7 June 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the construction of an ammunitions magazine to house munitions, arms and stores. Gives details concerning the dimensions and the amount of stores and equipment the building should hold as well as building materials. Signature has been cut out, resulting in a large section of text loss. Copy written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, aide-de-camp to General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.02151

14 June 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. Says he will probably go to Virginia on public business in a few days. Says he was so impressed with Captain "Lilly" (Jonathan Lillie, Knox's aide-de-camp) on his trip from West Point, New York to Philadelphia, that he has asked Lilly to join him on the trip south. Notes he would not normally do this without asking for Knox's permission, "but you will, I know, forgive it, as Captn Lilly's happiness is concerned in the measure as well as mine." Informs Knox he wrote to Colonel Stevens about the buildings in Virginia and requested him…

GLC02437.02161

15 December 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Thomas Longman

Later copy. References Longman's letter of 1 August. Is sorry to hear Longman is having so much trouble with the Flucker estate. Says "I have it the most speedy way to terminate the affair to assign to Mrs Harwood the legacy left to Mrs Knox by her uncle, in condition of her relinquishing certain lands. this business accordingly is put into a train of execution." Is sending Longman the first of 11 bills of exchange, each for 1,000 guilders. Believes each bill should be about 1,000 pounds sterling. Thanks Longman for his patience. Says "it is with extreme inconvenience that I pay so…

GLC02437.05994

4 March 1794

Longman, Thomas, 1731-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox Messrs. Wilhelm H. of Amsterdam will only be able to pay Knox a portion of the money owed. Vouches for his character and is "satisfied for the very respectable character of those Gentlemen, that utmost value has been obtained." Has enclosed his account books. Discusses property damage Knox suffered and possible compensation. Congratulates Knox on his acceptance of Mrs. Harwood's offer regarding a portion of the Waldo patent lands. Respectfully encourages Knox to pay him the balance due on his account.

GLC02437.06054

4 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Tells his brother that "an object is now developed and known to be Lord Cornwallis," and alludes to the forthcoming siege of Yorktown: "our measures are such that if the respective parts harmonize, we hope to do something handsome..." The military maneuver will disrupt General Knox's family life because he has to leave for Virginia. Discusses a personal financial issue.

GLC02437.01165

8 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports to his brother that the army has gathered with all its stores in Head of Elk, Maryland and will proceed to the Chesapeake in three days. He is optimistic about the upcoming siege of Yorktown: "I shall hope to inform you in 15 days that we have had Cornwallis completely invested." He is also confident in the assistance of the French Admiral de Grasse, whose job it was to secure the mouth of the York River. Mentions that his wife Lucy Knox is in Philadelphia with their daughter.

GLC02437.01174

5 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at camp near Dobbs Ferry by Brigadier General Knox to his brother William Knox. References William's letter of 25 July 1781. Says he wrote last week and hopes he has received the letter as the post office has been unreliable. It seems that someone in Lucy Knox's family is dying, but Henry says he will not tell her because she "will be afflicted by it beyond moderation." Says her family in England will want to know of this information, and wants to be informed when a Mrs. Winslow will sail for Plymouth, so he can write to Lucy's sisters and mother. Says the "destruction" of paper money…

GLC02437.01120

8 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written by Brigadier General Henry Knox to his brother William. Mentions sending a letter to him three days earlier. In that letter he says he gave as much of an account of the general circumstances of the army as possible given the chance of mail getting captured. Says they have zeal, but would not be able to overtake the enemy. Has no news other than Lord Cornwallis being named commander in chief in place of General Clinton, who returns to England. Says "This War has [invariably] disgraced every british commander and I hope eventually disgrace the nation who employs them." Requests to draw…

GLC02437.01125

14 June 1783

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Captain Lillie, an aide-de-camp to General Knox, to Major General Knox. Hopes he will not give Knox displeasure while informing him that he is going to Virginia with General Benjamin Lincoln. Says Lincoln promised to inform him and make it acceptable. Says he met a man in Philadelphia from England named "Dickason" who asked to be remembered to Knox. Says Dickason saw William Knox in Amsterdam on 20 March. Says he has not been able to get the cotton denim Knox requested. Has forwarded the articles Mrs. Knox wanted along with the bill of 40 dollars. Says the watch is in perfect order…

GLC02437.02162

17 June 1783

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of his upcoming trip to Virginia and relays a message from another officer asking "if there should be any Troops kept up upon a peace establisment ... " "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.02168

17 August 1789

L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 1754-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to send him a copy of the diploma for French officers joining the Society of the Cincinnati, and discusses several matters regarding the French members of the Society.

