5 December 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Discusses Sargent's desire to be present at the next Congressional session, though the request was denied. Discusses the situation with the Indians in the Cincinnati region. States that "the poor Indians I believe are irrecvocably doomed by Fate to be extirpated." Extensive water damage renders ink difficult to read. Watermarked. Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10314

8 May 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur

Knox writes to Crevecoeur, French consul at New York. Expresses his regret at Crevecoeur's loss of important papers. Apparently responding to Crevecoeur's request for information related to the Revolutionary War, writes, "...I was not at the frontiers during the War having always been with the Army under the immediate orders of His Ex Gen Washington[.]"

GLC02437.03141

6 June 1789

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes via their mutual friend, General [Rufus] Putnam, but unfortunately has no news to report from the Western territories. Discusses his pleasure at the commencement of the new government, especially at the fact that "our Cincinnatus has been induced to once more quit his Plough" (referring to General George Washington's decision to accept the Presidency). Had wished for his Excellency's success and happiness, and asks Knox to send his best wishes to the President. Also sends his best wishes to Mrs. Knox, Knox's brother William, and asks him to "remember me to any of our friends who are…

GLC02437.04234

20 August 1789

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received his recent letter and hopes that Knox's child is restored to health. Is overjoyed to hear of the President's recovery; feels his death might have caused dramatic instability. Discusses his interest in the "doings of Congress," especially the Treasury Bill. Mentions that he is "very poor" and trusts that Knox will help him acquire a government appointment if possible. Also relates that they have apprehended a Virginian man named Wetzell who fired on an Indian man by the name of Washington. Has enclosed some letters to his friends (not present) for Knox to forward.

GLC02437.04332

15 September 1791

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References a letter he wrote Knox from Lexington on 4 September. Encloses a duplicate of that letter here (not included). Says all the troops he is supposed to have arrived on 9, 10, and 12 September, except the Kentucky militia. Has received Knox's letters of 11, 18, and 25 August with their enclosures. Writes, "The Anxiety Sir, which the President has expressed that the Operations of the Campaign should begin at an early period does not surprise me, and the Delays that have hitherto taken place have been to me the most irksome that can possibly be imagined." Wants Knox to reassure the…

GLC02437.05157

18 September 1791

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that he was able to advise Knox of the arrival of General Richard Butler and the last contingent of troops. Says the Kentucky militiamen are expected on 25 September. Will probably move from the camp on the Great Miami River on or before the 25 September. Writes, "I have been too sanguine in my Calculation of the time necessary for erecting the Fort there, but as soon as it is enclosed, and the shell of the Houses up, the Garrison will be able to compleat it for themselves before Winter." Notes the commissary has forward 100,000 rations to the camp. The quartermaster and court of…

GLC02437.05161

25 September 1791

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Since St. Clair last wrote on 23 September, Colonel Oldham arrived with the Kentucky militia. Oldham brought a letter from General Charles Scott, which is enclosed (not included). Scott has doubts about the militia, but Oldham has been reassuring. As the militia was "called out by draught," Scott believes he will not be able to command another volunteer expedition. Speaks of a deluge of rain, which has impeded transportation of provisions and stores. The weather is better today and things are now moving. Says the Court of Inquiry has finished their business and that General Josiah Harmar has…

GLC02437.05166

2 January 1792

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, at present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Asks Knox to attend to the accompanying letters, which outline confrontations between General [Arthur] St. Clair and Indians in the frontier, specifically in Kentucky. Wishes he had more information about the Indian towns. Would like information on how the government will protect the frontier region in during the upcoming season. Asks about the possibility of hiring some Chickasaw Indians to work within the army for upcoming campaigns.

GLC02437.05285

6 January 1792

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, at present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Received his recent letter, and touches on financial matters. Mentions that he heard that the President intends to eliminate the position of Adjutant General of the Army (his current position) after the present campaign in the frontier, and give the Adjutant's duties to the Inspector. Comments on whether to take as a personal affront the elimination of his position. Discusses his motives for joining the campaigns in the Ohio territories.

GLC02437.05287

10 March 1792

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, in present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Comments on and defends his ability to perform his duties under General [Arthur] St. Clair. Also touches on his abilities to use military forces to protect areas in the Northwest Territories. Declares that he has done everything in his power, and refers Knox to General [James] Wilkinson for further assistance.

GLC02437.05344

12 May 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Later copy. Writes that he wrote to General [James] Wilkinson on 3 April to ask about powder and the proofing of artillery at Fort Washington. Has apparently not received a reply. Stresses the importance of these tests because there has been some doubt about the quality of last year's powder. Urges him to complete the tests. Place not listed, however, another letter (GLC02437.05458) written on the same day places Knox in Philadelphia.

GLC02437.05459

1 June 1792

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Mentions that he successfully completed some experiments Knox suggested he perform (on artillery). Discusses the upcoming appointment of a new Adjutant General, and the qualifications necessary for the candidate. Comments on the importance of assigning high military rank to soldiers in the Northwest Territories. Provides a variety of information on the military endeavors in the Ohio area. Refers to General [James] Wilkinson.

