30 July 1787

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox whether or not there is a post established near the Pittsburgh area since he will be travelling there soon. Mentions that their "State Society" (likely referring to the Society of Cincinnati) have made provisions to pay their portion of the sum owed to Major [Pierre] L' Enfant. Noted as written in Middletown.

GLC02437.03627

23 November 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Writes "Man in some situations is indeed a helpless animal, and needs the support of his fellows or he is overwhelmed with misery, and dies - This formal sentence has just been excited by the entrance of two men one a constable - the other his prisoner." The prisoner in question is [Joshua] Winslow of Boston, nephew of John Winslow (see GLC02437.03713). Recounts the unfortunate story of how Winslow ended up a prisoner due to outstanding debts and appeals to Osgood to assist him.

GLC02437.03712

February 13, 1788

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that he received correspondence from Knox. Writes, "...before I opened it repaired to a club which is established here for hearing news, smoking tobacco, & drinking grogg. As there were antifederalists in this body, I thought the paragraphs in you letter respecting Sam Adams might be read with good effect..." Relates that he had hoped Massachusetts would ratify the Constitution by a greater majority. Reports that Anti-Federalists in New York are preparing for the New York ratification convention. Complains that Governor George Clinton "fills up every post with vagabonds... the…

GLC02437.03796

5 March 1788

Otis, Samuel A., 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Otis discusses a receipt related to a clothing account.

GLC02437.03814

6 March 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel A. Otis

Replies to GLC02437.03814, from Otis, regarding a clothing account. Has transmitted Otis's note to Mr. Walker based on Otis's request.

GLC02437.03817

18 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Parkman

Encloses two letters from [Samuel] Shaw (not present) which just arrived from Canton, China. Indicates one of the letters is for Parkman, and the other for Mr. Peck. Discusses a business transaction: "...Mr Eli Hayden the supercargo of the above vessell has contracted with Major Shaw to build a ship according to Mr Pecks directions & that he has remitted a certain proportion of the funds for this purpose on respondenture on the above Vessell consigned to the said Eli Hayden." Shaw enclosed Hayden's bonds for Samuel Ogden, assuming he lived in New York. Expects Ogden, (now located at…

GLC02437.03903

22 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Parkman

Discusses business related to the arrival of a brig from China. Mentions Samuel Shaw, Eli Hayden, and Samuel Ogden.

GLC02437.03908

29 June 1788

Parkman, Samuel, 1752-1824

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Signature is clipped. Creator indicated in docket. Discusses the arrival of the brig Columbia from Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China). On board the ship, there is property from [Samuel] Shaw "to be Improved in Building a Ship..." The ship is to be built under the direction of Mr. Peck. Awaits letters from Samuel Ogden before he shall proceed with business regarding the ship's supercargo, Eli Hayden. Encloses Shaw's draft on Ogden, writing "I am under the Necessity of giving this Trouble, as so large a Bill will not readily sell."

GLC02437.03917

6 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Parkman

Discusses a financial matter involving Samuel Shaw, Samuel Ogden, Nicholas Hoffman, and Eli Hayden. Notes, "It is supposed our friend has agreed for a pretty high price for the ship."

GLC02437.03928

24 July 1788

Parkman, Samuel, 1752-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses disappointment with Mr. Peck's ideas regarding the planned construction of a ship. Writes, "If his demand should be so Extravagant as we cannot comply with, shall the ship stand still, or shall another person be appointed to Construct & superinted [sic] the Building. I expect there is other Ship Builders besides Mr. Peck." Samuel Shaw gave Parkman the authority to hire Peck; Parkman asks Knox's advice, since he cannot hire another builder besides Peck without Shaw's approval. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03945

4 April 1789

Nourse, Joseph, 1754-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the Treasury Office. Transmits with the letter (not included) "the account which you was so obliging to leave with me." Reports that he has settled the charge against Knox from when he was Major General and closed the account.

GLC02437.04166

11 April 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Palfrey

Reports that when he visited the Board of Treasury today, Mr. [possibly Samuel] Osgood told him about monies owed to her through her late husband, Colonel Palfrey. A sum of 3200 dollars in Bills of Exchange was withdrawn in 1780. Knox outlines where the bills went, declaring that some of them were endorsed by Benjamin Franklin in Paris, and some came into the possession of a Mr. McCarty, who may have been a partner of Colonel Palfrey. Discusses the courses of action she might take to claim her compensation. (See GLC02437.04175 for related information.) Knox's signature is on the fourth…

GLC02437.04174

20 May 1789

Palfrey, William, 1765-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to thank Knox for a recent letter sent to his mother, Mrs. Palfrey, regarding money the government owes to his late father William Palfrey's estate. Thanks him for taking an interest in the case and agreeing to help them. Also takes the opportunity to ask that if Knox knows of any job openings in the government, that he help Palfrey secure a position. Refer to GLC02437.04174 - GLC02437.04176 and GLC02437.04222 for related correspondence.

