22 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Higginson

Knox writes to Higginson, a former Congressman, to discuss Congress' opinions on amassing more troops in the frontier. Asks for his financial help, since Congress has good intentions in trying to fill the treasury, but there is not enough money now for emergencies. Writes, "Knowing your zeal for the public welfare, and your knowledge of our [brave] Boston patriots," he hopes Higginson will help him make arrangements to encourage others to help as well. See GLC02437.03336 and .03343 for related information.

GLC02437.03317

3 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hobby

Received Hobby's last letter but has been unable to respond until now due to being out of town. Discusses payment of taxes on the lands belonging to the late Mr. [Thomas] Flucker, Knox's father-in-law, which are now in Knox's possession. Requests that he draw the money owed from Knox's friend General Henry Jackson.

GLC02437.03364

January 28, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Stephen Higginson

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Thanks him for his letters. Writes, "The Zeal of the people of Boston and the lower country in favor of Government is a good sign, and will probably produce the events expected from it." Declares, however, that even if the current insurgency dies down, "some measures will be necessary to prevent a repetition of" it. Believes that the "poor poor federal government is sick almost unto death." Mentions that a convention has been proposed by Virginia and several states with the intention to discuss reforms.…

GLC02437.03430

February 25, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Higginson

Thanks Higginson for his observations on the current state of the government. Says Higginson's views are "perfectly just and well founded" and that Higginson has "a greater degree of attention, and thought on the subject, than most other gentlemen..." Shares his thoughts about the state of affairs, noting "the whole must be taken to peices [sic], and a new one erected on the bases of publick Liberty and public happiness..." Notes Congress has acceded to the idea of a Convention. Discusses the benefits the Convention would bring if the states were to agree to it. States he hopes that…

GLC02437.03468

15 May 1787

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a draft for money (not included) and explains a discount.

GLC02437.03549

28 August 1789

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Recommends the bearer, Captain Rice, for a position in the public service. Briefly describes Rice's service in the war and his financial misfortunes.

GLC02437.04338

29 September 1789

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has just heard that Mr. [Samuel] Osgood has been appointed Postmaster General. Wonders whether it would be appropriate to submit a proposal to be Postmaster of Philadelphia. Explains that Knox is the only person to whom he is presenting the idea, and would like Knox's opinion before he proceeds.

GLC02437.04370

24 December 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Encloses a copy of a statement from the treasury related to Hodgdon's old accounts. Asks Hodgdon to transmit his accounts and vouchers to the end of the year for all expenditures since his last statement.

GLC02437.04450

12 March 1790

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's letter from 9 March. Discusses payment of the Invalids and asks for an appointment to the post of paymaster for that group.

GLC02437.04544

17 September 1790

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hodgdon has located a house for Secretary of Knox to use in Philadelphia. Hodgdon has managed to work out a deal not exceeding 200 pounds a year. Relates that he also found a location "sufficient to house every species of the Public Stores." Hodgdon has several other public officials he has to now try to accommodate as well.

GLC02437.04730

29 October 1790

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hodgdon writes Secretary of War Knox to say he has pursued [David] Hunter all day to "get an answer relative to his house" but has received no answer. As soon Hodgdon has an answer, he will inform Knox. Knox is using Hodgdon's assistance to procure housing in Philadelphia when the government moves there from New York.

GLC02437.04760

30 October 1790

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hodgdon informs Secretary of War Knox that he wrote Knox yesterday (GLC02437.04760). Since that time, however, Hodgdon has learned that "Mr. Mead has taken Mr. Hunters rooms for his friend in New York." Instead, Hodgdon will now "engage Mrs. Buddens house with the furniture as it stands agreeably to a lender." Hodgdon will also make space in an office for Knox and his papers.

GLC02437.04761

31 October 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Secretary of War Knox acknowledges receiving a letter from Hodgdon the previous Friday regarding his housing prospects in Philadelphia (See GLC02437.04761). Knox believes that Hunter will honor his word to Knox and allow him to stay there. Knox considers Buddens's house a "last resort," and wants Hodgdon to find another house like Hunter's if Hunter's truly is not available. Knox's papers, he says, will arrive in Philadelphia by Thursday (this letter is dated Sunday). Knox wants his office to be "perfectly light, and comfortable, and the ceilings new white washed, and the Board work either…

GLC02437.04762

January 12, 1791

Hobby, John, 1749-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes Knox about the militia forming in Maine. States he would like to be appointed Inspector of the militia. Says, "I am pained to the Extreme to find myself in a situation which renders it necessary to Couch my letter in such language as has the smallest appearance of as self recommendation."

