7 November 1785

Mason, David, 1726-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to Knox in distress. Thanks him for the recommendation to Governor Bowdoin, but informs him that a Major [likely William] Perkins was appointed to a position instead of him. Declares he is now left destitute, especially since his leg was injured over the summer and he was unable to move around or work. Hopes Knox will continue in his kindness and help him find a position. Asks if Mr. Haggard might hire him to work with Mr. Hastings at the post office; declares he only has his wife and one daughter left at home to support, so any little bit helps. In a separate note at the bottom,…

GLC02437.03215

7 July 1797

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James McHenry

Writes a letter of recommendation. Date from docket.

GLC02437.07001

4 December 1797

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Discusses the defense of the coast and gives a recommendation for a former member of the artillery.

GLC02437.07059

26 July 1798

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Recommends an acquaintance who wants to be a lieutenant in the infantry to McHenry, the Secretary of War.

GLC02437.07160

16 December 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to the Secretary of War [Henry Dearborn]

Letter is not signed but appears to be in Knox's handwriting. Appears to be a letter of recognition for Pierre Charles L'Enfant. Writes to the Secretary of War [Henry Dearborn] verifying L'Enfant's services to Knox as an engineer from 1793 to 1794. Comments L'Enfant's plans for the security and defence of the Delaware were superior. Letter is possibly a draft.

GLC02437.07696

11 December 1804

McGaw, Jacob, 1778-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Second page measures 9.2 x 19.6 cm. McGaw, a prominent Maine attorney, writes that he was obliged to write Knox on behalf of the inhabitants of East Andover. Declares that they mentioned the lack of a civil magistrate in their town its vicinity. Adds that they have tried to petition the government for one, and that they wanted to have Dr. Ebenezer Poor, Jr., appointed. Explains the merits of Dr. Poor, as well as why the town could use a magistrate; asks Knox to help the inhabitants to get Dr. Poor appointed.

GLC02437.07900

14 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Writes that Major Villefrance, who will deliver the letter, hopes to receive a promotion. He has not been promoted since he joined the service in 1777. Writes that he has been very successful as Commanding Engineer and is highly talented. He hopes to secure a promotion in order to help him advance in the French service. Writes, "I am persuaded his claims of long service, unremitting attention to duty, and conspicuous talents will ensure the success of his request, unless it should be barred by some rigid principles independent of his professional character. I take the…

GLC02437.01744

4 March 1794

Longman, Thomas, 1731-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox Messrs. Wilhelm H. of Amsterdam will only be able to pay Knox a portion of the money owed. Vouches for his character and is "satisfied for the very respectable character of those Gentlemen, that utmost value has been obtained." Has enclosed his account books. Discusses property damage Knox suffered and possible compensation. Congratulates Knox on his acceptance of Mrs. Harwood's offer regarding a portion of the Waldo patent lands. Respectfully encourages Knox to pay him the balance due on his account.

GLC02437.06054

30 April 1795

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Le Fevre

Writes a letter of recommendation for Le Fevre on the goodness of his character. States that he was in Knox's employ for four years and is discharged at his own request.

GLC02437.06403

29 December 1795

Liancourt, François Alexandre Frédéric, duc de la Rochefoucauld, 1747-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Recommends a young man to Knox who is interested in engineering.

GLC02437.06584

8 July 1801

Legate, Thomas, fl. 1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Introduces Knox to a gentleman who would like to permanently reside on Knox's lands and who is also seeking employment. Describes the gentleman's character and his family.

GLC02437.07559

30 November 1802

Lincoln, Abner, 1763-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Introduces Knox to Isaiah Cushing. Notes Cushing is a young gentleman who wishes to settle in Thomaston as a physician. States, "Mr. Cushing is a young gentleman of talents & information & he merits the esteem & confidence of the informed, the wise & good." Requests Knox to make Cushing a kind offer.

GLC02437.07772

30 April 1785

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hopes that [Samuel Blachley] Webb will be appointed, referring to his previous suggestion that Knox appoint Webb to work for him in the War Office. Mentions the recent resignation of General Schuyler (possibly Philip Schuyler) from an unspecified post. Notes that he and a John Brown were nominated for the position, but Brown received the post. Criticizes Brown extensively.