GLC02437.04211

27 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Palfrey

Received his recent letter (GLC02437.04211). Is not aware of any vacancies in the public offices at present. Believes that there are so many applicants to government positions at present, that unless Palfrey receives a promise from an official who has the power to hire him, he should not rely on a government position and should continue looking for work elsewhere. He will nonetheless advise Palfrey of any positions that unexpectedly arise that might suit his talents.

GLC02437.04222

25 August 1789

Parker, Elias, 1760-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, apologetically, to ask for Knox's patronage. Declares that while his current career as a merchant is more lucrative, it "is not so respectable & by no means so desirable as the one I was bred to under yr. command - indeed Sir, I feel myself totally unqualified for it." Has heard a report that troops will be raised under a Congressional recommendation, and hopes Knox will support his appointment.

GLC02437.04335

19 September 1789

Ogden, Abraham, 1723-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that Colonel John N. Cummings is applying to the President for the position of Marshall of the District of New Jersey. Relates his qualifications for the position, and asks Knox to support his nomination.

GLC02437.04360

January 22, 1790

Otto, L. William, fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes concerning Knox's children. "At the same time two of your tender offsprings have been ushered into the world, in order to convince it that with you Days and nights are equally well employed. That the one may contribute to the lasting happiness of your country, the other to your private felicity and that they may both inherit the vigour of their father, is the sincere and affectionate wish of..."

GLC02437.04478

7 March 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Parkman

Discusses business related to Samuel Shaw and Messrs [Nicholas] Hoffman and [Son] and Shaw's upcoming China trip on the Jay. Notes the Hoffman's will be informing Parkman of their situation concerning Shaw. They are willing to advance Parkman, on honor, $2000. If the Jay arrives they will replace him the other $2000 that way if the Jay is lost Parkman only has to wait for the insurance to be recovered. In the worst case scenario, and the Jay is lost Messrs Hoffman and Son will lay out $6000. Continues discussing payments made by Parkman and other financial matters related to the China…

GLC02437.04534

12 March 1790

Nourse, Joseph, 1754-1841

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed in text by Nourse, register of the Treasury. Encloses an official statement related to allowances for travelling expences. Notes that travel expenses were not granted to commissioners appointed to settle state accounts, district commissioners, or Indian commissioners. See GLC02437.03545 for a related document regarding traveling expenses.

GLC02437.04542

17 March 1790

Parkman, Samuel, 1752-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Explains the differences of settling premium accounts in England from those of the United States. Discusses issues relating to the insurance of Samuel Shaw. Stamped "Boston."

GLC02437.04554

16 March 1792

Osmont, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signs in text in third person. Notes he has received letters for Knox from Mr. De La Roche, which he would have liked to present to Knox in person but did not want to disturb him. Would appreciate if Knox would respond immediately. Also sends word that Mrs. De Leval would like for Knox to examine the deed, as he "expects by this day's post the consideration to fill up." Asks Knox to have the deed witnessed, by Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, among others.

GLC02437.05359

23 March 1792

Osmont, Louis, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writing in the third person, Osmont respectfully asks about the best time to visit Knox to get his signature on a deed given to Knox by Mr. [Benjamin] Walker. Visited Knox twice before, but Knox was always engaged. Impresses upon Knox the importance of completing the business in a timely manner.

GLC02437.05372

28 March 1792

Osmont, Louis, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signs in text in third person. Reminds Knox that Mrs. de Leval will soon be departing on a British ship, and he needs to meet with him before she leaves to discuss business matters, particularly regarding a land deed.

GLC02437.05383

January 13, 1793

Otto, Louis-Guillaume, comte de Mosloy, 1754-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Upon his departure from America, he had every reason to think he would be returning shortly, "but a total change in the diplomatic system has fixed me here for some time." In his new position he has a chance to get news from America and to hear from his American friends. Writes, "The friendly dispositions of the french Republic for the United States of America render it particularly pleasing to me to be one of the instruments of Correspondence between the two Countries." Goes into a positive assessment of the French Revolution, comparing it favorably to the American Revolution. Asks "who…

GLC02437.05782

February 21, 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Parker

Discusses the insurgent Samuel Ely, who is rumored to be planning to burn down Knox's buildings in Thomaston, Maine. Mentions actions he is taking to stop Ely, in particular by petitioning the government for help.

GLC02437.06634