circa 1788-1820

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah Urquhart Harwood

Discusses the Waldo estate and legacy.

GLC02437.09945

22 August 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to unknown [incomplete]

Discusses the layout of his house. Comments that he "do[es] not think it too large - it has only [three ?] rooms on a floor. I want a comfortable house." States that Mrs. Lucy Knox wants a bigger house. Lists corrections for building. Mentions that he wants the roof to be pitched at a certain level and to let Thomas Vose know about the alterations. Second page is cut off on the right side. Watermarked "Watt & C Patent Copying/Sold By J Woodmason/ London." Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10276

18 June 1789

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Would like to recommend Major Henry Warren (likely her son) for the position of Collector of Customs for Plymouth and Duxborough, and mentions that he had worked with General Benjamin Lincoln. Hopes Knox might be able to use his influence with President [George] Washington to help him receive an appointment. Also ruminates on the nature of the new presidency (referring to George Washington) and the new government in the United States. "But I can contemplate perhaps with equal pleasure beneath my own private roof the felicity this people may enjoy under the administration of a Man made by…

GLC02437.04245

19 September 1791

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says "I again take the liberty to enclose to you though I have not yet obtained your leave, but the distance from a beloved son, &, the difficulty of conveyance must plead my appology [sic] if any is necessary when you consider the sensations of a maternal heart." Warren was asking Knox to forward two letters to her son who was marching to Fort Washington in the Ohio Territory (see GLC02437.05171). Place written is listed as "Plimouth."

GLC02437.05164

27 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Mercy Otis Warren

References receiving two letters from Warren "covering letters for your son." Writes that he will receive and forward her letters with pleasure. Assumes her son started out for Fort Washington in the Ohio Territory about 15 September, noting that troops are being sent to the area "in order to establish posts on the Miami River which empties into Lake Erie." Asserts, "The force is so respectable that it is not expected they will not meet with hostile Indians - the distance from you about 1400 miles." Tells her he should have answered her letter earlier, but he was sick with a fever and has…

GLC02437.05171

19 August 1783-6 September 1783

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Request for provisions]

Three parts. First part asks for an extension in providing provisions for a man as he is very unwell and still needs to take care of his family. Signed by Benjamin Walker. Noted as written at head quarters. Second part requests fifteen packets of rations for the soldier mentioned in the first part. Signed by John Lillie, dated 16 September 1783. Noted as written at West Point, New York and addressed to the commanding officer at Newburgh, New York. Third part is a note of receipt, signed with a mark by [Jane Clift] at Newburgh.

GLC02437.02398

January 14, 1785

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Warren, who was a neighbor of Knox when he lived in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Apologizes for not returning several books she borrowed from Knox (the "Life of Sobieski" and Adam Ferguson's "Roman Republic"). Expresses sentiments of friendship, noting that her family misses having the Knox's as their neighbors. Signed in text by Warren.

GLC02437.03085

30 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Mercy Otis Warren

Replies to her letter from 2 May (GLC02437.03539). Discusses a financial matter involving Winslow Warren (Warren's son), Mr. Hawkins, Knox's brother William, and Mr. Breck. Apologizes for not being able to fully comply with her request from 2 May due to William's limited power in that regard. Knox discusses the present state of government, and the divided nature of the states, in the context of the Constitutional Convention, which gathered at Philadelphia 25 May. Discusses "the present awful crisis- I arrange in my imagination two or three hundred millions of [our] posterity with their eyes…

GLC02437.03558

21 August 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Mercy Otis] Warren [incomplete]

Discusses the proceedings of a convention (referring to the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia) and mentions the Society of the Cincinnati. Says the Convention is coming to a conclusion and that the proceedings will likely end the 15th of next month. Weighs in on some of the consequences the Convention may bring and opinions others may have. Informs Warren about the recent loss of his and Mrs. Knox's youngest child.

GLC02437.03640

28 November 1788

Walley, Thomas, 1725-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Intended to visit Knox when he was in Boston, but Knox left before he had the chance. Solicits Knox's assistance on behalf of his son-in-law, John Langdon. Walley has been giving Langdon money to support his wife (Walley's daughter) and nine children, but "as he is entirely Idle & not earning one Copper, I could sincerely wish he might get into some kind of business, whereby he might be earning something towards the Support of his Family." Docketed "answered."

GLC02437.04037

9 March 1789

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a recent letter from Knox and mentions political events surrounding the "Great Court" which are "too delicate for a lady to touch upon." Reflects upon the new government, which has "long been the wish of every good man & woman in America though they may have varied in opinion relative to some particular points." Rather than discussing the government, she wishes to enquire as to the health of Mrs. Knox and family, and ask Knox to forward the enclosed letter to her friend Mrs. Montgomery. Suggests the Knoxes come for a visit, and discusses her desire to travel to New York.…

GLC02437.04140

29 March 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Mercy Otis Warren

Unsigned, but handwriting suggests the author is Henry Knox. Received her last letter, with its enclosure to Mrs. Montgomery. Will deliver the enclosure to Mrs. Montgomery's family while she is out of town. Was upset that he did not have time to visit her and her husband General [James] Warren while in Boston on business. Hopes to be able to visit them in Plymouth the next time he is in the area. Wishes she and General Warren would visit New York; suggests that if the length of the land route would deter them, they might have a "convenient, safe and pleasant" passage by water. Then…

GLC02437.04157

9 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mercy Otis Warren

Has received her recent letter. Declares that he would love to help members of her family, but that the President handles all appointments, so suggests that Major H[enry] Warren (likely her son; see GLC02437.04245) contact the President directly. Adds that it would be helpful to include character references, perhaps written by General [Benjamin] Lincoln and Governor [James] Bowdoin. Discusses the basis on which the President will be making appointments. Also discusses the recent illness of his child (see GLC02437.04275).

