21 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to George Washington

Copy in Samuel Shaw's hand and signed by him for both Knox and Morris. Knox and Morris assumed the public would be interested in the POW report they recently submitted to Congress, so they wrote this letter for Washington with information they excluded from that report to avoid its publication. Says they "had no opportunity of bringing forward distinctly the affairs of Mr. Laurens. By pushing it abruptly into notice we might have obstructed but would not have forwarded your views for his release. Had our general propositions been acceded to, his exchange would have followed necessarily. Had…

GLC02437.01395

circa January 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: Received from Mr Forsyth, Commissary of Issues, during the month of January 1783

List of items received from James Forsyth during January 1783 for General Henry Knox and his family, signed by Samuel Shaw (see GLC02437.01769 for a related document.)

GLC02437.01770

circa February 14, 1783

Printed document

Title: A Bill for the Provisional Establishment and Regulation of Trade and Intercourse between the Subjects of Great Britain and those of the United States of North America

Printing of the bill being considered before the British Parliament to re-open trade between Britain and the United States. Divided into clauses A-I. This bill's provisions curtailed the United States's ability to trade with the British West Indies. There are two handwritten notes on page 4, but it is unclear if they are in Knox's hand. Next to clause H a note says "Query Is not this a law for ye United States?" The note on the bottom of page 4 says "The ports of America will Contain warehouses of every Species of West India productions, taken in exchange for their flour Lumber &c, should…

GLC02437.01920

September 1776- December 1777

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: General Knox in account with [Samuel] Shaw

Lists account information regarding the purchase of a variety of goods: gloves, ducks, potatoes, oats, handkerchiefs, postage for letters, housekeeping, and various other items.

GLC02437.10456

1776

Bradlee, David, 1742-1811

Manuscript document

Title: David Bradlee's accounts

Includes account information between Henry Knox and the artillery officers serving under him. Covers February through April. Includes Ebenezer Stevens, Jotham Horton, Henry Burbeck, and Samuel Shaw, among others. Captains pay Knox for breeches, shalloon (a lightweight fabric), and other items (mostly cloth). Bradlee is sometimes spelled "Bradley" in other records from the era.

GLC02437.10460

February 12, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Writes that upon receiving his note, Knox sent to all the shops that might sell American broad cloth but was "exceedingly chagrined to learn there were none in town at present." Found that some cloth was expected in town very soon, in light grey, Hartford grey, bottle green, and dark brown colors. Will be able to secure the quantity he and Mrs. Washington would like and send it immediately, though he warns that Washington might be disappointed with the quality of the cloth, as it is only "about good as an english second cloth." Also reports that he has been ill and in bed due to a "severe…

GLC02437.04108

29 August 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Burbeck

Informs Captain Burbeck, commander at West Point, that Noah Hall, the bearer of this note, hopes to purchase "some of the old unserviceable iron cannon at West Point." Instructs Burbeck to sell Hall fifteen tons of the cannon at fourteen dollars per ton.

GLC02437.03978

3 August 1789

Bruce, Stephen, ?-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has not, until now, solicited Knox regarding employment because of his awareness that many of Knox's friends must have already asked. Writes that he believes Knox will soon be reappointed to his position and hopes he will be able to continue to provide services and supplies to Knox as he needs them.

GLC02437.04313

13 April 1788

Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Henry Knox]

Expresses concern about the ratification of the Constitution and what it might mean for his future career. Describes his "native Ambition of serving [his] Country in Some...capacity..." Asks for help in obtaining a government position and mentions prior experience in commerce and goes on to state that "the establishment of which on proper principles view as one of the great leading Steps to our future national greatness..." States that he has applied for a consulship in Spain. Watermarked "C Taylor" and with a hunting horn in a crest with "GR" underneath.

GLC02437.10212

18 May 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Breck

Writes that an acquaintance of his, Mr. Badcock, will be delivering the present letter, and has business which "will require the confidence of the judgment of some gentlemen well acquainted with mercantile matters." Is assured that Breck will be able to help. He and his wife Lucy send compliments to Mrs. Breck and their "social circle," whom they hope to see over the course of the coming season.

GLC02437.03268

13 December 1786

Bruce, Stephen, ?-1801

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Bruce, apparently a merchant, writes to Knox to discuss a contract for supplying the troops in the Boston area. Has been working with General [Henry] Jackson and Colonel [Benjamin] Hichborn, providing them with necessary supplies. Includes terms for a potential contract to work as an official supplier.

GLC02437.03374

1786-1789

Manuscript document

Title: Prices of clothing, and quantity allowed the troops of the United States

Lists rations of clothing for troops in three different years, and the prices charged by the contracted merchant supplying the clothing. The list for 1786 includes prices from Turnbull, Marmie & Co., the list for 1788 includes prices from Royal Flint, and the list for 1789 includes prices from William Hill.

