5 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus Putnam

Writes to General Rufus Putnam about how the people feel in regards to the army and compensation. He hopes that it is satisfactory but events show otherwise. Many in Connecticut and the inland counties are unhappy. Feels that Connecticut shows prejudices against officers about compensation which "are so outrageous as to [induce] some of the most prudent and respectable officers to look out for another place of residence." Writes to George Washington about the situation. Discusses the land in the Ohio region that may be offered as compensation for the officers, the Virginia cession,…

GLC02437.10160

8 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Pitts

Written by Major General Knox to John Pitts of the Massachusetts Legislature. Says this is the second letter he has written to Pitts, and he is happy that they are both in "the Cause of Humanity." Says the first letter was about "the young Miss Winslows" who are now at Boston. This letter is about their young brother, the son of the late Isaac Winslow. Discusses the desire of the "young Gentleman" to be in service of his country. He was age 11 at the start of hostilities and is now age 18 and "has attained some degree of maturity." Declares that he has never fought on the enemy's side, and…

GLC02437.01649

1 November 1782

Pitts, John, 1737-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

In response to Knox's letter (see GLC02437.01649), John Pitts, of the Massachusetts Legislature, writes that he can see "no objection in reason, to his inserting himself into this State by the most convenient opportunity, but I cant say what would be the public opinion." Declares, "I have not attempted to ascertain it by laying your letter before the General Court, as, prior to my receiving it, the Court had determined to take up no more private matters during ye [the] present session, than what had been already received." Suggests sending a letter to the Governor "to present him to public…

GLC02437.01693

January 21, 1783

Pollard, Solomon, fl. 1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox's assistance in obtaining a furlough in order to attend a court session in Concord, Massachusetts, since his reputation is at stake.

GLC02437.01849

8 February 1783

Prowd, Charles, fl. 1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Prowd, a former artificer for the Continental Army to Major General Knox. Says that Colonel Frothingham has his pay and would like Knox to help him get it. Says he needs it badly as he is sick. Says his wife is also ill. Reports that "I Received no pay this Three Years and better, Which Please your Honr. is Very hard for me to live in Such Sircumstances." Postscript sends condolences for the death of his child.

GLC02437.01901

February 24, 1783

Platt, Richard, 1755-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a past problem with Colonel Webb regarding the use of a small barge and asking for Knox's help with the situation. Noted as written at Robinson's.

GLC02437.01949

29 May 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Popkin

Discusses the payment of the noncommissioned officers and the resentment they feel regarding the equality of receiving pay, as well as giving directions on how to handle the disgruntled men. For related documents, see GLC02437.02219, .02220, .02226, .02235, .02236, .02364, .10082, .10112, and .10117.

GLC02437.02139

18 June 1783

Putnam, Rufus, 1738-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the reduction of the army and the issue of opening up the Ohio valley to settlers.

GLC02437.02170

2 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Popkin

Written by Major General Knox to Lieutenant Colonel Popkin. References Popkin's letter of 19 June 1783. Says as the army is about to be disbanded the complainants "have been advised to another mode by the Judge advocate, you will consider the former order for your recall to camp as cancelled by this letter." Docket says this is a copy of the letter sent to Popkin. For related documents, see GLC02437.02139, .02219, .02220, .02235, .02236, .02364, .10082, .10112, and .10117.

GLC02437.02226

23 October 1783

Putnam, Rufus, 1738-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his observations concerning the public view of commutation. States that there is still general prejudice against officers especially by "lower class of people" but that the prejudice is abating. Mentions a "Lake Erie Scheme," the prospect of settling the western lands and a meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati.

GLC02437.02703

4 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Price

Orders Captain Price, commissary of military stores, to deliver supplies such as steel, wine, tin, flannel, leather, and blubber oil to Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster General.

GLC02437.02908

6 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Price

Knox writes to Price, newly appointed commissary of military stores at West Point. Gives Price instructions regarding his post, including the method by which he must orders stores and keep meticulous records. Price will take orders from Major Sebastian Bauman.

GLC02437.02919

1 January 1784

Price, William, ?-1790

Autograph document signed

Title: [William Price's oath sworn to the United States]

Also signed by Major General Henry Knox. Price swears to serve the United States in the office of commissary of military stores (for West Point).

