13 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Has received Wadsworth's last letter, and so has the Board of Treasury. Hopes he will not delay coming; everything rests on him, as everything stops until he and Mr. [Robert] Morris sign the papers (they are preparing a loan to Congress). Writes, "For Gods sake do not delay a single moment longer than is indispensably necessary." Discusses the Shays insurgents and mentions that he does not believe they will recede. Will write via Mr. [Rufus] King if he hears any more news. Also mentions several people who have been recently elected from Maryland to the national Congress.

GLC02437.03376

30 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Discusses how best to handle Shays and his supporters. Writes, "I will venture to predict that the insurgents must find security in Arms or they must fly the Country I found this opinion on the moral impossibility, of the existence of government with the spirit manifested by the insurgents - One or the other must give place - The insurgents are not the most numerous and therefore they will not have recourse to that expedients. - But they may think they shall advance themselves by arms, and having thrown down the gauntlet the government will take it up." Encourages Wadsworth to come visit,…

GLC02437.03395

10 February 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has had two conferences with Mr. [Robert] Morris, and writes that Morris is discouraged with the status of public affairs. Had understood that the "monied men" of Massachusetts would be providing funding as well, but they have not. New York has approved regulations limiting the amount that state will contribute, and Pennsylvania has contributed some money but must allocate much of it to its "own pension list." Maryland is having difficulties, as well. Declares that he and Mr. Morris both feel that "every thing wears a gloomy & unpromising aspect." Also comments on guarding the stores…

GLC02437.03448

January 28, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Informs he has persuaded the board of treasury to give orders on Mr. Imlay for $3000, which Knox encloses in another public letter of this same date. States that if Wadsworth could negotiate $1000 more, he will try to get the board to give that sum solely to be applied to the subsistence of the officers and the pay of the men of Colonel [David] Humphreys corps. The money being paid to Wadsworth was related to raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion. Writes that Congress will probably discuss the troops soon, "it is most likely they must be reduced however keep this entirely a…

GLC02437.03475

25 March 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States that a Mr. Welles, a subaltern officer, asked about clothing and pay and he is waiting on a warrant to give him an answer. Shoes and shirts are needed and are being made, but again, he needs a warrant to get them delivered. Has heard through General Benjamin Tupper that Colonel Phelps is in favor of the insurgents, referring to the armed uprising of Shays' rebellion. Wants Tupper to sign a statement of facts. Believes a few months time will show the necessity of having the stores guarded. Though the rebels were dispersed in January 1787 and many arrested, Wadsworth worries of another…

GLC02437.03500

28 March 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his unhappiness over not yet receiving the warrants he needs to pay the balance for rations at Springfield, Massachusetts. These warrants were likely related to raising troops to quell Shays' Rebellion. Wadsworth writes, "the troops may perhaps disband for want of food." Mentions more instances of insurgency in the state, including an incident in which Sergeant Hill and eleven recruits were beaten by some men that "spoke favorably of Shays." They were sent to prison but all escaped except Sergeant Hill and two recruits. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03504

31 March 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph document signed

Title: Receipts for warrants to the amount of 3000 dollars

Two (duplicate) notes of receipt of three warrants for $1000 each on William Imlay from Major General Henry Knox for Continental taxes for the state of Connecticut. Warrants numbered 115, 116, and 117. These warrants were related to raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion. Title from docket.

GLC02437.03505

1 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's letters enclosing warrants for $3000 (possibly GLC02437.03475) and encloses receipts (see GLC02437.03505). Mentions that the troops need clothing and that Colonel [David] Humphreys ordered some to be made. But if the troops are to be reduced, he will stop the clothing order. Fears that if the soldiers are discharged without pay, they may join the Shays' rebellion insurgents. Discusses other warrants and how the money would be allocated. Mentions that he wants to send Knox some salmon but that he has not been able to catch enough due to the weather. "Free" handwritten on…

GLC02437.03509

15 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the allocation of money from the Treasury warrants. Believes the troops "at all hazards" need to be paid. Wants the next warrant to be used to pay the officers or "they...will consider themselves as greatly injured & will give weight to the opposers of a Federal Government ... " Expresses anxiety about the possibility of rebellion if the men are not paid, "this state I am persuaded never was so ripe for rebellion as at present the friends to Chaise [Shays] & his party are increasing & growing bolder every day - they have in general carreid their Elections throughout the…

GLC02437.03522

5 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Notice of payment sent to Jeremiah Wadsworth]

Knox's warrant to Wadsworth to pay $3000 to Captain Joseph Wilcox "paymaster to the quota of troops raised by the state of Connecticut agreeably to the resolve of Congress of the 20th of October 1786...being the amount of an order of the board of Treasury on William Imlay Esqr. receiver of continental taxes for the state of Connecticut..." The troops were raised to quell Shays's Rebellion. Noted as written at the War Office.

GLC02437.03543

23 September 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that they have not been able to obtain a cow yet that will produce enough milk for the whole winter but hopes to soon. Says when they do purchase a cow she will need to be driven in a herd of cattle as opposed to being sent by water. Notes that a strong political party is forming against the convention (the Constitutional Convention, which had finalized drafting the Constitution four days earlier) and Wadsworth fears the new government may not be formed. Notes "if the Massachusetts rebellion had continued we might hope their is many of our Leading Men who dread the lessening…

GLC02437.03667

February 17, 1787

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Broadside

Title: A Proclamation: [amnesty offer to Shays's rebels]

Offers pardons to Massachusetts citizens who participated in Shay's Rebellion (1786-1787). Document includes a printed seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Printed by Adams and Nourse. Noted in Ford no. 2474.

