January 22, 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses the deficiency of supplies in the ordnance. Comments on the amount of horses necessary for the wagons in the field. Also discusses the supplies necessary for the ordnance, including cannon, howitzers, and ammunition, and the amount of artificers at Springfield who could help build and repair these supplies.

GLC02437.01337

29 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Lists several items needed by the artificers at Burlington [New Jersey], including one ton of iron, the dimensions of which to be given by Captain [Thomas] Patten to Mr. [Samuel] Hodgdon, "iron to cover the ammunition waggons and tumbrills," and "8 blacksmiths with their tools, to be hired for one month to go to Burlington."

GLC02437.01398

30 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to General Lincoln, the Secretary at War, to inform him of the recent acquisition of ordnance from the enemy, obtained with the help of France. Explains that the articles obtained are in bad repair but are in high demand, so recommends a Mr. Byers, "who is at present under engagements" to the United States, to be employed to make as many mortars and howitzers as necessary from the materials. Knox will submit an estimate as to how many they might need.

GLC02437.01399

13 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Marked "copy." Writes, "The bearer of this is a Mr. [Burnet] who is connected with some person who contracted in 1779 for [Cartridge] boxes. I do not remember exactly the circumstances, but generally that Mr. Ruddock was directed by the board of War in the first instance to make the contract & that specimens were approved by me."

GLC02437.01485

6 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office." In response to Knox's letter of 31 July (see GLC02437.01510), advises Knox to settle the matter of which shells and shots each metalworker in their employ, Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch and a Mr. Whiting, should cast. Writes, "All the cartridge boxes made have been sent on the last contract has not been paid, we cannot obtain another without money I do not know when Mr. Morris can supply it, I will not forget to urge him." Finally, agrees with Knox that they should use armourers for repairing and rebuilding arms, but he "cannot engage people to work without some…

GLC02437.01517

23 July 1783

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 15 July, which referred to a plan for an arsenal [at West Point?]. Reports that as the official peace treaty has now arrived, they may not have the help of "the three years men in building the magazines." Says they should hire common laborers, as it will be cheaper than keeping those troops in the army. Says he will be able to give more information in a few days when Congress makes a decision on the magazines. Expresses that Knox's plan for the arsenal was "elegant," but does not expect an arsenal based…

GLC02437.02319

6 November 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Anne-César] Chevalier de la Luzerne

Informs the Chevalier that "two pieces of cannon, and their carriages" will be arriving to be presented to the Count de Grasse at the direction of Congress "for the important services he rendered to the United States." Notes that the artist who engraved the emblems and inscriptions took longer than expected to finish. Says he addresses them to Luzerne "in case of the departure of his Excellency general Washington and the Secretary at War from Princeton." Contains some water damage along the left side. Watermarked with three fleur-de-lis inside a crest.

GLC02437.10180

2 November 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Jackson

Unsigned, but content and docket suggest the author is Henry Knox. Written from Montpelier, Knox's home in Thomaston, Maine. Received his last letter as well as the money enclosed. Discusses his future financial prospects. Thanks Jackson for his offer to help Knox pay off any and all of his debts. Believes he will be able to have financial security in his old age. Discusses shipping and trade interests in Europe and India, relating to his attempts to sell lumber abroad. Mentions that he owes money to his carpenter, Mr. [Ebenezer] Dunton.

GLC02437.06859

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

28 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the War Office. Mentions that he received Knox's letter of the 19th regarding the French shells and Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, and asked Mr. Faesch whether he would cast the French shells under his present contract. Mr. Faesch said a new contract would be necessary, so he wrote to Mr. [Robert] Morris to ask for more money, who replied that that he has "no hopes of receiving the necessary sums required by Mr. Faesch." However, since the "repairs of the arms are of too much importance to be omitted if possible to effect them," he wonders about the "propriety of sending on some…

GLC02437.01546

14 June 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. Says he will probably go to Virginia on public business in a few days. Says he was so impressed with Captain "Lilly" (Jonathan Lillie, Knox's aide-de-camp) on his trip from West Point, New York to Philadelphia, that he has asked Lilly to join him on the trip south. Notes he would not normally do this without asking for Knox's permission, "but you will, I know, forgive it, as Captn Lilly's happiness is concerned in the measure as well as mine." Informs Knox he wrote to Colonel Stevens about the buildings in Virginia and requested him…

GLC02437.02161

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

26 June 1789

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Provides Knox with an update on the lands he is managing for him on the Waldo patent. Has fenced in a farm because the "Cattle & Sheep are very troublesome." Discusses livestock, particularly the profitability of cattle. Comments on the construction of buildings and roads. Asks Knox whether mechanics and other "usefull persons" should be given housing lots in return for settling the area.