GLC02437.05486

24 April 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Arthur St. Clair

Later copy made from the original in November 1856. Reports that President George Washington directed him to inform St. Clair that proposed treaty negotiations between the U.S. and the hostile Indians north of the Ohio River is to take place at Lower Sandusky around 1 June. To guarantee the success of the negotiations it is necessary to make sure "all hostile incursions of the white inhabitants into, or near to the Indian Country north of the Ohio, should be absolutely prohibited, until after the Treaty be closed." The commander of the troops has been ordered to make a proclamation to that…

GLC02437.05876

1 August 1794

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the conduct of a [soldier] named Parson Jones. Comments he believes Jones was a man of sedition both here and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Believes if Knox personally admonishes Jones it would correct him. Notes he heard Jones speaking in mixed company at a tavern about the president's (George Washington) intelligence. Expresses his concern over the effect Jones's opinions may have over the public mind.

GLC02437.06157

4 June 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comfort Sands

Informs Sands, a previous supplier of military goods [see GLC02437.01301], that a "few barrells of neats foot oyl are wanted for the musquets & cartridge boxes of the Army," and he wants to know whether Sands can supply them, and what the terms might be.

GLC02437.01439

June 1783

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Captain Sargent to Major General Knox. Says that Colonel Crane has omitted his name on the return of Massachusetts artillerymen as a captain for reasons and authority he is ignorant of. Hopes Knox can attend to it in a proper way. Docketed by Henry Knox.

GLC02437.02207

April 27, 1785

St. John de Crevecoeur, J. Hector, 1735-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Crevecoeur, French consul in New York, delivers a letter from "the good Marquis," possibly the Marquis de Lafayette (letter not included).

GLC02437.03133

30 December 1786

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Delivered to the governor a note that Knox wrote in his favor. Would like very much to be in the army, but if there is no possibility of that, will "in good Earnest set about making my arrangements for evacuating altogether this Country in Favor of the Western World, while there are so many disposed to accompany me." Also mentions joining the Engineers to the Artillery Department. Believes he has "some claims to an honorable Appointment." Relates that the Court in Springfield was prevented from doing business this week by 300 insurgents who took possession of the Court House and presented…

GLC02437.03394

January 10, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Is anxious for Sargent to enter the military establishment "in a manner agreable [sic] to your feelings," and if it was entirely up to him, Knox might create a special position just for him. Relates that Congress has directed a legionary corps to be raised, and he cannot alter arrangements which have already been made. Has always wished that the corps for artillery and engineers be the same, but it is up to Congress. Asks whether he might consider the office of Inspector of the Troops, which Major [William] North has resigned. Discusses what ranks and benefits Congress might associate…

GLC02437.03413

January 30, 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his letters. Never doubted Knox's good wishes toward him, or his desire to promote Sargent's military achievements. Is acutely aware of Knox's responsibilities and does not want to put him in an embarrassing position because of his desire to attain an appointment. Though he wanted the Captaincy of Artillery, he even moreso wanted Knox's high esteem, both during military service and in civilian life. Writes, "Consider [...] how severely I must have been wounded by [William] North & [Elnathan] Haskell- who were both my Junior Officers during [an] the war & who have…

GLC02437.03432

2 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Discusses surveys that Sargent requested and where they should be deposited. Notes he has not seen Captain Hutchins yet to discuss the survey of the 5th range. States that Board of Treasury is of the opinion the surveys should be delivered to Hutchins since he was the principal in the business and that Knox agrees with them. Mentions [Major William] North's resignation from the Office of Inspectors, noting that it has not taken affect yet due to the recent raising of troops. Mentions the irregular Congressional…

GLC02437.03478

10 March 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his "motives for addressing the Plan of surveys... to the Board of Treasury - " Does not think his ideas about surveys will be accepted, but states that he has the public in mind. Mentions funding proposals for surveying lands in Ohio and the West. Also refers to the possibility of [perhaps William] North's resignation apparently from a position as Inspector, and the pay and benefits associated with that post.

GLC02437.03487

13 March 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the resignation of Mr. [William] North, from the Inspector's Office. Alerts Knox that North may write to Knox and members of Congress in support of Sargent. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature. Appears to be docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.03490

22 April 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he is not disappointed by the disbandment of the troops since he was expecting it. Discusses William North's retracted resignation of the office of Inspector General, which Sargent was to have taken over as North's replacement. Expresses his embarrassment over this as everyone thought he would receive the appointment until North decided not to resign. "To have told me absolutely that he would not continue in the office - & inform'd a number of my friends that he had resigned in my favor, & to resume it (thereby apparently displacing me at his own Pleasure) more than…

GLC02437.03533

6 May 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions he still has not been reimbursed for his expenses from last year. Discusses relations with the Native Americans, stating he is glad that "the surveys will soon be continued & that the Indians are peaceably inclined." Writes, "that as the Indians are out trapping for Beaver there is little doubt but they will steal them all" [referring to the surveyors' horses], which will stop the survey. Comments on Congress deciding about "disposing of the Lands which have been surveyed ... " and wishes his townships had been included. Stamped "Boston." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no…

GLC02437.03544