4 June 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Joseph Mandrillon

Informs Mandrillon that the Society of the Cincinnati cannot accept him as a member. Adds that the Society, as an institution, is "too young to assume so much importance to appoint a gentleman of your abilities their historiographer..." Letter is in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's secretary at the War Department. Also signed by Pemberton for Knox.

GLC02437.03566

27 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Lining

Writes that he received, via Dr. Thomas Tudor Tucker, Lining's letter as well as the $192 sum Lining sent. Provided Dr. Tucker with a receipt declaring that this money would pay South Carolina's portion of the money owed to Major L'Enfant for the Eagle insignias he purchased. Noted as a copy on the docket.

GLC02437.03744

1 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Knox informs General McDougall of the death of Doctor [Hagan], who worked at the West Point hospital. Hagan was entitled to join the Society of the Cincinnati, and left behind a wife and young son, who are unable to afford "subsistence or protection." Reports that the boy is at Albany, New York. Writes "I shall make no apology for this communication being convinced that you will think it a case in point in which the society ought to interest itself." Knox was alerted of the situation by Doctor David Townsend, a friend of the family of the deceased.

GLC02437.02897

21 May 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses the establishment of the Society of the Cincinnati and mentions a proposed constitution, which is not included. States that "[t]he intention [for creating the society] is pure, and uncorrupted by any sinister design - The sole objects the union of the states as far as the humble influence of the officers may extend - and to erect some lonly [sic] shelter for the unfortunate, against the storms and tempests of poverty..." Minor text loss on the right hand side of page two.

GLC02437.02131

15 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Writes respecting the arsenal and magazines to let Lincoln know that his orders are "impracticable" to execute. Reminds Lincoln that he is the President of the Massachusetts branch of the Society for the Cincinnati and that he is Lincoln's deputy. Wants to know if Lincoln will be giving him his orders. Encloses some additions respecting the Society's medal (not included). References Congress fleeing Philadelphia to Trenton in the face of an angry mob of veterans. Says they all approve of Congress's decision. Informs Lincoln that Lucy…

GLC02437.02291

1 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. References Lincoln's letter of 22 July. Says he would like to know why his request for compensation was denied, especially the part that relates to his command of West Point. Says his successors all received the pay of a major general and that his expenses have not been greater than any of them. Reports that Captain Patten of the artillery artificers is anxious to have a decision on his communication with Lincoln and will meet with him for that purpose. Says that Patten and his officers are entitled as much as any who have served in…

GLC02437.02359

17 August 1789

L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 1754-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to send him a copy of the diploma for French officers joining the Society of the Cincinnati, and discusses several matters regarding the French members of the Society.

GLC02437.04329

June 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Anthony Wayne

Thanks him for his recent letter. Accepts his congratulations for the newly-formed federal government and "our truly illustrious Cincinnatus [George Washington] to be head thereof." Extensively discusses diplomatic relationships between countries in Europe, especially an alliance between Great Britain, the Netherlands and Prussia, which was created to offset France and Russia's alliance. Comments that the British mercantile class "is for war with some power, not on a general scale of Justice or policy, but for the benefit of trade." Says America requires peace, as she "is not consolidated…

GLC02437.04265

July 1790

Manuscript document

Title: [Reports on the South Carolina Society of the Cincinnati]

Document contains three parts. The first section relates that the South Carolina branch of the Society of the Cincinnati has resolved to send correspondence and a copy of a report to Cincinnati President General George Washington. The report will describe a Society committee's opinion on the behavior of Henry Knox, who sent a letter providing "information of the place for the tricennial meeting." The second part discusses how the Standing Committee believes that "Genl Knox has not treated the Society of this State with proper attention in omitting to forward his notification of the place…

GLC02437.04665

23 September 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter to Henry Knox, discussing many issues regarding the military and Congress. Among the issues discussed are compensation from Congress for officers who served during the revolution, his affection for these officers, the division of Western lands among the states, the Society of the Cincinnati, the possible resignation of General Lincoln, and the future of the army. Copy made 5 February 1854.

GLC02437.09325

20 February 1784

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter to Knox discussing extra rations at West Point, a meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati and his adjustment to longer longer being in public duty. Copy made 2 February 1854.

GLC02437.09327

December 11, 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing America's relationship with the "the Indians" and British involvement in these affairs. Also discusses the Society of the Cincinnati and a construction project involving limestone. Copy made 9 August 1855.

