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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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Showing results 4001 - 4025

17 October 1777

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: [Record of wages received from Samuel Shaw by Mary Lary]

Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp, pays Lary "for two months wages while in Genl Knox's Family and six dollars in full for washing Mr. Wm Knoxs cloathes." Lary signs again, certifying receipt of six dollars for washing Captain Treat's clothes. Signed twice by Mary Lary.

GLC02437.00659

3 June 1779

Tallmadge, Benjamin, 1754-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Relates that he enclosed to Samuel Broome of Boston a set of bills of exchange drawn by Captain [Simonot De Valcourt?] from Valcourt's father. Encloses an extract [from his contract with Broome], copying the information for Knox. Discusses the details of the contract. Writes, "The Depreciation of our paper money, & my wish to forward the Bills to France soon, makes it necessary to have some limited time that I may regulate some matters of foreign trade accordingly ... " Reports "I am happy to inform you that the Grand Army under Genl Washington are on their [march] for Fish Kills-"…

GLC02437.00767

27 July 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Knox's working draft of opinion delivered to his Excellency General Washington]

Knox answers the question of "the position that it will be proper for our Army to take, on the Question whether any and what offensive measures can with propriety be pursued at present, and of the line of Conduct necessary for us to pursue under the circumstances ... " Asserts that the caution of the British suggests they are expecting reinforcements. Discusses strategic positioning and the possibility of enemy movement along the Hudson River. Mentions Verplanck's Point. In closing, writes, "Unless the Enemy receive a large reinforcement their operations will be pretty much [confind?]...…

GLC02437.00778

30 September 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: to George Washington

Working draft of Knox's report to George Washington. Describes British fortifications at Stony Point and Verplanck, New York. Advises Washington regarding the feasibility of attacking British posts in the area. Docket reads, "Knox to Washington No. 4" with final page adding a report on West Point.

GLC02437.00784

May 21, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Henry Knox recaps a letter he recently sent to William, in which he urged William to sail directly to Amsterdam instead of stopping in France. He mentions letters of introduction he previously sent for William's voyage to Europe, noting he will also ask the Baron von Steuben for introductory letters. He requests William to send a list of the persons to whom Baron Johann De Kalb's letters of introduction were addressed. Relates that the Winslow sisters will travel to Boston within a fortnight. Comments on the recovery of Lucy, his wife, from a recent illness. He instructs William to ship his…

GLC02437.00763

27 May 1779

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Comments on "the present grandees of our once respected town" (Boston). Criticizes the "mushroom gentry" rising in Boston, referring to those of recently established wealth, such as merchants. Notes that the honest man is scarcely noticed, "unless he can talk of his premiums and per cent..." Remarks that the past winter has been more enjoyable than the winter William spent as a soldier. Refers to the circle of ladies in New Jersey. Describes a dramatic scene at a recent tea party and "social hop," during which a gentleman fell and a girl was thrown from a phaeton. Mentions the Winslow…

GLC02437.00764

29 May 1779

Oliver, Ebenezer, fl. 1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Sears

Received goods, in order, from Sears in Amsterdam. Has not heard "one word of" goods shipped on his account by their mutual friend William (possibly William Knox). Discusses the obtainment of bills for Sears. Thanks Sears for procuring a cloak and bonnet for Mrs. Oliver, though wishes Sears would have sent a petticoat in the same box. Requests Sears to send a "Genteel Green Umbrella," a case of green-handled knives, and several other items. Marked as a copy at the top of page one.

GLC02437.00765

29 May 1779

French, Samuel, fl. 1777-1779

Manuscript document

Title: [Receipt regarding Henry Knox and Samuel Shaw]

Written in Shaw's hand. "Received of Gen. Knox by the hand of Samuel Shaw four hundred and eighty dollars for that sum lent him at Valley Forge last June ... "

GLC02437.00766

4 June 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports that Continental troops are moving toward the British on the North (Hudson) River. Discusses William's upcoming voyage, a mercantile venture to Holland. Declares, "From the high Spirits of our troops, their discipline, and equipments, I think if we come into contact with the Enemy we shall at least do justice to ourselves and Country whatever may be the Event." Mentions Lucy Knox and their daughters (Lucy and Julia). Notes that the Winslow sisters have not yet left for Boston.

GLC02437.00768

14 June 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Sends his wishes for her improved health. Reports that the enemy in his area have made no new movements. Relates news of General Benjamin Lincoln's victory against the British in South Carolina (Lincoln engaged the British as they retreated from a siege of Charleston, South Carolina). Declares "God Grant it to be time as it will have a very principal influence in happily terminating the War." Relates that his brother William wrote from Hartford, Connecticut, stating he was able to procure bills of exchange, and expects to sail [for Holland] within three weeks. Sends his love to …

GLC02437.00769

14 June 1779

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [News of British defeat in South Carolina]

Written in the clerical hand of Samuel Shaw. Begins with a note attesting that General Nathanael Greene received payment on an account from Colonel Cox in Philadelphia. The second copied document, also on page one, is an extract of a letter from Levi Hollingsworth to William Bradford (possibly the Philadelphia printer) 11 June 1773 regarding an enclosed [handbill] of great importance. The third document, possibly a copy of the handbill to which Hollingsworth referred, comprises the end of page one and page two. Relates "Important News" from 9 June 1779: "the agreeable intelligence of the…

GLC02437.00770

29 June 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Laments at length that he can not be with his wife and family (both Lucy and their infant daughter, Julia, are extremely sick). Has reason to believe the British have traveled down the river (the Hudson). Remarks that Continental posts near New Windsor are fortified well enough to discourage a British attack. Speculates that the British will try to draw Continental troops away from the more well-fortified areas. Reports that his brother, William may have sailed the previous Thursday [for Holland]. Contains some text loss due to a large central hole. Also contains extensive repair.

