circa 1775-1776

Document

Title: [Plans for siege of Boston Harbor][incomplete]

Discusses an oil fire at Nantucket, raises questions about plans to use an oil fire to destroy British ships in the Boston Harbour, and suggests making "an experiment on some small pond." A fragment from the middle of a document. For more on the plans to attack Boston Harbor see GLC02437.00231.

GLC02437.00234

10 June 1791

Macpherson, John, ?-1775

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Macpherson writes seeking Knox's assistance. Claims he is very poor and does not have "Two Shillings on the Earth." Boasts of what he has done for the nation, claiming "I have enriched it more than any other ever did of my Station." Poverty got him thinking that he could repeat the success he had lecturing on natural philosophy, but he has since given up that idea. Has an interest in some patents still pending, but they are unpaid for. Claims he deserves help when "it is considered, what risque I ran to serve this Country, by going thro' the British Army as a Spy!" Says he deserves to…

GLC02437.04985

circa 1785-1791

Macpherson, John, ?-1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his kind considerations of all of his inventions and discusses pensions and his own service to the country. Claims he has been cheated by three powerful men, who then prevented him from publishing a pamphlet exposing them. Encloses (not present) the few pages that were printed.

GLC02437.08250

20 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Explains his recommendations and opinions on key issues regarding the "ensuing campaign" in and around New York. Relates that upon asking General George Washington when to be prepared to march his troops, General Washington claimed to be out of touch with the status of preparations, but as soon as he decided, he would let Knox know. Knox relates that this makes him uneasy, as it makes planning the ordnance and stores far more difficult. Describes recent experiments on howitzers of French and of English origin, and explains that they require different shell sizes (see GLC02437.01411), and…

GLC02437.01426

31 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to Lincoln, the Secretary at War, to ask his opinion on various subjects surrounding artillery stores for future campaigns. Various topics include shells being cast for French howitzers by Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, preparation of shot and shells by Mr. Byers, transportation of cartridge boxes from Philadelphia to the New York state posts. Also mentions directions from General George Washington to have stores from the post in Burlington, New Jersey moved to New Windsor, New York, and the amount of repairable arms in Albany, Fishkill and West Point. Discusses the urgent need for hiring…

GLC02437.01510

6 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office." In response to Knox's letter of 31 July (see GLC02437.01510), advises Knox to settle the matter of which shells and shots each metalworker in their employ, Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch and a Mr. Whiting, should cast. Writes, "All the cartridge boxes made have been sent on the last contract has not been paid, we cannot obtain another without money I do not know when Mr. Morris can supply it, I will not forget to urge him." Finally, agrees with Knox that they should use armourers for repairing and rebuilding arms, but he "cannot engage people to work without some…

GLC02437.01517

14 October 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Request for Knox to deliver "for the use of the Indian tribes, five hundred pounds of powder - one thousand pound, of lead and one thousand flints - " Noted as written at the War Office.

GLC02437.02649

30 August 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln and Henry Jackson

Letter is not signed but appears to be Knox's handwriting. Discusses the ongoing conflict among the settlers and Knox's surveyors. Informs the gentlemen he sent his surveyors out armed enough to defend themselves against any attacks from the settlers. Also says he has sent three gentlemen to assemble the people at different settlements on the Plymouth Company land that borders Knox's land. The gentlemen have three goals: the first is to have Knox's land surveyed peaceably, if impractical then the second goal is to give the surveyors notice, the third is to obtain evidence against the…

GLC02437.07598

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

29 August 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to order a belt for his broadsword as his "Lads" lost the one he had, and a pistol, since one of his was stolen. Also asks Knox to order pistol cartridges. In a postscript asks for some twine, for he is "an old saylor" who "some times amuse myself with twine for various purposes..." Noted as written in Highlands.

GLC02437.02433

28 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the War Office. Mentions that he received Knox's letter of the 19th regarding the French shells and Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, and asked Mr. Faesch whether he would cast the French shells under his present contract. Mr. Faesch said a new contract would be necessary, so he wrote to Mr. [Robert] Morris to ask for more money, who replied that that he has "no hopes of receiving the necessary sums required by Mr. Faesch." However, since the "repairs of the arms are of too much importance to be omitted if possible to effect them," he wonders about the "propriety of sending on some…

GLC02437.01546

6 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide de camp. Discusses the pay for army artificers about to be furloughed, and their entitlement to arms.

