29 December 1793

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letters of 18 and 21 December. Says "your determination to make your brother work is of the first importance to you & him - and the only means in my opinion to drive of his gloom and the inactivity of his mind." Says Henry Jackson Knox spent a few nights with him last week. Heard from Henry's teacher that "he had conducted very well since his return from New York." Sarah Lyons Flucker asked for another 50 dollars, which he sent. That makes $200 since Knox was last in Boston. Says she appears to have a want of economy. Makes reference to the carpenters working on…

GLC02437.06011

8 November 1789

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes his trip back to Boston as a "most disagreeable and damnable passage of five days ..." Still suffers from the voyage, noting: "at this moment the Sea is rolling in my head, and the Room and Chairs... if ever I am caught again in the sound I pray I may be committed to a mad house as a lunatic." States that he had wanted to discuss "a misunderstanding which took place on the day of the arrival of the President," but will have to put it off since he is not feeling well. Relates that his parents are in ill health and are declining fast. Asks Knox to give his regards to Lucy Knox and…

GLC02437.04408

6 September 1789

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions the illness of Lucy Knox, related to the recent passing of one of the Knox children. Discusses the recent bill describing the salaries of the various executive departments. Mentions General [Benjamin] Lincoln's recent appointment and his leading troops to negotiate with the Creek Indians in Georgia. Comments on his own prospects for receiving an appointment in the Revenue office or as Marshall. Also mentions the arrival of a French ship in the Boston area, as well as a bill from Captain [Thomas] Vose, Knox's agent in the Waldo patent.

GLC02437.04350

7 November 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Acknowledges receipt of Knox's last letter. Tells Knox that he has spoken with the ailing Governor [James] Bowdoin "respecting the Fish, and we have concluded to put on board the first Vessell bound to Philadelphia." Bowdoin died at 4 o'clock that morning. "He had his reason to the last moment." Bowdoin's property left to "Mrs. Temple" will be "put into the hands of the Trustees, and the income only at her command during the life her husband but if she outlives him, it comes into their hands and at her own disposal." Notes he had a visit from Mr. [Sylvanus?] Bourne, but Jackson had no…

GLC02437.04773

13 April 1785

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jackson, one of Knox's closest friends, encloses letters that arrived on a ship from London (letters not included). Reports that goods shipped by Knox's brother, William, on the Hero are consigned to Knox. Advises Knox to sell the goods as quickly as possible to avoid financial embarrassment, noting that Henry's wife, Lucy, agrees.

GLC02437.03126

25 April 1785

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions letters (pertaining to business affairs) that recently arrived by ship for Knox, newly appointed Secretary at War. Reports news of Knox's brother William, who suffered from mental illness: "By Mr. Webbers letters you will observe the melencolly [sic] situation of poor Bill, it makes my heartache when I think of him- Mr Webber appears to be a divine man, & it must give you great consolation that Bill has fallen into such good hands" (referring to James Webber, a close friend and subsequent caretaker of William). Advises Knox to send for his brother, noting that all of William's…

GLC02437.03132

19 September 1785

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has received Knox's last letter. Reports that he has heard from a friend of Henry's brother William Knox, in London, that William should be arriving in America any day. Discusses matters of finance: "As the Bank is now calling in the whole of the monies due to them, the new money has become of equal value to gold & silver." Declares that he feels he must sell Henry's notes in order to pay what they owe to the bank, though he regrets the sacrifice Knox will have to make for this. Reports on the financial trouble of other firms. Mentions that Mrs. Swan has received a…

GLC02437.03197

11 April 1787

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes in full, "This will inform you, that your friend is the most wreched [sic] man on earth, in consequence of your Letter of the 4th Inst. recd. by the post this Evening - derange - disband - return to private life again - great gad it is too much - I cannot think of it, without distraction, and my mind is embarrased [sic] without description - point to yourself every thing, and it will fall far short, of my feelings on this occation [sic], as more than every thing that is dear to me is involved in this business - I dare not trust on paper what I would wish to say to you - it is cruel -…

GLC02437.03518

16 April 1786

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a friendly letter outlining various happenings in Boston. Relates that Mr. [John] Hancock is recovered and will travel to Congress [in New York] in the coming weeks. A Mr. Oliver Smith refuses to purchase lime from the Winslows because they will not sell it to him as cheaply as he can find it elsewhere. Has arranged to let Mr. Smith take the lime and have Knox work out the price when he arrives in Boston. Will dispose of Knox's hardware goods per his wishes. Captain Callahan will set sail to London on 16 April with Dr. [William] Gordon and his family. Reports that their friend Mr…

GLC02437.03260

21 September 1786

Inman, John, fl. 1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Inman, who recently was imprisoned due to both debt and psychiatric instability, writes to Knox to thank him for his help in getting him released. Regrets not being able to see Knox before Knox left in the morning. Assures him that he will pay his debt to the firm of Smith and Wycoff. Writes, "You may confidently rely on this my promise, that as I look on my liberty entirely owing to your generous interference, the encouragement you gave Messrs. S & W shall be attended to by me." "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03301

February 5, 1860

Simmons, Addie, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah [Mason]

Writes that she attended a New Year's Eve party. Reports that she has been employed as a second cook for the Newburg Asylum and is enjoying her employment.

GLC06728.001

16 July 1799

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis W. Flucker

Knox tells his nephew Francis, "It is untrue that I refused to pay Dansforth for any authorized articles. I refused to pay for Ginn and brandy." Knox warns Francis "if you shall adhere to drinking such liquid fire, you will ruin your health, and debase your mind." Knox advises Francis to be an honorable person.

