14 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Discusses the furloughs of two soldiers who served under Bryant (refer to GLC02437.10122). The men have to obtain blank discharge forms from army headquarters which must be filled out by Bryant before they can receive their furloughs. Expresses his opinion that Bryant should come to West Point to settle the accounts of the "poor fellows" (and Bryant's own account) with the army paymaster. Notes that the troops at West Point have received pay for four months of 1783. Instructs Bryant to keep the men serving under him "mustered up to the present time."

GLC02437.10123

28 July 1783

Swartwout, Cornelius, fl. 1776-1783

Manuscript document

Title: [Return of ordnance and stores at Stony Point and Verplanks Point]

Swartwout signed as Captain Lieutenant commanding Artillery at Kings Ferry.

GLC02437.10519

January 28, 1776

Manuscript document

Title: Return of the officers names in the artillery regiment in the service of the United Colonies

Lists Colonel Henry Knox, First Lieutenant William Burbeck, Second Lieutenant Colonel David Mason, and First Major John Crane. Lists the names of captains, captain lieutenants, first lieutenants, second lieutenants, and third lieutenants. Date from docket.

GLC02437.10459

February 14, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Reports on Massachusetts' adoption of the Constitution of the United States. Writes, "It may with great truth be asserted that no subject was ever more candidly debated- Many of the minority express their determination, of inculcating the principle of union among their constituents." Categorizes those who oppose the Constitution into three groups: the "insurgent interest," the "desperate debtors," and "honest men, without information whose minds are apprehensive of danger to their Liberties." Encloses a paper "containing a description of the demonstration of Joy by the Boston people on the…

GLC02437.03797

11 March 1788

Grasse, Alexandre-Francois Auguste, Marquis de, 1765-1845

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington [in French]

Extract from a letter (in French) from Augustus de Grasse to George Washington to be presented before the Society of the Cincinnati, regarding Augustus's father, Admiral Francois De Grasse. The younger de Grasse asks Washington's permission to wear his late father's Society of the Cincinnati eagle medallion.

GLC02437.03820

December 21, 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

February 12, 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

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

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

January 20, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Responds to a letter from Bourne related to a sum owed to the heirs of Balthazar Bayard from the estate of Thomas Flucker, Knox's father-in-law who passed away in 1783. Notes that settlement of the estate depends on settlement of the Lincoln Patent (Waldo or Lincolnshire Patent). Indicates that when the estate is settled, Knox will in turn satisfy Flucker's outstanding debts.

GLC02437.03768

January 24, 1788

Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests a response from a previous letter he sent to Knox, likely pertaining to a bill owed by the estate of Thomas Flucker, Knox's late father-in-law.

GLC02437.03770

10 February 1788

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written in Manchester, a present-day neighborhood of Richmond. Comments on the state conventions held to discuss ratification of the United States Constitution (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia). On Virginia, writes, "My situation here is in the midst of Mr. Henries influence, and I find he has pretty well prepared the people for being his blind followers- his demagogues are loud in their clamors against the Constitution, professing a determination to reject unless amendments can be had even at the hazard of standing alone..." (referring to Anti-Federalist Patrick Henry…

GLC02437.03792

February 14, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Edward Carrington

Informs Carrington, a Continental Congressman, of Massachusetts' ratification of the Constitution. Reports that those at the convention who previously opposed the Constitution have "declared their intention of uniting their influence in support of the constitution." Notes that [Elbridge] Gerry, who sat in but did not participate in the Massachusetts ratifying convention, has also pledged himself to the Constitution. Discusses the interests of some of the Constitution's opponents. Encloses papers describing the celebration in Boston after its passage. Notes that the New Hampshire…

GLC02437.03798

4 March 1788

Allen, William, fl. 1783-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "Inclosed I send you an Act of the Genl. Assembly of Rhode Island for submitting to the People at Large the New Constitution, this specious measure was warmly opposed by the Minority, but notwithstanding it was carried by a Majority of nineteen or twenty." Congratulates Knox on Massachusetts' adoption of the Constitution.

GLC02437.03813

9 April 1788

Manuscript document

Title: [Receipt for the payment of two West Point men to pursue army deserters]

An unknown recipient received from Captain Henry Burbeck "ten shillings york currency for the purpose of defreying my expences for two men from W. Point into the country in pursuit of Livi Hunter and Joseph Griffin deserters from the Federal Artillery." Includes an account balance on verso.

GLC02437.03834

14 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Knox, Secretary of War, replies to a 10 April letter from Biddle. Discusses "furnishing the Pennsylvania quota of troops with rations," noting that he wrote a public letter to Biddle on the same topic (this letter is marked "private" on the docket). Writes, "I wish the business would be worthy of your attention- The treasury are so poor that they cannot make other payments than by warrants." Regrets that he can not assist Biddle more in the matter. Noted as "a copy" on the docket.

GLC02437.03838

16 April 1788

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Replies to Knox's letter from 14 April (GLC02437.03838). Says there is no prospect of any warrants being paid at the Pennsylvania Treasury. Further discusses pay warrants related to soldiers' compensation and rations. Marked "private" on the address leaf.

GLC02437.03841

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