January 12, 1788

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Huntington

Written by Franklin, signer of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, as President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania to Huntington as Governor of Connecticut, three days after Connecticut ratified the Constitution. Writes in his capacity as President of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. Sends along several copies of the society's constitution, the laws of Pennsylvania concerning slavery, and a copy of Thomas Clarkson's essay on the commerce of slavery from Africa (a copy of the society's constitution is at GLC07485.02, but the other items…

GLC07485.01

1787

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Pamphlet

Title: The constitution of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondage. Begun in the year 1774, and enlarged on the twenty-third of April, 1787...

(title continues)... To which are added, the acts of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, for the gradual abolition of slavery. Franklin was President of the society, and Benjamin Rush was one of two society secretaries. Includes "An Act to give relief to certain persons taking refuge in the state with respect to their slaves," authorizing those taking refuge in Pennsylvania to keep their slaves.

GLC07485.02

May 1790

Magazine

Title: The universal asylum, and Columbian magazine for May, 1790.

Pages numbered 267-326. Contains "History of the Life and Character of Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D. &c." (pages 268-72), "Plan for Improving the Condition of Free Blacks" (281-82), "Thoughts on Female Education by Benjamin Rush" (continued from previous issue, page 288). Covers medical topics, including hepatitis and influenza. Contains articles on a variety of subjects.

GLC07485.03

circa 1789

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Print

Title: Colored mezzotint oval portrait

GLC07582

11 July 1791

Coxe, Tench, 1755-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "private." Written by Coxe as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to Knox as Secretary of War. Has heard the Postmaster General (Samuel Osgood) has resigned or signified to President Washington his desire to resign. Would like Knox to nominate him for the job. Writes, "The Emoluments of the office are less than those of the office I hold, but there are circumstances, which I will have the honor to explain to you, that induce me to wish the change & Col. Hamilton is strongly impressed with their weight. I am authorized by him to say in confidence to you, that tho [inserted: he]…

GLC02437.05059

February 13, 1806

Cook, Orchard, 1763-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Talks about a petition Knox has submitted to erect a lighthouse on Franklin Island. Also briefly discusses local news, such as about agriculture.

GLC02437.08006

25 March 1783

Cheesman, Joseph, fl. 1783

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision return for masons]

Countersigned by Samuel Shaw with a note on verso from Jacob Wight. Lists amount of extra rations provided for Masons;. Date and place writ from note on verso.

GLC02437.02044

18 December 1783

Hughes, James M., fl. 1783

Manuscript document

Title: [Extract from minutes]

An extract from a council's minutes. States that the Governor of New York expresses his thanks for the citizens of the state and Major General Henry Knox for their help in "preserving the Peace and good Order of the Southern District, since the Evacuation thereof, by the Forces of his Britannic Majesty ... "

GLC02437.02845

24 December 1783

Hughes, James M., fl. 1783

Manuscript document

Title: [Extract from minutes]

An extract from the Council's minutes. Resolve gives the governor of New York the authority to "discharge the said Troops; except such Number or Detachment of them as Major General Knox, or other commanding Officer of the Troops of the United States, within this State, shall deem necessary to be retained in Service, at the Expence [sic] of the United States." This was a result of the high expense the New York troops incurred due to wages, subsistence, and clothing.

GLC02437.02856

circa 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: An account of clothing, Corryels Ferry July 1777, that was received of the depy clothier

Shaw signs as Henry Knox's aide-de-camp. Marked as a copy. Date of creation based on a previously inferred date written in pencil near the top of the page.

GLC02437.02885

February 11, 1784

Gibbs, Caleb, fl. 1748-1818

Autograph document signed

Title: [Court martial of soldiers from Constitution Island]

Major Gibbs serves as president. Contains the detailed proceedings of the trial of a group of soldiers from Constitution Island who broke into the home and store of David Sands, a Quaker. According to GLC02437.02948, they "abused his Wife, and plundered his Store," stealing goods and money. The Court rules that two of the soldiers must suffer death (Samuel E. Andrews and Samuel Sanders), three other participants are to receive "one hundred lashes on their naked backs at four different times," and the other participant should receive "one hundred lashes on his naked back."

GLC02437.02949

15 March 1785

Handley, George, 1752-1793

Autograph document signed

Title: [Extract from minutes of the Georgia Executive Council regarding the Creek Nation]

Extract from the minutes of the Georgia Executive Council prepared by George Handley, secretary of the council and later Governor of Georgia (1788-1789). Relates to an act recently passed respecting land within the state and the appointment of Major General [Lachlan] McIntosh, Colonel Elijah Clarke, and Colonel [Benjamin] Hawkins as commissioners for enacting the resolution. In addition, the Governor of Georgia, Samuel Elbert (1785-1786) is directed to appoint a commissioner to meet with the Creek Indians "in order to ascertain and determine the Line between the White people and the Indians…

GLC02437.03113

9 June 1785

Handley, George, 1752-1793

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Letter related to the Creek Nation and minutes of the Georgia Executive Council]

The first part of this document consists of a letter from the Creek Nation presented before "the board," or Executive Council of Georgia, of which Handley was secretary. The letter, written by James Durouzeaux and copied by Handley, indicates: "The Fat King and the good Child King of the half way House desired me to acquaint you of their coming down to meet the Governor or the beloved men at your place Beard Bluff, there to hold a treaty and there settle every point of the line and boundary of Land and all matters relative to their Nation, as provision is vastly scarce, and there planting…

GLC02437.03153

14 November 1786

Cook, David, fl. 1751-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to offer himself as "a candidate to your Excellency, for an appointment to command a Company of Artillery" in the expedition to "quell" the Indians in the Western territories or any other expedition. Writes that Knox knows of his service in the war as well as the suffering he endured. Has "lost all that was dear to me in this world (my children excepted)" and would like to "remove my person from the scene of my late unhappy loss." Writes that since he is not at present engaged in any business, he would be able to raise a company at short notice.

