January 23, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Acknowledgment of receipt of gift]

Henry Knox writes about himself in the third person. Although he already has a set of the Federalist, he gratefully accepts a set given as a gift by Mr. William [illegible, but possibly Lennox], who has created a "beautiful specimen of the great advancement he has made in noble art of printing, and in the business of book binding."

GLC02437.04095

May 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth discusses the recruitment of troops. He writes, "I have farther investigated the Bermuda business I am persuaded there will be a Garrison [there] of one or two thousand men..." referring to British soldiers. Refers to the possible adoption of the Constitution by Virginia and North Carolina. Writes, "This State as well as Massachusetts will be represented & [Governed] principally by federal Men- and I begin to hope our new Machine will be put in motion in all this Year." Mentions the opposition of Rhode Island and New York to the Constitution. Notes that George Washington Greene…

GLC02437.03881

15 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the allocation of money from the Treasury warrants. Believes the troops "at all hazards" need to be paid. Wants the next warrant to be used to pay the officers or "they...will consider themselves as greatly injured & will give weight to the opposers of a Federal Government ... " Expresses anxiety about the possibility of rebellion if the men are not paid, "this state I am persuaded never was so ripe for rebellion as at present the friends to Chaise [Shays] & his party are increasing & growing bolder every day - they have in general carreid their Elections throughout the…

GLC02437.03522

23 September 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that they have not been able to obtain a cow yet that will produce enough milk for the whole winter but hopes to soon. Says when they do purchase a cow she will need to be driven in a herd of cattle as opposed to being sent by water. Notes that a strong political party is forming against the convention (the Constitutional Convention, which had finalized drafting the Constitution four days earlier) and Wadsworth fears the new government may not be formed. Notes "if the Massachusetts rebellion had continued we might hope their is many of our Leading Men who dread the lessening…

GLC02437.03667

12 December 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a cow and calf he sent Knox and gives advice on how to feed them. Mentions falling off his horse. Comments on the anti-federalists, "Our antifederals are busy but will be distanced - tho aided by your deeds in NY & Pensa from whence they daily receive pamphlets & newspapers full of wrath slandor & wit..." Stamped "N. Haven."

GLC02437.03723

23 December 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is happy to hear that Pennsylvania adopted the Constitution. Mentions the debates over the Constitution in Connecticut. Hopes to set out soon for New York "as soon as that business is over" and possibly attend Congress. Mentions that "Old Pluckemin" [a dog] has died. In a postscript, writes, "If Publius comes out in a pamphlet I would want to have a number" (likely a reference to the Federalist Papers). States that everything written about the constitution in New York is "forwarded under cover to our Wrong Heads - & every under hand manner taken to prevent our adopting it..." Recipient…

GLC02437.03736

9 January 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth declares, "This moment from Convention- Where the proposed Constitution was passed 127 Yeas- 40 Nos- it ought to be remarked that all the [first?] Characters in the Convention were for the Constitution and Gen James Wadsworth the only man of any real consequence who was against it Our Governor Deputy Governor late Governor Griswold & all the Judges of the Superior Court were present except one- & for it - All of ye Council for - (one against it Gen Wadsworth)." Letter dated 1787, but docket (and content) reveal that it was created in 1788. With unsigned free frank.

GLC02437.03756

12 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Plans to transmit $29,000 worth of warrants from the Board of the Treasury to Wadsworth within the course of one week to pay for the recruiting service. Discusses Virginia's possible adoption of the Federal Constitution. Writes, "Mr. A[rthur] Lee informs me that by the elections it appears that 63 are against the constitution, and 67 - for These are all the elections excepting the back coun[ties]..." Mentions the attempts of Patrick Henry and Colonel [William] Grayson to influence the "back counties" against the Constitution. Notes that Mr. [James] Madison "seems to be of opinion that the…

GLC02437.03835

17 April 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Replies to Knox's letter from 12 April (GLC02437.03835). Discusses army pay warrants. Has "ransacked the County a couple of good cows." Promises to send a cow to Knox when one can be obtained. Speculates on the possible adoption of the Constitution by Virginia and New York: "I don't believe [George] Mason and old [William] Grayson will be very influential in Virginia- and hope the exertions of the Federalists will continue to be industrious in New York for as I came thro E & W Chester I found the Antis had been busy and too successful." Further relates his views on whether New…

GLC02437.03843

11 May 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Connecticut politics, mentioning James Wadsworth. Promises to send pumpkin seeds from his garden. Mentions that Mr [Joel] Barlow [see GLC02437.03874] will be travelling on a packet for France, and will be able to take care of George.

GLC02437.03869

15 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for updating him on the progress of the Virginia convention for ratification of the United States Constitution. Writes, "I am just now informed by a friend who has been into New Hampshire that their [sic] is little doubt but that state will adopt it." Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03896

17 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he will be able to pay his dividend of bank stock in early July. Asks that Knox inform him if he decides to draw on Wadsworth immediately for 2,000 dollars. Writes, "I am obliged to have recourse to some Magic to get hold of Money on your warrants- but you see I am not without some success." Thanks Knox for transmitting news of the likelihood of Virginia's adoption of the Constitution.

