29 October 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox writes Secretary of War Knox that though in London ten days, he has been unable to do much regarding the sale of Knox's lands. William hopes to provide more news next week including "the result of the business between Mrs. Harwood and Mr. Longman." William notes that a Mr. Teissier will be his correspondent in London. He tells Henry to tell Captain [Thomas] Randall that William will write Randall with the next "Packet" across the Atlantic. William tells Henry that Lord Howe's fleet is at Portsmouth, and General Garth's troops were recently reviewed by the King in Hyde Park. The…

GLC02437.04759

3 November 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William tells Secretary of War Henry Knox that since his last letter to Henry of October 29 (GLC02437.04759) he has discussed with Hannah Harwood the money she owed Mr. Longman and has "delivered her the care of Watch furniture and seeds from Mrs. Knox." William explains the reason that Harwood is holding back payment to Mr. Longman. She hopes "that the other creditors would agree to her paying him the full sum of 1300 pounds." The agent for the creditors, Mr. Frazer, believes she has a case, and the prospect of a lawsuit would prevent the creditors from pursuing one. Nevertheless, "she is…

GLC02437.04768

January 15, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy. Describes the various transportation obstacles that prevented his letters from arriving earlier. Says the St. Lawrence lands are being advertised in two prominent Irish newspapers. Discusses the meeting he had with "the Earl of Westmoreland, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland" (John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland). Says they discussed trade between Ireland and America, and that he will write more about his encounter with the Earl and on the English administration of Ireland at a later time. Asks Knox to thank Mrs. John Jay for introducing him to the "Viscountess Stronghold," whose husband…

GLC02437.04828

February 13, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Urges Knox to write him as soon as he can, or make Lucy Knox "overcome her natural timidity" and write him. He has heard of the General (Charles) Scott expedition in the Miami Country and of the casualties Scott suffered. Discusses in great detail the Turk-Russian war along with other foreign affairs. The Russians are not far from Constantinople; the Empress (Catherine the Great) seeks to drive the Turks completely out of Europe and listens to no offers of negotiations. Prince Potemkin said that the Empress would consider stopping the war on several conditions; ceding Moldavia and Wallachia…

GLC02437.04853

2 December 1792

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs his brother that he was unable to obtain passage and so has been obliged to stop for a while on his journey. States that he has met with William Duer, who seems insistent on delaying some payment or proposal. Date from docket. Noted as written at Broad Street.

GLC02437.05719

January 26, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that he had dinner with Mr. Morton and learned that house rents will be high this year. Called on William Duer yesterday who reported that "Billy Morris was directed by Mr. C. to make the written report he did respecting the Eastern lands." Duer claimed that Morris had given a favorable report in the past, but he is not surprised as "this trick had been practiced more than once by the same parties." Writes, "People in general here appear to be sorry at your intention of retiring (which I have neither confirmed or denied) it is universally circulated - and it was last night…

GLC02437.05795

10 February 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that there are so many people in the market for a house that a place will not remain unrented for more than a day. Believes if one opens up it will be gone by the time Henry would forward the necessary instructions. Forwards a letter from Mr. Brett from Britain. Brett mentioned that "great apprehensions were entertained of disturbances in England." Reports that a large fleet has been ordered to be in readiness. Says the garrison at Frankfurt on Main has been taken by the combined forces of Prussia and Germany. The King of Prussia was present at the battle, which proves he has…

GLC02437.05809

9 April 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on Mr. Hoffman's inquiries on houses in New York. Says Baron Von Steuben's former house is now occupied by Mr. Stockholm, who operates a button manufactory in the neighborhood. Reports the house advertised by Mr. McEvers at Bloomingdale has been sold to a rich Dutchman. Says John Livingston bought the house previously owned by Colonel Platt. He will not let the house for less than £300 per year. Says the house of Roger Morris is now owned by or at the disposal of Mr. McKenncot, a merchant. A farmer lets two of the rooms in the house and watches over the place. McKenncot is trying…

GLC02437.05867

19 April 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wanted to write yesterday, but received no word of Wilks' house until after the post left. Mr. Wilks is currently in negotiations with Colonel William Smith either for the purchase or lease of it. Will know the outcome in two or three days. If Smith does not take the house it will be let for £350 per annum. The house also has 50 acres of grounds. Yesterday a ship arrived form Calcutta owned by John Livingston. It contained Indian sugars and muslins. Says the ship and cargo amounts to $50,000. While it did not net Livingston as much as he hoped, "he considers it as so much saved from…

GLC02437.05874

17 November 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References two letters from Henry. Reports that Henry's son, Henry Jackson Knox, arrived safely last evening. He is travelling to Hingham tomorrow or the next day. Says he will write Berkeley Sidney Knox, a man in Jamaica claiming to be a distant relative of Knox and seeking a job (see GLC02437.05938). Notes he "cannot undertake to say any thing more than has already been said upon this subject." Is happy to hear that a group of physicians announced the official abatement of the yellow fever in Philadelphia. Believes the disorder may still be latent and recommends that Henry keep his…

GLC02437.05977

January 24, 1795

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses building a store in the Eastern lands. Notes the establishment would be created to serve the people and to add to "their happiness, ease, & comfort." Describes the traits and qualities the person in charge of the project should possess. Writes, "A young Quaker of good talent or other plain person… possessing honest & virtue principles a good accountant & understanding business..." Also discusses in great length Knox's time as a public servant and where his next place of residence should be. Advises Knox to keep his children close until they marry and suggests which…

