30 March 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that he received a letter from Knox, and that Mr. Madison informed him Knox had recovered from a "severe indisposition." Discusses ratification of the Constitution at state conventions, commenting that New Hampshire's behavior has baffled other states due to a long adjournment. Notes that if Virginia rejects the Constitution, all those states following it will do the same, and the Constitution will not be adopted. Relates that northern Virginia supports the Constitution, while in general, southern Virginia is opposed. Comments that the Kentucke district (Kentucky County, which…

GLC02437.09417

7 June 1782

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his recent promotion. Informs him that he has "been again prevailed upon to accept the disagreeable task of procuring this Towns Quota of Recruits for the Continental Army," a task which is "all times disagreeable but more particularly so when through long continued scenes of villainy and practices most pernicious to the Community, it seemed to become habitual to do wrong." The town council has given the former Muster Master, a Colonel [Ezra] Badlam, a testimony of approbation, and Colonel Badlam will be sent to deliver the present letter and the testimony letter.…

GLC02437.01443

1 April 1792

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has read and considered Knox's recent letter and is proud that he and the President think highly of his abilities. However, must decline Knox's offer of an appointment, apparently because he feels he would find "committing [his] military character" to events "which [he] can not direct" exceedingly difficult. Plans to obtain a civilian post instead. Thanks Knox and the President profusely.

GLC02437.05392

3 October 1790

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he received Knox's letter from a year ago and would have replied sooner if he had anything interesting to say. He asks Knox to look at a letter he sent to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson regarding a contract for "supplies to the french navy and the Kinds Rationers in the Colonies-to receive in payment for such orders from the Treasury...in part of the debt of the United States to france." Swan describes that the bankers in Amsterdam are holding out from repaying any "Company or persons who may hold the bonds, other than the Government here." Swan is concerned that a trading…

GLC02437.04743

15 June 1791

Franklin, William Temple, 1760-1823

Manuscript letter

Title: to Tench Coxe

Most of the information on this record comes from a letter written by Julian P. Boyd, the editor of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, in 1969. Boyd's letter is in the file with the original document. The document is not signed, but Boyd identifies its creator as William Temple Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's grandson. Boyd claims it was sent to Tench Coxe who was serving as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. The letter is a summary of the report of the Lords of Trade to the Privy Council. This report was written mainly by Lord Hawkesbury on 28 January 1791. Having this document was a…

GLC02437.04997

29 October 1782

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Head Quarters. Writes that the Commander in Chief [General George Washington] would like to inform Knox that "immediately on the arrival of the troops at their places of Cantonment much uneasiness arose as hearing their artificers" were not about to join them. They feel that "hutting" cannot commence until "they get their carpenters to direct the work." Therefore General Washington wishes that "neither they nor the Masons; may be detained one moment after the time agreed on" and that if any of them "as can possibly be spared may be sent even before that time."

GLC02437.01685

February 4, 1783

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to transmit the estimate of his department, per George Washington's request. Noted as written at the Head Quarters.

GLC02437.01889

18 June 1789

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Would like to recommend Major Henry Warren (likely her son) for the position of Collector of Customs for Plymouth and Duxborough, and mentions that he had worked with General Benjamin Lincoln. Hopes Knox might be able to use his influence with President [George] Washington to help him receive an appointment. Also ruminates on the nature of the new presidency (referring to George Washington) and the new government in the United States. "But I can contemplate perhaps with equal pleasure beneath my own private roof the felicity this people may enjoy under the administration of a Man made by…

GLC02437.04245

January 23, 1783

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

"The Commander in Chief has directed me to inclose you Lt. Campbells return, and to request you would cause some enquiry to be made into the loss of stores mentioned therein." Noted as written at Head Quarters. See GLC02437.01853 for Knox's follow-up.

GLC02437.01852

30 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Mercy Otis Warren

Replies to her letter from 2 May (GLC02437.03539). Discusses a financial matter involving Winslow Warren (Warren's son), Mr. Hawkins, Knox's brother William, and Mr. Breck. Apologizes for not being able to fully comply with her request from 2 May due to William's limited power in that regard. Knox discusses the present state of government, and the divided nature of the states, in the context of the Constitutional Convention, which gathered at Philadelphia 25 May. Discusses "the present awful crisis- I arrange in my imagination two or three hundred millions of [our] posterity with their eyes…

GLC02437.03558

9 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mercy Otis Warren

Has received her recent letter. Declares that he would love to help members of her family, but that the President handles all appointments, so suggests that Major H[enry] Warren (likely her son; see GLC02437.04245) contact the President directly. Adds that it would be helpful to include character references, perhaps written by General [Benjamin] Lincoln and Governor [James] Bowdoin. Discusses the basis on which the President will be making appointments. Also discusses the recent illness of his child (see GLC02437.04275).

GLC02437.04276

22 March 1782

United States. Continental Congress.

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Resolve of Congress respecting the promotion of Knox to major general]

Signed by Charles Thomson as Secretary of Congress. Congress resolved to promote Henry Knox from brigadier general to major general. States that the promotion was granted on the recommendation of George Washington's letter of 31 October 1781 for merit during the siege of Yorktown. The promotion was dated from 15 November 1781. Knox was the youngest major general in the Continental Army.

GLC02437.01371

March 1777

Manuscript document

Title: [Army expenses]

General Henry Knox's army expenses. $66,937 was brought forward. Includes a $600 and $400 payment for recruiting. Also notes "To cash recd. of Govr. Trumbull of Connect[icu]t. agreeable to a Dra[f]t. on him by His Excellency General Washington for the recruiting - and ordnance service Feb. 26 1777 20,000." The total expense was $87,937.

