8 October 1782

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, quartermaster to Nathanael Greene's Southern army, to Major General Knox. Makes reference to Congressional military appointments. Expresses anger at some Congressional decisions involving himself, saying "I shall not sacrifice that independency, which I have always possessed, to hold it on Terms inconsistent with the principles on which I accepted it - and, wretched as it may, perhaps, be supposed the situation of an American Officers would be in private life, I shall certainly embrace that wretchedness, in all its Horrid forms, rather than remain…

GLC02437.01652

17 October 1782

Brooks, John, 1752-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Brooks to Major General Knox. Says he had a long conference with a Massachusetts legislative committee on half-pay pensions for the state's officers. Says they finally agreed to report "a state of facts," but did so without expressing their minds on the subject. Says the report was sent to the Court and as a result Dorr (from Massachusetts Senate), General Artemas Ward, and Lowell (from Massachusetts house) were added to the committee. Says the committee received a letter from a member of Congress [Massachusetts Continental Congressman Samuel Osgood -- see GLC02437.01730]…

GLC02437.01671

16 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Certificate for Andrew Billings Esq. for engravings for two pieces of cannon]

Written and signed for Knox by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "This is to certify that, in consequence of orders from His Excellency the Commander in Chief, Andrew Billings Esq. has engraved certain devices upon two pieces of cannon ordered by Congress to be presented to the Count De Rochambeau, and that for the said service he charges forty guineas, or the value thereof, to the United States, which as far as I am competent to judge is just and reasonable - and that I have received the said cannon." See GLC02437.01733 for a related document.

GLC02437.01746

28 December 1782

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sarcastic letter written by Major General Gates to Major General Knox. Says "Chess is intirely at a Stand here; I have many challenges, but no Troops to Act; when a convenient Opportunity Offers, I shall be Obliged to you for the peices that are wanting." Goes on to say "prepare your Great Guns to Mow down Ruffians, for the politicians of the House say, we are to have a plentiful Crop next Summer." Letter has what appears to be water damage at the fold. It has faded Knox's docket. Written from Knox's headquarters at John Ellison's mansion.

GLC02437.01764

14 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Billings

Discusses cannon Major Billings recently engraved. Remarks that he has received news that Billings did a good job engraving the cannons. Gives Billings instructions regarding delivery and billing of the cannon.

GLC02437.10068

February 12, 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General McDougall, but signed anonymously as "Brutus" to Major General Knox. McDougall reports that he seems to be making progress in lobbying Congress for funding for half-pay pensions for the officers. Says that since the Committee of the Army (made up of McDougall and Colonels Brooks and Ogden) came to Philadelphia that "the Sentiment is daily gaining ground, that the Army will not, nor ought not, to disband till Justice is done to them." Says a motion might be brought up by supportive Congressmen to not disband the army until "Justice is done to them." Asks Knox to keep quiet…

GLC02437.01912

26 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Board of War and Ordnance

Reports that Lord Cornwallis' surrender at the Battle of Yorktown precludes the need for the additional ordnance requested from Williamsburg (see GLC02437.01204). Indicates that by order of General George Washington, some arms will be kept on deposit in Virginia and sent to General Nathanael Greene. This eliminates the need for Colonel Robert Harrison to obtain ammunition from the Board of War & Ordnance for Greene.

GLC02437.01264

2 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Board of War & Ordnance

Reports that Colonel Robert Harrison will wait for the Board to send a supply of musket ammunition for the Southern Army commanded by General Nathanael Greene. Explains that the frequent activity has depleted stores and the free navigation of the Chesapeake Bay provides an opportunity for delivery. Asks that stores from Williamsburg, Virginia also be forwarded. Reports that they invested Yorktown on 28 September 1781 and that General Cornwallis' evacuated his outer works the following day. The Continental Army hopes to open its batteries in three days.

GLC02437.01204

6 October 1781

Peters, Richard, fl. 1732-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's request for armaments with assurances that the Board of War & Ordnance is working expeditiously to fulfill his request. Explains recent activities of Samuel Hodgdon, the commissary general of military stores appointed by the Board. Knox needed the ordnance for the siege of Yorktown. Peters was the Secretary of the Board of War & Ordnance.

GLC02437.01209

6 October 1781

Peters, Richard, fl. 1732-1828

Manuscript letter

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Orders Hodgdon to proceed immediately with fulfilling General Henry Knox's request for ordnance (see GLC02437.01189). Emphasizes the need for swift action and mentions that the Board of War & Ordnance will be held responsible for any failure. Peters was the Secretary of the Board of War & Ordnance. Samuel Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores appointed by the Board. Knox needed the ordnance for the siege of Yorktown. Written in a clerical hand. This was enclosed with GLC02437.01209.

GLC02437.01210

1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: [Rates of pay for 1777-1778]

Notes regarding changes in pay scale for military officers W. Barber, Samuel Lord, and John Austin passed by Congress in 1777 and 1778. Note at bottom reads: Mr. Shaw will be much obliged to Maj. [Platt] to fill up the above blanks with the particular dates of the resolves by which the above rates of pay were settled." Date added later in pencil.

