6 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Relays orders from the Commander in Chief George Washington to make a reduction of the troops and respective departments. Orders Ruddock to deliver all the military stores in his possession to Captain William Price and consider himself and any conductors under him "no longer in service than it is absolutely necessary for this purpose."

GLC02437.02819

February 22, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward H. Robbins

Thanks him for his last letter. Reports that he has only received a statement from Robbins about the "present situation of the reference." Robbins's plan appears "highly judicious." Believes it would be an injustice to accommodate an obsolete claim any further. Asks him to decide on the matter in conjunction with Mr. [Benjamin] Hichborn and the Winslows. Discusses the effects of antifederalists in the Legislature. Mentions the election of General [George] Washington for President and [John] Adams for Vice President.

GLC02437.04125

January 20, 1790

Rickard, William, fl. 1785-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for a recommendation in obtaining a position in "the Collection of the Revenue in this Port." Notes he was a lieutenant under the command of Henry Jackson during the War. Asks Knox to refer to Jackson's opinion of Rickard's service. Place writ noted as "Washington/Port Bath/North Carolina."

GLC02437.04475

November 10, 1790

Rochefontaine, Stephen, 1755-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Rochefontaine writes that "M. Poisé secretary to General de Lafayette during the latter part of the American war has received a commission of captain as a reward" for his service. His work was equal to that of an officer and should therefore be allowed into the Society of the Cincinnati. "Madam de la Lafayette has been the intermediary" but she has not had a response yet from George Washington. Inquires after Lt. Col. Peter Regnier who led a New York infantry. His family has not heard from him since 1783 when he was supposed to have been in the West Indies but set to return to New York.

GLC02437.04776

10 June 1791

Roberts, Josiah, fl. 1789-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a receipt for a box of china, which will be delivered by the bearer of this letter. The china came from Canton by the ship "Washington" and arrived in Providence. It was sent by Samuel Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.04984

19 July-9 August 1791

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Four parts. First part dated 19 July. Noted as an extract. Informs Knox of the arrival of troops and states that "by this time it is to be hoped that those from the Eastward have joined...should no addition have been made to them since." Writes about protecting the area with the garrison. Second part dated 3 August. Noted as an extract. Discusses state of the new troops with Knox . Writes that "it would have been well however that the whole of the troops had been drawn together and accustomed a little to the duties in camp before we had hoped to meet the Ennemy." Wishes that the men…

GLC02437.10234

25 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock and John Crane

Top of the document features a list of items needed to repair or supply military stores, such as paper for cartridges. Below that is a short note to Colonel John Crane, asking that he provide or procure the above articles for Captain Thomas Seward. Underneath that is a letter to John Ruddock, Commissary at Fishkill, asking him to provide Seward with a variety of supplies, including musket balls and powder papers. Also asks Ruddock to prepare a return of all the stores in the northern department. See GLC02437.01502 for a related letter.

GLC02437.01503

4 September 1782

Rickey, James, fl. 1782

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Petition of James Rickey, formerly of Cherry Valley, New York in Tyron County, stating that he lost his house, trade goods, his "negro," and household furniture "due to the 'depredations and crulty of the Enemy.'" Says "he is reduced from a state of Affleuence to a state of Necessity being obliged to quit the frontiers with his family to seek subsistence in a more peaceable Quarter." Asks for the privilege to settle in the garrison to partner with a Mr. Thompson, who obtained permission from the former Commandant, General Paterson. Says he wants to built a house and sell liquor. Claims to…

GLC02437.01572

4 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Mentions that a temporary magazine on a redoubt on Constitution Island (near West Point, New York), which is being prepared to house the powder from Fishkill, will be ready in three to four days. Asks that the powder from Newburgh be recovered first. Requests that he appeal to Colonel [Hugh] Hughes [Deputy Quartermaster General for New York State] for teams to transport it.

GLC02437.01575

10 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Informs Ruddock that Congress has changed the structure of the Department of Military Stores. Outlines the number of commissaries, deputies, and conductors, and explains their locations. Also relates the pay and benefits associated with each position. Asks if Ruddock will agree to be appointed as deputy of West Point, adding "I hope you may as I have much confidence in your integrity and knowledge of yr business." Also asks him to send a return of all cartridges he has received since the first of last March.

GLC02437.01594

11 September 1782

Ruddock, John, fl. 1779-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a recent efforts to acquire Borax. Declares that he will replace what he has gathered as soon as a Doctor Langhorne returns from Philadelphia with a new supply. States that if he is unable to pay him with money, he will try to trade for them with musket cartridges. Also mentions that a Doctor [possibly Charles] McKnight provided all he had. "Public service" written on address leaf.

GLC02437.01596

12 September 1782

Ruddock, John, fl. 1779-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to accept the offer proposed by General [Henry] Knox in his last letter. Declares that he is under great "obligation to the Genl for his favourable opinion of my integrity, I shall ever do my Best Endeavors for the public good and the Genl's approbation." (See GLC02437.01594, in which Knox offers Ruddock the position of deputy commissary of West Point.) Adds in a note that he has enclosed the return of musket cartridges that Knox asked for in his letter, and writes that "with Respect to the powder the Coopers are at work upon it will be ready in a day or two."

