11 June 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Meshech Weare]

Signed "W." by Whipple and "B", by fellow New Hampshire congressman Josiah Bartlett. Asks for New Hampshire's views on the question of independence and states that a committee is being formed for this purpose. Stresses the importance of this subject. Many cross-outs. Letter is written on the address leaf of a letter sent to Whipple in Congress at Philadelphia from Meshech Weare. Docketed "Col. Weare."

GLC05897

1776

Lind, John, fl. 1776-1778

Book

Title: An Answer to the declaration of the American Congress

Disbound. Printed by T. Cadell, J. Walter & T. Sewell. 1st edition. Response to the Declaration of Independence.

GLC05933

17 March 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Josiah Bartlett

Discusses Continental troop movements, specifically regarding Fort Ticonderoga and New Jersey. Also, rising cost of living and collapsing currency, taxation, Franklin's reception at Versailles, and New Hampshire politics.

GLC05878

1785-1812

Langdon, John, 1741-1819

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Autograph letterbook of outgoing correspondence, most 1785-88, 1805-8 & 1811-12

Including letters to John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Thomas Pickering, John Sullivan, Charles Thomson, James Bowdin, and other State governors regarding military affairs, state customs regulations and the need for interstate coordination, appropriations for the Continental Congress. The need for a stronger central government, the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

GLC05896

16 April 1783

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General Heath to General Knox. Reports that General Washington ordered the officers of each state in the army under his immediate command to meet to give their decision on the Congressional resolution of 23 March (this offered five years pay as commutation instead of half-pay pensions for life). Says that the Massachusetts line is meeting at the public building at New Windsor next Friday and wants Knox and the other Massachusetts officers at West Point to be there. Asks that he collect their sentiments and pass them along by the time of the meeing if they cannot make it.

GLC02437.02096

22 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Heath

Written and signed in a secretarial hand for General Knox by his aide-de-camp Major Samuel Shaw. References Heath's letter of 7 August. Says with respect to John Shaw he can only extend his furlough as only the commander in chief can offer a discharge (see GLC02437.02360). Says that is impossible now as Washington is on a visit to Congress. Second page is a copy of another letter in the hand of Samuel Shaw (he accidently signed the letter and then crossed out his signature). This letter refers to John Shaw's poor health and need for a longer furlough. Says it was extended until next April.

GLC02437.02405

19 April 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Encloses an agreement made by Colonel Crane's regiment to accept the commutation of five years full pay in lieu of half pay for life. Knox also accepts the commutation.

GLC02437.02105

12 November 1786

Higginson, Stephen, 1743-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Henry Knox]

Discusses the upcoming possible war with the Indians, and especially the financial prospects of Congress. Believes that Congress will be able to raise more money. Mentions that the Treasurer (possibly Robert Morris) has offered his loan, and that others in a position to do so will feel compelled to provide funding as well. Recipient inferred from content. See GLC02437.03317 and .03343 for related information.

GLC02437.03336

26 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Hichborn

Writes that he received a letter regarding Mr. [Stephen] Bruce's contracting to provide rations for the troops currently being raised. Would be happy to consider him for the contract, but his powers are constrained as the Board of Treasury has "agreed on the principles of an extensive contract for all the demands of the establishment." The Board is apparently planning to select one contractor to provide payment, clothing, and rations, and other supplies. Seems to suggest it might be possible for Mr. Bruce to contract with the one overarching contractor. Under these circumstances, the…

GLC02437.03393

February 13, 1787

Higginson, Stephen, 1743-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the upcoming Convention in May to possibly create a new system of government and Constitution. Writes that the idea of such a convention "may not only be new, but may appear to interfere with that article in the Confederation, which provides that, 'no alteration therein shall be made without the consent of all the states.' But will not that consent be naturally obtained, by the recommendation of Congress to the States to adopt this mode, as they are all supposed to be, at all times, represented in that Body?" Provides evidence to support this argument, and discusses the…

GLC02437.03452

15 March 1785

Hoskins, William, fl. 1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests that Knox write him a letter of recommendation to be presented to Congress in support of his "petition for payment of past services." Writes, "You are knowing to my services under Commissary Trumbull," possibly referring to Joseph Trumbull, first commissary of the Continental Army.

GLC02437.03112

22 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Higginson

Knox writes to Higginson, a former Congressman, to discuss Congress' opinions on amassing more troops in the frontier. Asks for his financial help, since Congress has good intentions in trying to fill the treasury, but there is not enough money now for emergencies. Writes, "Knowing your zeal for the public welfare, and your knowledge of our [brave] Boston patriots," he hopes Higginson will help him make arrangements to encourage others to help as well. See GLC02437.03336 and .03343 for related information.

