6 September 1776

Callender, Eliezer, 1709-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

He has heard that his son, John Callender, was either killed or wounded and taken prisoner in the Battle of Long Island. If a prisoner, [which he was], Eliezer seeks Knox's aid in getting his son released. John Callender was later exchanged and George Washington reversed his court-martial for cowardice at Bunker Hill in light of his valor at Long Island. He was captured while serving as a volunteer in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00441

7 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Indicates that military activities in New York are disrupting the mail. Thanks her for the kindness of her last letter. Reports little activities since the retreat in the Battle of Long Island. Criticizes the promotions that have been made because the army needs "men capable of great Ideas & who are acquainted with military matters." Fears George Washington is bearing too great a load of leadership. Indicates that General Nathanael Greene is recovering from illness. Hopes General Charles Lee arrives soon. Discusses treatment of prisoners, the honor of war, and his desire to not make…

GLC02437.00442

19 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains that he has been extremely busy and has not been able to write. Notes that those "Rascally Hessians" took his baggage with most of things and asks that some cloth be sent to him. Written from Mount Washington (now Washington Heights) in New York.

GLC02437.00447

23 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses corresponding with his brother. Describes the artillery department in the Continental Army as one of the busiest, and the reason he cannot write as frequently as would prefer to. Gives his analysis and opinions of recent events, commenting on British activities and George Washington's leadership, the poor quality of officers the Continental Army, the failures of the Continental Congress, and the needs of the army. Believes that the Battle of Long Island was their one chance to win New York. Comments on the morale-boosting effects of the small victory at the Battle of Harlem…

GLC02437.00451

26 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Celebrates Knox's "very surprizing deliverance from the hands of the Enemy." Criticizes the "Scandalous Flight of the Connecticut Militia," at the Battle of Long Island. Says that "General Washington himself has wrote to our [Council] & cast most severe reflections on their conduct." In response to Henry's letter from 19 September (see GLC02437.00447), he acknowledges that Henry's work and health have limited his writing and notes that he has obtained the epaulets Henry wanted but has not gotten the blue cloth yet.

GLC02437.00455

27 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Hints for the Improvement of the Artillery of the United States]

A report for the Continental Congress outlining specific recommendations to improve the organization, supply, and administration of the Continental Army's artillery. Composed at Harlem Heights in New York. Title from docket. Knox's retained copy & marked 'copy' by him.

GLC02437.00459

May 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph manuscript

Title: A Sketch of a defense of General Washingtons System of the Campaign of 1776, at New York and its Vicinity

Sweeping account of the early events of the American Revolution intended to defend the strategy George Washington took when the British drove the Americans from New York in 1776. Draft copy with many editorial alterations. Title from docket, which also indicates that this was "written and given to Doctor Ramsay of South Carolina."

GLC02437.00460

1 October 1776

Hoff, Joseph, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the canons he was ordered to make. Work had stopped from lack of communication but was restarting, and Hoff seeks instructions on what to make. Also indicates that he has the opportunity to hire additional moulders, one of which was the letter bearer, his brother, John Hoff. Assures Knox his iron will make good canons. Hoff ran a foundry called Hibernia Furnace.

GLC02437.00462

6 January 1840

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

Letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Forsyth discusses the Amistad case, revealing the administration's assumptions regarding the verdict of the trial. States that the Spanish minister had applied to the State Department for the "use of a vessel of the United States in the event of the decision of the Circuit Court in the case of the Amistad being favorable to his former application, to convey the negroes to Cuba, for the purpose of being delivered over to the authorities of that Island." States that President Van Buren has agreed, and "ordered a vessel to be in readiness to receive the negroes from the Custody of the Marshal…

GLC05636.18

January 17, 1840

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

Letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Fearing that his letter of 12 January had not reached Holabird, Forsyth reiterates President Van Buren's instructions regarding the Amistad. Writes "... I have to acquaint you with the desire of the President that you take the necessary measures to carry the case by appeal to the Circuit Court, both on that branch of the decision which relates to the negroes, and that which grants salvage on the vessel and the goods found on board. That part which concerns the slave Antonio is not to be disturbed, and instructions will be forwarded to you designating the parties to whom he is to be…

GLC05636.19

8 February 1840

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

Letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Writes regarding arrangements made by the Spanish Government for Antonio, the slave cabin-boy on board the Amistad, to testify at an upcoming trial in New Haven, Connecticut. Discusses the Minister's obtainment of Jose Ruiz's and Pedro Montes's proprietary title in the other Africans aboard the ship (the titles are to be procured from Cuba). Reports that he informed the Spanish Minister of Holabird's suggestion regarding obtainment of the Spanish laws and edicts prohibiting the importation of African slaves in Cuba. Relates that a Spanish Consul in Boston, Antonio G. Vega, and the Spanish…

GLC05636.20

25 March 1840

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

Letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Encloses a letter from the Spanish minister at Washington, D.C., a translation of the letter, and the printed copy of a treaty (not included) from 1835 between Great Britain and Spain intended to enforce restriction of the slave trade. Intends for Holabird to use the documents at the upcoming Circuit Court Amistad trial. Instructs Holabird to return the treaty to the State Department on the request of the Spanish minister.