GLC02437.03901

22 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked as private. Discusses financial matters related to warrants. Informs Knox he can draw on Wadsworth for two thousand dollars. Mentions a secret financial transaction he promises to explain when he next sees Knox. Writes, "... their [sic] has been such cursed work between the collectors & sherrifs that I am afraid their will be trouble enough before we have got through with ye settlement of our old taxes." Has been in hopes of getting "good news" from Virginia, referring to the Constitutional ratification convention of that state. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no…

GLC02437.03906

22 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Reports that he will draw on Wadsworth for $2,000 to "answer the present exigencies- after which the connecticut recruits are to be paid and marched." Hopes a company will be ready to march from West Point by 10 July. Of the Virginia Constitutional ratification convention, writes: "The business in Virginia is critical indeed- So nearly balanced that neither side can determine which has the majority but this is independent of the Kentucky members amounting to 14- Those Gentlemen will determine the fate of America.... You see my dear sir on what a slender thread depends the future happiness…

GLC02437.03907

26 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Promises Knox one thousand dollars in addition to the two thousand already given. Discusses the safety of sending the money by stage. Congratulates Knox on New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution, noting "is it possible the an[cient] Dominion [Virginia] can reject it. if they do who can think of a Curse that is equal to their Crime- [William] Grayson and [James] Monroe how- unaccountable their conduct are you not convinced their is a Hell - is any other punishment but [illegible] unquenchable fire equal to the crime of destroying the [fairest] hopes of a world - Adam & Eve […

GLC02437.03914

29 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth discusses arrangements for getting money to Knox. Promises to bring two thousand dollars to New York, and will make sure another thousand arrives in New York by mid-July. In closing, writes, "Virginia must adopt the Constitution I cant bear to think they will not..." "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03919

3 July 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Wadsworth writes, "We celebrated the Independence of America the 3d instead of the fourth- as our members the Society of the Cincinnati live so remote they could not have returned home before Sunday had we delayed." Remarks that during a sermon given for the celebration, they received news that Virginia ratified the Constitution. Plans to soon bring Knox money they had previously discussed. Docketed in pencil, possibly at a later date.

GLC02437.03924

2 November 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth comments on an escaped enslaved person or servant: "Mrs. Greene left us last Monday for Charleston Via N York on the night before she went away- her molatto man servant Ham left her & has been heard of on his way to Boston. she wishes to regain him he has been a favorite from his infancy & brot up un the family- as damed a rascal as [ever] was unhanged- & if I could now get him to Georgia she would sell him... I will have some body bring him away privately for I am told to do it publicly is impossible in Boston." Notes that his cousin, James Wadsworth, and other anti-…

GLC02437.04021

January 14, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Writes that he has no access to funds to make payments to a public account, so would like to know whether the state of Connecticut might be able to help contribute. Adds that he has heard about the elections results for Connecticut and is very pleased with the makeup of the Legislature.

GLC02437.04091

17 May 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Later copy. Thanks him for the various letters and the news they conveyed. Says "I am persuaded that your good sense as well as inclination will lead you to unite cordially with General Wayne, and to promote a Spirit of harmony throughout the several corps." Mentions that Brigadier General Thomas Posey is delivering this letter. He is "a gentleman from whom I flatter myself, the service will derive solid benefit." Believes Posey will arrive in time to accompany Mrs. Wilkinson down the Ohio River. Reports he has told both Mrs. Wilkinson and Colonel Biddle "the pleasure your conduct gave…

GLC02437.05893

7 September 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Webber

Writes to Mr. James Webber of London on a variety of topics. First, thanks him very much for caring for Knox's brother William when William was ill. Is overjoyed to hear of "his restoration to reason and health," and that he will be returning to America from England. Discusses a variety of other topics, including trade between America and England, Boston politics, and the financial business between Webber, Knox, and the firm of Broome & Platt (see GLC02437.03185).

GLC02437.03186

2 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Webber

Apparently, Knox is trying to collect money owed to Webber for the sale of goods Webber consigned with various Americans. Discusses financial matters. Knox's brother, William, thinks Webber may have some of his money (Webber looked after William while he was in England, suffering from a bout of mental illness). Reports on other debts owed to him, relating that he even visited [Samuel?] Ogden to obtain payments due, though Ogden is financially unstable because he used paper money. Comments on "the adoption of a new Constitution for the United States which utterly excludes paper money and…

GLC02437.03923

January 19, 1854

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Pamphlet

Title: Appeal of the Independent Democrats in Congress, to the people of the United States. Shall slavery be permitted in Nebraska?

Printed by Tower's Printers. Uncut. Issued by Congressmen Chase, Charles Sumner, Joshua R. Giddings, Edward Wade, Gerrit Smith, and Alexander De Witt. "Whatever apologies may be offered for the toleration of slavery in the States, none can be urged for its extension into the Territories where it does not exist, and where that extension involves the repeal of ancient law, and the violation of solemn compact." Frail, with folded, torn edges.

GLC05116.03

February 15, 1854

Fenton, Reuben Eaton, 1819-1885

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of Hon. R. E. Fenton of New York on Democratic tests, and the Nebraska Bill.

Printed at the Congressional Globe Office. Disbound. Representative Fenton states, "...the bill under consideration, although negative in its character, is affirmative in its character for the spread of slavery. A principle, sir, I cannot sustain, nor will, I believe, the people of this country sustain it."

GLC05116.04

6 April 1854

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Pamphlet

Title: No slavery in Nebraska: no slavery in the nation: slavery an outlaw. Speech of Gerrit Smith, on the Nebraska Bill.

Representative Smith states, "I am opposed to the bill for organizing the Territories of Nebraska and Kansas, which has come to us from the Senate, because, in the first place, it insults colored men, and the Maker of all men, by limiting suffrage to white men... in the second place, it limits suffrage to persons, who have acquired citizenship... in the third place, because, it is so drawn, as to convey the deceptive idea... that the bill recognizes the doctrine of non-intervention."

GLC05116.06