GLC02437.03135

February 14, 1794

Vaughan, Samuel, fl. 1769-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter of introduction for Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, formerly the Bishop of Autun. Reports "He is driven from Europe by the Circumstances of the Times & I have no doubt will find in America the Asylum he seeks, & the respect due to his Talents & Merit."

GLC02437.06046

8 July 1802

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Introduces John Shoby to Knox. States Shoby was a soldier during the [Revolutionary] War and he would like 200 acres of land.

GLC02437.07739

22 July 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of original. Asks Knox for his opinion on the abilities and talents of Colonel Joseph Halberstam and John Houston. Says he may consider Houston for a seat as an Associate Judge on the Surpeme Court. Washington asks for Knox opinion of these two Georgia politicians less than one month after visiting Savanah and meeting with both men. Marked "Confidential." With note along left edge "Recd from late Henry Knox Thatcher Aug 8, 1855 by mail."

GLC02437.09317

7 June 1782

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his recent promotion. Informs him that he has "been again prevailed upon to accept the disagreeable task of procuring this Towns Quota of Recruits for the Continental Army," a task which is "all times disagreeable but more particularly so when through long continued scenes of villainy and practices most pernicious to the Community, it seemed to become habitual to do wrong." The town council has given the former Muster Master, a Colonel [Ezra] Badlam, a testimony of approbation, and Colonel Badlam will be sent to deliver the present letter and the testimony letter.…

GLC02437.01443

7 November 1782

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "This will be delivered to you by Mr. J. Byles who if I mistake not served his time previous to the war with Mr. John Simpkins." After this time, he suffered "many adverse fortunes which has induced him to enter the service of the united States as a private soldier and being to march for camp has requested of me a line to you. Not being acquainted with him I made inquiry concerning his conduct, before I ventured to give him a Letter and finding that he has really been unfortunate though having committed some imprudences, I have told him that he must not expect the attention he…

GLC02437.01703

20 October 1788

Tracy, John, fl. 1789-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Plans to visit Marietta, Ohio in the next few months. Asks Knox for letters of introduction to General Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, and other notables in the area. Docket notes that this letter was answered and letters were sent to St. Clair, General [Josiah] Harmar, and Major [Isaac] Craig.

GLC02437.04006

January 22, 1791

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his promotion as Secretary of War. Asks Knox for an appointment in the new Militia and for compensation for past military service. Makes the case for using the Artillery Company of Massachusetts, "which was incorporated in 1638 and possessing a Charter from the Government." Praises General Lincoln as the leader of the company and as someone who can recommend Waters.

GLC02437.04834

2 November 1785

Van Berckel, Franco Petrus, fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "In answer to Your Letter of this day I have the honour of informing You, that the person, who has applied to You, having served me for the time of about two Years, has been always remarkable for his good behaviour and sobriety, and can be equalled but by few in honesty and attention to his Master- I cannot therefore but recommend him to You, & have no doubt but he will give You entire Satisfaction." The name of the person to whom he is referring is not mentioned.

GLC02437.03211

4 June 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to [Pieter Johan] Van Berckel

Written to "P.J." Van Berckel, likely Pieter Johan Van Berckel. Replies to Van Berckel's letter from 9 May, in which he recommended Joseph Mandrillon for membership in the Society of the Cincinnati. Regrets that the Society's rules "did not permit to associate so worthy a character." Refer to GLC02437.03566 for Knox's letter to Mandrillon.

GLC02437.03568

29 May 1794

Van Gansbeek, Peter, fl. 1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Recommends Mr. Joseph R. Yates for a position as a captain.

GLC02437.06109

18 June 1789

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Would like to recommend Major Henry Warren (likely her son) for the position of Collector of Customs for Plymouth and Duxborough, and mentions that he had worked with General Benjamin Lincoln. Hopes Knox might be able to use his influence with President [George] Washington to help him receive an appointment. Also ruminates on the nature of the new presidency (referring to George Washington) and the new government in the United States. "But I can contemplate perhaps with equal pleasure beneath my own private roof the felicity this people may enjoy under the administration of a Man made by…

GLC02437.04245

February 6, 1790

Warren, Winslow, fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to repeat a past request. States that "there will shortly be an augmentation of the Troops in the United States sirvice [sic], of my inclination for a military life continuing, I must beg you to interest yourself in my favour - " Hopes Knox will recommend him for the position of captain.

GLC02437.04499