29 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel H. Parsons [incomplete]

Discusses the possibility of granting lands to soldiers and officers by resolves of Congress. Explains how the lands may be granted and that some might be located in the Ohio territory, commenting, "it is not for me to determine what assistance you shall receive from the troops of the United States on the lines you are to run..." Also states his happiness that the new Constitution will likely be accepted, and considers the likelihood of ratification in several states.

GLC02437.03746

23 March 1789

Peirce, Isaac, 1722-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to discuss bounty lands due to him for being an officer of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Discusses the death of his two sons, Hardy and Isaac Peirce, in the service. As executor of his son Isaac's estate, would like to know what lands are owed them.

GLC02437.04152

20 February 1783

Patten, Thomas, fl. 1777-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Patten, Captain of a company of artificers, requests to receive the same pay as officers of the artillery. Complains that the men belonging to his company are from different states, "and have had their depreciation [in pay] made up to them from the several states to whitch they belong, and not upon equal establishment..." Lists the amounts paid by several states. Requests extra pay and a horse for his service as paymaster and clothier for the company.

GLC02437.10095

24 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: [Gen Knox presents his compliments to the Marquis de Rostaing].

Indicates that he is sending one of the pieces of ordnance seized from a British redoubt at the Battle of Yorktown to the regiment of Gattenois, which stormed that redoubt on 14 October 1781. The transfer was made in accordance with George Washington's orders (see GLC02437.01259). A third person letter in Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.01260

6 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Relays orders from the Commander in Chief George Washington to make a reduction of the troops and respective departments. Orders Ruddock to deliver all the military stores in his possession to Captain William Price and consider himself and any conductors under him "no longer in service than it is absolutely necessary for this purpose."

GLC02437.02819

November 10, 1790

Rochefontaine, Stephen, 1755-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Rochefontaine writes that "M. Poisé secretary to General de Lafayette during the latter part of the American war has received a commission of captain as a reward" for his service. His work was equal to that of an officer and should therefore be allowed into the Society of the Cincinnati. "Madam de la Lafayette has been the intermediary" but she has not had a response yet from George Washington. Inquires after Lt. Col. Peter Regnier who led a New York infantry. His family has not heard from him since 1783 when he was supposed to have been in the West Indies but set to return to New York.

GLC02437.04776

4 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Mentions that a temporary magazine on a redoubt on Constitution Island (near West Point, New York), which is being prepared to house the powder from Fishkill, will be ready in three to four days. Asks that the powder from Newburgh be recovered first. Requests that he appeal to Colonel [Hugh] Hughes [Deputy Quartermaster General for New York State] for teams to transport it.

GLC02437.01575

10 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Informs Ruddock that Congress has changed the structure of the Department of Military Stores. Outlines the number of commissaries, deputies, and conductors, and explains their locations. Also relates the pay and benefits associated with each position. Asks if Ruddock will agree to be appointed as deputy of West Point, adding "I hope you may as I have much confidence in your integrity and knowledge of yr business." Also asks him to send a return of all cartridges he has received since the first of last March.

GLC02437.01594

11 September 1782

Ruddock, John, fl. 1779-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a recent efforts to acquire Borax. Declares that he will replace what he has gathered as soon as a Doctor Langhorne returns from Philadelphia with a new supply. States that if he is unable to pay him with money, he will try to trade for them with musket cartridges. Also mentions that a Doctor [possibly Charles] McKnight provided all he had. "Public service" written on address leaf.

GLC02437.01596

12 September 1782

Ruddock, John, fl. 1779-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to accept the offer proposed by General [Henry] Knox in his last letter. Declares that he is under great "obligation to the Genl for his favourable opinion of my integrity, I shall ever do my Best Endeavors for the public good and the Genl's approbation." (See GLC02437.01594, in which Knox offers Ruddock the position of deputy commissary of West Point.) Adds in a note that he has enclosed the return of musket cartridges that Knox asked for in his letter, and writes that "with Respect to the powder the Coopers are at work upon it will be ready in a day or two."

GLC02437.01601

24 October 1782

Rostaing, Juste-Antoine-Henri-Marie-Germaine, marquis de, 1740-1826

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox [in French]

Docket, in English, notes "From the Marquis Rostaing acknowledging the receipt of two mortars taken in the enemy redoubts at York Town in Virginia... "

GLC02437.09556

24 August 1781

Richards, William, fl. 1781-1787

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Likely related to the accusations against a Mr. Richards by Reuben Smith in GLC02437.01148. Thanks Knox for his "repeated instances of Politeness shown to me from time to time, in a particular manor, for espousing my character, when it was most injuriously and enviously attacked by the tongue of slander and designing Villains, who wou'd fondly destroy and blast the character and reputation of any man, who appears in the character of a gentleman, especially a Continental Officer, if not an inhabitant of their Town of State." Expresses anger at those who do not provide adequate provisions for…

GLC02437.01155

5 January 1783

Reed, J., fl. 1777-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain J. Reed of the 2nd Regiment of Artillery writes, "In visiting the several posts & Park of Artillery on the Point, I find the State of the Ordnance to be much the same as mentioned in my Particular report of the 24th ulto. A few men are wanting to clear the snow of the different platforms."

