11 September 1787

Lovell, James, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the friendship he established with the Chevalier de Longchamps when they were both prisoners of war in 1775. Also refers to his intent to defend Longchamps character in relation to the Chevalier's involvement in the Longchamps-Marbois affair: "You will receive this from the hand of the Chevalier Longchaps [sic]. He was my Prison Mate here 12 years ago, and was treated, for a Time, worse by the British than I have been; afterwards he was for Months in the same Chamber. He was suspected if not known to have been serviceable to the Army at Prospect Hill. I was exceedingly surprised at…

GLC02437.03660

4 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Chevalier de la Luzerne

Writes a letter of introduction on behalf of his brother William Knox to Luzerne. Says the situation in France should concern the people of the United States. Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04716

12 August 1791

Jackson, William, 1759-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed in text in the third person by President George Washington's secretary William Jackson. Says he is writing by the President's command to transmit a letter (see GLC02437.04963) addressed to the President from Behague, Governor of the French Windward Islands. Behague was soliciting a diploma for himself from the Society of the Cincinnati. The letter also asks for a diploma for Fressinaux. Reports that the President wants "General Knox to make such answer to M. Behague's letter [if] he may think proper, and the circumstances the case will authorise."

GLC02437.05115

November 5, 1786

Dejean, Phillipe, fl. 1736-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter written by Captain Dejean, agent for the French Navy. He writes that he has enclosed a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette. Hopes that the letter from the Marquis, as well as Knox's prior knowledge, will testify to his good character. Relates that he has had a dispute with a Mr. De Letombe, the French consul in Boston, who is now accusing him "of having judged the Americans brought prisoners at Detroit, during the war, with the greatest cruelty," as well as of answering "Comte d'Estaing's Manifesto to the Canadiens" impertinently. Writes that should "that be the case; I am a bad man,…

GLC02437.03327

December 31, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Monsieur De Jean

Knox thanks him for his last letter, which also enclosed a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette. Applied to Mr. Macomb [he spells it "Macombe"] for the certificates he asked for, "and he kindly promised to write me himself and to obtain others from the gentlemen whose names you mention. As soon as I shall receive these certificates I shall have the pleasure of forwarding them to you, and from the favorable sentiments Mr Macombe expressed to me I conclude that they could not fail of serving fully your purposes." See GLC02437.03327 for a related document.

GLC02437.03396

January 7, 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter contains Wadsworth's reaction to Knox's analysis of Shays' Rebellion and includes Wadsworth's own ideas on the matter. Believes that despite the actions of the insurgents, they and their supporters would not vote for anyone "who have not the will or ability to lead, or favor, measures for the establishment of a good government." Discusses recruitment efforts, as well as the poor state of his own finances. Comments on the status of trade with France, the West Indies, and Canada, as well as opportunities of coining copper. Mentions correspondence with Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de…

GLC02437.03409

December 10, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson and John Coffin Jones

Contains two letters written on the same date. In the first letter, written to Jefferson, Knox introduces John Coffin Jones "and his Lady." Commends the "honor" and "liberal Fortune" of Jones, a Boston merchant. On verso, Knox informs Jones that he has furnished him with two letters of introduction: one for Jefferson and the other for the Marquis de Lafayette. Hopes Jones and his wife will return from their European excursion "with undiminished affection for your native Country."

GLC02437.04047

9 May 1793

Jarvis, James, fl. 1787-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Heard that De Noailles (Louis-Marie, vicomte de Noailles, who had emigrated to Philadelphia during the French Revolution) had arrived in Philadelphia. Asks Knox to deliver the letter he is enclosing (not included). If it is undeliverable, asks him to return it.

GLC02437.05895

January 30, 1795

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Don José de Jáudenes y Nebot

Writes a letter of introduction for a Captain [Collineun?] of the French navy, who has some business "at the Havannah," referring to the port in Havana, Cuba.

GLC02437.06332

21 August 1793

Jackson, William, 1759-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox [incomplete]

Discusses events in Europe, such as a Spanish defeat at Bayonne and that the Queen of France has been moved from a prison. Upper right portion burned or ripped through all pages, creating text loss.

GLC02437.08151

2 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Initialed by Knox. Reports that Madame de la Val and Mr. de la Roche have made a provisional agreement with William Duer and himself "for some of the lands at the Province of maine." States they want to see the land and asks that Jackson go with them. Wants Jackson to find them passage and make the necessary arrangements. Says that Duer or Benjamin Walker will help with funds. Wants Jackson to introduce de la Val and de la Roche to their friends "as respectable Characters." Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.05138

19 May 1800

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jackson writes Knox about bricks and lime and who has requested them. Jackson sends Knox "the papers by which you will observe the Army is disbanded, and Timothy [Pickering] dismissed-and Mr. [Samuel] Dexter Secretary at War."

