5 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Discusses working with General Philip Schuyler to arrange to have artillery seized from the British earlier in the year forwarded from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Describes the garrison at Ticonderoga as weak and "the Conveyance from the fort to the landing so indifferent & the passage across the lake so precarious that I am afraid it will be ten days at least before I can get them on this side the lake." Mentions potential problems with the sledding. Written from Fort George in Lake George, New York. Knox's retained working draft. Docket is written in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.00215

9 December 1775

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox's presence at headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts on behalf of George Washington. The letter was addressed to Worcester, Massachusetts, but at the time, Knox was at Fort George, in Lake George, New York.

GLC02437.00217

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Docket is written in Knox's hand. Asks Colonel McDougall to use his influence to have the listed shells sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts, immediately. In a post script, asks that McDougall inform George Washington if he cannot obtain the listed items. When Knox was in New York City a month earlier (en route to Ticonderoga to retrieve ordnance for American forces in Massachusetts), McDougall had promised to assist him in obtaining artillery by exerting influence on a committee representing the Second Provincial Congress (see GLC02437.00212). Written from Fort George in Lake George, New…

GLC02437.00220

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Discusses activities relating to the transport of artillery captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga earlier that year. Comments on difficulties of getting the ordnance over Lake George. Mentions that he has obtained sleds and oxen. He will use the oxen to drag the artillery to Springfield, where he will get new animals to drag them the rest of the way to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Explains the route and speculates on potential for either progress or hardship. Expects to arrive in Cambridge in 16-17 days. Sends an inventory of the artillery from Ticonderoga and the pieces requested…

GLC02437.00222

20 September 1775

Pemberton, Robert, ?-1788

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy of an extract from general orders pertaining to applications for commissions in the Continental Army. Explains that before anyone obtains a commission from the Army of the United Colonies, they must first obtain one from the colony they will serve. Pemberton was an assistant adjutant general. Written at "Headquarters."

GLC02437.00202

25 September 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Knox

Later copy of original letter (see GLC02437.00203).

GLC02437.00204

27 September 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Docket is written in another hand. Attempts to facilitate the sale of a stallion. Briefly mentions that two deserters will have to face the lash.

GLC02437.00205

2 October 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Seeks a response to an earlier inquiry about finding a strong horse for an acquaintance (see GLC02437.00205). Indicates that he will leave for Newbury today and hopes for better luck collecting monies there. Asks William to entertain a man named Mr. Davis "in the best manner the house can afford." Notes that he received the letter from James Rivington William forwarded. Claims that he plans to get William a commission before returning to Worcester (see GLC02437.00203). Lucy Knox was staying in Worcester.

GLC02437.00206

11 November 1775

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

In response to Knox seeking a commission as colonel, Adams writes that he is "rejoiced to learn that you have at last determined to take a more important share than you have done hitherto in the conduct of our military matters." Explains that he has been impressed with Knox's military knowledge and has been making his name known among the members of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Reports that he is lobbying for Knox to receive the commission he seeks, and believes he will. Wants Knox to keep him informed about everything that is happening in the camp. Adams wants "to know the…

GLC02437.00208

16 June 1775, 9 December 1775, and 12 December 177

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [Resolutions for Revolutionary War generals' pay]

Three resolutions regarding pay. The earliest sets major generals' pay at $166 per month, and double that when they serve in two departments. The next two issue General Richard Montgomery, commander of American forces in Canada, additional money. Montgomery was killed in an unsuccessful attack on Quebec in late December 1775. Possibly created circa 1783, in the context of Henry Knox's application for additional pay due as commander of a separate department.

GLC02437.00216

12 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Palmer

Asks Captain Palmer to obtain forty sleds for transporting artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the oxen or horses needed to pull them. Asserts that he will assist in any way possible. Requests an immediate response. Written from Fort George in Lake George, New York.

GLC02437.00218

14 December 1775

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that the boat with letters and provisions sent by Henry arrived yesterday. Explains how a boat William was riding to Sabbath Day Point in sank close to the shore, making the artillery on board and the vessel salvageable. Captain Johnson also arrived, and together with William sent a boat toward Lake George, but the ice will make it slow. William will ride a different scow up to Lake George. Asks Henry to pay Captain Johnson. Henry was then engaged in an operation to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.00219

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Philip Schuyler

Gives General Schuyler an update on the progress of preparations to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mentions that he has gotten the mortars and cannon over Lake George and arranged with Captain George Palmer to obtain sleds and oxen or horses to pull them (see GLC02437.00218). Discusses plans for moving forward. Asks that Schuyler increase the length of the amount of rope he requested from Mr. [Walter] Livingston and that it be sent expeditiously. Also asks him to forward enclosed letters (not included). Written from Fort George in Lake George, New…

GLC02437.00221

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see his wife and plans to in three weeks. Discusses activities relating to the transport of artillery captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga earlier that year to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that both his and William Knox's health has been good. Quips about his rotund figure. Discusses the "Bravery of America" and a growing awareness of it among the British prisoners he has seen: "Enemies who would not before this allow the Americans a Spark of Military virtue." Blesses America and Lucy. Links God watching over Americans to God watching over Lucy in particular.…

GLC02437.00223

18 December 1775

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he is happy to hear Knox was able to get the artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Fort George on the other side of Lake George. Schuyler has already made arrangements to transport the artillery to Cambridge and consequently orders Knox to countermand his directions to Captain George Palmer to obtain carriages and pack animals for the journey (see GLC02437.00218).

