April 26, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Contemporary secretarial copy of a letter sent to Lafayette. Knox references Lafayette's letters from November 1787 and February 1788. Says that "The Convention by you Mr. Jefferson and Common Sense [Thomas Paine], judge wisely respecting the New Constitution requiring some amendments & of the time they should be effected." Of the Constitutional Convention says "The unanimity of the former convention may be regarded as a rare evidence of the empire of reason." Believes there will not have to be another convention. Says it is likely that nine states will accept the constitution over the…

GLC02437.03860

May 30, 1788

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette references receiving Knox's letter. Says he cannot respond fully as he has to attend a meeting on internal affairs. He wishes to introduce Jacques Pierre Brissot (who Lafayette refers to by the name he assumed, de Warville) and a man named de Ferriere. Reports that "M. de Warville Has Been a writer on the side of liberty, and Wishes to write on the American Revolution." Tells him to refer to the letters he sent to Hamilton and Jay for the most recent intelligence. Says "We are in a Critical Situation." Encloses a list (of French applicants to the Society of the Cincinnati; not…

GLC02437.03880

10 October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Knox

Gives William instructions regarding the delivery of clothing to several posts (William is managing affairs in the War Office during Henry's absence). Also includes a draft note (on the same page), presumably for William to transmit to Captain Savage.

GLC02437.03992

December 10, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Letter of introduction for John Coffin Jones Esq. and his lady. Reports that Jones is a merchant of Boston of "highest estimation." Would be obliged for any protection and kindness he can show Jones. Place writ inferred from GLC02437.04047.

GLC02437.04048

January 10, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Letter of introduction to Lafayette for Major [possibly Elnathan] Haskell. Says he might remember Haskell from the camp of General Robert Howe. Says "He was a brave officer and is a worthy citizen." Reports that Haskell is going to Europe on some sort of business, which he has no doubt is honorable.

GLC02437.04085

October 15, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox writes that he is thankful to be able to send this letter by Count de Moustier, who was returning from his time as French minister to America. He will enclose the diplomas for the French officers in the Society of the Cincinnati. Says "The importance of the revolution in France is astonishing - one looks round in amazement and asks is it not a delusion, can it be true? This is a new Lesson to the Gods of the earth that there [distinction] is but a phantom of the imagination that an [illegible] people will know and ought to repress the abuses and oppressions of their rulers." Asks for…

GLC02437.04391

November 7, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox sends his sincere wishes for Lafayette's happiness. Mentions mutual friends, including the Marchioness de Bréhan, who was wary of returning to France due to the "state of affairs" there (the French Revolution). Reports that "We are all peace - Our beloved chief is on a journey to the Eastern States - He is received every where with all possible demonstrations of affection - long may he live to be the cheif of the U.S." Encloses a letter from Catharine Greene for her son, who was studying with Lafayette in France (not included here).

GLC02437.04407

4 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Informs his brother William Knox that he has given him power of attorney to sell his lands. Says he sent a map of the lands that are jointly held with Alexander Macomb, Philip Schuyler, John Taylor, Robert Morris, among others. Describes the lands and the waters around it. Tells William he also authorized him to sell "25000 acres laying in the Waldo Patent." Says he is selling the land because he needs the money, and will accept a lower asking price. If William can't sell the land, Knox expects him to "raise a sum of money thereon by way of Loan giving the Land as a security for the…

GLC02437.04714

6 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Tells William he is anxious about his sister-in-law Mrs. "Horwood" (Hannah Flucker Harwood) paying a debt Henry Knox owed to Mr. Longman. Writes, "I hope there is no unnecessary delay on the part of Mrs Horwood - She appears to have answered the business with judgment and fidelity." Also asks about the state of the St. Lawrence lands and Mr. Malcolm's "state of mind respecting the balance."

GLC02437.04720

19 April 1791

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Lamb has sent Knox two barrels of apples, "best Newtown Pippins" and a bundle of English newspapers for Knox's culinary and reading pleasure.

GLC02437.04919

15 September 1791

Lamb, James, fl. 1746-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Creator listed as "James & Thomas Lamb & Concerned." States that they have just completed a 150 ton copper bottomed ship called the "Margaret." It was built by Edmond Hartt of Boston, and will travel around Cape Horn to the northwest coast of America. Says that James Magee is the principle owner and will travel in the ship himself. Knows that Knox is well acquainted with Magee's credentials and honor. Encloses a copy of a letter from Vice President Adams to Don Joseph De Viar in Philadelphia asking for letters of introduction and protection from the Spanish Minister for the voyage (…

GLC02437.05159

25 October 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks his brother to investigate the character of William Green, especially in relation to his integrity and punctuality. Calls for this investigation because of his financial involvement with Green (refer to GLC02437.05666).

GLC02437.05667

August 7, 1805

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Dated 20 Thermidor in the French Republican calendar. Says this letter of introduction will be delivered by David Parish. Says that Knox probably knows the family name. Lafayette goes on to recommend him highly and says "I have found in them, during and after our Captivity, the Most zealous and Generous friends." He hopes Knox will make Parish's tour of America as agreeable as possible.

