22 November 1781

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Had wanted to write earlier but was afraid a letter might not reach him. Informs Knox that his brother William left for France on the 20th. Before he left, Knox's brother William left Peirce various papers and "empower'd me to transact his affairs in his absence, at the same time wished me to inform you thereof." Promises to forward letters he has since received from William. Discusses the surrender of Cornwallis: "The taking of Lord Cornwallis's Army is an event of prodigious magnitude, such as may produce a peace at a much earlier period than the most sanguine could expect." Discusses…

GLC02437.01295

12 August 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Instructions for Lieutenant Price, Captain Patten, John Ruddock, and Thomas Frothingham]

Shaw, aide for Henry Knox, transmits orders for Knox. All orders are issued 12 August. Orders Lieutenant [William] Price, at the New Windsor laboratory, to deliver tin to Captain Bushnell; orders Captain [Thomas] Patten, at New Windsor, to obtain tin for Bushnell through the "tinman"; orders Ruddock, deputy commissary of military stores at Fishkill, and Thomas Frothingham, deputy commissary of military stores at West Point, to obtain gun locks for Bushnell.

GLC02437.01128

January 28, 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the Excise Act and the response of New England Towns and ports. Mentions problems with currency and payments, and argues, "Our Legislative & Executive Bodies seem to be by far too large for so young a State - they swallow up an immense Sum of money, which might be better approximated to pay the army." Comments on local merchant vessels and mentions he has received word about the vessel Knox's brother William is on. Congratulates Knox and his wife on the birth of their son, and adds that since his own last letter Mrs. Peirce has had a baby boy as well, and that both are…

GLC02437.01342

23 May 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions a letter he received from Knox via a Mr. Allen, which he delivered to the Governor [John Hancock, possibly GLC02437.01408] but has not yet heard anything back. Adds that according to those he spoke to, a Mr. W [possibly Isaac Winslow; see the above GLC] is unlikely to be able to return home by any public means. Describes several business ventures he is handling for Knox, including the purchase of a lime rock farm and the sale of several items left with him by Knox's brother, William. Lists the amount of Knox's money he has obtained through the sales. Lastly, in a post script,…

GLC02437.01428

18 July 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I had the pleasure of once to your Letter of 3rd inst. and mentioning what you desired to Mr. Dawes, who will use his influence in every good measure to move the Massachusetts Line." Adds that he has enclosed a letter from Knox's brother, William. The letter had recently arrived by ship from France and landed at the port at Newbury. There are apparently more goods on the ship for Knox but they haven't been retrieved yet.

GLC02437.01494

20 April 1783

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

A letter commenting on Knox's personal finances, especially the disposition of government notes. Peirce references Knox's letter of 3 April. Mentions consolidating old notes and registering new ones. Says his brother William did not consign any goods to him, nor to Colonel Sears. Says "I rejoice with you that Peace is again likely to visit our Country - The Contest has been severe, - but it has been short - It has been indeed Glorious - in eight years to effect so great a revolution is more than most sanguine at the commencement could have expected." Says Boston Harbor has appeared "dismal…

GLC02437.02106

20 September 1785

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Contract with Henry Knox and Samuel Shaw for sale of goods]

Apparently written in the hand of Samuel Shaw. Contract outlines the terms of an agreement between "Samuel Ogden, of the city of New York, Merchant," and General Henry Knox. Ogden agrees to sell the merchandise, worth "two thousand, two hundred and ninety three pounds, fourteen shillings and six pence, lawful money of the State of Connecticut, at the rate of six shillings for a Spanish milled dollar." Promises to sell the merchandise as if it were his own, at the same rate, and to the best of his power, and to provide all proceeds to Knox. Accepts a "commission of five percent on the net…

GLC02437.03199

25 September 1785

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Explains that he has received the goods Knox has arranged for him to sell (see GLC02437.03199). Has had them valued by Mr. Francis Atkinson and Mr. George Service, who are well-respected in the dry goods field in New York. They have told him that the goods were acquired at a higher rate than they were worth, and that they will not sell at as high a price in New York or Connecticut. Is happy to sell them at the price they were given, though it might take some time to sell them at that rate, but also has a suggestion for a better plan: to sell them at a lower rate and change the percent…

GLC02437.03200

10 May 1788

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses money due on Mr. Webber's goods and the depreciation of currency (possibly referring to James Webber, a London merchant). Writes, "The political State of this Country I hope and trust is very much altering as to monied transactions, so that a depreciated Medium cannot much longer be made a payment for a just demand." Marked as a copy. Written at Delaware Works, located in what is now Morrisville, Pennsylvania, near Trenton, New Jersey.

GLC02437.03868

11 November 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that his last letter was shipped on board a schooner, upon which he also shipped a variety of merchandise. Regrets that he hasn't had a line from Knox in some time. Includes information related to the business and real estate world, such as the news that Mr. [James] Bowdoin "declined receiving the dividend due to his Fathers Estate" (may be speaking about Governor Bowdoin's son, as the Governor died in 1790). Provides information on Knox's Waldo patent lands in Maine, and the legal struggles relating thereto.

