28 June 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin

Discusses the possibility of a Monsieur de Varonault's admittance into the Society of the Cincinnati. Writes in full, " I have the honor to acknowledge the weight of your Excellencys application respecting Monsieur de Varonault of the French Navy to be admitted with the society of the Cincinnati which I submitted to the Society. I am directed by the society to inform your Excellency that it will be necessary that Monsieur de Varonault address himself to the society in France agreeable to the [illegible] provided by the Genl Society."

GLC02437.03593

January 13, 1788

Freeman, Constant, 1757-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox whether he has the right, based on his military service, to two or three hundred acres of Ohio Company land. Adds that Mrs. [Mary] McNeil[l] thanks Knox for settling her husband's accounts. Knox has noted his answer beneath the docket.

GLC02437.03760

February 3, 1788

Freeman, Constant, 1757-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for previous correspondence. Reports that Mary McNeill received Knox's certificate, and has given General Henry Jackson duplicate receipts (Jackson handled some of Knox's business affairs). (See GLC02437.03662, .03670, .03675, .03708, .03772, and .03784.) Of Massachusetts' possible ratification of the Constitution, writes, "The great question on the new proposed Constitution, comes before the Convention the next day after the morrow. I need not tell you how anxious are the friends to good order & government on this occasion. It is believed that it will pass with a small…

GLC02437.03781

25 April 1788

Foster, William, fl. 1788-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for assisting him with a petition to Congress for forgiveness of, or help with, his debt. Hopes Congress will decide in his favor, noting "...but I think- there may be some measure not big with evil consequences recommended whereby public Debtors may be eased so as to prevent finall [sic] ruin." Fears imprisonment and the loss of his property. Declares, "during the War I supported two good men in the Army & from 1777 to 1787 I paid upwards of five Thousand pounds dry Tax. besides allmost constant subscription money for six weeks & three months men..."

GLC02437.03857

8 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Jeremiah Freeman

Docket notes the document is a copy. Declares that he received his 1 May letter (refer to GLC02437.04191). Writes that he is always happy to help a good officer that served with him in the war, but that all positions in his office are full at present. Will help him if he hears of any available positions.

GLC02437.04196

February 15, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio Gates

Relates a recent adventure in which he was apparently traveling over a frozen waterway to meet a military board that included Gates. On the way, the ice under his party broke, but through a fortunate turn of events they remained safe. Knox and General [Jedediah] Huntington hope that Gates and the board will excuse their absence. Asks that they may make their decision without having to physically attend the board. In a post script, asks Gates to present his [Knox's] compliments to General [Israel] Putnam.

GLC02437.10093

February 1776

Gridley, Richard, 1711-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

At the request of General Horatio Gates, Gridley asks Knox to inform General Israel Putnam of the need for repairs on a bridge at Lechmere Point, Massachusetts. Gridley was the army's chief engineer, he was succeeded by Knox in 1775 but retained the title.

GLC02437.00251

2 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hancock

Written by Major General Knox to Massachusetts Governor Hancock. Says Colonels Putnam and Hull comprise a committee of the Massachusetts Line to request an explanation on the status of payment of half pay pensions to officers. Says they "have no doubt as to the substance but are anxious to learn the mode fixed." Says the decisions of other states has them worried, but that they still have faith in the good sense of Massachusetts's leaders. Tells Hancock that the war's end will bring home men of the "highest degree of honor and integrity."

GLC02437.01562

24 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Isaac Guion

Titled, "Instructions for Capt. Lt. Guion of the 2d regt. of Artillery." Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "You are with the detatchment under your command to proceed to Albany and relieve Capt. [Thomas] Seward's company in the Northern department. On your arrival there you will report yourself to [William Alexander] Lord Stirling, or the officer commanding, and take his further orders. On taking charge of the works and stores, you must send me an exact return of the men under your command and their respective stations. Also of the…

GLC02437.01627

24 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Grant

Informs Grant that the 4th Massachusetts regiment will be quartered several miles away along the river and to provide them with transportation and supplies as they are housed rather far from their post.

GLC02437.02708

14 November 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Grant

Writes in full to a Mr. Grant, "I beg you would come down to this post tomorrow to make some arrangements for supplying some troops who are to march the day after tomorrow towards New York."

GLC02437.02776

14 November 1783

Hampton, Richard, 1735-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Brigadier General Hampton recommends a Lieutenant McLean to Knox and praises his good qualities. Asks if it would be possible for McLean to be sent to Knox to serve under him. Noted as written in the Philadelphia Barracks.

GLC02437.02777

2 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Edward] Grant

Knox informs Grant that West Point has only enough provisions to last for one week. Orders Grant to immediately obtain supplies. For Grant's response, please refer to GLC02437.02909.

