5 January 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy: "Copied from & composed with the original Feb'y 8 1854." Discusses a headache as a result of various responsibilities and states that he will "employ some person who shall ease me of the drudgery of this business at any rate if the whole of it is thereby suspended..." Also discusses aspects of the Western Territory, trade and mutual friends.

GLC02437.09328

December 1, 1784

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Webber, a London merchant and friend of William Knox, responds to a letter from Henry Knox (GLC02437.03068). Expresses happiness at William's recovery from an episode of mental illness. Reports that William will soon sail from London to Boston. Discusses economics, commenting on the low price of good in the United States. Notes that credit for American trade is "greatly lessen'd" in England. Writes, "in confidence, I would intimate that if Mr Wm Knox extends his Trade and line of connexions, you sir, would render him an essential service by being a guarantee to some of those with whom he…

GLC02437.03071

6 January 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Webber, a London merchant and friend of William Knox, reports the details of William's recent episode of mental illness. William had announced his intentions to marry Miss Laurens, "a Daughter of Mr Henry Laurens." Although they were apparently courting, she knew nothing of the proposal. Webber regrettably describes a scene in which William arrived at the Laurens' residence with loaded guns, declaring "God, and Nature had join'd [William and Miss Laurens] together, and no power on Earth should prevent ye Union, and if not accomplish'd ye House and Street should be set on fire in a few days…

GLC02437.03082

February 5, 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed as the merchant firm "Webber, Addington & Bucknell." Discusses several invoices and other business matters. Writes that they "Sincerely wish it may soon be in our power to send a more favorable accot. of Mr. William Knox," referring to Henry's brother, William.

GLC02437.03092

September 7, 1785-October 5, 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1783-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "duplicate." Includes two letters from James Webber, both written from London. In the first letter, in a clerical hand, but initialed by Webber, written on September 7, 1785, Webber outlines his dealings with Knox's brother, William, whom he had cared for when William became mentally unstable. He writes that due to a variety of circumstances, including poor sales of his goods, William became afflicted with "a lowness of spirits: and a desire to be alone." Webber took him into his home and helped him prepare to depart for America. Begs Knox to write to him about William's well-being…

GLC02437.03188

7 September 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Duplicate of GLC02437.03188.

GLC02437.03189

29 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Control of the Mississippi River]

Discusses the effects of foreign use and British possession of the Mississippi River. Appears to be related to, and possibly part of, GLC02437.08216 and GLC02437.08217.

GLC02437.08202

14 October 1799

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter perhaps from Tobias Lear, who wishes to "vend at the City of Washington, Alexandria and their neighbourhood-a very large quantity of lime and lumber as such prices as to nett a handsome profit...and thereby enable the purchase of flour for return cargoes." This is expected to increase "Trade from the Potomak to the Eastward." Letter is incomplete and contains no signature.

GLC02437.07316

circa 29 September 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses the Constitution of the United States. Declares, "But a candid examination of [the Constitution], will most probably produce a conviction that it is one of the best models of a republican government ever presented to the sons of men." Comments on different groups' opposition to the Constitution, noting that the southern states will oppose it because they think it will support the commercial interest of the north. Remarks that the Constitution will affect "the projects of the paper money..." Notes that America is seen with contempt abroad. Of the current government writes, "The…

GLC02437.03778

3 October 1790

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he received Knox's letter from a year ago and would have replied sooner if he had anything interesting to say. He asks Knox to look at a letter he sent to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson regarding a contract for "supplies to the french navy and the Kinds Rationers in the Colonies-to receive in payment for such orders from the Treasury...in part of the debt of the United States to france." Swan describes that the bankers in Amsterdam are holding out from repaying any "Company or persons who may hold the bonds, other than the Government here." Swan is concerned that a trading…

GLC02437.04743

15 June 1791

Franklin, William Temple, 1760-1823

Manuscript letter

Title: to Tench Coxe

Most of the information on this record comes from a letter written by Julian P. Boyd, the editor of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, in 1969. Boyd's letter is in the file with the original document. The document is not signed, but Boyd identifies its creator as William Temple Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's grandson. Boyd claims it was sent to Tench Coxe who was serving as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. The letter is a summary of the report of the Lords of Trade to the Privy Council. This report was written mainly by Lord Hawkesbury on 28 January 1791. Having this document was a…

GLC02437.04997

29 August 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Unknown

Letter is not signed but appears to be Knox's handwriting. Discusses the lumber business. Assures that his people would not send damaged goods. Also notes the prices of lumber.