GLC02437.02150

6 January 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Webber, a London merchant and friend of William Knox, reports the details of William's recent episode of mental illness. William had announced his intentions to marry Miss Laurens, "a Daughter of Mr Henry Laurens." Although they were apparently courting, she knew nothing of the proposal. Webber regrettably describes a scene in which William arrived at the Laurens' residence with loaded guns, declaring "God, and Nature had join'd [William and Miss Laurens] together, and no power on Earth should prevent ye Union, and if not accomplish'd ye House and Street should be set on fire in a few days…

GLC02437.03082

20 March 1790

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Answers Knox's question regarding the number of muskets "received from the Spaniards by the Creeks," stating that the number is 6,000. Reports that "our Mr. McGilvery," a Georgia planter, has told him that "the Spaniards had not when first demanded, a sufficient number of that kind of smooth bore arms, that suited the Indians, that a vessel was dispatched to the Bahamias [Bahamas] in in [sic] order to procure as many as were deficient, & that the[y] had all actually arrived whilst he remained with his namesake the Indian McGilvery..." (Creek leader Alexander McGillivray). Discusses the…

GLC02437.04556

25 December 1789

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Wayne acknowledges a letter from Knox of 28 November and talks about information on a possible treaty between the Creeks and the Spanish government. Wayne gives his opinion of rifles "when a professional gentleman who had been in the British services, asked my Opinion of the efficiacy of rifles, to the fire of which the British attributed in great degree the loss of that Army - I gave my sentiments very candidly, that I thought them a very improper arm for an Army, that a few of them in the hands of expert marksmen might occasionally be servicable for small desultory parties, when…

GLC02437.04808

15 June 1782

Van Rensselaer, Philip, 1747-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I am requested by Col. Reid Commanding Officer of this Department to inform you that great part of the Continental Troops in this Quarter are Distitute of Cartridge Boxes, would therefore desire you to order at least 200 to this place. Recruits are dayly expected as also a supply of Cartridge paper thread Twines & flints and some writting paper as I am intirely out and no money to purchase any." Van Rensselaer signs as public storekeeper.

GLC02437.01453

10 February 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of original. Asks Knox to gather materials and help prepare scientific experiments for military purposes planned by Mr. De Granger. With Washington's name at the bottom, signed in another hand. On blue paper. Original Washington signed letter is GLC02437.09371.

GLC02437.09322

17 October 1788

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits the compliments of Mrs. Walker (possibly written by Walker herself). Sent the valise, as promised, but hopes to "be excused from setting a Price on it..." Notes that the valise was the property of a baron. Mentions a double barrel gun and swords she hopes Knox will look at.

GLC02437.04000

18 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Walker

Written in the third person and signed in text. Thanks Walker for her offer to sell a valise, a double barrel gun, and swords. Writes, "[Knox] begs leave to decline purchasing as he has not the least occasion for either of those articles."

GLC02437.04001

30 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Discusses how best to handle Shays and his supporters. Writes, "I will venture to predict that the insurgents must find security in Arms or they must fly the Country I found this opinion on the moral impossibility, of the existence of government with the spirit manifested by the insurgents - One or the other must give place - The insurgents are not the most numerous and therefore they will not have recourse to that expedients. - But they may think they shall advance themselves by arms, and having thrown down the gauntlet the government will take it up." Encourages Wadsworth to come visit,…

GLC02437.03395

1 July 1791

Weedon, George, 1734-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General Weedon, the President of the Virginia branch of the Society of the Cincinnati, to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's circular letter of 1 May that contained six copies of the proceedings of the general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati. Says he will lay them before the Virginia state branch of the Society as soon as he can get them together, which he thinks will be in October. Says that Captain Freeman will deliver this letter. Freeman was in Virginia "reclaiming a Deposit of Cannon Ball." Says they were left on the north side of the Rappahannock during…

GLC02437.05045

1856

Greeley & McElrath, 1841-1866

Pamphlet

Title: The border ruffian code in Kansas.

Published by the Tribune Office in New York City. Includes an examination of the "The character of the Code of pretended Laws enacted by the bogus Territorial Legislature of Kansas- a Legislature notoriously forced upon the people of that territory, at the hands of invading ruffians from Missouri, using the persuasive arguments of the Bowie-Knife and Revolver..." Includes a presentation of the Presidential platforms of 1856 and the acceptance speeches of John C. Frémont, James Buchanan, and Millard Fillmore for their respective nominations. Final page displays a map of the United States…

GLC05116.19

February 16, 1863

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written at Camp Dennison to his wife. Says the arms have arrived, and they have been drilling with sabers. Observes the wickedness and sin, and hopes that in piety they could defeat "seceshdom." Discusses how his "little family" makes him want to survive. Comments "our leading officers who are a conducting this war for speculation and worldly honor." Lastly, exhorts that though he may be tempted by sin at camp that she stay pure, mentioning he has already done "something here that I would not have done at home but the Lord was always with me to chastise me." Stationery features an image of…

GLC02176.04

13 November 1863

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from around Knoxville, Tennessee to his wife. Mentions rebel citizens are rumored to be stealing soldiers' mail. Talks of new clothes, his battalion's shabby outfitting, hopes of buying socks for a dollar with his new pay. Mentions nearly freezing on picket duty and wearing his blanket as an overcoat. Says soldiers are also so hard up they steal, describing an event in which his revolver was stolen.

GLC02176.09

1774

Waldo, Jonathon, fl. 1721-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains that the militia officers will examine that every man is provided with arms and ammunition, as accorded by law. Asks Knox to purchase arms for him. Also asks Knox's opinion of the times. The Revolutionary War was about to start and the Continental Congress had advised the colonies to begin training their citizens for war.

GLC02437.00190