6 July 1794

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a rumor he heard regarding a confrontation between the Indians and part of Anthony Wayne's Army. Says it is has been reported "that the Indians were victorious and had brought Forty Scalps into Detroit - that the savages had collected about Wayne's encampment to the number of 1200…" Believes Wayne's army is strong enough to meet the "savages" but he is concerned over supplies. Docket is in the hand of John Stagg, Jr. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.06136

10 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Adams

Written by Secretary of War Knox to Vice President Adams. Thanks Adams for his hospitality at Bush Hill. Mentions criticism of Adams's travels in the Connecticut and New York newspapers. Comments on the "political heresy [of the] American edition of [the] payne pamphlet mentioned in the preface." This is a reference to Thomas Jefferson's endorsement of Thomas Paine's "The Rights of Man," in which he conflated the spirit of the American Revolution of 1776 with that of the French Revolution of 1789. Knox says "he has assured me that the note he wrote to the printer never was intended for…

GLC02437.04986

19 June 1791

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Vice President Adams to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's letter of 10 June. Is happy Knox is pleased with his situation at Bush Hill. Hopes to hear soon "of the Birth of a peaceable son of Mars." Says he did not know about the paragraphs in the New York newspapers. Just heard of the "Lyes" from New Haven yesterday. Does not think the criticism originated with Roger Sherman or Ezra Stiles. Says "The Preface to [Thomas] Paines Nonsense has occasioned much Speculation. It is thought rather early for Electioneering. My head I thank God is not easily diverted from its…

GLC02437.05014

7 August 1791

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he was determined to pursue "the Object relative to the Direction of the Bank which you was so obliging as to advice when I saw you in Philadelphia," but that he has since "abandoned the project & Sold out." Was concerned that if he had a large holding in the bank he would have "to attend its operation," and if he had a small stake he would not accrue "Honor or Proffit." Despite his pull out he claims "I rejoice however at the rising Credit of our Country and expect very soon to see it on a footing, superior to any other whatever." Says that Alexander Hamilton will be gratified…

GLC02437.05109

9 November 1791

Darke, William, 1736-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: to George Washington

Written from Fort Washington, near present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Battle report providing extensive details of the defeat of General [Arthur] St. Clair at the hands of the Miami Indians on the Northwest Frontier. Docketed by George Washington.

GLC02437.05233

22 December 1791

Butler, Maria, fl. 1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by Mrs. Maria Butler, the widow of General Richard Butler, who had been killed that year by Indians in battle in the Ohio Territories. Refers to the death of her husband and the dangerous living conditions surrounding her in the Pittsburgh area. Requests more troops to protect her and her family and the other white settlers in the region, and to hold onto the land that was so dearly fought for by her husband.

GLC02437.05269

January 22, 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Writes that he has not "list[ed] the characters mentioned yesterday to any mortal." Declares that Arthur St. Clair has arrived, and that he has not seen him yet but will this morning.

GLC02437.05296

13 March 1792

Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Received his last letter, which suggests that General [Arthur] St. Clair might not continue in command of the army much longer. This fills him with anxiety. Discusses possible ramifications of the appointment of a new commander. Comments on the difficult situation he has found himself in, between Major [David] Zeigler and Colonel [Samuel] Hodgdon. Explains in some detail the interpersonal conflict among his officers. Comments on the downfall of General [Josiah] Harmar due to his "unfortunate propensity to drink."

GLC02437.05354

4 November 1791

Manuscript document

Title: Pay due the non commissioned officers and privates...in the year 1791 who were actually discharged at Fort Washington

Date from title. Lists officers and the pay due to them as of 4 November. Noted as a copy in the upper left corner. Noted as A and N 11 at the top of the first page. Extensive water damage at the top of the document. Watermarked. Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10239

January 19, 1792

Barton, Benjamin, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Ogden

Lists his location as "Niagara," in Western New York, as he refers to Indians from Geneseo, also in Western New York. Discusses his receipt of reports regarding General [Arthur] St. Clair's defeat at the hands of Indians. Comments on his experiences against various Indian tribes in the North and Northwest.

GLC02437.05294

12 April 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Brooks

Writes to officially appoint Brooks Brigadier General of the army. Lists the other members of the General Staff, including A[nthony] Wayne, D. Morgan, M. Willit, and James Wilkinson. Wishes him the best of luck.

GLC02437.05409

27 June 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to [Joseph] Brant and Clement Biddle

Contains two sections. The first section is directed to Captain [Joseph] Brant and informs him that he will have fifty guineas to defray his travel expenses to and from Philadelphia. In the second section, Knox asks Clement Biddle to deliver the guineas to Joseph Brant.

