December 21, 1788

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry [Knox]

Discusses the first federal elections, noting that "last Thursday was the day appointed by the State for the Choice of Federal Representatives." Jackson details the likely winners of Congressional seats from the various Massachusetts districts, including Fisher Ames for the Boston area: "the friends of Mr. S_ A [Samuel Adams] in this town are exceedingly disappointed...the Feds are highly gratified in the Election of Mr. Ames." He concludes that "on the whole from every appearance the Representatives from this State will be Federal good Men." He also notes that, based on the people chosen as…

GLC02437.10216

January 11, 1789

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States "I believe their is no doubt who will be president and Vice - people talk pretty loud and open that Mr. J. A. [John Adams] must & will be the man for V - don't let this come from me - but you may be assured the other person [John Hancock] will stand no chance - if it was merely his want of health it would be sufficient - he has not been out of his chamber more than once since you left here, and is now confined to his Bed with the Gout - the breach between him and the Lt. Gov. [Benjamin Lincoln] grows wider & wider, how or when it will end is impossible to determine."…

GLC02437.10219

27 July 1787

Humphreys, David, 1752-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to Knox about his last trip to Portsmouth and Boston. Says he was present and "highly delighted" with most of the "Academic Excercises" held at the University of Cambridge [Harvard], including one by a young Mr. [John Quincy] Adams, who "distinguished himself by a manly & dignified oration on public Credit." Also discusses the government, saying "We are gladdened with Reports that the federal Convention is likely to adopt almost unanimously some energetic form of Government, & that it is made so palatable, there are hopes entertained, that it will be swallowed by the People…

GLC02437.03624

24 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Doughty

Discusses warrants and [military] pay in New Jersey for the year 1787. Comments on the postponement of New Hampshire's convention to ratify the Constitution. Predicts that Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina will adopt the Constitution, while Rhode Island is likely not to adopt. Writes, "If the New Constitution takes place, strong hopes may be entertained of our being a respectable nation- If it does not, we have no hope of being united & happy- It is to be apprehended in this case that we shall be torn by factions... But I confess I have no doubt respecting the adoption of the…

GLC02437.03855

5 July 1788

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Pitt. Thanks Knox for his assistance: "...it has extricated me from a Difficulty which all men must feel who are in Debt, & fail in their resources for payment." Congratulates Knox on Virginia's adoption of the Constitution, writing "I am in Hopes Health & Vigour will soon be restored to our Body politic- This happy circumstance must cheer the Hearts of our Countrymen, particularly those of our military Brethren, who have been struggling through the late Revolution, & who to their immortal Honor appear to feel so much for the Honor and Dignity of their Country…

GLC02437.03927

13 March 1788

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Carrington, a Continental Congressman from Virginia, reflects on Massachusetts' adoption of the Constitution (in February 1788) and what it will mean for Virginia: "The decision of Massachusetts is perhaps the most important event that ever took place in America, as upon her in all probability depended the fate of the Constitution- had she rejected I am certain there would not have been the most remote chance for its adoption in Virginia- the demoniac spirit has within a few weeks passed from the few in whom it was generated, to the mass of the people & rages in such a manner as to give…

GLC02437.03821

13 August 1800

Bradford, Alden, 1765-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions he was gratified that Miss [Lucy] Knox (Henry Knox's daughter) had a nice visit with them. Discusses the upcoming presidential election. Says he hopes the "Essex Jesuits" are unable to raise General [Charles Cotesworth?] [Pinckney] to the presidency. Comments the [Jesuits] party is not popular or influential. Expresses his desire for John Adams to be reelected and says Thomas Jefferson is the most dreaded candidate. Also discusses foreign politics and the issues with France and Britain.

