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to Captain Callahan
12 April 1785
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Discusses Callahan's obtainment of artificers, or craftsmen. Makes arrangements for Daniel Vose to pay Callahan in Knox's absence for the artificers' passage.
GLC02437.03125
to [Clement] Biddle
25 April 1785
Replies to a letter from Biddle. Writes, "the news of your misfortunes deeply afflicted me..." Does not know precisely what business he will oversee as Secretary at War, but promises that if an opportunity arises, he will appoint Biddle to work in...
GLC02437.03131
to Henry Knox
14 May 1785
Brenton, S. Cooke, fl. 1785
Relates that he was able to safely deliver a packet from Knox to Mrs. Greene (possibly Catharine Littlefield Greene, wife of Nathanael Greene). Sends his regards to Major Sargent, possibly Winthrop Sargent. Plans to travel to Martinico (Martinique)...
GLC02437.03145
to Joseph Carleton
25 May 1785
Knox, recently appointed Secretary at War, makes arrangements with Carleton, acting Secretary at War, to transmit pay and commissions to Major Wyllis (possibly John P. Wyllis) and his men.
GLC02437.03149
31 May 1785
Carleton, Joseph, 1754-1812
Carleton, acting Secretary at War, writes to Knox, recently elected Secretary at War. Relates that John Dickinson, President of Pennsylvania, informed him that Pennsylvania's quota of troops cannot be raised until the meeting of the General Assembly...
GLC02437.03150
9 June 1785
Bryant, John, 1742-1816
Captain Bryant, Deputy Commissary of Military Stores at the Springfield Armory, encloses a plan of the buildings belonging to the United States at the Springfield Armory. Discusses construction and repairs taking place there. See GLC02437.08362 for...
GLC02437.03152
12 June 1785
Carleton, previous acting Secretary at War, discusses military matters with Knox, recently appointed Secretary at War (Carleton is handling business from the War Office in Knox's absence). Discusses the pay and rank of several officers, the...
GLC02437.03154
June 27, 1785
Chastellux, François Jean, marquis de, 1734-1788
General Chastellux (signed Chastelleaux) requests that Knox admit a French doctor who served in the Revolutionary War to the Society of the Cincinnati. Writes, "... you remember very well dear general, that after the siege of york you left behind a...
GLC02437.03160
1 July 1785
Avery, John, 1739-1806
Avery, Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, informs Knox that Governor Thomas Cushing has requested that several cannon at West Point be returned to Massachusetts.
GLC02437.03162
[Return of military stores at Fort Pitt]
25 July 1785
Ashton, Joseph, fl. 1779-1785
Marked as a copy. Includes the [copied?] signature of Joseph Ashton, Lieutenant of Artillery Commanding at Fort Pitt. Lists carriages, howitzers, carbines, rifles, horse shoes, and other stores.
GLC02437.03168
to Broome & Platt
2 September 1785
Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp. Writes that Mr. James Webber, who is a close friend of his brother William Knox and had taken care of William while in London, has enclosed to him a note from Broome...
GLC02437.03181
6 September 1785
Broome & Platt (firm), fl. 1785
The firm of Broome & Platt certifies that it is in debt to Messrs. Webber Addington & Birhnall of London for approximately 600 pounds. Document arranges terms of repayment, including paying the equivalent amount in dry goods within a two-week period...
GLC02437.03182
10 September 1785
Discusses the details of his financial arrangements with the firm of Broome & Platt. Explains that he appreciates the candor with which they explained their financial distress to Samuel Shaw, Knox's representative at their meeting. Does have...
GLC02437.03191
to Francois Jean, marquis de Chastellux
27 September 1785
Writes to Chastellux on a variety of topics. Explains the concept of the Society of the Cincinnati, assuring him that the Society is "harmless in its intention, and having only for its real object, the perpetuation of friendship, and recollection of...
GLC02437.03203
7 October 1785
Written from "War Office." Discusses Mr. [possibly William] Duer's inability to find a man to provision Captain [likely John Francis] Hamtramck's company to the frontier. Suggests giving Hamtramck himself money to handle it, because Hamtramck...
GLC02437.03207
1 November 1785
Apparently written from the War Office, which was possibly located in New York City at the time. Writes, "I called at the office this morning to take leave and to make you my grateful thanks for the many friendly and polite attentions which you have...
