27 December 1798

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [to Jedediah Morse]

Knox informs Reverend Morse that "Mr. Volney when in Boston in the spring of 97 himself gratified at the progress of the spirit of the french revolution." Knox quotes Volney as saying, '"'England said he will be revolutionized, the same spirit will run through Italy and all the German states and indeed throughout all the enlightened part of Europe." Knox continues to say that Volney insisted, then, Europe "will put christianity behind their back."

GLC02437.07214

4 August 1806

Emmons, Williams, 1784-1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Mentions he is glad to have received Hobart's but regrets that Hobart only asked for an account of a rebellion by the senior class at Brown University, which Emmons describes. Explains that those students from the senior class who left the college were suspended by the president for their improper conduct. Written from Brown University.

GLC06313.04.006

25 May 1852

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed letter

Title: to Frederick Douglass

Smith offers his opinions on Lajos Kossuth, the Hungarian revolutionary hero. Writes, "I have not seen Kossuth:- but I have read his Speeches. The impression they have made upon me is, that he is not only transcendently eloquent- especially when his country, his deeply wronged country, is his theme- but that he is a man of extraordinary judgment, discernment, skill, tact: and that he is, moreover, eminently unselfish..." Praises the growth of good principles that result from revolution. Includes a handwritten correction on page three.

GLC04717.18

3 July 1776

Woodruff, Isaac, 1722-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

On the verso, the letter is titled: "On the Publick Service." The Elizabethtown Committee informs George Washington that the British have landed on Staten Island and proceeded to within two miles of Elizabeth, New Jersey. The militia is gathering but the area is threatened. They are in need of artillery and request supplies from Washington. A post script specifies that their cannon bore is exactly 2.5 inches in diameter. Woodruff was the chairman of the committee. Possibly forwarded to Henry Knox because he commanded the artillery.

GLC02437.00357

25 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Paterson

Written by General Knox to General Paterson. Says he received a letter from headquarters that stated the need for the troops to press on. Hopes Paterson will reach Ringwood, New Jersey tomorrow night. Sent this note so that he would not "retard your march in the morning."

GLC02437.02184

26 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Paterson

Written and signed for Knox by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Informs General Paterson that Knox has sent him three hundred pairs of shoes for his troops. Writes that other companies have been instructed to follow Paterson as soon as they arrive. See GLC02437.02189, the receipt for the shoes.

GLC02437.02191

January 25, 1784

Parker, Daniel, 1782-1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Introduces Colonel De Mirand[a], possibly Francisco de Miranda, "A Spanish Gentleman from Mexico, whom I take the Liberty to Introduce to your notice."

GLC02437.02936

May 24, 1779-January 13, 1788

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Knox [incomplete]

Later copy of the correspondence between Generals Samuel Holden Parsons and Henry Knox between 24 May 1779 and 13 January 1788 (see GLC02437.03305 for a related document). The first letter, to Parsons from Knox, was written from Springfield, Massachusetts on 3 October 1786 and discusses the recent Shays' Rebellion. The second, written to Parsons from Knox, from New York on 19 November 1786, also deals with the Rebellion, as well as with court proceedings of the insurgents. The third, written from New York on 13 January 1788, to Parsons from Knox, discusses the adoption by Massachusetts of…

GLC02437.03306

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

February 21, 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Parker

Discusses the insurgent Samuel Ely, who is rumored to be planning to burn down Knox's buildings in Thomaston, Maine. Mentions actions he is taking to stop Ely, in particular by petitioning the government for help.

GLC02437.06634

1 March 1796

Parker, Isaac, 1768-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Updates Knox on Samuel Ely, an insurgent trying to rally a group of citizens against Knox, because he believes Knox has no right to particular lands in Maine. Explains what Ely is telling his posse to inspire them to oppose Knox. Discusses the importance of government intervention in apprehending Ely, and believes it is important for the government to show it will not tolerate his sort of behavior. Possibly written by Isaac Parker, a Federalist Massachusetts Congressman, who served from 1797-1799.

GLC02437.06645

10 March 1796

Parker, Isaac, 1768-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that on Knox's request, he wrote to Mr. [possibly James] Nesmith about Samuel Ely and his band of insurgents (who believed that Knox was not the rightful, legal owner of his land tracts in Maine). Encloses Nesmith's reply (not present). Briefly touches on the town of Canaan's response to the insurgency. Possibly written by Isaac Parker, a Federalist Massachusetts Congressman, who served from 1797-1799.

GLC02437.06659

20 October 1794

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he received his letter regarding the commission from Carolina. Encloses a deed (not included) and needs Knox to have it signed by a federal judge. Discusses his wife's failing health. Congratulates Knox and Mrs. [Lucy] Knox on their newborn son. Notes their little boy is in fine health. Appears to hint at not having any more children. Discusses land deals involving "Williamsons settlement" and the Six Nations. Mentions he just received word that John Burnett is away fighting the insurgents and the commission business in Carolina may have to wait for his return or perhaps can be…

GLC02437.06226

28 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Maxwell

Written by Major General Knox to Colonel Maxwell. Orders that the remainder of the 3rd Regiment must march at 3 a.m. tomorrow morning. Tells him that provisions for 4 days must be drawn today and that the men need to have hard bread. Hopes he made arrangements to have shoes here in early in the afternoon. Needs a return of the number of men that will march.

