23 September 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that they have not been able to obtain a cow yet that will produce enough milk for the whole winter but hopes to soon. Says when they do purchase a cow she will need to be driven in a herd of cattle as opposed to being sent by water. Notes that a strong political party is forming against the convention (the Constitutional Convention, which had finalized drafting the Constitution four days earlier) and Wadsworth fears the new government may not be formed. Notes "if the Massachusetts rebellion had continued we might hope their is many of our Leading Men who dread the lessening…

GLC02437.03667

11 November 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that there is no money in the treasury of the Connecticut branch of the Society of the Cincinnati. Adds that he will ensure the money they owe to Major L'Enfant (for Society egale medals) will be paid to him as soon as possible.

GLC02437.03699

12 December 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a cow and calf he sent Knox and gives advice on how to feed them. Mentions falling off his horse. Comments on the anti-federalists, "Our antifederals are busy but will be distanced - tho aided by your deeds in NY & Pensa from whence they daily receive pamphlets & newspapers full of wrath slandor & wit..." Stamped "N. Haven."

GLC02437.03723

23 December 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is happy to hear that Pennsylvania adopted the Constitution. Mentions the debates over the Constitution in Connecticut. Hopes to set out soon for New York "as soon as that business is over" and possibly attend Congress. Mentions that "Old Pluckemin" [a dog] has died. In a postscript, writes, "If Publius comes out in a pamphlet I would want to have a number" (likely a reference to the Federalist Papers). States that everything written about the constitution in New York is "forwarded under cover to our Wrong Heads - & every under hand manner taken to prevent our adopting it..." Recipient…

GLC02437.03736

9 January 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth declares, "This moment from Convention- Where the proposed Constitution was passed 127 Yeas- 40 Nos- it ought to be remarked that all the [first?] Characters in the Convention were for the Constitution and Gen James Wadsworth the only man of any real consequence who was against it Our Governor Deputy Governor late Governor Griswold & all the Judges of the Superior Court were present except one- & for it - All of ye Council for - (one against it Gen Wadsworth)." Letter dated 1787, but docket (and content) reveal that it was created in 1788. With unsigned free frank.

GLC02437.03756

12 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Plans to transmit $29,000 worth of warrants from the Board of the Treasury to Wadsworth within the course of one week to pay for the recruiting service. Discusses Virginia's possible adoption of the Federal Constitution. Writes, "Mr. A[rthur] Lee informs me that by the elections it appears that 63 are against the constitution, and 67 - for These are all the elections excepting the back coun[ties]..." Mentions the attempts of Patrick Henry and Colonel [William] Grayson to influence the "back counties" against the Constitution. Notes that Mr. [James] Madison "seems to be of opinion that the…

GLC02437.03835

17 April 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Replies to Knox's letter from 12 April (GLC02437.03835). Discusses army pay warrants. Has "ransacked the County a couple of good cows." Promises to send a cow to Knox when one can be obtained. Speculates on the possible adoption of the Constitution by Virginia and New York: "I don't believe [George] Mason and old [William] Grayson will be very influential in Virginia- and hope the exertions of the Federalists will continue to be industrious in New York for as I came thro E & W Chester I found the Antis had been busy and too successful." Further relates his views on whether New…

GLC02437.03843

23 April 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that Mr. Skinner is driving cattle and oxen to New York for Knox. Writes, "Yesterday your Cow & Calf began their March by Land for New York in Company with Seven of the Finest fat oxen in the World two of which are far beyond any I ever saw tho not of the great Breed they are large but their flesh is so thick on them that they can hardly walk..."

GLC02437.03854

11 May 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Connecticut politics, mentioning James Wadsworth. Promises to send pumpkin seeds from his garden. Mentions that Mr [Joel] Barlow [see GLC02437.03874] will be travelling on a packet for France, and will be able to take care of George.

GLC02437.03869

1 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Connecticut politics, referring to a sheriff whose actions may slow the payment of warrants. Informs Knox he will send him a letter via Pierpont Edwards, who will soon take a seat in Congress. Notes receipt of a circular letter from the General Meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati soliciting payment for Pierre L'Enfant, who designed badges for the Society of the Cincinnati. Intends to pay L'Enfant for his services and encloses something to Platt (presumably) money for that purpose. Wants to finish paying by the 4th of July.

GLC02437.03882

3 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I am told the Present Post riders from New York to this Place are asking Congress for additional pay." Complains that "they have performed badly- deprived us of the benefit of stages on the road." Asks Knox to help him persuade Congress to revive the use of stagecoaches in mail delivery between Connecticut and New York.

