9 October 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Breck

References receiving Breck's letter from his son. Thanks him for his sympathy upon the death of his son Marcus. Says "Language is utterly inadequate to convey any idea of the agony of our souls upon the occasion." References Breck's previous letter where he ranted about the high taxes the assessors implemented in Boston. Would be happy to have Breck as a neighbor in Philadelphia if he should move. Reports that "House rent is here exceedingly high." Goes on to explain the rental real estate market in Philadelphia. Praises the house of Mr. Simmons, a coachmaker, at the corner of Chestnut and…

GLC02437.05189

16 October 1791

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 9 October (GLC02437.05189). Thanks him for looking into the housing market in Philadelphia, and agrees with him that "the extravagant high rents will produce a sufficient number of Houses to accomodate all who wish them, on moderate terms." As he has no business to attend to, will visit Philadelphia in the spring. Plans to either hire, purchase, or build a home. Notes that he is willing to consider Mr. Simmons's house if they can agree on a price. Explains other options in Philadelphia and goes on to lament the high taxes in Boston. Relates that it is too late for…

GLC02437.05197

12 April 1793

Bridge, Edmund, 1739-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

This letter appears to have been forwarded by Jackson to Henry Knox, as Knox's handwriting is on the docket. This was written by Bridge as the Sheriff of Lincoln County in the District of Maine who was trying to sell some of the Waldo Patent to pay for back taxes. Bridge references Jackson's letter of 24 March. In answer, says he has gone to considerable trouble to arrange the sale of the land if the heirs have not paid their taxes by 11 July. Pushed the date back to give the heirs a chance to pay their taxes and also because the Supreme Court is meeting at that time and he can sell the…

GLC02437.05870

25 May 1799

Bingham, William, 1752-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Bingham declares to Knox that, though difficult, he finished paying the state of Massachusetts the sum of $328.02. Bingham discusses his land selling possibilities and the help he has hoped to receive from Knox. If Bingham cannot sell, he will have to make money by mortgaging his land. He complains that taxes on the land would take a toll on its value. In a postscript he tells Knox what "Genl Cobb" and "Mr. Richards" have told him regarding the Legislature and the land.

GLC02437.07270

6 October 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Secretary of War Knox informs the president of his arrival in Philadelphia, and also for permission to join Washington in Carlisle, Pennsylvania "until the painful task upon which you are, shall be settled." The "painful task" was the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion by government troops, headed by Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Virginia Governor Henry Lee. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.06219

6 January 1794

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says that Mr. Samuel C. Morris is applying for the appointment of Supervisor of the Excise of the counties of Berks, Northumberland, and Northampton in Pennsylvania. Gives a good recommendation for Morris, saying he served with distinction during the Revolutionary War.

GLC02437.06021

1766

Parker, James, fl. 1766-1771

Pamphlet

Title: Examination of Doctor Benjamin Franklin, before an August Assembly, relating to the Repeal of the Stamp-Act, &c.

Records Franklin's testimony before the House of Commons concerning American grievances about the Stamp Act, internal levies, the debts from the French and Indian War, costs and origins of that war, American manufactures, and American sentiments towards Britain and Parliament. Among the questions and answers are: "Q. What used to be the pride of Americans? / A. To indulge in the fashions and manufactures of Great-Britain. / Q. What now is their pride? / A. To wear their old cloaths over again, till they can make new ones." Copyright and libel laws prohibited any indication of the "august…

GLC01719

July 18, 1844

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gov. William C. Bouck of New York

Concerning his election campaign policy, feeling that it is "wrong... for a candidate... to engage personally in the contest." Also mentions the tariff and Texas. Bouck was governor of New York. One bust engraving of James K. Polk included.

GLC01745

1773

Scaevola, active 18th century

Broadside

Title: To the Commissioners Appointed by the East-India Company, for the Sale of Tea, in America.

Protests the consignment of tea as a means to raise revenue for Britain in America. Equates the commissioners' appointment with those of the Stamp Act tax collectors a few years earlier. Scaevola was a pseudonym.

GLC01753

December 11, 1773

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Adams predicts a breach between America and Britain and writes that "Nothing, but equal Liberty and kind Treatment can Secure the Attachment of the Colonies to Britain." He argues that London's "Experiments" in public revenue will open trade to the Dutch or "will erect an independent Empire in America."

GLC01787

May 9, 1789

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Letter signed by Gerry as a Maryland Congressman. Also signed by William Smith of Maryland and Josiah Parker of Virginia. Requests that Sullivan, as the Governor of New Hampshire, transmit the proper statements to the House of Representatives concerning the revenue and commerce of the state. This letter is written on page two. On page one is an extract of a motion of the House of Representative signed by John Beckley, as Clerk, directing that information be gathered on imports and exports from several states and foreign and domestic vessels entering and leaving.

GLC01496

June 15, 1790

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Ellery writes to Congressman Gerry from Massachusetts to say that since the Constitution has been ratified, it is now proper for him to ask for his support for appointment as the Collector of the Southern District of Rhode Island. He has asked him to be appointed a judge, but now thinks he is more qualified to be a collector. Thinks that the state legislature of Rhode Island will continue to insist that the national government assume the debt of the states. Sends his regards to their mutual acquaintances: Colonel Partridge, "father Sherman," "old Foster, and all my congressional acquaintances…

GLC01497

6 August 1792

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Document signed

Title: [Circular letter to port collectors about payment of duties]

Printed circular letter about payment of duties when less than $50, and custom duties on brass, tea, etc. Signed by Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton.

