5 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Comments on the arrival of (the privateer) General Arnold's prize. Thinks the British will leave the United States to secure their possessions elsewhere, noting that an attempt to capture the French fleet at Boston rests on too many uncertainties for the British. Recently received news that the French captured the island of Dominica, which Knox refers to as "Dominico." Also reports that France sent 4,000 men to take Jamaica. Comments that the British have taken cattle and forage in New Jersey, and surprised [Colonel George] Baylor's regiment, wounding Baylor (…

GLC02437.00728

6 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Measam

Written at Fredericksburgh. To Measam, deputy clothier stationed at Fishkill, New York. Discusses a deficiency of "waiscoats."

GLC02437.00729

11 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Reports that the British are still in New York City, and many British sailors are sick ashore. Of British commissioners, writes, "The Commissioners have Issued another Proclamation & manifesto. This they declare shall be the last & if it makes no impression on the hard hearted people of America they shall return and report the ill success of their Mission. These people have the same kind of insolence about them that a [young man rake] has who debauches his friends daughter and then offers a considerable sum as [hush?] money." In a post script, notes…

GLC02437.00730

24 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Location from docket. Knox informs his brother that the British sent a detachment of 7000-8000 men from New York. Predicts the men were sent to the West Indies, but "others again suppose for Carolina." Mentions a fleet of ships, possibly British, and the Comte D'Estaing. Notes, "I write you this that if there are no other Demonstrations than the ships of War-not to be alarm'd." Reports that more British may embark from New York, assuming they will travel to Europe, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the West Indies. In a post script, relates that the left wing of the…

GLC02437.00734

28 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Reports that a large detachment of British troops sailed recently, and by all accounts are bound for the West Indies or Europe. Writes, "The Enemy in New York are still preparing for a further Embarkation, if it takes place I think it may fairly be concluded They intend to evacuate the Continent. There is one event which if it takes place certainly indicates a total evacuation. I mean the evacuation of Rhode Island. We have intelligence of a number of Empty transports going to Rhode Island if so we conclude it is for the purpose of taking off the Garrison...…

GLC02437.00735

16 November 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Requests that William obtain items for Lucy Knox, his wife. Asks that he send the articles so Lucy may receive them by mid-January. Requests green tea and "raisons." Discusses the procurement of goods, and gives William advice on business matters. Agrees to help Sally and Betsey Winslow reach Boston, noting "the distressing circumstance will be how they will be able to subsist when there... their mother in Law is going to England & they will be left friendless and without protection-" Reports that the British have not completely evacuated New York, but two fleets recently embarked.…

GLC02437.00736

17 November 1778

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Manuscript letter

Title: to Silas Talbot

Knox's retained copy of a letter from Laurens, President of Congress. Laurens congratulates Talbot and his men for taking the schooner Pigot, and on behalf of Congress grants Talbot a commission as lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army. Copy is in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.00737

25 November 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports that the army stationed at Fredericksburgh will leave 26 November for Pluckemin, New Jersey. Mentions Captain Stevens and the lands at Warren (possibly Warren, Maine). Discusses taxes on the sale of land. Written at Fredericksburg (present-day Patterson, New York).

GLC02437.00738

8 December 1778

Anspach, Peter, fl. 1775-1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Account regarding Major David Mason and Thomas Mifflin]

Peter Anspach attests "errors excepted" for Mifflin. Contains account information from 1775 for sundries. A note written by Jonathan Webb Checkley at the bottom of the page indicates to pay the amount to Colonel W. Smith.

GLC02437.00739

8 December 1778

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Lists goods to be sent to Shaw for the Knox family, noting the location of the articles and when they will be sent. Includes a breakfast table, sheets, pillow cases, candle sticks, and other household items.

GLC02437.00740

December 31, 1778

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [Account between John Jacob Faesch and Henry Knox]

Document in Shaw's hand, and signed by him for Henry Knox. Knox ordered grape shot and three pound balls from Faesch (spelled "Feash" in this document). Faesch signed 31 December 1778 at Mount Hope Furnace. Knox signs 20 February 1779 at Pluckemin, noting that the grape shot and cannon balls are "agreeable to the orders of His Excellency."

GLC02437.00741

4 January 1779 - 29 June 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: No. 7: Articles Issued in the Year 1779

Lists articles issued to 240 men, including officers. Includes articles such as bayonets, cartridges, powder, muskets, and flints, among many others.

GLC02437.00742

July 29, 1779 - December 31, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Articles issued in 1779]

Appears to be a continuation of GLC02437.00742. Lists articles for 180 men, including officers. Includes powder, ball, flints, cartridges, and muskets, among others.

GLC02437.00743

January 6, 1779 - December 31, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: No. 2: Ordnance and stores received during the year 1779

Lists articles for 90 men, including officers. Includes muskets, bayonets, lead, flints, and gun slings, among other items.

