23 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Parker

Discusses the lack of provisions for the troops at West Point, stating "[t]here are not more provision at this place than will serve the troops to the end of the month, and I much doubt whether it will last so long ... " Request that Parker supplies the post with supplies as soon as possible.

GLC02437.02851

29 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Parker

Knox, commander of West Point, reports that "about [ninety] men will be stationed in New York probably the greatest part of the Winter." Asks whether Parker, a contractor who furnished supplies for troops, will provide supplies for these men.

GLC02437.02871

6 January 1784

Parker, Daniel, 1782-1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Parker, of Daniel Parker & Co., informs Knox that the Superintendent of Finance (Robert Morris) has extended the contract with Parker's firm. Thus, Parker will continue to supply the army with provisions until the following May. Encloses a copy of the contract (not included).

GLC02437.02918

21 March 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Parker

Knox negotiates with Parker, of Daniel Parker & Co., a firm that supplied Continental troops with provisions. Hopes Parker will continue to furnish supplies to troops, although Congress has not informed Parker or Knox of a contract renewal. Refers to Mr. Morris, who has been in charge of paying Parker (possibly Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance).

GLC02437.02980

15 April 1785

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests that Knox, newly appointed Secretary at War, recommend him to Congress to command troops sent to garrison the western frontier. Writes, "I consider that Post an important One to secure the Amity of the Savages, and to prevent those undue practices which will probably destroy the Peace of the Frontiers."

GLC02437.03127

10 June 1787

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks that Major [George] Turner send a copy of the proceedings of the Society of the Cincinnati's last general meeting (May 1787) to the Massachusetts branch before the 4th of July. Mentions a resolution, presumably discussed at the meeting. Notes that [Pierre] L'Enfant hopes Knox will inform him that he supported the resolution. Reports that he will not be in Boston for the 4th of July. Stamped "N-York" on the address leaf. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03576

4 April 1789

Nourse, Joseph, 1754-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the Treasury Office. Transmits with the letter (not included) "the account which you was so obliging to leave with me." Reports that he has settled the charge against Knox from when he was Major General and closed the account.

GLC02437.04166

27 May 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Parker & Duer

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to business partners William Duer and Daniel Parker: "A very considerable part of the Garrison, upwards of two hundred, are at this time sick with the measles and there are more to have them,- In this situation, fresh meat is absolutely essential to their well being-" Requests beef, veal, mutton, "or other small meats," to be sent to West Point immediately.

GLC02437.09744

22 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Treat Paine

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to Paine, Attorney General of Massachusetts. Informs Paine that he instructed General [Robert] Howe, in Philadelphia, to send two men to Boston (Paine requested their presence in Boston to serve as [witnesses]; refer to GLC02437.10128). Offers a stirring declaration regarding independence and the forging of a new nation: "I sincerely reciprocate your congratulations upon the happy termination of a doubtful conflict. The prize is indeed infinitely valuable; and has been obtained with small exertions in proportion to its high worth... There are men in…

GLC02437.10129

24 October 1781

Laurens, John, 1754-1782

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Laurens communicates George Washington's request that Knox send "one of the pieces taken in the Redout [sic] by the french troops...to the regiment of Gattenois." This was in accordance with general orders issued 20 October 1781. The ordnance was seized in the Battle of Yorktown. Laurens had marched to Yorktown as an aide to General George Washington.

GLC02437.01259

12 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Lamb

Uncertain yet whether he will join the artillery park because General George Washington had not yet arrived. Writes, "He has lately met with a severe Shock to his affections, in the loss of the amiable Mr. Custis, Mrs. Washington's only child." Believes Washington felt as affectionately for Custis as if he were his real father, as he had raised him from childhood. Only other affectionate parents might be able to understand this misfortune. Has nothing to add about the disposition of the park, only that it might be in the vicinity of Head Quarters. Has no objection to Lamb paying his family a…

GLC02437.01289

3 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lamb

Writes, "The General [perhaps General George Washington] is still unable to decide when your regiment shall march. You will continue to work on the Tumbrills. As soon as the General shall give me his directions I will communicate them to you."

GLC02437.01474

11 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Lamb

Written by and signed for Knox by Samuel Shaw. Says he would have thought Washington would have ordered Lamb's unit to march by now. Says he just heard from Washington that he will not be giving any orders until he returns from Philadelphia. Washington was leaving for that city this morning to meet with Rochambeau. Assumes Lamb will not be ordered to move until the end of this month or the beginning of the next. Wants his troops to stay employed on the wagons and tumbrils, as the Secretary of War has informed him there are no funds for those items. Reports that "Lt. Fink of your regiment has…

GLC02437.01483

31 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lamb

Has received directions from General George Washington to move the artillery park from Burlington, New Jersey, to New Windsor, New York. Writes that he has contacted the Wagonmaster General for horses and oxen for transport, and the Wagonmaster has arranged for plenty of oxen, but fears that there may be difficulty in obtaining the necessary horses. Also includes directions about obtaining other miliary stores and transporting them.

