11 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Copy of instructions to the commander of West Point]

Provides detailed instructions for the commander of West Point following the Congressional order to reduce the number of troops at that garrison to one company of 55 men. Notes that "the great principle upon which this company is retained is the preservation of the Stores at this place and the other Magazines..." Title from docket.

GLC02437.03012

8 March 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Edward Carrington

Unsigned, but authorship inferred from handwriting. Discusses Carrington's last letter, in which he reported the winners of the Virginia elections and described his prediction that the electorate would "change their sentiments" to support federalism (see GLC02437.04119). Comments on the New York legislature, specifically the Senate and individual members. Also lists the number of Senators and Representatives from each state present in New York. Lastly, discusses Carrington's query about an appointment with the new government (see GLC02437.04119). Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04139

21 July 1785

Walker, Thomas, fl. 1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Walker requests that Knox assist him in obtaining money he was granted by a Congressional Resolution of 15 April 1785, likely for his military service. Notes receipt of a bill from an unspecified board via Mr. Lovell, possibly James Lovell, former Massachusetts Continental Congressman and receiver of continental taxes. Writes, "I need not observe to you Sir that, when the draft is paid, upon Mr. Lovell, it will not reimburse me, for the expenses I have been at, in the solicitation."

GLC02437.03167

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

22 November 1792

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his anxiety over Madame de Leval's unsuccessful attempt to obtain the consent of a Congressional committee for business related to lands in Maine. Asks Knox to assist them. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05710

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

17 November 1775

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Printed document signed

Title: [Henry Knox's Congressional appointment as colonel of artillery in the Continental Army]

Congress represents the "United Colonies." Hancock signs as President of Congress. Also signed by Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress. Extremely fragile, and torn in several creases.

GLC02437.10435

30 October - 1 November 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy of a letter dated 1 November 1783 from Benjamin Lincoln to Robert Morris, along with a copy of a Congressional resolution dated 30 October 1783. The letter and the resolution concern Congress's decision that Henry Knox should be allowed the pay of a Major General in a separate department during his command at West Point. The original resolution was signed by Charles Thomson, miscopied here as "Thompson." Copies written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide de camp.

GLC02437.02748

circa 30 October 1783

Osgood, Samuel, 1748-1813

Manuscript document

Title: [Instructions for paying Knox during his command at West Point]

Indicates "That Genl Knox be allowed the pay of a Major Genl in a Separate Department during his Command at West Pt. his additional pay Granted by the Resolution of the 12th of Jany 1781 to cease during the Time he Receives the aforegoing Allowance..." This is most likely the enclosure cited by Samuel Shaw in GLC02437.02726.

GLC02437.02893

22 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Memorandum related to Robert Morris and Jeremiah Wadsworth]

Describes a series of meeting in October - November 1786 involving Knox, Robert Morris, Jeremiah Wadsworth, Gouverneur Morris, and Samuel Osgood to develop Knox's proposal to loan money to Congress to clothe, feed, pay and house the troops. Congress had recently passed a resolve that each state should donate money into Congress' treasury, and that Congress could take out private loans against this incoming treasury money. Docket, in Knox's hand, reads: "Minutes respecting an attempt to obtain Mr R Morris & Mr J Wadsworth to enter into contracts for supporting the troops directed to be…

GLC02437.03314

1 April 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Minutes, whereby to give information and opinions to a Committee of the Senate] [incomplete]

Starts with the third point, which is to "prevent intrigues, and depredations of the cunning and lawless [whites] and to carry into effect the decisions of Congress from [time] to [time] relative to the frontiers. Discusses "unauthorized expeditions in to the Indian Country," and the "late sale of Georgia..." Continues to list goals such as preventing the "usurpations" of the public lands, surveying land to sell for the purpose of relieving public debt, and the use of troops to keep order. Point five discusses methods of promoting friendly relations with the Chickasaw & Choctaw Indians…

GLC02437.04572

10 May 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Report]

Cover letter of Knox's report regarding troops furnished by various states for each year of the Revolutionary War as well as conjectural estimates of militia. On April 23, 1790, Congress instructed Secretary of War Knox to "to lay before the House an account of the troops, (including the militia,) and also of the ordnance stores furnished from time to time by the several States, towards the support of the late war." Congress requested this report as part of the ongoing controversy over Hamilton's proposed assumption of state debts. Knox sent his report to Congress on May 10; it was delivered…

GLC02437.10586

19 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Writes of his recent visit to Philadelphia to discuss with Robert Morris a loan that Morris and Wadsworth were planning to make to Congress. Relates the terms he worked out with Morris on Wadsworth's behalf (see GLC02437.03330, in which Wadsworth gives Knox permission to work out the terms of the loan for him with Morris).

GLC02437.03340

29 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Writes to Colonel Wadsworth regarding a loan Wadsworth and Robert Morris are arranging with Congress. Declares that Mr. [possibly Rufus] King will have explained everything, hopefully to Wadsworth's satisfaction. Wadsworth will receive a letter from the Board of Treasury and the terms of the proposed contracts. Knox has already showed the information to Mr. Morris, and he will be getting a letter as well. If Morris agrees to the terms, "it will be absolutely necessary for you to repair to Philadelphia, in order to make your private arrangements with each other." Hopes he is able to make…

GLC02437.03354

3 December 1786

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he received Knox's letter along with the letter from the Board of Treasury. Has written them back, and also written to Mr. [Robert] Morris to tell him he will come to New York to complete the paperwork if Mr. Morris approves of the terms. Is not fully reconciled to the business because it is a lot of money, but will agree to work with Mr. Morris if he approves (referring to a loan and contracts he and Morris are negotiating with Congress).

