6 July 1798

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter signed

Title: to the New Jersey Society of the Cincinnati

President Adams expresses gratitude for the New Jersey Cincinnati's memorial of support as the country faces imminent war with France. On July 4th Adams had announced his appointment of George Washington ("that renowned, Veteran, and beloved Chief") as commander-in-chief of the army being raised to defend the country. Federalist fear of internal dissent (alluded to here as "intestine divisions") led to the passage of the infamous Alien and Sedition Acts in the midst of the crisis.

GLC03866.01

4 July 1798

Dayton, Jonathan, 1760-1824

Autograph letter

Title: to John Adams

Date inferred from Adams' announcement of Washington as commander of Provisional Army on 2 July 1798. Also inferred from his response to this document, which was on 6 July 1798 (GLC 3866.01). Creator inferred from handwriting of Jonathan Dayton. New Jersey branch of Society of Cincinnati expresses "our entire satisfaction with his Administration of the Government, & in particular as it relates to the injuries & insults which have been received from the French Republic." Asserts that America needs be vigilant to defend its independence.

GLC03866.02

22 March 1784

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Johnston

In response to a 23 February 1784 letter from the assistant treasurer of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati, Washington returns certificates (not included), with his signature and seal, for three European members of the state society. As president of the organization, Washington advises Johnston that the certificates must be countersigned by the secretary general, Henry Knox.

GLC03885

1783-1788

Header Record

Title: [Twenty-Six documents related to the founding and early history of the Society of Cincinnati] Decimalized

GLC04379

Blois, A.J.E.R. de, fl. 1789

Header Record

Title: [Three documents related to a French Primer on American Democracy][Decimilized .01-.03]

GLC07688

1783

Burke, Aedanus, 1743-1802

Pamphlet

Title: Considerations on the Society or Order of Cincinnati...

Remainder of title: "Lately Instituted By the Major-Generals, Brigadier-Generals, and Officers of the American Army...." Burke is identified on the cover as the author. Printed by Basil Webster.

GLC05767

1783

Vose, Joseph, 1738-1816

Object

Title: [Society of Cincinnati gold enameled eagle medallion with 2 cuff links]

Accompanied by blue and white shirt cuff buttons or links.

GLC05849

20 May 1787

Gardoqui y Arriquibar, Diego, 1735-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to deliver the enclosed letter (not included) to George Washington and informs him that all their mutual friends in the area are well. Wishes "the Convenssion [sic] & the Cincinatus all manner of success," referring to the upcoming Constitutional Convention and the Society of the Cincinnati. Noted as written on Broadway, most likely the street in New York, New York. Don Diego Gardoqui signs as "James Gardoqui" (refer to GLC02437.03946, GLC02437.04349, GLC02437.04845, and GLC02437.08125 for related documents; handwriting comparisons confirm that Diego and James Gardoqui were the…

GLC02437.03551

2 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Horatio Gates

Fears that he will have to miss the meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati as business will keep him in New York a few more days. Hopes to arrive in Philadelphia by Thursday or Friday to pay his respects. Will forward the papers of the Society if a safe conveyance goes out. Noted as a copy in the docket. Letter in the hand of Knox's secretary at the War Department Robert Pemberton.

GLC02437.03540

28 June 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin

Discusses the possibility of a Monsieur de Varonault's admittance into the Society of the Cincinnati. Writes in full, " I have the honor to acknowledge the weight of your Excellencys application respecting Monsieur de Varonault of the French Navy to be admitted with the society of the Cincinnati which I submitted to the Society. I am directed by the society to inform your Excellency that it will be necessary that Monsieur de Varonault address himself to the society in France agreeable to the [illegible] provided by the Genl Society."

GLC02437.03593

4 March 1784

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his family, stating "My feelings are more flattered by domestic duties than public bustle." Comments on credit being given to George Washington (and himself) for service during the Revolutionary War, noting "there are others no less deserving." Expresses the depth of his friendship with Knox. Mentions discontent recently arising regarding the Society of the Cincinnati (some felt it would promote hereditary nobility). Discusses his nomination to work in the Department of War, asking for Knox's opinions.

GLC02437.02971

15 July 1783

Gouvion, Jean Baptiste, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Gouvion, a French engineering officer, to Major General Knox, in reply to Knox's letter at GLC02437.02218. Says when he left the army he received letters of some importance that kept him from going through West Point. Says if he saw Knox he would tell him "how grateful I am for all the marks of friendship you gave me during my staying in America." Praises America saying "the prodigious difference I find between what this country was during the war and what it is now, the activity which prevails now every where, and the happiness which appears already to be generally…

GLC02437.02290

18 September 1783

Gouvion, Jean Baptiste, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Praises Knox's appointment as the Secretary-general of the Society of the Cincinnati. Seeks a certificate of membership (if such exists) from the Society of Cincinnati for foreign members and asks Knox to deliver his to Major Rochefontaine.

GLC02437.02534

March 1784

Gouvion, Jean Baptiste, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that the Society of the Cincinnati is "... sure do well in this country, but the news we have from america give me some uneasiness, the american gentlemen who are in paris and not members of the Society are much against it, chiefly Mr. Jay who went the other day so far as to say that if it did take well in the states, he should not care whether the revolution had succeeded or not." Discusses exclusionary policies of the Society. Describes recent developments in hot air ballooning: two days prior, "a gentleman went in the air as far up as four thousand yards..."

