February 13, 1788

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that he received correspondence from Knox. Writes, "...before I opened it repaired to a club which is established here for hearing news, smoking tobacco, & drinking grogg. As there were antifederalists in this body, I thought the paragraphs in you letter respecting Sam Adams might be read with good effect..." Relates that he had hoped Massachusetts would ratify the Constitution by a greater majority. Reports that Anti-Federalists in New York are preparing for the New York ratification convention. Complains that Governor George Clinton "fills up every post with vagabonds... the…

GLC02437.03796

11 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Lamb

Written by and signed for Knox by Samuel Shaw. Says he would have thought Washington would have ordered Lamb's unit to march by now. Says he just heard from Washington that he will not be giving any orders until he returns from Philadelphia. Washington was leaving for that city this morning to meet with Rochambeau. Assumes Lamb will not be ordered to move until the end of this month or the beginning of the next. Wants his troops to stay employed on the wagons and tumbrils, as the Secretary of War has informed him there are no funds for those items. Reports that "Lt. Fink of your regiment has…

GLC02437.01483

7 June 1796

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that this morning a vessel sailed to Boston carrying all of Knox's furniture that remained with Hodgdon after the furniture sale. The only piece remaining was too large to put on a ship, and he is unsure how to transport it. Also reports that he suspects Knox's wine cellar was broken into, but is unsure whether anything was stolen. Discusses several other business transactions and accounts.

GLC02437.06766

15 August 1796

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Brief note by Hodgdon added on the last page, beside the address. Relates that a ship sailed for Thomaston yesterday, helmed by Captain Mathews, which carried a variety of goods being shipped to Knox, including Madeira wine, flour, and dining tables. Apparently also mentions that a little boy is being carried by the ship, along with items for his mother (the identity of the boy is unclear).

GLC02437.06798

4 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Price

Orders Captain Price, commissary of military stores, to deliver supplies such as steel, wine, tin, flannel, leather, and blubber oil to Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster General.

GLC02437.02908

February 21, 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Pynchon

Writes he has been informed that Mrs. Pynchon late husband had military stores such as wine, rice, and medicine for use of the Continental troops stationed at Springfield. Asks her to deliver the items to Major [Joseph] Williams, in charge of the soldiers at Springfield.

GLC02437.02962

13 August 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Reverend Doctor Provost

Writes to ask the Reverend Doctor Provost over for a drink the next afternoon "and to baptise our child."

GLC02437.03178

January 19, 1791

Pritchard, John M., 1759-1844

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for the hospitality shown to him and his wife by Knox and his wife while in New York. Welcomes any friend of Knox's to Madeira should one come. Offers to send more wine at a discounted price and wants Knox to recommend Pintard's "house" Pintard, Weston, and Company. His friend, McGeorge Meade, will receive the shipment. A thank you note is written in an unknown at the bottom of the letter, and a post script indicates they are also sending Knox lemons.

GLC02437.04833

12 November 1787

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives information about events in Virginia related to ratifying the Constitution. Encloses an act [not present] "now adopted by the legislature," about calling a convention. States that, "the policy of the state is against the constitution and the union itself. a great majority of the members of the Legislature are opposed to it - but the body of the people at large continues in favor of it." Believes the representatives will cave when they return home and are influenced by the people. Mentions the recommendation of Congress respecting British debt and states, "Patrick Henry is against…

GLC02437.03703

15 August 1794

Pintard, John M., ?-1811

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked as a copy. Noted, "Copy original by the Brig Edward Capt Thomas Linnell." Informs Knox he shipped him some wine from the island. Notes it will cost 38 sterling if he chooses to accept the wine. Assures Knox, unlike the last shipment, this wine is of good quality. Promises he will always ship the best quality of wines. Letter has a watermark seal. Identical to GLC02437.06169.

GLC02437.06167

10 December 1794

Pintard, John M., ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Makes a proposal for producing wines from Madeira. Notes he has contacted several societies in America regarding his proposition. Proposes to pay $4 on every pipe of wine he ships to the United States for the next two years. Notes the money will be used to assist fellow citizens who have or will become captives of the Algiers. Assures the quality of his wines and states, "no House on this Island can ship superior wines to those that I shall from hence forward..." Requests Knox relays his proposal to all of Knox's friends. Discusses the terms of shipment, payment, and orders already placed.…

GLC02437.06271

18 June 1795

Pintard, John M., ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends Knox two pipes from Madeira that Knox had requested and discusses sending other various goods. Asks after Knox and his family.

GLC02437.06444

15 September 1795

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends Knox a number of items including pitch, tar, cider, and others. Describes unrest in the city where there has been a mob patrolling the streets.

GLC02437.06524

1856-1857

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Journal of a cruise in the U.S.S. Portsmouth on the East Indian station. A. H. Foote Esq. commander book I.