GLC02437.02901

6 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Grant

Knox writes to Grant, "I have received your favor of the 4th instant, and accordingly we shall rely entirely upon you that the garrison [at West Point] are not out of provisions." Notes that Daniel Parker & Co., a firm that provided the troops with supplies, is too far away to be relied upon. Relates that the issuing commissary at West Point will have to issue a large quantity of rations to the Canadian refugees.

GLC02437.02921

9 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Edward] Grant

Knox writes to Grant, who was in charge of supplying West Point with provisions (refer to GLC02437.02921). Discusses the state of his account with Daniel Parker & Co., a contractor who supplied provisions to the army.

GLC02437.02930

20 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hancock

Knox writes to Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts. Informs Hancock that Captain [Dewman?] was injured in the Battle of Germantown and is unfit for further service. Uses [Dewman's] case to encourage Hancock's support of a state law which would pay for the provision of wounded officers. Docketed by Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.10052

29 September 1781

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes from Camp High Hills that he hopes Knox is with General George Washington in Virginia, where "the prospect is so bright and the glory so great." Wished the Continental Army had attacked New York, which was planned before the decision to concentrate forces at Yorktown. Anticipates that Washington will force British General Cornwallis to surrender, ("pile his arms"). Talks in general about the difficulties of his Southern campaign. Inquires about family and friends.

GLC02437.01198

12 December 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Since arriving in Philadelphia, has tried to gather a party of about 30 artificers to give to Greene. Discusses Mrs. Greene's trip with their son George Washington Greene to visit Greene at the "high hills of Santee" (the Santee River in South Carolina, where Greene was stationed). Also mentions the recent birth of a son to him and Mrs. Knox, "whom I should name after you were not for the confounded name given by your [illegible] father - as it is I shall call him after some roman whose character I think you may like" (possibly referring to his son Marcus). Sends love to Colonel Williams…

GLC02437.01303

14 April 1782

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene to Major General Knox. References two letters from Knox. Congratulates him on the birth of his son. Asks how his godson is. In reference to the godchild says, "Such a set of responsers I believe never happened before. A quaker and Roman Catholick for the same Child. Which will you chuse[?]" Asks questions about the other Knox children. Says Mrs. Greene has arrived and given him an update on the social life in Philadelphia. Had not seen his wife in 2 years. Says, "She is kinder to me than I am just to her." Says the military situation is gloomy with the enemy…

GLC02437.01388

4 March 1784

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his family, stating "My feelings are more flattered by domestic duties than public bustle." Comments on credit being given to George Washington (and himself) for service during the Revolutionary War, noting "there are others no less deserving." Expresses the depth of his friendship with Knox. Mentions discontent recently arising regarding the Society of the Cincinnati (some felt it would promote hereditary nobility). Discusses his nomination to work in the Department of War, asking for Knox's opinions.

GLC02437.02971

7 August 1781

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene as commander of the Southern Department to Brigadier General Knox. Says if reports of New York's investment are true then "you must be the hero of the day. Me thinks I hear the cannon roar while I am writing..." Hopes Knox will comes to the South after finishing the job around New York. Makes reference to a story involving General William Howe at the Battle of Morristown, which took place in 1777. Says "Where is How[e] with his nose, has he left off his part, or forgiven the levy that insulted it so grossly at Morristown?" Makes reference to General Lee…

GLC02437.01124

10 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mordecai Gist

Informs General Gist that he is sending an artificer officer named Mr. Thorp to him in Baltimore to obtain supplies. The items are urgently needed, and Knox has already been disappointed in obtaining them from Philadelphia. He hopes Major Sebastian Bauman has "proceeded in his matters." Knox was preparing for the siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01179

11 September 1781

Gist, Mordecai, 1742-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Response to Knox's letter (GLC02437.01179). Reports that Mr. Thorp has arrived and describes the ordnance he will receive. Also comments on how Major Sebastian Bauman is responding to Knox's recent directives (see GLC02437.01178). The Continental Army was preparing for the upcoming siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01181

10 December 1781

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene to Brigadier General Knox. Marked "private" on address leaf. References Knox's letter of 1 November 1781. Praises Knox and passes along the accolades of Colonel "Light-Horse" Henry Lee "who lately returned from the Northern Army [who] says you are the genius of it and that everything is said of you that you can wish." Calls Knox's operations in Virginia, "brilliant, glorious, great and important." Reports that the spirits of the Southern Army are congenial. Hopes to be able to see him soon when there is an official peace. Says the success in Virginia "…

GLC02437.01302

20 May 1782

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene to Major General Knox. Is happy to hear about Knox's promotion. Thought that he might be able to work with Knox on the coming campaign, but says the circumstances have been changed by British Admiral George Brydges Rodney's victory over Comte de Grasse's French fleet near Dominica at the Battle of Saintes on 12 April 1782. Says Sir Henry Clinton will undoubtedly push operations in the South. Says he heard that Knox thinks there will be a British evacuation and has delayed sending supplies as a result. Had to use some harsh discipline, including hanging a…

GLC02437.01424