12 June 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Loring and Joseph Peirce

Consists of Knox's working drafts of two retained letters, one to Joshua Loring and one to Joseph Peirce. In the letter to Loring, Knox asks that he forward him any money that he owes him as well as the proceeds for any sales of items belong to his brother, William Knox. Declares that he must pay 500 dollars over the next two months, and asks that the payments be made in "Morris Notes," if possible (perhaps a reference to financier Robert Morris). In the letter to Peirce, he also discusses the collection of money from Mr. Morris and others, and mentions General Benjamin Lincoln.

GLC02437.01447

22 August 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the transportation of supplies from a building at Fishkill being taken down. Writes to inform Pickering that he asked "the officer commanding the fatigue party to see that the lumber was put under the care of a sentry," in case Pickering needed to issue further instructions.

GLC02437.01534

27 August 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks that he deliver the damaged shells at West Point to Mr. Daniel Carthy, Quarter Master at West Point.

GLC02437.01541

30 August 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I sent to Mr. [Daniel] Carthy a note this morning directing him to apply to you for a crew for a boat which Carthy was to have ready for me. The movement of the army to-morrow, which I must attend, will require that I be able to move with expedition whenever duty may call me. I should therefore be furnished with good oarsmen. If they are taken from the garrison intended to remain at the Point, I will return them as soon as their movement is finished. I beg you to give directions accordingly." Also discusses obtaining horses for moving the artillery.

GLC02437.01549

12 September 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Camp Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Writes, "The French army is at hand, and the fifth waggon will be ready to cross the river on Saturday. Among other things we want strong ropes to drag the carriages in and out of the boats. I am not certain that we have suitable cordage, I beg you therefore to cause Mr. [probably Daniel] Carthy to be furnished with four sets of drag ropes suitable for 18 pounders - six sets will be better, for dispatch & to bar accidents."

GLC02437.01598

14 September 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written at Camp Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Mentions that the Brigade of Light Infantry and the Corps of Light Dragoons need traveling forges and that it is not in his power to supply them. Writes, "The park being arrived I imagine that two may be spared from thence without inconvenience, seeing it will remain at West Point. I must therefore request you to furnish Mr. [Daniel] Carthy with two travelling forges with the necessary tools: he can send them down in the large scow [a type of boat], which he expected to have ready by to-night." Asks him to furnish Mr.…

GLC02437.01609

16 September 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Camp Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Thinks "it will be practicable to support the number of horses you mention as requisite for the duty at West Point. At present the number of horses actually there is twenty two, some of them clearly not necessary at the post." Asks Knox to remove the unnecessary horses from the post. Also discusses the difficulty in procuring forage in the area of West Point, especially for the coming winter, and has made arrangements to obtain some. "Public service" written on address leaf.

GLC02437.01614

5 October 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Pickering as Quartermaster General to Major General Knox. Reports that Major Cogswell will have 2 good teams sent today to haul the frame for the barrack at Constitution Island. Says 4 more teams will be added as soon as they arrive from the country with their forage. Says if the timber is hewed in the woods to sizes, Major Cogswell believes the 6 teams can haul the frames to the landings in 6 or 8 days. Hopes the enemy's movements will not interrupt the construction of accommodations for the troops. Says the "artificers" of Parsell's Company were to arrive yesterday at…

GLC02437.01645

22 October 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. In response to recent letters from Knox (see GLC02437.01640 and GLC02437.01648), Colonel Pickering, the Quartermaster General, writes, "When the mind is eager in the pursuit of any object, it is apt to decide hastily, without fully inquiring into facts. I have often fallen into this error myself, and as often resolved to be more cautious in future. I can therefore easily account for and excuse the censure implied in your letter." Explains that he is aware of the health of the ox teams hauling materials for the Constitution…

GLC02437.01675

4 November 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Signature has been clipped, but author Colonel Timothy Pickering is mentioned in the docket. Writes, "Agreeably to our mutual determination when last I had the pleasure of seeing you, I am content to receive Mr. Moses Dean again into my department, and to be responsible for his pay, which is to be equal to the monthly pay of a lieutenant in Capt. Patton's [perhaps Thomas Patten's] company of artificers. If you please this pay may commence the fifth day of the present month. I will thank you for a certificate that he will from that day be omitted in the pay-rolls of Capt. Patton's company."

GLC02437.01699

January 31, 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Quartermaster General Colonel Pickering to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 29 January, which was about collecting wood for firewood and bomb proofs at West Point. Says it appears to be impracticable. Knox said that 48 yoke of oxen would be needed for 50 snow days to move the wood. Claims there will not be 50 days of snow left this winter. Goes on to describe other logistical problems, including lack of money and forage for the oxen. Suggests that if hired Masons; and soldiers work in June and forage on the spot and the job could be done for half the cost. "Public…

GLC02437.01875

2 March 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the possible use of two gun-boats for the "wood service." Describes that they are, as of yet, not fit for use as they "have very little rigging & no sails, except square-sails just sufficient to enable them to move with the wind & tide in their favour." States that to make them sea-worthy enough for Knox's purpose would incur a larger expense than it would warrant. "On public service" written on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.01970

3 April 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Discusses consolidating business securities, which do not appear to be doing well. Rejoices in the "glorious" conclusion of the war.