GLC05636.21

30 April 1840

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

Letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Relates that the Africans' defense team requested President Martin Van Buren to instruct Holabird to present copies of the 1817 Decree of the King of Spain, the 1838 ordinance of the Queen of Spain, and the 1817 Treaty between Spain and Great Britain in the Circuit Court hearing of the Amistad case. These documents, which had previously been used when the Amistad trial was held at the District Court level, pertain to the slave trade in Spanish territories. Van Buren does not question the authenticity of the documents, but does not feel he has the right "to interpose in the manner desired of…

GLC05636.22

8 September 1840

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

Letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Transmits the deposition (not included) of Henry Thompson given to H. Griffiths, Esquire, United States Commercial Agent on the Island of Mauritius. Thompson had been a crew member of the Bark Pembroke, from which he was illegally discharged.

GLC05636.23

1 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Applauds the detection of a German traitor named Ledwitz, who had been appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army. Discusses various orders for payment Henry made. Discusses the last two letters he received from Lucy Knox. Has heard that Halifax was burned down by 500 Indians led by Frank Shaw. Discusses need for guns for privateers in Boston and for Continental frigates. Discusses the comparative advantages of large versus small ships, because Henry Jackson is going to arrange for a vessel that Henry "shall be concern'd in." Notes that new regiments have been raised but are…

GLC02437.00431

2 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

A brief and hurried letter to let Lucy know that he is well and in good spirits. Displays optimism about the war, although at the time the American forces were being driven from New York City by the British.

GLC02437.00432

11 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph note signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Robert Cook twenty dollars. A note signed with the mark of [Anne Cook] (spelled "Cooke"), on verso, dated 2 September 1776, directs that the payment be made to Isaiah Doane.

GLC02437.00433

2 September 1776

Parry, Edward, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses plans to purchase books and other business. Mentions that the Army was in 3 divisions and describes the location of each division.

GLC02437.00434

2 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses the retreat from Long Island, after the Battle of Long Island, and plans to defend Manhattan.

GLC02437.00435

2 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Briefly describes an unsuccessful "secret expedition" to obtain some artillery pieces. Seeks assistance in outfitting a ship with guns. Discusses a town meeting to choose wardens and various militia officers. Says James Otis "spoke as well as ever he did in his life." Names militia officers chosen, including William Davies, who had been Paul Revere's fellow rider on the April 18, 1776 "midnight ride." Indicates that many people think there will be no fighting in New York in the fall, but he is uncertain. Prays that Knox's "head may be cove[re]d in the day of Battle."

GLC02437.00436

5 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Praises his wife. Discusses the war, claiming it will reveal "cowardice treachery ingratitude." His is optimistic about the Continental Army's position in New York. He is in good spirits. Denounces the Continental Congress for not funding the army properly, arguing that a few minor defeats will benefit the revolution by forcing them to alter their administration of the war. He wants there to be a standing army. Argues that the militia spreads panic. Looks forward to "conjugal bliss" with Lucy at the end of the war.

GLC02437.00437

5 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reacts to news of the Battle of Long Island, hopes the loss serve as a learning experience rather than discouraging one, and laments the loss of Lord Stirling and General John Sullivan, who were captured. No news from Boston. "Lt. Johnston" was Captain Lt. John Johnston, captured at Long Island (see GLC02437.00443).

GLC02437.00438

6 September 1776

Lucinda, fl. 1776

Autograph note

Title: to William Knox

Sent to Knox but for a man named Philander. Lucinda thanks Philander for lending her books, and although she was very late in returning them, hopes he will recommend and lend some others.

GLC02437.00439

5 September 1776

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks William to visit the wife of Captain Lieutenant John Johnson of Knox's artillery and tell her that her husband was wounded and taken prisoner, but is being taken care of. Also wants the wife of John Callender told that he was taken prisoner as well. Notes that the Continental Army is in high spirits and there has been no new developments since the retreat at the Battle of Long Island. Shaw was a lieutenant in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00440

9 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Laments the loss at the Battle of Long Island because they lost the territory, had to abandon military stores and artillery pieces, and lost access to the good farms and livestock on the island. Others in Boston think the loss was of little consequence. Hopes to keep Manhattan and thinks it possible. Reports hearing that nine prizes containing rum and sugar from the West Indies have been captured by privateers and brought to Newport, Rhode Island and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Seeks a response to his inquiry about getting guns to outfit a ship (see GLC02437.00436). Explains that Mr. Spears…

GLC02437.00443