13 June 1783

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses business in Europe and his hopes of expanding trade. Mentions the cost of labour in America as compared to that in Europe.

GLC02437.02160

14 June 1787

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that Henry Jackson had shipped some goods on behalf of Knox, but was unable to procure a bill of lading. Notes, "...upon the whole I think the step we have taken not an improper step in having those articles brought to this city, as they were not in the most hopeful train of being disposed by our friend who I believe is rather more of a soldier and a man of pleasure than a merchant..." As a consequence, William had to pay the same duties on the goods as if they were imported directly from Europe. Mentions a box of medicine sent to Colonel Harmar, addressed to the care of Samuel…

GLC02437.03579

22 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, managing the office of Secretary of War in Henry's absence, discusses the people in Boston and their opinion of him and Henry. Mentions the flourishing state of trade in [Boston]. Plans to take a restful two day vacation to the country. Received reports from Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, and General Josiah Harmar. They arrested six Chippewas suspected of murder. Refers to Mr. Martin's appointment by Congress as an agent to the Chickasaw and Cherokee Indians.

GLC02437.03973

4 September 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, attending to business in Henry's absence, reports on white settlers' infringement on Cherokee lands in the western territories. Congress recently directed Knox to prepare troops to protect the Cherokees (the troops are to march from Ohio to Chota, a Cherokee town in present-day Tennessee). The troops are to disperse Congress's proclamation among white settlers "in the vicinity of the hunting grounds secured to the Cherokees by the treaty concluded between them and the United States Nov. 28th 1785..." William has sent copies of the proclamations to the Northwest Territory via Mr.…

GLC02437.03982

29 October 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox writes Secretary of War Knox that though in London ten days, he has been unable to do much regarding the sale of Knox's lands. William hopes to provide more news next week including "the result of the business between Mrs. Harwood and Mr. Longman." William notes that a Mr. Teissier will be his correspondent in London. He tells Henry to tell Captain [Thomas] Randall that William will write Randall with the next "Packet" across the Atlantic. William tells Henry that Lord Howe's fleet is at Portsmouth, and General Garth's troops were recently reviewed by the King in Hyde Park. The…

GLC02437.04759

16 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Later copy of letter written by Knox to Lafayette at GLC02437.03276. Thanks Lafayette for the kind treatment given to his brother William. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase jeweled eagle badges for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati. L'Enfant returned to America in 1784 and brought back many badges purchased on credit. The price proved too high for some officers, which left L'Enfant in a bind. Goes on to say that the Society approved of L'Enfant's conduct and owed 630 dollars to him for his services in France…

GLC02437.03275

20 July 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that has noted Knox's previous letter, which indicates that artificers are working hard on wagons and tumbrils. However, "At the same time, I am sorry to inform you, that, they will fall far short of your expectations, in this particular owing to the great portion of time which has been taken up, in making the necessary repairs of the carriages, of those Pieces, that were brought from Philadelphia, to this place, many of which were in a wretched state." Writes that he is "chagrined" to find that a Lieutenant Fisk has resigned to avoid a Court Martial. Adds that the bearer of the…

GLC02437.01495

May 5, 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter provides a detailed update on French politics during the build-up to the French Revolution. Says he is busy in the Assembly of the Notables and has had little time to write. Says his recent letter to Alexander Hamilton will inform Knox of circumstances in the Assembly up until Easter. Wants Knox to inform Hamilton that he does not need to keep a motion he sent to him secret as the newspapers have published it in France. Says Michel Bouvard de Fourqueux, who succeeded Charles Alexandre de Calonne, could not last long (de Calonne had been ousted as minister of finance after suggesting…

GLC02437.03542

January 28, 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the Excise Act and the response of New England Towns and ports. Mentions problems with currency and payments, and argues, "Our Legislative & Executive Bodies seem to be by far too large for so young a State - they swallow up an immense Sum of money, which might be better approximated to pay the army." Comments on local merchant vessels and mentions he has received word about the vessel Knox's brother William is on. Congratulates Knox and his wife on the birth of their son, and adds that since his own last letter Mrs. Peirce has had a baby boy as well, and that both are…

GLC02437.01342

1 April 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to discuss a new lime-burning agreement negotiated in Boston by Mr. Wheaton. Notes the risk incurred by Wheaton since he is so close to Penobscot, a Tory stronghold. Discusses a recent illness, and the quartering of Major Strauss's company at his house. Comments on the value of "depreciation notes" and "consolidating notes" in Knox's finances. See GLC02437.01404 and GLC02437.01406 for related information.

GLC02437.01380

20 April 1783

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

A letter commenting on Knox's personal finances, especially the disposition of government notes. Peirce references Knox's letter of 3 April. Mentions consolidating old notes and registering new ones. Says his brother William did not consign any goods to him, nor to Colonel Sears. Says "I rejoice with you that Peace is again likely to visit our Country - The Contest has been severe, - but it has been short - It has been indeed Glorious - in eight years to effect so great a revolution is more than most sanguine at the commencement could have expected." Says Boston Harbor has appeared "dismal…

GLC02437.02106

10 May 1788

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses money due on Mr. Webber's goods and the depreciation of currency (possibly referring to James Webber, a London merchant). Writes, "The political State of this Country I hope and trust is very much altering as to monied transactions, so that a depreciated Medium cannot much longer be made a payment for a just demand." Marked as a copy. Written at Delaware Works, located in what is now Morrisville, Pennsylvania, near Trenton, New Jersey.