GLC02437.00744

January 13, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Address leaf has been cut out. Discusses the management of an estate, possibly his own, noting his satisfaction that William chose Joseph Peirce as agent. Requests William to procure black cloth from the State Store of Massachusetts to make coats for himself and his aide-de-camp, Samuel Shaw. Also requests fabric for waistcoats. Remarks: "We are both naked- therefore I pray you cloath us... I mean this on supposition that you get [the cloth] at the same price that the other officers have gotten it... I could not procure these actual articles under a small fortune here and yet they are…

GLC02437.00746

January 29, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Knox gives advice to General Lincoln, Southern Department Commander: "My ignorance of the Country makes me an inadequate judge of your situation, but the numbers you mention you have to oppose the Enemy is most certainly a very serious matter. This it is to hoped will ultimately be remedied but the mean time will probably be very disagreeable." Advises Lincoln to exercise patience. Relates that the right wing of the Continental Army is in New Jersey, while the left wing and part of the second line are east of the Hudson River. Remarks, "The Enemy by shipping off so great a…

GLC02437.00747

February 3, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Is in Philadelphia to suggest new ordnance regulations to a [Congressional?] committee. Of the military, writes, "We are in great want of Lead- The board of War have desir'd me to write to Boston to inquire which quantity can be gotten there and at the neighboring towns and at what price- I wish you to make the inquiry- or rather to get some person to make it for you as the Gentleman speculators may suspect from your connection that you want it for the public and advance their friends in proportion... But let it be done I beseech you so cautiously that it may not be suspected to be for the…

GLC02437.00748

February 13, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains why he has not written recently, citing "a very bad arrangement between me & the post Master." Expresses relief that he and William agree regarding an unspecified matter and a Mr. Hichborne (most sources say "Hichborn"). Refers to the "hoorid fate of the General Arnold." Notes "humanity recoils at the Idea of the distress which the poor families must sustain by the loss of their husbands, fathers, or brothers in that tremendous catastrophe" (the General Arnold, a ship, crashed on a sandbar outside of Plymouth, Massachusetts in December 1778). Knox had some investment in the…

GLC02437.00750

28 February 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses the revival of the General Arnold, a ship that wrecked in December 1778. Knox had some investment in the ship, and remarks "it would be worth while to... get as much in her as will be prudent to risque," possibly referring to loading the Arnold with cargo. Reports that the British attempted to surprise General William Maxwell's brigade but were forced to retreat. Relates that his recent business in Philadelphia consisted of improving regulation of the ordnance department. Notes "I undoubtedly might have at first stipulated for some pecuniary advantages for myself, but... I do…

GLC02437.00751

13 March 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Mentions the loss of a vessel and the General Arnold, a ship. Discusses his distaste for "making anything out of the public," or making a profit from public service. Notes that he will consider unspecified proposals previously mentioned by William. Mentions his wife and daughter, both named Lucy.

GLC02437.00752

20 March 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Agrees with William that commerce is a profitable venture. Quotes Shakespeare: "There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken [at] the flood lead[s] on to Fortune..." Discusses William's previous proposal, which apparently involves buying goods on credit from a merchant who might travel to America. Contemplates the uncertainty of the venture and the difficulty in obtaining credit, associates, and bills. Remarks that Spain "will accede to our Independence," and will give credit to American currency. Instructs William to consider all circumstances and to decide whether a European or…

GLC02437.00753

20 March 1779

Smith, Hugh, fl. 1779

Autograph document signed

Title: [Account of postage paid 20 March 1779]

Title from docket. Knox pays Hugh Smith postage from July 1777 through 20 March 1779. Smith confirms receipt of postage from Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.00754

3 April 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks William, his brother, to pay Mr. French a sum owed by Knox. Discusses the procurement of cloth for coats. Reports that his wife bore a daughter, whom they named Julia, the previous Sunday. Expresses happiness, though they had wished for a son. Comments on the reading and writing skills of his other daughter, Lucy. Recently purchased a post chaise, noting, "a Phaeton was inconvenient and the other cheap ... "

GLC02437.00755

9 February 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Receipt of payment from Henry Knox]

Document in Knox's hand, signed by Mosely twice. His first signature indicates receipt of payment from Knox for transporting two cannons from Westfield to Worcester. His second signature confirms receipt of payment for "a mistake in the calculation of three cannon transported by John Mosely ... "

GLC02437.00756

11 April 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses business ventures and the depreciation of currency. Mentions the General Arnold, a ship in which Knox was apparently invested. Refers to a certain gentleman, whose name is not mentioned. States, "...I have the most unequivocal evidences every day that he esteems me- most certainly I love & esteem him for his disinterested virtues." Mentions his wife and two daughters, Lucy and Julia. Asks William to procure and send green tea and sugar.

GLC02437.00757