26 April 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wonders why he has not heard from Knox in so long and expresses hurt and confusion over it. "...only consider you are my only relation, and although I am in a country partly civilized, yet it is a Country of Strangers." States he has written "eleven" letters without replies. He is now enclosing some other letters with this one including one "to Mr. Jefferson on the subject of men lately impressed in Ireland from American vessels."

GLC02437.04928

11 May 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox informs Secretary of War Knox of what ships William's letters to Henry were traveling on. William is trying to arrange monies to live on until next winter; reports on his health, walking, rising early and drinking quite a lot of wine: "I never in any five winters of my life drank so much wine as the last; it has agreed perfectly with me although the custom of drinking to excess in good companies is fresh in the memory of most persons here, and is pretty well over, yet there is a difficulty in being the first man from table. I am commonly the second or third - and to be sure I…

GLC02437.04946

18 October 1781

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has not heard from his brother in almost six weeks. News of the operation against Yorktown from General George Washington included the destruction of three of Lord Cornwallis redoubts and a formal demand for surrender, along with Cornwallis' rejection of it. Speculates that defeating Cornwallis will not be easy for the Allied Army, but "Fall he must." Rumors of unsuccessful British activity against General Nathanael Greene near Charleston. Offers high praise for Greene as a potential successor for Washington. Mentions the deaths of 300 soldiers and officers among Colonel William…

GLC02437.01239

25 June 1783

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by William to his brother Major General Henry Knox. Mentions he wrote a letter from Bristol, England about two weeks previous. Says he consigned 108 pounds worth of jewelry to Sears and Smith, to be delivered to his order. Says another shipment of glass from Bristol worth 200 pounds was sent as well as another shipment of hosiery from Nottingham worth 450 pounds. Also sent along about 60 pounds worth of things for Henry's family. Says he heard that Henry has expressed much interest in farming. Says that many of the "poorer Classes" have or will immigrate to America and that when he…

GLC02437.02181

August 14, 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox discusses a financial matter involving [William] Duer, [possibly John] Peirce, [Richard] Platt, and Henry Jackson. Encloses a letter (not present) from the Marquis de Lafayette to St. John (possibly Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur). The letter was passed to St. John by George Washington and was accompanied by other papers discussing affairs of the Society of the Cincinnati (William does not include the other papers mentioned). Discusses financial transactions he apparently conducted on Knox's behalf, including payment of a reward for capturing a deserter from Lieutenant Kersey's…

GLC02437.03961

April 12, 1782

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter written by William, Major General Knox's brother, to Henry Knox. Includes a postscript written and signed by Lafayette. References the taking of Mahon, an island off the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean, by the Spanish. Says Gibraltar is "closely beseiged and 'tis thought by many will fall." Mentions changes in the "English Ministry" -- Marquis of Rockingham is made First Minister and Lord Shelburne and Charles Fox are Secretaries of State. Says the Cavendishes, Duke of Richmond, Grafton, Lord Cambden, Burke, and Barre are all employed as well. Says "a sufficient time has not yet…

GLC02437.01386

5 May 1782

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by William Knox to his brother Major General Knox. Mentions this is the fifth letter he has sent to Henry since arriving in France. Says he has received two from Henry. Says he is in Nantes on business, purchasing goods for his friends. Says "allmost all american orders are made out for this Country with English Ideas and the articles differ so widely that there is the greatest hazard of sending things which will not be acceptable." Says he has been settling his business accounts, which were confused. Says his reputation would have soured if he had not gone to Europe to settle his…

GLC02437.01409

23 May 1782

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by William Knox to his brother Major General Knox. Mentions his travels to Flanders, Nantes (where he did some business for his Boston friends), and has stopped in Rochefort on his way to Bourdeaux. Wants to ship many things to America, but says he will hold back until after the peace is decided. Mentions changes in British govenrment and how they will assist in the peace process. Says the merchants are in favor of British troops withdrawing from America. Lord Shelbourne told them not to ship more goods to America in case of an evacuation. Says the British tried to get John Adams and…

GLC02437.01429

7 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the details of New York being chosen as the site for Congress. Mentions the opinions of [James] Madison, [Henry] Lee, and [William] Few. Reports that this decision is still not final, as some states are not yet voting. Discusses military matters, such as financial accounts for recruiting soldiers. Notes that Mr. King arrived in town the previous evening (possibly Rufus King).

GLC02437.03957

8 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his happiness on hearing about his son Henry's current situation. Sends Lucy news of various acquaintances, which he lists by number. States that he is sorry to hear of Mrs. [Abigail] Adams's "indisposition," noting that the Adams family has ordered their furniture to be shipped to Boston. Vice President John Adams plans to return to New York without his family. Reports that George and Martha Washington will be going to Mount Vernon the following Wednesday, and will not return until 15 October. Mentions the Ogdens, Mrs. Smith, the Izards, the Stewarts, and…

GLC02437.05528

12 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Mentions being "attacked with the cursed fever" last week, but is now better. Wishes he could be with her and the family. Informs that Mrs. Smith is doing better after being very ill with a "disorder in her bowels." Writes that "Our President [George Washington], Mrs. Washington and family departed yesterday..." Writes of events in England and France exclaiming, "What unpleasant work on the frontiers of France! - England will go into confusion - do you not think Tom Paine has excited great commotion in mens minds to be honored with a royal Proclamation against his writings."

GLC02437.05535

24 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Apologizes for not being able to visit her due to his job obligations but states that he will as soon as he can. Mentions that "something has occured relatively to the southern Indians which would seem to open new sources of difficulty." Discusses the children and future plans. Ends by stating, "The President [George Washington] is buried in solitude at Mount Vernon - I write no more to him than is indispensible in order to prevent trouble."

