18 May 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Discusses the appointment of either Mr. [Thomas] Pinckney or [David] Humphreys as the minister to the Republic of France. Mentions Mr. Pinckney might transfer to France as long it is not disagreeable to him. Also notes Mr. Humphreys has not voiced opinions on the French Revolution and would make a good appointment. Recommends the following people, [Thomas] Jefferson, [James] Madison, Governor Henry Lee Virginia, John Rutledge, Elbridge Gerry, Doctor William Eustis, and Jedediah Huntington, along with a few others. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.06098

6 October 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Secretary of War Knox informs the president of his arrival in Philadelphia, and also for permission to join Washington in Carlisle, Pennsylvania "until the painful task upon which you are, shall be settled." The "painful task" was the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion by government troops, headed by Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Virginia Governor Henry Lee. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.06219

21 November 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to George Washington

A brief description of lands for sale. Document is unsigned but appears to be in Knox's handwriting.

GLC02437.06247

24 January 1795

Belknap, Jeremy, 1744-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Warns Knox he published some observations in a local newspaper regarding what he perceived as "offensive" passages written in Knox's report to the President (George Washington).

GLC02437.06322

2 September 1795

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Discusses public reaction to Jay's Treaty, which had just been ratified candidates to fill the vacant position of U.S. Attorney General, the arrival in the U.S. of Lafayette's son, who had just escaped from Revolutionary France, mutual friends, and his own family. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.06510

21 February 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Writes to recommend several people to serve as American Commissioners to Great Britain, including a Mr. [Christopher] Gore, a Mr. [Theophilus] Parsons, and Judge [James] Sullivan, the Attorney-General of Massachusetts, "in pursuance of the late treaty" (Jay's Treaty). Was asked by friends to recommend these individuals. He and his wife send their respects to Mrs. Washington.

GLC02437.06633

14 April 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Declines the appointment as a commissioner to negotiate the boundary between Maine and Canada (part of Jay's Treaty). Cites his preoccupation with the construction work being done on his home, as well as the conflict of interest he faces due to his land ownership in Maine. Suggests Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth or Judge [James] Sullivan instead. Adds that he has written to Colonel [Timothy] Pickering suggesting that he might remain at the head of the committee for the time being, in order to suggest that the Committee would appear ready to execute the treaty at any time. Knox's retained…

GLC02437.06704

20 August 1793

Anderson, John, 1726-1796

Manuscript document signed

Title: to George Washington

Titles the document "The Memorial." Writes discussing inventions. States "[t]hat he has invented a Bronze Guns Metal, which has the advantage of Common Iron Guns, and of Common Brass Guns, without their imperfections. That he has invented a Carriage for Guns; by which the recoil of the Gun is distroyed, without giving motion to the Carriage." Believes that these inventions will be very useful and writes that "because they were brought to the test of experiment by French Armies under the Generals [Marquis de] La Fayette, [Comte de] Rochambeau, [Charles François Du Périer] Dumourier, and…

GLC02437.10273

14 December 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to George Washington

Writes concerning a "return of the Ordnance Arms and Military stores in possession of the United States." States that many of these stores accumulated in several areas as a result of the revolution and wishes to find better permanent housing for them. Writes, "[t]he important characteristics for magazines and arsenals seem to be perfect security against enemies, internal and external, blended with an easy access by water. The expence of land transportation of heavy articles for a series of years compared with that by water, renders the latter quality indispensible for a magazine." Goes on…

GLC02437.10288

23 February 1793

Bingham, William, 1752-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that Madame de Leval is very desirous of having a time fixed for an interview on the subject of her proposal. Believes that Sunday, 24 February, is a day of leisure for Knox, and suggests that they meet with her then. Tells Knox to name the hour and he will be there.

GLC02437.05831

4 March 1793

Bruce, Stephen, ?-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes him in consequence of a letter he received from their mutual friend Colonel [Benjamin] Hichborn. Hichborn reported that Colonel William Smith "would have occasion for some agent this way to Purchas some Quantity of provision &c &c and it might be an object for me to seek immediately after." Cannot learn anything more than what Hichborn told him and would like Knox to write to Smith to see if more information can be had. Docket notes it was received 9 March.

GLC02437.05842

24 March 1793

Chew, Benjamin, 1722-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Called on Knox that evening but was told he was indisposed with an illness. Was going to ask for a reference for "a young Man who has for some time lived in the Capacity of Servant with you of the Name Philip Louvre." The servant showed up at his residence and offered his services. As Louvre was still technically employed by the Knox family, he is asking for permission to engage the servant as well as a description of his character. Chew wrote from Walnut Street.

