16 May 1782

Sears, Isaac, 1730-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Sears, who was known for his early and vehement support of the patriots in New York, to Major General Knox. References Knox's letters of 23 January and 1 May. Says his first "orders" are paid and the other will be paid when due. Is happy he could offer his services to Knox and his wife. Refrains from speaking on political matters, but hopes to be able to see Knox in New York soon. Says "it appears to me the heart of the American War is near at an end, but don't believe we shall have a peace very soon, unless the French and Spanish gains some great advantage over the British in the…

GLC02437.01418

10 May 1790

Sayre, Stephen, 1736-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses surprise at Knox's lack of a reply to a mutual friend (unnamed, but Sayre may be referring to William Duer, whom he discusses throughout the letter). Reports business difficulties with Duer, declaring, "Mr. Duer will not deny his having made a most solemn agreement, as a man of honor, to act with me, for our equal benefit." Duer has not, apparently, done justice to this agreement. Hopes for Knox's help in encouraging Duer to contribute to the project, by securing the appropriate business contracts to let Sayre continue his work in England. Also advises Knox to have the…

GLC02437.04602

18 December 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Stephen Sayre

Marked "private." Would like Sayre to call on him at his office tomorrow at 1 p.m. Will be glad to talk to him about the letter he received yesterday (see GLC02437.05997).

GLC02437.05999

15 April 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Smith

Congratulates Smith on his appointment as Secretary of Navy. Recommends his friend Henry Jackson be appointed to the office of Naval Agent. Describes Jackson's background and notes his contribution to the war (Revolutionary War).

GLC02437.07520

14 September 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Ulmer

Writes that he received Ulmer's letter. Declares that the news of the loss of the spars is mortifying, since he just hired a vessel to take a shipment of them to Philadelphia. Does not know, now, whether there will be a sufficient load to ship. Is sending Mr. [possibly John] Gleason to determine this. Asks Ulmer to make sure that only "perfectly formed spars" make it on board the ship, and asks him to oversee the endeavor.

GLC02437.06817

12 October 1782

Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Head Quarters" by Colonel Tilghman to Major General Knox. Says Knox's "letters" came to hand last evening. Says Washington has gone down to the river and that he cannot answer him until tomorrow. Reports that "Vessels have arrived in short passages from Holland to Boston - letters down to the 20th of Augt. say that the French, Dutch and English Fleets had returned safe and sound into port." Says the British have not determined whether to relieve Gibraltar or not. Claims "it was in danger and must fall without Speedy relief." Reports that British affairs in the East Indies are…

GLC02437.01659

10 December 1770

Troutbeck, John, fl. 1755-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Light-heartedly comments on the absence of correspondence from his friend Knox. Discusses plans to travel to India. Reports that he has recently been appointed the first Surgeon of the Essex Easte Indea, commanded by Captain Read, but has not yet passed his medical examinations. A post script contends that Troutbeck has not received a letter from Mr. Loring. Sent with a follow up letter (see GLC02437.00003).

GLC02437.00002

18 December 1770

Troutbeck, John, fl. 1755-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports to his friend that he has passed his medical examinations. Briefly comments on his lectures and exams. Now that he is a surgeon, Troutbeck can take the position he was offered on a ship to Bombay, India (see GLC02437.00002). He sails with Captain Read in March.

GLC02437.00003

4 June 1789

Tracy, John, fl. 1789-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks for Knox's help in keeping his friend, General [Jonathan] Titcomb, in office. Writes that General Titcomb led a militia force in the previous war and never received any compensation, and also lost his fortune after the war. His only method of supporting himself is through a position in the naval office at Newburyport. Is unsure whether the government in New York will be in charge of hiring for this position, but hopes that Knox will recommend that Titcomb stay in office. Suggests that he ask Mr. [possibly Tristram] Dalton, Mr. [possibly Rufus] King and Mr. [possibly Elbridge] Gerry…

GLC02437.04231

24 April 1777

Tudor, William, 1750-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed with initials. Informs Knox that a French ship arrived the previous Sunday at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Notes that the ship carried 52 brass cannons, 10,000 cannon shot, and 9000 grenade shells, among other military supplies. Comments on other ships, including two taken as prizes with provisions for General How (British General William Howe). Notes that the [HMS] Milford is cruising in the bay near Boston "taking or driving a shore every vessel that puts out." Notes the presence of two frigates, a twenty gun ship, and five privateers that are not making any effort to protect…

GLC02437.09544

25 November 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Silas Talbot

Discusses the circumstances of Talbot's sons who are now in France. States they have been well received by the intendant of Normandy and that Count Montmorin, acting as Minister of Marine since the resignation of the Marquis de Castries, has placed them in the volunteers of the 3rd class in the royal navy. Also discusses their various expenses for room and board. Mentions a statement given by Monsieur La Forest and relays that he wants an answer concerning the reimbursement of funds. States, "It was also hinted by Mr. La Forest that it would be beneficial were you to obtain letters from Mr. […

GLC02437.03714

20 December 1787

Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for the information from Monsieur La Forest about his sons, who were in France for their education (see GLC02437.03714 for a related letter). Laments that he did not meet up with La Forest when he was in New York and discusses paying the bills for his sons board and education in France. Asks Knox to help him get the money to the Intendant of Normandy, who has advanced the sums needed to accommodate Talbot's sons.

