21 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Thanks Biddle for offering to procure him a house in Philadelphia in case Congress moves to that city. Plans to leave in a few days for "the eastward," and promises to pay [Captain] Zeigler's account when he returns.

GLC02437.03942

January 12, 1789

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he had delayed writing in hopes that some more events worth mentioning would occur, but they have not, and he cannot justify delaying any longer. Assumes that their mutual friend [Henry] Jackson has acquainted him with the federal elections in Massachusetts, the results of which are very pleasing. Writes, "no Anties yet nor will there be more than one & his influence very small! The Governor is his Message urges amendments, but the Committee of the two Houses will not echo this sentiment." Mentions that General [Benjamin] Lincoln has just been offered a salary to serve as…

GLC02437.04089

1 April 1789

Fales, David, fl. 1770-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: [Permit to occupy land]

David Fales, under authority of Henry Knox, Samuel Winslow, and Isaac Winslow, gives permission to William Burton "to occupy and improve a Lot of Land of fifty acres" (likely on the Waldo patent lands). Burton has agreed to pay Knox, Winslow and Winslow six shillings per acre, and they have provided him with a "Warrantee Deed."

GLC02437.04162

11 May 1789

Barrett, Samuel, 1739-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to help him find a job in the new government. Declares that he has a "numerous young Family to support" and has lost all his land by misfortune. Wants to be able to provide food, clothing and education for his children. Would either like an appointment in Knox's department, or for Knox to tell him of any new offices, departments or positions as they arise and to provide him with points of contact. Refer to GLC02437.04219 for Knox's reply.

GLC02437.04200

January 1787

Manuscript document

Title: [Acknowledgment of legal counsel in case of James Swan v. John Campbell]

Note about a New York Supreme Court case pitting James Swan against John Campbell. Acknowledges Balthazar DeHaert as Swan's attorney, defending him against John Campbell's charge of trespass. See GLC02437.03690 for related information.

GLC02437.03437

25 June 1787

Canary, Dennis, fl. 1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks William to write on his behalf to his brother, Henry Knox, for help with a land dispute. The tract of land in question is currently his but his ownership is being questioned by a widow, Mrs. Sarah Robinson, who argues her husband had some claim on the land. Would like Knox's advice on how to proceed. Stamped "Salem."

GLC02437.03591

27 August 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: Expenses of cutting wood at Penobscot

Lists the conjectured expenses for cutting wood at Penobscot, which include paying for labor and transport. Written at Brigadiers Island, present day Sears Island, Maine.

GLC02437.03645

19 November 1787

Anstey, John, fl. 1787-1788

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses "Mrs. Flucker's Claim upon the British Government," and informs Knox that he most likely has all of the necessary documents to support the claim, but states that he is willing to help when he returns to New York City. Docketed by Knox, "John Anstey Esq Commissioner from the british government for enquiring into the propriety of the claims made by the Loyalists on that government for compensation."

GLC02437.03706

17 December 1787

Blanchard, Joseph, 1753-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox if he is "Interested in any Estate which came to Mr. Flucker by his last Wife towit Brigadere [sic] Waldo's daughter," and advises him that if he is "it may be worth your while to take some care about it - I am Acquainted with it and may be useful in [illegible] it - "

GLC02437.03730

January 21, 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington [incomplete]

Comments on a recent trip Washington took to his western lands. Expresses relief that Washington did not travel as far west as he originally planned due to "the indians being in a bad temper." Referring to settlers on Washington's lands, writes "You must have been chagrined to have found your Lands possessed by a... people who hold in contempt equity- the first principle of Society." Discusses disunity among the states, writing, "We are entirely destitute of those traits which should Stamp us one nation- and the Constitution of Congress does not seem to promise any capital alteration for…

GLC02437.03087

25 December 1785

Brooks, John, 1752-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

John Brooks, a member of the Massachusetts General Court, writes to Knox on a wide variety of political subjects. Discusses the Society of the Cincinnati, land grants to common people, redress of grievances of the public, and the passage of a treason act. Also reports the opinion of their mutual friend Putnam [perhaps General Rufus Putnam] on these subjects. Lastly, he and his wife send their regards to Mrs. Lucy Knox. A small piece of the page was torn away but has been retained with the document.

GLC02437.03227

January 27, 1784

Barber, William, fl. 1783-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Place name is illegible. Possibly written in New Jersey. Barber answers Knox's request, enclosing "the Act respecting the sales of the confiscated property in this State." Discusses monetary inflation of soldiers' notes. Mentions that estates in [Bergen] County are advertized for a March sale at "Hoebuck," a colonial term for Hoboken, New Jersey.

