March 29, 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holden Parsons

Offers an extensive apology for not writing sooner. Discussions public objection to the Society of the Cincinnati. Writes, "A democracy what is greatly commercial is a solecism in politics... Our feoderal [sic] Government must be settled upon more rational principles, or some events which we do not at present foresee, will compel us to adopt systems which we may at times have contemplated with horror- I believe a republican Government, formed upon national principles and those principles propagated and perpetuated by habits, may exist a great length of time..." Discusses his views of…

GLC02437.03120

May 24, 1779-January 13, 1788

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Knox [incomplete]

Later copy of the correspondence between Generals Samuel Holden Parsons and Henry Knox between 24 May 1779 and 13 January 1788 (see GLC02437.03305 for a related document). The first letter, to Parsons from Knox, was written from Springfield, Massachusetts on 3 October 1786 and discusses the recent Shays' Rebellion. The second, written to Parsons from Knox, from New York on 19 November 1786, also deals with the Rebellion, as well as with court proceedings of the insurgents. The third, written from New York on 13 January 1788, to Parsons from Knox, discusses the adoption by Massachusetts of…

GLC02437.03306

24 December 1787

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that "By a Resolution of Congress the Ohio Company are intitled to sink their military Rights in the Purchase to the Amount of the Seventh of the Purchase Monies" and asks for documents to facilitate that end. Notes that he has contracted with the Connecticut commissioners "to run the lines of their Reserve to the Indian Boundary." Asks if the military there can assist him, if "a Post will be establish'd next Season near the Mouth of the Cuyahoga, or whither Capt. Hutchins will be directed to take the Course of Lake Erie next Spring." Recommends Mr. [Manasseh?] Cutler to replace Mr.…

GLC02437.03737

29 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel H. Parsons [incomplete]

Discusses the possibility of granting lands to soldiers and officers by resolves of Congress. Explains how the lands may be granted and that some might be located in the Ohio territory, commenting, "it is not for me to determine what assistance you shall receive from the troops of the United States on the lines you are to run..." Also states his happiness that the new Constitution will likely be accepted, and considers the likelihood of ratification in several states.

GLC02437.03746

9 January 1788

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Parsons reports Connecticut's adoption of the United States Constitution: "Huzza for good Times the Vote is this Moment taken. Yeas 128 Nays 40 on the Question of adopting the new Constitution." Written at seven o'clock Thursday evening. Location inferred.

GLC02437.03755

February 15, 1790

Peck, William, 1755-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a convention of the Rhode Island Legislature on adopting the constitution. States that "our Federal Friends were happy in the (almost) certainty of soon becoming a part of the Union; nor had they any course to change their opinion untill [sic] they found the Antis, by their unremitted exertion, had elected a majority of thir own people to decide upon the Constitution - What their decision will be is yet uncertain...We, however, hope for the best. Our Federal Delegates are many of them men of abilities and good speakers; this circumstance justifies us in the hope that ignorance…

GLC02437.04513

9 January 1787

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has not replied yet to Knox because he expected to see Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth in Philadelphia, but has not yet, and does not know when he will arrive. Declares that the newspapers will have informed Knox that Pennsylvania has "appointed me a Commissioner on her Part to meet at the Convention in May. Had the object been any other than it is I would have declined. The appointment was the most unexpected thing that ever happened to me for I have not only declared in general my unwillingness to accept of any thing under this State but in this particular instance objected to…

GLC02437.03411

January 16, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Marked "copy" on the docket Details General [Benjamin] Lincoln's deployment with 4,000 men to deal with Shays and his supporters. Writes that Lincoln will begin at Worcester, trying to protect the Court, and then make several more stops around the state. If the insurgents do not "choose to oppose him in his parties," he will proceed to search for them individually. Is pleased to hear that both he and Robert Morris have been chosen to attend the Philadelphia convention: "I ardently wish for many reasons that the…

GLC02437.03417

February 21, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to Morris, Superintendent of Finance. Remarks, "The Army generally have always reprobated being thirteen Armies. Their ardent desires have been to be one continental body looking up to one sovereign..." Calls for a central government to preserve the anticipated peace. Declares, "America will have fought and bled to little purpose if the powers of Government shall be insufficient to preserve the peace...why do not you great men call the people together and tell them so, that is have a convention of the States to form a better Constitution. It appears…

GLC02437.10098

1799

Oswald, John H., 1777-1810

Book

Title: Constitution of the United States of America. . .

. . . as proposed by the Convention held at Phildadelphia, September 17, 1787." The book was printed by John H. Oswald.

GLC03107.05321

31 Decmeber 1789

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Recommends a mutual acquaintance, Daniel Lyman, a former aide-de-camp to General [William] Heath, to Knox and asks for his help in assisting Lyman in his career. Notes Lyman wishes an appointment in the revenue department when Rhode Island accedes to the Confederation. Signature has been clipped.