GLC02437.04258

8 November 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Vose

An extensive summary of details concerning the Waldo Patent. Includes financial information, instructions on selling the land to settlers, and instructions on the administration of the land.

GLC02437.04774

18 October 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Vose

References Vose's letters of 19 September and 4 October. Discusses issues surrounding the building of houses on his Maine lands. Tells Vose he will not build the small house, but wants to push the builders to finish the large one (the future Montpelier) by next season. Gives advice on work that can be done during the winter to speed up the process. Goes into the look and placement of the house with Vose and mentions it should not be near "the burial ground." Says he cannot go to St. Georges, Maine and trusts Vose and Mr. [David] Fales with selecting the best placement. Mentions planting…

GLC02437.05945

January 30, 1797

Way, George, fl. 1794-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his hope that Knox and his wife like the coach that he made and sent them. Continues to describe its features.

GLC02437.06908

22 August 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to unknown [incomplete]

Discusses the layout of his house. Comments that he "do[es] not think it too large - it has only [three ?] rooms on a floor. I want a comfortable house." States that Mrs. Lucy Knox wants a bigger house. Lists corrections for building. Mentions that he wants the roof to be pitched at a certain level and to let Thomas Vose know about the alterations. Second page is cut off on the right side. Watermarked "Watt & C Patent Copying/Sold By J Woodmason/ London." Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10276

29 October 1782

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Head Quarters. Writes that the Commander in Chief [General George Washington] would like to inform Knox that "immediately on the arrival of the troops at their places of Cantonment much uneasiness arose as hearing their artificers" were not about to join them. They feel that "hutting" cannot commence until "they get their carpenters to direct the work." Therefore General Washington wishes that "neither they nor the Masons; may be detained one moment after the time agreed on" and that if any of them "as can possibly be spared may be sent even before that time."

GLC02437.01685

15 March 1790

Warner, Jonathan, fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for help in obtaining a position in shipbuilding. Refers to Knox's friendship with [Samuel] Shaw, who frequently travels by ship in his capacity as a trader. Asks that Knox recommend him to anyone who may need a shipbuilder in "York."

GLC02437.04552

28 March 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Warner

Writes to Warner stating that he will be happy to help him obtain a position as a ship builder in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (see GLC02437.04552).

GLC02437.04561

6 July 1776-27 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Memorandum of cash paid]

Cash paid for board as well as tailoring and cloth.

GLC02437.08388

January 23, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Acknowledgment of receipt of gift]

Henry Knox writes about himself in the third person. Although he already has a set of the Federalist, he gratefully accepts a set given as a gift by Mr. William [illegible, but possibly Lennox], who has created a "beautiful specimen of the great advancement he has made in noble art of printing, and in the business of book binding."

GLC02437.04095

10 September 1789

Lane, Matthew, fl. 1789

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt]

Receipt for various items directed to Matthew Lane from Henry Knox. Items include payment for masonry work, bricks, lime and other related materials.

GLC02437.08628

28 October 1784

Wheaton, Mason, fl. 1784-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his interest in "burning lime," or lime manufacture for use in masonry. Comments on "lime kilem," possibly lime kiln, in the area. Recommends a cooper, Mr. Marse, who "will make a thousand hogsheads yearly."

GLC02437.03063

circa 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Memoranda of payments]

Notes payments to various individuals, including $30 to Joseph Peirce. This appears to be for payments connected to the building of his house in Maine as two payments are for a bricklayer and a gardener. The total payout was $205. Not dated. Date inferred from other documents concerning the building of Knox's house in Maine.

GLC02437.08365