21 December 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Knox's retained draft, riddled with struck text and insertions. Acknowledges receipt of applications Washington sent for admission into the Society of the Cincinnati. Comments on the Constitution at great length: "In the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut, the great object of organizing the new Constitution has engrossed the attention of the people." Notes that Rhode Island's "paper money system and tender laws are sufficiently characteristick of their pursuits." Refers to the Constitution, the new government, and Federalism in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware,…

GLC02437.04058

12 February 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Writes that upon receiving his note, Knox sent to all the shops that might sell American broad cloth but was "exceedingly chagrined to learn there were none in town at present." Found that some cloth was expected in town very soon, in light grey, Hartford grey, bottle green, and dark brown colors. Will be able to secure the quantity he and Mrs. Washington would like and send it immediately, though he warns that Washington might be disappointed with the quality of the cloth, as it is only "about good as an english second cloth." Also reports that he has been ill and in bed due to a "severe…

GLC02437.04108

16 February 1789

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates the Virginia Electoral Council's votes for President, and declares that 10 votes were cast for [George] Washington, five for John Adams, three for [George] Clinton, one for [John] Hancock and one for [John] Jay. Relates that Antifederalism is still a factor, particularly near where Patrick Henry lives, south of the J[ames] River; it has influenced the electors and representatives. Describes Mr. [James] Madison's recent election win over Mr. [James] Monroe. Comments on his distaste for the Antifederalists, declaring, "It is a disagreeable thing for difficulties to arise between the two…

GLC02437.04117

19 February 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Writes that he is sending along 13 1/2 yards of bottle green cloth, of Hartford manufacture. Would have sent more, but only 13 1/2 yards of this color came, and the other colors were too mean and coarse. Estimates that "[t]here will probably be enough for a coat and waistcoat for you and also for Mrs Washingtons rid[in]g dress." Reports that it was fairly inexpensive, only two dollars per yard, and he hopes the package arrives quickly and safely. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.04120

23 March 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Writes to report on the Congressional election results from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, and explains when the First Federal Congress will be assembled in New York. Adds that it seems probable that Mr. Chas [Charles] Thomson, the current secretary of Congress, will announce the winner of the Presidency. Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04153

18 June 1789

Barrett, Samuel, 1739-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Marked "copy." Apologizes for being a stranger and having the nerve to write directly to such a superior as the President. Discusses his business misfortunes during and after the war, and asks for his help finding a position with the federal government. Outlines his strengths and virtues, and provides several names, including Henry Knox and General Benjamin Lincoln, as references.

GLC02437.04247

7 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written from the War Office. Provides an extensive analysis of the United States's relationship with the Creek Nation in the Ohio territories as well as Georgia. Also provides information on other nations, such as the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Cherokee. The Indians were facing threats from white settlers encroaching on their land. Knox warns that the situation was growing critical, "Already the Cherokees have taken refuge from the evidence of the frontier people of North Carolina within the limits of the Creeks," Knox wrote. "[T]heir remote situation is their only present protection" and "…

GLC02437.04272

17 November 1789

Barrett, Samuel, 1739-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Henry Knox]

Asks the recipient, likely Knox, to pass an enclosure (not included) to George Washington. Hopes that Washington will consider him for the position of "collecting the Duties of Excise in case Congress, assuming the State Debts, shall see fit to form such an Establishment." Asks for Knox to recommend him to Washington. Recipient inferred (refer to GLC02437.04200 and GLC02437.04219 for related documents).

GLC02437.04416

31 January 1790

Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

A copy of Talbot's letter to Washington, which Talbot is now forwarding to Henry Knox (see GLC02437.04490). Applies to Washington to his "being again employed in some public service in case any should offer, in which I might be thought adequate to the performance of," and hopes in particular to obtain the position of Harbor Master of New York City, as "new arrangements will probably take place in some or all of the principal Harbours in the United States ... " Notes he can forward letters from General's [John] Sullivan and [Horatio] Gates attesting to his abilities and character. Noted as a…

GLC02437.04491

11 February 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Wishes Washington a happy birthday, "permit me my dear dear friend to felicitate you on the return of your birth day." "I do not wish you long life as the greatest blessing, believing strongly the immortality of the mind, and that the next grade of existence will present you with joys highly superior to any attendant on the best possible situation in this."

GLC02437.04508

17 April 1790

Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed in text. Note left for Knox as he was not home when Bourne came to call. States that he wanted to discuss with Knox about "when the foreign arrangments [sic] will take place..." Asks Knox to speak to the President, George Washington, on his behalf regarding his candidacy for a position abroad in the public agency. Date previously inferred, added later in pencil. See GLC02437.04587 for Knox's response to Bourne's letter.