GLC02437.00224

25 December 1775

Palmer, George, 1719-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's cancellation of an arrangement for Captain Palmer to obtain sleds and pack animals to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that the patriotic people Palmer contracted with are insulted by the cancellation and cryptically comments that Knox's "Penetration will Easily Discern the Consequences that will follow Disappointing Such A Number of People So Resolutely Determined." General Philip Schuyler ordered Knox to cancel the arrangements (see GLC02437.00224).

GLC02437.00225

16 February 1821

Edwards, J.L., fl. 1821

Letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Transmits "a notification of continuance for Oliver Winslow," and returns "Mr. Eells' letter." Sent from the Pension Office in the War Department.

GLC06313.04.113

26 December 1821

Cutting, Nathaniel, 1774-?

Letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Informs Hobart that he is returning documents related to a memorial petition requesting a military land bounty for Stephen Raymond, the heir to Revolutionary War veteran Solomon Raymond. Explains why the claim was dismissed: it was invalidated by evidence showing Raymond deserted in 1778. Also comments on other contradictions in the evidence.

GLC06313.04.123

20 April 1774

Rivington, James, 1724-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends Knox pamphlets which he believes Knox does not have and will be of interest to his customers. Mentions that he has printed a letter to John Hancock in Rivington's New-York Gazetteer and would provide the opportunity for any of Hancock's friends to reply to it. Sent a print for Paul Revere to make an engraving. Hancock was then a Boston selectman and member of the General Court. The letter was possibly a response to Hancock's general anti-British stance or his recent Massacre Day Oration, given in March 1774. Rivington was a bookseller, printer, and journalist who came to America in…

GLC02437.00138

23 April 1774

Tyler, William, fl. 1774-1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses raising a militia in Providence, Rhode Island and asks Knox to send "the Boston Cadets Articles in full" to him. Tyler was an adjutant of Babcock's Rhode Island State Regiment in the Revolutionary War.

GLC02437.00139

2 May 1774

Sandwich, John Montagu, 4th Earl of, 1718-1792

Autograph note

Title: to Thomas Flucker

Admiral Montagu informs Flucker that Admiral Samuel Graves will arrive later that month to assume command from British Governor of Massachusetts Thomas Gage. Orders Flucker to leave his house by midsummer. Flucker was Gage's secretary. Sandwich was lord of the British Admiralty during the Revolution. At the time, colonists in New England were becoming increasingly hostile toward the British and the British military was mobilizing in response.

GLC02437.00141

8 May 1774

Clarke, Joseph, fl. 1773-1774

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Places a new order for books and a newspaper he has not yet received. Asks Knox to get a pamphlet called "Lord Somers' Judgment of whole kingdoms & nations" from John Langdon, bind it, and send it to him. Also asks Knox to order specific books and pamphlets from London for him, including the letter of Royal Governor of Massachusetts Thomas Hutchinson and Lieutenant Governor Thomas Oliver. The letters pertained to the Hutchinson Letters Affair, which involved letters urging the British government to send additional troops to Boston to fight the rebels. They were published in June, 1773.

GLC02437.00144

14 May 1774

Longman, Thomas, 1731-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Indicates that he has received the bill of Thomas Boylston and an order for books. Acknowledges the implementation of the "Boston Port Bill," which closed the Boston Harbor in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party. Expresses concern at how it will affect their business. Also includes his hope that "the measures taken by Parliament will not materially affect my good friends in Boston." Longman was a London bookseller.

GLC02437.00146

5 January 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Laments not being able to return to Lucy when he had hoped to. Praises Lucy at length and reaffirms his love for her. Notes that this is only the fourth letter he has been able to write to her in the two months they have been apart, and explains why his letter of 5 December 1775 was so short (see GLC02437.00215). Comments on the weather and the lack of snow, which impeded his plans to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mentions that his brother William Knox is now at Lake George preparing the sleds for the transport. Describes his travels. Comments…

GLC02437.00237

5 January 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Explains delays in transporting the artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts caused by the lack of snow on the ground and ice on the Hudson River. He realizes the importance of the transport and explains plans for moving forward. Also mentions that he has sent another list of the artillery being moved (not included). Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.00238