2 July 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Written by Secretary of War Knox to Peirce, his agent in Boston. References Peirce's letter of 23 June that enclosed the draft of the deeds. Reports that he had the one from Peirce copied and executed, and the one for Oliver Smith drawn upon parchment. Presumes these deeds are legally drawn, but before they are finally delivered he wants Peirce to write him his opinion of Judge [John] Sullivan and Mr. [Benjamin] Hichborn. Asks this for his security, as this is a momentous affair for him and his children. Declares that he feels obliged to give "...deeds to the settlers and the persons to…

GLC02437.05047

23 September 1796

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed by "Joseph Peirce & Son." Contains three notes. The first informs Knox what goods are being shipped to him on board Captain Keller's vessel. The second asks Knox to tell the Duc de Liancourt that letters of his were sent. The third tells Knox that Peirce expects that his son is on his way home, which is why he has not written to him. However, if his son is not on his way home, and Knox should see him, asks that Knox tell him the Peirce family is all well and looking forward to seeing him.

GLC02437.06823

15 January 1799

Pemberton, Ebenezer, fl. 1747-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Pemberton, principal of an academy in Billerica, expresses his disappointment at not having seen Knox last September. Pemberton has enclosed his bills and those that he has belong to "Messieurs Flukers." The balance due Knox is $40.64, which should be "sufficient to discharge Master Thomas's bills." Pemberton laments the bad behavior of "Master Waldo" [Flucker].

GLC02437.07225

13 March 1800

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce has spoken with "[Master] Flucker" about their business. Say that a vessel "is advancing for Liverpool but is not yet begun to load." Peirce says, "I mention this for your Government."

GLC02437.07376

18 March 1800

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph manuscript

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce reports to Knox of his conversations with "T Flucker" and Ebenezer Pemberton, and of the state of their business affairs on Peirce's end.

GLC02437.07379

08 April 1800

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce includes a list of bills from Ebenezer Pemberton. Talks about Thomas Flucker getting money from Beaumez and a portable desk from his mother. Talks about their business affairs and various shipments.

GLC02437.07391

22 August 1800

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce talks of the issue of Knox's surveyors and Mr. Bowdoin's plans to "prevent Surveyors running any Lines." Peirce tells Knox Francis Flucker is in town and has requested $75 in funds.

GLC02437.07452

18 October 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Knox tells Peirce he has loaded vessels with lime and lumber. Knox informs Peirce about the instructions Knox gave to his nephew Thomas Flucker. Knox will be at his wits' end if Thomas does not board the Constitution.

GLC02437.07472

29 November 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Discusses account information regarding [the late] Mr. [Thomas?] Flucker's estate. Requests Pierce has General [Henry] Jackson pay the creditors first then draw upon Knox for any differences.

GLC02437.09840

20 August 1798

Pemberton, Ebenezer, fl. 1747-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Updates Knox on Thomas and Francis Flucker's accounts. Notes he has enclosed (not included) their accounts and receipts for the winter term.

GLC02437.09851

4 January 1789

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Two parts. First part from Samuel Ogden. Sends regards to Knox's children who have recovered from the measles. Writes about work done for a ship and land on the St. Lawrence river. Mentions that Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris "will be authorized to sell a part of our shares..." Second part from Mrs. Euphemia Morris Ogden. Sends her love to Mrs. Lucy Knox and says that she will write to her presently. Says all the Massachusetts electors are "good Men & staunch Federalists." Written at Delaware Works, located in what is now Morrisville, Pennsylvania, near Trenton, New Jersey.

GLC02437.10218

12 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Lamb

Uncertain yet whether he will join the artillery park because General George Washington had not yet arrived. Writes, "He has lately met with a severe Shock to his affections, in the loss of the amiable Mr. Custis, Mrs. Washington's only child." Believes Washington felt as affectionately for Custis as if he were his real father, as he had raised him from childhood. Only other affectionate parents might be able to understand this misfortune. Has nothing to add about the disposition of the park, only that it might be in the vicinity of Head Quarters. Has no objection to Lamb paying his family a…

GLC02437.01289

16 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Later copy of letter written by Knox to Lafayette at GLC02437.03276. Thanks Lafayette for the kind treatment given to his brother William. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase jeweled eagle badges for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati. L'Enfant returned to America in 1784 and brought back many badges purchased on credit. The price proved too high for some officers, which left L'Enfant in a bind. Goes on to say that the Society approved of L'Enfant's conduct and owed 630 dollars to him for his services in France…

GLC02437.03275

15 May 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Marked "Copy." Letter in a secretarial hand. Says that Joel Barlow, later known as one of the Connecticut Wits, will deliver this letter. Knox identifies Barlow as the author of "The vision of Columbus," a long epic poem in heroic couplets. Barlow went to Europe as an agent for a company that wanted to sell western lands to French emigrants. Knox says Barlow is traveling with the son of Nathanael Greene, George Washington Greene, who is to study with Lafayette in France. Says Catharine Greene and Colonel Wadsworth have written him on the subject of "Master Washington's education," and he will…

