20 July 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 29 June. Waited to respond until after the sitting of the Committee of the Sale of Eastern Lands. Met with John White of Charlestown, Massachusetts who is indebted to the Flucker Estate through a bond and a mortgage. White said he was still waiting for the British government to compensate him for the burning of his property in Charlestown in 1775. Goes into details about the debt and its interest. Discusses Isaac Winslow and the Taylor purchase. Mentions he spoke to Mr. Jarvis of the Committee, who said Knox should now be in possession of all the land between…

GLC02437.05905

17 September 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a copy of a newspaper advertisement for Knox's land, which is up for sale to pay taxes (see GLC02437.05923 for an explanation). Asks for instructions. Hopes the yellow fever epidemic is abating.

GLC02437.05925

December 11, 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Reports that the ten proprietors met on 5 December. Even though he was not authorized to stand in Knox's place, he did so at the urging of Henry Jackson. Told them, because of a recent "advertis[emen]t on business," that Knox would be in Boston in May. The proprietors were upset saying that Knox has delayed since 1784. Notes they appear to want "to put the bond in suit." Says the Court of Common Pleas will sit in January. Mentions that Isaac Winslow has just gotten over an illness and will write about the issue. Asks about details of delivering a copy…

GLC02437.05992

26 December 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. References Knox's letter of 18 December. Has had luck finding the heirs and assigns in the Muscongus Lands. Has written to many of them, but has not heard back. Goes into some detail on the situation. Describes a meeting he had on 5 December with the 10 proprietors. They expressed respect for Knox, but moved forward with the suit. Says they have made Harrison G. Otis their attorney. Has written to employ Mr. Parson and Mr. Dane as attorneys for Knox. Postscript says Judge Sullivan can get the case continued to April if goes to the Court of Common Pleas…

GLC02437.06006

29 December 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is making progress in preparing for the suit with the proprietors, but is having trouble tracking down all the heirs. Believes some of them have already sold out. Says Senator William Bradford of Rhode Island owns one share. Says "if you know him he has been a good friend of yours at the meeting of the propt. heretofore by using his influence to postpone - there are other heirs of his family scatter'd in & about R.I. - would it not be a good oppy for you to speak to him on the Subject[?]" Goes into great detail on the problems with the patent and with taxes. Received Knox's letter of…

GLC02437.06009

January 30, 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private." Says the action of the ten proprietors is continued to the April Court of Common Pleas session. They have not noticed the error in the writ he mentioned earlier. The issue of Gorham's bond will be referred to the judges of the Superior Court. This involves interest earned during the war. Believes his petition on the taxes will be taken up today.

GLC02437.06036

10 February 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" at address leaf. References Knox's letter of 22 January. Reports that Knox's petition about the taxes has not been taken up yet because the committee chairman, Nathan Dane, has been taken up with Senate business. Says that Mrs. Goldthwait is dead, which "will prevent Genl. Jacksons accomplishing your wishes for a little time." Believes it will not be a problem because his petition is "just & reasonable." Updates Knox on the suit with the ten proprietors. Is on the lookout for the farmers and gardeners Knox requested. Wants to know when they should arrive. Tells Knox…

GLC02437.06043

20 February 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Updates Knox on the joint committee that is deciding on the taxes on the Waldo Patent. The session was postponed until the next meeting of the legislature where current owners of the land will need to give just cause on why the heirs must pay all the taxes. Goes into detail about what they should do to prepare for the next session with the legislature. Mentions he found a farmer for Knox.

GLC02437.06049

2 April 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he sent out notifications to his properties and mentions hiring a gardener. Asks Knox to provide the gardener with instructions. Also speaks of the possibility of war and the impact it will have. Mentions the people's unfavorable opinion of China.

GLC02437.06073

6 April 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he will send the grapevines with the gardener along with some seeds and tools. Mentions how the prospect of war is keeping Knox from traveling. Refers to a promise Knox supposedly made to another gentleman. Discusses properties (possibly near Knox's land holdings in Maine) Knox is trying to purchase, the price of land, and various property boundaries. Believes Knox should consider purchasing land from the government if his plan fails.