GLC02437.04585

17 April 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Replies to Bourne's letter (GLC02437.04585) that he received earlier that morning. Says that he will assist Bourne with his pursuits (an appointment abroad in the public agency) and gives him advice on how to best handle the business. Recommends Bourne expresses his desires on paper before seeking assistance from the President, George Washington, or the Secretary of Treasurer, Alexander Hamilton. Mentions his wish to have the Flucker estate settled as soon as possible.

GLC02437.04587

20 June 1790

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions acquaintances who recently arrived from Switzerland. Notes that they saw George Greene, presumably George Washington Greene, in Paris for one day. Encloses a letter from George to Mrs. [Catharine] Greene (letter not included) and asks Knox to transmit the letter to her.

GLC02437.04632

July 1790

Moultrie, William, 1730-1805

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Writes to Washington on behalf of the South Carolina branch of the Society of the Cincinnati to complain that the Secretary General "is not sending forward in proper time the notice required by the letter from the Chairman of their standing Committee & address'd to him dated the 2nd March 1790." States that by this action, the Secretary General is not showing the Society any respect; they feel justified in asking for an explanation. As a result, their branch has been "unrepresented in the last Financial meeting, but they have been precluded from having that general communication with…

GLC02437.04664

7 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to George Washington

A draft of a letter to Washington from Secretary of War Knox sketching out elements of a treaty with the Creek Indians. Signed a public treaty with the Creeks, represented by Alexander McGillivray and all the Creek leaders able to attend. Additional, private articles were signed by McGillivray on behalf of the Creek Nation. Reports that since recent negotiations had failed to produce a peace treaty, and since the informal truce had almost expired, the government felt it necessary to take up new negotiations to protect settler families. Discusses the issues at stake in the negotiation,…

GLC02437.04673

14 September 1790

Bowles, Ralph H., 1757-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Bowles asks Secretary of War Knox for assistance in obtaining the post of collection officer for the port of Machias. Bowles does not want to bother President George Washington about this. Bowles lists his credentials as a former soldier and good citizen of Washington County.

GLC02437.04728

23 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Secretary of War Knox informs President Washington that "the differences between England and Spain have been accommodated." Signed "HK." Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.04732

April 1788

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

Manuscript

Title: to George Washington

Discusses the politics of Europe, including conflicts with the Turks. States that the Turks have "numerous flocks of armed men - their Cavalry, which in the first shock, is not despicable, has it is said, surrounded three thousand of the Austrians and cut of their Heads, as is usual among them - they also had a successful Skirmish against the Russians - but there is no doubts of the advantages which such disciplined armies as those of the allied empires will have our a banditti of men who are totally Stranger to discipline, military knowledge, and rational calculations…." Discusses the news…

GLC02437.10213

19 April 1788

Manuscript document

Title: [Account between Jeremiah Wadsworth and Henry Knox]

Account between Jeremiah Wadsworth and Henry Knox. Pertains to warrants drawn by the Board of Treasury on William Imlay, receiver of Continental Taxes for the State of Connecticut. Duplicate of GLC02437.03848.

GLC02437.03846

26 April 1788 - 25 August 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Account between Jeremiah Wadsworth and Henry Knox]

Docketed by Knox with an initialed note on the docket indicating "delivered the account of what this is a copy signed by me to Colo Wadsworth this 25th of August 1789."

GLC02437.03858

10 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Checkley

Relates that a sum is due to Checkley's family from the estate of Thomas Flucker, his late father-in-law. Hopes to be in Boston within one month's time so he can resolve the "embarrassments and entanglements" related to the estate.

GLC02437.03891

24 June 1788

Nourse, Joseph, 1754-1841

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Warrants drawn by the commissioners of the Board of Treasury in favor of Henry Knox, Secretary at War]

Includes warrants from 1 January 1787 - 24 June 1788. Location inferred.

GLC02437.03912

28 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Order to pay Captain John Bryant]

Signed by Knox as Secretary at War. Includes the copied signature of Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth. On verso, Bryant signs a note authorizing that his pay be given to Samuel Henley. Henley signs, noting receipt of the sum.

GLC02437.03915

9 July 1788

Audebert, Philip, fl. 1788-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt of a warrant in favor of Captain David Zeigler]

Audebert, possibly a clerk at the war office, notes the warrant was for one month's pay of Zeigler's company.

GLC02437.03930

14 July 1788

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Submits an account of rations. Marked as private on address leaf. Writes, "We are fondly hoping that Congress will determine to form the new Government at this place, in which Case I expect we shall have the pleasure of your & Mrs. Knox's Company-"

GLC02437.03935