January 12, 1789

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he had delayed writing in hopes that some more events worth mentioning would occur, but they have not, and he cannot justify delaying any longer. Assumes that their mutual friend [Henry] Jackson has acquainted him with the federal elections in Massachusetts, the results of which are very pleasing. Writes, "no Anties yet nor will there be more than one & his influence very small! The Governor is his Message urges amendments, but the Committee of the two Houses will not echo this sentiment." Mentions that General [Benjamin] Lincoln has just been offered a salary to serve as…

GLC02437.04089

29 June 1789

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the establishment of a judicial branch for the United States, and his appointment as a justice in Philadelphia. Mentions that his accounts are in order. Has applied to the President for the position of "Marshall of the federal Court for the District of Pennsylvania," but has not yet appealed to any Senators except for those from Pennsylvania. Asks for Knox's help and recommendation. He and his wife also send their respects to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.04261

23 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Writes that he hopes to be able to visit General Washington at Mount Vernon soon. Is convinced of the General's affection for him and feels sure that his limited correspondence will not be misconstrued; is aware that responding to too many letters can be difficult, and he has been traveling to and from Massachusetts on both public and private business, which has prevented him from writing. Argues that the political system currently in place is inadequate: "The powers of Congress are utterly inadequate to preserve the balance between the respective States, and oblige them to do those things…

GLC02437.03319

20 August 1786

Blackden, Samuel, fl. 1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that while he hopes that peace continues in America, it is hard to be in England and not see how "ill-disposed" the people there are to American independence. Believes that most British citizens think and hope America will come back under the English government, and all the newspapers, even the small, local ones, take that position. Discusses the possibility of a second war with England and how it would be fought. Suggests that America does not have sufficient cavalry so proposes that he have equipment made for their use. Also wishes to write to Congress for appointment as consul…

GLC02437.03294

22 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Bowdoin

Writes that he will receive by this post the act of Congress authorizing an additional 700 troops in the Ohio frontier, where the troops there are suffering attacks from local Indians. Reports that Congress has called for the states to pay into the treasury by June of the following year, but that they need money more quickly than that if they want to support the troops already in service and augment the force as well. Hopes that the wealthier men in Boston will agree to help support the government and that they can work out a measure in which they will be "confident of security, and a speedy…

GLC02437.03315

22 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to the Board of Treasury

Marked "copy." Written from the "War Office," likely in New York City during this period. Writes that his past agitations on behalf of payment for troops should convince them of his interest in providing for the public good. Believes that "the defective compliance of most of the States with the requisitions of Congress has been the Sole cause which has prevented better payments." Therefore, has conferred with Mr. Robert Morris and Mr. Jeremiah Wadsworth "in hopes that the public might derive substantial assistance from the great credit and monied influence of those gentlemen." Hopes that…

GLC02437.03342

26 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Bruce

Written from the War Office, likely located in New York City in this period (also see GLC02437.03393 for a letter written on the same date from Knox in New York City). Explains that the Treasury Board has been, for some time, making plans for paying and acquiring supplies for the troops. They have generally agreed about the supplies they need, but not necessarily how they would execute the plans. Discusses some of the options with Bruce, a merchant in talks with the Treasury Board about obtaining the contract to supply the troops.

GLC02437.03392

7 January 1787

Bruce, Stephen, ?-1801

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his kind letter. Declares that before he received it, he "had been inform'd of the negociations taking place between the board of Treasury, and [Messrs Robert] Morris & [Jeremiah] Wadsworth for the whole supplies of the Troops, and had accordingly wrote those Gentlemen on the Subject, by our mutual friend Colo. [James] Swan: who was immediately bound to New York." Writes that the proposition of Morris and Wadsworth "does at once preclude any kind of contract of mine with the Board - but as was hinted by you, I am still of opinion that I might be very servicable [sic] to…

GLC02437.03408

27 July 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Appleton

Informs Appleton he has applied to Congress to appoint Appleton's son as consul to the Isle of France. Says that Congress has not yet developed a system which allows them to make such appointments, however, if a system was ever developed Knox believes Appleton's son would be probable.

GLC02437.03625

3 August - 10 November 1787

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Manuscript letter

Title: [Letters from Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin]

Copies of three letters to Thomas Barclay. First one from Thomas Jefferson, written in Paris, dated 3 August. Presents Barclay with a tribute for his work as "Consul General for that Country [France] and Minister to the Court of Morocco, also as Agent in some particular Transactions for the state of Virginia ... " Second one from John Jay, dated 5 October from the Office of Foreign Affairs. Forwards a document from Congress "expressing their approbation of your conduct in the state of Negociations [sic] with Morocco." Third one from Benjamin Franklin, written at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,…

GLC02437.03633

22 August 1787

Blodget, William, 1754-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for help in obtaining commutation. Says he also sent a letter to the President of Congress and asks for Knox's influence with him. Says he is "loth" to ask for help but varying circumstances has left him to rely on his friends. Along with other circumstances, Blodget also claims a service-related injury to one of his knees and elbows is now disabling him.

