30 September 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Webber

Draft of GLC02437.03204, written in the hand of Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.03205

20 December 1856

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Manuscript document

Title: Naturalization Laws

Small note titled "Naturalization Laws," which discusses the laws of Congress, noting there changes over time. Remarks, "there was a secret society called the Illuminists in the latter part of the last Century all those who have had the history of France can learn there the blood that was shed..." Mentions details about French Revolution as well. Note has mathematical calculations.

GLC03523.10.016

31 August 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes on paper sent to him by his sister and teases, "I guess you thought if you sent this size paper you would get large letters." She has also sent him some socks, and Damuth thanks her for them but adds, "I think I would rather be the one that stays at home and knits them than to be the one that stays down here and wears them out." Some men are being discharged for illness, but on the whole, the company is well and eating fresh food. Though the men have marching orders, they have had them "so long that I dont depend much on them. We are soldiering now more as the army under McClellen…

GLC03523.14.35

14 October 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes from the same campground where he wrote his last letter. Damuth thinks they will be there for some time. They are very isolated, "for all I know peace may be declaired now we are so far from any whear." The men have noticed a "great difference eather between Banks and Grant or els the Expedition against Vixburg and this is not much alike." Describes their lifestyle as calm and pleasant. Finds that he has "been to work for Old Abe 14 months," so that he has almost gotten halfway through his three years service. Mentions that there have been rumors "that France was about to…

GLC03523.14.39

2 April 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Report of General Knox's letter to Dr. Gordon]

Later copy. Apparently an excerpt of GLC02437.03257, outlining an incident between General George Washington, the Comte de Grasse, General Rochambeau, General Henry Knox, and Lord Cornwallis. Note at top of page reads, "Report of Genl Knox's letter to Dr Gordon, which the Dr has transferred to his history ii 255,256. outlining General Washington's letter to Count de Grasse, 'which,' says Knox, 'by some unaccountable means has been published.'" Embossed seal in the upper left corner.

GLC02437.03258

June 16, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox references Lafayette's letter from February 11, 1786. He thanks Lafayette for his kindness toward his brother, William, when he was ill. Says that William has recovered and has been with him since October 1785. Hopes the recovery is permanent. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase jeweled eagle badges for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati. L'Enfant returned to America in 1784 and brought back many badges purchased on credit. The price proved too high for some officers, which left L'Enfant in a bind. Goes on to…

GLC02437.03276

January 19, 1786

Francastel, Nicolas Jean, fl. 1784-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette [in French]

For an English translation of this French letter see GLC02437.03239. The translation is in a different hand. This letter was written by Parisian jeweler Nicolas Jean Francastel, who was one of the creators of the jeweled eagle insignia worn by some members of the Society of the Cincinnati (Claude Jean Autran Duval was the other). Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant had been sent to France in 1783 to order the badges for the Society, which he did on credit and was later unable to sell to officers in America. This letter details the settlement over the payment for the badges. With interest,…

GLC02437.03238

January 19, 1786

Francastel, Nicolas Jean, fl. 1784-1786

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

An English translation of GLC02437.03238 in a different hand. This letter was written by Parisian jeweler Nicolas Jean Francastel, who was one of the creators of the jeweled eagle insignia worn by some members of the Society of the Cincinnati (Claude Jean Autran Duval was the other). Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant had been sent to France in 1783 to order the badges for the Society, which he did on credit and was later unable to sell to officers in America. This letter details the settlement over the payment for the badges. With interest, Francastel was to be paid 20,229 livres. Francastel says…

GLC02437.03239

12 March 1786

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Nathanael Greene writes, "I thank you for the public attention you are paying to my public Trophies; but I have been so embarrassed and perplexed in my private affairs for a long time past which originated in the progress of the War that I have but little spirit or pleasures on such subjects. My family is in distress and I am overwhelmed with difficulties and God knows when or where they will end. I work hard and live poor but I fear all this will not extricate me." Describes some business losses he has suffered, including poor harvest due to wet weather. Mrs. Greene is about to "…

GLC02437.03251

28 March 1786

Duncan, David, fl. 1786

Manuscript document

Title: Extract of a letter from David Duncan to Tho Hutchins Esqr.

