jackson. Mentions the drive to raise funds for recruiting troops and also procuring supplies, such as for the regiments of General [Henry] Jackson and General [Benjamin] Lincoln. Reports on preparations for the fight against the Shays insurgents, and describes the preparations in the nearby states, such as New York.

GLC02437.03418

February 13, 1787

Higginson, Stephen, 1743-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the upcoming Convention in May to possibly create a new system of government and Constitution. Writes that the idea of such a convention "may not only be new, but may appear to interfere with that article in the Confederation, which provides that, 'no alteration therein shall be made without the consent of all the states.' But will not that consent be naturally obtained, by the recommendation of Congress to the States to adopt this mode, as they are all supposed to be, at all times, represented in that Body?" Provides evidence to support this argument, and discusses the…

GLC02437.03452

25 March 1787

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to ensure the enclosed letter (not present) gets on the packet and apologizes for troubling Knox with his private matters. Discusses the upcoming election for the governorship of Massachusetts. States that John Hancock will have 3/4ths or 4/5ths of the votes and that "Lincoln is very popular but he with Bowdoin is damned by his connections (Higginson & Co.). I give you this information because Harry & many of your good Friends are blind."

GLC02437.03498

22 July 1787

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a difficult situation of mutual friends, [possibly Henry] Jackson and [Stephen] Bruce, stating that "something must be done ... or they must both be ruined." Asks Knox for his "friendly aid in this interesting business," which seems to be financial in nature. Explains that Bruce will be departing for New York with "vouchers & information," with the goal of obtaining only "scanty justice." Written in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.03610

23 December 1787

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his worry over a mutual friend [possibly someone eluding creditors] who is in danger. Hopes the friend is gone by the time Knox gets this letter. States, "things are at present in status quo, but hostilities are threatend from all quarters." Marked as "private."

GLC02437.03735

26 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to François-Louis Teissèdre de Fleury

Mentions that Samuel Shaw is probably in Canton, China and was in India the last year. Updates Fleury on the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia and the progress of ratifying the constitution in each state. "A convention or representation of all the States excepting Rhode Island met in Philadelphia in the month of May last and after four months deliberation agreed on the Constitution herein enclosed (not present)." Goes on to state, "This constitution is to be submitted to a convention chosen by the people of each state," and adds that Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey have…

GLC02437.03740

21 August 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Elnathan Haskell

Missed Haskell when he recently called on Knox. Considers [Platt's?] bills accepted, and will send his friend Joseph Peirce to present the bills to Haskell for his signature. Knox's signature has been clipped.

GLC02437.03968

18 November 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Hichborn

Knox encloses a sum requested by Colonel Benjamin Hichborn and comments on how repayment should be made.

GLC02437.04032

December 11, 1788

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Extremely faded and difficult to read. Discusses recent correspondence and appears to apologize for not replying sooner. Hopes to conclude some business (a funeral?) before Mr. Jones goes to Europe.

GLC02437.04050