GLC02437.03209
29 November 1785
Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814
Thanks him for his recent correspondence and for the "western" contract Samuel Shaw sent him. Will be glad to know when a new contract is ready. Thanks him for attending to his accounts of rations that he furnished Captain [likely David] Zeigler...
GLC02437.03221
to Clement Biddle
December 6, 1785
Writes in response to Biddle's letter of 29 November (see GLC02437.03221). Comments that he feels Congress has done everything in its power to handle the Algerine [pirate] situation, so he does not think it necessary for them to obtain any frigates...
GLC02437.03223
25 December 1785
Brooks, John, 1752-1825
John Brooks, a member of the Massachusetts General Court, writes to Knox on a wide variety of political subjects. Discusses the Society of the Cincinnati, land grants to common people, redress of grievances of the public, and the passage of a...
GLC02437.03227
[Account of pay for the American Regiment commanded by Colonel Harmar]
May 20, 1785-December 31, 1785
Ledger of pay for Colonel [Josiah] Harmar's regiment, from 20 May-31 December 1785. Also includes amounts paid to various officers in that regiment.
GLC02437.03229
8 January 1786
Writes, "My present engagements prevented my going to the westward to direct the business of supplies therefore I could not interest myself in the late proposals for victualing the troops as I wanted the means to [carry?] it on. I shall be much...
GLC02437.03234
[Partial account of money owed to John Crane by the United States]
1775-circa March 1786
Crane, John, 1744-1805
March 1786 date added later in pencil. Document written in two hands. Pages 1 and 2 feature a ledger of expenses Colonel John Crane paid on behalf of the United States from 1775 until approximately 1780. Page 3 features writing in two hands...
GLC02437.03255
[Certificate of financial transaction between Henry Knox, Nathaniel Barrett, and William Davis]
6 May 1786
Receipt written by Knox and signed by him in text. Nathaniel Barrett signs at the close. "Received of Henry Knox, a certificate No. 93.945. dated the sixth of May 1786, signed by John Peirce, Commissioner, and issued to Wm Davis, for one hundred &...
GLC02437.03264
to Samuel Breck
18 May 1786
Writes that an acquaintance of his, Mr. Badcock, will be delivering the present letter, and has business which "will require the confidence of the judgment of some gentlemen well acquainted with mercantile matters." Is assured that Breck will be...
GLC02437.03268
to Thomas Theodore Bliss
25 June 1786
Secretarially written and signed. Addressee listed as "Captain Bliss," may be Captain Thomas Theodore Bliss. Writes to make arrangements to send Bliss's daughter Betsey back to him. Betsey has apparently been staying with Knox and his family...
GLC02437.03278
20 August 1786
Blackden, Samuel, fl. 1786
Writes that while he hopes that peace continues in America, it is hard to be in England and not see how "ill-disposed" the people there are to American independence. Believes that most British citizens think and hope America will come back under the...
GLC02437.03294
to Henry Knox [in French]
13 September 1786
Broglio, Francois, comte de, fl. 1786-1788
Written from "Quartier Dauphin." According to the docket, written from Saint Domingue to recommend the Baron de la Valletiere for membership in the Society of the Cincinnati.
GLC02437.03299
to James Bowdoin
22 October 1786
Writes that he will receive by this post the act of Congress authorizing an additional 700 troops in the Ohio frontier, where the troops there are suffering attacks from local Indians. Reports that Congress has called for the states to pay into the...
GLC02437.03315
20 November 1786
Introduces Captain [possibly Jeremiah or Constant] Freeman as a worthy artillery soldier who served under Knox during the previous war. Recommends him for service in the Massachusetts line currently being raised.
GLC02437.03341
to the Board of Treasury
22 November 1786
Marked "copy." Written from the "War Office," likely in New York City during this period. Writes that his past agitations on behalf of payment for troops should convince them of his interest in providing for the public good. Believes that "the...
GLC02437.03342
[Register of sums received]
3 July 1786
Nourse, Joseph, 1754-1841
Certifies that "the Honorable Major General Knox Secretary at War is debited in the Treasury books of the United States with the following Sums of Money" which totals $6,893.60. States in a note that "[t]he General stands indebted for the following...
GLC02437.10207
Bankson, Jacob, fl. 1786
Reports to Knox about the state of a case concerning Captain James Lee "formerly of the Artillery [who] has made application to the...Court in Consequence of an Injury he received in the Service of his Country..." Mentions General Varnum and a...