GLC00518

February 6, 1788

Paterson, John, 1744-1808

Document signed

Title: [Certification for rations]

Written by Major General Paterson to certify that Ira Sayman has furnished 140 rations. This was enough for ten days for one lieutenant and 12 men who were guarding prisoners in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Note on verso, signed by Caleb Hick, says the rations were received.

GLC02497.13

February 17, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the disbanding and scattering of the members of Shays' force, and explains that they are in pursuit of Shays, but "with little hope however of overtaking him." Describes how he chose to rearrange the troops in Hampshire and Worcester and the tasks given to many of the troops. Comments on how the government might now promote the best interests of the people. Marked "private" in Lincoln's hand. Signature clipped.

GLC02437.03456

February 17, 1788

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hopes to be able to inform Knox by the next post that New Hampshire ratified the Federal Constitution "as every account from that quarter gives encouragement to that effect." Of Massachusetts' ratification, writes, "...the Federalists in this State increase daily and there is every reason to think that the people at large (except the Insurgent Interest) are fully satisfied with the Ratification, however some persons may say to the contrary." Comments on [James] Swan's debt and asks about his copper contract with the Treasury. Notes that his appointment to Federal regiments has almost…

GLC02437.03800

December 13, 1786

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Document signed

Title: [Appointment for Simon Elliot as captain]

Appoints Elliot as an Adjutant in the militia with the rank of captain under the command of General Benjamin Lincoln. This militia was being raised to put down Shay's rebellion. At the time it was actually an illegitimate militia put together by the upper classes in Massachusetts to put down the rebellion, but it later became legitimate. Also signed by James Austin as "Secretary." Massachusetts state seal is attached by a ribbon.

GLC01450.448.03

7 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Orders Captain Bryant to immediately send him "a return of every article taken by General Shepard [from the armory in Springfield, Massachusetts]...noting particularly the state they were in at the time they were taken, and at the time they were returned." Indicates he expects Captain Bryant to improve his "accuracy and attention." General William Shepard, commander of the troops at Springfield, protected the Armory from participants in Shays' Rebellion in January 1787. The following month he helped capture the rebels. Written from the War Office.

GLC03432.010

October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Notes]

Docketed as "some minutes respecting the terms of the proposed loan to the U.S - for [illegible] the troops to be raised by virtues of the resolve of Congress of the 20th October 1786." The loan is for $500,000. (The troops were being raised to quell Shays's Rebellion.)

GLC02437.08214

June 1786

Stebbins, Gideon, 1739-1829

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Pay roll for Captain Stebbins militia company for service suppressing Shay's Rebellion]

Lists the men and indicates that they helped suppress "the Mob at Northampton."

GLC01412.10.02

September 1786

Stebbins, Gideon, 1739-1829

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Pay roll for Captain Stebbins militia company for service suppressing Shay's Rebellion]

Lists the men and indicates that they served under General William Shepard "in defense of the Supreem Judicial Coart at Springfield."

GLC01412.10.03

25 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt for two warrants]

Receipt of two warrants from Henry Knox numbered 135 and 136 draw by the Board of Treasury respecting continental taxes for the state of Connecticut. Warrant No. 135 is related to the resolve of Congress dated 20 October 1786, concerning raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion.

GLC02437.03534

25 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt of two warrants]

Duplicate copy of GLC02437.03534. Receipt of two warrants from Henry Knox numbered 135 and 136 draw by the Board of Treasury respecting continental taxes for the state of Connecticut. Warrant No. 135 is related to the resolve of Congress dated 20 October 1786, concerning raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion.

GLC02437.03535

2 December 1786

Freeman, Constant, 1757-1824

Manuscript document

Title: [Excerpt from a letter regarding military appointments]

The author writes, "That you are not yet appointed need not surprise you when you have read this- I came here fully of opinion that I should have the second [Company] of [Artillery]; that you and all the other officers recommended by General Knox would be commissioned, but what a reverse! for some reason which I have not been able to learn, the company which I expected was given to Cap. [Henry] Burbeck, and as they could not decently pass by me the Governor has given me a Company of Infantry 'tho I am disappointed, still I had rather have the [Company] of Infantry as far as respects rank, for…

GLC02437.03361

3 December 1786

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Manuscript letter

Title: to Robert Morris

Discusses the contract recently sent by the Board of Treasury to him and to Morris regarding a loan they are planning to give to Congress. Will come to New York to finish signing paperwork with Morris. Writes, "I am very far from wishing to engage in any public business nor have I funds that I can readily apply to the purpose of a Contract but with those offered us & your extensive Credit & influence - I will not refuse to undertake, if it is perfectly agreeable to you." Secretarially written and signed for Wadsworth.

GLC02437.03365

1786-1787

Manuscript document

Title: [Supplies given to Colonel David Humphreys's regiment]

Date added later in pencil. Lists supplies provided to Colonel David Humphreys, such as hospital stores, rations, wood and clothing. Addressed to General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.03401