June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Pierce

Written and signed in hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp, to Paymaster General Pierce. Says he made a settlement with the auditors of the army for monies received for his recruiting and ordnance services in 1779. Says the whole account could not be settled "from a want of sundry vouchers," not in his possesion. The audit found that Knox was owed a little over $2609, which he received in April 1779 in old paper money from Colonel Palfrey. Says he has reviewed his accounts and realized the money was not due to him and asks that it be taken from the pay that is due to him on a converstion…

GLC02437.02206

2 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Popkin

Written by Major General Knox to Lieutenant Colonel Popkin. References Popkin's letter of 19 June 1783. Says as the army is about to be disbanded the complainants "have been advised to another mode by the Judge advocate, you will consider the former order for your recall to camp as cancelled by this letter." Docket says this is a copy of the letter sent to Popkin. For related documents, see GLC02437.02139, .02219, .02220, .02235, .02236, .02364, .10082, .10112, and .10117.

GLC02437.02226

4 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Price

Orders Captain Price, commissary of military stores, to deliver supplies such as steel, wine, tin, flannel, leather, and blubber oil to Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster General.

GLC02437.02908

6 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Price

Knox writes to Price, newly appointed commissary of military stores at West Point. Gives Price instructions regarding his post, including the method by which he must orders stores and keep meticulous records. Price will take orders from Major Sebastian Bauman.

GLC02437.02919

7 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Peirce

Knox writes to Peirce (in some sources "Pierce"), Paymaster General. Instructs Peirce to forward a sum of money periodically for care of sick soldiers who have remained in the service. Gives specific instructions for the method of transmitting the funds.

GLC02437.02923

11 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William] Price

Knox writes to Captain Price, apparently William Price, Deputy Commissary of Ordnance and Military Stores at West Point. Orders Price to make monthly returns and to issue only what the commanding officer, the War Office, or Congress orders.

GLC02437.03011

11 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Encloses a list of "officers who now retire upon the reduction of the corps here..." (not included). Asks Pickering, Quartermaster General, to arrange for the officers' transportation.

GLC02437.03015

14 March 1805

Porter, Benjamin J., fl. 1805-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Mr. Harry, an attorney from Topsham (present-day Maine), requested a renewal of [Aleijah] Richardson's commission as justice of the peace for Lincoln County.

GLC02437.03110

23 March 1785

Pollard, Jonathan, fl. 1749-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Complains that his broken knee will prevent him from pursuing the trucking business. Requests an appointment to work under Knox, newly appointed Secretary at War.

GLC02437.03116

3 August 1785

Poellnitz, Frederick Carl Hans Bruno, Baron von, 1734-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to Knox to discuss a home in New York City, at Bow[er]y Lane, apparently owned by Baron Poellnitz, which Knox is occupying. Baron Poellnitz has received word from Mr. Steven Sayre that Knox is living there, and is pleased to hear that it has been taken by a "Gentlemen of your Caracter for whom without having the honour of Personal acquaintance I have notwithstanding the heighest Respect and notions." Writes that his wife has left in a hurry, leaving everything in confusion, and asks that Knox continue at the house until he returns to the United States (though he is unsure when that…

GLC02437.03172

2 November 1785

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I do myself the honor to enclose you copies of a conveyance respecting Colonel [likely Robert] Troup's commutations, by which it will appear that I made two difficulties in granting it- The first (and only one now remaining) that his military Commission was superceeded on his acceptance of his appointment as Secretary to the Board of Treasury- My opinion was founded on this principle that it is incompatable with the rules of Congress for one person to enjoy the emoluments of two appointments, unless there is an express provision made for it, and that the acceptance of a latter…

GLC02437.03213

12 February 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Pollard

Discusses a petition of Pollard's that has been active since 1781, apparently for pay from when Pollard worked for General William Heath. Says it must be renewed, noting that Robert Morris was not yet Superintendent of Finance when it was filed.

GLC02437.03241

2 December 1786

Price, William, ?-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has been informed by Captain [perhaps Samuel] Jefferds that Knox has recommended him to the Massachusetts State Legislature for a lieutenancy in the artillery, for which he is thankful. However, "if my accepting of a Lieutenancy should deprive me of my present Employment, I should wish to decline it." Wants to hold his rank in the Line of the Army, which he believes is a permanent appointment "so long as I behave myself upright and during your pleasure." Leaves it, however, to Knox to decide.