In this letter, David Duncan, a former Indian trader appointed to work at Fort McIntosh, writes to Thomas Hutchins, the Geographer of the United States. After a four-month tour of Detroit and the surrounding areas, Duncan reports to Hutchins about the Indians he encountered. First, he says that evidence indicates the British will not be giving up their post at Detroit any time soon, as they seem to be settling in there. He describes the dispositions of the Indians he encountered, providing detail about the nations he came upon, including the Shawnee, Ottowa, and Delaware. Is highly…

GLC02437.03254

12 July 1784 - 13 July 1784

Hull, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letters exchanged between William Hull and Frederick Haldimand]

Marked as a copy, but written in Hull's hand. Hull asks Haldimand, Governor of the Province of Quebec, "when each of the Posts within [United States] Territories now occupied by his Britanic Majesty's Forces will be delivered up agreeably to the definitive Treaty of Paris..." Also proposes the exchange of cannon and stores at the posts. Contains Haldimand's answer from Quebec, dated 13 July 1784. In his reply, Haldimand encloses a letter to Knox (not included) giving reasons why the matter is out of his power.

GLC02437.03028

17 August 1784

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

States he received a letter from General Henry Knox asking "whose map of the River St. Croix was used as an authority by the ministers who negotiated the Peace." Knox asked that Jay send his answer to General Lincoln. Jay says that the map was one compiled by Mitchel and believes that it only showed one river with the name St. Croix. Concedes that there may be more than one river with that name but thinks the river included in the peace treaty can be answered by this map.

GLC02437.03043

August 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Result of negotiations between Henry Knox, Benjamin Lincoln, and the Penobscot Indians]

Knox writes, "General Lincoln and myself were appointed to treat with the Penobscot indians, in order to induce them to relinquish the lands from the head of the tide 40 miles up the river- In our stretch Oreono, an old man half indian and half french of the [Castine] breed, made the following reply." In the reply, the Penobscots express concern "about the agreement what was made at the first of the War with Genl Warner at Watertown. The Genl desired that we would not suffer any person to come on our land The Almighty placed us on the land and it is ours... Now why should we not hold the…

GLC02437.03046

4 September 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: The substance of the commissioners speech to chiefs of the Penobscot Indians 4 September 1784

Lists the Penobscot Chiefs as Oronoe (Orono), Squire Orson, Nicktumbowit, John Nepton, Peelsock, Wine [Measum] (possibly the Wine Meesor of other sources) and Wine Aremooglit. Congratulates the Penobscot tribe on their conduct during the Revolutionary War. Asserts "That it was said [the Penobscots] were in possession of more lands than were necessary for their purposes and that they seemed fully to be of this opinion themselves, as we were informed they had sold considerable tracts..." Adds, "but if they really possessed more lands than were necessary, or were desirous to change their…

GLC02437.03048

4 September 1784

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: [Speech delivered to the Penobscot Tribe]

Written at the Penobscot River, present-day Maine. Lincoln, a commissioner chosen to negotiate land boundaries with the Penobscot Tribe, praises the Penobscots' involvement in the Revolutionary War. Continues, "It is said that in your own Opinion the Lands you occupy far exceed the Quantity necessary for your own Use; and that you have suffered pretended purchases for trifling Considerations, to engross Part of them... the Sovereign Power of this Commonwealth... will not suffer Individuals to purchase those Lands which you are permitted to occupy." Offers the option for the Penobscots to…

GLC02437.03049

9 October 1784

Mitchell, John, fl. 1755-1790

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt for traveling expences]

The State of Massachusetts pays Mitchell for expenses incurred on his trip to Boston. Mitchell traveled to Boston to give evidence regarding his previous survey of the St. Croix River. Henry Knox was recently appointed by the State of Massachusetts as a commissioner to examine whether people of Nova Scotia encroached on Massachusetts (present-day Maine) lands.