GLC02437.02937

February 24, 1784

Bryant, John, 1742-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain Bryant encloses a return of stores at Springfield (not included). Reports on other events at Springfield, including a disagreement over the rights to a house on Captain George Pynchon's land. Reports that when General [Benjamin] Lincoln was at Springfield, he dismissed the men stationed there, ordering Bryant to make out a pay roll. Bryant complains that Lincoln thereafter sent money to the men, but not to him: "I have near twenty five months pay due and know not who to apply to for aney [sic] but to your Honour- necessity has obliged me to run in debt..."

GLC02437.02965

17 September 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes, "I cannot refrain from communicating the joy I feel, and the pleasure manifested by the officers in general, upon the noble testimony of gratitude exhibited by Congress in their resolve concerning the equestrian statue..." Requests information regarding an officers' petition to Congress in which officers would be granted lands in place of their back pay. Assures Washington, "Were the prayer of the petition to be granted, the officers in a very few years would make the swift settlement on the frontiers, and form a strong barrier against the barbarians…

GLC02437.10138

30 September 1797

Bingham, William, 1752-1804

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox [incomplete]

Informs Knox that he's happy to hear that Knox and his various projects are doing well. Discusses business relating to land and finances. Noted as written in Lansdowne, state unknown.

GLC02437.09992

10 June 1785

Ronald, William, fl. 1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Patrick Henry

Seeks instructions from the governor of Virginia on how to attend to the upcoming sale of public lands. Comments on the financial matters pertaining to the sale and requests money for surveying and marking boundaries. Also wishes to be informed of the commands given by the governor to "the Commissioners appointed to the canal business." Discusses a plan orchestrated by Colonel Carrington to have a Mr. Andrews from Williamsburg "lay off" some valuable lots. Inquires about plans for payments. A clipping from another letter also discussing the land sale accompanies this letter. Clipping…

GLC02450.16

January 10, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses which states are ratifying the Constitution, and predicts its success. Notes "The determination of New York, of all others, seems most problematical; and yet, I can hardly entertain an idea that she will be disposed to stand alone..." Wonders whether a dispute between France and England will result in war. Predicts that if war does erupt, the United States will participate, since the current government does not have the power to restrain the people. Sends his and Martha's congratulations to Henry and his wife Lucy on the birth of a son, whom they have named George. In a post…

GLC02437.09415

circa 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: [Drafts of secret articles in a treaty between the United States and the Creek Nation]

A working manuscript that has been corrected by Knox probably intended for George Washington. Consists of several secret articles pertaining to the proposed treaty; in each case, "secret" has been struck. One article grants trading rights in United States ports. If the Spanish obstruct Creek commerce, promises to transport Creek goods through United States territory until the obstruction is removed, as long as the goods do not exceed 60,000 dollars in worth. Another article appoints Alexander McGillivray, Chief of the Creek Nation, as Brigadier General in the United States Army with 1,200…

GLC02437.09459

23 September 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses gratitude for Knox's praise of Washington in the context of Congress's resolution "That an equestrian statue of General Washington, be erected at the place where the residence of Congress shall be established," passed on 7 August 1783 (and later completed by sculptor Thomas Crawford in the nineteenth century). Informs Knox that he has continued to lobby in support of the Officers' Petition for a large land grant in the Ohio Valley in lieu of back pay, but that the petition is being held up by continued negotiations between Congress and the state of Virginia (in whose territory the…

GLC02437.09401

circa 1794-1795

Manuscript document

Title: [Agreement]

A land agreement between Henry Knox and Charles Barrett. Appears Knox is purchasing sixth tenths of Barrett's chartered rights for £100.

GLC02437.09888

circa 1660

Manuscript document

Title: [Deed]

Transcription of a deed from Ferdinand Gorges to sell land in New England to George Cleeve and Richard Tucker. States the deed was dated 27 January 1686 and recorded 26 June 1660. The former year is a mistranscription; historical records date the original deed to 1636.

GLC02437.09911

circa 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [List]

List of the people who presently have claims.

GLC02437.09935

1785

Bingham, William, 1752-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a proposal related to land in Maine and expresses a wish to see him. Date previously inferred, written in pencil.

GLC02437.09939

October 1752

Manuscript document

Title: [List]

List of people sent to a settlement. Includes unrelated notes regarding finances.

GLC02437.08960

29 June 1753

Davis, B., fl. 1753

Manuscript document

Title: [List]

List of people and supplies.

GLC02437.08965