11 June 1794

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox the people of Kentucky have been opposing the general government. Mentions he enclosed an extract of a letter from a witness to an incident that took place in Kentucky. Notes the letter shows the present temper of the people. Reports the incident took place in Lexington, Kentucky and involved men overtaking the rostrum and addressing the people "in the most inflammatory & invective language." Comments two men gave elaborate speeches for two hours and ended the speech declaring they were pro Britain occupying the N.W. Banks of the Ohio. Also notes an earlier incident…

GLC02437.06117

7 July 1794

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy of a letter describing the build up to the Battle of Fallen Timbers. States Major [William] McMahon was attacked at Fort Recovery by a large band of Indians early in the morning. Reports the attacks lasted all day and night, and throughout the next day before the Indians were finally forced to retreat. Eight to ten bodies were found dead. Comments the real goal of the "savages" was to take the fort by a "coup de main." Notes the camp was left short on supplies and it appears the soldiers killed and ate a number of the pack horses. Reports three small parties of Chickasaw and…

GLC02437.06137

16 July 1794

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Clerical copy in the hand of War Dept. clerk Samuel Lewis. Discusses the Indians retreat from Fort Recovery and the routes they took. Believes the Wabash Indians and Patawatimes Indians, ranging from 250 to 300 each, broke off from the main body that was heading for Grand Glaize and took different trails. Informs Knox he has several parties collecting information on the British and the "Savages" at Grand Glaize and Roche de Bout, Ohio. Mentions he will be leaving in four to five days, heading towards Grand Glaize, Ohio. Provides details on the route and plan he will take once he arrives…

GLC02437.06147

26 October 1794

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a prior conversation they had. Also mentions their mutual friend, [Henry] Jackson. Requests Knox writes as soon as it is convenient. Lower left corner of the letter is missing, causing extensive text loss. Letter was repaired at a later date.

GLC02437.06229

January 30, 1797

Way, George, fl. 1794-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his hope that Knox and his wife like the coach that he made and sent them. Continues to describe its features.

GLC02437.06908

29 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Control of the Mississippi River]

Discusses the effects of foreign use and British possession of the Mississippi River. Appears to be related to, and possibly part of, GLC02437.08216 and GLC02437.08217.

GLC02437.08202

5 December 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anthony Wayne

Congratulates Wayne on his success and wishes to end a dispute between Wayne and another general (possibly James Wilkinson; see GLC02437.10308). Mentions that he thinks there will be a pay raise for noncommissioned officers and privates. Writes that "I believe this will be the last letter you will receive from me while I am Secretary of War. I have never attended to my private affairs, and I have a growing family. I must be more attentive, or an unpleasant old age will be stealing up on me." Watermarked "J Watt & C Patent Copying/Sold by J Woodmason/London." Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10315

14 October 1799

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter perhaps from Tobias Lear, who wishes to "vend at the City of Washington, Alexandria and their neighbourhood-a very large quantity of lime and lumber as such prices as to nett a handsome profit...and thereby enable the purchase of flour for return cargoes." This is expected to increase "Trade from the Potomak to the Eastward." Letter is incomplete and contains no signature.

GLC02437.07316

15 June 1782

Van Rensselaer, Philip, 1747-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I am requested by Col. Reid Commanding Officer of this Department to inform you that great part of the Continental Troops in this Quarter are Distitute of Cartridge Boxes, would therefore desire you to order at least 200 to this place. Recruits are dayly expected as also a supply of Cartridge paper thread Twines & flints and some writting paper as I am intirely out and no money to purchase any." Van Rensselaer signs as public storekeeper.

GLC02437.01453

December 1, 1783

Upham, Joshua, 1741-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his regret on having to leave New York as he is leaving behind many friends, both Loyalists and Patriots, including Knox. Asks for and expects Knox's protection and attention for and to his friends and their families who remained in the city. States that "I am distressed that so many Gentn ... have been under the Necessity of leaving New York etc. and separating from their Families - their sorrows are very much in the extreme ... " Noted as written "On Board the Ceres off Staten Island."

GLC02437.02814

8 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Asks for provisions for the troops and mentions the War Office's move (with Congress) to Annapolis, Maryland.

GLC02437.02822

11 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Copy of instructions to the commander of West Point]

Provides detailed instructions for the commander of West Point following the Congressional order to reduce the number of troops at that garrison to one company of 55 men. Notes that "the great principle upon which this company is retained is the preservation of the Stores at this place and the other Magazines..." Title from docket.

GLC02437.03012

2 November 1785

Van Berckel, Franco Petrus, fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "In answer to Your Letter of this day I have the honour of informing You, that the person, who has applied to You, having served me for the time of about two Years, has been always remarkable for his good behaviour and sobriety, and can be equalled but by few in honesty and attention to his Master- I cannot therefore but recommend him to You, & have no doubt but he will give You entire Satisfaction." The name of the person to whom he is referring is not mentioned.