GLC02437.05518

24 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Carrington

Informs Carrington that he has received his letters concerning appointments for young officers and that though they generally arrived too late, he will keep them in mind for future consideration. States that there were many more applications than positions. Speaking about the last session of Congress, he writes, "The indian war, and the failure of the last expedition combined with a partial aversion to the government excited much ill humor during the last session. It was thought proper by a party, to levell some shafts at me....Parties will arise in free governments - and party prejudice is…

GLC02437.05558

28 October 1792

Allison, David, fl. 1785-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Mr. Reed brought news from "the falls of the Ohio." On his way to Allison's location, Reed met with Mr. Irwin, who reported that "five or six hundred Indians in the beginning of this month had appeared on the Frontiers of Cumberland and attacked a Station, the event of which I have not learned, that a party of the Militia about seven hundred pursued the Indians, overtook them, and a small skirmish ensued in which it is said about a Dozen Indians were killed the others dispersed in such manner they could not be pursued. I did not learn that any of the Militia were killed…

GLC02437.05671

circa 1791

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Manuscript document

Title: [Army expense/supply report and a copied letter written by Hodgdon]

Copy of a report written by Sargent as Adjutant General. Discusses Samuel Hodgdon's role as Quartermaster for the army raised for General Arthur St. Clair's 1791 Western expedition. Contains a letter from Hodgdon to Henry Knox, Secretary of War. Final page contains a morning report for the army commanded by St. Clair 89 miles from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10356

circa 1790-1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: The present number of troops

Notes the number of troops stationed in Ohio, Florida, the North Carolina frontier, Georgia. Troop totals add up to 1,680. Lists reasons for the proposed troop augmentation. These reasons include: to awe the Wabash and Creek Indians, to draw "a line of posts around them [the Creeks]," and to protect frontier settlements. Writes on "The situation, Temper, and views of the frontier people to be stated - and the general policy considered of protecting and regulating them - or of suffering them to protect themselves and of the immediate and ultimate consequences of such a measure." Makes…

GLC02437.08454

19 November 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses an expedition against the Wabash Indians. Expresses disappointment in General [Josiah] Harmer. Expected little from Harmer, after hearing he was a drunkard. Instructs Knox to present other important matters before Congress, as they occur to him, preceding Washington's arrival. Notes that recent heavy rains may hinder his progress to Philadelphia. Marked private at the top of page one.

GLC02437.09421

5 April 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses General Israel Chapin's negotiations with the Six Nations (possibly referring to the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794). Notes that the Treaty should take place apart from British agents and spies.

GLC02437.09428

24 August 1791

Scott, Charles, 1733-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Lieutenant of Mason

Written by Scott as a delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates and Brigadier General in Kentucky militia (he was breveted a major general at the end of the Revolution). Writes to the Lieutenant of militia at Mason, Kentucky saying that Major General Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory and commander of the U.S. Army, requests his attendance at Lexington on 2 September 1791 in order to work out a system of calling out the militia for the present campaign. St. Clair's expedition that fall was routed by the Miami Indians under Little Turtle on 4 November 1791. Asks him to…

GLC02498.12

13 October 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Later copy. References Sargent's letter of 28 September. Believes Congress will meet in Philadelphia as the yellow fever appears to have dissipated. Believes a symbolic gesture that things are back to normal is necessary "or all the American commerce will be injured in foreign countries." Encloses a letter from Fort Washington in Ohio (not included). Says the army marched from the Ohio River on 7 October with 3,000 volunteers and is expecting more. Written from Falls of Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, present day Philadelphia.

GLC02437.05944

21 July 1794

Scott, Charles, 1733-1813

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy of a letter from Major General Charles Scott to the Secretary of War, Henry Knox. Informs Knox the rear of his command passed the Ohio [River?] this morning. Requests Knox makes all the necessary arrangements prior to their arrival so they are able to take to the field without delay. Mentions he fell short on the number of recruitments but the skill of the men compensates for any deficiencies. Also notes everyone gets along well. Written from Fort Washington, present day Cincinnati, Ohio.

GLC02437.06149

5 December 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Discusses Sargent's desire to be present at the next Congressional session, though the request was denied. Discusses the situation with the Indians in the Cincinnati region. States that "the poor Indians I believe are irrecvocably doomed by Fate to be extirpated." Extensive water damage renders ink difficult to read. Watermarked. Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10314

20 August 1789

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received his recent letter and hopes that Knox's child is restored to health. Is overjoyed to hear of the President's recovery; feels his death might have caused dramatic instability. Discusses his interest in the "doings of Congress," especially the Treasury Bill. Mentions that he is "very poor" and trusts that Knox will help him acquire a government appointment if possible. Also relates that they have apprehended a Virginian man named Wetzell who fired on an Indian man by the name of Washington. Has enclosed some letters to his friends (not present) for Knox to forward.

GLC02437.04332

15 September 1791

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References a letter he wrote Knox from Lexington on 4 September. Encloses a duplicate of that letter here (not included). Says all the troops he is supposed to have arrived on 9, 10, and 12 September, except the Kentucky militia. Has received Knox's letters of 11, 18, and 25 August with their enclosures. Writes, "The Anxiety Sir, which the President has expressed that the Operations of the Campaign should begin at an early period does not surprise me, and the Delays that have hitherto taken place have been to me the most irksome that can possibly be imagined." Wants Knox to reassure the…

GLC02437.05157

18 September 1791

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that he was able to advise Knox of the arrival of General Richard Butler and the last contingent of troops. Says the Kentucky militiamen are expected on 25 September. Will probably move from the camp on the Great Miami River on or before the 25 September. Writes, "I have been too sanguine in my Calculation of the time necessary for erecting the Fort there, but as soon as it is enclosed, and the shell of the Houses up, the Garrison will be able to compleat it for themselves before Winter." Notes the commissary has forward 100,000 rations to the camp. The quartermaster and court of…

GLC02437.05161