7 August 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses changes in the number and arrangement of field commissaries, quartermasters, and conductors. Comments on the usefulness of the Deputy Commissary of Military Stores at West Point, especially regarding distribution of artillery materials throughout New York State. Includes a list of the distribution of commissaries and conductors. A note in the hand of Samuel Shaw on page three states that a return of stores from the department of field commissary of military stores is enclosed.

GLC02437.01518

18 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Lists the appointments to the department of military stores after it has been restructured by resolves of Congress of 3 September 1782. Writes: "In consequence of the aforegoing resolves of Congress, Major General Knox having appointed Richard Frothingham Esq - Field Commissary of Military Stores [,] Asa Copeland - Conductor [,] John Hoff - Clerk [,] for the Main Army [;] John Ruddock - Depy Commy [,] John Banks - Conductor [,] William Herrick - Clerk [,] for West Point [and] Matthew Parvin - Conductor at Fort Pitt…

GLC02437.01673

January 18, 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that a storm prevented him from going to West Point but he intends to visit there before returning to Philadelphia. Although Lincoln is uncertain whether he will be able to travel by water the following morning, he requests to see General Knox at 9 the next morning.

GLC02437.02301

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

1 January 1783

Jackson, William, 1759-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed by Major W. Jackson, possibly William Jackson, an aide-de-camp of General Washington and secretary of Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary at War. Written from "War Office." Writes to inform Knox of the status of his application to the superintendent of finance (possibly Robert Morris) on behalf of General Benjamin Lincoln, regarding Knox's request for repairs to West Point. The superintendent believes there are more pressing matters, but has given monies to the Quarter Master General (Colonel Timothy Pickering) and he will allot them to the most important public purposes.

GLC02437.01784

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

12 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Michael Jackson

Replies to a previous letter from Jackson concerning issues at West Point, such as trouble with the contractors and clothing shortages.

GLC02437.02827

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

9 September 1783

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: [Request for provisions]

Request for twenty pounds of beef and one gallon of rum for Henry Knox and his family. Addressed to Mr. [Robert] Bell, with the docket signed by Jacob Johnson.

GLC02437.02486

24 September 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox over for a visit to discuss the army. Mentions that if the fireworks will be going off at West Point, he can take part of the company off Knox's hands. Discusses preparations to host a large group of visitors including the Minister of France, the President of Congress and some other southern members of Congress. Needs boards to fix the stables which were ruined by the army so these men can keep their horses. Mentions another building, "The Dwelling in the outside, looks more like a Bawdy House then the Quarters of an American General," and asks for a painter. Noted as written at…

GLC02437.02563

1 October 1782

Mason, John, fl. 1776-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Mason, who, per docketing, appears to be the reverend for the garrison at West Point, to Major General Knox. Asks for an extension of his leave until next month as his wife is still very ill and his family's interests "are so embarrassed, that I am involved in a variety of difficulties." Says the garrison is on his mind daily, but says this indulgence by Knox will allow him to return before winter and counsel the men of the garrison "with a composed mind." Written at the bottom of the letter, in what appears to be Samuel Shaw's hand: "(granted) answered by SS."

GLC02437.01635

18 November 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Discusses replacing men who have left to join General Henry Jackson's regiment.

GLC02437.02785

1 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Knox informs General McDougall of the death of Doctor [Hagan], who worked at the West Point hospital. Hagan was entitled to join the Society of the Cincinnati, and left behind a wife and young son, who are unable to afford "subsistence or protection." Reports that the boy is at Albany, New York. Writes "I shall make no apology for this communication being convinced that you will think it a case in point in which the society ought to interest itself." Knox was alerted of the situation by Doctor David Townsend, a friend of the family of the deceased.

GLC02437.02897

23 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes that as he has been charged with being the commander of West Point, he must, with General George Washington, determine any changes or additions to West Point "as may tend to give it that solid strength which the nature of the service may require." Discusses some changes he would like made to the structure of the redoubts, which would require timber. To obtain the timber, he needs teams of oxen to pull it, and he is having trouble acquiring the timber and oxen. Asks Lincoln to empower the Quarter Master General to help him in his endeavor.

