December 11, 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Duer

Discusses his reasons for terminating his financial agreement with William Green and mentions other avenues he is considering. Notes he has made overtures to [Théophile] Cazenove, andt after receiving Duer's "pressing letters" decided it best to try to push forward an agreement with [William] Bingham. Assures him he will do everything in his power to finalize a sale most advantageous to Duer. Notes Cazenove has offered to purchase one million [acres?] of the Kennebec and continues to discuss in detail the status of various other deals he is trying to negotiate on Duer's behalf.

GLC02437.05732

12 December 1792

Le Roy, Herman, 1758-1841

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Duer

Copy of a letter from Herman Le Roy to William Duer; written in Henry Knox's hand. Informs Duer that Knox called on "Mr C" [Théophile Cazenove] and himself to discuss the eastern lands. Says Knox made it clear to them that he would be willing to divide the land as necessary in order to accommodate them in a purchase, however, both he and Casenove had previously decided "not to have anything to do" with the eastern lands until Mr. Morris returns and they receive news from Europe.

GLC02437.05733

13 December 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Duer

Informs Duer he called on Herman Le Roy and [Théophile] Cazenove the day before to discuss the eastern lands, especially the sale of Duer's portion. Notes he tried pushing forth a sale of Duer's portion of land in "every way and manner possible" but was informed that they would not be interested in a purchase until Mr. Morris's return and possibly not even then. Expresses his surprise over this news as he was under the impression from Duer that the gentlemen would be willing to negotiate. The men stated that regardless of Duer's impression they were not ready to move forward with the deal…

GLC02437.05734

18 December 1792

Leval, Rosalie Josephe Bacler de, ?-1811

Manuscript letter

Title: to [Heny Knox] [in French]

A duplicate of GLC02437.05741. GLC02437.05741 is a translation. Discusses land deals involving herself, Knox, [Jean-Baptiste] de la Roche, and [William] Duer. States that Mr. de la Roche has gone to the eastern lands to hopefully provide stability. Says [Henry] Jackson has assured her that he (Knox) will keep to the conditions of the contracts. Notes they (she and Roche) have titles for about half their land but they cannot move forward until they receive the 306,000 acres from Knox and Duer stated in the last contract. Expresses her frustration with Duer, who she claims last minute…

GLC02437.05742

22 October 1781

Teissedre de Fleury, Francois Louis, 1749-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has heard Knox has replaced ordnance lost or damaged during the siege of Yorktown by the Regiment of Bourbons and inquires if the same can be done for the Régiment de Saintonge. Also requests flags for marching. A note on the back requests information about whether or not a black man who was given to Major Fleury by a British officer has a master. "If he truly he has no master," Fleury writes, "send him back to his new one." The Régiment de Saintonge was selected in 1780 by the Count de Rochambeau to participate in the French expeditionary force to America.

GLC02437.01256

13 November 1789

Eustis, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a gentleman from Boston who is attempting to obtain the position of commissary of pensioners. Asks whether the appointment to that post is granted from the state or the Continent. Relates a request from the Marquis La Gallissonnière, possibly Augustin-Félix-Elisabeth Barrin, asking Knox for a diploma to give to Louis Antoine Thomassin, Comte de Peynier [also spelled Peinier], Governor of Saint-Domingue and member of the Society of the Cincinnati. Notes that a "gentleman of character," also a member of the Society, will be happy to deliver the diploma if Knox decides to send it.…

GLC02437.04414

13 December 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eustis

Relates that he delayed responding to Eustis's previous correspondence in hopes that Congress would decide upon an arrangement for paying the invalids (refer to GLC02437.04414 and GLC02437.04386). If someone is specially appointed to the post of paying the invalids, and Mr. [John] Lucas (commissary of pensioners) resigns, Knox thinks Eustis can easily obtain the appointment. Predicts that the Secretary of the Treasury will make the appointment with the approval of the President. Discusses Society of the Cincinnati diplomas Eustis previously requested. Agrees with Eustis regarding the…

GLC02437.04439

5 April 1792

Flint, Royal, 1754-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to acquaint Knox with the measures he is taking respecting the purchase of lands in Maine. Discusses financial arrangements he has made with General [Henry] Jackson to compensate for the insolvency of their business associate Mr. [William] Duer. Believes Knox would rather they proceed according to these new plans than abandon the purchase of the lands altogether. Comments on possible unfortunate consequences to their land deal with Madame de Leval. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05400

16 September 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Royal Flint

Forwards a letter for William Duer, regarding land in Massachusetts. Asks Flint to obtain an answer from Duer and to inform Knox himself of Duer's development. Also mentions the status of Madame de Leval's security and payments.

GLC02437.05611

4 May 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Flucker

Writes to thank her for her concern during his illness and to let her know he is now recovered. Expresses concern about unrest in Europe. Hopes that the U.S. will remain "undisturbed notwithstanding the concussions of Europe," but states that "when firebrands arrows and death are flying abroad ther is no absolute security. Certain it is however that the executives are perfectly disposed to peace..." Also loans her money. Watermarked. Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10264

17 October 1781

Wigglesworth, Edward, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Indicates that he has enclosed copies of a vote of thanks from Harvard College to Granville Sharp for a donation to the library that was conveyed through Knox (see GLC02437.01220). Asks that when Knox arrives in France he send thanks to Sharp, who lives in London. Requests that the communication be sent in way that does not expose Sharp "to political resentment." Also mentions that Harvard has not acquired any British publications since 1774 and asks that Knox attempt to procure some while in Europe. Wigglesworth was president of Harvard College.