GLC02437.03363

December 11, 1786

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the lack of supplies faced by a group of soldiers he encountered, and mentions that he had to supply them himself because "not one shilling will be furnished by the state." However, he is running out of money. Declares that the Board of Treasury must reimburse him from the loan he and Mr. [Robert] Morris negotiated with Congress. Otherwise, Wadsworth must immediately stop furnishing the men. In addition, the heavy snow is making it difficult for him to continue procuring the supplies. In a post-script, discusses the forces working with Daniel Shays, and comments on the ability of…

GLC02437.03372

13 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Has received Wadsworth's last letter, and so has the Board of Treasury. Hopes he will not delay coming; everything rests on him, as everything stops until he and Mr. [Robert] Morris sign the papers (they are preparing a loan to Congress). Writes, "For Gods sake do not delay a single moment longer than is indispensably necessary." Discusses the Shays insurgents and mentions that he does not believe they will recede. Will write via Mr. [Rufus] King if he hears any more news. Also mentions several people who have been recently elected from Maryland to the national Congress.

GLC02437.03376

January 28, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Informs he has persuaded the board of treasury to give orders on Mr. Imlay for $3000, which Knox encloses in another public letter of this same date. States that if Wadsworth could negotiate $1000 more, he will try to get the board to give that sum solely to be applied to the subsistence of the officers and the pay of the men of Colonel [David] Humphreys corps. The money being paid to Wadsworth was related to raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion. Writes that Congress will probably discuss the troops soon, "it is most likely they must be reduced however keep this entirely a…

GLC02437.03475

28 March 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his unhappiness over not yet receiving the warrants he needs to pay the balance for rations at Springfield, Massachusetts. These warrants were likely related to raising troops to quell Shays' Rebellion. Wadsworth writes, "the troops may perhaps disband for want of food." Mentions more instances of insurgency in the state, including an incident in which Sergeant Hill and eleven recruits were beaten by some men that "spoke favorably of Shays." They were sent to prison but all escaped except Sergeant Hill and two recruits. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03504

31 March 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph document signed

Title: Receipts for warrants to the amount of 3000 dollars

Two (duplicate) notes of receipt of three warrants for $1000 each on William Imlay from Major General Henry Knox for Continental taxes for the state of Connecticut. Warrants numbered 115, 116, and 117. These warrants were related to raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion. Title from docket.

GLC02437.03505

1 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's letters enclosing warrants for $3000 (possibly GLC02437.03475) and encloses receipts (see GLC02437.03505). Mentions that the troops need clothing and that Colonel [David] Humphreys ordered some to be made. But if the troops are to be reduced, he will stop the clothing order. Fears that if the soldiers are discharged without pay, they may join the Shays' rebellion insurgents. Discusses other warrants and how the money would be allocated. Mentions that he wants to send Knox some salmon but that he has not been able to catch enough due to the weather. "Free" handwritten on…

GLC02437.03509

8 April 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Jeremiah] Wadsworth

Thanks Wadsworth for a salmon he sent. In reference to Wadsworth's request for clothing and shoes for the troops, tells him to acquire it and he will be paid out of the warrants he already received (see GLC02437.03509 for Wadsworth's letter). Reports that Colonel [David] Humphreys has arrived and can inform Wadsworth that Congress is considering the issue of the troops but nothing has been decided yet. Responds to Wadsworth's letter about the sale of damaged powder sold from West Point (see GLC02437.03512). States that Captain Price is in charge there. Knox trusts Price but he does not have…

GLC02437.03513

15 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the allocation of money from the Treasury warrants. Believes the troops "at all hazards" need to be paid. Wants the next warrant to be used to pay the officers or "they...will consider themselves as greatly injured & will give weight to the opposers of a Federal Government ... " Expresses anxiety about the possibility of rebellion if the men are not paid, "this state I am persuaded never was so ripe for rebellion as at present the friends to Chaise [Shays] & his party are increasing & growing bolder every day - they have in general carreid their Elections throughout the…

GLC02437.03522

5 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Notice of payment sent to Jeremiah Wadsworth]

Knox's warrant to Wadsworth to pay $3000 to Captain Joseph Wilcox "paymaster to the quota of troops raised by the state of Connecticut agreeably to the resolve of Congress of the 20th of October 1786...being the amount of an order of the board of Treasury on William Imlay Esqr. receiver of continental taxes for the state of Connecticut..." The troops were raised to quell Shays's Rebellion. Noted as written at the War Office.

GLC02437.03543

23 December 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is happy to hear that Pennsylvania adopted the Constitution. Mentions the debates over the Constitution in Connecticut. Hopes to set out soon for New York "as soon as that business is over" and possibly attend Congress. Mentions that "Old Pluckemin" [a dog] has died. In a postscript, writes, "If Publius comes out in a pamphlet I would want to have a number" (likely a reference to the Federalist Papers). States that everything written about the constitution in New York is "forwarded under cover to our Wrong Heads - & every under hand manner taken to prevent our adopting it..." Recipient…

GLC02437.03736