GLC02437.07596

22 October 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to unknown

Letter is not signed but appears to be in Knox's handwriting. Discusses business transactions involving timber. States he has a parcel of logs in a pond and needs them shipped to the mills before winter sets in. Provides further instructions and details concerning the logs.

GLC02437.07641

circa 1770-1806

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Transport by ship]

Discusses travelling and the transport of goods by ship.

GLC02437.08207

18 June 1789

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Would like to recommend Major Henry Warren (likely her son) for the position of Collector of Customs for Plymouth and Duxborough, and mentions that he had worked with General Benjamin Lincoln. Hopes Knox might be able to use his influence with President [George] Washington to help him receive an appointment. Also ruminates on the nature of the new presidency (referring to George Washington) and the new government in the United States. "But I can contemplate perhaps with equal pleasure beneath my own private roof the felicity this people may enjoy under the administration of a Man made by…

GLC02437.04245

6 December 1789

Ward, Samuel, 1756-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions that on his return from China, he saw Captain Thomas Randall. Randall had protested against John Searle & Co., a merchant in Madeira, who shipped bad wine on the ship "Jay." Notes that the owners of the Washington Indiaman also have a case pending against the House of Searle & Co. Asks for a copy of Randall's protest, which Randall previously sent to Knox, for use as evidence in the case against Searle.

GLC02437.04427

11 April 1787

Ward, Samuel, 1756-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States that that Mr. Griffin Green has been informed that the sunk frigates in the North [Hudson] River by Fort Montgomery contain pig iron and perhaps some other articles of interest. Asks for Knox's permission to examine the frigates and their property further to see if it can be acquired without too much expense.

GLC02437.03519

17 October 1788

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits the compliments of Mrs. Walker (possibly written by Walker herself). Sent the valise, as promised, but hopes to "be excused from setting a Price on it..." Notes that the valise was the property of a baron. Mentions a double barrel gun and swords she hopes Knox will look at.

GLC02437.04000

18 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Walker

Written in the third person and signed in text. Thanks Walker for her offer to sell a valise, a double barrel gun, and swords. Writes, "[Knox] begs leave to decline purchasing as he has not the least occasion for either of those articles."

GLC02437.04001

15 March 1790

Warner, Jonathan, fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for help in obtaining a position in shipbuilding. Refers to Knox's friendship with [Samuel] Shaw, who frequently travels by ship in his capacity as a trader. Asks that Knox recommend him to anyone who may need a shipbuilder in "York."

GLC02437.04552

1803-1806

Wales & Beale, fl. 1795-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The firm of Wales & Beale writes to discuss a financial transaction between Knox and Mr. [Elisha] Sumner. They also mention Knox's accounts in general, such as those related to his lime business.

GLC02437.07964

22 August 1805

Wales & Beale, fl. 1795-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The firm of Wales & Beale writes to enclose a bill for pork Knox bought (the bill may be the short note that appears on page 3). They continue to urge Knox and his son [Henry Jackson Knox] to provide them with information about the state of the Knox lime works, so they can better help their business. Provide information on the status of lime sales in Boston.

GLC02437.07965

25 August 1805

Wales & Beale, fl. 1795-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The firm of Wales & Beale writes to discuss Knox's business accounts. Mentions Captain [Edward or Benjamin] Kelleran and General [Henry] Jackson.

GLC02437.07966

29 August 1805

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wales & Beale

Discusses issues related to cargo shipments sent aboard the ships of Captains Edward and Benjamin Kelleran.

GLC02437.07967

31 August 1805

Wales & Beale, fl. 1795-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The firm of Wales & Beale writes to Knox's accounts, particularly those related to his lime business and shipments by the Captains [Edward and Benjamin] Kelleran.

GLC02437.07968