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

11 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William] Price

Knox writes to Captain Price, apparently William Price, Deputy Commissary of Ordnance and Military Stores at West Point. Orders Price to make monthly returns and to issue only what the commanding officer, the War Office, or Congress orders.

GLC02437.03011

February 12, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Pollard

Discusses a petition of Pollard's that has been active since 1781, apparently for pay from when Pollard worked for General William Heath. Says it must be renewed, noting that Robert Morris was not yet Superintendent of Finance when it was filed.

GLC02437.03241

11 March 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Ramsay

Written in the third person and signed in text: "Genl Knox presents his compliments to the honorable Mr Ramsay, and submits to his inspection a plan for the general arrangement of the militia." Asks Mr. Ramsay for any suggestions to the plan to help it achieve "greater public utility." Docket refers to Mr. Ramsay as "Chairman of Congress."

GLC02437.03246

12 March 1786

Ramsay, David, 1749-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

In response to Knox's plan for the militia (see GLC02437.03246), Ramsay believes "it is excellent in theory," but has two major reservations: first, is unsure whether the government is prepared to devote time and expense to such a plan, and second, is not sure "whether our youth would not be so fond of a military life as to be tempted to act offensively against our neighbors."

GLC02437.03249

21 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letters to Jeremiah Wadsworth and John Pratt]

The first letter, to Jeremiah Wadsworth, is contained on pages one and two. Both letters are written from Boston and dated 21 October 1788. In the letter, Knox informs Wadsworth that Mr. [Rufus] King arrived yesterday from New York, relating the news "that there is no congress nor any probability of one." Has decided to remain in Boston to attend personal business. Instructs Wadsworth to deliver money to William Knox for the detachment of Lieutenant Pratt's troops (William was managing War Office business in Henry's absence). The second note, on page two, is directed to Lieutenant [John…

GLC02437.04009

28 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Maxwell

Written by Major General Knox to Colonel Maxwell. Orders that the remainder of the 3rd Regiment must march at 3 a.m. tomorrow morning. Tells him that provisions for 4 days must be drawn today and that the men need to have hard bread. Hopes he made arrangements to have shoes here in early in the afternoon. Needs a return of the number of men that will march.

GLC02437.02200

15 May 1784

Mifflin, Thomas, 1744-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mifflin, President of Congress, encloses an Act of Congress directing Knox to ascertain from the British Commander in Chief of North America precisely when the British will leave their posts within the boundaries of the United States (possibly refers to Frederick Haldimand; see GLC02437.03019). Also asks that Knox arrange for cannon and stores at the posts to be delivered to West Point or another convenient location. Original of GLC02437.02999. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.02998

12 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to Jeremiah Olney

Asks Colonel Olney (possibly Jeremiah Olney of Rhode Island) to deliver a petition and address regarding soldiers' pay to General [Andrew] McDougall and Colonels [Samuel] Ogden and [John] Brooks, who will carry it to Congress in Philadelphia. Declares that General George Washington has seen the petition and address and "has no objection to its presentation." Briefly discusses the contents of the documents.

GLC02437.01740

26 October 1782

Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Nicola, commander of the Invalid Regiment, to Major General Knox. Says he has been in conversations with others about the necessity of keeping a standing army in America after the peace. Has concerns that "some in authority as well as others" think militia will only be needed. Says that "while we retain our senses, we shall have little occasion of quarrel with any european power, yet our being in a very defenceless state may in time induce some to attack us. Ventures to make some observations on military matters, as he has 30 years experience. Would like to see a small…

GLC02437.01683

6 November 1782

Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Nicola of the Invalid Regiment to Major General Knox. Was disappointed he could not meet up with Knox at West Point last Monday. Expresses his consternation about the reduction of his Invalid regiment by Congress and the Secretary of War. Claims that the authorities say "the men & officers were a great expence to the States, & from whose services there was little benefit derived." The men and officers are to be examined to discover their situations -- when it will be decided if they are to be discharged with a pension or without one and if they are return to the…

GLC02437.01702

22 December 1782

Olney, Jeremiah, 1749-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Olney of the Rhode Island Regiment to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 12 December on the petition of the army on pensions to Congress. Says he has told his regiment about it and that it meets their approval. The Rhode Island regiment's part of the expenses for the committee to travel to Congress is 37 dollars. Asks Knox to take the money out of a warrant from the paymaster owed to the regiment and to hold on to the surplus. Asks to be kept informed of events.

