29 August 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Countersigned by Henry Knox. Instructs Knox regarding his conduct (notes that the principles imparted are to remain secret). Indicates that the Government of the United States are determined that their administration of Indian Affairs shall be directed with justice and humanity. Refers to Knox's negotiations with the Creeks. Text is obscured due to a large water stain on page two.

GLC02437.09398

5 September 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits a box and map (not included), asking Knox to commit them to a person in whom he can confide. Notes that Knox should go by water to Christiana (possibly Delaware). Gives his compliments to Knox's wife, Lucy, hoping that she will spend some time at Mount Vernon. Docketed in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.09399

30 March 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Washington discusses a "character" (possibly Loyalist Henry Van Schaack) present with Knox in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Instructs Knox to guard his colleague (possibly Gouverneur Morris) against freely discussing matters with this person, believing him to be a traitor to America, in pay of the British. Written from "York Hutts," which constituted the headquarters of a New York Regiment near Pompton (now Pompton Lakes, New Jersey). Docketed in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.09400

23 September 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses gratitude for Knox's praise of Washington in the context of Congress's resolution "That an equestrian statue of General Washington, be erected at the place where the residence of Congress shall be established," passed on 7 August 1783 (and later completed by sculptor Thomas Crawford in the nineteenth century). Informs Knox that he has continued to lobby in support of the Officers' Petition for a large land grant in the Ohio Valley in lieu of back pay, but that the petition is being held up by continued negotiations between Congress and the state of Virginia (in whose territory the…

GLC02437.09401

23 October 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions the return of General Benjamin Lincoln. Hopes the transition to a peacetime military establishment will commence without further delay. Does not think Congress intends to abolish the Office of Secretary at War (which Lincoln held from 1781-1783). Notes that Lincoln has helped devise a plan for making the office more economical. Intends to recommend Knox for the position of Secretary at War if Knox wishes. Comments that many members of Congress object to the terms of the peace establishment. Lincoln and Washington disagree on predicted expenses the office of Secretary at War will…

GLC02437.09402

23 October 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Duplicate" at the top by George Washington. Mentions the return of General Benjamin Lincoln. Hopes the transition to a peacetime military establishment will commence without further delay. Does not think Congress intends to abolish the Office of Secretary at War (which Lincoln held from 1781-1783). Notes that Lincoln has helped devise a plan for making the office more economical. Intends to recommend Knox for the position of Secretary at War if Knox wishes. Comments that many members of Congress object to the terms of the peace establishment. Lincoln and Washington disagree on…

GLC02437.09403

20 February 1784

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Washington writes to Knox, who had been Chief of the Continental Artillery during the Revolutionary War. Recently visited his "aged Mother," Mary Ball Washington. Thanks Knox for so diligently reporting the state of the garrison and stores at West Point while he was there (1782-1783). Discusses payment of the Office of Secretary at War. Relates that the Society of Cincinnati will meet in Philadelphia on the first Monday in May, and that he named Philadelphia as the location to comply with the wishes of South Carolina. Writes, "I am just beginning to experience that ease, and…

GLC02437.09404

28 February 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Washington encloses letters "under flying Seals" to the Count de Rochambeau and the Marquis de Chastellux "introductory of Mr. Swan." Also includes certificates for Lieutenants Seaver and Henley (no documents included). Discusses suspending a building project in Alexandria, Virginia as his fiances were "not equal to the undertaking." Also discusses the use of stone versus oyster shell lime. Refers to laws passed by the Virginia and Maryland Assemblies regarding the improvement of navigation on the states' rivers. Virginia also passed an act to vest 100 shares in Washington and his heirs;…

GLC02437.09405

5 January 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Complains of applications, letters of compliment, and enquiries which occupy his time and deprive him of exercise. Plans to hire someone to deal with the drudgery of this troublesome correspondence. Assures Knox that his letters are valued, as Washington enjoys corresponding with those he loves. Discusses the extended navigation of United States rivers, hoping that the legislatures will agree. Proposes to employ adventurers to first navigate the rivers, and later to impose tolls as river traffic increases, noting that the enterprise will not begin at the expense of the public. Expresses…

GLC02437.09406

18 June 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his appointment (on March 8, 1785) to the post of Secretary at War. Encloses a certificate of service for Major Sergeant (not included). Hopes to receive limestone for use in construction. Discusses the Virginia Assembly's appropriation of shares intended for him (Washington) in navigation of the Potomac and James Rivers. Referring to Knox's new position as Secretary at War, mentions the Western Territory, Great Britain, and military posts near Detroit. Suggests Fort Pitt or Fort McIntosh as posts of deposits from which other forts may draw supplies. Discusses…

GLC02437.09407

11 December 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses trade between Indians and the British stationed on the American side of the territorial line (in the Northwest Territory). Reports criticism of the Society of the Cincinnati, including a pamphlet, Considerations sur l'ordre de Cincinnatus, by Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau. Refers to limestone previously discussed with Knox in relation to Washington's construction projects. Sends his best wishes to Knox, his wife Lucy, and their family.