GLC02437.02200

29 October 1786

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "The people here smell a rat, that the Troops about to be raised are more for the insurgents than the Indians, however this makes no odds, every body seems to wish a strong government, & to believe the government can only be strengthened by an army. The requisition has been laid before the house & I suppose will pass without trouble, tho' I confess I know little about it- for a moment, I steped [sic] into the Gallery yesterday & heard a member say something about the Troops having only clothing & provisions, that the Western lands were an object worthy the attention…

GLC02437.03322

2 April 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Nesmith

Addressed to James Nesmith and several other parties, who are the town leaders of Ducktrap, Maine. Writes to express his relief that the Samuel Ely conspiracy was much more minor than initially expected. Extensive notes and calculations on third page.

GLC02437.06688

22 May 1790

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that "little Morris" (presumably his son) suffered no ill effects from a recent fall. States that everyone is glad to hear that President Washington has recovered from his illness. Paraphrases Don Quixote: "As Sancho told the Don, He must not, He shall not Die, at least for Ten Years." Discusses the popular unrest he fears would have occurred if Washington had not survived. Sends best wishes to the Knoxes.

GLC02437.04614

12 November 1787

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives information about events in Virginia related to ratifying the Constitution. Encloses an act [not present] "now adopted by the legislature," about calling a convention. States that, "the policy of the state is against the constitution and the union itself. a great majority of the members of the Legislature are opposed to it - but the body of the people at large continues in favor of it." Believes the representatives will cave when they return home and are influenced by the people. Mentions the recommendation of Congress respecting British debt and states, "Patrick Henry is against…

GLC02437.03703

22 August 1800

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce talks of the issue of Knox's surveyors and Mr. Bowdoin's plans to "prevent Surveyors running any Lines." Peirce tells Knox Francis Flucker is in town and has requested $75 in funds.

GLC02437.07452

23 March 1872

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Rear Admiral Lee orders Renshaw to investigate an attack reported by the Colonel Chief of Staff, Jose de Chasso. De Chasso's report was relayed by Genl. Franciscos de Ceballos. Sailors "supposed to belong to the Worcester, attacked a Sentinel stationed on the Cavalry Mole."

GLC02254.33

15 July 1872

Bermejo, Segismundo, 1832-1899

Manuscript document signed

Title: To the commander of the sloop of war Canandaigua [in Spanish]

Seal in upper lefthand corner of first page. Pages sewn together in upper lefthand corner. Denounces the ex-Confederate blockade runner "Virginius". Argues that the ship has violated Spanish waters and committed piratical acts. Admiral Bermejo y Merelo was Spanish minister of the Navy during the Spanish-American war. The Virginius, a former Confederate blockade runner, was being used by Cuban rebels and their American supporters during Cuba's unsuccessful struggle for independence from Spain. After the Spanish captured the ship and executed several of its crew, war with the U.S. was…

GLC02254.34

20 March 1900

Brown, Walter T., fl. 1900-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. S. W. K. Brown

Brown served as Paymaster Yeoman on the USS Monocacy during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. The Monocacy had served in Chinese waters for nearly 30 years, and was ordered to recapture the forts at Taku on 11 June 1900. He was trapped with the US Marines and multinational force in Tientsin.

GLC04546.001b

1775

Waldo, Jonathon, fl. 1721-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Thanks Knox for so often obliging him. Reports that Mr. Oliver, possibly Andrew Oliver, will pay Knox for the gun he got for Waldo (see GLC02437.00190 and GLC02437.00194). Assures him that Knox's requests are foremost on his mind. Expresses his desire to get married, placed in the context of a discussion on human nature. Reports that tories in Salem are "scar'd to Death" and leaving the area. Has heard that British soldiers will soon come to attempt to "intercept our Grand muster" but doubts that General Gage could ever "hinder their mutiny." Expresses that he would not like to see…

GLC02437.00230

1 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Morris

Writes that two days prior he sailed to New Haven to see Mr. Gouverneur Morris, and returned last night. Also met with Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth, to discuss business (a plan Wadsworth was working on with Robert Morris to loan money to Congress - see GLC02437.003314 and .03318). Writes, "He appears to think [well] of the efficacy of the proposed plans, and will I am persuaded engage in it on proper principles." Could not convince Wadsworth to return with him to New York, since Wadsworth is a member of the Legislature and needed to remain in town. Will come to New York within the next…

GLC02437.03323

December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Morris

Writes that he has received the documents finalizing the loan Morris and Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth were preparing to give to the Board of Treasury. He is thrilled the plan worked, and believes the public good will be well served. Has received a copy of a letter from the Board asking that Colonel Wadsworth come to New York to finish signing the paperwork as well. Discusses the insurgents associated with Daniel Shays, and explains the claims and issues they are raising. Also mentions several of their acts of rebellion, including several attempts to keep the General Court from sitting in…

GLC02437.03403