GLC02437.03317

February 25, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Higginson

Thanks Higginson for his observations on the current state of the government. Says Higginson's views are "perfectly just and well founded" and that Higginson has "a greater degree of attention, and thought on the subject, than most other gentlemen..." Shares his thoughts about the state of affairs, noting "the whole must be taken to peices [sic], and a new one erected on the bases of publick Liberty and public happiness..." Notes Congress has acceded to the idea of a Convention. Discusses the benefits the Convention would bring if the states were to agree to it. States he hopes that…

GLC02437.03468

7 January 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Freeman

Refers to a letter received from Captain James Freeman asking for information about how Freeman might settle his military salary account with Congress (see GLC02437.01310). Knox encloses the resolve of Congress which describes the requirements for getting an account settled, as well as a certificate from Joseph Carleton, Secretary to the War Office, which states that certain parties had their accounts settled by a scale of depreciation better than the one used in Congress's resolve.

GLC02437.01327

8 January 1782

Freeman, James, fl. 1781-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to his last letter from December asking Knox for help in getting a pay settlement (see GLC02437.01310). He has not received an answer, so he supposes the letter has not been delivered to Knox. Believes that Knox would reply with his help if he had received the letter, out of a sense of "humanity," and believes Knox to be a "lover of Justice." Adds, "When I tell you that my Friends are in very Indigent circumstances, you will naturally suppose, that, I am destitute of money, and so poorly clad, that I cannot appear with common decency abroad."

GLC02437.01328

20 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Foster

Discusses Foster's predicament, which involves a petition to Congress regarding Foster's debt. Tells Foster "I shall most chearfully render you every service in my power." Refer to GLC02437.03857 for Foster's reply.

GLC02437.03849

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

3 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Foster

Informs Foster that Congress will decide on propositions concerning a debt due to the United States by De la Lande and Finje [Fynje]. In consequence, thinks Foster may be relieved of his own debt.

GLC02437.03886

24 June 1788

Foster, William, fl. 1788-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his disappointment that his debt was sold. Of Congress, writes "... how that honourable Body could exclude my petition & afterwards dispose of the Debt on less advantageous terms than I offered I cannot reconcile- but will not suppose that to be the true case & therefore conclude I am misinformed- a state of suspense is the most disagreeable."

GLC02437.03913

6 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Foster

Discusses Foster's debt (Foster had previously asked Knox for assistance with a petition to Congress related to his debt).

GLC02437.03929

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

24 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Nathaniel Gorham

Responds to a previous letter by Gorham. Writes a long letter discussing the proposal to use the arms and stores in Springfield, Massachusetts against the Shays' rebels. Declares that he has not received word from the Governor [probably James Bowdoin, of Massachusetts], but if he does, he will submit it immediately to Congress. Asks that Gorham contact the Governor and relate Knox's opinions on the subject to him, and suggests that Knox himself might write a letter to the Governor about it. Adds that Gorham's daughter is conducting herself beautifully, and is beloved by all her…

GLC02437.03391

24 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Hamilton

Written by Major General Knox to Hamilton who had left the army in March 1782. References Hamilton's letter of 7 July. Discusses retaliation against "a captain of the 57 regmnt" (Captain Charles Asgill), for the murder of Captain Joshua Huddy by Loyalists. Asgill was to be executed after the British refused to hand over Lippincott, who the Americans said was responsible for Huddy's death. Washington felt he could not recede from this course of action but wants all other possibilities exhausted before the execution is carried out. Reports Washington will likely demand of Sir Henry Clinton that…

GLC02437.01498

14 September 1783

Hawkins, Benjamin, 1754-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Confederation Congressman Hawkins to Major General Knox. Encloses a letter for Captain Hopkins from General Robert Howe (not included here). Mentions that there are dispatches from diplomats before Congress. Says "I can only inform you that the definitive treaty was not signed on the 27th of July."

GLC02437.02513

9 August 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hardy

Knox informs Hardy, Chairman of the Congressional Committee of the States, that William Hull's mission to Canada failed. Hull had attempted to ascertain when Frederick Haldimand, Governor of the Province of Quebec, intends to withdraw British troops from United States posts. Transmits the original letter from Haldimand (not included). Writes, "It is in indeed extraordinary that General Haldimand shall have received official information of the ratification of the definitive treaty of peace, and not at the same time have received orders respecting the delivery of the posts." Discusses…

GLC02437.03039