18 June 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of the movement of a group of boats from West Point headed for Newburgh, New York, that stopped in New Windsor along the way. Also writes to Knox about the weather in regards to a departure time and exposing the men to the heat.

GLC02437.02169

4 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Written by Major General Knox to Peirce, an associate in Boston who was handling some of his business affairs. References Peirce's letter of 16 June. Says he wants to purchase a farm where he can "live a decent oeconomy." Says if one cannot be found he will have to get a house in town, but he still hopes to find a home in the country. Says spending a few pounds more to get the country house would be worth it. Says it is essential to his affairs to be in Boston in September and hopes to work on this then. Wants Peirce to try to get him the "Lime rock farm." Says he is not unfamiliar with the…

GLC02437.02237

29 August 1786

Pemberton, Robert, ?-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office," which in 1786 was likely in New York City. Reports on business at the War Office. Explains that since his last letter to Knox, they have received a return of stores from Sergeant Hudson and a note from Commodore Hazelwood acknowledging receipt of his last letter. Mr. [Samuel] Hodgdon has not written back regarding the money he applied for. Has included a resolve of Congress regarding the Moravian Indians which was mentioned in Lieutenant Colonel [Josiah] Harmar's recent letter, as well as a letter to Colonel Hay regarding an obstruction to the survey of the…

GLC02437.03298

14 September 1787

Pettit, Charles, 1736-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Recommends Major Reading Howell, the bearer of this letter, who is collecting materials in order to create an accurate map of Pennsylvania. Writes, "It has been suggested that some surveys taken for the use of the Army during the War, & now supposed to be lodged in the War Office, may be particularly useful on this occasion." Asks for Knox to give Howell access to the War Office surveys and maps. See GLC02437.03665 for related document.

GLC02437.03663

22 July 1791

Phillips, Samuel, 1752-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says that for the past several years he has been trying to make gunpowder "to as great a degree of perfection as I was able." Claims he supplied large amounts to the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. States the "Essaymaster for this state" determined it was equal in quality to English gunpowder. Notes Israel Holt, the bearer of this letter, will offer some samples. Knows that Knox wants "to promote the manufacture of an article so essential to our national safety, and the Interest of your native State in particular..." Can give a small quantity now and a larger amount in…

GLC02437.05079

17 December 1781

Sears, Isaac, 1730-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Declares "we are very happy in this part of the Country at the glorious campaign our army has had this last summer," and says the people in his region are hoping for a peace. Comments that he is sorry to hear of General George Washington's loss of his stepson, Mr. John Parke Custis. Mentions several vessels that have been captured by the enemy: Captains Magge and Grenwell were both taken. Informs Knox that he lost money through the loss of cargo on these ships; Sears has about 230 pounds of Knox's money. Encourages Knox to invest this money in a small vessel Captain Magge will command.…

GLC02437.01306

January 31, 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major Shaw, formerly Knox's aide-de-camp, to Brigadier General Knox. Reports that his brother arrived safely in France after a 23 day voyage. Says his brother's ship was the first to arrive with news of Cornwallis's defeat at Yorktown. It "was received with the most heartfelt satisfaction by our good Allies and it was expected would be productive of the greatest good consequences." Waiting to hear about the response from England. Says the legislature has been meeting for the last 8 days. Says the governor gave a good speech and that the legislature wants to comply with the…

GLC02437.01346

5 August 1781

Scammell, Alexander, 1747-1781

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a return (not included) for "drums & fife wanting in [his] Detachment." Date inferred from GLC02437.01119. File copy in Knox's hand of letter received from Scammell.

GLC02437.01118

22 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Seward

Written by Brigadier General Knox to Captain Seward. Orders Seward to proceed to New Windsor and to bring all the garrison carriages for 18 pounders. Says if there are not 10 there, he is to take some of the French 18 pounder carriages that Colonel Crane had placed on a ship lying off New Windsor. Also wants 3 carriages for English 24 pounders. Needs them to be at Verplanck's Point by tomorrow. Says General McDougall will assist him in this mission with men and boats. Captain Mitchell will also help him. Expresses confidence in Seward's ability carry out the mission.

GLC02437.01152

5 December 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments that after a pleasant trip, though a little bit "zig-zag/ by way of Booneton and Mount Hope," he has arrived near Fishkill, New York at the lodgings of Lord Stirling. Discusses various friends he has visited, including Mr. Mitchell, the Quartermaster. Comments that he will soon go to Boston where he will be able "to receive and execute your commands." Sends regards to Knox and Mrs. Knox from Stirling as well as from himself.

