19 December 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jackson describe the severe weather and snow that continues to afflict the Boston area. Notes with sadness the news he heard that General Harmar has lost 700 men [fighting Indians] and that "from every quarter an European War appears pretty certain-which I wish might bring out a South American expedition." The canal idea is "much talked of." Jackson advises that Knox write Judge John Lowell on the matter. Jackson is optimistic that enough money can be raised for the project.

GLC02437.04801

January 16, 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes Knox's business with Mr. [Sylvanus] Bourne has been settled. Says they celebrated "the 11th of February as the Presidents birthday but we have been told, that is not the proper day, as we intend to Feast this year on the same occasion, I wish you to inform me...which is the most proper the 11th or the 22nd." Mentions that the "General [Josiah] Harmar affair has caused much conversation, with many severe reflections, but his military friends have in some measure supported him - I believe it has been an unhappy affair. I hope he will be able to vindicate himself."

GLC02437.04831

January 23,1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "General Harmar's letter of the 23d of November as publish'd in the papers, has relieved the minds of many, and the people are now less severe in the observations on his conduct." Says Captain John Hobby has written him seeking an appointment in the new militia. Believes Hobby is "one of the best of Officers, and is a Man of activity & integrity, and will do honor to any appointment." Also mentions John Tracy's desire for an appointment. From what he knows, Tracy is an honorable man with a good family. Acknowledges that the clamors for appointments must be challenging for Knox…

GLC02437.04835

15 March 1789

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has discussed Knox's case with Dr. [William] Eustis, who is "clearly of opinion you ought to take the greatest care of yourself, as to your diet & exercise, for a twelve mounth to come, by heating your blood & over loading your stomach for many months would be the means of a return of the disorder." Mentions that the newspapers are full of "Electioneering" for governor and lieutenant governor. Major candidates for lieutenant governor are Mr. S[amuel] Adams and General [Benjamin] Lincoln. Believes that Mr. [John] Hancock will be elected, and "Laco," an anonymous…

GLC02437.04144

12 March 1786

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a friendly letter in which he presents news on a variety of subjects. First, mentions that he applied to Judge Wendell for certificates that they had been discussing. He has so far been unsuccessful but will try again. John Hancock is feeling better and will soon depart [likely for New York]. General [Benjamin] Lincoln and another friend [possibly Thomas Russell] have purchased two townships and Lincoln is very pleased with them. Mentions that the Ohio Company were mentioned in the newspaper and that he apparently intends to invest with them. Comments that the General Court has…

GLC02437.03250

4 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Thomas Hutchins

Writes to propose Hutchins hire his friend Major [possibly Winthrop] Sargent to be a surveyor on the Ohio. Relates that as Congress passed a new resolve empowering Hutchins to appoint people to the position, if the original appointees do not arrive within a certain amount of time, he thinks this would be a good opportunity for Sargent, who is eager to work for Hutchins as a surveyor. Would like to find out Hutchins's opinion on the subject, if he has not already made arrangements with others who want the job. See GLC02437.03279 for related items.

GLC02437.03271

26 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Hutchins

Writes again to recommend his friend Major [Winthrop] Sargent for a position: "Major Sargent will deliver you this. He takes letters to you from a number of the delegates in Congress, and will in consequence I hope receive an appointment from you. I am persuaded no accommodations on your part will be wanting, and solely on the presumption of your having the power of appointment in case of vacancies he makes his journey of nearly seven hundred miles. His abilities, and attention will I have no doubt ensure him your esteem and friendship." See GLC02437.03271 for a related document.

GLC02437.03279

12 August 1788

Huntington, Samuel, 1731-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked as a copy. Huntington, Governor of Connecticut, reports that Dr. Sumner, a surgeon's mate, lately returned home from the Western frontier on furlough. Recommends the appointment of Dr. Isaac Knight as surgeon's mate in Sumner's absence.

