1854-1874

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Header Record

Title: Letters from Simon Cameron to Robert G. White [Decimalized .01-.17]

Seventeen letters from Simon Cameron to Robert G. White. Most of the letters concern Cameron's campaigns for various offices and his political maneuverings and use of influence. Cameron was a Senator from Pennsylvania and President Lincoln's Secretary of War in 1861. Thanks to his wealth and connections he was power broker in national and Pennsylvania politics throughout his life. Robert Gray White was a district court judge in Pennsylvania, and was Cameron's friend and political ally.

GLC05891

14 September 1870

Hearn, J.A., fl. 1870

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Annual report on the Grand River Agency in South Dakota]

Addressed to Ely S. Parker, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Comments on different tribes, their numbers and their willingness to farm. Recommends providing government assistance to the friendly Indians, who "are fully convinced that the Government will not always provide for them, if they do not by and help themselves." Describing a meeting with Father Pierre-Jean de Smet, a Jesuit missionary, who planned to start a mission school. Describes the Agency's location as poor. Mentions the military presence. Lists the buildings constructed. Commends the Indians good conduct over…

GLC05893

1856

Bradford, William, fl. 1856

Book

Title: The History of Plymouth Plantation, printed from the original manuscript

Published for the Massachusetts Historical Society by Little, Brown & Co.

GLC05894

May 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a very detailed letter to her husband in Morristown, New Jersey during the American Revolution. Discusses the arrival in Boston of General Charles Tronson du Coudray, a French military engineer "who stiles himself Commander in Chief of the Continental Artillery" (Knox's current position) and claimed the appointment was from Silas Deane. Discusses the illness of Henry's brother William ("Billy") and her "fear we shall lose him, or at least that the humour in the blood has taken such deep root, as to embitter his future days." Also comments on various items she sent to Knox.…

GLC05895

1785-1812

Langdon, John, 1741-1819

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Autograph letterbook of outgoing correspondence, most 1785-88, 1805-8 & 1811-12

Including letters to John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Thomas Pickering, John Sullivan, Charles Thomson, James Bowdin, and other State governors regarding military affairs, state customs regulations and the need for interstate coordination, appropriations for the Continental Congress. The need for a stronger central government, the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

GLC05896

2 September 1782

Haskell, Elnathan, 1755-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Verplanks Point, now Verplanck, New York. Writes, "In the orders of this day I am appointed aide de camp to Major General [Robert] Howe, which I suppose will supersede the necessity of my returning to the Garrison again. Everything you desired was detailed to the Commander in Chief [George Washington], previous to my appointment, by General Howe."

GLC02437.01563

16 September 1782

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Camp Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Writes that since the Commander in Chief [General George Washington] has not yet received money or the necessary papers by the Southern post, he plans to postpone the meeting of Commissioners to next Wednesday.

GLC02437.01615

22 November 1782

Hazen, Moses, 1733-1803

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Brigadier General Hazen to Major General Knox. Reports that Washington ordered him to send a return to Knox at West Point for ammunition, & etc. Asks to have it forwarded to Stony Point. Says "It was not in my Power to procure for you, amongst the German Prisoners, the Servants you wanted." Second page includes a copy of a note from Hazen, in the hand of Samuel Shaw, reading "to 29 rounds per man - 1404 dozen Cartridges / 150 priming wires."

GLC02437.01723

16 April 1783

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General Heath to General Knox. Reports that General Washington ordered the officers of each state in the army under his immediate command to meet to give their decision on the Congressional resolution of 23 March (this offered five years pay as commutation instead of half-pay pensions for life). Says that the Massachusetts line is meeting at the public building at New Windsor next Friday and wants Knox and the other Massachusetts officers at West Point to be there. Asks that he collect their sentiments and pass them along by the time of the meeing if they cannot make it.

GLC02437.02096

7 August 1783

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests that Knox intercede with the Commander in Chief, George Washington, to obtain a discharge for a man named Mr. Shaw. References his advanced age and that he had a Captain's commission from the state of Massachusetts. He is therefore, not a "proper person" to serve as a private soldier.

GLC02437.02373

22 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Heath

Written and signed in a secretarial hand for General Knox by his aide-de-camp Major Samuel Shaw. References Heath's letter of 7 August. Says with respect to John Shaw he can only extend his furlough as only the commander in chief can offer a discharge (see GLC02437.02360). Says that is impossible now as Washington is on a visit to Congress. Second page is a copy of another letter in the hand of Samuel Shaw (he accidently signed the letter and then crossed out his signature). This letter refers to John Shaw's poor health and need for a longer furlough. Says it was extended until next April.

