July 11, 1812

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Viscount Castlereagh

Indicates he is sending a series of New York newspapers that contain "an address of great public Interest from the minority in Congress to their constituents, and a very important act...on...Trade and...Communications between United States & Great Britain." The act referred to was possibly a bill that doubled customs duties, which was passed on July 1, 1812, shortly after the War of 1812 began. The minority in congress was against the war. Viscount Castlereagh was the British foreign secretary. The author's name is illegible.

GLC01450.724.01

1 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Apologizes for not writing sooner but explains that he was held on "public business" in Elizabeth Town, New Jersey. Mentions a petition he gave to General Benjamin Lincoln. Focuses on matters of personal finance, such as his possible purchase of an estate in Cumberland and land featuring a lime rock farm, which strikes him as a good investment due to the possibility of renting the land and selling the limestone. Discusses taxes, and also mentions items left by his brother, William Knox, to be sold, with the proceeds to be sent to Henry Knox. See GLC02437.01404 and GLC02437.01380 for…

GLC02437.01406

12 June 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Loring and Joseph Peirce

Consists of Knox's working drafts of two retained letters, one to Joshua Loring and one to Joseph Peirce. In the letter to Loring, Knox asks that he forward him any money that he owes him as well as the proceeds for any sales of items belong to his brother, William Knox. Declares that he must pay 500 dollars over the next two months, and asks that the payments be made in "Morris Notes," if possible (perhaps a reference to financier Robert Morris). In the letter to Peirce, he also discusses the collection of money from Mr. Morris and others, and mentions General Benjamin Lincoln.

GLC02437.01447

3 April 1789

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses an excerpt of a letter written to him by Mr. [Samuel] Parkman, respecting iron wanted for Mr. [Samuel] Shaw and Mr. [Thomas] Randall. The letter also discusses the dimensions and quantity of iron desired. Ogden writes, "My wish, nay my earnest desire is to procure this Iron for Shaw." Comments that the iron produced in New Jersey is unsuitable. Discusses how best to pay for the iron. Adds that his wife, Mrs. Ogden, continues to be very ill and he hopes she will improve. Sends love to Mrs. Knox. Written at Delaware Works, located in what is now Morrisville, Pennsylvania, near…

GLC02437.04165

22 July 1791

Phillips, Samuel, 1752-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says that for the past several years he has been trying to make gunpowder "to as great a degree of perfection as I was able." Claims he supplied large amounts to the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. States the "Essaymaster for this state" determined it was equal in quality to English gunpowder. Notes Israel Holt, the bearer of this letter, will offer some samples. Knows that Knox wants "to promote the manufacture of an article so essential to our national safety, and the Interest of your native State in particular..." Can give a small quantity now and a larger amount in…

GLC02437.05079

31 August 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Writes to remind Peirce that he wanted him to purchase iron and several other items. Also encloses acceptances from Mr. [Alexander] Baring, and discusses Baring's upcoming trip to Boston. Comments extensively on financial matters, and includes some calculations and a list of people to whom he gave financial notes.

GLC02437.06808

24 October 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Addressed to Joseph Peirce & Son. Places an order for several items, including corn and coal.

GLC02437.06851

2 November 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Unsigned, and written in two hands. One portion, and the docket, appear to be written in Henry Knox's hand. Written from Montpelier, Knox's home in Thomaston, Maine. Safely received his last letter and the merchandise Peirce sent. Discusses the lumber trade, particularly referring to a Mr. Pendleton, who apparently is taking wood from Knox's island without permission. Also mentions an arrangement with Captain [Thomas] Vose involving the purchase of articles to trade in the West Indies and Europe. Adds that he has asked General [Henry] Jackson to provide Vose with five hundred dollars to…

GLC02437.06860

10 November 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Discusses a previous order of wood, and places an order for several items, including rum and molasses, to be delivered to Zenas Lothrop on Brigadier's Island.

GLC02437.06867

January 12, 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Knox writes to Peirce that "Mr. Sullivan will guard us from injury" against those filing suits against them. Knox has shipped out planks that will "amount to more than 200 dollars nett." Knox gives Peirce instructions on how to receive and pay out money and mentions to Peirce to go to the Tontine Coffee House to make a payment. Mention Henry Jackson and Benjamin Lincoln.

GLC02437.07353

24 March 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Knox received Peirce's letter of March 18. Talks about business with Mr. [Ebenezer] Pemberton, Cummings and Gould. On the back of the document, Knox notes that "Jonathan Jackson Esq., agent for the fortification of the United States in Boston Harbour, bought of HKnox three inch oak plank, at 15 dollars per 1000 feet."

GLC02437.07387

12 August 1800

Penncock, William, fl. 1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Penncock explains to Knox that he made an advance to his son out of respect for Knox, though Penncock has not actually met Knox. Penncock tells Knox that he would like payment from Knox in the form of money, but would also accept oak plank.

