February 1776

Gridley, Richard, 1711-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

At the request of General Horatio Gates, Gridley asks Knox to inform General Israel Putnam of the need for repairs on a bridge at Lechmere Point, Massachusetts. Gridley was the army's chief engineer, he was succeeded by Knox in 1775 but retained the title.

GLC02437.00251

1 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Written on two different sizes of paper: the first is 33.4 x 21.3 cm, the second is 13 x 21 cm. Writes to Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts, to ask that eighteen-year-old Isaac Winslow be allowed to return to land his family owns in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Knox implies that Isaac's father, also named Isaac, is a loyalist. Relates that Isaac "hopes no conduct of his father will prevent his residence in a country for which he has the greatest respect." Young Isaac was sent away to Canada at age 11 when the enemy arrived, and is now eighteen and has landed in New York. Knox emphasizes…

GLC02437.01408

2 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hancock

Written by Major General Knox to Massachusetts Governor Hancock. Says Colonels Putnam and Hull comprise a committee of the Massachusetts Line to request an explanation on the status of payment of half pay pensions to officers. Says they "have no doubt as to the substance but are anxious to learn the mode fixed." Says the decisions of other states has them worried, but that they still have faith in the good sense of Massachusetts's leaders. Tells Hancock that the war's end will bring home men of the "highest degree of honor and integrity."

GLC02437.01562

24 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Isaac Guion

Titled, "Instructions for Capt. Lt. Guion of the 2d regt. of Artillery." Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "You are with the detatchment under your command to proceed to Albany and relieve Capt. [Thomas] Seward's company in the Northern department. On your arrival there you will report yourself to [William Alexander] Lord Stirling, or the officer commanding, and take his further orders. On taking charge of the works and stores, you must send me an exact return of the men under your command and their respective stations. Also of the…

GLC02437.01627

24 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Grant

Informs Grant that the 4th Massachusetts regiment will be quartered several miles away along the river and to provide them with transportation and supplies as they are housed rather far from their post.

GLC02437.02708

14 November 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Grant

Writes in full to a Mr. Grant, "I beg you would come down to this post tomorrow to make some arrangements for supplying some troops who are to march the day after tomorrow towards New York."

GLC02437.02776

14 November 1783

Hampton, Richard, 1735-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Brigadier General Hampton recommends a Lieutenant McLean to Knox and praises his good qualities. Asks if it would be possible for McLean to be sent to Knox to serve under him. Noted as written in the Philadelphia Barracks.

GLC02437.02777

2 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Edward] Grant

Knox informs Grant that West Point has only enough provisions to last for one week. Orders Grant to immediately obtain supplies. For Grant's response, please refer to GLC02437.02909.

GLC02437.02901

6 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Grant

Knox writes to Grant, "I have received your favor of the 4th instant, and accordingly we shall rely entirely upon you that the garrison [at West Point] are not out of provisions." Notes that Daniel Parker & Co., a firm that provided the troops with supplies, is too far away to be relied upon. Relates that the issuing commissary at West Point will have to issue a large quantity of rations to the Canadian refugees.

GLC02437.02921

9 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Edward] Grant

Knox writes to Grant, who was in charge of supplying West Point with provisions (refer to GLC02437.02921). Discusses the state of his account with Daniel Parker & Co., a contractor who supplied provisions to the army.

GLC02437.02930

January 28, 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to John Hancock

Knox present his compliments to Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts. Acknowledges the receipt of an unspecified commission. Signed in text as "General Knox."

GLC02437.03088

14 March 1786

Grayson, William, 1736-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I received a tickett from you just as I was setting out from N York, & had not then time to answer it. I am sorry it is not now in my power to say any thing certainly on the subject matter of it. We yesterday had an audience before the Assembly, but have had no answer, neither can we form any conclusions as to what will be the result of our Embassy. A bill for paper money, including a right of tendering, is before the Upper house and will be decided on in a day or two; it is said the Council are nearly divided in opinion on this important subject."

GLC02437.03252

February 11, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Writes a lengthy letter of condolence on the death of Hancock's child. Explains that only those parents who have suffered that loss can understand how it feels. Expounds upon his understanding of God, death and the afterlife, the human role in the universe, and the nature of the soul. Assures him "of the sincere participation of myself and Mrs. Knox in your sorrow."