GLC02437.03643

24 May 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Expresses his mortification at arriving in Annapolis the day Washington left. Reports that "...all the necessary business will not be finished before Congress adjourns." Discusses a matter pertaining to the recommendation "of the Gentlemen of Family" to Congress. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.03004

26 July 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Responds to a 2 June 1784 letter from Washington. Discusses a recent Congressional order requiring Frederick Haldimand, Governor of the Province of Quebec, to give the United States information as to when British troops will completely evacuate Western forts, and how cannon and stores from the forts can be exchanged. Knox is incensed, writing "I cannot say but that I am well satisfied to be excluded from any responsibility in arrangements that cannot be executed. The attempt to employ militia for twelve months in an arduous operation of conveying the stores and making permanent…

GLC02437.03031

January 21, 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington [incomplete]

Comments on a recent trip Washington took to his western lands. Expresses relief that Washington did not travel as far west as he originally planned due to "the indians being in a bad temper." Referring to settlers on Washington's lands, writes "You must have been chagrined to have found your Lands possessed by a... people who hold in contempt equity- the first principle of Society." Discusses disunity among the states, writing, "We are entirely destitute of those traits which should Stamp us one nation- and the Constitution of Congress does not seem to promise any capital alteration for…

GLC02437.03087

24 March 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Joseph Carleton

Discusses the engineers still in service. Asks Carleton, acting Secretary at War, about Congress' intentions regarding renewal of the contract with Daniel Parker & Co. to provide troops with supplies. Expresses concern that Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance, has renewed the contract only until 5 May 1784.

GLC02437.02982

3 April 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Carleton

Encloses a copy of a return of clothing wanted by troops. Asks Carleton, acting Secretary at War, if Congress has made progress toward approving the application: "If you can have the clothing obtained, and forwarded to the troops you will render them an essential service as they must be exceedingly destitute of the Articles requested..."

GLC02437.02989

15 April 1784

United States. Continental Congress.

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Congressional resolution approving the appointment of Major William North as inspector to the troops]

Signed by Joseph Carleton 23 April 1784. Carleton authorizes this as a true copy from the original remaining in the war office. Location inferred by based on the site of Congress.

GLC02437.02993

13 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Carleton

Informs Carleton, acting Secretary at War, of the arrangements he has made in response to the Congressional resolve of 2 June 1784 ordering the reduction of Continental troops.

GLC02437.03017

4 August 1784

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Byers

Morris, Superintendent of Finance, discusses Byers's relinquishment of a contract with Congress to cast brass and ordnance (refer to GLC02437.03044). Writes, "I am sorry that your services have not been better rewarded, and lamented at the time that precipitancy with which you Relinquished your Contract and with it your Claims on the justice of the United States." Copied in the hand of James Byers (originally enclosed with GLC02437.03044). Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.03037

25 August 1784

Byers, James, fl. 1767-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Byers, who had a contract with Congress to cast brass ordnance during the Revolutionary War, complains of difficulty receiving pay for his services. Asks Knox to intervene on his behalf, requesting a certificate from Knox attesting to his service. Plans to send the certificate with a petition to Congress. Encloses a copy of the last letter he received from Robert Morris on the subject (GLC02437.03037).

GLC02437.03044

31 May 1785

Carleton, Joseph, 1754-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Carleton, acting Secretary at War, writes to Knox, recently elected Secretary at War. Relates that John Dickinson, President of Pennsylvania, informed him that Pennsylvania's quota of troops cannot be raised until the meeting of the General Assembly on 25 August 1785. Also reports that Matthew Griswold, Governor of Connecticut, forwarded the names of officers appointed to command Connecticut troops. Further discusses raising and providing clothing for troops. In a postscript notes that "the Commissioners for Indian Affairs will not be ready to move to the Southward before the middle of…

GLC02437.03150

7 October 1785

Carleton, Joseph, 1754-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "War Office." Discusses Mr. [possibly William] Duer's inability to find a man to provision Captain [likely John Francis] Hamtramck's company to the frontier. Suggests giving Hamtramck himself money to handle it, because Hamtramck appears to be responsible. Asks for Knox's response by Sunday's post. Listed as "Public Service" above address.

GLC02437.03207

1 November 1785

Carleton, Joseph, 1754-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Apparently written from the War Office, which was possibly located in New York City at the time. Writes, "I called at the office this morning to take leave and to make you my grateful thanks for the many friendly and polite attentions which you have been pleased to show me since you came into office- my not seeing you has caused me an uneasy sensation which I am well aware would have been felt at parting- I beg you to be assured of my best regards." Sends his regards to Mrs. Lucy Knox.

GLC02437.03209

29 November 1785

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his recent correspondence and for the "western" contract Samuel Shaw sent him. Will be glad to know when a new contract is ready. Thanks him for attending to his accounts of rations that he furnished Captain [likely David] Zeigler, as well as for procuring him money for the rations. Mentions that his "commercial friends" wanted him to ask Knox about problems with the "Algerines," or pirates. Wishes to know whether Congress has passed any measures regarding the pirates. Mentions that some friends of his own a frigate which they would be willing to donate to Congress for use…

GLC02437.03221

6 December 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Writes in response to Biddle's letter of 29 November (see GLC02437.03221). Comments that he feels Congress has done everything in its power to handle the Algerine [pirate] situation, so he does not think it necessary for them to obtain any frigates to send out on the sea. Also discusses the places at which provisions will be issued on the Ohio [likely the Ohio River]. Hopes Biddle will attempt to win the contract to issue the rations, and will contact him again when he has more information.

GLC02437.03223