GLC02437.07442

18 October 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Knox tells Peirce he has loaded vessels with lime and lumber. Knox informs Peirce about the instructions Knox gave to his nephew Thomas Flucker. Knox will be at his wits' end if Thomas does not board the Constitution.

GLC02437.07472

19 June 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Discusses business transactions between himself and Joseph Peirce. Appears to be trying to regulate the quantity and price of lime shipped out. Also requests Peirce sends him various items for Knox's house.

GLC02437.07545

6 October 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Letter is not signed but appears to be in Knox's handwriting. Informs Peirce he received the rum, crackers, and a receipt for $800. Discusses various business dealings including his troubling situation with the low price of lime. States, "the low price of Lime is enough to sicken one." Mentions wanting to find a house in Boston, Massachusetts for 6 months or a year. Also provides a list of goods he would like Peirce to send him.

GLC02437.07634

19 October 1801

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he received his letter and the $1200. Mentions Mr. Brown is in the country and he will call on Brown once he returns. Also discusses the quantity of lime he has sold for Knox.

GLC02437.07639

24 July 1802

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Discusses his lime production, noting the various orders and quantity sold. Also describes which bills and people to pay with the proceeds from the lime.

GLC02437.07744

14 August 1802

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Continues to discuss his lime business. Mentions the amount of lime they should produce and ship and how to finance it all. Also discusses other business dealings appearing to pertain to land deals.

GLC02437.07745

19 March 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Writes about continuing to receive supplies from France. Seems annoyed about changes in the arrangements, stating "[t]his therefore had better be the course of the business that is to descend upon the agreements ... in Paris." Discusses Mr. Dunton, writing that "I believe him to be a good workman but I am apprehensive he is too greedy - a stipulation therefore must be made that such a workman as I shall appoint at my own expense shall measure the work - and decide any differences." Mentions payment of employees and other such business concerning the construction of the building.…

GLC02437.10294

17 December 1781

Sears, Isaac, 1730-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Declares "we are very happy in this part of the Country at the glorious campaign our army has had this last summer," and says the people in his region are hoping for a peace. Comments that he is sorry to hear of General George Washington's loss of his stepson, Mr. John Parke Custis. Mentions several vessels that have been captured by the enemy: Captains Magge and Grenwell were both taken. Informs Knox that he lost money through the loss of cargo on these ships; Sears has about 230 pounds of Knox's money. Encourages Knox to invest this money in a small vessel Captain Magge will command.…

GLC02437.01306

3 October 1788

Sayre, Stephen, 1736-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes his recent liberation from a "long & illegal confinement" and the defense of his liberty against a "malignant Villain." Warns Knox against the "growing Influence of the Law & Lawyers." Discusses his [unspecified] proposition regarding the navy. Hopes Knox will present his idea to Congress, and asks George Washington's opinion on the subject (Sayre is apparently trying to secure a contract with Congress for the navy). Defends his character and declares his resolve. Mentions [Francisco de] Miranda and refers to his "former friend" [William] Duer, who Sayre regrets is no…

GLC02437.03989

6 January 1789

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Canton, present-day Guangzhou, China. Writes, "I love you too much to trouble you with a long tale of my disappointments. Randall has not yet arrived, nor do I know any thing of him since the 5 March at Madeira. Advantages which I had reserved for him I am under the necessity of transfering to the Washington, on board of which ship I take passage, and hope to see you in New York soon after you get this letter. My credit here is good. God bless you and your amiable family. If heaven means to perfect me 'through much suffering' (I think that is the phrase in the good book) I…

GLC02437.04075

3 January 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to deliver a forwarded letter to George Washington in respects to him renewing his present position, Consul to China. Also asks about extending his duties further eastward. Writes that he is feeling much better "though still a little tender," from his late illness (see GLC02437.04453 for more details on Shaw's illness).

GLC02437.04460

13 October 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Later copy. References Sargent's letter of 28 September. Believes Congress will meet in Philadelphia as the yellow fever appears to have dissipated. Believes a symbolic gesture that things are back to normal is necessary "or all the American commerce will be injured in foreign countries." Encloses a letter from Fort Washington in Ohio (not included). Says the army marched from the Ohio River on 7 October with 3,000 volunteers and is expecting more. Written from Falls of Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, present day Philadelphia.

GLC02437.05944

December 27, 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that he has confirmed the loss of ships Knox invested in by speaking both to McGee and Col. Sears (see GLC02437.01306). Comments that Col. Sears would like him to invest in another ship McGee will be sailing, upon returning from transporting flour to Havana; adds, "If you do, I wish most heartily that Fortune may be in a better humor, and by prospering the next voyage, make you ample amends for last disappointments." Declares that he wrote a letter to Knox's brother and gave it to the Marquis Lafayette who was waiting to set sail from Boston. He writes, "Nothing has been done, or is…

GLC02437.01311