GLC02437.02988

2 July 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jean Baptiste Gouvion

Discusses public perception of the Society of the Cincinnati in France. Informs Gouvion of the reduction of the Continental Army, with only one remaining company commanded by John Doughty at West Point. Introduces and recommends Mr. Tracy, the bearer of this letter.

GLC02437.03023

7 March 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Hull

Knox writes to Hull, commandant of West Point. Reports on public dislike of the Society of Cincinnati: "The [Country] people in general appear to dislike the Cincinnati- they are afraid that it contains some hidden design..." Reports that the General Court (of Massachusetts) have chosen a committee to investigate the society.

GLC02437.02976

7 April 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses an upcoming meeting with the Society of the Cincinnati. Says the standing Committee would like to know if the Constitution of the Society will be voted on during the next meeting. Asks the number of delegates Knox believes will be necessary to handle the business at the meeting. Believes it more convenient if Knox were to handle the whole business himself. Mentions it has been reported that Gov. [Arthur] St. Clair and Major [Winthrop] Sargent have been taken by Indians.

GLC02437.04579

9 May 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a meeting Knox and his delegation are attending. Mentions a meeting held at the Green Dragon to deal with officers pay. Says a committee was appointed to draft a memorial to Congress and report it at the Society of the Cincinnati meeting in July. It is the intention of the committee to meet with the officers the latter part of this month and present their findings to Congress in June. Forwards a copy of the memorial that was drafted for Knox to peruse, he is instructed not to say a word of it to anyone. Says if he dislikes or would like an amendment to any part of the report to…

GLC02437.04599

11 July 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati where they elected officials, most of whom were the same as the ones they had the year before. Lists the delegates, including Knox, who were chosen to attend the general meeting the following May. Notes that Governor John Hancock has been ill. Writes on behalf of a Captain Phelon and asks Knox if he would be able to employ him.

GLC02437.04650

17 June 1792

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Knox's decision to relinquish to William Duer all claims to land in the "Eastern purchase." Writes, "I am at a loss to determine the reasons that governed you in this business, as they are so far different from those we had in contemplation at the time we parted." States that although 15,000 New York currency is a large sum, it is far less than the sum that was paid for the first purchase. Hopes to gain one fifth of the profit for helping Knox with the dealings. Also asks about land that he expected to receive. Inquires about the balance owed by the Society of the Cincinnati…

GLC02437.05508

20 September 1789

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's most recent letter, and is glad to hear his daughter Julia has recovered completely from her illness. Relates that all the members of the Society of the Cincinnati in Boston were invited to dine aboard a ship, the Leopard, whose captain is also a Society member; also describes another feast aboard a boat, to which the Governor was invited. Describes a dinner the Cincinnati are throwing the following week. Mentions that "little Isaac" (likely Isaac Winslow, Jr.) recently returned from "the Eastward" (likely the Waldo patent lands) and is very happy with the job Captain…

GLC02437.04362

6 March 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that [Samuel] Ogden "closed the purchase of our western Country..." and is now preparing to go to Philadelphia. Warns Knox that he must "prepare your mind to hear much respecting the conduct of your friend [Nathaniel] Gorham, and the trouble & perplexity our friend has met with in this negotiation." Discusses his social and business meetings. The Massachusetts Senate has maintained its support of Jackson as Major General, but the House has not taken up the subject yet. "The Governors and S. Adams's interest is against me," Jackson says, "on account of the [Cincinnati]."…

GLC02437.04871

13 March 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Acknowledges receipt of Knox's letter of 27 February 1791. Comments he is anxious in finding out about what appointments will be made and when. Notes he has heard many reports respecting raising troops but nothing concrete has taken place yet. "We have had many reports with respect to raising of Troops &cc but nothing authenticate. a few days more, will bring this secret business to public view." Tells Knox that the "Committee on Petitions from the Patent have reported, and after some alteration by your friends in the house it was accepted, but you have nothing to fear from it, they…

GLC02437.04878

30 March 1788

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the Massachusetts election for governor and lieutenant governor. Encloses newspapers (not included) for Knox, on the election, noting that the papers attack "poor Cincin" (based on usage in GLC02437.03833, may refer to Benjamin Lincoln). Relates that Benjamin Lincoln and Samuel Adams are splitting the Federal party for lieutenant governor, while the Anti-Federalists support James Warren. John Hancock is expected to be reelected as Governor. Expects that John Langdon will be chosen as New Hampshire's governor, which will disappoint [John] Sullivan. Recently applied to the…

GLC02437.03831

6 April 1788

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for the information regarding Maryland's possible adoption of the Constitution. Writes, "I flatter myself that nine States will ratify it by June next- so as to set the wheels agoing by next winter." Has been assured by John Langdon and others that New Hampshire will also ratify the Constitution. Relates that Langdon will be chosen "President," or Governor, of New Hampshire over John Sullivan. Discusses the Massachusetts elections, noting that John Hancock will retain his post as Governor. Reports that the Federalists are split between Benjamin Lincoln and Samuel Adams for…

GLC02437.03833