8 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Tells Lucy she was right not to return to New York because it is unsafe. Henry would be too worried if she were in danger. Discusses a Mrs. G[reene], who shocked her husband by coming to the city. Remarks that "the peace of this Town & of the safety of the ladies is upon the most precarious tenor imaginable." Explains that the British are close and could strike any time, giving the Continentals only ten minutes to prepare, and Lucy only ten minutes to escape if she were with Henry. It would be even more dangerous because Lucy has a new baby and the road conditions would be unknown.…

GLC02437.00363

July 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Distressed, Lucy discusses the circumstances under which she left New York and argues she was undeserving of Henry's censure. She stayed in New York longer than expected in order to have "a more affectionate parting." When she desired to go to Fairfield, Connecticut, she received a message from Mr. Burr (possibly Aaron Burr), indicating that he could not obtain a house or furniture for her there, as Henry had requested. Is dissatisfied that Henry writes "frequently in your letters to remind me of my incapacity of judging for myself." Also writes that Henry ignored, or never read, her…

GLC02437.00364

24 June 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Treat Paine

A detailed answer to a request for artillery information concerning the weight and bore of howitzers on hand in New York. Reports that they have none, although Colonel Richard Gridley ordered some cast. Also provides other artillery information. Discusses uses for different bore sizes, their range, and gives editorial comment on artillery matters. Explains the possibility of having brass cannons cast. Comments on artillery operations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the recipient of this letter was. Knox's retained working draft.

GLC02437.00365

9 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Paper calling for "a well regulated and numerous body of artillery"]

Explains that the war is in its infancy and its success will require "a well regulated and numerous body of artillery." Argues that the present force is insufficient and that the current system of temporarily drafting men into the artillery leaves the Continental Army vulnerable. Outlines a plan for creating new companies.

GLC02437.00366

11 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Thanks William for his recent letter. Discusses Lucy Knox's hasty evacuation from New York when British ships were spotted in the Hudson and the unhappiness it caused both Lucy and himself (also see GLC024327.00364). Lucy is distressed but Henry feels he is "not at liberty to attend her as my country calls." Explains that his apprehension was disguised by scolding Lucy for not leaving sooner. Comments that Mrs. Nathanael Greene and Mrs. Jonathan Pollard went with Lucy, and describes Mrs. Pollard as an unfit companion because of "her Melancholy dumpish disposition." If Lucy is unhappy in…

GLC02437.00367

11 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Gives his sister-in-law news of her friends in Halifax. Also gives news of Lucy's mother and father, who were separated from each other at the time. Indicates that Lucy's mother is well, although she is in a smaller house than she desires. Reports that many Tories in Halifax have not gone to England because they are confident that General William Howe will suppress the Continental Army. Reports that some Scotsman have gone to Quebec with their possessions. Discusses smallpox inoculation and local laws passed to prevent further outbreaks. Notes that two British ships have been captured by…

GLC02437.00368

11 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Responds to Lucy's most recent letter (see GLC02437.00364), discussing her hasty departure from New York. Henry is upset by her distress. He reiterates that he did not want her in New York before something decisive occurred in the war. In response to her complaint that Nathanael Greene's wife returned to New York, he explains that General Greene did not want her there for the same reasons and had just sent her to Newark and she will later go to either Fairfield or Providence. Comments that if Mrs. Pollard comes to New York, she will distract her husband Jonathan Pollard, Knox's quarter…

GLC02437.00369

11 July 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Scottish (Highlanders) attempts to "purchase Conquer'd Lands." Describes Scottish prisoners as saucy because they call the country people rebels and say they will later be able to sieze their farms. Explains news that Colonel Archibald Campbell, a British officer from Scotland who was then a prisoner, suspiciously purchased a rifle dress. Jackson holds Campbell in a high esteem. Comments on the ships whose recent capture was decribed in an earlier letter (see GLC02437.00343). Says that one of the ships will be refitted and sailed to England "to see if she cant take some East…