GLC02437.03959

7 August 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Humphreys

Writes that he will attend the President at nine, and that "the message respecting the troops should be accompanied by a statement which shall be prepared and submitted to the president so that it may be communicated to the house any time after to day."

GLC02437.04320

7 August 1789

Humphreys, David, 1752-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes in full, "The President commands me to inform you, that he proposes to lay the Communications relative to the Indian affairs in the Southern District and the establishment of a national Militia before both Houses of Congress, as soon as they shall have convened to-day; for which purpose he desires that you will call upon him at a proportionally early hour. - In the mean time, if you have in readiness the additional clause respecting the Troops now in service he wishes you to forward it by the bearer, that he may have time to give it consideration previous to its insertion in his…

GLC02437.04321

January 18, 1800

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter signed

Title: To Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the territory North West of the river Ohio

John Adams in his last days as president to the government of the territory of Ohio. Expresses gratitude to them for their kind letter, which apparently thanked him for his job while president. Mentions Arthur St. Clair, Edward Tiffin, and H. Vanderburgh. Says "Your sincere attachment to the Constitution and Government... do you honor." Pages are separated and there are two holes in the document, creating some text loss.

GLC06399

January 17, 1804

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter

Title: to Thomas B. Adams

Adams, then a Massachusetts senator, writes to his brother about "the receipts and expenditures, upon the Seamen's fund" and the Louisiana Purchase. Discusses the legislation relating to Louisiana that would "tax them, then make a government for them, and at last admit them as a State or States, by Acts of Congress..." Notes that he has finally settled his accounts from when he was abroad working as a diplomat.

GLC06606

17 October to 27 October 1851

Bullock, R.R., fl. 1851

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to his wife and children

Writes to his family discussing camp life as a miner and describes his health. Written in Gregory's Express Pocket Letter Book. Includes envelope from 1937. Inside covers include a calendar and an advertisement for Gregory's Express.

GLC06574

February 12, 1803

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston

Revolutionary War general Horatio Gates, replying to a letter from Livingston, American minister to France, discusses the Haitian Revolution, the Louisiana Purchase, Napoleon, and other French notables. Writes, "I greedily devour every line that comes from your Pen, & View with anxiety the predictions you make upon the present appearance of the political conduct of The Great Man" (referring to Napoleon). Discusses Napoleon's intentions to conquer the seas and all nations, noting "This no friend to Civil Liberty can wish to see accomplished." Relates that James Monroe,…

GLC06611

7 April 1794

Edwards, John, 1748-1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Edwards, a United States Senator from Kentucky covers issues pertaining to Kentucky politics with Langdon, a Senator from New Hampshire. Discusses establishing posts on the wilderness road, navigation of an unspecified river (possibly the Mississippi or Ohio), establishing government for western people, and "firmly deciding in favour of Every resolution to oppose the insults and exhortations of Great Britain."

GLC06541

January 27, 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Duer

Writes Duer regarding a supply of rations Duer requested for the frontiers. Discusses relations with the Indians. Notes he has heard that the Indians killed 11 men, 2 women, and 1 child near Marietta, Ohio [the "Big Bottom Massacre"]. Believes, "Every appearance indicates an extensive Indian War - great preparations must be made and probably great quantities of provisions will be required - I give you this in confidence as the measure are not yet decided upon by Congress But as soon as they shall be it will be necessary to proceed with great vigor." Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04838

26 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Knox signs with his initials. Is glad Royal Flint is in Boston. Says Flint has written to Duer on the progress of their negotiations, "which appears to be good." Knox says he wrote to Jackson about the boundaries of the purchase. Says "if they can execute the advice I have given they will do well." Wonders if he will see Duer soon, and calls Duer "a terrible correspondent." Thanks him for accepting bills. Is concerned about provisions on the frontier and says about 2,500 troops are marching to Ohio. Perhaps in reference to his land dealings, writes, "Charleston South Carolina subscribed…

