10 August 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Shepard

Signature has been clipped. Informs Shepard that his endeavors to get payment for a note have been unsuccessful, as "Colonel Pickering informs that he has not any funds for the notes of the time and that it is uncertain when he shall have them." He therefore has the "mortifying necessity" of enclosing the note to Captain Twogood [perhaps Captain William Toogood] rather than the money, but he hopes he can serve Shepard more successfully sometime in the future.

GLC02437.03175

17 December 1786

Shepard, William, 1737-1817

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has enclosed a copy of a letter (refer to GLC02437.03378) he received from Governor [James] Bowdoin. "I would beg you to keep it to yourself, as I do the original. This does not mention it, but Major Shepard informs me that his Excellency wished me to write to you for permission to take one thousand or fifteen hundred Stands of arms from the Arsenal at Springfield, as well as ammunition adequate to the purpose, if they should be wanted in the decision of the question whether we are to have the satisfaction of living under a Constitution and fixed, permanent and known laws, or under the…

GLC02437.03382

24 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Shepard

Discusses his inability to provide arms and stores to be used against the insurgents in Massachusetts (those associated with Shays' Rebellion). States that he cannot do so without the special permission of Congress. Writes that he has not received any word on the subject from Governor [James] Bowdoin, but if he does, he will immediately submit it to Congress.

GLC02437.03390

January 21, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Shepard

Marked "copy" on docketing. Shepard's name spelled "Sheppard." Thanks him for his recent letters. Writes that there has not yet been a Congress able to proceed to business. Hopes that they will be organized this week, and can discuss the request of the Governor before Congress. Relates that as he said before, "it is entirely out of my power, to appropriate any of the public arms or stores without an order of Congress." This also applies to the sale or loan of arms or stores. He agrees in principle with Shepard and wishes he could accommodate him. However, if the insurgents "should…

GLC02437.03421

21 March 1789

Sherman, Isaac, fl. 1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Would like to solicit an appointment in the new government, and therefore in preparation would like to serve in a public office in Knox's department. Asks whether Knox might hire him for a short time.

GLC02437.04147

14 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Congratulates Shaw on his arrival in Providence and hopes that his "projects may be blessed with success." Presumes he went directly to Boston when he arrived. Discusses business concerns, including sale of Shaw's goods, and comments on his correspondence with Shaw.

GLC02437.04284

January 18, 1790

Sherburne, Henry, 1748-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that the state legislature will be holding a convention "to determine on, the adopting, or rejecting, the General Government of the United States..." Writes that "[t]his decision gives us the Strongest reason to conclude that the measures and practices of that Set of men which have so long disturbed the Honor and Happiness of a respectable Body of Citizens are at an End, and we have every reason to hope by the Expiration of Two Months from this time, that Congress will have official Information that the State of Rhode Island is convinced of her Errors and will with heart and hand…

GLC02437.04474

February 21, 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Knox's reply to Shaw's letter dated 12 February 1790, GLC02437.04512. Discusses a problem with debt and securities involving Mr. Holker and Daniel Parker, captain of the ship Shaw took to Guangzhou, China. Involves a sum of money the owners of the ship, the Empress of China, owe to Shaw. Also mentions insurance issues involving another ship, the Jay, which Shaw sailed on to China. Knox writes, "I know and feel for your embarrassments - But remember they are all vulnerable - look to them with composure and keep up your spirits."

GLC02437.04515

7 March 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw [incomplete ?]

May be missing its beginning page(s). Discusses a proposal apparently geared to help Shaw and [Thomas] Randall avoid debt if "the Jay" (likely a ship) does not arrive according to plan. Mentions that he will likely not be able to write again before Shaw's departure, so he wishes Shaw a good voyage and safe trip home.

GLC02437.04569

31 May 1790

Sherburne, Henry, 1748-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends Knox a copy of the "Ratification of the Constitution of the United States, by the Convention of this State on the 29th Inst. by a Majority of Two Votes." Copy not included. He goes on to say "this Important Business being now happily accomplished (tho not without the greatest difficulty) I hope this State will do every thing in her power to answer the most Sanguine wishes of the Friends to the Government." Again, asks for Knox's help in obtaining the position of "Office of Collector for the Newport District ..."

