2 March 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the possible use of two gun-boats for the "wood service." Describes that they are, as of yet, not fit for use as they "have very little rigging & no sails, except square-sails just sufficient to enable them to move with the wind & tide in their favour." States that to make them sea-worthy enough for Knox's purpose would incur a larger expense than it would warrant. "On public service" written on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.01970

3 April 1789

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses an excerpt of a letter written to him by Mr. [Samuel] Parkman, respecting iron wanted for Mr. [Samuel] Shaw and Mr. [Thomas] Randall. The letter also discusses the dimensions and quantity of iron desired. Ogden writes, "My wish, nay my earnest desire is to procure this Iron for Shaw." Comments that the iron produced in New Jersey is unsuitable. Discusses how best to pay for the iron. Adds that his wife, Mrs. Ogden, continues to be very ill and he hopes she will improve. Sends love to Mrs. Knox. Written at Delaware Works, located in what is now Morrisville, Pennsylvania, near…

GLC02437.04165

6 January 1789

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Canton, present-day Guangzhou, China. Writes, "I love you too much to trouble you with a long tale of my disappointments. Randall has not yet arrived, nor do I know any thing of him since the 5 March at Madeira. Advantages which I had reserved for him I am under the necessity of transfering to the Washington, on board of which ship I take passage, and hope to see you in New York soon after you get this letter. My credit here is good. God bless you and your amiable family. If heaven means to perfect me 'through much suffering' (I think that is the phrase in the good book) I…

GLC02437.04075

16 December 1793

Sayre, Stephen, 1736-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Claims to have communicated sensitive information to Knox and that he should let President Washington know (specifics not provided). Tells Knox of a master shipbuilder in this city (likely Philadelphia), and that Congress and the president need to know this if they plan to build ships to protect the nation after the outbreak of war in Europe. Recommends "graduate improvements" in a previous communication and assumes Knox is in agreement with him. Notes he knows that a multitude of people will oppose his scheme, but claims this is reason enough for Knox to support him early.

GLC02437.05997

December 27, 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that he has confirmed the loss of ships Knox invested in by speaking both to McGee and Col. Sears (see GLC02437.01306). Comments that Col. Sears would like him to invest in another ship McGee will be sailing, upon returning from transporting flour to Havana; adds, "If you do, I wish most heartily that Fortune may be in a better humor, and by prospering the next voyage, make you ample amends for last disappointments." Declares that he wrote a letter to Knox's brother and gave it to the Marquis Lafayette who was waiting to set sail from Boston. He writes, "Nothing has been done, or is…

GLC02437.01311

8 August 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp, writes a friendly letter to discuss a variety of matters. First, he forwards "Mr. Gardiner's oration on the anniversary of independence. If you can travel through so much various matter as it is composed of, it will be a strong proof of your perseverance." References a letter he sent Knox on 1 August, saying that it was "written in the bitterness of my soul, and what is worse, a bitterness which still continues"; he is having problems settling his father's estate, and is resigned that the outcome will not benefit himself or any of his siblings. Relates some…

GLC02437.03174

20 December 1789

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for everything has done for him and writes, "While I feel the full force of the most lively gratitude for your friendship towards me, it pains me to know that the too tender concern you take in everything which regards your poor Shaw cannot but interrupt that happiness you deserve ever to enjoy, and which with my whole soul I wish you. On this account, it aggravates my present unhappiness to inform you, that nothing could be done in the way we wished - and that I must get my ship ready and proceed, with my present means alone, as fast as possible to Batavia and China." Adds that…

GLC02437.04445

February 14, 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks for Knox's advice in dealing with his situation with a Mr. Holker and Mr. Parker, most likely Daniel Parker, the captain of the ship Shaw took to Guangzhou, China. Writes "I desire to be governed entirely by you ... " and that "Mr. Parker and his agent, which has occasioned such trouble an inconvenience to my friends, that I can no longer for observing any measurs [sic] with him, but what the most rigid justice demands; and I shall be perfectly satisfied with any mode you shall be please to adopt for prosecuting the business."

GLC02437.04512

February 21, 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for helping him in renewing his post as consul at Canton, China and prepares to set sail again. Writes that "[m]y prospects in the Eastern hemisphere are not flattering, to be sure - but the empire of Chance is a wide one - and who knows what may turn up."

GLC02437.04517

7 March 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his business with [Samuel] Parkman and Messrs [Nicholas] Hoffman and [Son], noting it will soon be settled. Informs Knox he will be sailing in the near future, thanks to Parkman. Writes that "[l]anguage is insufficient to express how much I love you both - Tell Billy that he occupies a brothers place in my heart."

GLC02437.04532

15-21 March 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives Knox some last minute instructions concerning his affairs before he sails, and expresses his love towards Knox and his family, including Knox's brother, William, whom Shaw calls Billy. Page one is from 15 March; page two is from 21 March.

