21 March 1787

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he is extremely busy at the moment and will not be able to return to New York City as expected. Discusses concerns about the men not being paid and feels that if the corps are disbanded for lack of pay, they may never be able to raise another. States that if the federal troops are disbanded he should be allowed the choice of whether to stay or retire and "without one, I cannot see how any government worth living under can be kep up in this country." Comments on the poor quality of the powder at Fort Pitt. Asks Knox about the state of affairs in Massachusetts, "I feel so anxious…

GLC02437.03497

27 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Doughty

Informs Doughty that he will help with procuring subsistence for the troops. Does not believe recruiting service will begin in New York as its quota numbers are deficient. The contracts of Morris and Wadsworth are ending as Congress is not happy with the proposals. Agrees with Doughty, who is in favor of a "national force," as he expects "every evil that can be produced from Anarchy." Also notes that "Congress have had but for a very little time nine States. Therefore nothing has been concluded on respecting higher pay for the Artillery than the Infantry." Mentions supplying artillery…

GLC02437.03502

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

19 August 1790

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Doughty acknowledges Knox's letter of 25 July. Doughty was worried about his parents who had word that he had died in a skirmish on the frontier (see GLC02437.04606 and GLC02437.04628 for Knox's correspondence with Doughty's family). Thanks Knox for writing to his family and for sending him a letter from Doughty's parents and sister, which eased his mind. Mentions that Judge Turner left him two eagles from "the property of the Society [of Cincinnati]" to sell. Says that General Josiah Harmer wants Doughty to encourage re-enlistment of older soldiers. Doughty says "not one soldier…

GLC02437.04695

8 March 1791

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Declines Knox's request to serve as Lieutenant Colonel Commander. Says after much deliberation, he has decided to leave the service. He wanted to when he served with General Josiah Harmar but the difficult situation with the Indians "forbid my retireing at that Time." Explains in detail his reasons for leaving the military stating, "I have long tried the military Life & have found many Disapointments..." Questions the nature of the military establishment. "A military establishment is certainly a very unpopular measure in this Country," Doughty explains. "Every Act of the Government…

GLC02437.04875

February-April 1776

Drury, Jotham, 1741-1831

Document signed

Title: [Pay abstract for Captain Jotham Drury's company in Henry Knox's regiment of artillery]

Appears to be signed by Drury.

GLC02437.09513

24 December 1781

Freeman, James, fl. 1781-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions he is aware that Congress has decided to "make good the depreciation of pay, to such officers as have not been under the patronage of any particular State, and have diverted the auditors to Liquidate their accounts, and give them a certificate of the amount of pay due." Has applied to the auditors, but they inform him they have no business with him. Asks if Knox has any advice as to how to receive some or all of his pay: he is "entirely dependent upon Strangers for even the common necessaries of life," and hopes this will induce Knox to reply as early as is convenient, "without…

GLC02437.01310

20 October 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eustis

Discusses the payment of the pensions to the invalid regiments. Congress considered holding further investigations, but decided against it, as they "were of opinion that it would have a very improper affect to subject the invalids to any further investigations." Considers who might be responsible for paying out the pensions. Also discusses future positions Dr. Eustis might hold in the public service and offers to help him.

GLC02437.04392

13 December 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eustis

Relates that he delayed responding to Eustis's previous correspondence in hopes that Congress would decide upon an arrangement for paying the invalids (refer to GLC02437.04414 and GLC02437.04386). If someone is specially appointed to the post of paying the invalids, and Mr. [John] Lucas (commissary of pensioners) resigns, Knox thinks Eustis can easily obtain the appointment. Predicts that the Secretary of the Treasury will make the appointment with the approval of the President. Discusses Society of the Cincinnati diplomas Eustis previously requested. Agrees with Eustis regarding the…

GLC02437.04439

January 23, 1790

Eustis, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses pensioners of the Revolution, especially the fact that he feels that "this State has judged her citizens so grudgingly & so exclusively that she has not her just number & those who are pensioned do not receive enough." Also states that many soldiers were cut off from their pensions, leaving especially those who have been disabled from the war, without a means of support. Asks Knox for his help in supporting this cause. Mentions the Waldo patent, saying without fully understanding the subject he does believe the settlers pose any danger to the heirs of the patent.