GLC02437.00370

13 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Henry is upset that Lucy is taking others advice over his and reiterates his recommendation for her to go to Fairfield or New Haven immediately. Mentions various people going to New Haven who Lucy could meet up with. Discusses the British attack of New York the previous day. Knox lost six men in an accident, which he casts as a learning experience for the others, who will learn "to moderate their fiery courage." After the attack the British ships sailed north to Tappan Bay, near Tarrytown New York. Knox will send…

GLC02437.00372

14 July 1776 - 17 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Supply list for officers in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Also signed by William Eustis, John Howard, Garret Van Wagner, Thomas Hanley, Isaiah Audebert, William Dana, David Briant, William Treadwell, Abiel Leonard, and John Crane. Notes supplies, money, and artillery received by officers from Jonathan Pollard, the quartermaster of Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00373

14 July 1776 - 15 July 1776

Sprague, Samuel, 1712-1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Supply list for officers in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Also signed by Remember Preston. Notes supplies received by officers from Jonathan Pollard, the quartermaster of Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00374

15 July 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wants Knox to write more frequently to keep him updated on activities in New York. Remarks that "at Last the grand Question of Independence is determined and I hope every true American will support it with his Life and Fortune." Comments on smallpox afflicting the Continental troops and the lack of news about the privateer he discussed in his previous letter (GLC02437.00370). Date of 15 July 1776 from docket. Header of letter only dated July 1776.

GLC02437.00376

22 November 1781

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Had wanted to write earlier but was afraid a letter might not reach him. Informs Knox that his brother William left for France on the 20th. Before he left, Knox's brother William left Peirce various papers and "empower'd me to transact his affairs in his absence, at the same time wished me to inform you thereof." Promises to forward letters he has since received from William. Discusses the surrender of Cornwallis: "The taking of Lord Cornwallis's Army is an event of prodigious magnitude, such as may produce a peace at a much earlier period than the most sanguine could expect." Discusses…

GLC02437.01295

4 March 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Peirce to Brigadier General Knox. Peirce seems to be sending along information on lands that Knox has an interest in in Massachusetts (including Maine). Says he could not get "ye petition" brought forward this session. Says the Committee for the Sale of Absentee Estates in Cumberland County has told a court that the estate of Mr. F (possibly Henry's father-in-law, Flucker) has been rendered insolvent. Says the estate will be sold quickly. Says there is worry that creditors will have to pay taxes on abandoned land, even though it is not theirs. Says he has tried to get a decision…

GLC02437.01361

12 August 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Instructions for Lieutenant Price, Captain Patten, John Ruddock, and Thomas Frothingham]

Shaw, aide for Henry Knox, transmits orders for Knox. All orders are issued 12 August. Orders Lieutenant [William] Price, at the New Windsor laboratory, to deliver tin to Captain Bushnell; orders Captain [Thomas] Patten, at New Windsor, to obtain tin for Bushnell through the "tinman"; orders Ruddock, deputy commissary of military stores at Fishkill, and Thomas Frothingham, deputy commissary of military stores at West Point, to obtain gun locks for Bushnell.

GLC02437.01128

January 28, 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the Excise Act and the response of New England Towns and ports. Mentions problems with currency and payments, and argues, "Our Legislative & Executive Bodies seem to be by far too large for so young a State - they swallow up an immense Sum of money, which might be better approximated to pay the army." Comments on local merchant vessels and mentions he has received word about the vessel Knox's brother William is on. Congratulates Knox and his wife on the birth of their son, and adds that since his own last letter Mrs. Peirce has had a baby boy as well, and that both are…

GLC02437.01342

1 April 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to discuss a new lime-burning agreement negotiated in Boston by Mr. Wheaton. Notes the risk incurred by Wheaton since he is so close to Penobscot, a Tory stronghold. Discusses a recent illness, and the quartering of Major Strauss's company at his house. Comments on the value of "depreciation notes" and "consolidating notes" in Knox's finances. See GLC02437.01404 and GLC02437.01406 for related information.