GLC02437.03874

3 January 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Has only received a short note from Lafayette (on recommendations for the Society of the Cincinnati), since last June. Believes it is due to the suspension of packets between France and America, as Count de Moustier, the French minister to America, has also not received letters. Says they heard that General Nathanael Greene's son was placed in a respectable academy near Paris. Hopes his conduct is good. Reports that "Our Country is busy in making elections for the new Government - what is to take place the 1st of March. The people at large are becoming more and more strongly attached to it…

GLC02437.04071

21 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter

Title: to John Adams

Later copy of GLC02437.01252. A detailed account of the siege of Yorktown. Affirms the correctness of Adams' ideas about a need to conduct a major attack against the British in the southern states. Announces the recent surrender of Lord Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown. Explains the "harmonious concurrence of circumstances" that made the victory possible, mentioning the fleet from the West Indies commanded by Admiral Compte de Grasse, the American and French troops marching down from the Hudson River, and a fleet from Rhode Island under the command of Compte de Barras. Provides a…

GLC02437.01251

16 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

References "several" letters he received from Lafayette. Says his brother William is indebted to Lafayette for all the kindness shown to him. William asked that it be acknowledged. Goes on to say "America is infinitely indebted to you for your assistance, in the moment of her deepest distress, and from thence up to the present auspicious period - She recognizes the favors she has received with an unbounded attachment to you." Says he will personally remember "the pleasures of your friendship with the ardor of a lover." Says Lafayette's godson Harry will be taught the same. Believes the…

GLC02437.02166

11 May 1785

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hopes this letter finds Knox in New York arranging for his duties as Secretary of War. Rejoices in Knox's selection as "the patriot and the soldier are nobly united in your person." Says Knox can write to him as a friend or as secretary of war. Lafayette goes on to say he might be a "useful tool in some expeditions," but that he should keep quiet about it. Says he had a chance to write John Jay a few words on "the affair of Longchamps, a journey I intend taking to be back in October, and a whale oil proposal, in consequence of what you told me at Boston, which is all what I could obtain this…

GLC02437.03144

12 June 1785

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Previously thought Knox's brother William had returned to America, but he recently received news that he had been confined in a house in London since January because he was "disordered in His Head." Reports William is better and "in a few weeks will be able to go out, which he very much desires." Says he wanted to go to London upon hearing the news, but thought better of it as his travels would no doubt be noticed by many and might cause unseemly news about William to get in the newspapers. Sent a trusted family member instead, who has made sure William received proper care. Hopes that…

GLC02437.03155

17 September 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

References Lafayette's letters of May and June 1785. Says "I had the unhappiness previous to the receipt of your benevolent letter of June to be fully informed of my Brothers insanity." Goes on to say he recovered his health and reason. Says he has proof of this through William's letters and reports from other friends. Reports that William is now in London and will soon sail for Boston. In reference to Lafayette's assistance, tells him to moderate his kindness or he will be oppressed by his goodness. Would like to send his son Harry to France to study under Lafayette, but says the boy is…

GLC02437.03196

18 February 1787

Langdon, John, 1741-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for assistance in providing for his family as he had a debt in England and "all the merchandize [sic] I had from thence was taken from my place of depository by the British ... " Also asks if Knox has any open positions, as he needs the work to support his family. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.03461

1 November 1787

Langmyer, Charles, fl. 1787

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt payment]

Lists the quarterly payment from 1 August until 1 November and includes items such as books and educational fees. Notes the receipt of payment for teaching one of Knox's daughters for the semester.

GLC02437.03691

14 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to [Marquis de Lafayette] [possibly incomplete]

Says he has not heard from Lafayette in some time. Mentions that he wrote on the constitutional convention by the last packet. Reports on states that have called ratifying conventions to approve or reject the constitution. Has doubts specifically about Virginia and New York. Says Rhode Island has "too many schemes of convenience" to approve it. But says "it is highly probable that it will be adopted in the course of the year 1788 by nine states and more." Says he is anxious about rumors of war between France and England. Reports that those in the know claim the event is "inevitable."…

GLC02437.03726

26 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Contemporary secretarial copy of a letter sent to Lafayette. References Lafayette's letters from November 1787 and February 1788. Says that "The Convention by you Mr. Jefferson and Common Sense [Thomas Paine], judge wisely respecting the New Constitution requiring some amendments & of the time they should be effected." Of the Constitutional Convention says "The unanimity of the former convention may be regarded as a rare evidence of the empire of reason." Believes there will not have to be another convention. Says it is likely that nine states will accept the constitution over the…

GLC02437.03860

30 May 1788

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References receiving Knox's letter. Says he cannot respond fully as he has to attend a meeting on internal affairs. Wishes to introduce Jacques Pierre Brissot (who Lafayette refers to by the name he assumed, de Warville) and a man named de Ferriere. Reports that "M. de Warville Has Been a writer on the side of liberty, and Wishes to write on the American Revolution." Tells him to refer to the letters he sent to Hamilton and Jay for the most recent intelligence. Says "We are in a Critical Situation." Encloses a list (of French applicants to the Society of the Cincinnati; not present) and says…

GLC02437.03880