GLC02437.04479

6 March 1790

Eustis, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the pensioners and mentions: "...it is evident there are about one fifth of the pensioners of this Common Wealth who can receive no benefit from the years pay granted by Congress - their names are by some means not included in the return & they will neither receive this, not a years pay granted them by the General Court this session - To effect a thorough remedy for this evil it is absolutely necessary there should be a new inspection & return of the whole..." Also suggests that the inspection be run by the federal government and to perhaps conduct an inspection in every…

GLC02437.04531

13 September 1791

Eustis, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has not been able to come up with a surgeon to recommend for the 2nd regiment, as Knox requested. Relates that he heard that a Dr. Hewins of Stoughton is the only person who expressed interest in the position. Claims "Young gentlemen, just emerged from study, I am persuaded are not qualified for this, which I consider an important & very responsible, situation. The pay & emoluments are not an inducement to men of established reputation to leave their practice." Believes a Mr. Carmichael is well respected by the officers, noting "Indeed so far as my observation extends, the present…

GLC02437.05154

17 June 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peregrine Fitzhugh

Discusses a prize of land for three [thousand] acres in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Requests the description and deeds to the land.

GLC02437.06122

1 January 1782

McDougall, Ranald Stephen, fl. 1782

Autograph document signed

Title: [to the issuing commissary at New Burg New Windsor or Fishkill Landing]

Relaying orders of General Alexander McDougall. Written by McDougall's son and aide-de-camp. Docketed by Samuel Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp. Orders that "Sarah Dean the wife of Moses Dean Sergeant in the Artillery Artificers" receive a ration for herself and half a ration for each of her six children until further orders. "No Rum is to be issued to her or the Children." On verso, an autograph note signed by Daniel Niven, Captain of Engineers, certifies that the document is "a true Copy of the Original."

GLC02437.01322

29 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Captain Cogswell

Written, signed, and docketed for General Henry Knox by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Commands Cogswell to join the brigade on its march to Philadelphia. Instructs him to move expeditiously and take the route via Kingwood, Pompton, Morristown, Somerset Court House, Princeton, Trenton, and Bristol. Provides further marching instructions including where to draw provisions.

GLC02437.02201

28 July 1783

Dunscomb, Andrew, fl. 1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has received an appointment to precede Mr. Peirce (possibly referring to John Peirce, Paymaster General and Commissioner of Army Accounts) in the settlement of the Virginia line accounts. Requests that "a lad" from Colonel Swift's regiment go with Mr. Peirce. A note initialed by Samuel Shaw reads " cannot be granted."

GLC02437.02340

28 March 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eustis

Informs Eustis that "[o]ur delegates have not yet brought forward the motion relative to a new inspection of the invalids." Stresses the importance of another inspection, in order to ensure all invalid soldiers are accounted for and paid appropriately. Discusses other business related to the inspection.

GLC02437.04560

15 October 1783

Haywood, Benjamin, fl. 1754-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Williams

Writes to inform Williams that he will remain as an agent for the late 6th Massachusetts Regiment. To Captain A. Williams, Fort Major.

GLC02437.02659

11 April 1787

Willcox, Joseph, fl. 1775-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Writes to Colonel Wadsworth to inform him of the lack of provisions at Springfield. Emphasize the need for the soldiers to be paid as they are now dependent on their credit. Believes this problem should take precedence over recruiting efforts.

GLC02437.03520

24 May 1787

Willcox, Joseph, fl. 1775-1787

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt of payment]

Receipt for $3,000. "Drawn by the Board of Treasury on Will Imlay Esqr receiver of Continental Taxes for the State of Connecticut in account of pay due to the Troops of the Quota of Connecticutt." The troops were raised to quell Shays's Rebellion.

GLC02437.03552

7 March 1782

Eayrs, Joseph, fl. 1782

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks if Knox will sign a warrant to allow him to petition for his wages. Commissary [Samuel] Hodgdon will present the petition as early as is necessary for Knox to sign it. Hopes that Knox's "signature to that Paper will put the matter out of all doubt wether I ever was or am Entitled to pay."

GLC02437.01363

February 3, 1785

Eustis, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Supports the establishment of an association based on military service, writing "In short there arise so many sources of mutual benefit in an association that I hope for it earnestly." Further details his interest in creating such an association: "...if a meeting should be called, and there appears no better object, where is the impropriety of a proposal to write the officers of the other states solliciting [sic] them to join in a memorial to Congress praying to be paid the interest due on our notes for pay, particularly those on which four years interest are due. If in objection to this it…

GLC02437.03091

29 August 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Nicholas Fish

Offers the position of Adjutant General and Inspector of the Western Army to Fish. Adds that he would receive a lieutenant colonel's pay.

GLC02437.05592

January 17, 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Mrs. Ferguson

References receiving Mrs. Ferguson's letter of 17 January. Believes the widows and orphans of all army officers killed in the line of public duty deserve to be supported by the government. If she cannot get assistance, he will speak to some gentleman about her story as "you are richly entitled to the poor pittance."

GLC02437.05785

25 July 1786

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox if he will help him request a settlement of his accounts. So far he has been unsuccessful, and the Paymaster General's office, headed by Mr. [John] Pierce, has not been authorized by Congress to perform the necessary actions.

GLC02437.03284