29 February 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing the case of General St. Clair (possibly Arthur St. Clair), noting that he wishes to answer St. Clair's letters with a reply that can be published. Comments that saying neither too much nor too little with be difficult concerning St. Claire's case. Copy made 8 February 1854. Original of this letter is GLC02437.09425.

GLC02437.09346

24 September 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, thanking Knox for information he previously sent within his private letters. Mentions Mr. Hammond, Mr. Penn, and Andrew Hamilton. Asks how Pennsylvania State officers, including Mr. Morris (possibly Robert Morris), received Hamilton, noting that Morris is one of the obnoxious characters in Pennsylvania. Relates that his nephew is scarcely able to walk. Intends to leave Mount Vernon for Philadelphia on 8 or 9 October 1792. In a post script, notes that Hammond and Mr. Smith have arrived at Mount Vernon. Copy made 8 February 1854.

GLC02437.09347

5 April 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing General Israel Chapin's negotiations with the Six Nations (possibly referring to the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794). Notes that the Treaty should take place apart from British agents and spies. Copy made 8 February 1854. Original of this letter is GLC02437.09428.

GLC02437.09348

September 20, 1795

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing a letter recently received from Knox "with great pleasure." Comments on Knox's home in Maine (Knox retired to his estate, Montpelier, in 1795, located near the St. George River in Thomaston, Maine). Mentions the "Treaty with Great Britain," possibly referring to the Jay Treaty, signed by Washington in August 1795. Refers to public opinion of the Treaty. Discusses the details of providing for George Washington Lafayette (son the Marquis de Lafayette and the President's godson). Relates that he has arranged for Lafayette to be cared for…

GLC02437.09349

2 March 1797

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, thanking Knox for a letter recently received. Offer condolences to Knox for his recent losses (several of Knox's children died 1796-1797, including his seven year old son named after George Washington). Washington complains of those who lack confidence in and have criticized his leadership, stating that they will be satisfied with nothing "short of a change in our political system." Writes that he looks forward to the prospect of retirement, but is not "without my regrets at parting with (perhaps never more to meet) the few intimates whom I…

GLC02437.09350

16 July 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of the final portion of a letter from Washington to Knox. This section discusses private matters related to the Secretary of War. Also worries about "The loss of our independence or the Subjugation of our Goverment both of which are evidently struck at, by an intoxicated - ambitious - and domineering foe." Copy made 3 March 1854.

GLC02437.09351

3 December 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments on "The splendid display of Fireworks last evening" and wishes Knox to pass along his compliments to those in charge. With an signed endorsement on the verso by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide de camp, sending the letter to Brigadier Generals Michael Jackson and Henry Jackson stating that the letter be published for "the troops under your command." George Washington's signature is clipped.

GLC02437.09368

30 March 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that he received a letter from Knox, and that Mr. Madison informed him Knox had recovered from a "severe indisposition." Discusses ratification of the Constitution at state conventions, commenting that New Hampshire's behavior has baffled other states due to a long adjournment. Notes that if Virginia rejects the Constitution, all those states following it will do the same, and the Constitution will not be adopted. Relates that northern Virginia supports the Constitution, while in general, southern Virginia is opposed. Comments that the Kentucke district (Kentucky County, which…

GLC02437.09417

10 February 1776

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on a safe return from Fort Ticonderoga, where he was retrieving artillery pieces for the Continental Army in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Has had trouble obtaining books on military fortification and asks Knox, who had been a bookseller in Boston, if he could find some. Asks Knox to inform him of what maneuvers are being planned against the British, and promises it will "be most sacredly kept." Mentions that the saltpeter (a compound used in gunpowder) works are proceeding rapidly.

GLC02437.00249

7 June 1782

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his recent promotion. Informs him that he has "been again prevailed upon to accept the disagreeable task of procuring this Towns Quota of Recruits for the Continental Army," a task which is "all times disagreeable but more particularly so when through long continued scenes of villainy and practices most pernicious to the Community, it seemed to become habitual to do wrong." The town council has given the former Muster Master, a Colonel [Ezra] Badlam, a testimony of approbation, and Colonel Badlam will be sent to deliver the present letter and the testimony letter.…

GLC02437.01443

7 November 1782

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "This will be delivered to you by Mr. J. Byles who if I mistake not served his time previous to the war with Mr. John Simpkins." After this time, he suffered "many adverse fortunes which has induced him to enter the service of the united States as a private soldier and being to march for camp has requested of me a line to you. Not being acquainted with him I made inquiry concerning his conduct, before I ventured to give him a Letter and finding that he has really been unfortunate though having committed some imprudences, I have told him that he must not expect the attention he…

GLC02437.01703

4 January 1783

Webb, J., fl. 1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Jos. Webb, possibly Joseph or Josiah Webb. Writes that he has business to settle with David Porter of Hartford, who has a son, Moses, in Colonel [perhaps Samuel] Webb's regiment. Would like to request Porter's son be allowed to return home to settle the business. Mentions seeing General Huntington and sends regards to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.01795

30 October 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Proof of powder made at West Point

Titles continues to add that the powder referred to is "made at West Point with a 24 pd Ball fired from a 5 1/2 inch mortar..." Lists powder at Fort Clinton and Fort Putnam.

