2 March 1789

Gordon, William, 1728-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Half of the signature is missing. Writes that Knox may have seen by now a review of Gordon's history of the American Revolution. Would "rejoice to hear, that you have allowed it to pass muster, as contributing toward the support of the American cause, though not entitled to rank among the first defenders of it." Asks him not to hold a grudge regarding Gordon's criticism of the Society of the Cincinnati. Discusses the British Parliament and its relationship to the monarchy. Mentions Knox's subscription to Gordon's history. Presents his respects to Mrs. Knox, their children, and other…

GLC02437.04132

1863

Hannegan, James D., 1862-1863

Diary

Title: [Diary of James Hannegan of the 5th Ohio Cavalry]

Diary is an autograph manuscript signed, neatly written in pencil, covering 1 January 1863-15 March 1863. At the end of the book Hannegan includes some accounting pages. Enclosed within the diary is a bookmark depicting an eagle and a shield, with the phrase "Member of the Society of the Army of the Tenn. Cincinnati. Nov. 14th 1866." Also relates news of the Battle of Murfreesboro in his entry for 2 January, in which he has heard the rumor that Confederate General Braxton Bragg was defeated and taken prisoner by Union General William S. Rosecrans.

GLC04129.02

February 15, 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Knox discusses possibilities of visiting Greene and his family. Hopes Greene is interested in the Society of the Cincinnati. Refers to a cannon he intends to engrave for Greene. Written in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.02955

July 2, 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louis-Marie Noailles

Knox writes to Viscount Noailles, brother-in-law of the Marquis de Lafayette. He expresses his friendship for Noailles, and discusses American trade and relations with Great Britain. Refers to public opinion of the Society of the Cincinnati, expressing his hope that the Society "will meet [Noailles's] approbation and those of our other friends in France." He recommends Mr. Tracy, the bearer of this letter. Mentions Lafayette, and asks Noailles to present his affections to mutual friends [in France].

GLC02437.03025

15 April 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: Draft of a society to be formed by the American officers & to be called "the Cincinnati"

Document itself not signed, but docket has Knox's signature. This is a draft document describing the purpose and administrative organization of the officer's fraternal organization that became the Society of the Cincinnati. Says the Society was created to perpetuate "the remembrance of this great event [victory in the Revolution], as the mutual friendships which have been formed under the pressure of common danger, and in numerous instances cemented by the blood of the parties." One of its goals is to "preserve inviolate those exalted rights and liberties of human nature, for which they have…

GLC02437.02090

22 November 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Writes to Washington on a variety of subjects. Mentions that he had hoped to visit him at Mount Vernon, but now does not think that is possible. Discusses placement of six companies on the Ohio River, by Forts McIntosh and Pitt; declares that they will have to post them there for the winter. Comments on the negotiations with Indian tribes and the treaties they are trying to create. Also discusses the New York chapter of the "Society," referring to the Society of the Cincinnati. Reports that he and his wife send their love to Mrs. Washington.

GLC02437.03220

November 2, 1785

L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 1754-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette [in French]

Letter written by Major L'Enfant to Lafayette. Probably in reference to the problems he was having with payments owed to Parisian jewelers for badges made for the Society of the Cincinnati. The eagle insignias did not sell well among American officers when L'Enfant returned to the United States in 1784.

GLC02437.03212

20 November 1785

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that in Knox's letter from 14 November, Knox had reported that his brother William Knox had not yet arrived from England, but believes Knox is mistaken since he heard that the ship had in fact arrived. Discusses the political prospects of Mr. [John] Hancock, who "attends the General Court every Tuesday" but has not yet confirmed whether or not he will take his seat in Congress. Some have suggested Hancock will be appointed to the "chair" of the government, and that taking a seat in Congress will damage his prospects. Discusses debates in court over the Refugee Act, which passed by a…

GLC02437.03218

June 16, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox references Lafayette's letter from February 11, 1786. He thanks Lafayette for his kindness toward his brother, William, when he was ill. Says that William has recovered and has been with him since October 1785. Hopes the recovery is permanent. 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…

GLC02437.03276

January 19, 1786

Francastel, Nicolas Jean, fl. 1784-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette [in French]