GLC02437.09866

29 May 1800

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Williams writes Knox about his son Henry Jackson Knox and hopes that his son intends to return to his ship. Williams comments on the changes in the administration "which I think forebodes a settlement of some sort or other with France." Williams says it is assumed that Adams will lose the next election. Talks about a meeting of Federalists who want to run Pinckney and Adams "equally", which Adams will see as abandonment. "He wishes rather to take the chance of being second to Jeff than to P." Relates a letter James McHenry sent to him saying that he wished Williams to have a post in the…

GLC02437.07418

January 30, 1806

Copeland, Moses, fl. 1786-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he understands a Republican coalition has prepared a petition to get him impeached. Explains that this coalition argues Copeland should be removed due to dishonest economic dealings, such as taking a bribe. Asks for Knox's help.

GLC02437.08001

1787

Nicholson, James, 1737-1804

Pamphlet

Title: View of the Proposed Constitution of the United States [damaged p. 1]

Published by R. Aitken and Son. Stab-stitched into a slightly later paper cover.

GLC05665

December 11, 1790

Cornell, Ezekiel, 1733-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Tells Knox that Benjamin Bourn will be bearing this letter on his way to Philadelphia to take his seat in the House of Representatives. Points to Bourn's visit with him as "evidence to you that he is not an Anti" [possible anti-federalist or anti-National Bank.] Says the "once famous Mr. [David] Howel[l] is dispised by all parties in the state to which he belongs which brings to mind that test of scripture which says that the wicked shall not live out half their Days - But there is a Number of other characters of the same Description that must go the same way before that once happy state…

GLC02437.04794

January 19, 1805

How, Marius, fl. 1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Wyllie

Writes to ask if Wyllie will help them, through his position on the State Legislature, get approval to appoint a Justice of the Peace for the Walpole section of Bristol. Declares that the town would like to appoint Mr. David C. Burr, who he claims is a "true & genuine Federalist." Also suggests that he contact Henry Knox for assistance if Knox is in Boston. Also warns that a deceitful "Rank Jacobin" (no name provided) may be trying to obtain the same position in a Federalist guise, and urges that the governor does not nominate him.

GLC02437.07902

5 December 1792

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards Knox a journal pertaining to Cobb's survey for a possible canal from Boston to the Connecticut River. See GLC02437.05542 for the enclosed journal. Docket in Knox's hand states "Journal of the Journey in exploring the Country between Connecticut River & Boston." Also notes, "Our Elections this day are unanimous for the old King & his second, - partie influence has had no effect on the votes for the latter," referring to a meeting of the Electoral College, which elected George Washington as president and John Adams as vice president.

GLC02437.05726

3 May 1788

Cutler, Manasseh, 1742-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks whether Invalid Regiments and heirs of those killed in battle or who died from sickness are entitled to army lands according to an Ordinance of Congress. Writes, "The Spirit of emigration to the western country is dayly increasing in the N. England States- we shall certainly have more than one thousand families at the Muskingum in the course of the present year, unless the natives should be so uncivil as to interrupt those already on the ground... Will all the Tribes who have relinquished their claim to ye lands we have purchased be summoned to attend ye treaty at Muskingum?" Assures…

GLC02437.03864

27 December 1787

Dane, Nathan, 1752-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the ratification convention for the United States Constitution, and the chances of it being accepted. Writes, "I have been waiting the event of our Elections here of Delegates for the Convention, which have men more in favor of the Constitution than many expected. I am not particularly acquainted with the Sentiments of the members chosen, relation to the merits or demerits of the System - but many very reputable characters are chosen and men whose Sentiments in General are in favor of good government - two days ago the friends of the Constitution thought there was no chance of its…

GLC02437.03742

07 June 1800

Dane, Nathan, 1752-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Dane received Knox's letter of June 1. Talks about Knox's election to the general court and gives an analysis concerning the presidential election. Dane believes that "Mr. Adams enemies among federal men" are trying to arrange the voting so the Charles Cotesworth Pinckney wins the presidency.

GLC02437.07423

circa 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Paper on the United States Constitution]

Knox's views on government and how the Articles of Confederation are not effective. Pages 5-8 constitute a redraft of pages 1-4. Sewn binding.