GLC02437.00771

16 March 1779- July 1779

Document

Title: Memo of sundry bills forwd to France

Includes dates of bills, names of whom the bills were drawn in favor of, and countersigners' names. Verso contains two similar accounts.

GLC02437.00772

8 July 1779

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Makes financial plans before embarking for Holland on a business venture. Encloses an inventory of "the stock on hand, which amounts nearly to as much sterling as it did upon my taking it after returning from the Army ... " Informs Knox he has only one outstanding debt, and William cannot locate the person with the account (William was in charge of much of Knox's business while Knox served in the military). Declares, " ... we are nearly six hundred pounds... richer than we were when I left the army, which I think it doing tolerably well considering the Capitol we had to begin with ... "…

GLC02437.00773

8 July 1779

Oliver, Ebenezer, fl. 1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Sears

Encloses four bills of exchange (not included) for Sears in Amsterdam. Requests a variety of goods, including cream colored tea cups and saucers, "small plain common wine glasses," apron tape, leather gloves, thread, shoe bindings, and gauze, among other items.

GLC02437.00774

10 July 1779

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Letter

Title: [Knox's copy of a letter from Horatio Gates to Silas Talbot]

General Gates declares, "The Glory you and all under your Commd. have gained will be a lasting honour to you & them. I desire you will present my thanks to the Officers & seamen, and acquaint them how Sensible I am of the good service they have done their Country."

GLC02437.00775

10 July 1779

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Printed document signed

Title: [Promotion for John Moseley to Second Lieutenant]

Partially printed. Congress promotes Mosely to Second Lieutenant in Colonel Harrison's regiment of artillery. Countersigned by P. Scull, Secretary of the Board of War. Vellum with a covered seal.

GLC02437.00776

26 July 1779

Greene, Joseph, 1712-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William Knox]

Recipient inferred based on content. Gives detailed instructions regarding bills and a shipment of tobacco. Notes, "any Commission business you may send this way, if agreable [sic] to you shall be done on our joint Acco ... " In a post script, instructs [Knox] to be specific regarding bills of lading.

GLC02437.00777

5 August 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: Commissions received from the Board of War

Unsigned retained copy in Samuel Shaw's hand. A note states that the creator encloses a commission for Lieutenant Porter by order of Henry Knox. Relates that a Mr. Savage declined his commission, and will continue in the regiment to which he already belongs. Lists six commissions received from the Board of War 5 August 1779, and four from 11 August 1779, including that of John Mosely (possibly John Moseley, refer to GLC02437.0776).

GLC02437.00779

8 August 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Requests that Lucy write to him and inform him of her health. Recently sent a letter to her through Major Bauman (Sebastian Bauman). Hopes "to be so far informd [sic] of the Enemies intentions and designs, as to determine to have you nearer to me than at the present- I still entertain that hope though I am possess'd of no more materials than at that time to form a judgement." Expresses his wishes at length for a time when they no longer have to be separated. Reports that William, his brother, should have recently sailed (for Holland), but the departure of four British warships from New…

GLC02437.00780

21 August 1779

Sears, Isaac, 1730-1786

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Knox

From Captain Isaac Sears, a founder of the Sons of Liberty. Has sent John De Neufville & Son bills of exchange, and has ordered Neufville to deliver the bills to Knox. Requests silk and gold to be made "into a negligee in the Newest Taste to a Hoop," blond lace treble ruffles, and a blond lace shade, brocade for ladies shoes, and other items. Addressed to Knox at Amsterdam.

GLC02437.00781

18 September 1779

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Letter

Title: [Knox's retained copy of a letter from John Jay to Lieutenant Colonel Silas Talbot]

Jay, President of Congress, writes "The Bravery & Spirit of enterprize you have on frequent occasions displayed in the service of your Country justly entitle you to the honour done you by the enclosed Act of Congress of the 17th Inst."

GLC02437.00782

28 September 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Expresses happiness in hearing of the British evacuation of South Carolina, which Knox attributes to Lincoln's attack on the British in the Battle of Stono Ferry, 20 June 1779, (there is evidence that the British had previous plans to evacuate the area). Informs Lincoln that some British troops are currently embarking from New York. Writes, "The Enemy as well in Europe as in America seemed to have formed some very high hopes of obtaining all South Carolina the present Campaign. The chagrin at the failure will be proportionate. The European intelligence is extremely flattering…

GLC02437.00783

9 November 1779

Van Rensselaer, Philip, 1747-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Rensselaer, an Albany storekeeper, reports that arms (likely ordered by Knox) "are all pack'd up in Boxes According to your orders and ready for Transportation on the Shortest Notice The swords in my possession I shall have put in order as soon as possible..." Promises to send the swords to John Ruddock, Deputy Quartermaster of Stores at Fishkill, New York. Encloses a return of the arms (not included) he issued during the month of October, and an inventory of what remains in the store.

GLC02437.00785

18 November 1779

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written to William Knox at Amsterdam. Reports that he asked his uncle about the "chest, cask, & some loose furrs which you desire to be shipped for Amsterdam." Notes that some of the items were sold because they were damaged, and Knox may draw the proceeds from him "at sight: I could have remitted it but could not find a Bill for so small a sum." Reports that the chest will be shipped to Amsterdam at first opportunity, addressed to [John de] Neufville & Son at Knox's request. A note at the top of the page written in a different hand states, "From Jona William at Paris."

GLC02437.00786

Showing results 4001 - 4025