GLC02437.04549

10 May 1790

Sayre, Stephen, 1736-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses surprise at Knox's lack of a reply to a mutual friend (unnamed, but Sayre may be referring to William Duer, whom he discusses throughout the letter). Reports business difficulties with Duer, declaring, "Mr. Duer will not deny his having made a most solemn agreement, as a man of honor, to act with me, for our equal benefit." Duer has not, apparently, done justice to this agreement. Hopes for Knox's help in encouraging Duer to contribute to the project, by securing the appropriate business contracts to let Sayre continue his work in England. Also advises Knox to have the…

GLC02437.04602

4 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Stephen Sayre

Knox tells Sayre despite several letters sent to him, he still has not heard from Sayre. Says he presented Sayre's plan to the president. The magnitude of the plan was such that the president could not give an explicit answer. Talks about the "expectation of war between Great Britain and Spain" and the public attention it has managed to capture. Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04715

January 17, 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his "favor of the 16th [of January]" and for his "communications respecting Messieurs Pintards proposals." Informs Knox, due to the advanced season it would be impossible for him to "deviate from the direct and speediest route to China" and therefore he could not avail himself of their proposal. Discusses business affairs with associates. Encloses a letter (not included) from Samuel Newman, whom Shaw wishes to have a military appointment. The letter is dated 1790, but based on the content and letters exchanged regarding the same issues it is likely it was 1791.

GLC02437.04832

20 August 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends his condolences over the recent death of Knox's baby. Discusses his visit with Jeremiah Wadsworth and an upcoming voyage to China. Notes a 500 ton ship is supposedly being built for the China trade and Sargent believes it would be "not impossible if we could engage Wadsworth heartily in the Business..." (See GLC02437.03637 for Wadsworth's views on the voyage). Describes the business in further details, including the different parties involved and possible funding for the voyage. Stamped "Boston." See GLC02437.03644, GLC02437.03647, and GLC02437.03652 for related documents.

GLC02437.03638

8 August 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Later copy. Briefly mentions a number of topics, including the French Revolution and the government situation with the Eastern Territory.

GLC02437.05573

20 November 1789

Story, John, fl. 1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his health, stating that it is "such as makes it necessary for me to go to the Southward this winter and as I am out of Employment, have concluded to go with Capt Burnham, who is to sail on Sunday for Georgia." From Georgia, plans to continue on to Charlestown (likely Charleston, South Carolina). Volunteers to carry out tasks for Knox while he is there. Asks Knox to keep him in mind if any positions open up that might suit him, and asks for a letter of introduction.

GLC02437.04417

14 September 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Ulmer

Writes that he received Ulmer's letter. Declares that the news of the loss of the spars is mortifying, since he just hired a vessel to take a shipment of them to Philadelphia. Does not know, now, whether there will be a sufficient load to ship. Is sending Mr. [possibly John] Gleason to determine this. Asks Ulmer to make sure that only "perfectly formed spars" make it on board the ship, and asks him to oversee the endeavor.

GLC02437.06817

10 December 1770

Troutbeck, John, fl. 1755-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Light-heartedly comments on the absence of correspondence from his friend Knox. Discusses plans to travel to India. Reports that he has recently been appointed the first Surgeon of the Essex Easte Indea, commanded by Captain Read, but has not yet passed his medical examinations. A post script contends that Troutbeck has not received a letter from Mr. Loring. Sent with a follow up letter (see GLC02437.00003).

GLC02437.00002

18 December 1770

Troutbeck, John, fl. 1755-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports to his friend that he has passed his medical examinations. Briefly comments on his lectures and exams. Now that he is a surgeon, Troutbeck can take the position he was offered on a ship to Bombay, India (see GLC02437.00002). He sails with Captain Read in March.

GLC02437.00003

27 May 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louis de Tousard

Knox discusses his shipments of lime and lumber with Tousard. Mentions the difficulty in getting a "vessel to go to Newport."

GLC02437.07412

9 November 1805

Thorndike, Israel, 1755-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has recently received Knox's letter. Explains how he will provide payments on a financial note. Relates that a ship has recently arrived from the East Indies "under rather unpleasant circumstances," and he must attend to that business.

GLC02437.07980

24 April 1777

Tudor, William, 1750-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed with initials. Informs Knox that a French ship arrived the previous Sunday at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Notes that the ship carried 52 brass cannons, 10,000 cannon shot, and 9000 grenade shells, among other military supplies. Comments on other ships, including two taken as prizes with provisions for General How (British General William Howe). Notes that the [HMS] Milford is cruising in the bay near Boston "taking or driving a shore every vessel that puts out." Notes the presence of two frigates, a twenty gun ship, and five privateers that are not making any effort to protect…

GLC02437.09544

February 17, 1788

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan relates the details of his passage to France. He had planned to avoid conversing with people from Boston, but ran into people he knew aboard ship. Received introductions from French nobility during his passage. Asks for news related to the United States Constitution. Discusses his debt, stating his interest in obtaining a consular position to an unspecified location in Europe. Notes that the merchants' wives are the most extravagant in their spending, while the higher order are "very prudent & oeconomical, tho' showy." Discusses letters of introduction, mentioning two previous…

GLC02437.03801

December 21, 1793

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he wouldn't normally bother Knox, but needs to update him on the situation because of the "cruel war" in Europe. Sends the latest news on 13 sailors captured by the "Algereen pirates." Swan expresses anger that the pirates are allowed to harass American shipping with tacit English approval. Goes on to say that "England by that treaty [of peace with Portugal] will prevent france geting [sic] supplies from america, she punishes us for adhering to the Treaty [from 1778], and for reorganizing their Republic." Believes three things can punish England and get the pirates to back off American…

GLC02437.06002