GLC02437.06074

26 April 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox the trees arrived from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York, New York and they, along with the gardener, are on a vessel heading towards St. George's [House] in Maine. Inquires about an invoice and if he should pay it. Mentions some of the trees and grapevines may not survive. Also, gives a listing of the different kinds of fruit and vegetables seeds that are being planted in Knox's garden.

GLC02437.06086

25 May 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he received a letter from Captain [Thomas] Vose and the gardener. Reports the gardener says the soil at Knox's house [Montpelier] will need to be ploughed before they can begin work. Mentions Knox lost two cherry trees but the other trees and plants that survived are being kept at a nursery. Discusses purchasing land (possible referring to the Waldo patent lands) and possible squatters.

GLC02437.06105

10 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a petition filed against Knox involving some property. Mentions a conversation he had with Waterman Thomas of Waldoboro, Maine who supports the petition. Reports Thomas says, "The people who have paid the full amount of their engagement to your agent can get no Deeds & they have no security - for if you should die…" Comments he will call on Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) for assistance.

GLC02437.06116

13 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses committee members who will hear the land petition cases in Waldoboro, Maine. Reports he told the committee that Knox was unaware of the people's suits (possibly deeds) being lost and Knox is a friend and benefactor of the people on the patent (possibly part of the Waldo patent). Also notes the settlers have issues with some of Knox's agents.

GLC02437.06118

17 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox there has been a hearing before the committee regarding taxes. Discusses which lands are part of the patent (possibly referring to the Waldo patent lands) and any taxes related to the land. Speaks of a tax being unconstitutional and the possibility of creating a new one. Describes the hearing as being long and with many debates. Also asks whether they should give Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) a fee for his opinion.

GLC02437.06123

22 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses completing a map of the eastern country for the government. Notes the map takes in a corner of the patent. Mentions possibly having to extend boundary lines (possibly on the Waldo patent) to make up for deficiencies. Informs Knox the committee for the taxes decided to deduct money from heirs. Reports the act may be repealed as being unconstitutional and Knox most likely will not have to pay. Reports Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) will be accompanying him to the committee to hear the patent petition (possibly part of the Waldo patent lands). Provides and update…

GLC02437.06125

29 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the Waldo patent lands and the petitions that went before the committee. Notes he spoke with Judge Sullivan (possbily James or John Sullivan) who recommends he put in a petition on Knox's behalf to counteract the people's petition. Mentions if the court decides to hear all the settlers' cases it could take up to 12 months. Also notes Judge Sullivan said one of the petitions strikes at the whole patent. Informs Knox the committee extended the petition case to the next session. A copy, written by Joseph Peirce, of the House of Representatives decision to send the committee to…

GLC02437.06128

14 October 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a financial and legal matter involving the Waldo [patent] lands.

GLC02437.06224

5 November 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he paid William Griffin for 30 sheep and grass seeds. Notes he also furnished Griffin with materials to finish Knox's house on Brigadiers Island, present day Sears Island, Maine. Discusses the election and comments it was magnificent. Provides a tally of all the votes in possibly the Congressional election. Marked as private on the address leaf.

GLC02437.06237

17 December 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that due to a string of difficulties he was not able to close the deal with the Brinleys until today. Notes he paid the Brinleys and now has the deed. Also mentions he is sending Knox a pair of does, a buck, some rabbits, and some oats. Mentions he heard deer can be found in North Carolina and Georgia.

GLC02437.06276

25 December 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses land deals involving the Winslows, Fluckers, and Knox. Appears that land was jointly owned by the Winslows and Fluckers and Knox may be entitled to a claim from when the land was sold. Marked as private on the address leaf.

GLC02437.06282

January 26, 1795

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses an undisclosed business matter and land deals located in the Eastern lands. Appears the Committee wants Knox to make an offer on some land.

GLC02437.06327

February 23, 1795

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the rulings of the committee regarding land transactions.

GLC02437.06360

19 March 1795

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Updates Knox on the progress of the Committee and discusses various land deeds. Notes the petitions can no longer be called upon from year to year.

GLC02437.06373

23 March 1795

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Updates Knox on various business matters and land deeds. Says they are still waiting for a vessel to arrive and fears it may have been overtaken by the last storm and that Mr. Robinson may have been on the vessel. Asks Knox to bring him his receipts when Knox visits next.

GLC02437.06376