GLC02437.07287

circa May 1, 1850

Burnet, David G., fl. 1830-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mattie

Burnet writes to a young girl who is feeling swings in emotion, and ascribes the problem to excessive indulgence in "fashionable amusements." He advises putting "a philosophical curb on our enjoyments and restrain[ing] them from exciting us too much," and preserving "our minds from too great depression by contemplating the transitory nature of all earthly things." The rest of the letter continues with family news and concludes with general marriage advice.

GLC05508.056

16 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Later copy of letter written by Knox to Lafayette at GLC02437.03276. Thanks Lafayette for the kind treatment given to his brother William. 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 say that the Society approved of L'Enfant's conduct and owed 630 dollars to him for his services in France…

GLC02437.03275

14 December 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Expresses relief and joy regarding William's recent recovery from an episode of mental illness. Relates that he and his family plan to move from Dorchester to rent John Singleton Copley's house in Boston. Discusses family news, mentioning his children Lucy, Harry, Marcus, and Julia. Encloses a letter to a friend of his mother-in-law in London (letter not included).

GLC02437.03076

June 12, 1785

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Previously thought Knox's brother William had returned to America, but he recently received news that he had been confined in a house in London since January because he was "disordered in His Head." Reports William is better and "in a few weeks will be able to go out, which he very much desires." Says he wanted to go to London upon hearing the news, but thought better of it as his travels would no doubt be noticed by many and might cause unseemly news about William to get in the newspapers. He sent a trusted family member instead, who has made sure William received proper care. He hopes that…

GLC02437.03155

September 17, 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

References Lafayette's letters of May and June 1785. Says "I had the unhappiness previous to the receipt of your benevolent letter of June to be fully informed of my Brothers insanity." Goes on to say he recovered his health and reason. Says he has proof of this through William's letters and reports from other friends. Reports that William is now in London and will soon sail for Boston. In reference to Lafayette's assistance, tells him to moderate his kindness or he will be oppressed by his goodness. He would like to send his son, Harry, to France to study under Lafayette, but says the boy is…

GLC02437.03196

1 May 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Henry's letter of 27 April. Also delivered the enclosed letter to [Royal] Flint in prison. Agrees with Henry that his best recourse is to move to Maine. Hopes to be able to do so in a few days. Says his mind has been "depressed" lately due to a debt he cannot discharge. If it is paid he can move without any troubles. In reference to what seems like mental illness says "Bailey prescribed a fixed time to my remedies in order to be certain of embracing even the worst circumstances, which time has nearly elapsed, without my experiencing any of those evils which presented themselves to…

GLC02437.05884

January 24, 1795

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses building a store in the Eastern lands. Notes the establishment would be created to serve the people and to add to "their happiness, ease, & comfort." Describes the traits and qualities the person in charge of the project should possess. Writes, "A young Quaker of good talent or other plain person… possessing honest & virtue principles a good accountant & understanding business..." Also discusses in great length Knox's time as a public servant and where his next place of residence should be. Advises Knox to keep his children close until they marry and suggests which…

GLC02437.06321

January 31, 1795

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes his current health problems to his brother. Starts by stating that he had a very black day but is recovering and thanks "the supreme disposer of events for his mercy in pointing out this happy asylum to me." Includes a list of 11 things that are improving his health, such as not smoking or drinking, regular sleeping hours, cleanliness, exercise, "a very tolerable passage of urine instead of great obstruction," and "a considerable degree of Hope instead of despair."

GLC02437.06335

20 October 1784

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Knox's brother writes, "I can only inform you I am happy to have recover'd from my late situation on point of health and spirits the want of which I have very unpleasantly experienced for many months," referring to his mental illness. Relates that his ill health did not permit an earlier return to America. Notes that his commercial friends in London have been indulgent, as his credit has expired. Discusses financial matters. Instructs Knox to send his mail care of Lewis Teissier, "one of the most capital merchants in London in the Spanish & French lines..."

GLC02437.03059

3 November 1784

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox writes to his brother. Relates his plans to sail for the United States, noting that his desire to be with family outweighs the unappealing prospect of making the voyage during winter. Expresses his disappointment at receiving only one letter from Henry this year, but understands that Henry was unaware of his condition (William suffered from mental illness). Discusses financial matters and business prospects.

GLC02437.03067

19 May 1785

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Knox's wife, Lucy, reports that Captain Callahan was unable to hire artisans from England: "the sentiments of the english are so oppos'd to that class of persons coming out that he feared to make the attempt." Has received no recent news of William Knox, Henry's brother who suffered from mental illness. Mentions an unspecified match, possibly referring to William Knox's courtship of Henry Laurens's daughter (William had lapsed into insanity, and the courtship ended on dramatic, negative terms; refer to GLC02437.03082). Fears that William's "malady is too deep for cure." Expresses joy at…

GLC02437.03148

11 November 1859

Raymond, Henry J. (Henry Jarvis), 1820-1869

Newspaper

Title: New York times [Vol. IX, no. 2541 (11 November 1859)]

News regarding John Brown's raid. Reports on conviction of Brown's fellow raiders, Gerrit Smith going insane, Brown's time in Kansas, his charitable deeds. Also an article urging reconciliation between North and South, and urging Brown be pardoned in an attempt to quell sectionalism. Despite urging a pardon, the paper strongly opposes Brown and his actions.

GLC08771

December 30, 1859

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Thomas Wilson, convicted of 2 counts of assault weapon against crewmen on the Schooner "Exchange."

Convicted of 2 counts of assault [one with a dangerous weapon] aboard the Schooner "Exchange" while at sea; in one case, sentenced to 1 year and 3 months imprisonment and in the case involving weapon, sentenced to 2 years hard labor and to pay $1 fine and court costs. Pardoned due to insanity. (c/s Lewis Cass)

GLC00043.20