GLC02437.01800

January 20, 1783

Reily, John, fl. 1776-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports to Knox that he is holding a suspicious person at Constitution Island who arrived alone and without credentials. He then asked for information about the forts and weapons there. Includes a reply from Samuel Shaw stating that Knox asked him to write, and states that Knox expresses his thanks for Reily's vigilance. Says the prisoner is innocent and visited the Island solely out of curiosity. Declares that he should be released after being informed of the "great impropriety in a person visiting any military post" without proper introduction. Written at Constitution Island.

GLC02437.01847

15 October 1782

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Ogden as the owner of the Booneton [Boonton] Ironworks, which supplied various iron supplies to the Continental Army, to Major General Knox. Reports that after a discussion with Mr. [Robert?] Morris in Philadelphia he is going to see General Washington at his headquarters on Thursday night. Says that the discussion will be of a public nature and asks Knox to attend. Will leave tomorrow. Claims that "Your presence I conceive may be very important, therefore flatter myself nothing will deprive me of it."

GLC02437.01665

30 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Knox writes to Osgood, a Continental Congressman. Thanks him for the "disinterested attention" he has paid Knox in several instances. Assures Osgood he prizes their friendship highly. Reports that George Washington has instructed him to dissolve several corps and reorganize the soldiers whose terms have not expired into an infantry and artillery. Writes, "This business has been painful on account of discharging the officers and soldiers at this [severe] season without pay, and in many instances the men are miserably clad." Refers to an instance in summer of 1783 when officers petitioned…

GLC02437.02875

9 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Written by Major General Knox to Continental Congressman Osgood. Says the letter will be delivered by Major General Baron von Steuben. Says "I am certain you are well acquainted with the reputation of his abilities, and that it is been owing to him that a substantial discipline has been established in the American Army." Says he is "particularly attached" to the American cause and has expended much of his own money to help further it, but that he "can no longer live without pay." Knox says he knows Osgood's "liberal mode of thinking" and hopes he can help von Steuben. (See GLC03646 for the…

GLC02437.01480

17 September 1782

Osgood, Samuel, 1748-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses recent resolutions of Congress which restructured the system of ranks and payments in the military. Considers whether pay grades should be linked directly to ranks, or whether people in each rank should be paid according to the way they perform their tasks, or the amount of tasks associated with each individual position. For example, he can "easily conceive when a Brigadier General has no Brigade, when he can have no command in the Army unless in that Office." Writes that General Edward Hand "will not presume to think that he is the only person that has filled that office - with…

GLC02437.01618

4 December 1782

Osgood, Samuel, 1748-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Osgood as a Continental Congressmen from Massachusetts to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 2 November. After reading it says he "began to repent that I had wrote you with Respect to the System for the Adjutant Genl. Department." Feels honored that Knox was willing to be candid about what he felt were the reasons for the Massachusetts legislature denying half-pay pensions to army officers. It seems that a letter Osgood wrote to Lowell, a member of the legislative committee considering the pension issue, was harmful to the officer's cause. Says "I am extremely sorry…

GLC02437.01730

20 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Written by Major General Knox to Massachusetts Continental Congressman Osgood. This letter is a reply to Osgood's letter at GLC02437.01730. Says that his sentiments have caused "uneasiness" among the officers. Knox made sure the principal officers would hear Osgood's opinions by passing the letter along to General John Paterson to share. Believes that McDougall, Ogden, and Brooks, who have been dispatched to Congress, will be able to convince that body the officers deserve better treatment, especially those that have families. Says the officers have confidence that Congress understands what…

GLC02437.01752

1 January 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Jeremiah Olney

Originally written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp, but now badly faded. Writes, "I this minute reviewed your favor of the 22 ult. with its enclosures. Major Shaw, my aide de camp, who was chosen Treasurer by the Army will execute your orders respecting the money matters. The Committee set off for Philadelphia ten days ago. I have not yet heard any thing from them. As soon as they have the affair in train I will take a pleasure in informing you of it. We have no news. The compliments of the season to you and your gallant corps."

GLC02437.01785

2 March 1783

Parker, Daniel, 1782-1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that they have "received information that Liquors have been sold to the Troops in the Garrison of W'Point, by our agents, in such manner as tends to the Disorder of that Garrison ... " States that they will attend to the matter and give orders to strictly attend to the regulations of the garrison. Noted as written at the Contractor's Office.

GLC02437.01971

4 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Discusses a situation of a fellow officer, Colonel Michael Jackson, who intends to petition Congress regarding compensation for a wound he received in 1776 which is still causing him trouble. This letter is likely Knox's response to Jackson's 29 November 1783 request (GLC02437.02809).

GLC02437.02818

18 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to D. Parker & Co.

Informs the company that troops will be at Fort Schuyler and that they need provisions. Gives instructions regarding the provisions and method of payment. Directs the company to arrange payment with the Superintendent of Finance.

GLC02437.02842

22 December 1783

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Daniel Parker

Requests a meeting with Parker to arrange "for the future Supply of the Posts. I am now to request that you will cause the Issues of Provisions to be made until further Order and that you will come on hither that I may adjust the Means of future Supply with you or if you decline it with some other Person." Noted as written from the "Office of Finance." Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.02848