12 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Written by Major General Knox to General McDougall. Says he wrote a letter to McDougall on 3 March. Says the officers were quiet at that point, but that their impatience and unhappiness is coming to a crescendo now. Makes a reference to the first Newburgh Address, which had been making the rounds among the officers. Reports that it asked for a meeting of general and field officers. Says that "The Commander in chief has requested the meeting to be postponed untill next Saturday." Says he does not know the influence of the letters on the officers as the ice in the Hudson has kept him from…

GLC02437.01999

16 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Written by Major General Knox to General McDougall, who was part of a committee sent to Congress by the army to lobby for half-pay pensions. Says he previously wrote "of the ferment which was raised in the minds of the officers by some anonymous pieces circulated through camp." Says that the meeting called for in the circular was held yesterday and that he will get a report on it from General Gates. Asks him to continue his mission in Philadelphia. Thinks the sentiments of the army "will do them honor."

GLC02437.02008

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

16 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy of GLC02437.02009. References his letter from "a few days past." Says that letter mentioned a meeting of officers called for by a paper circulating around camp. Says "The meeting was had yesterday, and the General will forward the proceedings to Congress - which will, I am certain make you perfectly happy." Says the meeting went well and that it "will set the military character of America in a high point of view." Says that if the people have any gratitude in them they will now support the army. Wants to have the proceedings published immediately to affect public opinion on the…

GLC02437.02007

3 December 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 25 November. Says he has suffered anxiety over his long silence and lack of acknowledgement of his letters. Says he told Congress in strong terms of the distress the army suffered for want of pay. Says he told Congress that the information came from the best sources and was not simply grumbling. Says he told Congress that many troops still need pay dating back to 1 January and that some states have helped, but others have not. Reported to the legislature that this caused "uneasiness" among the troops. Also…

GLC02437.01729

February 27, 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General McDougall under the alias "Brutus" to Major General Knox, lamenting Congress's refusal to pay the army and fund pensions for the officers. Says the motion was declined by Congress "for fear the States would consider it a design in Congress to Establish a Force to awe the States. What conduct will be taken towards the Army on a pace is now very uncertain." Says Congress is fearful that the army might take justice into its own hands. Reports "I should not be surprised if an attempt is soon made to split the Army into detachments to prevent their being formidable." Believes…

GLC02437.01959

February 7, 1783

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Morris as the Assistant Superintendent of Finance to Major General Knox. Wants to give him an update on affairs. Says "It has given me much Pain to see the army looking wildly for a Redress of Grievances" -- a reference to the half-pay pensions the officers desired. Says that "During the War they find you useful and after a Peace they will wish to get rid of you And they will see you starve rather than pay a six Penny Tax.." Says experience has made him take this point of view. Predicts that "the best Legislature on the Continent will do Things which the worst man among them would…

GLC02437.01897

16 November 1782

Greaton, John, 1741-1783

Manuscript document

Title: [Vote and proceedings at Newburgh regarding the grievances of the Massachusetts Line]

Marked "copy" and signed by the transcriber, Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "The grievances of the Massachusetts Line having involved them to desire a general conference, to consult and determine on the measures to be pursued for obtaining redress in a proper way - the several regiments composing that Line, together with such of the Hospital Department as belong to the State," chose three officers from each regiment (except for the 2nd Regiment; however, for their response, see GLC02437.01718), as well as three from the Light Infantry, one from the Hospital, and two from the…

GLC02437.01714

circa 8 December 1782

Van Cortlandt, Philip, 1749-1831

Autograph document signed

Title: [Report of committee altering petition to Congress]

Report of committee work to alter a petition being sent to Congress in relation to half-pay pensions for officers. The first committee meeting took place on 5 December 1782 at Horton's Tavern. The committee of 3 was made up of General McDougall and Colonels Ogden and Brooks. They offered 3 changes to the petition. A General Committee meeting was held 7-8 December 1782, also at Horton's Tavern, with Major General Knox presiding as chairman. The final copy was signed then. The document was signed "P. Cortlandt," which seems to the signature of Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt, but it might be…

GLC02437.01731

20 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

There is a small note at the top which says "(Copied from the Original) K's rough draft being faded out in parts." Knox writes that he is sorry General Lincoln seems so upset with him for not replying to his letters and emphasizes how much he prizes his friendship with Lincoln. Declares that he received two letters from Lincoln that did not seem to require a reply. Adds that right at the time that he received them, death "had with a strong and an unrelenting hand seized up the youngest of my little flock. My utmost attention and philosophy were necessarily exerted to calm the agitated…

