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

1 April 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to discuss a new lime-burning agreement negotiated in Boston by Mr. Wheaton. Notes the risk incurred by Wheaton since he is so close to Penobscot, a Tory stronghold. Discusses a recent illness, and the quartering of Major Strauss's company at his house. Comments on the value of "depreciation notes" and "consolidating notes" in Knox's finances. See GLC02437.01404 and GLC02437.01406 for related information.

GLC02437.01380

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

24 June 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Peirce to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 12 June. Says he did not take care of the business with Mr. Hurd until this morning and that he received from him an 80 dollar note of Mr. [Robert?] Morris. Says that Knox can now draw on him for the money. Says he has not yet received money owed to his brother [William Knox?]. Says no news from Boston, but that "We have had great doings here on the birth of a Dauphin of France." Also reports that "The Chevalier S.[?] Breck, made a grand Entertain[ment] & his house and Gardens were beautifully illuminated, and by far…

GLC02437.01465

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

9 October 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a variety of business concerns with Knox regarding Knox's investments with the Government, and asks for his opinion on how to handle certain matters. Mentions that he and Colonel Hatch are planning to send to Knox possessions of his brother William Knox's, which have been in the possession of Mr. [Joshua] Loring while William has been in Europe. Relates that the appraisers living on a limerock farm that Knox is interested in are having difficulty conducting their appraisal due to the presence of the enemy. Discusses the recent death of a Treasurer Gardner and the candidates who…

GLC02437.01654

24 October 1782

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Peirce to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 8 October. Consoles Knox on the death of his boy. Says "Alas Deaths Shafts fly thick. no less than five of my little ones have fallen by his relentless hand." Mentions a small box he wants to send and asks if Colonel Brooks has room on one of his wagons. Tells him "At present I cannot think of any other method to accomplish the desires of the Gentleman you mention, than for his brother to petition the Governor & Council, or the Genl Court, if that will not do it." Says the gentleman called on him about it and after a…

GLC02437.01678

9 December 1782

Paterson, John, 1744-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Camp." Writes that agreeable to the wishes of the Committee, he has been trying to get "Capt. Pemberton to transcribe our address." Captain Pemberton has been too busy with his own work, so he has asked Colonel Cortlandt, and though he keeps requesting the finished transcript, Colonel Cortlandt has not yet been "able to procure a fair Transcript." Has enclosed a copy of the transcript but as soon as the other copy is complete and he has it signed, he will send it to Knox. Apologizes for the delay and says, "It is not owing to any neglect on my part that this business has…

GLC02437.01734

13 December 1782

Paterson, John, 1744-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has received his most recent letter accompanying the address to Congress, and will comply with Knox's request to have it signed by the committee members and then pass it on to Colonel [John] Brooks, who will be leaving for West Point tomorrow. Will also pay close attention to Knox's other requests.

GLC02437.01741

6 January 1783

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses sending a box to General Knox, a farm Knox may wish to purchase, and the need for raising money to pay the Army.

GLC02437.01805

January 15, 1783

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Peirce to Major General Knox. It seems that Knox was making inquiries for property involving his Loyalist in-law's confiscated estates. Says he has seen Mr. Imman and Mr. Rowe and that the former said he would take 3,000 pounds for his farm at Cambridge(?). Says Imman's wife has a farm called Brush Hill about 9 miles from Boston, consisting of 200 acres for 2,700 pounds. Claims Brush Hill has "an elegant House[,] out house & every thing convenient for a Gentleman. - a Farm House &c." Says that she also has a farm advertised in the newspapers called "Bailies farm," which is…

GLC02437.01835

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

29 April - 20 May 1783

Peirce, Isaac, 1722-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce notes that his son, Hardy Peirce, "Lost his Life at Fort Lee while you Sir was Colo. of the Regiment viz Novr 5th 1776." Requests Knox for help in obtaining his late son's pay and rations. Knox's reply on verso, dated 20 May 1783, is written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw. States he will take care of it and that "[i]t will not be long before a complete settlement of all accounts relating to the Army is to take place ... " and that Stewart will get "full satisfaction."