GLC01639

January 27, 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Pitt Fessenden

Letter written as Secretary of Treasury on department stationery. Discusses the national banking system and tax on circulation. States that against his urgings, Congress has insisted on a conversion clause. Writes that in his first report in July 1861, he suggested a tax on bank notes and other internal taxes but that no duties were imposed. In his second report, he says he proposed a national banking system and a tax on circulation. Remarks, "It is my considered judgment that had these views been adopted at the last session...there might have been comparatively little financial embarrassment…

GLC01574.01

April 19, 1821

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Mentions funding appropriations for the University of Virginia, and states that he enclosed a report on the subject. Pledges continued support for the University. A discussion of foreign relations with Europe follows. Comments on an Austrian attack on Naples and its possible consequences, and tariff disagreements between the United States and France. Describes the people of Europe as "ripe for revolt."

GLC01576

5 June 1794

Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813

Document signed

Title: An Act laying duties upon carriages for the conveyance of persons

Signed in his hand by Randolph as Secretary of State. Signed with printed signatures of Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ralph Izard, President of the Senate, and approved by George Washington as President. Printed act establishes a yearly tax on all carriages used for the conveyance of persons. Decided at a session of the Third Congress in Philadelphia 2 December 1793 and approved on 5 June 1794.

GLC01618

January 25, 1765

Winthrop, John, 1714-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Belcher

Winthrop congratulates Judge Belcher on recovering "from a dangerous illness." He notes having read that many French Acadians have been removed from Nova Scotia, Canada, to the West Indies, and observes that because of their religion, they "could hardly ever have been good Subjects to a Protestant government." Indicates that the Sugar Act and the Currency Act, referred to as "The late Acts of Trade," are widely discussed and cause much uneasiness among merchants and judges alike. He notes the death of Edward Wigglesworth, the first Hollis professor of Divinity at Harvard College. Discusses…

GLC01541.01

8 October 1782

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, quartermaster to Nathanael Greene's Southern army, to Major General Knox. Makes reference to Congressional military appointments. Expresses anger at some Congressional decisions involving himself, saying "I shall not sacrifice that independency, which I have always possessed, to hold it on Terms inconsistent with the principles on which I accepted it - and, wretched as it may, perhaps, be supposed the situation of an American Officers would be in private life, I shall certainly embrace that wretchedness, in all its Horrid forms, rather than remain…

GLC02437.01652

April 1788

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

Manuscript

Title: to George Washington

Discusses the politics of Europe, including conflicts with the Turks. States that the Turks have "numerous flocks of armed men - their Cavalry, which in the first shock, is not despicable, has it is said, surrounded three thousand of the Austrians and cut of their Heads, as is usual among them - they also had a successful Skirmish against the Russians - but there is no doubts of the advantages which such disciplined armies as those of the allied empires will have our a banditti of men who are totally Stranger to discipline, military knowledge, and rational calculations…." Discusses the news…

GLC02437.10213

19 April 1788

Manuscript document

Title: [Account between Jeremiah Wadsworth and Henry Knox]

Account between Jeremiah Wadsworth and Henry Knox. Pertains to warrants drawn by the Board of Treasury on William Imlay, receiver of Continental Taxes for the State of Connecticut. Duplicate of GLC02437.03848.

GLC02437.03846

23 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Writes that he hopes to be able to visit General Washington at Mount Vernon soon. Is convinced of the General's affection for him and feels sure that his limited correspondence will not be misconstrued; is aware that responding to too many letters can be difficult, and he has been traveling to and from Massachusetts on both public and private business, which has prevented him from writing. Argues that the political system currently in place is inadequate: "The powers of Congress are utterly inadequate to preserve the balance between the respective States, and oblige them to do those things…

GLC02437.03319

29 March 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Knox introduces Catharine Macaulay Graham and her husband, James Graham, to Washington. Writes, "a glorious enthusiasm for the cause of general liberty and human happiness, has impelled this lady and her husband, to cross the atlantic to visit that country whose inhabitants have had the hardihood to encounter unknown dangers, rather than submit to a principle of taxation, which though not grievous in the first instance, would probably have terminated in a most flagitious abuse of power-" Notes that the Grahams hope to visit Washington at Mount Vernon. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.03122

10 April 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for recently sending cloth and buttons. Notes that his coat requires six more buttons for trim, and asks Knox to procure and hold these until Washington arrives in New York. Mentions an article of impost, and laments "the stupor, or listlessness with which our public measures seem to be pervaded." In a post script, predicts a quorum in both Houses of Congress.

GLC02437.09420

8 August 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked 'private' by George Washington at the top of page one. Discusses an insurrection (the Whiskey Rebellion) and mentions a letter from [Attorney General William] Bradford concerning Colonel [John] Neville and Major [David] Lenox (the federal inspector and U.S. marshal, respectively, who had fled the area of disturbance in western Pennsylvania). Based on the new information, gives consent to Knox to absent himself from government to manage affairs on his plantation in frontier Maine.

GLC02437.09429

1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy, "No. 19 Copied from & compared with the Original Feb'y 8th 1854." Marked private. Mentions a letter from Mr. Bradford concerning Colonel Neville and Major Lenox (possibly referring to David Bradford, Presley Neville and Marshal Lenox). Discusses an insurrection (the Whiskey Rebellion), and instructs Knox to pursue an unspecified plan.

GLC02437.09434