GLC02437.01760

12 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Knox says he wrote Lincoln on 3 March. Says the officers were unhappy after hearing about the failure of General McDougall's mission. Says "That impatience is almost heightened into dispair; papers have been distributed by unknown persons, calling the body of the officers together in the new building yesterday, accompanied by an address, calculated to cause the officers to redress their own grievances." Reports that Washington wants the meeting postponed until next Saturday. Hopes Congress will make a decision soon. (GLC02437.02001…

GLC02437.02000

9 September 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "private." Writes that Congress has recently repeated its "solution respecting the additional allowance to the commanding officer at west point." Does not think there is any chance Congress will help them. Suggests Knox talk to his "good friend General [Ezekiel] Cornell" and either apply to Congress directly or through Lincoln. Promises he will "speak to your friends on the subject - though I am convinced that this is not the proper moment to make the application."

GLC02437.01592

22 December 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Head Quarters." Writes, "I just now arrived from Philadelphia - I have been detained on [the] road - I wish to see you - I can not have the pleasure of seeing you at West Point - Pray let me see you to morrow morning at this place - My affectionate regards to Mrs. Knox."

GLC02437.01756

1 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. References Lincoln's letter of 22 July. Says he would like to know why his request for compensation was denied, especially the part that relates to his command of West Point. Says his successors all received the pay of a major general and that his expenses have not been greater than any of them. Reports that Captain Patten of the artillery artificers is anxious to have a decision on his communication with Lincoln and will meet with him for that purpose. Says that Patten and his officers are entitled as much as any who have served in…

GLC02437.02359

20 February 1784

Sumner, Job, 1754-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Hull

Appeals to Hull, commanding at West Point, to settle a matter concerning the paymaster's refusal to grant him subsistence pay corresponding to his rank as Major. Informs Hull that he hopes to bring the matter before Congress, and in the meantime wishes Hull to speak to Henry Knox on his behalf.

GLC02437.02959

16 September 1782

Villefranche, Jean-Louis-Ambroise de Genton, chevalier de, 1747-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "the quarter master general has told me a few days since, that he could not furnish me with any Masons; untill the 20th of the present instant ; it also seems to me that he is not able to supply with lime and other essential articles, to carry on the work with celerity: these reasons induces me to imagine it improper to begin the masonry this fall, for in a little while the front will hinder us from doing any business of this kind - I think it would be much more advantageous to turn all the means we have to the repairing and building accommodations for the troops in the Garrison, for…

GLC02437.01616

20 February 1784

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter to Knox discussing extra rations at West Point, a meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati and his adjustment to longer longer being in public duty. Copy made 2 February 1854.

GLC02437.09327

30 October 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Proof of powder made at West Point

Titles continues to add that the powder referred to is "made at West Point with a 24 pd Ball fired from a 5 1/2 inch mortar..." Lists powder at Fort Clinton and Fort Putnam.

GLC02437.03066

11 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Copy of instructions to the commander of West Point]

Provides detailed instructions for the commander of West Point following the Congressional order to reduce the number of troops at that garrison to one company of 55 men. Notes that "the great principle upon which this company is retained is the preservation of the Stores at this place and the other Magazines..." Title from docket.

GLC02437.03012

19 August 1783-6 September 1783

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Request for provisions]

Three parts. First part asks for an extension in providing provisions for a man as he is very unwell and still needs to take care of his family. Signed by Benjamin Walker. Noted as written at head quarters. Second part requests fifteen packets of rations for the soldier mentioned in the first part. Signed by John Lillie, dated 16 September 1783. Noted as written at West Point, New York and addressed to the commanding officer at Newburgh, New York. Third part is a note of receipt, signed with a mark by [Jane Clift] at Newburgh.

GLC02437.02398

February 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provisions drawn for Henry Knox]

Lists stores received from Mr. [Robert ]Forsyth during the month of February.

GLC02437.01964