3 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Bryant

In a secretarial hand and unsigned, but author is likely Henry Knox. Letter is probably a reply to GLC02437.04255, from Bryant to Knox. Writes that he would be happy to advance Bryant's brother-in-law Mr. Mason the sum Bryant requested, but he thinks it will not be necessary, as "such provision has been recently made for him as will relieve his present necessities."

GLC02437.04269

4 July 1789

Manuscript document

Title: [Minutes for the Society of the Cincinnati meeting of 4 July 1789]

Docket suggests that this copy of the minutes was created by a Thomas Jainson on 25 January 1836. Minutes for an annual meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati held 4 July 1789 at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston, Massachusetts. Topics discussed include financial relief for a Society member, David Mason, Jr. (see GLC02437.04255 and .04269), and reports from the Standing Committee. Also includes motions that passed at the meeting.

GLC02437.04270

13 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Explains an issue with Major Pierre L'Enfant and the Society of Cincinnati. Major L'Enfant was sent to France to present Eagles to the French members of the society, at the society's expense. Was granted a sum of money for the purpose, but in his zeal to serve the society, he had more than 100 extra Eagles cast by the artist there, Mr. Francastle (goldsmith Nicolas-Jean Francastel). When he returned to America, he found that the society could not reimburse the extra expense, and the Eagles were not selling. The debt could ruin the Major, and Knox is concerned for him, as well as for the…

GLC02437.03273

November 14, 1786

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Extract of a letter in the hand of Tobias Lear, secretary to George Washington. Explains that he proof-read entries from the "Encyclopedie Methodique" on the "Etats unis" and the "Cincinnati," and gave corrections to the author. Also gave the article on the Cincinnati to Colonel [David] Humphreys and the Marquis de Lafayette to get their corrections, and encloses it for General Washington to read. Discusses the Society of the Cincinnati: "I have never heard a person in Europe, learned, or unlearned, express his thoughts upon this institution, who did not consider it as dishonorable &…

GLC02437.03338

13 September 1786

Broglio, Francois, comte de, fl. 1786-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox [in French]

Written from "Quartier Dauphin." According to the docket, written from Saint Domingue to recommend the Baron de la Valletiere for membership in the Society of the Cincinnati.

GLC02437.03299

May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Payments made to the Society of the Cincinnati]

Lists payments made to the Society of the Cincinnati by the state societies "in consequence of the requisition of the General meeting" in May 1787. Includes an additional docket dated in 1791 listing individuals to whom "an eagle" was sold (a reference to the Society of the Cincinnati medal).

GLC02437.03560

25 July 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Francois, Comte de Broglio

Addresses the application de Broglio sent on behalf of his friend, the Baron de Valletiere, for Valletiere's membership into the Society of the Cincinnati. Informs de Broglio that the decision for membership will not be decided until the next general meeting which will take place the following year.

GLC02437.03617

25 July 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to François Claude Amour, Marquis de Bouillé

Discusses the Marquis' acceptance as a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. Also reports that he has transmitted the news to the Count D'Estaing, already a senior officer in the Society.

GLC02437.03618

2 November 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Society of the Cincinnati

A circular letter to the state societies requesting payment for the balance due to Major L'Enfant (fo Society eagle medals). Spaces for an individual state's name are left blank.

GLC02437.03693

3 July 1784

Estaing, Charles Henri, comte d', 1729-1794

Manuscript document

Title: Ideas upon the association of the Cincinnati

Written in Knox's hand. Docketed 13 July 1784. Contains reforms and resolutions in response to public reaction against the Society of the Cincinnati.

GLC02437.03027

26 July 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Responds to a 2 June 1784 letter from Washington. Discusses a recent Congressional order requiring Frederick Haldimand, Governor of the Province of Quebec, to give the United States information as to when British troops will completely evacuate Western forts, and how cannon and stores from the forts can be exchanged. Knox is incensed, writing "I cannot say but that I am well satisfied to be excluded from any responsibility in arrangements that cannot be executed. The attempt to employ militia for twelve months in an arduous operation of conveying the stores and making permanent…

GLC02437.03031

2 July 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francois Marie, comte de Aboville

Reflects on his friendship with Aboville and relations between France and America: "... I wish those connections may be strongly cemented and that the two nations may remain in a perpetual alliance strengthened by all possible good offices." Discusses how public opinion has forced alterations in the Society of the Cincinnati. Introduces and recommends Mr. Tracy, the bearer of this letter. Knox addresses Aboville as "General."

GLC02437.03024

June 27, 1785

Chastellux, François Jean, marquis de, 1734-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Chastellux (signed Chastelleaux) requests that Knox admit a French doctor who served in the Revolutionary War to the Society of the Cincinnati. Writes, "... you remember very well dear general, that after the siege of york you left behind a great number of sicks and that an american hospital was settled at Williamsburg... no american physician attended there, and doctor coste only took care of those soldiers, for the whole winter." Notes that the Marquis de Lafayette supports Coste's acceptance into the Society. Also mentions that Coste saved Chastellux's life.