GLC02437.01315

22 March 1783

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Written in the hand of Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., Washington's Secretary. Marked as a copy of a letter from Secretary of Foreign Affairs Livingston to General Washington. Docket in Knox's hand. Sends "the agreeable Intelligence of Peace, upon which I most sincerely congratulate you and the Army - Harmony, a Regard for Justice, & Fidelity to our Engagements, are all that now remains to render us a happy people." Says the vessel with the news was sent by Comte d'Estaing, who was recalling French cruisers from America waters. Says this news should be immediately sent to British commander Sir…

GLC02437.02018

9 April 1783

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

A copy, in the hand of Washington's secretary David Cobb, of the letter Hamilton wrote as a Continental Congressman from New York to General Washington. Hamilton was writing in his capacity as a chairman of a committee (other members included Madison, Osgood, Wilson, and Ellsworth) formed by Congress to organize various departments in the government after the official peace. Would like Washington's "sentiments at large on such institutions of every kind for the interior defence of these States as may be best adapted to their circumstances, and conciliate security with economy and with the…

GLC02437.02078

10 March 1783

Manuscript letter

Title: to the Officers of the Army [The Newburgh Conspiracy]

Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, this is Henry Knox's copy, and is docketed by Knox. An anonymous address to the officers of the Army, along with a call for a general meeting of officers. This particular copy was sent to the officers at West Point. Gives high-minded praise to the troops, extolling their virtue, bravery, and patriotism -- but then transitions into an emotional-laden section about America's inability to provide for them after the war is over. Says "If this then be your treatment, while the swords you wear are necessary for the defence of America - what have you to expect…

GLC02437.01994

August 31, 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Board of War & Ordnance

Reports that General George Washington has ordered him to take southward all the arms and accoutrements possible. The demand has been indicated to Washington in letters from the Marquis de Lafayette. The supplies were needed for the upcoming Siege of Yorktown. He requests specific supplies listed on an accompanying sheet (GLC02437.01161). The Board of War and Ordnance was responsible for supplying troops in the field.

GLC02437.01160

9 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Board of War and Ordnance

Reports that almost all the stores are embarked at Head of Elk, Maryland. He has not yet received a full account of ordnance sent from Philadelphia from Samuel Hodgdon, the commissary general of military stores, so he does not know if the Board's directions have been fulfilled. Knox will ensure full compliance. The supplies were needed for the upcoming siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01175

29 September 1781

Peters, Richard, fl. 1732-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Orders Knox to send ordnance to General Nathanael Greene, who was "extremely destitute of Musket Ammunition." The Continental Army began to invest the British works for the siege of Yorktown the day before. Peters was the Secretary of the Board of War & Ordnance.

GLC02437.01197

25 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by General Knox to General Washington. Says that Sprout's regiment of Paterson's brigade with two artillery pieces will be in Stony Point and that they will commence their march from there in the morning. Reports that part of Paterson's regiments have not yet joined the line and will only catch up with difficulty. Tells Washington that the Connecticut regiments are scattered in the redoubts and that it will be difficult to get them together. Says the remaining Massachusetts regiment will barely be enough to man the garrisons. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.02185

29 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Informs General Washington that 250 men of the 3rd Massachusetts will not be ready to march until the afternoon due to lack of essential articles for their march. Reports that the regiment is without their compliment of field officers and Colonels Michael Jackson and Rose have never joined at the post. Also reports that Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell and Major Pettingal are unwell.

GLC02437.02202

16 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Chevalier [Francois Jean] de Chastellux

Discusses the character of the people of the new nation and hopes that the central government will be strong to prevent anarchy.

GLC02437.02165

26 June 1783

Campbell, John, fl. 1782-1783

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Receipt for shoes]

Receipt for three hundred pairs of shoes from Morris Carl for troops marching towards Philadelphia.

GLC02437.02189

7 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Antill

Written by Major General Knox to Lieutenant Colonel Antill. Encloses a return for provisions for his family (not included here). Apologizes for initially giving him conditional paperwork, but says he was unfamiliar with the resolve of Congress which ordered the provisions issued. Says "I have understood there is now authority for that purpose."

GLC02437.02247

23 March 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Writes to report on the Congressional election results from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, and explains when the First Federal Congress will be assembled in New York. Adds that it seems probable that Mr. Chas [Charles] Thomson, the current secretary of Congress, will announce the winner of the Presidency. Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04153

10 February 1788

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written in Manchester, a present-day neighborhood of Richmond. Comments on the state conventions held to discuss ratification of the United States Constitution (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia). On Virginia, writes, "My situation here is in the midst of Mr. Henries influence, and I find he has pretty well prepared the people for being his blind followers- his demagogues are loud in their clamors against the Constitution, professing a determination to reject unless amendments can be had even at the hazard of standing alone..." (referring to Anti-Federalist Patrick Henry…

GLC02437.03792

14 July 1788

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Submits an account of rations. Marked as private on address leaf. Writes, "We are fondly hoping that Congress will determine to form the new Government at this place, in which Case I expect we shall have the pleasure of your & Mrs. Knox's Company-"

GLC02437.03935