GLC02437.01754

circa 11 March 1783

Putnam, Rufus, 1738-1824

Manuscript letter

Title: [Rufus Putnam's examination "of certain anonymous letters" leading to officers' discontent]

Pertains to the Newburgh Petition and Conspiracy. General Putnam writes an open letter "to the Officers in the Army" expressing reservations about officers' plan to obtain back pay and other concessions from Congress. Urges them not to threaten or wage "War against the community" or Congress. Instructs the officers not to persuade Congress by negative means, noting "...having once made a Separation between the Civil and Military power, between Congress & her Army, you have then passed the Rubicon." Argues that the men will have to remain in the field until all debts are discharged, if…

GLC02437.10105

February 21, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Discusses affairs concerning the military and Congress with General McDougall. Declares, "We are in an unhappy predicament indeed not to know who are responsible [to us] for a settlement of accounts posterity will hardly belive that an army shall continue incessantly for eight years [struck: to establish themselves] under a constant pressure of misery to establish the liberty of their country, without knowing who are to compensate them, or whether they were ever to receive any reward for their services." Calls for a more efficient system of government, and wishes to know who will address the…

GLC02437.10097

3 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Copied 15 December 1853, in Boston, Massachusetts. Marked as "private." Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to Lincoln, Secretary of War, apparently regarding the settlement of the Newburgh Conspiracy. Knox remarks, "I most earnestly conjure you to urge, that every thing respecting the Army be decided upon before peace takes place. That events must be certain, therefore no time ought to be lost. The Army are anxiously waiting the result of General [Alexander] McDougalls mission... if they should be disbanded previous to a settlement, without knowing who to look to, for an…

GLC02437.10101

30 July 1781

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

McDougall signs as "Brutus," a pseudonym often attributed to him related to his involvement in the Newburgh Conspiracy. Writes a cryptic and critical letter, questioning plans made for the Continental army and the authority of Congress. Expresses eagerness to "reduce New York," but admits that the Continental force is too weak to undertake such a venture. Complains that his garrison is "every sixth day without meat." Refers to the "Duke of Roxbury" (McDougall's nickname for William Heath) and "Ignatius Loyola," (evidently, from context, a reference to Benjamin Lincoln). Mentions the new…

GLC02437.01101

12 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy of GLC02437.02000. References the impatience of the officers on Congress's indecisiveness over half-pay. Mentions the Newburgh Address and the call for officers to meet. Washington asked for a postponement of that meeting until next Saturday.

GLC02437.02001

16 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Benjamin Lincoln. References his letter from "a few days past." Says that the letter mentioned a meeting of officers called for by a paper circulating around camp. Says "The meeting was had yesterday, and the General will forward the proceedings to Congress - which will, I am certain make you perfectly happy." Says the meeting went well and that it "will set the military character of America in a high point of view." Says that if the people have any gratitude in them they will now support the army. Wants to have the proceedings published immediately to affect…

GLC02437.02009

3 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses anxiety within the Army and a mission of General Alexander McDougall, possibly in connection to a petition of Congress for payment for the enlisted men. States that " ... if they [the army] should be disbanded previous to a settlement, without knowing who to look to for an adjustment of accounts & responsibility of payment, they will be so deeply stung by the injustice & ingratitude of their country as to be become its tygers [sic] & wolves."

GLC02437.01974

1783/03 ca.

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript

Title: Address to officers with General orders 3/11/1783 & Newburgh address

A contemporary transcript written by an unknown soldier on the leaves of a stitched pamphlet. Contains the anonymous "Address to the Officers of the Army" calling the army's general officers to a meeting (a mutinous situation) (pp. 1-12), Washington's orders of 11 March 1783 calling officers to a meeting of his own (15-24; including Washington's letter to the president of Congress after the meeting), the officer's meeting on 15 March, with Washington's address (25-41), and concluding with the officers' resolves (41-47). Another manuscript relating to the incidents at Newburgh is in the Henry…

GLC02624

1783 ca.

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: His excellency General Washington's last legacy

A printing in four columns containing Washington's "Circular letter" from Newburgh regarding his resignation as commander-in-chief and discusses the establishment of a stronger government for the United States. Washington wanted a stronger Congress and the ability to raise revenue, amongst other powers. A Rhode Island printing of the famous letter. Tight margins. Also took place in Providence, Rhode Island

GLC06561

February 8, 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Contemporary copy. Report of the Committee of the Army at Philadelphia. Discusses issues of commutation of half pay in the army and mentions how various states voted on this matter.

GLC02437.10515