GLC02437.03400

7 January 1787

Bruce, Stephen, ?-1801

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his kind letter. Declares that before he received it, he "had been inform'd of the negociations taking place between the board of Treasury, and [Messrs Robert] Morris & [Jeremiah] Wadsworth for the whole supplies of the Troops, and had accordingly wrote those Gentlemen on the Subject, by our mutual friend Colo. [James] Swan: who was immediately bound to New York." Writes that the proposition of Morris and Wadsworth "does at once preclude any kind of contract of mine with the Board - but as was hinted by you, I am still of opinion that I might be very servicable [sic] to…

GLC02437.03408

23 August 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Joseph Barrell

Hopes Barrell has a successful voyage to China. Asks Barrell to consign his vessel or vessels in Canton (Guangzhou) to Messrs [Samuel] Shaw and [Thomas] Randall. Writes, "one or the other of those adventurous Americans will be there - and more honestt and punctuality cannot be found in any two mortals..." See GLC02437.03652 for Barrell's reply. See GLC02437.03637, .03638, and.03647 for related documents.

GLC02437.03644

2 September 1787

Barrell, Joseph, 1739-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his good wishes "respecting the Enterprize I am engaged in for the Northwest Coaste of America & China..." Knox had recommended Samuel Shaw to assist Barrell's venture in China (see GLC02437.03644). Stamped "Boston" on the address leaf. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature. See GLC02437.03637, .03638, and .03647 for related documents.

GLC02437.03652

25 December 1787

Broome, Samuel, 1735-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses business concerning a firm in London, England, who "refused to accede to our proposals of resigning our property to our Creditors ... " and asks Knox to "write these Gentlemen by first packet, in our favor as far as you can consistently, recommending their acquiescence - " "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03739

January 15, 1788

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Autograph document signed

Title: [Account information between Henry Knox and Sebastian Bauman]

Covers 25 May 1787 - 5 January 1788, including payment for goods such as Jamaica spirit, cinnamon, and porter, among others. Bauman signs, noting receipt of £20.25 from Henry Knox.

GLC02437.03753

24 March 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Requests a certificate from Washington for Winthrop Sargent, who Knox describes as "really clever and... an excellent artillery officer." Promises to procure limestone when the weather improves. Discusses Washington's refusal of a gift from the Legislature of Virginia. States, "My jealousy for your fame is so high, that I should prefer seeing you cincinnatus like, following your plow rather than accepting the least pecuniary reward for services, which fairly challenge the approbation of posterity, but thank the supreme God, you are happily placed above the necessity of receiving any…

GLC02437.03118

24 March 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Joseph Carleton

Discusses the engineers still in service. Asks Carleton, acting Secretary at War, about Congress' intentions regarding renewal of the contract with Daniel Parker & Co. to provide troops with supplies. Expresses concern that Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance, has renewed the contract only until 5 May 1784.

GLC02437.02982

2 September 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Broome & Platt

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp. Writes that Mr. James Webber, who is a close friend of his brother William Knox and had taken care of William while in London, has enclosed to him a note from Broome and Platt drawn on "Warburton and Randall of London, who have become bankrupt." Needs to receive payment from them, so is sending his good friend Samuel Shaw to meet with them. Asks that they either provide payment with interest, or arrange with Shaw to pay it back in a short time. Writes that he does not like to be in this position,…

GLC02437.03181

6 September 1785

Broome & Platt (firm), fl. 1785

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The firm of Broome & Platt certifies that it is in debt to Messrs. Webber Addington & Birhnall of London for approximately 600 pounds. Document arranges terms of repayment, including paying the equivalent amount in dry goods within a two-week period to General Knox, the ultimate beneficiary. (According to GLC02437.03181, Broome & Platt had made a payment to James Webber, who was apparently handling business for Henry Knox and his brother, William, during William's illness, but the note with which they paid was drawn on a firm that had gone bankrupt.)

GLC02437.03182

10 September 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Broome & Platt

Discusses the details of his financial arrangements with the firm of Broome & Platt. Explains that he appreciates the candor with which they explained their financial distress to Samuel Shaw, Knox's representative at their meeting. Does have concerns about an arrangement they made regarding delivery of the goods they are using to pay Knox. Hopes they can make a better plan, in order to satisfy the other firm involved, Webber, Addington, & Birhnall. Adds that Mr. [James] Webber is a very honorable man, and explains how generous he was in caring for Knox's brother William during…

GLC02437.03191

27 September 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Francois Jean, marquis de Chastellux

Writes to Chastellux on a variety of topics. Explains the concept of the Society of the Cincinnati, assuring him that the Society is "harmless in its intention, and having only for its real object, the perpetuation of friendship, and recollection of past urgencies." Describes a past meeting, in Philadelphia, and declares that the Society will not meet again until 1797. Also discusses their political intelligence regarding England, and the prospects for trade and commerce with Europe after the war.

GLC02437.03203

29 November 1785

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his recent correspondence and for the "western" contract Samuel Shaw sent him. Will be glad to know when a new contract is ready. Thanks him for attending to his accounts of rations that he furnished Captain [likely David] Zeigler, as well as for procuring him money for the rations. Mentions that his "commercial friends" wanted him to ask Knox about problems with the "Algerines," or pirates. Wishes to know whether Congress has passed any measures regarding the pirates. Mentions that some friends of his own a frigate which they would be willing to donate to Congress for use…

GLC02437.03221

6 December 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Writes in response to Biddle's letter of 29 November (see GLC02437.03221). Comments that he feels Congress has done everything in its power to handle the Algerine [pirate] situation, so he does not think it necessary for them to obtain any frigates to send out on the sea. Also discusses the places at which provisions will be issued on the Ohio [likely the Ohio River]. Hopes Biddle will attempt to win the contract to issue the rations, and will contact him again when he has more information.

GLC02437.03223