GLC02437.05031

7 July 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Says Duer will receive by this day's post a public letter "relative to the supplies on the western frontier." Says he is alarmed about information he just received from Mr. Walker that Duer has yet "to arrange for ... the stores for the expedition." Tells him "I hope in God you have made other and more effectual arrangements or you will suffer excessively in your interests." Wants to know by the return post what exact steps he will take to fix the situation. Says the troops for the expedition have now arrived at Fort Pitt "and other places on the Ohio - and the rear of the force for the…

GLC02437.05056

10 July 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Knows that Duer is a bad correspondent so "I have not suffered myself to be hurt by your silence." Congratulates him on their shared accomplishments in Massachusetts, a reference to their purchase of two million acres of land in the District of Maine. Reports that Royal Flint will be in New York on 15 July and that Duer can examine the relevant documents and maps then. Proposes that he will be in New York by 16 July. Tells him to use his "sensible mind" to handle any changes that need to be made to the business. Has written Duer repeatedly about preparing provisions for the frontier.…

GLC02437.05060

December 1, 1787

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs that he has debts in Jersey and is willing to have his pay applied to discharge the debt. Writes about the new constitution and the western territory, "I am much obliged to you for the new constitution & for the plan of Government for the Western Territory, they are both much wanted - it is hoped some kind of order will be introduced in this country by the latter, I never saw a country in which Licentiousness political & religious so much prevailed as in the Infant Settlements in this western World ... it wants a Government peculiarly adopted to the circumstances of the…

GLC02437.03718

4 March 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Doughty

With the approval of President George Washington and the "advice of the Senate," Knox writes to Doughty that he has been appointed "Lieutenant Colonel Commander of an additional regiment, of Infantry...immediately raised." This includes "1 company in [South] Carolina, 1 in Delaware, 1 Rhode Island, 1 New Hampshire, Six in Massachusetts, and two in Connecticut." The officers and Major General have also been appointed on this day. Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04869

27 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Doughty

Informs Doughty that he will help with procuring subsistence for the troops. Does not believe recruiting service will begin in New York as its quota numbers are deficient. The contracts of Morris and Wadsworth are ending as Congress is not happy with the proposals. Agrees with Doughty, who is in favor of a "national force," as he expects "every evil that can be produced from Anarchy." Also notes that "Congress have had but for a very little time nine States. Therefore nothing has been concluded on respecting higher pay for the Artillery than the Infantry." Mentions supplying artillery…

GLC02437.03502

19 December 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Doughty

Notes, "The instructions which you will herewith receive are truly important." Expresses his confidence in Doughty's abilities, adding that he knows Doughty will fulfill the expectations of the President of the United States. Emphasizes the importance of receiving Doughty's report as early as possible. Relates news of mutual acquaintances, informing Doughty of Aunt Ludlow's death. Reports that Captain Burbeck's company returned from Georgia "without the loss of a man." Marked as private and signature has been clipped. Written from the War Office.

GLC02437.04443

2 January 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Wishes Duer a happy new year and relays information he heard from Major [Winthrop] Sargent. Sargent reports that the bearer, from the Ohio area,indicates trouble with a military provisions agreement. Knox informs Duer to take immediate measures to "remedy any evils" that may have occured. Knox's working draft. Noted as private. Docket is written in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.04459

19 August 1790

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Doughty acknowledges Knox's letter of 25 July. Doughty was worried about his parents who had word that he had died in a skirmish on the frontier (see GLC02437.04606 and GLC02437.04628 for Knox's correspondence with Doughty's family). Thanks Knox for writing to his family and for sending him a letter from Doughty's parents and sister, which eased his mind. Mentions that Judge Turner left him two eagles from "the property of the Society [of Cincinnati]" to sell. Says that General Josiah Harmer wants Doughty to encourage re-enlistment of older soldiers. Doughty says "not one soldier…

GLC02437.04695