January 14, 1791

Ruggles, Samuel, fl. 1787-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes on behalf of "the widow of Hector McNeill." Thanks Knox for helping her sort out her late husband's business and credit affairs. Says it has saved her the expense and time of having to hire someone to travel to New York to deal with his creditors.

GLC02437.04825

30 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Knox writes to Osgood, a Continental Congressman. Thanks him for the "disinterested attention" he has paid Knox in several instances. Assures Osgood he prizes their friendship highly. Reports that George Washington has instructed him to dissolve several corps and reorganize the soldiers whose terms have not expired into an infantry and artillery. Writes, "This business has been painful on account of discharging the officers and soldiers at this [severe] season without pay, and in many instances the men are miserably clad." Refers to an instance in summer of 1783 when officers petitioned…

GLC02437.02875

9 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Written by Major General Knox to Continental Congressman Osgood. Says the letter will be delivered by Major General Baron von Steuben. Says "I am certain you are well acquainted with the reputation of his abilities, and that it is been owing to him that a substantial discipline has been established in the American Army." Says he is "particularly attached" to the American cause and has expended much of his own money to help further it, but that he "can no longer live without pay." Knox says he knows Osgood's "liberal mode of thinking" and hopes he can help von Steuben. (See GLC03646 for the…

GLC02437.01480

17 September 1782

Osgood, Samuel, 1748-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses recent resolutions of Congress which restructured the system of ranks and payments in the military. Considers whether pay grades should be linked directly to ranks, or whether people in each rank should be paid according to the way they perform their tasks, or the amount of tasks associated with each individual position. For example, he can "easily conceive when a Brigadier General has no Brigade, when he can have no command in the Army unless in that Office." Writes that General Edward Hand "will not presume to think that he is the only person that has filled that office - with…

GLC02437.01618

4 December 1782

Osgood, Samuel, 1748-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Osgood as a Continental Congressmen from Massachusetts to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 2 November. After reading it says he "began to repent that I had wrote you with Respect to the System for the Adjutant Genl. Department." Feels honored that Knox was willing to be candid about what he felt were the reasons for the Massachusetts legislature denying half-pay pensions to army officers. It seems that a letter Osgood wrote to Lowell, a member of the legislative committee considering the pension issue, was harmful to the officer's cause. Says "I am extremely sorry…

GLC02437.01730

20 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Written by Major General Knox to Massachusetts Continental Congressman Osgood. This letter is a reply to Osgood's letter at GLC02437.01730. Says that his sentiments have caused "uneasiness" among the officers. Knox made sure the principal officers would hear Osgood's opinions by passing the letter along to General John Paterson to share. Believes that McDougall, Ogden, and Brooks, who have been dispatched to Congress, will be able to convince that body the officers deserve better treatment, especially those that have families. Says the officers have confidence that Congress understands what…

GLC02437.01752

1 January 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Jeremiah Olney

Originally written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp, but now badly faded. Writes, "I this minute reviewed your favor of the 22 ult. with its enclosures. Major Shaw, my aide de camp, who was chosen Treasurer by the Army will execute your orders respecting the money matters. The Committee set off for Philadelphia ten days ago. I have not yet heard any thing from them. As soon as they have the affair in train I will take a pleasure in informing you of it. We have no news. The compliments of the season to you and your gallant corps."

GLC02437.01785

4 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Discusses a situation of a fellow officer, Colonel Michael Jackson, who intends to petition Congress regarding compensation for a wound he received in 1776 which is still causing him trouble. This letter is likely Knox's response to Jackson's 29 November 1783 request (GLC02437.02809).

GLC02437.02818

6 November 1786

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Middletown, likely in Connecticut, as the postal stamp near the address reads "New Haven." Encloses a copy of Shays' circular letter (not present). Has heard from a friend that several towns have met to discuss the letter, and some have voted to send their arms and military stores to the insurgents. The town of Westfield opposed the vote, but only by two or three men. Has also heard that the insurgents are practicing military maneuvers, and that they are being paid daily. Was told that there has been some agitation in Vermont as well. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no…

GLC02437.03328

9 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William North

In response to Major North's letter (see GLC02437.03368), Knox writes that he agrees that [John Francis] Hamtramck's ideas show him to be a good officer. Adds, "I am persuaded his solicitude for a proper discipline, will be highly approved by all military men." Mentions that he has written to the Board of Treasury on the subject of pay, and hopes that the letter may have the desired effect.

GLC02437.03369

December 21, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William North

Writes in full, "I have been attempting my dear Sir, to accomplish your pay since I received yours of the 18th. The board of treasury are disposed to exert themselves in this instance but I am persuaded that their powers are short of their inclination. Be so good as to call upon me tomorrow [illegible] I will then, inform you, [of] the mode in which they are willing to negotiate the pay."

GLC02437.03384

4 April 1789

Nourse, Joseph, 1754-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the Treasury Office. Transmits with the letter (not included) "the account which you was so obliging to leave with me." Reports that he has settled the charge against Knox from when he was Major General and closed the account.

