16 October 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on Congressional proceedings. The report to Congress included the issue of allowing extra allowance on the ordnance claim and a resolution respecting separate departments. Mentions which states support it and which do not, in addition to his deep interest in this business. "Public service" written on address leaf, which bears a free frank signed by "B. Lincoln" (Benjamin Lincoln).

GLC02437.02670

October 23, 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a Congressional meeting that may determine whether Knox should be granted an allowance for Major General of a separate division. Since they did not have enough representatives from the states, the decision has been postponed and is causing Shaw some anxiety. Free frank signed by Benjamin Lincoln and noted as sent "On Public Service," though the "On Public" portion is missing due to text loss.

GLC02437.02702

30 October 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his experience with Congress, in particular, making forced compromises in order to bring about a successful end to Knox's business. "I need not tell you how happy I am that this matter is at last brought to a close. Instead of one, it seems a twelvemonth since I left you, - the chagrin and mortification inseparable from an attendance on Congress is beyond any thing."

GLC02437.02726

24 May 1789

Tharp, John, 1751-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Declares that he recently saw a newspaper advertisement about bounty lands for veterans and wondered whether he should apply. Also asks whether Knox knows of a job for which he might apply in the new government.

GLC02437.04220

7 August 1790

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Schuyler writes Secretary of War Knox about veteran pensions, including pensions owed to widows and families of veterans. Mentions a pension for Lady Sterling. Requests to see lists of recipients.

GLC02437.04679

January 10, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Is anxious for Sargent to enter the military establishment "in a manner agreable [sic] to your feelings," and if it was entirely up to him, Knox might create a special position just for him. Relates that Congress has directed a legionary corps to be raised, and he cannot alter arrangements which have already been made. Has always wished that the corps for artillery and engineers be the same, but it is up to Congress. Asks whether he might consider the office of Inspector of the Troops, which Major [William] North has resigned. Discusses what ranks and benefits Congress might associate…

GLC02437.03413

10 March 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his "motives for addressing the Plan of surveys... to the Board of Treasury - " Does not think his ideas about surveys will be accepted, but states that he has the public in mind. Mentions funding proposals for surveying lands in Ohio and the West. Also refers to the possibility of [perhaps William] North's resignation apparently from a position as Inspector, and the pay and benefits associated with that post.

GLC02437.03487

January 12, 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulations Knox on the birth of son. Mentions their "friend Platt" noting, "It appears to me that we have not placed any 'Bars in the way of military Associators' & that soldiers would find it very much to their interests to take their Lands with us..." Referring to state ratification of the Constitution, writes "French & English war, Dutch Interests & every thing else indeed are giving way to the important Business of the Convention." Mentions Massachusetts delegate Samuel Adams's opposition to ratification. Notes that Connecticut's ratification (9 January 1788) will…

GLC02437.03757

19 May 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Later copy. Written by Knox as Secretary at War to Major Sargent. References receiving Sargent's letters of 20 April and 1 and 2 May. Says the difficulties in connection with calling out the militia "by an order to a subordinate officer of a state" will continue until Congress fixes it. Hopes the large bodies of regular troops will provide security in the Ohio Territory, making any calls on the militia unnecessary. Says Colonel Ebenezer Sproat seems to deserve compensation for his services and that the matter will be handled soon.

GLC02437.04952

2 December 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Later copy. Written from the War Department. Explains that Mr. Caleb Swan will be taking thirty five thousand dollars in post bank notes for the pay of the army, and that Sargent's name has been added to the notes for greater security. When Swan wants to exchange the notes for cash, he will need Sargent's to do so; asks that Sargent oblige.

GLC02437.05250

21 April 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Later copy. Written from the "War Department." Letter appointing Sargent to the office of Adjutant and Inspector General of the Army. Asks him to respond right away as to whether he accepts, and encloses the act of Congress establishing pay and benefits for the position (not present).

GLC02437.05422

February 25, 1783

Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, 1730-1794

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General von Steuben to Major General Knox. Reports that "In all proba[b]ility the Peace is signed." Says "At present all our lost Battles are turned to Victories. Great Britain acknowledges our Independence, may other nations acknowledge that we are worthy to be free." Says America's first impressions are important as they will decide "whether we shall be respected as an Empire or be despised as a Banditti." Says the situation of the army and the news of peace are all that are talked about. Wants to know what will happen if Congress disperses the army without pay. Presents a…

GLC02437.01952

17 August 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tench Tilghman and David Humphreys

Directed to Tilghman and Humphreys, both of whom are aide-de-camps of General George Washington. Mentions that Congress has recently resolved to reduce the size of the Department of Commissary General of Military Stores. Relays correspondence he had with Minister at War Benjamin Lincoln regarding his opinions on the number of people necessary to work in the ordnance department. Explains that he also suggested to Lincoln that he talk to "his Excellency's Lieutenants" on the subject [assistants to General George Washington such as Tilghman or Humphreys] which is the reason he is now writing…