GLC02437.01511

circa 27 April 1787

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that George Washington will not be able to attend the Society of the Cincinnati general meeting "in consequence of an account which he received by express that his Mother & only Sister lay dangerously ill, & that he was obliged to make all possible dispatch if he wishes to find them alive." States that Washington, however, "desired me to translate the Article Cincinnati & send it on to you together with the paragraph of Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson's letter."

GLC02437.03536

2 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Lamb

Puts Colonel Lamb in charge of ordnance being transported to Head of Elk, Maryland and instructs him on how to proceed. Includes instructions on where to store the ordnance, what to obtain from the quartermaster at Head of Elk, and what to demand of the Board of War & Ordnance. Explains that the company of artificers under Captain Thomas Patten are to be left in Philadelphia and set to work immediately. As much artillery as possible should be removed to the Hudson River and placed under the command of General Benjamin Lincoln. The ordnance being transported had been used for the siege…

GLC02437.01280

18 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Sim Lee

Declares he intended to return to Annapolis but was unable due to circumstances outside of his control. Delivered to Colonel Carrington the horses Governor Lee provided, for use in the Southern States, but one died before they reached Alexandria. The cannon Governor Lee furnished the army with were initially to be used against Lord Cornwallis, but had to be left with Rochambeau to defend York and Gloucester. Suggests that if the state of Maryland needs cannon for its own use, it can take those captured from the enemy, although doing so would stop the cannon from being part of a "battery…

GLC02437.01290

February 15, 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lamb

Knox responds to Lamb's letter (see GLC02437.01354) that the notes which were to be paid to the officers were intended, by Robert Morris, to counterbalance the clothing provided for the soldiers. Morris's priorities are first to provide the soldiers and officers with rations, second to provide clothes (which these notes were intended to do for the officers), and third to provide pay, which they are working on obtaining. Argues that an officer who paid for clothing out of his own purse may use the payment as he likes, but that the intention was to pay for clothing for the officers. Mentions…

GLC02437.01355

2 June 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lamb

Includes a note at bottom of verso indicating that a copy of the letter was given to Colonel Gansevort by Mr. [Samuel] Shaw. Writes, "I have repeatedly mentioned to his Excellency the situation of your regiment, but he has not yet given any directions concerning its march. The operation of the Campaign in great degree depends on circumstances beyond his controls." Asks Lamb to prepare the Quarter Master General's department for the move next month. Also discusses a letter from Captain [Thomas] Machin about new recruits, which might be put under Captain Moody [likely Captain Andrew Moodie…

GLC02437.01436

18 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lamb

Replies to Captain Lamb's request for subsistence while he waits for his accounts to be settled.

GLC02437.02678

11 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas S. Lee

Informs the Maryland governor of the need for 30,000 feet of wooden planks for the upcoming siege of Yorktown. Has asked General Mordecai Gist to obtain the supplies. Also mentions eight tons of powder that need to be forwarded "to the points of operation in Virginia." Reports that these needs are extremely urgent.

GLC02437.10025

10 April 1784

Putnam, Rufus, 1738-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that he will be unable to accompany Knox to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (possibly for the May meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati). Transmits a letter (not included) for Knox to pass on to George Washington, if Washington should attend the meeting.

GLC02437.02991

5 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus Putnam

Writes to General Rufus Putnam about how the people feel in regards to the army and compensation. He hopes that it is satisfactory but events show otherwise. Many in Connecticut and the inland counties are unhappy. Feels that Connecticut shows prejudices against officers about compensation which "are so outrageous as to [induce] some of the most prudent and respectable officers to look out for another place of residence." Writes to George Washington about the situation. Discusses the land in the Ohio region that may be offered as compensation for the officers, the Virginia cession,…

GLC02437.10160

1 November 1782

Pitts, John, 1737-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

In response to Knox's letter (see GLC02437.01649), John Pitts, of the Massachusetts Legislature, writes that he can see "no objection in reason, to his inserting himself into this State by the most convenient opportunity, but I cant say what would be the public opinion." Declares, "I have not attempted to ascertain it by laying your letter before the General Court, as, prior to my receiving it, the Court had determined to take up no more private matters during ye [the] present session, than what had been already received." Suggests sending a letter to the Governor "to present him to public…

GLC02437.01693

January 21, 1783

Pollard, Solomon, fl. 1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox's assistance in obtaining a furlough in order to attend a court session in Concord, Massachusetts, since his reputation is at stake.

GLC02437.01849