3 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Marked "Private." Letter from Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Reports that the Massachusetts line has determined to apply to the state for its backpay. Says "It would be useless to detail the reasons why such a settlement would be preferable to a continental one." Says it is probable that Massachusetts "may decline to account for the officers subsistence, if so it must be brought before Congress."

GLC02437.01473

15 July 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. Letter seems to be about personal finances. References a letter he sent "some days since" on money due to the bank. Says he has found an unexpected difficulty to renew the note. Reports that "I found that all discount business was over & at last by the influence of my friends obtained a discount for six weeks from the first of July, tho at first they encouraged me to hope but for four weeks, when the day arrived that one note could not be received for an other but that the money must be first lodged." Reports he then sent Captain…

GLC02437.01487

17 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Marked both "Private" and "Copy." Mentions writing to Lincoln on 13 July, which acknowledged Lincoln's letter of 29 June. Was in the hope of being able to remit to him the money that was sent, but was unable to. Says he expected to make the remittance in bank bills, but claims "there are none in this quarter." Mentions that a note from [Robert] Morris and Joseph Peirce might be tapped for funds, especially since Boston owes much money to Philadelphia. Presumes those bills can be sold at the coffee house in Philadelphia. Thanks him for…

GLC02437.01489

6 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office." In response to Knox's letter of 31 July (see GLC02437.01510), advises Knox to settle the matter of which shells and shots each metalworker in their employ, Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch and a Mr. Whiting, should cast. Writes, "All the cartridge boxes made have been sent on the last contract has not been paid, we cannot obtain another without money I do not know when Mr. Morris can supply it, I will not forget to urge him." Finally, agrees with Knox that they should use armourers for repairing and rebuilding arms, but he "cannot engage people to work without some…

GLC02437.01517

19 August 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. References 2 private letters from 7 and 10 August. Says he cannot furnish him estimates. Says he read over his last public letter (which was on the issue of soldiers pensions at half pay) to Lincoln of 31 July and cannot find anything improper in it. On the peace negotiations, he says "Unequivocally then, we have drank such liberal draughts at the fountain of peace that we can see no other object." Goes on to say that "The independence of America being fully acknowledged, say we[,] France will be easily satisfied by the adjustment…

GLC02437.01532

22 July 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. Marked "private." References Knox's private letter that was recently sent by the post. Congratulates him on the birth of his son. Believes Congress will not leave Princeton soon. Before he left for Virginia, Lincoln says he put Knox's business before Congress. Says no compensation has yet been voted on. Hopes to know more in a few days. Asks to be updated on the business of the Society of the Cincinnati. Reports he will attend meetings at other state gatherings if necessary. Place written is spelled "Prince Town."

GLC02437.02315

7 August 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the commutation of Captain Patten's pay. Hopes Patten will signify to Congress his acceptance of it. Marked as private.

GLC02437.02372

February 12, 1790

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a response to Knox's proposed plan for regulating the militia and gives his opinion that it has "great merit" and "if cordially embraced it would make ours the strongest militia in the world." But believes the people of Massachusetts will not adopt the plan. "The expence, pay of officers, no pay of men, the burden on Masters, calling the youth indiscriminately, disfranchised for a time in certain cases, officers excluded from actual service, subjection to a draught, for a service of three years &c &c will be magnified here and dam the bill." Thinks it is a bad time to bring…

GLC02437.04509

27 April 1791

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's letter of 19 April 1791. Comments on "young Mr. [William] Balch" and calls him, "a wild citizen, yet I think he has many qualifications which will recommend him as an officer - He very well knows that he cannot sport with his character and hold his rank in the army." Talks extensively about the job of army surgeon and why Dr. William Eustis did not accept the appointment. Eustis could not be guaranteed a rank equal to his experience and "Besides the pay of the surgeon of a regiment, though handsome for a young Gentleman whose wish is to introduce himself into life is no…

GLC02437.04933

1 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Knox writes to Lincoln, Secretary of War. Writes, "His Excellency the commander in chief has stationed me at this post, which in addition to its natural embarrassments, is attended with much greater expenses than my purse can admit." Notes that Congress arranged for extra compensation for General Alexander McDougall, a previous commander at West Point. Asks Lincoln to provide a similar arrangement for him. If this is beyond the reach of Lincoln's powers, requests that Lincoln consult Mr. Morris (possibly Gouverneur Morris, assistant superintendent of finance). "How my dear sir is the…

GLC02437.10040

25 November 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Knox, commander at West Point, writes to General Lincoln. Mentions a recent application by Continental Army officers to the State of Massachusetts regarding half pay. Knox reports the decision has been postponed, mainly because of Osgood (Samuel Osgood, Massachusetts's delegate to Continental Congress). Regarding the officers, writes, "something must be done to relieve their present distress, which is intolerable- and they must have a full confidence concerning the execution of the half pay whether in its present form, or in some other that may be more agreable..."