Calf cover. As part of the East Indian Squadron, the U.S.S. Portsmouth, under the command of Andrew Hull Foote, was ordered to observe British operations against Canton, China during the Second Opium War (1856-60) and to protect American interests there. On 16 November, 1856, Foote and a landing party were returning to the ship when they were fired on by Chinese shore batteries, despite prior promises of safe passage. The shots fell short, but Foote determined to retaliate. On 20-21 November, he led a landing party that quickly seized the Cantonese barrier forts. The action was both a…

GLC05911.02.01

12 October 1864-1 June 1867

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Letterbook of U.S.S. Isonomia East Gulf squadron from Oct 12th 1864 to Dec. 24th 1864 and U.S.S. Mohican N. Pacific squadron from Augt 14th 1866 to June 1st 1867

Majority of letters written and signed by Simpson, though several are clerically written and signed. Attacks on Fort Sumter, engagements with blockade runners and attacks on various gun batteries. Includes two letters regarding deserters of the U.S.S Mohican (stored in separate folder). Quarter morocco, marbled boards. Commissioned in 1859, the steam sloop USS Mohican served in the African Squadron in 1860-1861, before joining the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. In October of 1862, the Mohican was sent on a fruitless search for Confederate raiders, the Florida and the Alabama; she…

GLC05911.07

28 May 1761

Lewis, Francis, 1713-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Chew

The seizure of a ship's cargo of wine, writing to Mr. Chew of New London to reclaim it: "As you know the general character of the people of that colony I fear that right or wrong they will divide the property between them."

GLC08039

01 March 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's regiment got into a brawl with soldiers and officers of the 46th Ohio Regiment after some of them had been drinking. No shots were fired, however, and Churchill expresses relief at this: "[I]t would have be a affle [awful] thing if we should of fired for we should have killed a greait [great] menny [many] of them and they of us."

GLC03859.15

11 March 1863

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

Reports that his regiment is on Provost Guard. Three days worth of rations only lasts for two days, after which the soldiers must provide for themselves or do without. It is illegal to sell whiskey in town, and his regiment usually catches those who try to smuggle it in. Mentions trading papers with the Federal troops across the river.

GLC04573.02

23 June 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

He is still in the hospital. Reassures his family that he is getting better. Acknowledges receipt of a package (the cheese was spoiled but he appreciated the brandy). General Banks orders Dederer and two other captains to report for duty or tender their resignations. The captains decide to resign. Dederer's doctor sent a letter certifying his illness and declaring him unfit for duty. [Accompanying envelope appears as if the stamp has been clipped.] [According to Civil War Day by Day, Federal troops at Brashear City surrendered on 6/23/1863.]

GLC04703.10

13 April 1800

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jackson tells Knox that "Mr. Pickman of Salem" has called on Jackson to pay the interest due to him. Jackson suggests that Knox pay up. Jackson has not heard from Knox's son and cannot be sure what ship he boarded, if any. He knows Henry Jackson Knox was not in Philadelphia as of the 1st of April. He tells Knox to write his son, Henry Jackson Knox, until Knox knows of his son's situation and ship. Jackson expects Knox's daughter's wedding will not occur until "we have an arrival from Malaga" of food and wine.

GLC02437.07392

9 September 1783

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: [Request for provisions]

Request for twenty pounds of beef and one gallon of rum for Henry Knox and his family. Addressed to Mr. [Robert] Bell, with the docket signed by Jacob Johnson.

GLC02437.02486

17 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Knox requests ordnance supplies for West Point from Lincoln, Secretary at War. Requests fifty pounds of twine and thirty gallons of "spirits of wine of the best quality." Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide de camp.

GLC02437.09693

8 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written by Brigadier General Henry Knox to his brother William. Mentions sending a letter to him three days earlier. In that letter he says he gave as much of an account of the general circumstances of the army as possible given the chance of mail getting captured. Says they have zeal, but would not be able to overtake the enemy. Has no news other than Lord Cornwallis being named commander in chief in place of General Clinton, who returns to England. Says "This War has [invariably] disgraced every british commander and I hope eventually disgrace the nation who employs them." Requests to draw…

GLC02437.01125

19 November 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing an expedition against the Wabash Indians. Expresses disappointment in General [Josiah] Harmer. Expected little from Harmer, after hearing he was a drunkard. Instructs Knox to present other important matters before Congress, as they occur to him, preceding Washington's arrival. Notes that recent heavy rains may hinder his progress to Philadelphia. Marked private at the top of page one. Copy made 3 March 1854.

GLC02437.09343

22 March 1793

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private Personal & Confidential." References Knox's letters of 5 and 9 March. Claims some of the officers are drunks who lack military skills. Expresses sarcastic anger over orders given by Knox about ensigns in the army. Wayne does not have enough ensigns to follow Knox's orders from the letter of 5 March and is frustrated that he cannot use the provisional ensigns as ordered in the 9 March letter. The provisional ensigns need to be confirmed by the Senate. Says he does not want to put the men or his own personal honor on the line with some of these officers. Suggests the…

GLC02437.05856