1 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Knox writes to Lincoln, Secretary of War. Writes, "His Excellency the commander in chief has stationed me at this post, which in addition to its natural embarrassments, is attended with much greater expenses than my purse can admit." Notes that Congress arranged for extra compensation for General Alexander McDougall, a previous commander at West Point. Asks Lincoln to provide a similar arrangement for him. If this is beyond the reach of Lincoln's powers, requests that Lincoln consult Mr. Morris (possibly Gouverneur Morris, assistant superintendent of finance). "How my dear sir is the…

GLC02437.10040

25 November 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Knox, commander at West Point, writes to General Lincoln. Mentions a recent application by Continental Army officers to the State of Massachusetts regarding half pay. Knox reports the decision has been postponed, mainly because of Osgood (Samuel Osgood, Massachusetts's delegate to Continental Congress). Regarding the officers, writes, "something must be done to relieve their present distress, which is intolerable- and they must have a full confidence concerning the execution of the half pay whether in its present form, or in some other that may be more agreable..."

GLC02437.10064

9 January 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General McDougall to Major General Knox. Says nothing decisive about whether the half-pay pension issue has been decided. Says it took a week of travel to get to Philadelphia in bad weather. Wanted to lobby the delegates before the memorial was put before Congress. Says that has been accomplished and after the memorial was submitted, Congress decided to form a committee with a member from each state. Says that they will meet tomorrow night. Encloses a list of the committee members (not included here). Reports that "The Result of our Conversation with the members is, that a great…

GLC02437.01819

February 14, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Marked "copy." Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Discusses Lincoln's success at stopping Shays' Rebellion and dispersing the insurgents. Mentions how the rapid defeat of the insurgents will affect orders previously given to Colonel [David] Humphreys and Colonel [Henry] Jackson to move their regiments to Springfield, Massachusetts. Says he has been keeping General Washington and Congress abreast of Lincoln's actions. Comments on the upcoming Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and expresses his firm support of it. Believes the objections…

GLC02437.03453

6 November 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Anne-César] Chevalier de la Luzerne

Informs the Chevalier that "two pieces of cannon, and their carriages" will be arriving to be presented to the Count de Grasse at the direction of Congress "for the important services he rendered to the United States." Notes that the artist who engraved the emblems and inscriptions took longer than expected to finish. Says he addresses them to Luzerne "in case of the departure of his Excellency general Washington and the Secretary at War from Princeton." Contains some water damage along the left side. Watermarked with three fleur-de-lis inside a crest.

GLC02437.10180

8 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lowell

Recounts the story of young Isaac Winslow, who had been taken to Canada at age 11 by his loyalist father, upon the outbreak of hostilities. His parents are now dead, and his other family is in Boston. He wants to be in service to his country. Knox would like to exchange him, or help him return to Boston. See GLC02437.01408 and GLC02437.01649 for related information. Also discusses Congress's debates over payment of military officers.

GLC02437.01650

14 December 1782

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I received your favor of this day. I shall be ready to sett off from this, on Tuesday next, if the weather is fair, and all other arrangements are compleated, which dont depend on me. I suppose Col [John] Brooks will bring over the Memorial &c &c with him."

GLC02437.01743

20 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written and signed for Knox by Major Samuel Shaw. Says the bearer of this letter, Mr. Peck, was in a company of artillery artificers under Captain Post. Says that this unit was raised for 2 years and is therefore excluded from any allowance for the depreciation of their pay. Says that the policy that dictated that measure has ceased to operate and Congress has made a determination to give justice to all individuals for their past services. Adds that he believes they should be allowed compensation for the injuries they have sustained in the depreciation of their pay.

GLC02437.02404

20 November 1783

Luzerne, Anne-César, chevalier de la, 1741-1791

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox [in French]

Luzerne informs Knox of the arrival in Philadelphia of the engraved cannon for delivery to the Count de Grasse. He thanks Knox, saying that it is especially appreciated as Knox, more than any other, contributed to the victory at Yorktown which had brought such renown to the United States. He notes that Baron von Steuben has made arrangements with the Board of War regarding the cannon. Believing the British evacuation of New York to be imminent, he hopes he will have the pleasure of seeing Knox in Philadelphia the coming winter.

GLC02437.02791

2 November 1785

Lott, Abraham, fl. 1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "Accept my thanks, my dear Sir, for the Extract, from the Journals of Congress- It appears to be fully in point- But now I have begun with you I must have your further assistance- Will it not be necessary that a certificate should be obtained of the day on which he (Col. Buncombe) died? If so, from whom must it be had? Will such certificates & the extract you have favored me with, be sufficient vouchers to found an application upon to the Legislature of North Carolina? By whom (the Executor?) or who else, and in what form must this application be made? I am loth to give you…

GLC02437.03210

4 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Discusses a meeting in Philadelphia, and writes "You will have found that Congress have recommended a convention to meet in Philadelphia in May. I hope and pray that you may be at it, either on the part of the State or the Cincinnati."

GLC02437.03483

4 September 1782

Jackson, William, 1759-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the War Office. Writes, "In the absence of General Lincoln, who is a little indisposed, I have the honor to transmit you some late resolve of Congress reforming the field Commissary of Military Stores department" [perhaps GLC02437.01566 or .01569].

GLC02437.01570

29 November 1783

Jackson, Michael, 1734-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports to Knox that an officer has arrived in Newburgh, New York after marching with a number of invalid soldiers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Also writes that he sent a note to Congress to petition for his situation, namely, being compensated for a wound he received in 1776. See GLC02437.02818 for a related document.