GLC02437.04166

11 April 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Palfrey

Reports that when he visited the Board of Treasury today, Mr. [possibly Samuel] Osgood told him about monies owed to her through her late husband, Colonel Palfrey. A sum of 3200 dollars in Bills of Exchange was withdrawn in 1780. Knox outlines where the bills went, declaring that some of them were endorsed by Benjamin Franklin in Paris, and some came into the possession of a Mr. McCarty, who may have been a partner of Colonel Palfrey. Discusses the courses of action she might take to claim her compensation. (See GLC02437.04175 for related information.) Knox's signature is on the fourth…

GLC02437.04174

20 May 1789

Palfrey, William, 1765-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to thank Knox for a recent letter sent to his mother, Mrs. Palfrey, regarding money the government owes to his late father William Palfrey's estate. Thanks him for taking an interest in the case and agreeing to help them. Also takes the opportunity to ask that if Knox knows of any job openings in the government, that he help Palfrey secure a position. Refer to GLC02437.04174 - GLC02437.04176 and GLC02437.04222 for related correspondence.

GLC02437.04211

February 15, 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lamb

Knox responds to Lamb's letter (see GLC02437.01354) that the notes which were to be paid to the officers were intended, by Robert Morris, to counterbalance the clothing provided for the soldiers. Morris's priorities are first to provide the soldiers and officers with rations, second to provide clothes (which these notes were intended to do for the officers), and third to provide pay, which they are working on obtaining. Argues that an officer who paid for clothing out of his own purse may use the payment as he likes, but that the intention was to pay for clothing for the officers. Mentions…

GLC02437.01355

18 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lamb

Replies to Captain Lamb's request for subsistence while he waits for his accounts to be settled.

GLC02437.02678

30 March 1789

Lewis, Joseph, 1748-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Stagg

Written from "Morris Town," which may be located in several states, including New Jersey. Declares that George Shelley and Michael Conner are two soldiers who served with the Maryland troops during the war, and would like to receive compensation such as clothes and bounty land. They are unsure how to proceed with their claim, so Lewis has enclosed one of their letters to Stagg, because he knows "of no friend that is more capable of giving information concerning [the claims] than yourself." Sends his compliments to Mrs. Stagg.

GLC02437.04159

5 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus Putnam

Writes to General Rufus Putnam about how the people feel in regards to the army and compensation. He hopes that it is satisfactory but events show otherwise. Many in Connecticut and the inland counties are unhappy. Feels that Connecticut shows prejudices against officers about compensation which "are so outrageous as to [induce] some of the most prudent and respectable officers to look out for another place of residence." Writes to George Washington about the situation. Discusses the land in the Ohio region that may be offered as compensation for the officers, the Virginia cession,…

GLC02437.10160

29 May 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Popkin

Discusses the payment of the noncommissioned officers and the resentment they feel regarding the equality of receiving pay, as well as giving directions on how to handle the disgruntled men. For related documents, see GLC02437.02219, .02220, .02226, .02235, .02236, .02364, .10082, .10112, and .10117.

GLC02437.02139

2 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Popkin

Written by Major General Knox to Lieutenant Colonel Popkin. References Popkin's letter of 19 June 1783. Says as the army is about to be disbanded the complainants "have been advised to another mode by the Judge advocate, you will consider the former order for your recall to camp as cancelled by this letter." Docket says this is a copy of the letter sent to Popkin. For related documents, see GLC02437.02139, .02219, .02220, .02235, .02236, .02364, .10082, .10112, and .10117.

GLC02437.02226

23 October 1783

Putnam, Rufus, 1738-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his observations concerning the public view of commutation. States that there is still general prejudice against officers especially by "lower class of people" but that the prejudice is abating. Mentions a "Lake Erie Scheme," the prospect of settling the western lands and a meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati.

GLC02437.02703

February 12, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Pollard

Discusses a petition of Pollard's that has been active since 1781, apparently for pay from when Pollard worked for General William Heath. Says it must be renewed, noting that Robert Morris was not yet Superintendent of Finance when it was filed.

GLC02437.03241

3 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Price

Marked as a "copy/private." Appears to be from Knox to Price at West Point, although no creator is cited. Notes he will be leaving for Boston 10 or 12 July. Asks if Price can be in New York by that time so they may travel together. Notes he will deliver £96 "this currency," half of Price's pay for 1787.

GLC02437.03925

21 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letters to Jeremiah Wadsworth and John Pratt]

The first letter, to Jeremiah Wadsworth, is contained on pages one and two. Both letters are written from Boston and dated 21 October 1788. In the letter, Knox informs Wadsworth that Mr. [Rufus] King arrived yesterday from New York, relating the news "that there is no congress nor any probability of one." Has decided to remain in Boston to attend personal business. Instructs Wadsworth to deliver money to William Knox for the detachment of Lieutenant Pratt's troops (William was managing War Office business in Henry's absence). The second note, on page two, is directed to Lieutenant [John…

GLC02437.04009

24 October 1788

Pratt, John, 1753-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lieutenant Pratt discusses making preparations for his men to march to Fort Pitt (see GLC02437.04010). Complains at length that he will receive only one month's pay without subsistence, and that the "Old Soldiers" under his orders were not included in the estimate to pay his troops. Worries about marching so late in the season. Complains, "there was no allowance made for moneys lost by Disertion..."

GLC02437.04013