GLC02437.01529

29 June 1783

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Jonathan Trumbull Jr., General Washington's secretary. Responds on behalf of Washington to Knox's previous letter regarding the [3rd Massachusetts] being without their compliment of field officers (see letter GLC02437.02202). Writes that at present, lack of field officers can not be remedied. Reports that Colonel Rose is ill and Colonel Michael Jackson is unable to perform the duty. "Public service" written on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.02203

30 June 1783

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Jonathan Trumbull Jr., General Washington's secretary, to Major General Knox. Reports that Washington wants to inform Knox that the President of Congress announced on 24 June that Congress was to move to Princeton on 26 June. This was a reference to Congress leaving Philadelphia after protests from angry, unpaid veterans, a continuation of the long festering anger over nonpayment that had led to the Newburgh consiracy in early 1783. They arrived in Princeton last Thursday. Says it appears that the "Rioters continued to be embodied & in Arms." Says Pennsylvania would not give…

GLC02437.02205

12 April 1783

Thompson, Isaiah, fl. 1775-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain Lieutenant Thompson discusses a mistake made about his pay.

GLC02437.02083

4 June 1789

Tracy, John, fl. 1789-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks for Knox's help in keeping his friend, General [Jonathan] Titcomb, in office. Writes that General Titcomb led a militia force in the previous war and never received any compensation, and also lost his fortune after the war. His only method of supporting himself is through a position in the naval office at Newburyport. Is unsure whether the government in New York will be in charge of hiring for this position, but hopes that Knox will recommend that Titcomb stay in office. Suggests that he ask Mr. [possibly Tristram] Dalton, Mr. [possibly Rufus] King and Mr. [possibly Elbridge] Gerry…

GLC02437.04231

14 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Trumbull or [David] Humphreys

Knox, Commander of West Point, directs his letter to Trumbull "or" Humphreys. Discusses information pertaining to the two men who deliver this letter (Knox does not include these soldiers' names). The men were sent to the Springfield [Massachusetts] Laboratory to serve under Captain Lieutenant John Bryant. Knox requests blank discharge forms to be sent to Captain Bryant. Knox will in turn urge Bryant to settle the mens' accounts with the paymaster. See GLC02437.10123 for a related document.

GLC02437.10122

2 December 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Caleb Swan

Outlines instructions about an audit for the Treasury Department. States that "the Levie and Militia serving on the Frontier under Major general St. Clair should have their accounts regularly adjusted and the balance paid to the officers and soldiers respectively, previously to their discharge at Fort Washington ... " Goes on to write that this is an important business and that he trusts Caleb Swan to carry it out, especially since the amount needed to carry these instructions out is a "considerable sum of money which are delivered to [Caleb Swan's] care and safe keeping ... " Noted as No…

GLC02437.10242

7 June 1784

Sumner, Job, 1754-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for "a speedy determination of our Ranks" as rank will determine his subsistence and pay. Hopes he is entitled to "the allowance of major" unless Congress revokes his commission.

GLC02437.03010

20 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Informs General Smallwood that Frederick [Egen?], the bearer of this note, has broken his arm and has been discharged by General George Washington. Requests that Smallwood help Egen obtain the certificates he needs regarding pay. Expresses disappointment that he did not see Smallwood during the previous year. Verso contains an apparently unrelated note regarding an order of cider.

GLC02437.10051

2 October 1783

Simonds, Jonas, fl. 1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a mutiny that occurred in Philadelphia in which he has been accused of participating. Asks Knox to help clear his name. Simonds [or Symonds] is probably referring the the Philadelphia Mutiny of June 1783, an anti-government protest by nearly 400 soldiers of the Continental Army.

GLC02437.02609

4 July 1785

Shepard, William, 1737-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox to obtain money owed by Colonel [Timothy] Pickering, and send the money to him. Encloses a monetary note to that effect (not included).

GLC02437.03165

1 August 1785

Shepard, William, 1737-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to a previous letter he sent (GLC02437.03165). Asks Knox to obtain money owed him by Colonel [Timothy] Pickering.

GLC02437.03170

10 August 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Shepard

Signature has been clipped. Informs Shepard that his endeavors to get payment for a note have been unsuccessful, as "Colonel Pickering informs that he has not any funds for the notes of the time and that it is uncertain when he shall have them." He therefore has the "mortifying necessity" of enclosing the note to Captain Twogood [perhaps Captain William Toogood] rather than the money, but he hopes he can serve Shepard more successfully sometime in the future.

GLC02437.03175