GLC02437.03887

15 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Headed by Knox as an "Extract of a letter to Colonel Wadsworth." Writes, "I have recruits in Pennsylvania and Jersey nearly ready to march..." Asks how much dependence he can place on the Connecticut warrants as a resource.

GLC02437.03895

15 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for updating him on the progress of the Virginia convention for ratification of the United States Constitution. Writes, "I am just now informed by a friend who has been into New Hampshire that their [sic] is little doubt but that state will adopt it." Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03896

17 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he will be able to pay his dividend of bank stock in early July. Asks that Knox inform him if he decides to draw on Wadsworth immediately for 2,000 dollars. Writes, "I am obliged to have recourse to some Magic to get hold of Money on your warrants- but you see I am not without some success." Thanks Knox for transmitting news of the likelihood of Virginia's adoption of the Constitution.

GLC02437.03901

22 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked as private. Discusses financial matters related to warrants. Informs Knox he can draw on Wadsworth for two thousand dollars. Mentions a secret financial transaction he promises to explain when he next sees Knox. Writes, "... their [sic] has been such cursed work between the collectors & sherrifs that I am afraid their will be trouble enough before we have got through with ye settlement of our old taxes." Has been in hopes of getting "good news" from Virginia, referring to the Constitutional ratification convention of that state. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no…

GLC02437.03906

22 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Reports that he will draw on Wadsworth for $2,000 to "answer the present exigencies- after which the connecticut recruits are to be paid and marched." Hopes a company will be ready to march from West Point by 10 July. Of the Virginia Constitutional ratification convention, writes: "The business in Virginia is critical indeed- So nearly balanced that neither side can determine which has the majority but this is independent of the Kentucky members amounting to 14- Those Gentlemen will determine the fate of America.... You see my dear sir on what a slender thread depends the future happiness…

GLC02437.03907

26 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Promises Knox one thousand dollars in addition to the two thousand already given. Discusses the safety of sending the money by stage. Congratulates Knox on New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution, noting "is it possible the an[cient] Dominion [Virginia] can reject it. if they do who can think of a Curse that is equal to their Crime- [William] Grayson and [James] Monroe how- unaccountable their conduct are you not convinced their is a Hell - is any other punishment but [illegible] unquenchable fire equal to the crime of destroying the [fairest] hopes of a world - Adam & Eve […

GLC02437.03914

29 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Marked by Knox as an extract of a letter to Colonel Wadsworth. Notes that the three thousand dollars Wadsworth already has plus one thousand he hopes to furnish in August "will answer untill you shall receive further supplies." Instructs Wadsworth to send him the money by stage because Major Platt cannot assist him.

GLC02437.03918

29 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth discusses arrangements for getting money to Knox. Promises to bring two thousand dollars to New York, and will make sure another thousand arrives in New York by mid-July. In closing, writes, "Virginia must adopt the Constitution I cant bear to think they will not..." "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03919

3 July 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Wadsworth writes, "We celebrated the Independence of America the 3d instead of the fourth- as our members the Society of the Cincinnati live so remote they could not have returned home before Sunday had we delayed." Remarks that during a sermon given for the celebration, they received news that Virginia ratified the Constitution. Plans to soon bring Knox money they had previously discussed. Docketed in pencil, possibly at a later date.

GLC02437.03924

19 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Instructs Wadsworth to deliver a sum of money to Knox's brother, William, who is managing War Office business in his absence.

GLC02437.04003

26 October 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses military matters, possibly related to gathering troops to march to Fort Pitt. Remarks, "Lt. Pratt went of [sic] with a heavy Heart he hoped to have seen you- he has been very industrious & indefatigable-" (Pratt was gathering men to march to Fort Pitt and was disappointed in his own pay and the lack of pay granted to some of his men; refer to GLC02437.04013).

GLC02437.04015

28 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Arranges payment for William Smith, who will supply troops at Springfield [Massachusetts] with rations.

GLC02437.04018

2 November 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth comments on an escaped enslaved person or servant: "Mrs. Greene left us last Monday for Charleston Via N York on the night before she went away- her molatto man servant Ham left her & has been heard of on his way to Boston. she wishes to regain him he has been a favorite from his infancy & brot up un the family- as damed a rascal as [ever] was unhanged- & if I could now get him to Georgia she would sell him... I will have some body bring him away privately for I am told to do it publicly is impossible in Boston." Notes that his cousin, James Wadsworth, and other anti-…

GLC02437.04021

January 14, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Writes that he has no access to funds to make payments to a public account, so would like to know whether the state of Connecticut might be able to help contribute. Adds that he has heard about the elections results for Connecticut and is very pleased with the makeup of the Legislature.

GLC02437.04091