GLC02437.01601

16 July 1783

Rivington, James, 1724-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Rivington, the New York printer and bookseller, signs in text. Mentions Knox's previous request for a copy of Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations." Forwards his only copy, which Knox can keep or return. The 2 volumes cost £2.5 sterling. Says no advance on them is requested.

GLC02437.02296

10 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Rivington

Thanks Rivington for the copy of Smith's "Wealth of Nations" that he sent. Knox signed in text. See GLC02437.02296 for Rivington's original note.

GLC02437.02379

20 April 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Söderström

Declares that he would oblige him if he would make a payment on the bill of exchange he owes Knox, within the present week.

GLC02437.03262

10 June 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Edward Hutchinson Robbins

Forwards a paper regarding a Mr. Wetmore's claim to land (not included). Notes, "The business has not a good complexion..." Promises to look into Wetmore's claim fairly, and has written to Mr. Winslow (likely one of Lucy Knox's cousins) regarding the inquiry. The claim relates to Wetmore retaining administration of the estate of "the Brigadier," Samuel Waldo. Knox has written to England to obtain certain papers that will clarify claims on the Waldo land. Written in the hand of Knox's aide Robert Pemberton. Docketed as a copy.

GLC02437.03578

25 July 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Count de Rochambeau

Asks Rochambeau to send him a list of all the French members of the Society of the Cincinnati from the land service. Explains that the list is necessary for maintenance of Society records, and also for filling out diplomas for the members.

GLC02437.03620

20 August 1787

Ruggles, Samuel, fl. 1787-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that the house near Windmill Point, which was Knox's father's, is being sold. Says the owner would like to offer Knox the chance to purchase the house before it goes on the market.

GLC02437.03639

28 August 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Thomas Russell

Discusses the character of Mr. [Thomas] Randall and Samuel Shaw and their past experience in China; possibly having to do with trade. Notes he cannot speak with respect to the plans but can speak with great confidence about the men's character. Says both of the men served in the War, both have been to China twice, and that Shaw is currently on the Coast of India. Speaks of the men's prior voyages and Knox's confidence that a voyage can be profitable. Noted as a copy on the docket. See GLC02437.03637, .03638, .03644 and .03652 for related documents.

GLC02437.03647

January 25, 1788

Lowell, John, 1743-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Cosigned by Thomas Russell. Russell and Lowell are apparently trying to collect money owed by Knox, or his late father-in-law, Thomas Flucker, to Captain Henley. The money pertains to a mortgage on land at Charlestown (state not specified). Lowell writes, "Capt. Henley is now pressed by the Woman to whom he sold the Estate who threatens to attach the Goods in his Shop. this makes it important for him to be relieved soon..." Notes that if Knox thinks proper, the money will be taken from Flucker's estate.

GLC02437.03771

26 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to the Count de Rochambeau

Informs Rochambeau he forwarded [Society of the Cincinnati] diplomas to Louis-Marie-Athanase de Loménie, comte de Brienne, French Secretary of War. Reports that the application of a French officer will be addressed at the next Society of the Cincinnati meeting.

GLC02437.03859

15 September 1788

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, remarks on war with the Indians: "In my public letter of this day I have taken the Liberty to mention my Ideas on the manner in which a War should be carried on against the Indians- I do most sincerely wish it may not be necessary tho were it not for the State of public affairs, it would be both more reputable and little more expensive than the present dubious situation, when presents must be made them, and expenses incurred that would go a good Way in a Campaign against them, and, were it conducted with prudence and vigor would, set us at rest…

GLC02437.03986

January 11, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward H. Robbins

Docket declares that the letter is addressed to both Edward Robbins and Benjamin Hichborn, but the address listed on the bottom of the letter only mentions Robbins. Contains similar content to GLC02437.04088, a letter to Hichborn. Has learned that Mr. Jones has left Boston without deciding on the reference between Mr. Waldo and Mr. Wetmore. Would be apprehensive if the proceedings with the Commission continue under this circumstance. Relates that he has heard from Mr. [possibly Isaac] Winslow on the views of Robbins and Colonel [Benjamin] Hichborn. Discusses how to proceed with their…

GLC02437.04088

January 21, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Rutledge

Received his last letter with its enclosures to Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth. Discusses his attempts to publish an advertisement Rutledge had also enclosed, and mentions some research he has been trying to conduct. Declares that he would do anything to help his "dear Departed friend [Nathanael] Greene." Provides a lengthy discussion of elections in the various states.

GLC02437.04094

February 1, 1789

Robbins, Edward Hutchinson, 1758-1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Mr. [William] Wetmore's application to the Court regarding the Waldo patent lands. Mentions the positive influence of Mr. [Benjamin] Hichborn on the Court. Provides a plan to handle the problem of the references, especially regarding how to proceed if the committee attempts to call together the referees.

GLC02437.04104