GLC02437.05256

10 June 1791

Roberts, Josiah, fl. 1789-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a receipt for a box of china, which will be delivered by the bearer of this letter. The china came from Canton by the ship "Washington" and arrived in Providence. It was sent by Samuel Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.04984

4 September 1782

Rickey, James, fl. 1782

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Petition of James Rickey, formerly of Cherry Valley, New York in Tyron County, stating that he lost his house, trade goods, his "negro," and household furniture "due to the 'depredations and crulty of the Enemy.'" Says "he is reduced from a state of Affleuence to a state of Necessity being obliged to quit the frontiers with his family to seek subsistence in a more peaceable Quarter." Asks for the privilege to settle in the garrison to partner with a Mr. Thompson, who obtained permission from the former Commandant, General Paterson. Says he wants to built a house and sell liquor. Claims to…

GLC02437.01572

16 July 1783

Rivington, James, 1724-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Rivington, the New York printer and bookseller, signs in text. Mentions Knox's previous request for a copy of Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations." Forwards his only copy, which Knox can keep or return. The 2 volumes cost £2.5 sterling. Says no advance on them is requested.

GLC02437.02296

10 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Rivington

Thanks Rivington for the copy of Smith's "Wealth of Nations" that he sent. Knox signed in text. See GLC02437.02296 for Rivington's original note.

GLC02437.02379

28 August 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Thomas Russell

Discusses the character of Mr. [Thomas] Randall and Samuel Shaw and their past experience in China; possibly having to do with trade. Notes he cannot speak with respect to the plans but can speak with great confidence about the men's character. Says both of the men served in the War, both have been to China twice, and that Shaw is currently on the Coast of India. Speaks of the men's prior voyages and Knox's confidence that a voyage can be profitable. Noted as a copy on the docket. See GLC02437.03637, .03638, .03644 and .03652 for related documents.

GLC02437.03647

January 25, 1788

Lowell, John, 1743-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Cosigned by Thomas Russell. Russell and Lowell are apparently trying to collect money owed by Knox, or his late father-in-law, Thomas Flucker, to Captain Henley. The money pertains to a mortgage on land at Charlestown (state not specified). Lowell writes, "Capt. Henley is now pressed by the Woman to whom he sold the Estate who threatens to attach the Goods in his Shop. this makes it important for him to be relieved soon..." Notes that if Knox thinks proper, the money will be taken from Flucker's estate.

GLC02437.03771

6 December 1793

Rivington, James, 1724-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks for a copy of the account they had between them when Knox was still in the book business. Believes Knox can help him get £247.10.0 for 275 pounds of Hyson Tea that was delivered in 1774. Notes he was in London at the time and has since lost track of the transaction, but he heard that Knox delivered the tea "to some person in Boston" at the command of the colonel of the 26th Regiment. Recipient not listed, however, base on the content of the letter the recipient is likely Henry Knox.

GLC02437.05987

10 December 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Rivington

Reports that to the best of his memory the teas he inquires about was delivered to Captain Bath. Believes he can provide give him full evidence of this when he looks at his papers in Boston. See GLC02437.05897 for Rivington's request.

GLC02437.05991

12 May 1798

Rynier, John, fl. 1797-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the quality of the soil at Brigadier's Island and mentions shipping some barley. Also writes concerning taxes.

GLC02437.07126

29 October 1803

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan D. Robins

Has received Robins's note via Captain [Edward] Kelleran, and thanks him for his punctual payment. Reports that Captain Kelleran is departing with a full cargo of casks of lime. Does not believe he will be able to stop at Portsmouth to sell some of it, due to the weather.

GLC02437.07835

25 August 1794

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the death of their friend, Samuel Shaw (Knox's former aide-de-camp). Informs Knox the ship Washington arrived safely; however, the ship Industry has not arrived. Notes the voyage is not as lucrative since the Industry never arrived. Requests Knox to discharge his bond against them.

GLC02437.06184

30 November 1788

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain Randall writes from Batavia (present-day Jakarta, Indonesia). Discusses the shipment of wine, sugar, and cotton. Sent ginseng to China via two East India Company ships, enabling Samuel Shaw, who is in China, "to fulfil his engagements & have funds in reserve." Sends his regards to Lucy Knox.

GLC02437.04038

14 June 1789

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Bombay, present-day Mumbai, India. Declares that he will be on his way to America before Knox reads this letter. Mentions he had arrived in Bombay ten days earlier, after an excruciating five-month-long journey from Batavia. After this he will sail for China. Mentions that his friend Mr. [Samuel] Shaw has long since arrived in America and will have told Knox about how Randall is doing. Describes a crewmember he had to suspend because his "pride and ignorance has rendered him so intolerable, as to make him quarrell [sic] with every officer on board." As he is uncertain…

GLC02437.04241

11 March 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Remsen

Sends to Remsen "the oath of Major Shaw respecting the ship Massachusetts as a necessary voucher for the issue of the Sea Letter granted for the said ship."

GLC02437.04538

16 June 1791

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Captain Randall to Secretary of War Knox. Encloses two letters (not included) for the women mentioned in Knox's last letter. Annexes a statement of William Duer's notes. Says Knox has a debit of $38 dollars for a piece of blue satin that was bought for Lucy Knox. Says Captain [Job] Prince delivered a fan to him sent by Samuel Shaw to Lucy Knox, and he will ask Captain Gibbs to transmit the fan to Knox.

GLC02437.05001