GLC02437.04455

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

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

January 12, 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulations Knox on the birth of son. Mentions their "friend Platt" noting, "It appears to me that we have not placed any 'Bars in the way of military Associators' & that soldiers would find it very much to their interests to take their Lands with us..." Referring to state ratification of the Constitution, writes "French & English war, Dutch Interests & every thing else indeed are giving way to the important Business of the Convention." Mentions Massachusetts delegate Samuel Adams's opposition to ratification. Notes that Connecticut's ratification (9 January 1788) will…

GLC02437.03757

February 3, 1788

Sands, Comfort, 1748-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sands reports that he has just returned from the New York Legislature, and that Mr. [Egbert] Benson has asked him to relay that both branches agreed to hold a convention to decide on ratification of the United States Constitution. The convention is scheduled to meet at Poughkeepsie in June. Benson asks Knox to inform Boston.

GLC02437.03779

February 3, 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his regret that Knox has rheumatism. Expects that Massachusetts will adopt the Constitution. Discusses several delegates who advocated its adoption. Mentions [John] Hancock's publication in the [Massachusetts] Centinel 2 February 1788, which according to Sargent stated "that we should ratify &c. & propose certain Amendments..." Asks if General [Arthur] St. Clair will hold a treaty with an unspecified tribe of Native Americans and discusses business of the Ohio Company. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03783

February 6, 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that Massachusetts ratified the Constitution of the United States by a majority of twenty-one. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03789

February 17, 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a letter to be forwarded to General [Arthur] St. Clair. Had assumed he would meet St. Clair in New York and that an Indian treaty would be negotiated by St. Clair in April. Plans to remain in Boston until the meeting of the Ohio Company, to be held in March at Providence, Rhode Island. Refers to Ohio Company business, mentioning Captain [Thomas] Hutchins. Mentions the majority by which the United States Constitution was passed in Massachusetts.

GLC02437.03799

3 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Arthur St. Clair

Marked private at the top of page one. Declares, "I rejoice my dear sir in having the pleasure of congratulating you on the adoption of the Constitution by ten states. In Virginia, the business has been highly interesting and critical, and finally succeeded by a majority of ten- In New Hampshire the majority eleven- The latter passed it on Saturday the 21, and Virginia on Wednesday the 25th ultimo." Discusses the New York convention presently deciding on ratification of the Constitution. Predicts that "the Convention will stipulate for amendments previous to the adoption... Congress will…

GLC02437.03926

17 July 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sargent writes, "the adoption of the Constitution by Virginia & New Hamshire [sic] is a Circumstance of very high Gratification to all your Friends in this Western World- I am unhappy that you should seem to suspect me of Inattention to you since my Arrival here-" Notes that he has been unable to use his right hand, thus writes with his left. Encloses a letter to [Richard] Platt (not included), asking Knox to inspect it. Discusses the Ohio land interests of a Mrs. Colden and the retention of settlers to Northwest Territory lands. Hopes to accommodate "those Settlers who are every day…

GLC02437.03937

19 May 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Later copy. Written by Knox as Secretary at War to Major Sargent. References receiving Sargent's letters of 20 April and 1 and 2 May. Says the difficulties in connection with calling out the militia "by an order to a subordinate officer of a state" will continue until Congress fixes it. Hopes the large bodies of regular troops will provide security in the Ohio Territory, making any calls on the militia unnecessary. Says Colonel Ebenezer Sproat seems to deserve compensation for his services and that the matter will be handled soon.

GLC02437.04952

21 October 1787

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the sentiments of the people of Virginia as well as the state Assembly and Senate in regards to the Constitution. "The People of this state appear to be principally in favor of the constitution: but I think that a great part of the Gentlemen and Politicians of the country are against it. The leading members in the Assembly are also against it - among which are Patrick Henry, Colo. Bland and others... " Says the governor [Edmund Randolph] "feels his character interested in its destruction." Says there will be a meeting held next Thursday to decide if they should hold a convention.…

GLC02437.03678

12 November 1787

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives information about events in Virginia related to ratifying the Constitution. Encloses an act [not present] "now adopted by the legislature," about calling a convention. States that, "the policy of the state is against the constitution and the union itself. a great majority of the members of the Legislature are opposed to it - but the body of the people at large continues in favor of it." Believes the representatives will cave when they return home and are influenced by the people. Mentions the recommendation of Congress respecting British debt and states, "Patrick Henry is against…

GLC02437.03703

19 November 1787

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the delegates' agreement to pay British debts but only if the other states ratify a similar provision. Writes that "Mr. Henry in his harangue respecting this question attacked the constitution of the Union in the strongest terms and endeavored to sow the seeds of jealousy against the federal courts, the new england states and the spirit of the union itself." Discusses concern for federal defrayment of state debt.

GLC02437.03707

12 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to [Adam Stephen?]

Addressed to General Stephens. Possibly to General Adam Stephen, whose name is often misspelled Stephens. Discusses Indian policy, stating "[t]he affairs of the Cherokee Indians are peculiarly perplexed, and require a stronger arm to put them into a proper train than is proposed the present government ..." Mentions a previous treaty with Congress made in 1785. States that he is happy Stephens approves of the new government, and writes "it seems the only mean[s] to avoid the horror and miseries of the weakness of our present situation - New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Connecticut - New…

GLC02437.03724