GLC02437.01758

June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Pierce

Written and signed in hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp, to Paymaster General Pierce. Says he made a settlement with the auditors of the army for monies received for his recruiting and ordnance services in 1779. Says the whole account could not be settled "from a want of sundry vouchers," not in his possesion. The audit found that Knox was owed a little over $2609, which he received in April 1779 in old paper money from Colonel Palfrey. Says he has reviewed his accounts and realized the money was not due to him and asks that it be taken from the pay that is due to him on a converstion…

GLC02437.02206

2 November 1785

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I do myself the honor to enclose you copies of a conveyance respecting Colonel [likely Robert] Troup's commutations, by which it will appear that I made two difficulties in granting it- The first (and only one now remaining) that his military Commission was superceeded on his acceptance of his appointment as Secretary to the Board of Treasury- My opinion was founded on this principle that it is incompatable with the rules of Congress for one person to enjoy the emoluments of two appointments, unless there is an express provision made for it, and that the acceptance of a latter…

GLC02437.03213

12 November 1787

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives information about events in Virginia related to ratifying the Constitution. Encloses an act [not present] "now adopted by the legislature," about calling a convention. States that, "the policy of the state is against the constitution and the union itself. a great majority of the members of the Legislature are opposed to it - but the body of the people at large continues in favor of it." Believes the representatives will cave when they return home and are influenced by the people. Mentions the recommendation of Congress respecting British debt and states, "Patrick Henry is against…

GLC02437.03703

11 October 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph document signed

Title: [Orders to George Washington to blockade the Hudson River]

Orders to blockade and defend Mount Washington from the enemy without regard to expense. Allows Washington's appointment of a Deputy Commissary of Stores for the Army at New York. Docket not in Hancock's hand.

GLC00372.01

20 April 1776

Harrison, Robert H., 1745-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits a letter originally to George Washington from a committee of the Continental Congress (not included) and asks Knox to go to New London, Connecticut to comply with its orders to work on its fortification and harbor. Requests a report after attending to the matter. Knox was then moving southward toward New York, planning coastal defenses against the British navy for Rhode Island and Connecticut in the process. Harrison was then a secretary to George Washington.

GLC02437.00274

7 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her, but must be of service to his country. Sends her copies of the addresses made in Congress and directed to generals George Washington and Charles Lee (not included).

GLC02437.00197

11 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Comments affectionately about writing to Lucy often. Reports that he goes to Roxbury and Cambridge in the mornings and returns to Watertown in the evenings, offering support to Captain Michael Jackson's company. Plans to visit her soon, but feels he must provide his "oppressed Country an essential service." Mentions that General Charles Lee received word that General John Burgoyne wants to have a meeting, but Lee will not comply unless ordered by Congress. Praises the patriot's burning of "Browns House on Boston neck." Also praises George Washington, who took over the Continental Army in…

GLC02437.00199

27 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

A highly detailed letter in which Knox reports on his efforts to obtain ordnance in New York City for the Continental Army in Cambridge. Discusses similar, unsuccessful activities in regard to the activities of a man named Colonel Read, and his problems with the committee sitting during the recess of the Second Continental Congress, possibly the Second Provincial Congress, which met in New York in late 1775 or the Committee of Safety. Reports Colonel Alexander McDougall's promise to exert his influence on the committee and have them send munitions to Cambridge immediately. Seeks permission…

GLC02437.00212

11 November 1775

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

In response to Knox seeking a commission as colonel, Adams writes that he is "rejoiced to learn that you have at last determined to take a more important share than you have done hitherto in the conduct of our military matters." Explains that he has been impressed with Knox's military knowledge and has been making his name known among the members of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Reports that he is lobbying for Knox to receive the commission he seeks, and believes he will. Wants Knox to keep him informed about everything that is happening in the camp. Adams wants "to know the…

GLC02437.00208

4 January 1776

Document

Title: [Resolution on the election of military officers by Congress]

Resolution pertaining to when more than one person is elected to the same rank on the same day. Notes that the Congress then went on to elect field officers for the battalion ordered to be raised in Pennsylvania. Another note indicates that this resolution was virtually repealed by a later resolution made on 24 November 1778.

GLC02437.00236

13 September 1782

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Morris as Assistant Superintendent of Finance to Major General Knox. A sarcastic letter expressing annoyance about Congress and their activities after receiving information on the conduct at Elizabethtown -- probably a reference to the negotiations for prisoner exchanges or for the evacuation of New York City taking place there. Says "Our Sovereign Lords the Congress have at length assented to (not approved of) our Conduct at Elizabeth town." It seems that Congress was not willing to respond harshly to General Sir Henry Clinton's letter, which expressed things the American…

GLC02437.01608

18 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Morris

Discusses a potential problem in providing rations for the men remaining in service after the end of the year. Writes that "no calculation was made for the Canadian refugees who are in the vicinity of West Point - They draw upwards of one hundred rations per day and their numbers are increasing from Albany which post have been ordered to be broken up - There will be also some invalids who ordered from Philadelphia to be stationed at West Point, I do not know the exact numbers but they will be some where about thirty. I have understood that the Canadian refugees and the invalids are to be…

GLC02437.02843

24 March 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Knox writes to Morris, Superintendent of Finance. Discusses the contract between Congress and Daniel Parker & Co., a firm that provided troops with supplies. Expresses hope that Morris (and Congress) will extend the contract after May.

GLC02437.02983