GLC02437.10064

9 January 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General McDougall to Major General Knox. Says nothing decisive about whether the half-pay pension issue has been decided. Says it took a week of travel to get to Philadelphia in bad weather. Wanted to lobby the delegates before the memorial was put before Congress. Says that has been accomplished and after the memorial was submitted, Congress decided to form a committee with a member from each state. Says that they will meet tomorrow night. Encloses a list of the committee members (not included here). Reports that "The Result of our Conversation with the members is, that a great…

GLC02437.01819

8 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lowell

Recounts the story of young Isaac Winslow, who had been taken to Canada at age 11 by his loyalist father, upon the outbreak of hostilities. His parents are now dead, and his other family is in Boston. He wants to be in service to his country. Knox would like to exchange him, or help him return to Boston. See GLC02437.01408 and GLC02437.01649 for related information. Also discusses Congress's debates over payment of military officers.

GLC02437.01650

22 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Loring

Orders Loring to pay 77 dollars to the Chevalier de Maudit du Plessis, and to charge it to Knox's account.

GLC02437.01676

14 December 1782

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I received your favor of this day. I shall be ready to sett off from this, on Tuesday next, if the weather is fair, and all other arrangements are compleated, which dont depend on me. I suppose Col [John] Brooks will bring over the Memorial &c &c with him."

GLC02437.01743

20 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written and signed for Knox by Major Samuel Shaw. Says the bearer of this letter, Mr. Peck, was in a company of artillery artificers under Captain Post. Says that this unit was raised for 2 years and is therefore excluded from any allowance for the depreciation of their pay. Says that the policy that dictated that measure has ceased to operate and Congress has made a determination to give justice to all individuals for their past services. Adds that he believes they should be allowed compensation for the injuries they have sustained in the depreciation of their pay.

GLC02437.02404

30 September 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Discusses the lack of funds for supplies and the large expenses incurred due to lack of stores. Plans to apply for more aid to see if "I cannot obtain the same compensation as those who have gone before me. Certainly I have expended as much as any of them and I only ask the same allowance."

GLC02437.02592

10 November 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses an addition to his monthly allowance. Mentions how his pay compares unfavorably to that of other generals, such as [Alexander] McDougall and [William] Heath. Asks Lincoln to discuss the issue with Mr. Morris, likely Robert Morris, the Pennsylvania financier.

GLC02437.02764

2 November 1785

Lott, Abraham, fl. 1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "Accept my thanks, my dear Sir, for the Extract, from the Journals of Congress- It appears to be fully in point- But now I have begun with you I must have your further assistance- Will it not be necessary that a certificate should be obtained of the day on which he (Col. Buncombe) died? If so, from whom must it be had? Will such certificates & the extract you have favored me with, be sufficient vouchers to found an application upon to the Legislature of North Carolina? By whom (the Executor?) or who else, and in what form must this application be made? I am loth to give you…

GLC02437.03210

28 September 1793

Lyman, Cornelius, 1758-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses recruit returns (not included). Says he enclosed enlistments, vouchers, and accounts and forwarded them to Mr. Howell. He was directed to deliver them to Knox. Heard they were received. Lyman says there was a balance due to him on the accounts he forwarded. Is in need of that money or recruitment money.

GLC02437.05933

29 November 1783

Jackson, Michael, 1734-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports to Knox that an officer has arrived in Newburgh, New York after marching with a number of invalid soldiers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Also writes that he sent a note to Congress to petition for his situation, namely, being compensated for a wound he received in 1776. See GLC02437.02818 for a related document.

GLC02437.02809

8 December 1783

Jackson, Michael, 1734-1801

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports to Knox that the men at West Point are restless, unhappy and having a difficult time. They are having trouble obtaining subsistence since "the Contractors will not trust them," and are "badly cloathed, many without blankets, they have not [been] shewn what they are intitled to ... " Also asks Knox for advice on how to dispense duties for the brevet officers.

GLC02437.02823

8 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Michael Jackson

Discusses men who cannot be dismissed [likely from the army] until Knox's arrival at West Point, New York. Also mentions Jackson can depend on something from his application (possibly referring to Jackson's request for a Brigadier General's salary), however, he likely will not be able to continue in the service.

GLC02437.09812

16 August 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Jackson [incomplete]

Knox writes that he and Lucy have lost their youngest daughter. Lucy's health is hurt by her grief but she is now better. Says he has been informed that Jackson has ignored Knox's warning and has not attended to his accounting with the "rigidness" that is required; therefore, he cannot say whether Jackson will receive any relief from Massachusetts. But he believes something will be granted by the Board of Treasury. Instructs Jackson to sell all of Knox's Massachusetts securities and invest in land speculation in New York. Does not believe there will be any significant rise in the value…

GLC02437.03635

January 13, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Reports that he seems to be recovering from a recent illness. Transmits a letter to Mrs. McNeill related to financial matters. Asks Jackson to "wait on Mrs. [Mary] McNeill and take duplicate receipts for the said certificate." Asks Jackson to write to him about the convention and send all the publications from it, referring to the convention in Massachusetts to ratify the constitution.

GLC02437.03759