GLC02437.03360

21 October 1787

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the sentiments of the people of Virginia as well as the state Assembly and Senate in regards to the Constitution. "The People of this state appear to be principally in favor of the constitution: but I think that a great part of the Gentlemen and Politicians of the country are against it. The leading members in the Assembly are also against it - among which are Patrick Henry, Colo. Bland and others... " Says the governor [Edmund Randolph] "feels his character interested in its destruction." Says there will be a meeting held next Thursday to decide if they should hold a convention.…

GLC02437.03678

12 November 1787

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives information about events in Virginia related to ratifying the Constitution. Encloses an act [not present] "now adopted by the legislature," about calling a convention. States that, "the policy of the state is against the constitution and the union itself. a great majority of the members of the Legislature are opposed to it - but the body of the people at large continues in favor of it." Believes the representatives will cave when they return home and are influenced by the people. Mentions the recommendation of Congress respecting British debt and states, "Patrick Henry is against…

GLC02437.03703

19 November 1787

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the delegates' agreement to pay British debts but only if the other states ratify a similar provision. Writes that "Mr. Henry in his harangue respecting this question attacked the constitution of the Union in the strongest terms and endeavored to sow the seeds of jealousy against the federal courts, the new england states and the spirit of the union itself." Discusses concern for federal defrayment of state debt.

GLC02437.03707

21 November 1787

Platt, Richard, 1755-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Platt informs Knox that he can take his time to make a payment.

GLC02437.03710

12 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Jean Baptiste Vigoureuse Du Plessis

Was sorry to hear about Du Plessis' illness. Worries about the situation in Europe, notes that the "patriotic party appear to be humbled to the dust." Hears about an "impending War between France & England our wishes are decisively in favor of France." Writes that he has written to Count D'Estaing and Count de Rochambeau for a list of the officers of the royal Army and Navy of France that are members of the Society of the Cincinnati in order to execute their diplomas. Noted as a copy with the docket written in French.

GLC02437.03722

1 July 1788

Pierce, William, 1740-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Pierce informs Knox he sent him "a few Water Melons and two [musk] melons. by Schemmerhorn. They will arrive, I hope, in season to be acceptable." A note on verso underneath the address leaf states, "2 Water Mellions Rotten & 1 [Musk] Mellion."

GLC02437.03921

3 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Price

Marked as a "copy/private." Appears to be from Knox to Price at West Point, although no creator is cited. Notes he will be leaving for Boston 10 or 12 July. Asks if Price can be in New York by that time so they may travel together. Notes he will deliver £96 "this currency," half of Price's pay for 1787.

GLC02437.03925

19 July 1788

Platt, Richard, 1755-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses financial matters.

GLC02437.03938

19 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lieutenant [John] Pratt

Was informed by his brother, William, that Lieutenant [John] Pratt met the quota of Connecticut troops, and the recruits are at West Point. Instructs Pratt to prepare to march on an expedition.

GLC02437.04004

21 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letters to Jeremiah Wadsworth and John Pratt]

The first letter, to Jeremiah Wadsworth, is contained on pages one and two. Both letters are written from Boston and dated 21 October 1788. In the letter, Knox informs Wadsworth that Mr. [Rufus] King arrived yesterday from New York, relating the news "that there is no congress nor any probability of one." Has decided to remain in Boston to attend personal business. Instructs Wadsworth to deliver money to William Knox for the detachment of Lieutenant Pratt's troops (William was managing War Office business in Henry's absence). The second note, on page two, is directed to Lieutenant [John…

GLC02437.04009

24 October 1788

Pratt, John, 1753-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lieutenant Pratt discusses making preparations for his men to march to Fort Pitt (see GLC02437.04010). Complains at length that he will receive only one month's pay without subsistence, and that the "Old Soldiers" under his orders were not included in the estimate to pay his troops. Worries about marching so late in the season. Complains, "there was no allowance made for moneys lost by Disertion..."

GLC02437.04013

10 November 1788

Pratt, John, 1753-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lieutenant Pratt certifies that George Dennison, Commissary at West Point, erroneously delivered a barrel of rye flour to the troops under Pratt's command.

GLC02437.04029