GLC02437.01236

21 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Williams

Announces the surrender of the British and German forces under Lord Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown, which occurred two days earlier. Explains that the enemy was given the same terms of surrender that the American forces received at Charleston the year before. The enemy forces number greater than 7000 men. States that there were over forty ships in the harbor. Comments on the unmatched harmony between American and French troops and offers praise for the French. Williams was a diplomat who served as an inspector of arms shipments with his uncle Benjamin Franklin's mission to France.

GLC02437.01250

14 December 1781

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Happy to receive news of Lord Cornwallis's surrender: "The Effect this reverse of Fortune has on the british Government is similar to what we often see in a man mad with Rage - Vengeance, Death Destruction foams at his mouth although he has not strength enough left to manage his weapon." Discusses the perspectives of the British King and Lords of Commons and their attitudes toward the American victory. Talks about Major Franks's arrival in Nantes and his acquaintance with Knox. Wishes he could be "galloping by your Side in pursuit of an Enemy; I have not much confidence in myself, but I…

GLC02437.01304

26 June 1798

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. White

Letterpress copy. Discusses his concerns about the navy, and mentions a "few ships of War, and the french [sic] have a few, would in a few days convey an army of ten thousand blacks and people of color in Vessels seized from our own citizens." Continues with expressing his concern about the defense of the coast. Noted as private.

GLC02437.07154

12 September 1781

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that they have enough planks, but there has been an objection by Major Bauman and Mr. Thorp to the plans of General Mordecai Gist and the French generals to cut the planks and transport them with the troops. The planks were part of the supplies needed for the siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01184

28 April 1791

Duer, William, 1747-1799

Autograph document signed

Title: William Duers receipt for stock of the United States 28th April 1791

Lists stocks received of Henry Knox on 26 April 1791 transferred to Messrs Le Roy and Bayard. Title from docket.

GLC02437.04930

13 August 1800

Bradford, Alden, 1765-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions he was gratified that Miss [Lucy] Knox (Henry Knox's daughter) had a nice visit with them. Discusses the upcoming presidential election. Says he hopes the "Essex Jesuits" are unable to raise General [Charles Cotesworth?] [Pinckney] to the presidency. Comments the [Jesuits] party is not popular or influential. Expresses his desire for John Adams to be reelected and says Thomas Jefferson is the most dreaded candidate. Also discusses foreign politics and the issues with France and Britain.

GLC02437.09866

5 April 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Duer

Later copy of GLC02437.05402.

GLC02437.05401

16 December 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Duer

Discusses ongoing negotiations concerning Duer's land shares. States he expects Duer "will make a full & explicit offer" to [Théophile] Cazenove's offer. Believes if Duer's offer is as "reasonable" as he presumes it will be he should receive an answer immediately. In postscript states, "enclosed to Shaw and Randall and [illegible] to them to deliver in paper and to [obtain] an answer."

GLC02437.05738

December 21, 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Duer

Discusses land deals and contracts. Informs him Jackson is heading his way and will deliver Duer the $50,000 in notes plus interest. The accounts will then be liquidated. Instructs him and Colonel Walker to deliver to Jackson all papers, including all agreements and contracts dealing with this matter. Continues to discuss lands deals concerning Jackson, Royal Flint, [Madam] de Leval, [Jean-Baptise] de la Roche, and [William] Bingham. Dated from docket.

GLC02437.05749

11 November 1798

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Knox's declination of an army commission, and his own views on service. Knox had declined a commission in the army raised during the quasi-war when he learned that Alexander Hamilton would outrank him. Noted as written at Mount Pleasant.

GLC02437.07189

29 May 1800

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Williams writes Knox about his son Henry Jackson Knox and hopes that his son intends to return to his ship. Williams comments on the changes in the administration "which I think forebodes a settlement of some sort or other with France." Williams says it is assumed that Adams will lose the next election. Talks about a meeting of Federalists who want to run Pinckney and Adams "equally", which Adams will see as abandonment. "He wishes rather to take the chance of being second to Jeff than to P." Relates a letter James McHenry sent to him saying that he wished Williams to have a post in the…

GLC02437.07418

7 September 1779

Williams, G., fl. 1779

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Account of William Knox with Taylor] [in French]

William Knox purchased various items. The total comes to 60.3, although it is unclear what currency is being used. It is signed by G. Williams stating the payment was made. Docket says "Nants," which could mean these items were bought in Nantes, France.

GLC02437.08492

25 July 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Charles Henri d'Estaing

Discusses the application of the Marquis de Bouille to the Society of the Cincinnati. Also asks the Count d'Estaing for a list of the officers in the French Navy who are members of the Society; would like to use this list to to fill out diplomas for those members. Mentions that the "president General" [Washington] is too busy at the [Constitutional] Convention to perform this service. Finally, thanks the Count for submitting "Ideas on the Association of the Cincinnati" which the Count wrote in 1784 (see GLC02437.03027). Is not sure the Society will decide to adopt any of the recommendations…

GLC02437.03619

2 May 1790

D'Estaing, Jean Baptiste Charles Henri Hector, 1729-1794

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox [in French]

Discusses diplomas for the Society of the Cincinnati.

GLC02437.04593