GLC02437.06321

April 12, 1782

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter written by William, Major General Knox's brother, to Henry Knox. Includes a postscript written and signed by Lafayette. References the taking of Mahon, an island off the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean, by the Spanish. Says Gibraltar is "closely beseiged and 'tis thought by many will fall." Mentions changes in the "English Ministry" -- Marquis of Rockingham is made First Minister and Lord Shelburne and Charles Fox are Secretaries of State. Says the Cavendishes, Duke of Richmond, Grafton, Lord Cambden, Burke, and Barre are all employed as well. Says "a sufficient time has not yet…

GLC02437.01386

May 7, 1782

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter written by William to his brother Major General Henry Knox. Says he will not ship anything with the capital he has accumulated until the peace is complete. Says his business accounts were messy, but are now settled. Says he wrote to Lucy that he had no news of the Fluckers. Says the recent changes in the British Ministry probably been "influenced by the honest representations of Lord Cornwallis relative to the impracticability of reducing America, which rendered that Gentleman not so welcome an informant to the late Ministry as his Brother Passenger General Arnold, who from encouraging…

GLC02437.01412

4 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Knox's brother, William, writes, "You will undoubtedly be surprised to hear that this day Seven States in Congress were decided upon Baltimore in Maryland as the place of the future residence of the Government of the United States, it has surprised every body out of doors and even the Members themselves..." Discusses the opinions of Colonel [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [William] Bingham, and Colonel [Edward] Carrington on the location of Congress. Reports that General [William] Irvine and Colonel Reid request that Mr. [John] Stagg remain in town until they receive tomorrow's post. They…

GLC02437.03955

4 September 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, attending to business in Henry's absence, reports on white settlers' infringement on Cherokee lands in the western territories. Congress recently directed Knox to prepare troops to protect the Cherokees (the troops are to march from Ohio to Chota, a Cherokee town in present-day Tennessee). The troops are to disperse Congress's proclamation among white settlers "in the vicinity of the hunting grounds secured to the Cherokees by the treaty concluded between them and the United States Nov. 28th 1785..." William has sent copies of the proclamations to the Northwest Territory via Mr.…

GLC02437.03982

30 October 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, managing the War Office in Henry's absence, discusses military business. Comments on transporting clothing in preparation for a march to Fort Pitt. Transmits news from Generals Josiah Harmar and Arthur St. Clair. Reports on St. Clair's news: "No treaty yet things look doubtful." Also remarks that [John] Sevier "is outlaw'd in N. Carolina." Notes that Mr. Martin (possibly General Joseph Martin), defeated the Chickamaugas in a recent battle. In closing, complains of a cold, writing "I am closely confined physicking fomenting and politicing."

GLC02437.04020

8 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his happiness on hearing about his son Henry's current situation. Sends Lucy news of various acquaintances, which he lists by number. States that he is sorry to hear of Mrs. [Abigail] Adams's "indisposition," noting that the Adams family has ordered their furniture to be shipped to Boston. Vice President John Adams plans to return to New York without his family. Reports that George and Martha Washington will be going to Mount Vernon the following Wednesday, and will not return until 15 October. Mentions the Ogdens, Mrs. Smith, the Izards, the Stewarts, and Count Andreani.…

GLC02437.05528

7 June 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes that he is still in Philadelphia but hopes to leave soon. Adds that his public business is suffering. Describes an agreement he settled on with William Duer in which he forgives Duer's debts on their land purchases in Maine, in exchange for Duer providing him with certain securities (see GLC02437.05492 for the agreement). Apologizes for the shortness of his letter but promises to write again soon.

GLC02437.05493

15 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes that he was recently sick with the fever but has "surmounted the cursed disorder." Discusses his misgivings about whether William Duer will be able to pay the sums stipulated in their agreement. Expresses his dissatisfaction with his present duties and dismay at the situation in France. "Were I to leave this and any part of the public business be neglected I should receive no mercy at the public bar - What a humiliating picture of human nature do the affairs of france exhibit all mad stark mad - ... The spirit of turbulence, envy and malice which are excited in other climes have also…

GLC02437.05539

19 August 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Informs Lucy that he is now in New York City and that he has yet to see the people he came to New York to see, with the exception of Henry Jackson. Expresses his wish to finish up the "cursed affair" with the land speculations.

GLC02437.05582

23 August 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Informs Lucy that he has been unable to make much progress in his attempt to purchase a tract of land. Mentions that he has received a letter from the President. Also touches on family news.

GLC02437.05587

30 August 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his happiness and relief to hear that the family is doing well and is healthy. Mentions that he is happy to hear that his son, Henry Jackson Knox, is still at Hingham and that he should remain there for the winter. States that he "must go to the Province of main [sic, Maine] the next year or we must be content to be extremely poor - the modifcations of our interest there is of the greatest importance to our future happiness."

GLC02437.05593

5 September 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Declares that he is anxious about Lucy's health, and is checking "every post ... more and more so until I shall informed of your having been safely delivered." Provides news on acquaintances, and mentions that he has yet to receive confirmation that [William] Duer will agree to sell. This is unfortunate as it will require him to make another trip to New York. Also discusses the weather, and sends his love to the family.

GLC02437.05599

7 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Flucker Knox

References receiving two of Lucy's letters. Has enclosed a letter for Henry Jackson Knox (not included). Does not have a complaint about her leaving on Wednesday, just wants her to be happy and comfortable. Does not believe it prudent to go into Philadelphia until 25 November. Says there has been rain the past two days and unseasonable warm weather today. Notes "Some people who have lately gone into the city have fallen sacrifices either to their own imprudence or to the malignancy of the disorder." Has directed their house to be well aired. Mentions he received a letter from Mrs.…

GLC02437.05962

14 August 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Informs Lucy his carriage broke down and he did not arrive home until this morning. Discusses the patent (possibly part of the Waldo patent lands) and the construction of their house (Montpelier).

GLC02437.06165