GLC02437.02809

11 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Jefferds

Following a Congressional order discharging most of the Continental troops, Knox orders Lieutenant Jefferds to "unite the stores now at the posts on the Mohawk River so that a very few men may keep them safely." Gives detailed orders regarding the consolidation of cannon and stores at various posts in New York. Location inferred.

GLC02437.03014

26 August 1790

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jefferson, Secretary of State, writes Knox to hastily give his thoughts on the "treaty of Hopewell, the act of cession of N. Carolina and the act of acceptance by Congress." States that Congress's act of acceptance followed the Treaty of Hopewell, and that North Carolina can not use their right of preemption to take away the right of occupation of the Cherokees. The "question would be a disagreeable one between the general government, a particular government, and individuals." Jefferson thinks purchasing from the Cherokees the right of occupation is one solution. Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04700

8 April 1800

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Very personal letter from Vice President Thomas Jefferson. Notes that he passed along Knox's "friendly expressions" to General Gunn, possibly Senator James Gunn. Refers to a transaction, likely concerning the debate in the U.S. Senate regarding Knox's son's promotion, stating "of the transaction to which they are related I can say little, having, you know, neither ears to hear, eyes to see, or tongue to speak, but as the Senate direct me." Assures Knox the debate in the Senate was polite and respectful. Discusses Jefferson's and Knox's difference of political opinions. States that if every…

GLC02437.07390

3 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Jackson

Writes that Jackson must be anxious and surprised that he has not yet heard from Knox "on the subject of clothing & rations. The fact is that I have been unable to give you any satisfaction on these points." Writes, "Congress came to the determination of raising troops from the necessity of the case, and had the funds necessary to carry their resolutions into effect been at their command, every arrangement depending on the war department would ere now have been at least in a train of execution. But the funds indispensible [sic] for an energetic establishment have been to be provided…

GLC02437.03362

16 May 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Jackson

Confirms that he was out of town the previous week and that this is why he was unable to respond to a previous letter. Reports that he will forward Jackson's circular letter during the coming week. Declares that Jackson has "involved me in an embarrasing [sic] predicament by asking my opinion of the intended memorial of the Massachusetts Line." Discusses his beliefs on the memorial, which pertains to solider pay.

GLC02437.04609

19 February 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General McDougall to Major General Knox. Says that Colonel Brooks has no doubt reached him before this letter, but hopes to give an update to events in Congress since. Says "Nothing has since been done by Congress on the Subject of our memorial [on army pay and officer's pensions]." Reports that Georgia, Maryland, and Delaware are not represented at the moment. Says "The Kings Speech is the only intelligence, which has reached this of any moment, relative to a Peace." Thinks Congress is leaning in support of the army, but he cannot be certain. Says members of Congress focus on two…

GLC02437.01933

15 March 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General McDougall to Major General Knox. McDougall was a member of a committee sent by the officers to lobby for half-pay pensions to Congress. Mentions that only Georgia is not represented at this point and there were divisions on the pension issue among the other states. Says 7 were for it, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire against it, with Connecticut divided. Goes on to discuss parliamentary maneuvers made by members of Congress on the issue. Says Colonel Dyer of Connecticut, who was to vote for the issue after it was brought up for discussion again shocked everyone…

GLC02437.02005

25 July 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General McDougall to General Knox. Writes from Highlands, New York. Says that the latest news from Massachusetts is that they will not support a "speedy relief to the Army from Continental Funds." Says the state senate supports Congress's resolution, but has put the issue aside until next session. Says he has fears that the funds will not be provided. Believes the most important thing now is to let the country know of the justice of their claims. Reports that other states might also hesitate in giving funds to officers. Wants him to consider starting "a train of correspondence…

GLC02437.02326

24 September 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox over for a visit to discuss the army. Mentions that if the fireworks will be going off at West Point, he can take part of the company off Knox's hands. Discusses preparations to host a large group of visitors including the Minister of France, the President of Congress and some other southern members of Congress. Needs boards to fix the stables which were ruined by the army so these men can keep their horses. Mentions another building, "The Dwelling in the outside, looks more like a Bawdy House then the Quarters of an American General," and asks for a painter. Noted as written at…

GLC02437.02563

26 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Received General Lincoln's recent letter. Writes that "Mr. Lowells character has been placed before the President" but he does not know whether a "personal application" would be worthwhile; believes it would depend on Mr. Lowell's opinion. Adds that the House of Representatives will look at the federal bill tomorrow, which means that the President will not be ready to sign it until 10 August at least, so Mr. Lowell has time to decide. Also discusses a new bill for the collection of revenue.

GLC02437.04306

30 November 1790

Martin, Joseph, 1740-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses the "truly alarming" situation going on in the Virginia back country. Reports the deaths of several people at Martin Station in Powell's Valley. Believes the news that he is no longer the Indian agent there has caused these problems. He had thought about erecting a "station on the bank of the Cumberland river for the security of travellers" with the support of Congress. Martin would buy one hundred acres of land from the Cherokees. Notes that the ford of the river is, by treaty, the line between the United States and the Cherokees. Suggests a trade post and garrison to ensure…

GLC02437.04784

3 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Discusses with McDougall the possible result of his mission, informing him that everyone is anxious for it and continues to deplore the lack of a strong Congress.

GLC02437.01975