29 July 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to a letter in which Knox described a meeting between George Washington and an adjutant general from the British army seeking to deliver a letter and negotiate a truce (the story was written to Lucy in GLC02437.00385). Claims that the information about the conference had not been known to anyone else in Boston. Seeks Knox's permission to have the account printed. Mentions that the Continental troops have left Boston triggering the creation of a new militia. Comments on preparatory activities of Colonel Craft's regiment. Discusses a privateer's seizure of a ship bound for New…

GLC02437.00400

28 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the recent American victory in Charleston, South Carolina, and praises the patriotism and dedication of those in the southern campaign. Notes Captain Skimmer (possibly a privateer) seized a large ship and brought it to Marblehead, Massachusetts, and captured Benjamin Davis, a sandemanian preacher who was on board. Reports supplies on board. Davis and the other prisoners were brought to Boston, where the guards had to prevent the people from attacking him. Recounts what he recently wrote to Lucy Knox about her family and the establishment of a Court of Inquiry to try Tories (see…

GLC02437.00397

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

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

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

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

15 September 1795

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends Knox a number of items including pitch, tar, cider, and others. Describes unrest in the city where there has been a mob patrolling the streets.

GLC02437.06524

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

1862

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript

Title: Captain's letter book. Reports, letters and orders, U.S. practice ship John Adams.

The John Adams was a training ship for midshipmen at the Naval Academy. As such, the daily orders have many references to extra duties and "watch" dealt out as punishment for minor ("smoking", "for not having hammocks up in time") and more serious ("throwing salt cellar at sevt", "kicking a servant") offenses. The John Adams returned to New York in January 1862 after operations in the Pacific and Far East. She was then sent to Newport, Rhode Island, the wartime location of the Naval Academy, to serve as a training ship midshipmen. In mid-1863, she joined the South Atlantic Blockading…

GLC05911.03

01 March 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's regiment got into a brawl with soldiers and officers of the 46th Ohio Regiment after some of them had been drinking. No shots were fired, however, and Churchill expresses relief at this: "[I]t would have be a affle [awful] thing if we should of fired for we should have killed a greait [great] menny [many] of them and they of us."

GLC03859.15

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

January 16, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Marked "copy" on the docket Details General [Benjamin] Lincoln's deployment with 4,000 men to deal with Shays and his supporters. Writes that Lincoln will begin at Worcester, trying to protect the Court, and then make several more stops around the state. If the insurgents do not "choose to oppose him in his parties," he will proceed to search for them individually. Is pleased to hear that both he and Robert Morris have been chosen to attend the Philadelphia convention: "I ardently wish for many reasons that the…

GLC02437.03417

January 25, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Later copy. Writes to update Morris on the status of the fight against the Massachusetts insurgents. First, mentions that Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth is unavoidably detained for a few days. Then, outlines the actions of Generals [William] Shepard and [Benjamin] Lincoln in Massachusetts, mentioning that Lincoln is planning to take his troops to Hampshire next.

GLC02437.03424

January 28, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a brief report on the status of Shays and his troops. Refers Knox to several letters he has enclosed, in order to get a fuller picture of the story. However, as he has very little time, writes that he must wait till the next opportunity to say more.

GLC02437.03426

February 5, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes in full, "As I have not had time to write to you fully on the subject of our movements & the state of matters in this part of the country I have caused copies to be made out of such papers as will give you the best information on these points. I wish you would let Mr. [likely Rufus] King & our other delegates see them." "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03444

February 22, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox to read and send a document (not included) to the governor concerning the mood of the people. Writes that "His people, as I am informed, are getting mad, [Ours] have been so for some time since the rage is abating."

GLC02437.03463

1-3 March 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the convention (referring to the upcoming Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia) and his views of the people's ideas of changes Congress would bring about. "I have not the most distant idea that the people would adopt any recommendations of Congress in which the inlargement of their powers are included; they would immediately become jealous of them that the few were attempting to influence the many: sentiments like these would be thrown out .. " In relation to Shays' Rebellion, describes skirmishes with the rebels in Stockbridge and Barrington, Massachusetts. He has heard that…

GLC02437.03476