GLC02437.02920

February 4, 1784

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain Randall expresses his gratitude to Knox and his family: "To find an asylum that enabled me to recover my feelings in so distressed a situation, when the calumniating tongue of the world was endeavoring to ruin me forever, was a protection of which my heart will ever retain the most lively sense..." Notes that the following day, he and Samuel Shaw will depart for China (Shaw was a commercial agent on this voyage for a group of Boston and New York merchants). Includes an autograph note signed by Shaw to Knox: "I have everything to thank you for on my own account- but your good ness to…

GLC02437.02942

February 21, 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Pynchon

Writes he has been informed that Mrs. Pynchon late husband had military stores such as wine, rice, and medicine for use of the Continental troops stationed at Springfield. Asks her to deliver the items to Major [Joseph] Williams, in charge of the soldiers at Springfield.

GLC02437.02962

11 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William] Price

Knox writes to Captain Price, apparently William Price, Deputy Commissary of Ordnance and Military Stores at West Point. Orders Price to make monthly returns and to issue only what the commanding officer, the War Office, or Congress orders.

GLC02437.03011

26 December 1784

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Randall, who accompanied Samuel Shaw to China, thanks Knox for the "many civilities received in your family." Of Knox's family, writes "My heart retains so lively a sense of them, that no distance can ever efface it." Notes that Shaw, Knox's former aide, will personally deliver this letter to Knox.

GLC02437.03081

14 March 1805

Porter, Benjamin J., fl. 1805-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Mr. Harry, an attorney from Topsham (present-day Maine), requested a renewal of [Aleijah] Richardson's commission as justice of the peace for Lincoln County.

GLC02437.03110

23 March 1785

Pollard, Jonathan, fl. 1749-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Complains that his broken knee will prevent him from pursuing the trucking business. Requests an appointment to work under Knox, newly appointed Secretary at War.

GLC02437.03116

3 August 1785

Poellnitz, Frederick Carl Hans Bruno, Baron von, 1734-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to Knox to discuss a home in New York City, at Bow[er]y Lane, apparently owned by Baron Poellnitz, which Knox is occupying. Baron Poellnitz has received word from Mr. Steven Sayre that Knox is living there, and is pleased to hear that it has been taken by a "Gentlemen of your Caracter for whom without having the honour of Personal acquaintance I have notwithstanding the heighest Respect and notions." Writes that his wife has left in a hurry, leaving everything in confusion, and asks that Knox continue at the house until he returns to the United States (though he is unsure when that…

GLC02437.03172

10 August 1785

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain Thomas Randall writes to inform Knox that he has arrived in Baltimore after his trip to China with Samuel Shaw. Writes that "we stopped sometime at Batavia the capital of the Dutch settlements in the East Indies where the reception our flag met with was polite and friendly." Expects to see Knox soon so apologizes for not going into great detail about his trip. Sends regards to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.03176

13 August 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Reverend Doctor Provost

Writes to ask the Reverend Doctor Provost over for a drink the next afternoon "and to baptise our child."

GLC02437.03178

27 September 1785

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receit of your favor of the 21st of August, but leaving Baltimore soon after prevented me from writing you, and being informed you were expected in this city. I delayed giving you a full account of my voyage after leaving Mr [Samuel] Shaw, as I hoped to have the honor to wait on you here. I shall take the liberty to request your delivering the enclosed to my friend Mr. Shaw, permit me to present my compliments to Mrs. Knox and to offer my congratulations upon the increase of your family for whom I cannot fail of ever feeling the most grateful…

GLC02437.03202

February 12, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Pollard

Discusses a petition of Pollard's that has been active since 1781, apparently for pay from when Pollard worked for General William Heath. Says it must be renewed, noting that Robert Morris was not yet Superintendent of Finance when it was filed.

GLC02437.03241

11 March 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Ramsay

Written in the third person and signed in text: "Genl Knox presents his compliments to the honorable Mr Ramsay, and submits to his inspection a plan for the general arrangement of the militia." Asks Mr. Ramsay for any suggestions to the plan to help it achieve "greater public utility." Docket refers to Mr. Ramsay as "Chairman of Congress."

GLC02437.03246