GLC02437.03066

December 1, 1784

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Webber, a London merchant and friend of William Knox, responds to a letter from Henry Knox (GLC02437.03068). Expresses happiness at William's recovery from an episode of mental illness. Reports that William will soon sail from London to Boston. Discusses economics, commenting on the low price of good in the United States. Notes that credit for American trade is "greatly lessen'd" in England. Writes, "in confidence, I would intimate that if Mr Wm Knox extends his Trade and line of connexions, you sir, would render him an essential service by being a guarantee to some of those with whom he…

GLC02437.03071

6 January 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Webber, a London merchant and friend of William Knox, reports the details of William's recent episode of mental illness. William had announced his intentions to marry Miss Laurens, "a Daughter of Mr Henry Laurens." Although they were apparently courting, she knew nothing of the proposal. Webber regrettably describes a scene in which William arrived at the Laurens' residence with loaded guns, declaring "God, and Nature had join'd [William and Miss Laurens] together, and no power on Earth should prevent ye Union, and if not accomplish'd ye House and Street should be set on fire in a few days…

GLC02437.03082

February 5, 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed as the merchant firm "Webber, Addington & Bucknell." Discusses several invoices and other business matters. Writes that they "Sincerely wish it may soon be in our power to send a more favorable accot. of Mr. William Knox," referring to Henry's brother, William.

GLC02437.03092

2 March 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Webber reports on the condition of Henry's brother, William, who suffered from mental illness. Writes, "I now am griev'd that I cannot send you more agreeable tidings, still continues in the same way, and I fear but little probability of a quick recovery to a sound state of Mind- has some small intervals of reason, but it soon wears away- appetite tolerable, but much alter'd in his appearance." Promises to continue to care for William if Henry cannot come to England. Discusses financial matters that have been neglected by William. Mentions a letter from General Oglethorpe (possibly James…

GLC02437.03102

4 May 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Webber reports on the condition of Henry's brother, William, who suffered from mental illness. Writes, "Tis with great pleasure I can inform you that Mr W Knox is abundantly more compos'd and steady now, than he was, generally is recollected, but at intervals light and wavering..."

GLC02437.03138

September 7, 1785-October 5, 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1783-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "duplicate." Includes two letters from James Webber, both written from London. In the first letter, in a clerical hand, but initialed by Webber, written on September 7, 1785, Webber outlines his dealings with Knox's brother, William, whom he had cared for when William became mentally unstable. He writes that due to a variety of circumstances, including poor sales of his goods, William became afflicted with "a lowness of spirits: and a desire to be alone." Webber took him into his home and helped him prepare to depart for America. Begs Knox to write to him about William's well-being…

GLC02437.03188

7 September 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Duplicate of GLC02437.03188.

GLC02437.03189

7 February 1787

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses financial arrangements and is happy to hear that Knox has received part of the monies owed him. Writes, however, that "[a]s Mr. Soderstam and Goodeve has not yet paid, must request you to take every step, which you may judge most prudent and effectual towards recovering the Money, as the longer Goodeves is left, I am fearful ye worse it will be." Advises Knox to encourage Mr. [Samuel] Ogden to sell as many of their goods as possible. Comments on the serious tax burden faced by Americans, and how this influences international trade. Mentions that he is happy to hear William Knox…

GLC02437.03445

20 October 1788

Tracy, John, fl. 1789-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Plans to visit Marietta, Ohio in the next few months. Asks Knox for letters of introduction to General Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, and other notables in the area. Docket notes that this letter was answered and letters were sent to St. Clair, General [Josiah] Harmar, and Major [Isaac] Craig.

GLC02437.04006

25 October 1789

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes the situation in western Georgia concerning negotiations with the Creeks. The Commission has not succeeded as of yet in negotiating a treaty with the Creeks. Mentions violence along the frontier between Native Americans and white settlers, including incidents in which Native Americans attacked forts and burned them. Reports that the Spanish have concluded a treaty with the Creek Nation, and that Creek leader Alexander McGillivray was involved. Describes the Creeks as "numerous & insolent, until they were made to experience our superiority in the Field..." Suggests a…

GLC02437.04397

7 February 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anthony Wayne

Signed "HK." Discusses the Creek Indians in Georgia. Agrees with Wayne about the utility of rifles. Asks if maybe Wayne's informant was mistaken in saying that the Creeks received 6000 muskets from the Spaniards. Writes about whether or not Georgia has a constitutional right to sell any of the Western lands not legally purchased from the natives, and says the result will soon be known. Assumes that a company of troops formerly discussed will be ready to march soon. States, "The subject of the creek business is under the consideration of the legislature...The late sales of Georgia has operated…

GLC02437.04502

20 March 1790

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Answers Knox's question regarding the number of muskets "received from the Spaniards by the Creeks," stating that the number is 6,000. Reports that "our Mr. McGilvery," a Georgia planter, has told him that "the Spaniards had not when first demanded, a sufficient number of that kind of smooth bore arms, that suited the Indians, that a vessel was dispatched to the Bahamias [Bahamas] in in [sic] order to procure as many as were deficient, & that the[y] had all actually arrived whilst he remained with his namesake the Indian McGilvery..." (Creek leader Alexander McGillivray). Discusses the…

GLC02437.04556