16 May 1786

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Apologizes for his recent sickness, especially he must ask a favor "which parental tenderness and affection constrain me to do." Has a daughter of two and a half years, an only child, who is coming to "the height of inoculation for the small-pox." He has not seen her in several months, and the family with which she lives, in Westfield, New Jersey, has recently asked for his presence. He is very concerned and anxious. Reluctantly asks for leave of a few days to travel and see her; promises not to stay long. A note at the bottom of the second page in Knox's hand says that permission was…

GLC02437.03266

May 16, 1786

Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron von, 1730-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox [in French]

Baron von Steuben writes to Knox in French asking if he will send him an excerpt of a letter written by the Marquis de Lafayette regarding his trip to Prussia. Says everyone has interest in the place where they spent the springtime of their lives. Promises not to use it except to satisfy his curiosity. Sends his regards to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.03267

25 November 1786

Snelling, Joseph, fl. 1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Salem, possibly in Massachusetts. Writes, "I have performed as punctualy [sic] as I was able what you required of me, and do accompany the receipts with my warmest gratitude, my obscure life will assist but little to increase your fame, but as your generous kindness proves you good as well as great you will be content that the obligation is written on my Heart. Hoping that when your career of Glory is over you may injoy [sic] a distinguished mark of glory and immortal triumph." (See GLC02437.03345 and GLC02437.03346 for receipts signed by Snelling.)

GLC02437.03346

9 July 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Smith

Informs Smith that a friend from France wishes his nephew to study at Princeton College. Wonders if the youth could study for a year or two, focusing on English language and mathematics. Asks the cost of tuition for such a course of study, as well as for room and board.

GLC02437.03599

12 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to [Adam Stephen?]

Addressed to General Stephens. Possibly to General Adam Stephen, whose name is often misspelled Stephens. Discusses Indian policy, stating "[t]he affairs of the Cherokee Indians are peculiarly perplexed, and require a stronger arm to put them into a proper train than is proposed the present government ..." Mentions a previous treaty with Congress made in 1785. States that he is happy Stephens approves of the new government, and writes "it seems the only mean[s] to avoid the horror and miseries of the weakness of our present situation - New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Connecticut - New…

GLC02437.03724

2 November 1788

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Stagg fills in for William Knox at the War Office (William was conducting War Office business in Henry's absence and is indisposed due to illness). Notes that William is too sick to answer correspondence. Reports that [John] Pratt, who was ordered to march with troops to Fort Pitt, will soon arrive in New York. Comments on transporting clothing to Fort Pitt. Notes that Pratt's men and the clothing will depart from New Brunswick. Relates that Knox's last quarter's salary was issued in paper money and has been given to his wife, Lucy. Says "There is no Congress yet; - very few members…

GLC02437.04023

19 August 1789

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Formally requests Knox's attendance at the funeral of Major Lucas of Georgia. Writes that the Society of the Cincinnati of New York will be in attendance, and provides the time and location.

GLC02437.04331

20 November 1789

Story, John, fl. 1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his health, stating that it is "such as makes it necessary for me to go to the Southward this winter and as I am out of Employment, have concluded to go with Capt Burnham, who is to sail on Sunday for Georgia." From Georgia, plans to continue on to Charlestown (likely Charleston, South Carolina). Volunteers to carry out tasks for Knox while he is there. Asks Knox to keep him in mind if any positions open up that might suit him, and asks for a letter of introduction.

GLC02437.04417

23 September 1790

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Stagg acknowledges Knox's letter of 19 September 1790. Stagg has enclosed six letters and newspapers for Knox. Informs that Knox's children are well and that Captain Freeman is lodging in the house.

GLC02437.04733

7 April 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Smith, Isaiah Thomas, William Hull

Knox sends to Smith by the bearer "Mr. John Hills" a letter asking Smith if he could help Knox find a surveyor who could help him "ascertain [the] practicability" of building a canal that would "open an inland navigation from Connecticut River to Boston." Hills is also sent to survey that possibility as well. Knox acknowledges that the idea might be "entirely utopian" but it is worth exploring more, for it would offer "immense public advantages." Marked as a copy in the docket.

GLC02437.04909

14 June 1791

Smith, Samuel Stanhope, 1750-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Tells Knox that his son Henry fell down several stairs in church "by a little inattention." Says the boy was alarmed at first because he had a bruised and swollen cheek, but he is now back in school and playing as usual.

GLC02437.04994

16 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Stanhope Smith

Thanks Smith for his letter of 14 June (GLC02437.04994). Says Smith's letter was the first he heard of his son's accident. Is happy he is under Smith's good care. Says "I shall not mention the affair to his mother until he shall write to her [which] I pray you to direct him to do by the post of tomorrow."

GLC02437.05002

27 July 1791

Smith, William Stephens, 1755-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says his brother Captain Smith is stationed on the Southern frontier. Since the front is quiet, he would like Knox to grant him permission to visit his family, "if it is not inconsistent with the good of the service." Will be much obliged if Knox will permit him to visit New York this season.