GLC02437.01380

23 May 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions a letter he received from Knox via a Mr. Allen, which he delivered to the Governor [John Hancock, possibly GLC02437.01408] but has not yet heard anything back. Adds that according to those he spoke to, a Mr. W [possibly Isaac Winslow; see the above GLC] is unlikely to be able to return home by any public means. Describes several business ventures he is handling for Knox, including the purchase of a lime rock farm and the sale of several items left with him by Knox's brother, William. Lists the amount of Knox's money he has obtained through the sales. Lastly, in a post script,…

GLC02437.01428

24 June 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Peirce to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 12 June. Says he did not take care of the business with Mr. Hurd until this morning and that he received from him an 80 dollar note of Mr. [Robert?] Morris. Says that Knox can now draw on him for the money. Says he has not yet received money owed to his brother [William Knox?]. Says no news from Boston, but that "We have had great doings here on the birth of a Dauphin of France." Also reports that "The Chevalier S.[?] Breck, made a grand Entertain[ment] & his house and Gardens were beautifully illuminated, and by far…

GLC02437.01465

18 July 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I had the pleasure of once to your Letter of 3rd inst. and mentioning what you desired to Mr. Dawes, who will use his influence in every good measure to move the Massachusetts Line." Adds that he has enclosed a letter from Knox's brother, William. The letter had recently arrived by ship from France and landed at the port at Newbury. There are apparently more goods on the ship for Knox but they haven't been retrieved yet.

GLC02437.01494

9 October 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a variety of business concerns with Knox regarding Knox's investments with the Government, and asks for his opinion on how to handle certain matters. Mentions that he and Colonel Hatch are planning to send to Knox possessions of his brother William Knox's, which have been in the possession of Mr. [Joshua] Loring while William has been in Europe. Relates that the appraisers living on a limerock farm that Knox is interested in are having difficulty conducting their appraisal due to the presence of the enemy. Discusses the recent death of a Treasurer Gardner and the candidates who…

GLC02437.01654

24 October 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Peirce to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 8 October. Consoles Knox on the death of his boy. Says "Alas Deaths Shafts fly thick. no less than five of my little ones have fallen by his relentless hand." Mentions a small box he wants to send and asks if Colonel Brooks has room on one of his wagons. Tells him "At present I cannot think of any other method to accomplish the desires of the Gentleman you mention, than for his brother to petition the Governor & Council, or the Genl Court, if that will not do it." Says the gentleman called on him about it and after a…

GLC02437.01678

9 December 1782

Paterson, John, 1744-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Camp." Writes that agreeable to the wishes of the Committee, he has been trying to get "Capt. Pemberton to transcribe our address." Captain Pemberton has been too busy with his own work, so he has asked Colonel Cortlandt, and though he keeps requesting the finished transcript, Colonel Cortlandt has not yet been "able to procure a fair Transcript." Has enclosed a copy of the transcript but as soon as the other copy is complete and he has it signed, he will send it to Knox. Apologizes for the delay and says, "It is not owing to any neglect on my part that this business has…

GLC02437.01734

13 December 1782

Paterson, John, 1744-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has received his most recent letter accompanying the address to Congress, and will comply with Knox's request to have it signed by the committee members and then pass it on to Colonel [John] Brooks, who will be leaving for West Point tomorrow. Will also pay close attention to Knox's other requests.

GLC02437.01741

24 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: [Gen Knox presents his compliments to the Marquis de Rostaing].

Indicates that he is sending one of the pieces of ordnance seized from a British redoubt at the Battle of Yorktown to the regiment of Gattenois, which stormed that redoubt on 14 October 1781. The transfer was made in accordance with George Washington's orders (see GLC02437.01259). A third person letter in Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.01260