4 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Jonathan Trumbull

Responds to Trumbull's letter requesting information for George Washington to incorporate into a letter to Governor of Virginia Thomas Nelson (see GLC02437.01282). Explains plans to establish an artillery magazine in Virginia, containing the ordnance remaining after the siege of Yorktown. The artillery would be for the use of the Southern Army and protection of Virginia in case of a British invasion. Washington needs to make requests to Governor Nelson for a location to store the munitions, preferably in Westham, and a party for the transport. Discusses the channels through which the…

GLC02437.01286

10 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Tench Tilghman

Written to Colonel Tilghman as an aide-de-camp to General Washington. Says seven prisoners of war who have been confined at West Point have petitioned him for relief. They were taken in the Northern Department and sent to West Point from Albany a year before. Lists their names and the circumstances of their capture. Says that they have families and that most of them have connections in Canada. If they cannot be released, they would like to go to Albany where they might assistance from their acquaintances. Says "their confinement is rather more rigorous than usually falls to the lot of…

GLC02437.01658

12 October 1782

Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Head Quarters" by Colonel Tilghman to Major General Knox. Says Knox's "letters" came to hand last evening. Says Washington has gone down to the river and that he cannot answer him until tomorrow. Reports that "Vessels have arrived in short passages from Holland to Boston - letters down to the 20th of Augt. say that the French, Dutch and English Fleets had returned safe and sound into port." Says the British have not determined whether to relieve Gibraltar or not. Claims "it was in danger and must fall without Speedy relief." Reports that British affairs in the East Indies are…

GLC02437.01659

8 April 1783

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Jonathan Trumbull Jr. as secretary to General George Washington to both Major General Knox and Brigadier General Huntington. Says that Washington joins with them both and "the Gentlemen of your Garrison in the Joy communicated by the Happy News of Peace which is this morng announced from NYork." Says that Washington would like to have both Knox and Huntington and their families for dinner tomorrow. Written from "Head Quarters," which is probably at Newburgh, New York.

GLC02437.02072

18 April 1783

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jonathan Trumbull Jr., as Washington's secretary, requests that Knox finish the preparations for a public exhibition.

GLC02437.02104

19 May 1783

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jonathan Trumbull Jr., as Washington's secretary, requests that Knox and General Huntington attend a dinner with General Washington the next day and then select the best ground for the celebration of peace. Noted as written at Head Quarters.

GLC02437.02127

25 May 1783

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jonathan Trumbull Jr., Washington's secretary, requests Knox to have the [gun] carriages completed in order to be sent with Count Rochambeau to France.

GLC02437.02133

6 July 1783

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Jonathan Trumbull Jr., secretary to General George Washington, to Major General Knox. Says that Washington wants the enclosed papers (not included here) sent to Knox. Wants him to look into the circumstances of the "4 superanuated Germans" mentioned by Major Sebastian Bauman (see GLC02437.02241). Wants Knox to report to Washington if they should be discharged. If he believes they should be discharged, Washington will provide the documentation.

GLC02437.02245

9 September 1782

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Head Quarters." Jonathan Trumbull Jr. writes, "If you have done with the perusal of the Proceedgs of the late Commissioners, the Commander in Chief wishes you to return them to Mr. Holden, for the Inspection of Genl. [William] Heath, who has been appointed to join you on the refusal of Genl. [Alexander] McDougall." In a post script on the address leaf, notes that the meeting of [commisioners] has been scheduled for 18 September at Tappan. "Public" written on address leaf.

GLC02437.01593

21 July 1784

Troutbeck, John, fl. 1755-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his feelings of friendship to Knox: "An age of absence can never obliterate from the Mind, Friendship, which has once been formerly rooted; from that principal I seek no apology for addressing this to my Old & much esteem'd Friend; who, after the fatigues of War, I shou'd be as happy to shake by the Hand, as any Man I know under the Sun." Refers to having sailed to almost every part of the globe. Mentions a set of mugs he bought for Knox in Canton, China (present-day Guangzhou), one of which has since broken. Had a drawn sword and the motto "Pro Libertate" painted on the mugs…

GLC02437.03030

25 June 1792

Tousard, Louis de, 1749-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Tousard signs in text. Sends Knox a picture of the late Colonel Duplessis (not present) which had been commissioned by the Spanish ambassador to France, le Comte de Fernand Nuñez. Writes, "I hope that the picture of an unfortunate and brave gentleman will be favourably accepted by General Knox, as he professed for him the highest esteem and gratefulness."

GLC02437.05516

February 17, 1788

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan relates the details of his passage to France. He had planned to avoid conversing with people from Boston, but ran into people he knew aboard ship. Received introductions from French nobility during his passage. Asks for news related to the United States Constitution. Discusses his debt, stating his interest in obtaining a consular position to an unspecified location in Europe. Notes that the merchants' wives are the most extravagant in their spending, while the higher order are "very prudent & oeconomical, tho' showy." Discusses letters of introduction, mentioning two previous…

GLC02437.03801

27 December 1790

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan has enclosed a plan "advantageous" to both the U.S. and France and wishes Knox to exert his influence over President George Washington and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton to agree to it. Swan also sends "the bankers' letter to me, the Commission or agency in which, I sacredly engage to pay to you." In a postscript dated 30 December Swan asks Knox, "pray sound Mr. Jefferson on this, or get some one to do it. I am affraid of him, merely because Mr. Short may have misled him."