GLC02437.07961

3 September 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Knox [incomplete]

Writes that he is not a good correspondent and this lack "of duty on my part however does not arise from a want of affection." Mentions that a vessel escaped him a few days ago and the situation "mortifies me not alittle." Gives him some business advice and it would "be extreme folly to pursue further." Advises him to clear his debts. Watermarked with crest over "G R."

GLC02437.10253

circa 1586-1763

Address leaf

Title: Fragmented address leaf with two seals

GLC03107.05317

1810

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Book

Title: Torpedo War, and Submarine Explosions

The book illustrates different methods of torpedo and submarine defense, that Robert Fulton invented himself. Contains 5 illustrations.

GLC03107.05318

1726

Van Driessen, Petrus, fl. 1721-1726

Book

Title: The Adorable Ways of God in His Sovereign Government, Particularly over the Powers of this World Explained and Applied in Three Sermons. [in Dutch]

Printed by John Peter Zenger

GLC03107.05319

16 November 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses routine War Office affairs and preparations for John Pratt's march to Fort Pitt. Comments on Ebenezer Hazard's assurances that a contract would be renewed to guarantee regular postal service. Forwarded some letters from Henry to Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the Northwest Territory. Discusses the coordination of supplies, namely cartouch boxes, for the trip. Mentions Pratt, John Stagg, and [Samuel] Hodgdon. Covers other military matters, referring to Captains Savage and [Henry] Burbeck. Remarks on a visit of the Count de Moustier, French minister to the United States, and his…

GLC02437.04030

20 July 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives a report of his trip to Alexandria, Virginia, and the surrounding area. Mentions that he had dinner with the Washingtons at Mount Vernon. Says he would have stayed with a Mrs. House in Philadelphia, but the Attorney General, Edmund Randolph, arrived with a large family, so William had to lodge elsewhere. Discusses business he tended to while in Virginia and Maryland, and reports on the success of crops, including tobacco, corn, and wheat, in the area. States that Mr. [Alexander] McGillivray left Philadelphia that morning, and will soon see Knox in New York.

GLC02437.04658

June 27, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox references Henry's letter from April 6. Says he has sent 13 letters to him, the last from Dublin on June 13 or 20. Says his last letter informed Henry of his "motives for coming here namely to negociate some funds by which I might be kept from sinking in Dublin." He is sorry that Thomas Randall "cannot find it convenient to wait agreable to my proposition to him, from a perfect knowledge that the amount will bear hard upon you..." Offers to refund him when he is successful. Says Gouverneur Morris is here but has not made a great sale of land. Reports that William Temple Franklin…

GLC02437.05035

18 July 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References the letter he sent Henry on 27 June. Updates Henry on his endeavors in London. Says he is still trying to sell Henry's lands even though Gouverneur Morris has been empowered by Mr. [Alexander] McComb to sell the lands. Will proceed as if Morris was not given this power until he hears otherwise from Henry. Has advertised in the Times and the Morning Herald. Will wait another fortnight to see if things develop. Declares that he is concerned about mounting debts and believes the United States government should support its consuls better. Notes Nathaniel Barrett, consul at Rouen…

GLC02437.05071

3 August 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References his letters of 27 June and 19 July that he sent to Henry. Has not received any letters from Henry since the one marked 6 April. States he has not met with any success in selling Henry's lands, not even a single serious offer. Says his feelers in Paris have not met with any more success, noting "The Scioto business has left unfavorable impressions at Paris relative to purchases of land in America." Wants to go to Ireland next week, but needs to secure a loan to settle his debts there first. Claims his prospects are bleak. Reports "I cannot tell what will be my fate," unless…

GLC02437.05099

9 November 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports news of the War Office (William was managing affairs there in Henry's absence). Discusses Lieutenant John Pratt's planned march to Fort Pitt. Refers to [Samuel] Hodgdon's organization of wagons for transporting clothing. Admits that he granted Pratt another month's pay when Pratt pressured him; Pratt also obtained a month's pay to "four old soldiers" under his command. Notes that he has been housebound due to a recent illness (a cold accompanied by a swollen face), but he is able to work at home. Philip Audebert, War Office clerk, "attends constantly" at the War Office. Lists…

GLC02437.04028

12 November 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, managing affairs at the War Office in Henry's absence, reports on military matters. Mentions Lieutenant [John] Pratt , [John] Stagg, Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth and others involved with the logistics of organizing Pratt's march to Fort Pitt. Discusses clothing, wagons, and horses readied for the march. Comments on Ensign Luce, who was to join Lieutenant Pratt on his march to Fort Pitt: "The only trouble was with Luce, who was arrested for debt by a variety of people at Brunswick where he has a pretty bad name... indeed he is a bad bargain to the U States." Discusses the daughter…

GLC02437.04031

9 October 1789

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Since Henry Knox is returning to Boston soon, William states that "I shall be rather particular in stating to you the objects, which require your return as soon as possible, or for you to give such directions respecting them as can be done only by you." Goes on to discusses various issues in the War Department, such as an upcoming march by a Lieutenant [possibly John] Pratt and his company, the lack of clothing for troops, and financial business pertaining to General [Josiah] Harmar, Major [John Francis] Hamtramck, and troops in western Pennsylvania. Also touches on the financial…

GLC02437.04384