For an English translation of this French letter see GLC02437.03239. The translation is in a different hand. This letter was written by Parisian jeweler Nicolas Jean Francastel, who was one of the creators of the jeweled eagle insignia worn by some members of the Society of the Cincinnati (Claude Jean Autran Duval was the other). Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant had been sent to France in 1783 to order the badges for the Society, which he did on credit and was later unable to sell to officers in America. This letter details the settlement over the payment for the badges. With interest,…

GLC02437.03238

January 19, 1786

Francastel, Nicolas Jean, fl. 1784-1786

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

An English translation of GLC02437.03238 in a different hand. This letter was written by Parisian jeweler Nicolas Jean Francastel, who was one of the creators of the jeweled eagle insignia worn by some members of the Society of the Cincinnati (Claude Jean Autran Duval was the other). Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant had been sent to France in 1783 to order the badges for the Society, which he did on credit and was later unable to sell to officers in America. This letter details the settlement over the payment for the badges. With interest, Francastel was to be paid 20,229 livres. Francastel says…

GLC02437.03239

29 March 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Samuel Holden Parsons

Later copy of GLC02437.03120. Contains a note at the top of page one written by the transcriber of this letter at a later date: "The parts between parentheses are from the rough draught in my possession of Knox's letter to Parson's- The other parts I have had transcribed from Parsons copy of the original which he sent to me in Oct 1860."

GLC02437.03121

25 July 1787

Manuscript letter

Title: [Circular to applicants for the Society of the Cincinnati]

Writes in full, "I have the honor to acknowledge, on the part of the General meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, held in May 1787, at Philadelphia, the receipt of your application to be admitted as a member of the said society - I am commanded by the society to inform you, that all applications for admission, are postponed to the next general meeting to be holden [sic] in May 1788; when they will be taken up, and particularly considered." Text in the hand of Robert Pemberton's, Knox's secretary at the War Department. Docketed in Knox's hand

GLC02437.03615

1783/11/12

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph document signed

Title: to Colonel Fowler

Carrington, the treasurer of the recently formed Society of Cincinnati of Virginia, certifies that two officers have paid membership dues of one month's pay. The interest from the dues went to Cincinnati and their families who were in financial distress. Accompanied by a print of Carrington. 2 items

GLC01450.627.02

1787/07

Manuscript document

Title: [Resolution of the Society of Cincinnati, State of Massachusetts, to deny a membership application]

Draft resolution of the Society of the Cincinnati, State of Massachusetts, to return the membership fees of Luke Day and Elijah Day for "openly joining & leading & conducting the late rebellion in this Commonwealth," and thus having "rendered themselves particularly odious & obnoxious to this Society." The resolution was apparently later published in the Columbian Centinel, relating to Shay's Rebellion.

GLC04379.03

1786/11/18

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Responds favorably to the work done at the Annapolis Convention and since. Explains why he cannot attend the Constitutional Convention. He was re-elected president of the Society of Cincinnati, whose meeting coincides with the convention. Although he declined that position because of his desire to retire from public life, attending the Constitutional Convention would be considered a snub to the former officers of the Continental Army. Expresses his happiness in hearing Madison would chair the Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convention.

GLC07699

January 8, 1784

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette references receiving a letter from Knox. He writes of their warm friendship, and says "from the beginning of our Great Revolution which Has been the Beginning of our Acquaintance, We Have Been Activated By the Same principles, supported with the same ideas, Attached to the same friends, and We Have warmly loved and Confidentially Entrusted each other." Reports that Knox's brother William is in London and expresses his fondness for him. Says "By our last Account from America, We Hear that New York is Evacuated, and our peace Establishment finally settled. I Hope also to Hear it is…

GLC02437.02928

178[4]/03/27

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene re: supporting the Society of Cincinnati

The Society is designed to counter the "Temper of the New England States," and prepare it for the "decision of the weighty matters which may be brought on." (Small losses affecting text at center right fold.)

GLC07278

February 28, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Jackson

Discusses General [Rufus] Putnam as suitable candidate for handling their "eastern matters." Also suggests Colonel Maxwell and asks what Jackson thinks of him. Discusses a map that Captain Stone was to deliver to Jackson, possibly concerning Waldo patent lands. Thinks that if General [Benjamin Lincoln] is not chosen to attend the Philadelphia convention in May, Jackson should send him to the Cincinnati (referring to a meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati) with Brooks, Hull and Jackson himself. Comments, "Why do you not get your diplomas? Our friend Genl Washington must die - a diploma of…

GLC02437.03474