5 March 1789

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Declares that Knox must think him a "Barbarian" for not writing sooner, and apologizes. Briefly touches on Waldo patent business. Discusses the possible appointment of a Mr. Frederick, a former naval officer, to the new government. Writes that Governor [John] Hancock is still sick, but less incapacitated than he had been. Mentions that Mr. [John] Adams, the new Vice President, has bought a coach through his agent, Colonel Smith, from Mr. [James] Swan. Sends Mrs. Hichborn's regards to Mrs. Knox, and reports that he should be arriving in New York some time next month.

GLC02437.04136

28 September 1791

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that he has "at last settled the principles on which the account is to be closed very much to my satisfaction tho not exactly upon my first plan." Says their "friend" was not of service as expected and he had to come forward and negotiate for himself. Hopes to see Knox the following week. Reports that Madame de la Val and her party set off in a packet last Saturday. Writes, "they had a shocking time, but are well over it by this time." Concludes with "yours in more friend ship than I believe you have for me. -" Stamped "FREE" on verso.

GLC02437.05172

11 March 1792

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a recent General Court decision against them in their wish to be compensated for some of the Waldo patent lands. Touches on their canal project and mentions that General [Henry] Jackson will forward to Knox some information about it. Mentions his imminent departure to Europe and sends his love to Mrs. Knox. Finally, provides some parting advice on how Knox should proceed with the Waldo patent, including, "for gods sake be cautious!"

GLC02437.05348

20 October 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the progress of ordnance being forwarded to Henry Knox. Mentions that some items left in Baltimore had been rejected by Major Sebastian Bauman. Comments on fixes made to munitions made by a Mr. Johnson that were cast without the necessary staples. Plans to send some of the repaired shells to Knox for approval. Indicates some specific items and their quantities that were already in transit. Claims that he has been working expeditiously and that he has done everything in his power to prevent a shortage. This ordnance transport was possibly one that Knox asked the Board of War…

GLC02437.01249

26 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Responds to Hodgdon's letter about sending ordnance from Baltimore for the siege of Yorktown (see GLC02437.01249) and hopes news of Lord Cornwallis' surrender reached him before the ships set sail. Asks that the shell and shot be sent to Head of Elk, Maryland instead. Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores appointed by the Board of War & Ordnance.

GLC02437.01263

10 May 1791

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain Hills reports that he has left Springfield [Massachusetts] and is proceeding with his land survey. Lists the area he intends to cover, and offers preliminary results of the surveys.

GLC02437.04945

6 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hills

Written by Secretary of War Knox to Captain Hills. References Hills's letter from Brookfield. Says that as Hills is still surveying the project must be promising. This is in reference to surveying a route for a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston (see GLC02437.04909). Says "I am not discouraged as to the height of 295 feet, nor even 100 more added thereto, provided there should be a sufficiency of water upon the high ground." Tells him to make his work as accurate as possible to bring himself honor and so that it will not have to be repeated. Tells him to send for money if he…

GLC02437.04977

23 June 1791

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Hills as a surveyor examining ground for a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston. Hopes Knox does not think he was neglecting him, but he has been 10-15 miles off the Post Road and has been unable to send a message. Says he found the "Head of Chihabi" and that it is a noble water that runs two ways and empties into the Swinaporet River. Continued his route into Holden, Massachusetts and followed it by way of the "Half way river" that runs through Worcester, Massachusetts. Continued down the "Half way river" by way of Stone House Mountain as far as the Boston Road. Says he…

GLC02437.05022

30 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hills

Written by Knox as Secretary of War to Captain [John] Hills, who was surveying a route for a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston. References Hills's letter of 23 June (GLC02437.05022), which gave him satisfaction. Writes, "In a work similar to the one on which you are employed, so remote from the contemplations of people generally, and of such magnitude, a person whose mind expands to the idea of its practicability and execution, runs no small danger of incurring strong and perpetual ridicule." States that Hills's last letter makes him believe something substantial is possible. Hopes…

GLC02437.05039

6 July 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hills

Written by Knox as Secretary of War to Captain Hills who was surveying a potential route for a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston. References Hills's letter of 29 June. Tells him if he needs money to go to Joseph Peirce near "the Town house Boston." Says he will get 100 dollars when he shows Peirce this letter. Says he wrote to Hills on 2 July. Bottom of letter says that Hills was surveying near the Charles River and that this letter was put in the care of General Hull at Newton, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.05054

3 August 1791

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed twice by Hills. Captain Hills references the letter he sent to Knox on 9 July. Provides an update on the proposed canal between the Connecticut River and Boston. Gives detailed list of the places he has scouted. Postscript says he has been away from his wife so long that he hopes Knox can send her $50.