GLC02437.03449

April 18, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marie-Thérèse de Grégoire

Knox thanks Madame de Grégoire for her letter and wishes he could be in Boston to help her. States that he is unable to assist her at this time because a new Massachusetts legislature is about to be elected and he cannot yet be sure who to contact for her. Mentions the Marquis de Lafayette and calls him "my honored friend." In his absence, refers her case to his friend Colonel [Benjamin] Hichborn. Encloses a letter (not present) to Hichborn and declares that Hichborn will do what he can to assist her. If Knox returns to Boston, he too will help.

GLC02437.03527

31 July 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hancock

Letter of introduction for John Anstey, who is investigating the "actual Losses sustained by the loyalists during the late revolution." Noted as private.

GLC02437.03631

5 September 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Informs Hancock that his brother, William Knox, will present him with Mrs. McEwens accounts during Hancock's stay in McEwen's house. Asks Hancock to pay the amount to her.

GLC02437.03655

21 August 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hall

Knox writes to Hall, administrator of the estate of the late Daniel Fowle of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Knox attempts to settle a financial matter related to the estate of his late father-in-law, Thomas Flucker.

GLC02437.03972

7 January 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Littlefield Greene

Writes a friendly letter to Mrs. Greene, the widow of General Nathanael Greene. Is pleased to hear of her safe passage home, and reports on the well-being of several of her children who are in school or visiting New York. Mentions that Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth has said that Mrs. Greene's son Nathanael is doing well. Knox and his wife Lucy send their love.

GLC02437.04077

2 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Was very happy to receive his last letter, written 25 April 1789, delivered by Captain Beals and Mr. Woodward. Notes that he will "cheerfully render them every attention and service in my power." Expresses his "sincere pleasure" that Hancock's health is improving. Discusses festivities related to the Presidential inauguration: "The organization of the Constitution was completed on Wednesday by the inauguration of the President. The business was concluded with the highest solemnity and propriety. The particulars are contained in the enclosed news papers. The president has enquired after your…

GLC02437.04192

22 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Grant

Signed in text. Knox writes in the third person, noting that he is sorry to have been away from home when Mr. Grant came for a visit, but has sprained his leg and cannot venture out today to repay the visit. He therefore invites Mr. Grant to come to dinner at 4 o'clock today. Docketed to Mr. Trecothick and Mr. Grant.

GLC02437.04216

4 July 1789

Gray, Lewis, fl. 1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gray writes from the Custom House in Hull, England. Asks Knox to forward on an enclosed letter (not present) to Henry Jackson who he believes is still in Boston. In a postscripts, states that he has also forwarded some local newspapers to Knox.

GLC02437.04271

9 August 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Habersham

Signature has been clipped, but handwriting suggests the author is Henry Knox. Apparently discusses the possible misfiling of an application from Habersham.

GLC02437.04323

29 August 1789

Habersham, John, 1754-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Acknowledges receipt of Knox's last letter, which informed him that he was appointed Collector at Savannah. Thanks Knox for the "favorable manner in which, I am informed, you spoke of me to the President of the United States." Will always testify to his own esteem and respect for Knox.

GLC02437.04341

October 27, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Catharine Littlefield Greene

Discusses obtaining money and the assistance of Daniel Parker, Gouverneur Morris and the Marquis de Lafayette, as they were all friends with Catharine's late husband, Nathanael Greene. Provides some financial advice about the execution of General Greene's estate. Writes that she should first take inventory of the estates and enslaved people to be mortgaged and invest her money. Reports that this plan has been approved by Mr. Rutledge and Judge Pendleton. Retained draft, numbered "5" at top.

GLC02437.04399

January 28, 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Encloses (not included) his report on the subject of a "republican national militia." Discusses his thoughts concerning a "republican national militia..." Believes republic governments are the sort of governments that will be "more productive of happiness and an enlargement of the mind than other forms [of] government, But that they cannot be [effectively] secured [against] the machinations of the interested and ambitious unless the people will sacrifice some [portion] of [ease], and establish strong institutions..." Solicits Hancock's help saying he does not know the fate of the report…

GLC02437.04484