GLC02437.07408

9 April 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Jackson [incomplete]

Reiterates that "Mr. Duer and I myself authorized you and Mr. Flint to purchase for us and not for any other person - " in relation to a land purchase. Continues discusses the circumstances surrounding the buying of the land. Mentions Madame la Val and that she is "still working in New York to see whether any advances can be made her. Watermarked "G R" under a crest.

GLC02437.10248

24 September 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox over for a visit to discuss the army. Mentions that if the fireworks will be going off at West Point, he can take part of the company off Knox's hands. Discusses preparations to host a large group of visitors including the Minister of France, the President of Congress and some other southern members of Congress. Needs boards to fix the stables which were ruined by the army so these men can keep their horses. Mentions another building, "The Dwelling in the outside, looks more like a Bawdy House then the Quarters of an American General," and asks for a painter. Noted as written at…

GLC02437.02563

9 May 1785

Barbé-Marbois, François, marquis de, 1745-1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Barbé-Marbois, a French diplomat, writes that he is "anxious of laying before [Knox] some matters concerning french officers..."

GLC02437.03142

6 June 1797

Du Mareil, fl. 1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for assistance to improve his current living situation. Mentions previous employment, including teaching French. Date previously inferred, written in red.

GLC02437.06982

16 December 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to the Secretary of War [Henry Dearborn]

Letter is not signed but appears to be in Knox's handwriting. Appears to be a letter of recognition for Pierre Charles L'Enfant. Writes to the Secretary of War [Henry Dearborn] verifying L'Enfant's services to Knox as an engineer from 1793 to 1794. Comments L'Enfant's plans for the security and defence of the Delaware were superior. Letter is possibly a draft.

GLC02437.07696

14 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Writes that Major Villefrance, who will deliver the letter, hopes to receive a promotion. He has not been promoted since he joined the service in 1777. Writes that he has been very successful as Commanding Engineer and is highly talented. He hopes to secure a promotion in order to help him advance in the French service. Writes, "I am persuaded his claims of long service, unremitting attention to duty, and conspicuous talents will ensure the success of his request, unless it should be barred by some rigid principles independent of his professional character. I take the…

GLC02437.01744

8 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports to his brother that the army has gathered with all its stores in Head of Elk, Maryland and will proceed to the Chesapeake in three days. He is optimistic about the upcoming siege of Yorktown: "I shall hope to inform you in 15 days that we have had Cornwallis completely invested." He is also confident in the assistance of the French Admiral de Grasse, whose job it was to secure the mouth of the York River. Mentions that his wife Lucy Knox is in Philadelphia with their daughter.

GLC02437.01174

5 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at camp near Dobbs Ferry by Brigadier General Knox to his brother William Knox. References William's letter of 25 July 1781. Says he wrote last week and hopes he has received the letter as the post office has been unreliable. It seems that someone in Lucy Knox's family is dying, but Henry says he will not tell her because she "will be afflicted by it beyond moderation." Says her family in England will want to know of this information, and wants to be informed when a Mrs. Winslow will sail for Plymouth, so he can write to Lucy's sisters and mother. Says the "destruction" of paper money…

GLC02437.01120

6 March 1790

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Explains and apologizes for not writing in a while as he was in France and quite busy. Discusses earnings he made from the vessels he sent to the West Indies from Georgia. Notes his profits were not as great as he expected, but, "on the whole.... my circumstances are as eligible as my brother Officers in general in this quarter." Discusses the office of excise and asks if it would be all right to write to George Washington concerning a position in that office.

GLC02437.04530

12 March 1785

L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 1754-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his hope that Knox will accept the appointment of Secretary at War. If so, hopes to serve under Knox as an engineer for military posts on the western frontier. Requests that Knox recommend him as such to Congress.

GLC02437.03109

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

16 October 1795

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to François Alexandre Frédéric, duc de la Rochefoucauld Liancourt

Wishes de Liancourt had a safe trip to Boston and discusses other business. Noted as written at Montpelier, Knox's home in Maine.

GLC02437.06542

October 1795

Liancourt, François Alexandre Frédéric, duc de la Rochefoucauld, 1747-1827

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and travelling.

GLC02437.06558