GLC02437.04329

11 September 1782

Villefranche, Jean-Louis-Ambroise de Genton, chevalier de, 1747-1784

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "A Capt. [possibly Jonathan] Lawrence of the Corps of Sappers is so unwell in sick quarters as to make it necessary for his servant (who is now in Camp) to be with him - beg therefore that your permission may be granted to send him off immediately."

GLC02437.01599

16 September 1782

Villefranche, Jean-Louis-Ambroise de Genton, chevalier de, 1747-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "the quarter master general has told me a few days since, that he could not furnish me with any Masons; untill the 20th of the present instant ; it also seems to me that he is not able to supply with lime and other essential articles, to carry on the work with celerity: these reasons induces me to imagine it improper to begin the masonry this fall, for in a little while the front will hinder us from doing any business of this kind - I think it would be much more advantageous to turn all the means we have to the repairing and building accommodations for the troops in the Garrison, for…

GLC02437.01616

21 September 1782

Van Rensselaer, Philip, 1747-1798

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I herewith Transmit your honor a Return - agreeable to your request, hope and Doubt not but Will meet your approbation." Van Rensselaer signs as public storekeeper.

GLC02437.01622

26 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Mitchell Varnum

Reports that Captain James Lees, who served under Varnum in "the gallant defence of [Mud] Island on the delaware," asked Knox to request from Varnum a certificate of Lees' eye injury. Knox asks Varnum to draft and sign a statement related to Lees' injury, and to obtain Major Thayer's signature (possibly Simeon Thayer).

GLC02437.03351

8 July 1802

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Introduces John Shoby to Knox. States Shoby was a soldier during the [Revolutionary] War and he would like 200 acres of land.

GLC02437.07739

24 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to George Washington

Account of ordnance "attached to the American Army." Includes two lists: "Field Artillery" and "For a Siege." The siege being prepared for was the Battle of Yorktown, which began the following month. Written at a Park of Artillery. With closing and Knox's signature (written along the margin) in the hand of Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.01156

1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Discusses the importance of the campaign in New York and feels Washington's efforts in the state are worthwhile. But states that "prospects are dubious," because the enemy has reinforcements arriving. Mentions the arrival of the Comte De Grasse. Feels that New York should be the object but is worried that their forces are not adequate. Unsigned but creator inferred from handwriting. Date and recipient added later in pencil and red ink. See GLC02437.08161 for a related document. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.08176

30 March 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy advising Knox to speak to his colleague about his association and manner of speaking with another person. Writes that "I have every reason short of positive proof to believe the person here meant, is a Traitor to this Country, that he is in the pay of the Enemy..." Noted as written at the York Hutts and as a copy, "Copied and composed with the original Feb 8th 1854."

GLC02437.09324

23 September 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter to Henry Knox, discussing many issues regarding the military and Congress. Among the issues discussed are compensation from Congress for officers who served during the revolution, his affection for these officers, the division of Western lands among the states, the Society of the Cincinnati, the possible resignation of General Lincoln, and the future of the army. Copy made 5 February 1854.

GLC02437.09325

23 October 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter to Henry Knox regarding possible peace settlement and the office of Secreatary of War. Asks Knox if he would be interested in becoming Secretary of War, and discusses the views of Congress opinion on a "Peace Settlement," with many opposed. Copy made circa 1855.

GLC02437.09326

1 January 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, which transmitted a letter from the President of the Society of the Cincinnati of South Carolina (possibly William Moultrie). Relates that the enclosed letter pertains to a resolution of the Society. At the bottom of the page, indicates that Knox is Secretary General to the Society. Copy made 6 March 1854. The original of this letter is GLC02437.09422.

GLC02437.09344

January 22, 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, instructing Knox not to disclose information regarding the nomination of General Officers and a bill that has not yet passed. Copy made 1 February 1854. Original of this letter is GLC02437.09424.

GLC02437.09345

3 December 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments on "The splendid display of Fireworks last evening" and wishes Knox to pass along his compliments to those in charge. With an signed endorsement on the verso by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide de camp, sending the letter to Brigadier Generals Michael Jackson and Henry Jackson stating that the letter be published for "the troops under your command." George Washington's signature is clipped.

GLC02437.09368

7 June 1782

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his recent promotion. Informs him that he has "been again prevailed upon to accept the disagreeable task of procuring this Towns Quota of Recruits for the Continental Army," a task which is "all times disagreeable but more particularly so when through long continued scenes of villainy and practices most pernicious to the Community, it seemed to become habitual to do wrong." The town council has given the former Muster Master, a Colonel [Ezra] Badlam, a testimony of approbation, and Colonel Badlam will be sent to deliver the present letter and the testimony letter.…

GLC02437.01443