GLC02437.02061

15 April 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a list of items ordered from Philadelphia and informs Knox that the wagon carrying the items should arrive at any day.

GLC02437.02088

24 April 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the rations and clothing given to bargemen in the Army and requests better conditions for them. Pickering explains that the men of the Newburgh packet feel that they should have the same benefits as that of the crew on the commander-in-chief's barge, whose "duty is very light." Pickering suggests he and Knox apply jointly for comparable benefits for the "West Point packet."

GLC02437.02112

7 June 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks on behalf of other quarter masters what they should do with spare ammunition as the "brigades in this vicinity are dissolved and dissolving." "On public service" written on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.02152

18 June 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of the movement of a group of boats from West Point headed for Newburgh, New York, that stopped in New Windsor along the way. Also writes to Knox about the weather in regards to a departure time and exposing the men to the heat.

GLC02437.02169

4 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Written by Major General Knox to Peirce, an associate in Boston who was handling some of his business affairs. References Peirce's letter of 16 June. Says he wants to purchase a farm where he can "live a decent oeconomy." Says if one cannot be found he will have to get a house in town, but he still hopes to find a home in the country. Says spending a few pounds more to get the country house would be worth it. Says it is essential to his affairs to be in Boston in September and hopes to work on this then. Wants Peirce to try to get him the "Lime rock farm." Says he is not unfamiliar with the…

GLC02437.02237

19 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Peirce

Discusses the printing of certificates of account balances for officers. He writes that the officers wish their certificates to be printed "either with common type or copper plated". Knox agrees with the officers and suggests that the certificates be printed to [copper] plates because it will take less time. Writes that he hopes Peirce will be able to comply and gratify his "own feelings upon the occasion."

GLC02437.02304

28 September 1783

Pettengill, Joseph, 1753-1833

Autograph note signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States "Ensign Wardswell, has my approbation for taken with him, Peter Oliver who is at present useless to service..." Wardswell, of the 1st Massachusetts Regiment was apparently unfit for service to do "bodily indisposition," and was recommended for furlough. See GLC02437.02577.

GLC02437.02574

3 October 1783

Bushnell, David, 1740-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Weekly return for the corps of Sappers and Miners]

Lists men by status, rank and file. Written at Constitution Island.

GLC02437.02612

15 August 1786

Pemberton, Robert, ?-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office," which apparently was in New York City during this period. Pemberton, a staff member of Knox's at the War Office, relates several matters of business for Knox while he is away in Boston. Has included various documents from Congress (not attached), including an ordinance regulating Indian affairs, and a resolve accepting Major Fish's resignation and appointing General Butler as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Northern Department. Relates a story of eleven recruits sent to West Point by Ensign Luse, who were "most rascally fellows," some of whom deserted…

GLC02437.03292

17 August 1786

Pemberton, Robert, ?-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office," which was likely in New York City during this period. Pemberton, apparently a staff member of Knox's at the War Office, relates several matters of business for Knox while he is away in Boston. Writes that he was so pressed for time while sending the last letter, in order to complete it in time for the post, that he neglected to include copies of the "returns of military, and Quarter masters stores, at Forts Pitt, and McIntosh," so he includes them now. Also includes "Governor Griswolds discharge to the two deserters apprehended by Serjeant [sic] Webster with…

GLC02437.03293

22 August 1786

Pemberton, Robert, ?-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office," likely located in New York City during this period. Has received another letter from Mr [Samuel] Hodgdon "on the subject of money for the waggoners," so applied to Mr [Samuel] Osgood, who suggested they apply to the loan officer in Pennsylvania. He did this and is waiting to hear from him by the next post. Also has sent along the newspaper, and says that there is no other new business at the office. See GLC02437.03293 for related information.

GLC02437.03295

29 August 1786

Pemberton, Robert, ?-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office," which in 1786 was likely in New York City. Reports on business at the War Office. Explains that since his last letter to Knox, they have received a return of stores from Sergeant Hudson and a note from Commodore Hazelwood acknowledging receipt of his last letter. Mr. [Samuel] Hodgdon has not written back regarding the money he applied for. Has included a resolve of Congress regarding the Moravian Indians which was mentioned in Lieutenant Colonel [Josiah] Harmar's recent letter, as well as a letter to Colonel Hay regarding an obstruction to the survey of the…

GLC02437.03298