GLC02437.03650

May 15, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Marked "Copy." Letter in a secretarial hand. Says that Joel Barlow, later known as one of the Connecticut Wits, will deliver this letter. Knox identifies Barlow as the author of "The vision of Columbus," a long epic poem in heroic couplets. Barlow went to Europe as an agent for a company that wanted to sell western lands to French emigrants. Knox says Barlow is traveling with the son of Nathanael Greene, George Washington Greene, who is to study with Lafayette in France. Says Catharine Greene and Colonel Wadsworth have written him on the subject of "Master Washington's education," and he will…

GLC02437.03874

February 4, 1789

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette anxiously awaits ratification results of the U.S. Constitution, discusses debates between himself, Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson and "Common Sense" [Thomas Paine] regarding the need for Constitutional amendments, and stresses the importance of "the General's" [George Washington's] acceptance of the presidency. He begins by updating Knox on European affairs, saying that they are "too much Entangled together for me to give you an Exact description." He mentions that the Ottoman Empire, with the assistance of Great Britain, is attacking both the Russians and Austrians, and that Britain fears…

GLC02437.04105

December 14, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox says he has not heard from Lafayette in some time. Mentions that he wrote on the constitutional convention by the last packet. Reports on states that have called ratifying conventions to approve or reject the constitution. Has doubts specifically about Virginia and New York. Says Rhode Island has "too many schemes of convenience" to approve it. But says "it is highly probable that it will be adopted in the course of the year 1788 by nine states and more." Says he is anxious about rumors of war between France and England. Reports that those in the know claim the event is "inevitable."…

GLC02437.03726

May 30, 1788

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette references receiving Knox's letter. Says he cannot respond fully as he has to attend a meeting on internal affairs. He wishes to introduce Jacques Pierre Brissot (who Lafayette refers to by the name he assumed, de Warville) and a man named de Ferriere. Reports that "M. de Warville Has Been a writer on the side of liberty, and Wishes to write on the American Revolution." Tells him to refer to the letters he sent to Hamilton and Jay for the most recent intelligence. Says "We are in a Critical Situation." Encloses a list (of French applicants to the Society of the Cincinnati; not…

GLC02437.03880

August 14, 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox discusses a financial matter involving [William] Duer, [possibly John] Peirce, [Richard] Platt, and Henry Jackson. Encloses a letter (not present) from the Marquis de Lafayette to St. John (possibly Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur). The letter was passed to St. John by George Washington and was accompanied by other papers discussing affairs of the Society of the Cincinnati (William does not include the other papers mentioned). Discusses financial transactions he apparently conducted on Knox's behalf, including payment of a reward for capturing a deserter from Lieutenant Kersey's…

GLC02437.03961

4 March 1795

Knox, Henry Jackson, 1780-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses disappointment at not hearing from home for some time, even though he has sent several letters himself. Notes he would have written sooner but he has been expecting a visit from Knox any day. He has decided to go ahead and write since it looks like Knox will not be visiting until May. Discusses interactions with friends and sends his love to the rest of the family. Say the people of this town "are in general, good federalists, for they celebrated the day appointed by the President for a public thanksgiving..." Complains of his mother (Lucy Knox) forgetting his letters to her…

GLC02437.06366

15 July 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Rufus King

Discusses politics in France, and how American statesmen are being influenced by the structure of government in France. Writes, "The conduct of France in establishing provincial assemblies, is seized with great eagerness by the advocates for the state systems [...] But they do not bring into view the strong cement of the royal authority, supported by two hundred thousand soldiers - The state systems, are the accursed thing which will prevent our being a national character." Declares his support of a strong, centralized government.

GLC02437.03605

13 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Rufus King

Discusses the possible ratification of the United States Constitution by New York: "I have received no letters from Colonel Hamilton or any others of the convention, that will warrant the idea in any degree- but there has been a buz for a few days past that the convention would adopt the constitution and afterwards state strongly some material amendments..."

GLC02437.03934