GLC02437.10208
[Return]
July 1, 1784
Jefferds, Samuel, 1752-1804
Return of ordnance and military stores in the Northern department for the month of July 1784. Items listed by type and location. Also includes a list of ordnance delivered since the last return. Date previously inferred, written in pencil.
GLC02437.10719
31 August 1784
Price, William, ?-1790
Return of ordnance and military stores at West Point, New York. Items listed by type, weight and length. Also includes a list of ordnance received since the last return.
GLC02437.10720
30 September 1784
Return of ordnance and military stores at West Point, New York. Items listed by type, weight and length. Also includes a list of ordnance delivered since the last return.
GLC02437.10721
31 October 1784
Return of ordnance and military stores at West Point, New York. Items listed by type, weight and length.
GLC02437.10722
to [John] Ashley
25 November 1786
Thanks him for last month's letter. Asks him if he can provide any information from his quarter, and would be obliged by a letter from him when possible. Docket reads "To Mr Ashley Springfield -"
GLC02437.03348
to George Washington
December 21, 1786
Writes, "The insurgents who were assembled at Worcester in Massachusetts have disbanded- The people at Boston seem to be glad at this event and say it was the effect of fear- But the fact is that the insurgents effected their object, which was to...
GLC02437.03385
January 14, 1788
Knox updates Washington on various state conventions meeting to decide on ratification of the United States Constitution. Writes, "The new Constitution has hitherto been as well received as could have been expected considering the various existing...
GLC02437.03762
February 14, 1788
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...
GLC02437.03797
13 December 1786
Bruce, Stephen, ?-1801
Bruce, apparently a merchant, writes to Knox to discuss a contract for supplying the troops in the Boston area. Has been working with General [Henry] Jackson and Colonel [Benjamin] Hichborn, providing them with necessary supplies. Includes terms...
GLC02437.03374
to William Shepard
14 December 1786
Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790
Thanks him for the intelligence provided by his last two letters. Says that the last of the letters was received by "your confidential Friend Major Shepard," and he has talked with him extensively about the matters contained therein. Writes that...
GLC02437.03378
15 December 1786
Writes, "Major [Winthrop] Sargent will have the honor to deliver your Excellency this letter. Although his dispositions are military, yet he finds himself constrained on consideration of his former rank to decline the appointment to a company of...
GLC02437.03380
to Stephen Bruce
December 26, 1786
Written from the War Office, likely located in New York City in this period (also see GLC02437.03393 for a letter written on the same date from Knox in New York City). Explains that the Treasury Board has been, for some time, making plans for paying...
GLC02437.03392
Prices of clothing, and quantity allowed the troops of the United States
1786-1789
Lists rations of clothing for troops in three different years, and the prices charged by the contracted merchant supplying the clothing. The list for 1786 includes prices from Turnbull, Marmie & Co., the list for 1788 includes prices from Royal...
GLC02437.03400
[List of officers appointed under General Henry Jackson]
1786
Date added later in pencil. List of officers appointed under General Henry Jackson. Officers are sorted by rank, and include Majors William Hull, William North, and E. [possibly Elnathan] Haskell, as well as William Eustis as Surgeon.
GLC02437.03404
7 January 1787
Thanks him for his kind letter. Declares that before he received it, he "had been inform'd of the negociations taking place between the board of Treasury, and [Messrs Robert] Morris & [Jeremiah] Wadsworth for the whole supplies of the Troops, and...
GLC02437.03408
January 24- January 25, 1787
Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
Marked "copy" on docket. Describes in some detail the confrontations between his troops and the insurgents in Massachusetts, led by Daniel Shays. Reports that General [William] Shepard, who is also leading troops, is in a precarious position which it...
GLC02437.03422
January 27, 1787
Written from Brookfield, likely in Massachusetts. Marked "copy." Relates how he led his troops to the aid of General Shepard. "Writes, Gen'l Sheppard expects hourly an attack by the whole force of the Insurgents:- Shays marched with the party...
GLC02437.03425
January 28, 1787
Marked "copy." Written from "Head Quarters Springfield." Reports on Shay and his supporters' situation. Relates that he and a number of other regiments arrived in Springfield the day before. Writes, "On my arrival I found, that Shays had taken...
GLC02437.03427
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