GLC02437.05097

7 August 1791

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References his last letter to Knox of 3 August (GLC02437.05097). Received a letter from Knox, which was delivered by General Hull, with a $100 order. Tells of his latest surveying efforts to find a route from the Connecticut River to Boston.

GLC02437.05108

22 July 1792

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his trip to various towns while surveying land to connect a canal to the Connecticut River.

GLC02437.05552

5 August 1792

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he had, under the direction of General [David] Cobb, "begun to Survey the road from Worcester to the head of Long pond," along with the surrounding areas. Continues with a description of the lay of the land, including the brooks and ponds nearby.

GLC02437.05567

7 September 1795

Hoffman, Nicholas, 1736-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Apologizes for Knox having to come to Boston to settle financial issues but states that he is happy to see him. Informs Knox that his wagon arrived and that he will forward it to his friends in Boston as soon as possible.

GLC02437.06520

4 January 1796

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his regret on not being able to see Knox when Knox was here but is happy to hear that he and his family are doing well. Writes about timber and transportation.

GLC02437.06594

23 September 1781

Gaskins, Thomas, 1747-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Informs Weedon that there is a ship with 20 soldiers and artillery stores caught on a shoal in the Wicomico River. Discusses how to get the stores off the ship and suggests he may want to "continue this" with Genl Washington. The Continental Army was then preparing for the siege of Yorktown. Lieutenant Colonel Gaskins commanded a Virginia line in the Continental Army.

GLC02437.01189

3 October 1796

Francis, Tench, 1730-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses ordering and transporting spars by boat. "Free" handwritten and stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.06834

February 15, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio Gates

Relates a recent adventure in which he was apparently traveling over a frozen waterway to meet a military board that included Gates. On the way, the ice under his party broke, but through a fortunate turn of events they remained safe. Knox and General [Jedediah] Huntington hope that Gates and the board will excuse their absence. Asks that they may make their decision without having to physically attend the board. In a post script, asks Gates to present his [Knox's] compliments to General [Israel] Putnam.

GLC02437.10093

February 1776

Gridley, Richard, 1711-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

At the request of General Horatio Gates, Gridley asks Knox to inform General Israel Putnam of the need for repairs on a bridge at Lechmere Point, Massachusetts. Gridley was the army's chief engineer, he was succeeded by Knox in 1775 but retained the title.

GLC02437.00251

24 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Grant

Informs Grant that the 4th Massachusetts regiment will be quartered several miles away along the river and to provide them with transportation and supplies as they are housed rather far from their post.

GLC02437.02708

10 April 1791

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Massachusetts Governor John Hancock informs Knox that he has sent Knox via Caleb Hopkins on the Brig Maria, a box of "the very best Winter Isle Shoales Table Fish, which I have preserved in the best manner, & which I will venture to assert if dress'd agreeably to the mode I practice, & which we conversed upon when together, will prove as good Eating Fish as was ever on any Table whatever."

GLC02437.04913

23 November 1804

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to [Wales] & Beals

Signature clipped; handwriting and content suggest the author is Henry Knox. Writing to the merchant firm of [Wales] & Beale, Knox confirms that a shipment destined for his son, Henry Jackson Knox, and his son-in-law, E[benezer] Thatcher, has safely arrived. Discusses further orders of merchandise, as well as shipments of Knox's own product, casks of lime.

GLC02437.07895

4 April 1797

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Gleason

Discusses giving Gleason materials for a boat, such as sails and rigging. Date from docket.

GLC02437.06941

3 June 1798

Gleason, John, fl. 1796-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the transporting of logs.

GLC02437.07143