GLC02437.05859

12 April 1793

Bridge, Edmund, 1739-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

This letter appears to have been forwarded by Jackson to Henry Knox, as Knox's handwriting is on the docket. This was written by Bridge as the Sheriff of Lincoln County in the District of Maine who was trying to sell some of the Waldo Patent to pay for back taxes. Bridge references Jackson's letter of 24 March. In answer, says he has gone to considerable trouble to arrange the sale of the land if the heirs have not paid their taxes by 11 July. Pushed the date back to give the heirs a chance to pay their taxes and also because the Supreme Court is meeting at that time and he can sell the…

GLC02437.05870

4 May 1793

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports to Knox that the bank stock is at par, "but I will take Care to provide as you desire."

GLC02437.05886

13 June 1793

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sent three of the maps by post as Knox directed. Each map costs 20 shillings or $2.50, for a total of $7.50. Encloses the account with receipts (not included). Reports "The City of New York is in a state of anarchy every night since the arrival of the french Frigate." This is in reference to the arrival of the French frigate "Ambuscade," which brought news of the French declaration of war against Great Britain.

GLC02437.05900

27 July 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Knox acknowledges receipt of bank notes from William Bingham]

Marked "Copy." Mentions receiving $17,000 in bank notes from William Bingham, "which notes I promise to take up when due they being solely for my accommodation."

GLC02437.05909

24 August 1793

Barnes, John, fl. 1793-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Barnes as a clerk in the War Department. Encloses Knox's three months pay. Would like to have it "adjusted by the 1st of next Mo[nth], it would be very Accceptable indeed; as I have a large paymt to make good that day."

GLC02437.05914

24 September 1793

Audebert, Philip, fl. 1788-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written during the yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia. Tells Knox that his children and domestics are in good health. Also says "nothing material has accured [sic] since you left us, as to the disorder in the City." Sends along an enclosed letter from the president as well as another letter from Thomas Sim Lee, Governor of Maryland (not included). Audebert reports he is in good health himself.

GLC02437.05927

27 September 1793

Audebert, Philip, fl. 1788-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References a letter he sent to Knox on 24 September (see GLC02437.05928). Encloses a duplicate with this note (not included). Says "I find your progress is retarded, I now enclose you sundry letters, some of which came to hand last evening, which I think necessary to transmit to you as they may be of some importance." Reports that his child is well. Will go to his house and ask the nurse to write to Mrs. Knox. Tells Knox that Mr. Burton has the key to his house, which he took possession of after the servants left town.

GLC02437.05932

28 September 1793

Bissell, Daniel, 1754-1824

Autograph document signed

Title: A weekly report of the recruits at Middletown under the command of Ensign Daniel Bissell

Reports that there are 8 privates and 1 sergeant on duty at Middletown, Rhode Island.

GLC02437.05934

1 October 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Bingham and William Duer

Pages one-three contain a letter to William Bingham. Page 4 has a letter to William Duer. There is only one signature, at the end of the Duer letter. Describes his trip to Elizabethtown. Tells Bingham that Mr. Baucel, the agent to Monsieur D'Espremenil, was waiting when he arrived. Goes into the details of the quid pro quo that Duer offered to D'Espremenil (for background see GLC02437.05930). Believes the arrangement is beneficial to Bingham's interest. Reports "The fever in Philadelphia has not abated, but I do not find any dead recently whose name I am acquainted with." References receiving…

GLC02437.05937

16 November 1793

Baucel (agent), fl. 1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox [in French]

Written by Baucel as the agent of Monsieur D'Espremenil, who made a deal with William Duer involving lands in Maine. See GLC02437.05930 and .05937 for background on the situation. This letter is a follow up on previous correspondence.

GLC02437.05976

23 December 1793

Henley, David, 1749-1823

Autograph document signed

Title: [Voucher for Henley's pay as a clerk in War Department]

Asks James Henry Langier, a clerk in the War Department, to give his pay to Burgess Allison. He is asking for pay for his services as clerk in the War Department from 1-5 July. The total is $7. It is signed at the bottom by Allison stating he "Received the above."

GLC02437.06004

6 January 1794

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says that Mr. Samuel C. Morris is applying for the appointment of Supervisor of the Excise of the counties of Berks, Northumberland, and Northampton in Pennsylvania. Gives a good recommendation for Morris, saying he served with distinction during the Revolutionary War.

GLC02437.06021

13 April 1794

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes about the impending war and declares that Knox should "give up any consideration for the common or public good of our country." Discusses the necessity of finding an "American" engineer to help prevent the "enemy" from learning the strengths of their ports. Recommends searching for "geniuses in America" and to have the government give them as much assistance it can afford. Also, suggests New York having four companies of artillery during war and two during peace. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.06077