GLC02437.03160

27 September 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Francois Jean, marquis de Chastellux

Writes to Chastellux on a variety of topics. Explains the concept of the Society of the Cincinnati, assuring him that the Society is "harmless in its intention, and having only for its real object, the perpetuation of friendship, and recollection of past urgencies." Describes a past meeting, in Philadelphia, and declares that the Society will not meet again until 1797. Also discusses their political intelligence regarding England, and the prospects for trade and commerce with Europe after the war.

GLC02437.03203

25 December 1785

Brooks, John, 1752-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

John Brooks, a member of the Massachusetts General Court, writes to Knox on a wide variety of political subjects. Discusses the Society of the Cincinnati, land grants to common people, redress of grievances of the public, and the passage of a treason act. Also reports the opinion of their mutual friend Putnam [perhaps General Rufus Putnam] on these subjects. Lastly, he and his wife send their regards to Mrs. Lucy Knox. A small piece of the page was torn away but has been retained with the document.

GLC02437.03227

3 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Major General Knox reports that he withdrew from New York on or around 18 December 1783, according to the wishes of Governor George Clinton. Informs Washington he has discharged all troops except those who he lists in an enclosed return (not included). Asks Washington to keep this letter private. Reports on the state of officers, discussing their lack of pay or ability to obtain provisions at their time of discharge. Expects to hear from Washington regarding the May 1784 meeting of the "general Society," possibly referring to the Society of the Cincinnati. Discusses "the pay and…

GLC02437.02904

February 21, 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Knox reflects on the Revolutionary War: "Your calm retreat to Mount Vernon must be a source of ineffable delight to you. You can from there take a retrospective view of the critical exigencies of the War, and see a thousand ways by which the issue might have been the reverse of what it is- And your happiness must be in proportion to the extreme difficulties and danger in the contest and the immense blessings secured to your country by the glorious peace... " Gives Washington news of Congress. Discusses the Society of the Cincinnati: "The Cincinnati appears however groundless to be an…

GLC02437.02960

14 May 1782-12 December 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: General Knox in account with Samuel Shaw [expense booklet]

Signed in text by Shaw. Lists expenses incurred dating from 14 May 1782 to 12 December 1783. Expenses and payments received include food, spirits, household items and services, payment to the commander-in-chief's bargemen, a loan to Baron von Steuben, payment to Colonel Brooks "toward sending the Massachusetts Committee to Boston" [regarding their half-pay memorial], "expence of sending a committee to Congress with the address of the Army," Knox's wages and commutation, etc. Mentions on 17 November 1783 the receipt of "certificates for nine thousand seven hundred and ninety four dollars,"…

GLC02437.02826

December 11, 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses trade between Indians and the British stationed on the American side of the territorial line (in the Northwest Territory). Reports criticism of the Society of the Cincinnati, including a pamphlet, Considerations sur l'ordre de Cincinnatus, by Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau. Refers to limestone previously discussed with Knox in relation to Washington's construction projects. Sends his best wishes to Knox, his wife Lucy, and their family.

GLC02437.09408

2 April 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates reasons for not wanting to attend the Constitutional Convention, including the possibility that all states might not attend (rendering representation partial). Notes that if all Delegates attend with the power to address and cure the defects of the Constitution, the Convention will be a worthwhile endeavor. Asks Knox to find out from his friends in Congress the degree of power Delegates will possess. Also asks him to probe for others' views regarding his attendance (or non-attendance). Hopes to see Knox in Philadelphia before the Convention (Knox will be there for a Society of the…

GLC02437.09412

27 April 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits a copy of an excerpt from a letter (see GLC 02437.03338) sent by Mr. Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson). Notes that the excerpt pertains to a translation of the article "Cincinnati," from the Encyclopedie Methodique, and reflects the way the French view the Society of the Cincinnati. Since Washington cannot read French, he has to rely on Jefferson's comments on the article, and has asked "a gentleman who lives in my family" to prepare a translation he encloses [not present]. Allows Knox to decide how to present the topic of the article to the Society of the Cincinnati.

GLC02437.09413

1 January 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits a letter from the President of the Society of the Cincinnati of South Carolina (possibly William Moultrie). Relates that the enclosed letter pertains to a resolution of the Society. At the bottom of the page, indicates that Knox is Secretary General to the Society.

GLC02437.09422

January 22, 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Instructs Knox not to disclose information regarding the nomination of General Officers and a bill that has not yet passed. Docketed in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.09424

1 June 1786

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits a letter (not included) and asks Knox's advice regarding the Society of the Cincinnati. Notes that all papers of the Society are in the care of the Society's Secretary General, thus he cannot answer Mr. Jefferson's questions (possibly Thomas Jefferson, who was critical of the Society). Notes that some Society members obtained badges from Major [Pierre Charles] L'Enfant's Agency. Criticizes the badges L'Enfant created, noting that L'Enfant overcharged for the badges and misused the money he received. Has not seen L'Enfant since a Society meeting in 1784.

GLC02437.09396

23 September 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses gratitude for Knox's praise of Washington in the context of Congress's resolution "That an equestrian statue of General Washington, be erected at the place where the residence of Congress shall be established," passed on 7 August 1783 (and later completed by sculptor Thomas Crawford in the nineteenth century). Informs Knox that he has continued to lobby in support of the Officers' Petition for a large land grant in the Ohio Valley in lieu of back pay, but that the petition is being held up by continued negotiations between Congress and the state of Virginia (in whose territory the…

GLC02437.09401