GLC02437.04621

17 June 1790

Sherburne, Henry, 1748-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses appointments made by the President to various positions. Asks Knox "reason of my being totally neglected; perhaps it might have been from Misrepresentation made to the President." Informs Knox that Rhode Island's senators will be arriving in New York soon and describes them: "Mr Stanton you'l [sic] find to be a man highly tinctured with anti principles, and filled with the most exalted [Ideas] of the Landholders - consequence, - but as he is a man of much Modesty & Condecension [sic], I flatter myself he will do (after spending some time with you) right. Mr Foster will do all…

GLC02437.04629

30 June 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Sherburne

Informs Colonel Sherburne, "I am unable to inform you of the motives which [induced] the President of the United States to nominate the persons he did to the service for officers in the customs at Newport." Assures Sherburne that although he was passed up for the position, he still retains high standing in the President's mind.

GLC02437.04639

21 March 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Shaw & Thomas Randall

Thanks Randall for the extension (see GLC02437.04882) he received. Writes, "I have nothing of Mr. D's by which I could secure you..." Notes he owed considerable sum of money from land.

GLC02437.04885

26 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Smith

Says that Henry Jackson told him by a letter of 19 June that Smith purchased the estate for £900. Thought it would have sold for "a much more considerable sum." Says the whole sum shall be divided among the other creditors after taxes. Has written to his agent Joseph Peirce to handle the deeds, which will be executed as soon as possible.

GLC02437.05032

19 October 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to [Samuel] Shaw and [Thomas] Randall

Signed in text in third person as "the General." This document is a statement by Knox that the U.S. House of Representatives validates his position as "Secretary for the Department of War."

GLC02437.05200

December 31, 1791

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the positive outcome of a meeting with his creditors in Europe, specifically outlining how he was able to save his credit by selling his ship. Happily relates that his creditors are willing to lend to him again due to his honest character. Describes his financial plans, including obtaining merchandise (such as tea) to ship to India, America and Europe, and relates that he will be traveling with the merchandise being sent to Holland and England. Asks Knox to tell [Thomas] Randall to remain in New York until Shaw returns, if Randall is in New York at present. Relates that the…

GLC02437.05281

21 March 1792

Smith, Robert, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

As a committee, Smith, Hill, Shepherd and Lenox enclose to Knox a "copy of our proposals for the contract" (not present). All four members signed the letter.

GLC02437.05370

19 June 1792

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses seeing Knox before he returns to Boston. Writes, "I have deferred writing to you since I came here - and as I now promise myself that happiness next Monday evening, I shall still defer for a viva voce communication..."

GLC02437.05511

28 June 1792

Smith, James B., fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks for a pay raise to help support his family.

GLC02437.05519

25 December 1792

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he will be sailing for China again in January. He would be happy to execute commissions for Knox in China. States that "your wandering friend intends after this voyage to stay at home - " States that his wife sends her regards to Lucy Knox and the family. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05756

January 10, 1793 - January 15, 1793

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Randall and Samuel Shaw ask Knox to forward information to a Mr. Anthony on the court case involving the ship "Nelly." The first two pages contain letters related to the case, apparently copied by Thomas Randall. The first page contains the postscript of a letter from Philips, Crammond & Co. It is dated 10 January from Philadelphia. It states that letters from P. Ferguson & Co. contained the vouchers transmitted "to recover the Nelly." Goes on to state they will not be admitted by the underwriters. Claims the business needs to be adjusted. Includes a copy of the answer to this…

GLC02437.05784

January 19, 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw and Thomas Randall

Knox relates that extreme hurry has kept him from answering their letter relative to the demands of Messrs. Philips and [Cramond]. Will attend to the matter in the manner they want.

GLC02437.05787

January 25, 1793

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses his account against Daniel Parker and Parker's acknowledgment of having received the original sum (not included). Also encloses a receipt from Messrs. Smith & Moses for $29,537.58 to be disposed of for his account with Knox (not included). Wants Knox to acknowledge receiving this by the first possible post. Says he will set sail by next Tuesday.

GLC02437.05793

January 31, 1793

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that bad weather prevented them from going to sea yesterday. It is now fair and they will sail in an hour. Received Knox's letter of 28 January and says "you will herewith receive a packet from me."

GLC02437.05801

5 July 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paschal N. Smith

Expresses his regret at not receiving Smith's request sooner. Informs Smith it would not have been in his power to give him an agency at any late date. Reports a strong interest was made for another gentleman to whom the appointment was given too.

GLC02437.06135