GLC02437.03731

December 21, 1793

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he wouldn't normally bother Knox, but needs to update him on the situation because of the "cruel war" in Europe. Sends the latest news on 13 sailors captured by the "Algereen pirates." Swan expresses anger that the pirates are allowed to harass American shipping with tacit English approval. Goes on to say that "England by that treaty [of peace with Portugal] will prevent france geting [sic] supplies from america, she punishes us for adhering to the Treaty [from 1778], and for reorganizing their Republic." Believes three things can punish England and get the pirates to back off American…

GLC02437.06002

January 12, 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Sullivan

Knox acknowledges the articles that Sullivan sent him and his wife. Knox also tells Sullivan, "if Thomas Flucker is not gone onboard of any of the Vessells of [near] I pray you to remit immediately the fifty dollars to Mr. Pemberton at Billerica to pay his bills there." Knox encloses the deed for "Mrs. Waldo instead of the one which you have as in that the boundaries are not right." Mentions his disputes with Mackay, Derbey, and Lowell.

GLC02437.07354

08 October 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Silas Talbot

Knox asks Talbot "to receive on board of the Constitution on the pay of an ordinary seaman, but to act as a midshipman Master Thomas Fluker, brother to Francis Fluker who has heretofore sailed under your orders."

GLC02437.07468

18 October 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Silas Talbot

Copy of a letter from Knox brought to Talbot by Knox's nephew Thomas Flucker. Knox asks that Talbot accept Thomas as a midshipman.

GLC02437.07474

26 July 1782

Smith, Paschal Nelson, ?-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Smith, who seems to be a merchant in Boston, to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 10 July (which was an answer to Smith's letter at GLC02437.01468). Thanks him for the trouble he took in looking for his "Servant Boy" Prince. From late information, Smith believes he is not with the army, but "is lurking about at Salem, or some where in this neighbourhood, you will therefore please to take no further trouble about him, only if you hear anything of his being in the Army from the measures you have taken you will please to advise me of it, & I will take the necessary…

GLC02437.01505

January 10, 1782

Smith, Paschal Nelson, ?-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his last letter, and adds the congratulations of himself and Mrs. Smith, as well as of Mr. and Mrs. Sears, on the birth of Knox's son. Comments that they are "very happy to hear Mrs. Knox & the young Stranger were so well." Discusses the loss of Captain Magee's and Captain Grinnell's brigs: "I could have forgiven dame Fortune for my part, if she had stop'd there, but She has been illnatured enough to persue Mr. Sears & me for the last twelve months, almost without intermission, with Losses & disappointments, if she does not soon relent, we shall be left without…

GLC02437.01329

17 August 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Sheafe

Reports he sent instructions for the frigate being built in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Also notes Sheafe will be furnished with supplies and money from time to time.

GLC02437.06175

January 26, 1799

Sheafe, Jacob, fl. 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sheafe writes Knox to see if he has any deck plank that might of use to Sheafe on his ship. Sheaf asks Knox what has become of Captain Watts, whom he has not heard from or about in five weeks. Address leaf says "Hand by Mr. Jno Hancock."

GLC02437.07229

26 March 1799

Sheafe, Jacob, fl. 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sheafe received Knox's plank on 19 March 1799. Sheafe paid for the plank after making sure what the fair price was. Sheafe has enclosed bills for Knox to sign and return to him.

GLC02437.07249

2 April 1799

Sheafe, Jacob, fl. 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sheafe includes in this letter to Knox "duplicate Bills of the Pine and Oak plank purchased of you and now inclose you my Check on the Branch Bank for the balance due to you."

GLC02437.07252

7 April 1799

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Sheafe

Knox received Sheafe's check of $282.27 and says he will order more deck plank "as soon as possible."

GLC02437.07255

9 April 1799

Sheafe, Jacob, fl. 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sheafe acknowledges receipt of Knox's letter of April 7, 1799 and tells Knox that the Frigate has no use for oak plank, but is using pine now that 3 1/2 to 4 inches thick.

GLC02437.07256

13 June 1799

Sheafe, Jacob, fl. 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sheafe encloses bills for the planks and informs Knox of other balances and payments regarding his planks. He also tells Knox that he does not need more shipped.

GLC02437.07273