GLC02437.09331

27 April 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing the Society of the Cincinnati, and "the light in which it is viewed in France." Copy made 3 February 1854.

GLC02437.09336

1 January 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, which transmitted a letter from the President of the Society of the Cincinnati of South Carolina (possibly William Moultrie). Relates that the enclosed letter pertains to a resolution of the Society. At the bottom of the page, indicates that Knox is Secretary General to the Society. Copy made 6 March 1854. The original of this letter is GLC02437.09422.

GLC02437.09344

January 22, 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, instructing Knox not to disclose information regarding the nomination of General Officers and a bill that has not yet passed. Copy made 1 February 1854. Original of this letter is GLC02437.09424.

GLC02437.09345

4 June 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to [Pieter Johan] Van Berckel

Written to "P.J." Van Berckel, likely Pieter Johan Van Berckel. Replies to Van Berckel's letter from 9 May, in which he recommended Joseph Mandrillon for membership in the Society of the Cincinnati. Regrets that the Society's rules "did not permit to associate so worthy a character." Refer to GLC02437.03566 for Knox's letter to Mandrillon.

GLC02437.03568

30 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Mercy Otis Warren

Replies to her letter from 2 May (GLC02437.03539). Discusses a financial matter involving Winslow Warren (Warren's son), Mr. Hawkins, Knox's brother William, and Mr. Breck. Apologizes for not being able to fully comply with her request from 2 May due to William's limited power in that regard. Knox discusses the present state of government, and the divided nature of the states, in the context of the Constitutional Convention, which gathered at Philadelphia 25 May. Discusses "the present awful crisis- I arrange in my imagination two or three hundred millions of [our] posterity with their eyes…

GLC02437.03558

21 August 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Mercy Otis] Warren [incomplete]

Discusses the proceedings of a convention (referring to the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia) and mentions the Society of the Cincinnati. Says the Convention is coming to a conclusion and that the proceedings will likely end the 15th of next month. Weighs in on some of the consequences the Convention may bring and opinions others may have. Informs Warren about the recent loss of his and Mrs. Knox's youngest child.

GLC02437.03640

11 November 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that there is no money in the treasury of the Connecticut branch of the Society of the Cincinnati. Adds that he will ensure the money they owe to Major L'Enfant (for Society egale medals) will be paid to him as soon as possible.

GLC02437.03699

1 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Connecticut politics, referring to a sheriff whose actions may slow the payment of warrants. Informs Knox he will send him a letter via Pierpont Edwards, who will soon take a seat in Congress. Notes receipt of a circular letter from the General Meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati soliciting payment for Pierre L'Enfant, who designed badges for the Society of the Cincinnati. Intends to pay L'Enfant for his services and encloses something to Platt (presumably) money for that purpose. Wants to finish paying by the 4th of July.

GLC02437.03882

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

1 July 1791

Weedon, George, 1734-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General Weedon, the President of the Virginia branch of the Society of the Cincinnati, to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's circular letter of 1 May that contained six copies of the proceedings of the general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati. Says he will lay them before the Virginia state branch of the Society as soon as he can get them together, which he thinks will be in October. Says that Captain Freeman will deliver this letter. Freeman was in Virginia "reclaiming a Deposit of Cannon Ball." Says they were left on the north side of the Rappahannock during…

GLC02437.05045

8 November 1791

Weedon, George, 1734-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has enclosed to Knox a resolution (not present) which passed unanimously at the most recent meeting of the Virginia Society of the Cincinnati.

GLC02437.05230

1 July 1794

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: The Massachusetts Society of Cinncinnati in Account current with Henry Jackson Treasurer.

The second document is a July 1, 1794 account signed by Henry Jackson, including payments made for a July 4th, 1793 "Feast" for the officers. (Costs include advertising through the publisher of the Columbian Centinel, wine and dinner.) This document is kept in Size 3, Box 008.

GLC01450.627.01.02

28 June 1793

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: Accot. Current with Henry Jackson Treasurer

The third document is a June 28, 1793 verification of the financial accounts of the same society, which is signed by Joseph Vose, Benjamin Dana and Thomas H. Condy of the Massachusetts Society's Committee of Examination. This document is stored in Size 3, Box 008.

GLC01450.627.01.03