GLC02437.03337

January 24, 1787

Cooper, Samuel, 1757-1840

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "New Burgh," likely Newburgh, New York. Docket reads, "Mr. Saml Cooper- Wants an appointment what I cannot give him." Thanks him for his recent letters, as well as for his good opinion and willingness to help him. Writes that he is sorry his application was so late, and knows that it is likely the appointments have been mostly completed, but if there are any vacancies, he would be very honored if Knox would recommend him to Colonel [Henry] Jackson.

GLC02437.03423

January 31, 1787

Cook, P., fl. 1787

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written from Granby, likely in southern Massachusetts, near Springfield. Writes on behalf of the town of Granby that the prospect of war is causing severe anxiety among the townspeople, despite the fact that they have a lot of faith and confidence in the ability of General Lincoln. They held a large public meeting and voted to ask that the "Commander will use every possible way & means in his power as a man & as an Officer consistent with ye dignity of government and his own honour to prevent ye awful destruction of mankind- and shedding ye blood of our own Countrymen- and conquer…

GLC02437.03435

February 24, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Cooper

Writes that the arrangements of the Massachusetts artillery are completed and all the vacancies filled. Notes he will mention Cooper's request to Col. [Henry] Jackson. In a different hand, noted as written at "W. O.," which most likely stands for War Office. The War Office was located in New York City at that time. Also noted as "Private" on the docket.

GLC02437.03467

2 April 1789

Copeland, Moses, fl. 1786-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Warren." Received his letter via Mr. [Thomas] Vose and is glad to hear Vose is acting as Knox's agent in the region. Writes that he will assist Vose whenever he can, and the people of the region are willing to accept him also. Provides advice on how best to use the help of his agents, including Vose and [David] Fales, to accommodate the citizens of the Waldo patent lands and accomplish his business goals. Also includes some financial calculations for taxes.

GLC02437.04163

24 April 1789

Cooper, Samuel, 1757-1840

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hopes not to offend him by communicating his wishes. Repeats his desire to obtain an appointment with the new government, whether in the civil or military arena. Notes that in a 27 February 1787 letter to Cooper, Knox had expressed a favorable opinion of him. Apologizes for troubling Knox on the subject.

GLC02437.04188

10 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moses Copeland

Received his 2 April letter (GLC02437.04163) via Captain Thomas Vose. Is happy to hear that Vose is agreeable to him, and feels sure the people (likely citizens of the Waldo patent lands where Vose was hired as an agent) will embrace him. Discusses whether the people will make their payments on time, and the consequences of not doing so. Also discusses many of his concerns about managing the land and paying the appropriate taxes.

GLC02437.04197

15 October 1789

Copeland, Moses, fl. 1786-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Talks about settlements on Knox's land in Maine. Discusses plans for the land and makes suggestions for improvement. Mentions finding settlers and the payment of taxes. Also comments briefly on land ownership issues among the Waldo heirs and settlers.

GLC02437.04387

7 January 1790

Copeland, Moses, fl. 1786-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes on behalf of the inhabitants of Warren and other neighboring towns concerning the "Division of the Destricks [sic] of the Navil [sic] offers Department ... " There appears to be a disagreement regarding the use of the port of delivery and the river for transport. Asks Knox to use his influence on behalf of the town's inhabitants, as they heavily depend on the use of the river for business.

GLC02437.04466

September 1790

Cook, David, fl. 1751-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain David Cook turns to Knox to help him "advance [his] commutation." The recent "resolve of Congress" prohibits Cook from getting his friends to help him. Cook tells Knox that the problem is that "they say the Commutation amounts to more, then the arrears of pay due me." Cook has sent his own calculations for Knox to consult.

GLC02437.04740

December 11, 1790

Cornell, Ezekiel, 1733-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Tells Knox that Benjamin Bourn will be bearing this letter on his way to Philadelphia to take his seat in the House of Representatives. Points to Bourn's visit with him as "evidence to you that he is not an Anti" [possible anti-federalist or anti-National Bank.] Says the "once famous Mr. [David] Howel[l] is dispised by all parties in the state to which he belongs which brings to mind that test of scripture which says that the wicked shall not live out half their Days - But there is a Number of other characters of the same Description that must go the same way before that once happy state…

GLC02437.04794

7 March 1791

Cook, David, fl. 1751-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Procter

Solicits Proctor's help regarding his claim. Cole had gone to Philadelphia to "prosecute my Claim at a very Considerable Expense." Notes his funds have been drained to the point that he cannot finance a return trip home. Originally enclosed with GLC02437.04874.

GLC02437.04873