GLC02437.05557

6 September 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses his health and family matters. Talks about gaining weight, stating "I have increased since your departure, owing perhaps to two causes ... more food and less exercise." Mentions that the President (George Washington) has invited him to Mount Vernon. Discusses financial matters and worries about his wife's health.

GLC02437.05602

9 September 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Agrees to the idea to allow his son (Henry Jackson Knox) to remain at Hingham for school. Believes not only will Henry's education improve but so will his morals. States he will leave the decision of Henry's schooling in Lucy's hands. Mentions their neighbor Mrs. Smith, who has been ill, finally passed away. Her husband is greatly affected by her death. Updates her on news of their friends and notes the "Presidents Nephew George Washington" has "given over with his old disorder a consumption."

GLC02437.05604

2 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Flucker Knox

Signed and initialed by Knox. Tells Lucy their baby girl and the rest of the family is in good health just outside Philadelphia. Reports "The disorder seems to have vanished by Magic and the great Storm of rain which took place the day before yesterday and lasted 24 hours will complete the death of this infernal monster." Says he will not be going into town until December though. Expects to see Lucy by 15 November. Notes President Washington and Thomas Jefferson arrived in Germantown yesterday in perfect health. Mentions "Hamilton is again sick, but not with the prevailing fever but he…

GLC02437.05958

12 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Flucker Knox

References two of Lucy's letters. Expresses how much he misses her. Says he will meet her on the road "before you turn off from frankford road." Says the city appears to be safe and "It is filling with inhabitants." Reports that "A Vessell however has arrived and more are expected of the unfortune [sic] people of St. Domingo, expelled there by the English, or Aristocrats, who is apprehended are infected with some contagious disorder." Notes measures will be taken to prevent any danger. Mentions that President Washington went to Reading to see a canal that is being built. Washington was…

GLC02437.05971

15 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Was happy to receive her last letter, though sounded as if she was in some distress; hopes the distress was simply that she missed him: "This implication I hope however is the consequence of an ardent affection. I am mortified that I have been so long absent from you, but I now think that we shall be able to get away from here tomorrow." Believes that they may stop "one day at Morris perhaps to make our report to the General and in two days afterwards be in Philadelphia." Sends love to the children and to the Biddle family, with whom Lucy and their children are staying.

GLC02437.01391

17 June 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox [incomplete]

Writes to his wife saying that he did indeed write to her before, but that he later found out his letter was not delivered: "As I staid at Randalls I entrusted it to his black man, and it is now pretty evident he deceived me and did not carry it to the office." Also comments on recent attacks upon him in a newspaper: "I have read the attack in Adams's paper - The writer must be a fellow of diabolical sensation to be sure - It shall not give me pain. I shall put all those sons of darkness and envy under my feet one of these days but, the time has not arrived. The report of the Committee of…

GLC02437.05509

23 August 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Informs Lucy that he has been unable to make much progress in his attempt to purchase a tract of land. Mentions that he has received a letter from the President. Also touches on family news.

GLC02437.05587

4 March 1795

Knox, Henry Jackson, 1780-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses disappointment at not hearing from home for some time, even though he has sent several letters himself. Notes he would have written sooner but he has been expecting a visit from Knox any day. He has decided to go ahead and write since it looks like Knox will not be visiting until May. Discusses interactions with friends and sends his love to the rest of the family. Say the people of this town "are in general, good federalists, for they celebrated the day appointed by the President for a public thanksgiving..." Complains of his mother (Lucy Knox) forgetting his letters to her…

GLC02437.06366

16 October 1781

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that Martha Washington and Nellie Calvert Custis received letters from their husbands letting them know how they are and what is happening in the war. Chastises Henry for not writing. She misses their daughter Lucy, who was living in Philadelphia, but has heard that she is well. Urges him to write back. Knox was then engaged in the siege of Yorktown. The letter is not complete.

GLC02437.01230

19 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Announces that "a glorious moment for America" has arrived, Lord Cornwallis has surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown. Discusses how General Washington refused Cornwallis' request that Britons and Germans be sent back to their countries prior to his surrender, instead giving the British Army the same terms that the Americans received upon their surrender at Charleston in 1780. Washington has ordered Knox to headquarters immediately. Clement Biddle has written Knox to tell him his daughter Lucy is well. Tells his wife he will send her his most recent letter from his brother William Knox, who…

GLC02437.01244

28 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus King

Knox signs with his initials. References a note King wrote earlier respecting a nephew of Judge [Abraham] Yates "entering into the military Line." Tells King an ensigncy has become vacant in the regular regiment and that he has told President Washington of the appointment. Fears that "you and his other friends may think that he ought to be in a higher grade," but it is not possible. Asks King to find out if the nephew is still interested. Heard from Ralph Izard that he (Izard) gave King a pamphlet on the [Yazoo] Company. Asks King and Doctor William Samuel Johnson to send him documents on the…

GLC02437.05174

27 May 1787

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

King discusses the Constitutional Convention: "Seven states assembled on the 25th and appointed Gen. Washington President & Maj. Jackson Secretary of the Convention. If Connecticut, Georgia & Massachusetts are represented tomorrow, we will have ten States - I hope this will be the case but the event is uncertain - No proposition has been agitated except in private conversation, and excepting the mere organization of the convention we are as when you left us." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.03556

29 August 1790

Jeffries, John, fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jeffries writes to Knox thanking him for his kindness. Says he fears more for his wife whose "constitution" is particularly vulnerable, which also prevents Jeffries from traveling from Boston. Asks Knox to present a copy of his [aerial] narrative to the President of the United States, George Washington.

GLC02437.04705