GLC02437.01300

December 27, 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that he has confirmed the loss of ships Knox invested in by speaking both to McGee and Col. Sears (see GLC02437.01306). Comments that Col. Sears would like him to invest in another ship McGee will be sailing, upon returning from transporting flour to Havana; adds, "If you do, I wish most heartily that Fortune may be in a better humor, and by prospering the next voyage, make you ample amends for last disappointments." Declares that he wrote a letter to Knox's brother and gave it to the Marquis Lafayette who was waiting to set sail from Boston. He writes, "Nothing has been done, or is…

GLC02437.01311

January 10, 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments that he hoped he would receive news that Knox had gotten the promotion he deserved, but was disappointed to find that Congress had decided not to consider it at present. Comments, "However disagreeable it would be for an officer in your station to quit the army, especially at a juncture so promising as the present, yet I am to well persuaded of your inflexibility in a resolution taken upon the clearest grounds, that I look on your resignation as a certain consequence, Should they refuse or unnecessarily delay to comply with the reasonable expectations of yourself and friends." Adds…

GLC02437.01331

5 March 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp, to Brigadier General Knox. Says he was mistaken when he told Knox the lower house of the Massachusetts legislature has passed an act for payment of notes for 1782 for officers and soldiers who still remained in the service. Tells how they decided against the measure. Feels himself lucky as he had already disposed of his notes. Sends this letter by General Benjamin Lincoln, whose stay in Boston started "much speculation. Whether New York or Canada is the object of the ensuing campaign is not fully determined, though the knowing ones seem to…

GLC02437.01364

21 March 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp, to Brigadier General Knox. Letter expresses the touchiness Revolutionary officers had about rank. Says no word on Knox's promotion is to be had. Hopes "The period, however, cannot be remote when Congress must decide - and either do you justice or dispense with your further services." Goes on to express dismay at Knox not receiving the promotion. References the letter he sent on 5 March as well as another he sent a week earlier. Says since his 5 March letter he has been able to reach a settlement with Massachusetts for his pay for 1780.…

GLC02437.01370

16 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Sears

Written on paper of two sizes: the smaller measures 25.7 x 20.4 cm, and the larger measures 32 x 23 cm. Asks Sears to discharge a specified amount of money to Colonel Clement Biddle and to Colonel Samuel Griffith. Thanks him "heartily, for your kindness to myself and Mrs. Knox, and for that substantial friendship and assistance, without which the service in which I have been engaged, would have been peculiarly different. I anxiously wish for some opportunity to convince you or yours how deeply impressed I am with a sense of your kindness." Briefly discusses his recent business at…

GLC02437.01407

16 May 1782

Sears, Isaac, 1730-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Sears, who was known for his early and vehement support of the patriots in New York, to Major General Knox. References Knox's letters of 23 January and 1 May. Says his first "orders" are paid and the other will be paid when due. Is happy he could offer his services to Knox and his wife. Refrains from speaking on political matters, but hopes to be able to see Knox in New York soon. Says "it appears to me the heart of the American War is near at an end, but don't believe we shall have a peace very soon, unless the French and Spanish gains some great advantage over the British in the…

GLC02437.01418

24 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Thomas Seward

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "I have directed a company under Capt. Lt. [Isaac] Guion from Col. [John] Lamb's regiment to relieve yours now Stationed in the Northern department. You will therefore obtain permission from Maj. Gen. [William Alexander] Lord Stirling to collect your men and repair to this post as soon as possible. You must carefully examine all the waggons and other carriages which were taken from General [John] Burgoyne in 1777, and such of them as are fit for Service must be brought here in their present state - the…

GLC02437.01626

5 June 1783

Sears & Smith, fl. 1775-1785

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a letter from William Knox and expresses the wish to see him in New York. Also asks Henry Knox if he could give "information when the British are to [leave] the City [New York] ... " Sears & Smith refers to the merchant company owned by partners Isaac Smith and his son-in-law, Paschal N. Smith.

GLC02437.02147

27 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sears & Smith

Replies to a previous letter and asks Sears and Smith to hold onto some items that his brother William had sent him via the firm. Discusses the British evacuating New York. Says New York will probably be evacuated by 20 October but not much earlier. Sends them both his and his family's compliments.

GLC02437.02427

30 October 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his experience with Congress, in particular, making forced compromises in order to bring about a successful end to Knox's business. "I need not tell you how happy I am that this matter is at last brought to a close. Instead of one, it seems a twelvemonth since I left you, - the chagrin and mortification inseparable from an attendance on Congress is beyond any thing."

GLC02437.02726

9 September 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that per Knox's instructions, he has gone to New Haven and met with Mr. [Samuel] Broome and Mr. [Jeremiah] Platt to discuss their outstanding financial business. Explains that Broom and Platt assured him they will not be able to repay the money they owe in the next year. Provides a lengthy and detailed explanation of the firm's financial dealings, including the ways the war interfered with their business. Adds some information about the money they owe to the firm of [James] Webber & Co. Relates possible solutions to the problem.

GLC02437.03190

24 May 1789

Tharp, John, 1751-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Declares that he recently saw a newspaper advertisement about bounty lands for veterans and wondered whether he should apply. Also asks whether Knox knows of a job for which he might apply in the new government.

GLC02437.04220

7 August 1790

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Schuyler writes Secretary of War Knox about veteran pensions, including pensions owed to widows and families of veterans. Mentions a pension for Lady Sterling. Requests to see lists of recipients.

GLC02437.04679

8 May 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur

Knox writes to Crevecoeur, French consul at New York. Expresses his regret at Crevecoeur's loss of important papers. Apparently responding to Crevecoeur's request for information related to the Revolutionary War, writes, "...I was not at the frontiers during the War having always been with the Army under the immediate orders of His Ex Gen Washington[.]"

GLC02437.03141

4 June 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comfort Sands

Informs Sands, a previous supplier of military goods [see GLC02437.01301], that a "few barrells of neats foot oyl are wanted for the musquets & cartridge boxes of the Army," and he wants to know whether Sands can supply them, and what the terms might be.

GLC02437.01439