GLC02437.09408

26 December 1786

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lamenting Shays' Rebellion, writes "I feel, my dear Genl. Knox, infinitely more than I can express to you, for the disorders which have arisen in these States. Good God! who besides a tory could have foreseen, or a Briton predicted them!" Alludes to "combustibles in every State, which a spark might set fire to." Notes that Virginia is (at the moment) calm, but worries over disputes regarding navigation of the Mississippi. Discusses an amendment to the existing Constitution regarding paper emissions and military certificates. Expresses sadness regarding the recent death of General…

GLC02437.09409

3 February 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to the constitutional rights of Massachusetts. Also discusses insurgents in that state (Shays' Rebellion was losing momentum). Relates in confidence that he does not want to go to the Constitutional Convention (to be held in Philadelphia) but that convention organizers have included him and implored him not to make a final decision regarding whether or not he will attend. Admits that "powers are wanting" in government, but takes a pessimistic view, wondering how such powers shall be derived. Comments that Knox's opinion, to build a central national government, is energetic and…

GLC02437.09410

25 February 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for several letters, which put his mind at ease regarding General Benjamin Lincoln's military operations (Lincoln led the Massachusetts state militia in Shays' Rebellion) and the dignity of Government. Congratulates Knox on the recent suppression of Shays' Rebellion. Comments that Shays is "either a weak man - the dupe of some characters who are yet behind the curtain - or has been deceived by his followers." Reports the adjournment of the Assembly of Maryland regarding issuance of a paper emission. Wishes to see the country happy and at peace while "gliding down the stream of…

GLC02437.09411

2 April 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates reasons for not wanting to attend the Constitutional Convention, including the possibility that all states might not attend (rendering representation partial). Notes that if all Delegates attend with the power to address and cure the defects of the Constitution, the Convention will be a worthwhile endeavor. Asks Knox to find out from his friends in Congress the degree of power Delegates will possess. Also asks him to probe for others' views regarding his attendance (or non-attendance). Hopes to see Knox in Philadelphia before the Convention (Knox will be there for a Society of the…

GLC02437.09412

27 April 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits a copy of an excerpt from a letter (see GLC 02437.03338) sent by Mr. Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson). Notes that the excerpt pertains to a translation of the article "Cincinnati," from the Encyclopedie Methodique, and reflects the way the French view the Society of the Cincinnati. Since Washington cannot read French, he has to rely on Jefferson's comments on the article, and has asked "a gentleman who lives in my family" to prepare a translation he encloses [not present]. Allows Knox to decide how to present the topic of the article to the Society of the Cincinnati.

GLC02437.09413

19 August 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the Constitutional Convention, and cannot predict the result. Hopes Congress, the states' legislatures, and the community at large will adopt the government agreed upon in the Convention. Is convinced that such government is the best that may be obtained "at the present moment, under such diversity of ideas as prevail." Had anticipated a visit to New York during adjournment of the Convention, but was unable to plan the precise time when an intermission would arise, and thus placed his carriage in the hands of a repairman. Offers his condolences to Knox regarding an unspecified…

GLC02437.09414

10 January 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses which states are ratifying the Constitution, and predicts its success. Notes "The determination of New York, of all others, seems most problematical; and yet, I can hardly entertain an idea that she will be disposed to stand alone..." Wonders whether a dispute between France and England will result in war. Predicts that if war does erupt, the United States will participate, since the current government does not have the power to restrain the people. Sends his and Martha's congratulations to Henry and his wife Lucy on the birth of a son, whom they have named George. In a post…

GLC02437.09415

11 November 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his orders regarding collecting wood to be used as fuel for the nearby hospital. Washington states he directed the Fourth Connecticut regiment to gather the wood because he found the corps idle and the rest of the army was employed in other tasks. Suggests that if the Fourth Massachusetts is needed elsewhere, the fuel should be cut by troops under Knox's orders, or by Levies from the transportation service. Mentions that since no more sick will be sent to the hospital of Dr. Eustace, less fuel will be needed. Docketed by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide.

GLC02437.10429

2 November 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Washington instructs Pickering, Quartermaster General, to extract 150 lbs. from the "British Military Chest" to pay General Henry Knox for use in his artillery department. Docket, in the hand of William Knox, indicates this order is a copy. A clerical note states that the amount was received in full from Pickering. Clerically written, and docketed as a copy. Verso contains several mathematical equations, possibly related to accounts.

GLC02437.09308

30 April 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox and Gouvenor Morris

Discusses Morris and Knox's progress regarding "the commission you were charged with by me" (possibly a commission to negotiate prisoner exchange with the British in Elizabethtown, New Jersey). Has received Morris and Knox's dispatches, as well as those of Henry Clinton. Transmitted a copy of Morris and Knox's report to Congress, allowing them to decide upon the terms of future exchanges. Laments the unreasonableness of the British and "the miseries of War which may be augmented and protracted by such unreasonable conduct." Praises the conduct of Knox and Morris during their "odious and…

GLC02437.09309

6 June 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written from military Headquarters in New York. Washington, Commander in Chief of Continental forces, writes to Lincoln, Secretary at War. Discusses extra allowances requested by General Henry Knox, declaring the allowances "perfectly reasonable and well founded." Attests that Knox's position as commander at West Point (1782-1783) required extra expenses (in 1782, Knox entertained many French officers in the area). Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide. Docket indicates this letter is a copy.

GLC02437.09310

4 April 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: to Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Alexander Hamilton

Washington provides instructions for his ministers to follow in his absence from the seat of government. Plans to travel to Savannah, Georgia. Presents an itinerary for his travels, noting the days he plans to pass through specific cities. Asserts that if any important cases arise in his absence, the Secretaries of War (Henry Knox), Treasury (Alexander Hamilton), and State (Thomas Jefferson) will hold consultations to determine if the case demands his personal attendance. Notes that the Vice President will be in Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.09311

3 December 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy. Wishes to postpone a certain undiscussed matter until the next day, and perhaps put it off entirely.

GLC02437.09313

2 November 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy. Has discussed with members of Congress "in time of Peace of Uniting the Offices of Secty for War and Master of Ordinance in one person." Also upset with "stupidity of the Postmaster at Princeton" due to a great deal of his mail being lost. Letter copied on 3 February 1854 according to note at top of first page.

GLC02437.09314