July 19, 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Conrad Zollickoffer

Knox reference's Zollickoffer's letter from July 15 (GLC02437.05065). Says that all foreign members of the Society of the Cincinnati are to be selected by Comte D'Estaing, Comte de Rochambeau, and the Marquis de Lafayette. Says Captain Cottineau should direct his application to those gentlemen. Place not listed, however, another letter (GLC02437.05074) written on the same day places Knox in Philadelphia.

GLC02437.05075

31 July 1789

St. John de Crevecoeur, J. Hector, 1735-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is unsure who else to forward a document (not present) from a French gentleman recently arrived from Guadeloupe regarding the Society of the Cincinnati, so encloses it to Knox and asks for his advice.

GLC02437.04309

16 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Later copy of letter written by Knox to Lafayette at GLC02437.03276. Thanks Lafayette for the kind treatment given to his brother William. 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 say that the Society approved of L'Enfant's conduct and owed 630 dollars to him for his services in France…

GLC02437.03275

July 25, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox references Lafayette's letter from May 5, 1787. Says the letter gave information that was "truly important and evinces that the french nobility possess the true spirit of justice & liberality." Tells him that there are dangers and that he "must not either sleep nor slumber politically." Reports that "Our friend Genl Washington is anxiously engaged in the business of thr forming of the political machine." Says delegates from every state except Rhode Island have met at a constitutional convention for the past two months. Declares, "They are secret in their councils, [conceiving] such…

GLC02437.03616

January 3, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox has only received a short note from Lafayette (on recommendations for the Society of the Cincinnati), since last June. Believes it is due to the suspension of packets between France and America, as Count de Moustier, the French minister to America, has also not received letters. Says they heard that General Nathanael Greene's son was placed in a respectable academy near Paris. Hopes his conduct is good. Reports that "Our Country is busy in making elections for the new Government - what is to take place the 1st of March. The people at large are becoming more and more strongly attached to…

GLC02437.04071

June 16, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox references "several" letters he received from Lafayette. Says his brother William is indebted to Lafayette for all the kindness shown to him. William asked that it be acknowledged. Goes on to say "America is infinitely indebted to you for your assistance, in the moment of her deepest distress, and from thence up to the present auspicious period - She recognizes the favors she has received with an unbounded attachment to you." Says he will personally remember "the pleasures of your friendship with the ardor of a lover." Says Lafayette's godson Harry will be taught the same. Believes the…

GLC02437.02166

December 14, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox says he has not heard from Lafayette in some time. Mentions that he wrote on the constitutional convention by the last packet. Reports on states that have called ratifying conventions to approve or reject the constitution. Has doubts specifically about Virginia and New York. Says Rhode Island has "too many schemes of convenience" to approve it. But says "it is highly probable that it will be adopted in the course of the year 1788 by nine states and more." Says he is anxious about rumors of war between France and England. Reports that those in the know claim the event is "inevitable."…

GLC02437.03726

April 26, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Contemporary secretarial copy of a letter sent to Lafayette. Knox references Lafayette's letters from November 1787 and February 1788. Says that "The Convention by you Mr. Jefferson and Common Sense [Thomas Paine], judge wisely respecting the New Constitution requiring some amendments & of the time they should be effected." Of the Constitutional Convention says "The unanimity of the former convention may be regarded as a rare evidence of the empire of reason." Believes there will not have to be another convention. Says it is likely that nine states will accept the constitution over the…

GLC02437.03860

May 30, 1788

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette references receiving Knox's letter. Says he cannot respond fully as he has to attend a meeting on internal affairs. He wishes to introduce Jacques Pierre Brissot (who Lafayette refers to by the name he assumed, de Warville) and a man named de Ferriere. Reports that "M. de Warville Has Been a writer on the side of liberty, and Wishes to write on the American Revolution." Tells him to refer to the letters he sent to Hamilton and Jay for the most recent intelligence. Says "We are in a Critical Situation." Encloses a list (of French applicants to the Society of the Cincinnati; not…

GLC02437.03880

October 15, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox writes that he is thankful to be able to send this letter by Count de Moustier, who was returning from his time as French minister to America. He will enclose the diplomas for the French officers in the Society of the Cincinnati. Says "The importance of the revolution in France is astonishing - one looks round in amazement and asks is it not a delusion, can it be true? This is a new Lesson to the Gods of the earth that there [distinction] is but a phantom of the imagination that an [illegible] people will know and ought to repress the abuses and oppressions of their rulers." Asks for…

GLC02437.04391

5 July 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on a recent visit he made to [Samuel] Ogden. Attempted to persuade Ogden to pay a debt he owed [James] Webber, a London merchant, but Ogden has to wait for money that is owed to him before he can pay the debt. Relates that he delivered several letters to different individuals, and discusses the prospect of exporting flax seed to Ireland. Informs Knox that two ships from India have arrived in Philadelphia since he has been there, and they both have full cargoes. Says that [Thomas] Mifflin has taken him to dine with the Society of the Cincinnati. Writes, "Bells ringing and Grays gardens…