GLC02437.08399

10 March 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: Gen. Knox in account with S. Shaw

Lists Henry Knox's accounts with Shaw, beginning 8 June 1781 and ending 12 December, 1781. Contains several memoranda and instructions for what Knox owes to Shaw and what the United States government owes Knox. Expenses range from: groceries and house wares to a payment to Frederick "for dressing the Generals hat," to "Jacob's wife (Peggy) for washing," to "Cato Freeman on account of his wages" (probably an African-American servant), travel and board expenses "From Camp to Philadelphia" [August], from "Philadelphia to Williamsburg in Virginia" [September], and from "York to Mount Vernon" […

GLC02437.01368

20 April 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for thirty dollars from the Board of Treasury for John Adams' reception]

Notes that he received thirty dollars from the Board of Treasury on this day while at the Hiats Tavern, to reimburse him for expenses incurred for the reception festivities for the Vice President of the United States [John Adams].

GLC02437.04185

30 June 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Memorandum]

List of several names, such as "His Excellency the Vice President [John Adams] & Lady," and "Mr. Morris and family," accompanied by a number. Format suggests this might be a list of how many guests each person is bringing to a party or outing.

GLC02437.04264

February 25, 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Henry Knox]

Has arrived in Philadelphia, but has not yet seen Mr. Morris. Describes a meeting he had with General George Washington in Alexandria. Notes that Washington received Knox's letter and that Washington was "highly delighted with the prospect of Peace and good order."

GLC02437.03470

29 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Jeremiah] Wadsworth

Knox left Philadelphia for New York because his daughter Lucy was ill, but by the time he arrived, she was feeling better. Hopes to obtain warrants from the Board of Treasury to pay the arrearages of pay and clothing to the Connecticut troops. Relates that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia on 25 May with seven states. George Washington will preside over the Convention, and [William] Jackson will serve as secretary. Ten states are now present at the Convention, but Maryland, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are all absent.

GLC02437.03557

12 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Plans to transmit $29,000 worth of warrants from the Board of the Treasury to Wadsworth within the course of one week to pay for the recruiting service. Discusses Virginia's possible adoption of the Federal Constitution. Writes, "Mr. A[rthur] Lee informs me that by the elections it appears that 63 are against the constitution, and 67 - for These are all the elections excepting the back coun[ties]..." Mentions the attempts of Patrick Henry and Colonel [William] Grayson to influence the "back counties" against the Constitution. Notes that Mr. [James] Madison "seems to be of opinion that the…

GLC02437.03835

26 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Promises Knox one thousand dollars in addition to the two thousand already given. Discusses the safety of sending the money by stage. Congratulates Knox on New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution, noting "is it possible the an[cient] Dominion [Virginia] can reject it. if they do who can think of a Curse that is equal to their Crime- [William] Grayson and [James] Monroe how- unaccountable their conduct are you not convinced their is a Hell - is any other punishment but [illegible] unquenchable fire equal to the crime of destroying the [fairest] hopes of a world - Adam & Eve […

GLC02437.03914

5 August 1790

Street, Samuel, fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Considers the implications of a recent diplomatic success Colonel [Alexander] McGillivray had negotiating on behalf of the Creek Nation. McGillivray recovered for the Creeks land that the governor of Georgia had given to Georgia citizens. He declared that under the law, the President had to help protect Indians' rights and allow them a redress of grievances. Street hopes that a similar dispensation will be given to the Five Nations. Declares that in the same law, "the President is vested with power to make such order respecting the Indian Tribes which are surrounded in their settlements…

GLC02437.04670

29 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Marked "Private." Besides receiving a copy of Wilkinson's report to Arthur St. Clair, he also received a private letter of 26 August. Says the volunteer expeditions under Wilkinson and [General Charles] Scott "reflect great honor on the commander and the corps." Hopes the matter of his staff officers has been settled. Has forwarded a copy of Wilkinson's letter to President Washington at Mount Vernon. Would like to offer a position in "a suitable agency" for Wilkinson to serve the public, but there are no appointments available at the moment. Adds that if events change, he will help Wilkinson…

GLC02437.05175

17 May 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Later copy. Thanks him for the various letters and the news they conveyed. Says "I am persuaded that your good sense as well as inclination will lead you to unite cordially with General Wayne, and to promote a Spirit of harmony throughout the several corps." Mentions that Brigadier General Thomas Posey is delivering this letter. He is "a gentleman from whom I flatter myself, the service will derive solid benefit." Believes Posey will arrive in time to accompany Mrs. Wilkinson down the Ohio River. Reports he has told both Mrs. Wilkinson and Colonel Biddle "the pleasure your conduct gave…

GLC02437.05893

12 July 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Informs Wilkinson his letters will be kept private, however, he will show them to the President of the United States. Discusses the conflict between Wilkinson and General [Anthony] Wayne. Comments he regrets the "disagreement which exists between two officers high in rank, and of whose experience and talents a favorable opinion is entertained." Also notes that no officer, regardless of rank, is immune from charges of military crimes and will be brought forth in a public manner. See GLC02437.06143 for copy. Date added later in pencil.

GLC02437.06142

5 May 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Webber

Expresses his gratitude for the care Webber has taken to assist his brother William, who suffered from mental illness. Mentions a box of books, sent from London by Sharp, that were damaged in transit. Writes, "I am not well acquainted with the state of my brothers affairs..." Extensively discusses the details of business transactions left unattended by William. Relates that he will not be able to travel to London to care for William, due to the demands of his family and his recent acceptance of the post of Secretary at War. Asks that Webber send William to Boston and financially support…

GLC02437.03139