GLC02437.03868

20 July 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 29 June. Waited to respond until after the sitting of the Committee of the Sale of Eastern Lands. Met with John White of Charlestown, Massachusetts who is indebted to the Flucker Estate through a bond and a mortgage. White said he was still waiting for the British government to compensate him for the burning of his property in Charlestown in 1775. Goes into details about the debt and its interest. Discusses Isaac Winslow and the Taylor purchase. Mentions he spoke to Mr. Jarvis of the Committee, who said Knox should now be in possession of all the land between…

GLC02437.05905

1794/01/01

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Letter detailing issues with taxes owed on the Waldo Patent lands. Page 2 and 3 have amounts of taxes listed. The letter has been repaired in places, leading to text loss.

GLC02437.06015

20 September 1785

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Contract with Henry Knox and Samuel Shaw for sale of goods]

Apparently written in the hand of Samuel Shaw. Contract outlines the terms of an agreement between "Samuel Ogden, of the city of New York, Merchant," and General Henry Knox. Ogden agrees to sell the merchandise, worth "two thousand, two hundred and ninety three pounds, fourteen shillings and six pence, lawful money of the State of Connecticut, at the rate of six shillings for a Spanish milled dollar." Promises to sell the merchandise as if it were his own, at the same rate, and to the best of his power, and to provide all proceeds to Knox. Accepts a "commission of five percent on the net…

GLC02437.03199

21 July 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Moultrie

Writes to Moultrie, the president of the Society of the Cincinnati's South Carolina chapter, about society business. Reports that the Society as a whole has decided to repay Major L'Enfant for money he laid out on their behalf, but without their permission, to buy more Eagle insignias; they wanted to preserve the "immaculate" reputation of the Society. The Society also felt that "the general credit of our country does not stand well in Europe," so they wanted to ensure that the credit of their foreign members remained in good stead. Provides details of their reimbursment of L'Enfant,…

GLC02437.03609

24 March 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Alexander Macomb

Thanks Macomb for information related to the exports of Canada for 1787. Apologizes for his late reply, noting that Lucy, his wife, had inadvertently placed the information Macomb sent in a pile of her own papers.

GLC02437.03829

6 April 1792

Morris, William Walton, ?-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he had long since resolved to devote his life to private business, and until now has been quite successful; however, due to the bankruptcy that has recently befallen New York City, he has suddenly found himself penniless. Takes solace in the fact that his poverty is not due to his own indiscretions. Would like to apply for a government position, but is unsure of what to apply for, as he has so long worked outside of the government. Asks if Knox has any suggestions, based on his knowledge of Morris's personality and skills. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05405

5 November 1789

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that he should have replied sooner to Knox's last letter, but wanted to consult [Gouverneur] Morris (Ogden's brother-in-law) first. Laments the poor state of their funds. Notes that Mrs. Ogden is ill. Written at Delaware Works, located in what is now Morrisville, Pennsylvania, near Trenton, New Jersey.

GLC02437.04405

14 October 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a financial and legal matter involving the Waldo [patent] lands.

GLC02437.06224

February 21, 1795

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Discusses business in relation to towns in the Waldo Patent.

GLC02437.06358

January 31, 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major Shaw, formerly Knox's aide-de-camp, to Brigadier General Knox. Reports that his brother arrived safely in France after a 23 day voyage. Says his brother's ship was the first to arrive with news of Cornwallis's defeat at Yorktown. It "was received with the most heartfelt satisfaction by our good Allies and it was expected would be productive of the greatest good consequences." Waiting to hear about the response from England. Says the legislature has been meeting for the last 8 days. Says the governor gave a good speech and that the legislature wants to comply with the…

GLC02437.01346

21 March 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp, to Brigadier General Knox. Letter expresses the touchiness Revolutionary officers had about rank. Says no word on Knox's promotion is to be had. Hopes "The period, however, cannot be remote when Congress must decide - and either do you justice or dispense with your further services." Goes on to express dismay at Knox not receiving the promotion. References the letter he sent on 5 March as well as another he sent a week earlier. Says since his 5 March letter he has been able to reach a settlement with Massachusetts for his pay for 1780.…

GLC02437.01370

16 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Sears

Written on paper of two sizes: the smaller measures 25.7 x 20.4 cm, and the larger measures 32 x 23 cm. Asks Sears to discharge a specified amount of money to Colonel Clement Biddle and to Colonel Samuel Griffith. Thanks him "heartily, for your kindness to myself and Mrs. Knox, and for that substantial friendship and assistance, without which the service in which I have been engaged, would have been peculiarly different. I anxiously wish for some opportunity to convince you or yours how deeply impressed I am with a sense of your kindness." Briefly discusses his recent business at…

GLC02437.01407

9 September 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that per Knox's instructions, he has gone to New Haven and met with Mr. [Samuel] Broome and Mr. [Jeremiah] Platt to discuss their outstanding financial business. Explains that Broom and Platt assured him they will not be able to repay the money they owe in the next year. Provides a lengthy and detailed explanation of the firm's financial dealings, including the ways the war interfered with their business. Adds some information about the money they owe to the firm of [James] Webber & Co. Relates possible solutions to the problem.

GLC02437.03190