GLC02437.03211

3 January 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Hannah Flucker Urquhart Harwood

Marked "copy." Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Directed to "Mrs. Hannah Urquhart one of the executors of the late Hannah Flucker or other person or persons who may have the payment of the debts due from the Estate of the late Thomas Flucker Esq." Requests that when Mrs. Urquhart has received the proceeds of Thomas Flucker's estate, she should give "the amount of the legacy devised to the subscriber Lucy Knox by her uncle the late Francis Waldo Esq. as one of the two surviving children of the said late Thomas Flucker Esq. and Hannah his Wife,"…

GLC02437.03405

25 March 1787

Harwood, Hannah, F.U., fl. 1774-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that she sent a box of millinery for her sister Lucy, Knox's wife. Asks him to "speak favorably" about a friend's estate in New Hampshire. Comments on financial and personal business.

GLC02437.03499

4 June 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to [Pieter Johan] Van Berckel

Written to "P.J." Van Berckel, likely Pieter Johan Van Berckel. Replies to Van Berckel's letter from 9 May, in which he recommended Joseph Mandrillon for membership in the Society of the Cincinnati. Regrets that the Society's rules "did not permit to associate so worthy a character." Refer to GLC02437.03566 for Knox's letter to Mandrillon.

GLC02437.03568

8 September 1787

Van Cortlandt, Augustus, 1728-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to forward an enclosed document (not included) to John Doughty. Docketed by Knox: "From Augustus Van Cortland Esqr, enclosing a bond of collateral security of Major Doughty which is to be delivered to his order."

GLC02437.03656

5 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah Flucker Urquhart Harwood

Informs Mrs. Urquhart of the birth of his eighth child, a boy, and states that both the mother and child are well. "Were all our little flock living you would not want for nephews & nieces but death has robbed us of three." Mentions her separation from her husband and offers her his friendship and aid, should she need it. Remarks, "Oppulence is far from essential to happiness."

GLC02437.03721

circa 29 September 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses the Constitution of the United States. Declares, "But a candid examination of [the Constitution], will most probably produce a conviction that it is one of the best models of a republican government ever presented to the sons of men." Comments on different groups' opposition to the Constitution, noting that the southern states will oppose it because they think it will support the commercial interest of the north. Remarks that the Constitution will affect "the projects of the paper money..." Notes that America is seen with contempt abroad. Of the current government writes, "The…

GLC02437.03778

21 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Thanks the recipient for sending "some nuts, and two vennison hams-" via Lieutenant Armstrong. Reports, "The new Constitution has been adopted by ten states, and it is most probable that New York will also adopt it in such a manner as to be received into the Union- She has been more averse to the system than any other state Rhode-Island excepted." Relates that North Carolina's convention meets on the same day he writes. Says it is expected the new government "will promote the happiness & prosperity of this country in a very [eminent] manner."

GLC02437.03943

13 October 1788

Vanderburgh, Henry, 1760-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Post Vincennes," present-day Vincennes, Indiana. Vanderburgh predicts an increase in the number of troops raised. Solicits reappointment "either in the line or staff of the army as would enable me to serve with honor." Docket notes, "Wants employ."

GLC02437.03996

7 March 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown [incomplete]

Letter addressed only to "My dear friend," responding to a letter of 24 February 1789. Discusses Waldo patent business, specifically responding to the mistaken claims of Mr. Parkman regarding a sum of 2000 dollars.

GLC02437.04137

8 March 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Edward Carrington

Unsigned, but authorship inferred from handwriting. Discusses Carrington's last letter, in which he reported the winners of the Virginia elections and described his prediction that the electorate would "change their sentiments" to support federalism (see GLC02437.04119). Comments on the New York legislature, specifically the Senate and individual members. Also lists the number of Senators and Representatives from each state present in New York. Lastly, discusses Carrington's query about an appointment with the new government (see GLC02437.04119). Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04139

11 March 1789-17 July 1789

Vance, John C., fl. 1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Document contains two parts. In the first part, dated 11 March 1789 and written from Hilsborough, John C. Vance declares that he is en route to the Cumberland River and after that to the Ohio territories. Asks if Knox can acquire for him a Spanish passport to use at the "Tolls of the Ohio." In the second part, dated 17 July 1789 and written from New York, Knox replies that it is "absolutely improper" for him to request the passport. Includes Knox's signature.

GLC02437.04141

23 March 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown

Unsigned, but handwriting suggests the author is Henry Knox. Thanks him for his letter of 21 March offering to work in Knox's department. Replies that there are no openings in his department at present, but if there were he would offer them to the addressee. (Addressee may be Isaac Sherman, who wrote Knox with this request on 21 March; see GLC02437.04147.)

GLC02437.04151