GLC02437.02405

February 14, 1787

Fleury, François-Louis Teissèdre, vicomte de, 1749-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Port Louis, Isle of France," present-day Port Louis, Mauritius. Relates that Mr. Sears stopped at the Isle of France on his way to and from Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China), and brought him a letter from Major Samuel Shaw. Fears that Shaw's trip has not been very profitable. Discusses problems with international trade, especially with China and India. Mentions that Lord Cornwallis, "our York's acquaintance," is in command in all the British possessions, and is presently at Calcutta. Asks to be remembered to Generals [George] Washington and [Nathanael] Greene, as well…

GLC02437.03454

20 May 1782

Hazen, Moses, 1733-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Lancaster, likely in Pennsylvania. Remarks that he wrote some days ago to the commanding officer at Reading about the servants Knox wanted, and if servants are to be had there, he will have them sent out to Knox. If not, he will try further. Asks that he and Mrs. Hazen be remembered to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.01423

24 June 1782

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General Heath to Major General Knox. Reports to Knox that the men of the Massachusetts line believe Congress needs to address the arrears of pay due to them for 1781. They would like the general officers from Massachusetts to join them. Says a meeting has been scheduled for 26 June at noon and it is asked that Knox attend.

GLC02437.01467

13 September 1782

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Camp Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Encourages Knox to come down to his location soon to discuss and prepare for a meeting with the British Commissioners (regarding the prisoner cartel). Also mentions a discussion with the Quartermaster General [Colonel Timothy Pickering] about preparation of a barge. Writes that the Quartermaster General would like Knox to make preparations for it.

GLC02437.01607

10 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moses Hazen

Writes, "I received your favor respecting any supernumerary ensigns who might [turn?] the Massachusetts & Connecticut lines - I have made enquiry upon the subject, and find that instead of having an excess of Ensigns, each regiment upon an average is deficient, of more than one half of that grade." Adds that he is glad to hear that Hazen's regiment will not be affected by the reduction. He and Mrs. Knox send their compliments to Mrs. Hazen.

GLC02437.01736

19 April 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Encloses an agreement made by Colonel Crane's regiment to accept the commutation of five years full pay in lieu of half pay for life. Knox also accepts the commutation.

GLC02437.02105

28 May 1783

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a Lieutenant-Colonel [John] Popkin and whether or not he should stay at his post as Superintendent of Recruiting Services in Boston, Massachusetts, as the recruiting service has been closed.

GLC02437.02137

11 June 1783

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a list [not included] of people appointed by the Massachusetts line to a committee to "prepare an address to his excellency the commander in chief, &c on the happy issue of the war."

GLC02437.02158

2 April 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Hichborn

Writes that though he has written only once since he left Boston, his affection has not diminished for Hichborn. Is happy to hear all his Boston friends, including Hichborn, are well; this is frequently reported to Knox by his "valuable chronicle" Henry Jackson. Relates that his wife Lucy is in poor spirits as her mother [Hannah Waldo Flucker] died the previous December, and she now only has one sister left [Mrs. Hannah Urquhart]. Due to this circumstance he is interested in renewing his attentions to the "eastern estates," likely the Waldo Patent properties belonging to Lucy's family.…

GLC02437.03259

12 November 1786

Higginson, Stephen, 1743-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Henry Knox]

Discusses the upcoming possible war with the Indians, and especially the financial prospects of Congress. Believes that Congress will be able to raise more money. Mentions that the Treasurer (possibly Robert Morris) has offered his loan, and that others in a position to do so will feel compelled to provide funding as well. Recipient inferred from content. See GLC02437.03317 and .03343 for related information.

GLC02437.03336

25 November 1786

Higginson, Stephen, 1743-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that since his last letter, the loan for raising men to oppose the Indians has been offered, and it has been debated for several days. The reference to "Indians" is code for the troops being raised to suppress Shays's Rebellion. Explains different positions on the subject. Mentions that Shays' Rebellion has factored into the discussion. Seems to think they will, in a few days, have the money necessary for enlisting the men. Encloses a newspaper article about the doings of the General Court (not present). Also discusses how well the government seems to be functioning. Recipient…

GLC02437.03343

14 December 1786

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is presently at Mr. [Stephen] Bruce's, whom he and Knox have discussed "respecting his supplying in some way as a public agent." Thinks this is a good time to determine that point. Writes, "Bruce is in every respect perfectly ready & I have no doubt the issue will be [illegible: met] to a charm." Declares that Harry [likely Henry Jackson] is fully engaged in this business. Mentions that Bruce has sent letters to the Commissioners and to Knox on the subject. Sends regards to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.03379

26 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Hichborn

Writes that he received a letter regarding Mr. [Stephen] Bruce's contracting to provide rations for the troops currently being raised. Would be happy to consider him for the contract, but his powers are constrained as the Board of Treasury has "agreed on the principles of an extensive contract for all the demands of the establishment." The Board is apparently planning to select one contractor to provide payment, clothing, and rations, and other supplies. Seems to suggest it might be possible for Mr. Bruce to contract with the one overarching contractor. Under these circumstances, the…

GLC02437.03393

January 20, 1787

Higginson, Stephen, 1743-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses raising troops to fight against the insurgents, in particular to fight under Colonel [possibly Michael] Jackson. Mentions the drive to raise funds for recruiting troops and also procuring supplies, such as for the regiments of General [Henry] Jackson and General [Benjamin] Lincoln. Reports on preparations for the fight against the Shays insurgents, and describes the preparations in the nearby states, such as New York.

GLC02437.03418