GLC02437.05088

10 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Stanhope Smith

Describes the grief of his family over the death of their son. Says "The expressive kindness manifested yesterday, to the remains of our beloved son, by the college under your direction [Princeton], has made a strong and grateful impression on the minds of myself and afflicted companion, for which we pray you, the Gentlemen tutors and Scholars to accept our sincere acknowledgements."

GLC02437.05152

13 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Stanhope Smith

References Smith's letter of 8 September and thanks him for his kind condolence on the "sudden death of our 2d son." Says his wife "demands every prop that can be given to the wounded spirits of a tender mother." Therefore he has reluctantly consented to her request to have Henry Jackson Knox remain with her at present (Henry Jackson Knox was a student at Princeton under Smith). Asks Smith to forward his son's clothes and books. Desires a list of his son's expenses.

GLC02437.05155

20 September 1791

Smith, Samuel Stanhope, 1750-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that the stagecoaches were so full for the past two days that they would not carry Henry Jackson Knox's trunks. Confirms that he sent the trunks the previous Saturday. Writes, "I found that he had done wrong by cutting out the lock of one of them." Adds that he did not know about it until they were being sent away. Marked "Free."

GLC02437.05165

3 October 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Claims that a variety of circumstances has kept him from transmitting the proposals they discussed in New York. Has heard Smith is on a journey to the eastward at present and wants to know if he will be in Philadelphia in the near future. Also wants to know if there are any circumstances which will prevent him from complying with the proposals they discussed. If there are, Knox reports that arrangements can be made. Notes that they can meet at Princeton if that is convenient.

GLC02437.05182

21 October 1791

Smith, William Stephens, 1755-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Found Knox's letter of 3 October waiting for him upon his return from Boston. Gave William Duer a message for Knox. Since that message was written things have changed with the arrival of a minister from Great Britain [George Hammond]. Tells Knox, "I have by this post offered myself as a Candidate for the appointment at the Court of London, & upon what I conceive to be strong grounds." If he gets appointed, he believes the post "will have a very extensive influence & operation." Asks for Knox's "good offices on the subject."

GLC02437.05204

23 October 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

From a conversation he had with William Duer, he is concerned that Smith might have misunderstood the object of his letter and enclosure of 22 October. Tells Smith he may remember a conversation they had "in your house, relative to a favorable accommodation for the preservation of my bank stock." Says that a certain quantity of his private lands in the Waldo Patent will be "sold to you conditionally upon the approbation of your agent." Mentions financial arrangements to pay for it. Says $1,600-$2,000 must be advanced.

GLC02437.05208

25 October 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Says it might be more agreeable to Smith to buy Knox's St. Lawrence lands instead of those further east. Reports "The St. Lawrence lands are excellent in quality and are opposite to James Graves Simcoe's new government in Canada, "where land is selling very high." Tells him Governor George Clinton can inform him on the lands. Declares that his proportion of the St. Lawrence lands is about 42,000 acres. Explains that Gouverneur Morris was empowered by Alexander Macomb "to sell the whole, and it was said by the parties that he had made an agreement for him at a crown p[er] acre - but I have…

GLC02437.05211

28 October 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Mentions the "subject" of Smith's last letter and praises its virtues. Promises always to advance Smith's interests "in any degree."

GLC02437.05213

9 November 1791

Smith, William Stephens, 1755-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Stamped as "free" above address. Explains that he met Captain [Thomas] Randall at the Post Office, where they made arrangements for sending monies owed by Knox to Smith (see GLC02437.05231). Also discusses the purchase of lands in Maine (related to the Waldo patent), and mentions a misunderstanding between himself and [William] Duer.

GLC02437.05232

3 December 1791

Smith, William Stephens, 1755-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has tried to acquire the items Knox asked for, but has been unable to as yet. Relates how he is about to depart for Europe, unhappily, to settle family accounts and protect his family from misfortune. Describes arrangements he is making to prepare for his departure, including making sure that the President is not displeased with him for leaving. Also refers to Mrs. Smith [his wife], Mrs. [Abigail] Adams (who was his mother-in-law), and Mr. [Rufus] King. Sends his respects to Knox's wife.

GLC02437.05251

4 December 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Writes that he believes, from Smith's recent letter, that he would like information on the likelihood of the result. Suggests that certain principles "must dictate a different arrangement from the one you contemplated." Trusts that Smith will act with the utmost propriety. (May be alluding to Smith's upcoming departure from America; see GLC02437.05251.)

GLC02437.05253

7 December 1791

Smith, William Stephens, 1755-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "private." Thanks him for his recent letter, and writes that he is "much obliged by the intelligence it contained." Declares that he is satisfied with the arrangement, and believes he has "discharged faithfully the duty I owed my Country, my friends and myself." Adds that Knox's communications to him will always be held in confidence. (See GLC02437.05251 and GLC02437.05253 for related information.)

GLC02437.05255