GLC02437.02117

14 October 1783

Patten, Thomas, fl. 1777-1785

Autograph note signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to discharge William Smith as he had been a prisoner from 6 July 1777 until the past July.

GLC02437.02655

20 October 1783

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Congress has voted to "discharge the National Debt," and that one party had wanted to insert a clause to "exclude the Commutation & confirm it solely to discharge the foreign debt," though this clause did not pass.

GLC02437.02691

24 December 1787

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that "By a Resolution of Congress the Ohio Company are intitled to sink their military Rights in the Purchase to the Amount of the Seventh of the Purchase Monies" and asks for documents to facilitate that end. Notes that he has contracted with the Connecticut commissioners "to run the lines of their Reserve to the Indian Boundary." Asks if the military there can assist him, if "a Post will be establish'd next Season near the Mouth of the Cuyahoga, or whither Capt. Hutchins will be directed to take the Course of Lake Erie next Spring." Recommends Mr. [Manasseh?] Cutler to replace Mr.…

GLC02437.03737

29 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel H. Parsons [incomplete]

Discusses the possibility of granting lands to soldiers and officers by resolves of Congress. Explains how the lands may be granted and that some might be located in the Ohio territory, commenting, "it is not for me to determine what assistance you shall receive from the troops of the United States on the lines you are to run..." Also states his happiness that the new Constitution will likely be accepted, and considers the likelihood of ratification in several states.

GLC02437.03746

23 March 1789

Peirce, Isaac, 1722-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to discuss bounty lands due to him for being an officer of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Discusses the death of his two sons, Hardy and Isaac Peirce, in the service. As executor of his son Isaac's estate, would like to know what lands are owed them.

GLC02437.04152

11 April 1789

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a letter (not included) from General [Horatio] Gates and Mr. Balmain which requests Knox to send warrants for their "Donation Lands." Has asked Colonel [perhaps Richard] Platt to obtain the warrants from Knox, as well as a warrant for Parsons, which he is asking for with this letter. Discusses traveling to the Illinois Territory and asks Knox to give orders to General [Josiah] Harmar (he spells it "Harmer") on the subject.

GLC02437.04177

24 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: [Gen Knox presents his compliments to the Marquis de Rostaing].

Indicates that he is sending one of the pieces of ordnance seized from a British redoubt at the Battle of Yorktown to the regiment of Gattenois, which stormed that redoubt on 14 October 1781. The transfer was made in accordance with George Washington's orders (see GLC02437.01259). A third person letter in Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.01260

January 20, 1790

Rickard, William, fl. 1785-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for a recommendation in obtaining a position in "the Collection of the Revenue in this Port." Notes he was a lieutenant under the command of Henry Jackson during the War. Asks Knox to refer to Jackson's opinion of Rickard's service. Place writ noted as "Washington/Port Bath/North Carolina."

GLC02437.04475

November 10, 1790

Rochefontaine, Stephen, 1755-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Rochefontaine writes that "M. Poisé secretary to General de Lafayette during the latter part of the American war has received a commission of captain as a reward" for his service. His work was equal to that of an officer and should therefore be allowed into the Society of the Cincinnati. "Madam de la Lafayette has been the intermediary" but she has not had a response yet from George Washington. Inquires after Lt. Col. Peter Regnier who led a New York infantry. His family has not heard from him since 1783 when he was supposed to have been in the West Indies but set to return to New York.

GLC02437.04776

25 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock and John Crane

Top of the document features a list of items needed to repair or supply military stores, such as paper for cartridges. Below that is a short note to Colonel John Crane, asking that he provide or procure the above articles for Captain Thomas Seward. Underneath that is a letter to John Ruddock, Commissary at Fishkill, asking him to provide Seward with a variety of supplies, including musket balls and powder papers. Also asks Ruddock to prepare a return of all the stores in the northern department. See GLC02437.01502 for a related letter.

GLC02437.01503

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

4 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Mentions that a temporary magazine on a redoubt on Constitution Island (near West Point, New York), which is being prepared to house the powder from Fishkill, will be ready in three to four days. Asks that the powder from Newburgh be recovered first. Requests that he appeal to Colonel [Hugh] Hughes [Deputy Quartermaster General for New York State] for teams to transport it.

GLC02437.01575