GLC02437.04276

24 September 1790

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes in full, "Though some of my late letters have been received by the minister at War with a silence which perhaps ought to forbid further interruption: yet I will not suppose it as designed neglect & ask my friend General Knox to accept a small volume lately offered the public his most obedient humble servant, M Warren." See GLC02437.04751 for what is most likely Knox's reply to this letter.

GLC02437.04736

12 October 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to [Mercy Otis] Warren

Secretary of War Henry Knox missed seeing [Mercy Otis] Warren in Boston. Tells Warren to "be proud [of] addg yr name" to America's list of literary figures. See GLC02437.04736 for Warren's letter to Knox.

GLC02437.04751

2 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Benjamin Walker

Claims it is not from inattention that he has delayed responding to Walker's letter of 20 August. Reports that he was struck with a "unremitting fever & have just been able to be abroad." Agrees with him about selling lands and claims he is "expecting some plan from Mr. Duer for that object." Says that Duer will send him the provisional agreement to sell the lands to Madame de la Val and Mr. de la Roche. Mentions it is very important to get them to travel from New York to Boston in order to see the lands "and make the establishment before the Winter sets in."

GLC02437.05140

28 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Walker

Relates that events beyond his control kept him from sending the deed as he promised earlier. Now encloses the deed of assignment from Henry Jackson and Royal Flint to Henry Knox and William Duer to pay for the Maine lands recently purchased. Notes that the deed is dated 25 July 1791. Would like Walker to acknowledge its receipt. Asks if Madame de la Val has gone to Maine, and if so, when and with whom.

GLC02437.05173

1 October 1791

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References receiving the deed. Reports that Madame de la Val was detained in New York for several days longer than expected because of "contrary winds," and her baggage did not arrive from Philadelphia. She left on 24 September accompanied by Mr. de la Roche and 15 other people. She brought the 15 settlers despite the late season, so they can immediately begin settling if they (and de la Val) find the land suitable. Madame de la Val has no doubt that she will approve of the land. William Duer sent Henry Jackson directions to furnish them with what they needed, and Jackson drew on Walker for…

GLC02437.05179

13 December 1791

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox and William Duer

Writes to forward propositions from Madame de Leval and Mr. De La Roche regarding their purchase of lands in Maine, in the Waldo patent. Discusses some of the details of the negotiation. Regrets that he did not visit with General [Henry] Jackson when Jackson was in town.

GLC02437.05257

February 22, 1792

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that as soon as he arrived, he gave paperwork to Mr. Harrison regarding the agreement with Madame de Leval. Explains that Mr. [William] Duer has been planning to leave for New Jersey but keeps delaying the trip. Upon learning this, he asked that Madame de Leval come to New York to sign the papers so that Mr. Duer and Mr. de la Roche could execute them before she has to set sail again. Also mentions some concerns Madame de Leval has about the settlers on the land. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05324

11 March 1792

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the extensive financial trouble their mutual friend [William] Duer has recently found himself in. Explains payments he has received from General [Henry] Jackson respecting the Waldo patent lands. Has not seen Madam Leval and her associates, but knows they are waiting to have their paperwork translated. Hope to have that performed in Philadelphia, as they cannot have it done in New York. Briefly touches on some business arrangements with Madam Leval.

GLC02437.05345

14 March 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Walker

Writes that he was very unhappy to read Walker's recent letter, outlining their friend [William] Duer's poor financial situation. Discusses Duer's situation, as well as a financial transaction between Walker and General [Henry] Jackson. Also touches on the settlement in Maine of Madame de Leval (he spells it "LaVal").

GLC02437.05358

29 March 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Benjamin Walker

Discusses their land deal with Madame de Leval, particularly the deed Mr. [Louis] Osmont has asked him to sign.

GLC02437.05384

5 April 1792

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Delayed writing to Knox, in the hopes of being able to tell him news about Mr. [William] Duer or about Madame de Leval. However, he does not have news about either, yet. Writes that General [Henry] Jackson and Mr. [Royal] Flint had to raise Duer's share of the money to purchase lands through a contract they negotiated. Adds that Duer has pledged to repay his share. Asks Knox about possibly forming a company for the lands, especially if Duer is unable to participate any longer due to his finances. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05398

24 April 1792

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Apologizes for not fully answering Knox's last letter, but has been preoccupied with the current business crisis in New York: has been trying to save himself from financial ruin. Relates a conversation with Mr. [Royal] Flint about raising the money needed by General [Henry] Jackson. Urges that they make final arrangements with Madame de Leval and Mr. de la Roche regarding their settlement of lands in Maine. Believes they may not be able to actually settle there until the following year. Finally discusses the poor financial prospects of Mr. [William] Duer, concluding that he does not think…

GLC02437.05426