GLC02437.04823

2 May 1791

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports to Knox his findings as he surveys the land and rivers for a canal. Says he has ridden along the river Chikabi for several miles. Comments that "hiring men in this part is very troublesome for I have been obliged to discharge two that I had, respecting that I wanted to Trepan them into Military life."

GLC02437.04936

10 May 1791

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain Hills reports that he has left Springfield [Massachusetts] and is proceeding with his land survey. Lists the area he intends to cover, and offers preliminary results of the surveys.

GLC02437.04945

6 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hills

Written by Secretary of War Knox to Captain Hills. References Hills's letter from Brookfield. Says that as Hills is still surveying the project must be promising. This is in reference to surveying a route for a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston (see GLC02437.04909). Says "I am not discouraged as to the height of 295 feet, nor even 100 more added thereto, provided there should be a sufficiency of water upon the high ground." Tells him to make his work as accurate as possible to bring himself honor and so that it will not have to be repeated. Tells him to send for money if he…

GLC02437.04977

23 June 1791

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Hills as a surveyor examining ground for a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston. Hopes Knox does not think he was neglecting him, but he has been 10-15 miles off the Post Road and has been unable to send a message. Says he found the "Head of Chihabi" and that it is a noble water that runs two ways and empties into the Swinaporet River. Continued his route into Holden, Massachusetts and followed it by way of the "Half way river" that runs through Worcester, Massachusetts. Continued down the "Half way river" by way of Stone House Mountain as far as the Boston Road. Says he…

GLC02437.05022

30 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hills

Written by Knox as Secretary of War to Captain [John] Hills, who was surveying a route for a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston. References Hills's letter of 23 June (GLC02437.05022), which gave him satisfaction. Writes, "In a work similar to the one on which you are employed, so remote from the contemplations of people generally, and of such magnitude, a person whose mind expands to the idea of its practicability and execution, runs no small danger of incurring strong and perpetual ridicule." States that Hills's last letter makes him believe something substantial is possible. Hopes…

GLC02437.05039

6 July 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hills

Written by Knox as Secretary of War to Captain Hills who was surveying a potential route for a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston. References Hills's letter of 29 June. Tells him if he needs money to go to Joseph Peirce near "the Town house Boston." Says he will get 100 dollars when he shows Peirce this letter. Says he wrote to Hills on 2 July. Bottom of letter says that Hills was surveying near the Charles River and that this letter was put in the care of General Hull at Newton, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.05054

3 August 1791

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed twice by Hills. Captain Hills references the letter he sent to Knox on 9 July. Provides an update on the proposed canal between the Connecticut River and Boston. Gives detailed list of the places he has scouted. Postscript says he has been away from his wife so long that he hopes Knox can send her $50.

GLC02437.05097

7 August 1791

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References his last letter to Knox of 3 August (GLC02437.05097). Received a letter from Knox, which was delivered by General Hull, with a $100 order. Tells of his latest surveying efforts to find a route from the Connecticut River to Boston.

GLC02437.05108

21 April 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Discusses the recent problems Hodgdon has had during the Indian campaigns in the Northwest Territory. Expresses sympathy with his situation and relates how the public seems to feel about the subject. Mentions that Congress may make a new opening for a position of Commissary General of Military Stores for the army. Touches on several other military topics.

GLC02437.05421

12 May 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Discusses an upcoming trial or court martial in a matter involving Hodgdon's. Believes the Committee's finding were prejudiced. Provides Hodgdon with instructions on how to defend himself.

GLC02437.05460

15 July 1792

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses dissatisfaction with his situation and states that he has not heard from General Jackson or Cobb on what his next action should be. Informs that if he does not hear anything tomorrow, he will return to Boston on the Tuesday stagecoach, "and wait for your further instructions for my proceeding Eastward."

GLC02437.05540