GLC02437.04810

23 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis [Teisoui]

Informs [Teisoui] that his brother, William Knox, asked that their correspondence should be sent via [Teisoui] and expresses some uncertainty about whether William will be going to England.

GLC02437.02411

25 November 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Silas Talbot

Discusses the circumstances of Talbot's sons who are now in France. States they have been well received by the intendant of Normandy and that Count Montmorin, acting as Minister of Marine since the resignation of the Marquis de Castries, has placed them in the volunteers of the 3rd class in the royal navy. Also discusses their various expenses for room and board. Mentions a statement given by Monsieur La Forest and relays that he wants an answer concerning the reimbursement of funds. States, "It was also hinted by Mr. La Forest that it would be beneficial were you to obtain letters from Mr. […

GLC02437.03714

20 December 1787

Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for the information from Monsieur La Forest about his sons, who were in France for their education (see GLC02437.03714 for a related letter). Laments that he did not meet up with La Forest when he was in New York and discusses paying the bills for his sons board and education in France. Asks Knox to help him get the money to the Intendant of Normandy, who has advanced the sums needed to accommodate Talbot's sons.

GLC02437.03731

January 19, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Knox transmits a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette delivered to Knox by the Count de [Moustier], a French Minister. He informs Sullivan, Governor of New Hampshire, that Lafayette wrote the letter "on the supposition of your being in this City and President of Congress." Discusses ratification of the Constitution: "The fact however is that the present system called the confederation has run down... something must be done speedily, or we shall soon be involved in all the horrors of anarchy, and separate state interests..." Notes that if Massachusetts and New Hampshire reject the Constitution…

GLC02437.03765

January 28, 1788

Tillier, Rudoph, fl. 1788-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Henry Knox]

Tillier introduces Knox to Mr. Tardiveau, possibly Barthelemi Tardiveau, the author of a memorial Tillier had previously given to Knox. Identified as a copy in the docket.

GLC02437.03776

March 29, 1788

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan refers to his attempts to meet with merchants and manufacturers in France. He writes, "The reason why the French in this Quarter, have not been able to sell their manufrs. as low as the English, I saw in a moment,- there is not that invention & care used as in Great Britain, to save labour- People being plenty they continue to employ them, because they have done it for a long time." Discusses the replacement of human labor with machines in French manufacturing. Notes that the Marquis de Lafayette has offered to write Swan letters of introduction. He hopes his memorial on French and…

GLC02437.03830

3 January 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Thanks him for his last letters. Apologizes for not writing to him about private matters, but alludes to the fact that the custom in Europe (where Swan is) is for the post officers to open the mail, so he did not feel comfortable going into detail. Hopes very sincerely that Swan is able to extricate himself from financial difficulty and "avail yourself of the rising prosperity" of the United States. Mentions that he has been in Boston and Swan's wife and children are in perfect health. Discusses the new Constitution of the United States, explaining that the legislatures of New York and…

GLC02437.04068

January 23, 1791

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that "the Count Montmorin, Minister for foreign affairs here, has written Mr. Otto, chargé des affaires auprès le Congrès, to use his influence with the President that the proposals of Schweizer Jeanneret & Co. should be accepted." Discusses plans for America to borrow money from Frenchmen. Notes that plans can now go forward if the terms are as favorable as borrowing from Holland. Continues discussing financial matters related to the Committe of Finance and Schweizer Jeanneret & Co.

GLC02437.04836

27 May 1791

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan says he wrote Knox letters on 27 December 1790 and 23 and 27 January 1791. Mentions new ministers from France arriving in America. Their primary goal is to address the U.S. debt to France. Discusses how they could find 40 million dollars to pay the debt. Claims "The circumstances of the finances of france, render this matter nearer at heart, than when first proposed. The deficiency in the Revenue with the expence, was not then known: it is now severely felt." Says if there ever was a moment the U.S. could help France, this is it. Claims borrowing from Amsterdam is not cheap at the…

GLC02437.04960

4 June 1791

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hoped to already have an answer to a letter he wrote back in December. Says the subject of that letter has taken another turn and he will write in a few days about it. Encloses letters that he hopes Knox will forward to Boston.

GLC02437.04974

December 21, 1793

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he wouldn't normally bother Knox, but needs to update him on the situation because of the "cruel war" in Europe. Sends the latest news on 13 sailors captured by the "Algereen pirates." Swan expresses anger that the pirates are allowed to harass American shipping with tacit English approval. Goes on to say that "England by that treaty [of peace with Portugal] will prevent france geting [sic] supplies from america, she punishes us for adhering to the Treaty [from 1778], and for reorganizing their Republic." Believes three things can punish England and get the pirates to back off American…

GLC02437.06002

26 July 1782

Smith, Paschal Nelson, ?-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Smith, who seems to be a merchant in Boston, to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 10 July (which was an answer to Smith's letter at GLC02437.01468). Thanks him for the trouble he took in looking for his "Servant Boy" Prince. From late information, Smith believes he is not with the army, but "is lurking about at Salem, or some where in this neighbourhood, you will therefore please to take no further trouble about him, only if you hear anything of his being in the Army from the measures you have taken you will please to advise me of it, & I will take the necessary…

GLC02437.01505