GLC02437.03056

February 8, 1785

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Jay

Discusses political and military affairs in Europe at length. Writes, "I strongly am of opinion no War will take place, at least for this year the assurance of things, however, is still Warlike enough to have made it proper for me to be arrived at the time I am..." Refers to the Marshal de Castries and discusses French trade. Mentions Longchamps, possibly the chevalier Charles Julian de Longchamps, who in 1784 assaulted François Barbé-Marbois in Philadelphia. Creator and recipient identified by GLC02437.03096, with which this letter was likely originally enclosed.

GLC02437.03095

February 25, 1785

Killingley, Green, & Son, fl. 1785

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Killingley, Green, & Son, a merchant firm, attempt to collect the balance of an account owed them by William Knox. Killingley notes that William is delinquent on the bill due to "the unfortunate gloom that hath pervaded [his] mind of late" (William suffered from mental illness). His delinquency has "destroyd our small profits..." Asks Knox to intercede on William's behalf. Writes, "...we conclude with sincere congratulations that your Country is emancipated from slavery, & shall always rejoice in its future prosperity..." Includes details of the account on page three. Duplicate…

GLC02437.03099

February 25, 1785

Killingley, Green, & Son, fl. 1785

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Killingley, Green, & Son, a merchant firm, attempt to collect the balance of an account owed them by William Knox. Killingley notes that William is delinquent on the bill due to "the unfortunate gloom that hath pervaded [his] mind of late" (William suffered from mental illness). His delinquency has "destroyd our small profits..." Asks Knox to intercede on William's behalf. Writes, "...we conclude with sincere congratulations that your Country is emancipated from slavery, & shall always rejoice in its future prosperity..." Includes details of the account on page three. Duplicate…

GLC02437.03100

December 11, 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes to his sister extensively about his clothing, remarking "I just laid my clothes loose in a box and told them to remain their till I could come and take them away again." Reports that he will not get a furlough, but "I dont care much about coming home till I can come for good as the time is so short now." Informs her that there is a Russian fleet anchored in the [Potomac] River.

GLC03523.08.87

23 July 1787

Lotbinière, Michel de Chartier, chevalier, marquis de, 1723-1798

Manuscript letter

Title: [Extract of a letter to Monsieur de Gribeauval respecting Mr. Knox]

Discusses his acquaintance with Knox, who hopes to start a correspondence with Gribeauval, most likely due to their common experience with artillery. Reports that Knox is knowledgeable about Gribeauval's reputation in Europe. Noted as an extract of a letter. Translation of GLC02437.03614.

GLC02437.03613

4 January 1853

Greer, James A., 1833-1904

Letter signed

Title: to J. B. Pollock

Written by Greer the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. References Pollock's letter from 13 December 1852 where Pollock said he sent a map of Texas to his agent. The agent was supposed to forward it to Greer. Says the agent has failed to comply with Pollock's request.

GLC03479.20

13 March 1865

Poor, Charles Henry, 1808-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to consul

Written by Poor as commander of the USS "Saranac" to an unknown consul. Says he would be happy if he would accompany Mr. & Mrs. Phelps on board at 3:30 to take soup with him.

GLC03479.37

24 June 1872

Taylor, William Rogers, 1811-1889

Letter signed

Title: to J. W. A. Nicholson

Written in secretarial hand and signed by Rear Admiral Taylor as Commander in Chief of the South Atlantic Fleet to Captain Nicholson of the USS "Lancaster." Tells Nicholson, and any other officers so entitled, to transfer themselves to the USS "Portsmouth" and USS "Supply" to return to the United States.Written while aboard the USS "Lancaster".

GLC03479.43

circa 1775-1783

Barry, John, 1745-1803

Document signed

Title: [Naval prize money document]

Printed document for certifying naval prize money with blank spaces to write in names and dates. This document has blank spaces for the date and name, but is signed by Captain Barry. Document dated from Barry's time as a captain in the Continental Navy.

GLC03479.01