GLC02437.04645

August 14, 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox discusses a financial matter involving [William] Duer, [possibly John] Peirce, [Richard] Platt, and Henry Jackson. Encloses a letter (not present) from the Marquis de Lafayette to St. John (possibly Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur). The letter was passed to St. John by George Washington and was accompanied by other papers discussing affairs of the Society of the Cincinnati (William does not include the other papers mentioned). Discusses financial transactions he apparently conducted on Knox's behalf, including payment of a reward for capturing a deserter from Lieutenant Kersey's…

GLC02437.03961

October 14, 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, managing affairs in the War Office in Henry's absence, discusses military matters. Reports that Sergeant Alcott arrived at West Point with his complete party. Instructed Lieutenant Pratt to wait at Hartford, Connecticut for Henry Knox before departing with his party for West Point. Also reports receiving correspondence from the Marquis de Lafayette, forwarded by Mr. [John] Jay's office, regarding the Society of the Cincinnati. Docketed in pencil, possibly at a later date.

GLC02437.03997

1897

Book

Title: Register of the Society of the Cincinnati of Maryland

GLC08845

1887

Book

Title: [Proceedings...of the Society of Cincinnati, 1784-1884]

GLC08849

March 31, 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Printed document signed

Title: [Society of Cincinnati membership certificate for George Ogier]

Countersigned by Henry Knox. Washington as president of the Society of the Cincinnati, attests to the membership of George Ogier. Partially printed. Notations in bottom left and right corners stating artisans of print as Aug. L. Belle, Del. and J.J. LeVeau, Sculp.

GLC00033

4 July 1817

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Manuscript signed

Title: [Speech to Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati]

President Monroe acknowledges the passing of the Revolutionary generation and movingly recalls their struggle in the "sacred cause of liberty." A signed transcription of Monroe's Independence Day speech to the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati. The president's original remarks were made on his 1817 reconciliation tour through New England. Date from later docketing.

GLC00069

April 25, 1785

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

An important letter in which Adams discusses American foreign and domestic debt, his desire to return home, the mission to London proposed by John Jay, false reports of Adams himself receiving a commission on a Dutch loan, Jefferson in Paris, his son John Quincy Adams, the Society of Cincinnati, and the dangers of ambition, wealth and power, to the spirit of republicanism.

GLC00366

27 October 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: To the Members of the Society of Cincinnati... [speech as president]

One manuscript speech dated 1789, signed by Washington and addressed to those members of the Society in Massachusetts.

GLC01972

July 1790

Moultrie, William, 1730-1805

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Writes to Washington on behalf of the South Carolina branch of the Society of the Cincinnati to complain that the Secretary General "is not sending forward in proper time the notice required by the letter from the Chairman of their standing Committee & address'd to him dated the 2nd March 1790." States that by this action, the Secretary General is not showing the Society any respect; they feel justified in asking for an explanation. As a result, their branch has been "unrepresented in the last Financial meeting, but they have been precluded from having that general communication with…

GLC02437.04664

May 29, 1791

Behague, Jean Pierre Antoine, comte de, 1727-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to George Washington [in French]

The letter, which is in French, appears to be about the request of several French officers to join the Society of the Cincinnati. Behague, Governor of the French Windward Islands, requests a diploma for himself and for Fressinaux from the Society of the Cincinnati. Also sends his regards and pleasantries to Washington. Includes, on page 2, a copy of the text of a letter from Lafayette to Behargue. Recipient inferred from content of this letter and from another letter (GLC02437.05115) written by President George Washington's secretary William Jackson, dated August 12, 1791.

GLC02437.04963

27 April 1790

Châteaubourg, Camille Basset de, fl. 1790-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his invitation to join the Society of the Cincinnati that he received after the late War. Says in 1784 he was one of the French officers admitted into the Society, but at the time he could not procure himself the commission for his admission. Would like to obtain a diploma for the title of the honor he had to participate in the Society.

GLC02437.04590

2 May 1791

Manuscript document

Title: [Regimental request for the Society of Cincinnati] [in French]

Request of the French regiment of de Cuzenne for crosses of the Society of Cincinnati.

GLC02437.04937

August 6, 1791

Chamillard de Varville, Paul de, fl. 1779-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: Request for admission into Society of the Cincinnati

Writes that French Lieutenant Colonel Chamillard has the honor to represent to the members of the Society of the Cincinnati that he was the commander of 200 volunteers on board the frigate Bonhomme Richard. In the battle with the HMS Serapis "his conduct was such that the most flattering elogiun [sic] were given to him, in consequence the favours of his court were bestow'd on him." Says that of the 25 volunteers on the poop deck under his command, 22 were disabled. He has heard that Captains Stark and [Maurty] of the Irish Brigade were admitted into the Society of the Cincinnati by a decision…

GLC02437.05105

10 June 1792

Pearce, William, fl. 1783

Printed document signed

Title: [Certificate] [in German]

Partially printed with names written in by hand. Certifies that Carl Wilhelm de Schmidsfelden is employed in a certain regiment with a yearly wage of 1500 Spanish dollars which should be delivered to him should he leave the regiment, but is now to receive land as payment instead. Contains a seal.

GLC02437.05502