31 March 1785

Moriarty, John, fl. 1785-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written in Bristol, Broad Bay (present-day Maine). Hopes to be able to purchase one or two hundred acres of land from Knox. Asks what price Knox would charge for the land, and discusses his method of payment. Writes, "I expect some familys here from Ireland, who will undoubtedly want some tracts of Land, & if you can have faith Enough, to put any Confidence in an Irish man, & that you Impower [sic] me to Act for you here, depend, I will serve you if I can." In a post script, notes that Major John Hopkins, former Commissary of Prisoners, will recommend Moriarty to Knox.

GLC02437.03123

15 May 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Transmits Morris a letter from Samuel Shaw, who served as Knox's aide during the Revolutionary War. Shaw hopes to gain employment from Morris in an unspecified position.

GLC02437.03146

31 July 1785

Moriarty, John, fl. 1785-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the possible purchase of some of Knox's land in present-day Maine, referring to Knox's ownership of two farms and a limeworks. Notes that he could arrange to bring people from Ireland to settle the land. Proposes his method of payment.

GLC02437.03169

1 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Morris

Writes that two days prior he sailed to New Haven to see Mr. Gouverneur Morris, and returned last night. Also met with Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth, to discuss business (a plan Wadsworth was working on with Robert Morris to loan money to Congress - see GLC02437.003314 and .03318). Writes, "He appears to think [well] of the efficacy of the proposed plans, and will I am persuaded engage in it on proper principles." Could not convince Wadsworth to return with him to New York, since Wadsworth is a member of the Legislature and needed to remain in town. Will come to New York within the next…

GLC02437.03323

26 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Writes that the Board of Treasury will write by the next post to comment on the "proposed contracts." Declares that he sincerely hopes "that nothing may occur to prevent the completion of this business, in a manner advantageous to the public and satisfactory to you and Mr Wadsworth." (Refers to a loan Morris and Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth are attempting to grant to Congress; see GLC02437.03330.)

GLC02437.03349

30 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Morris

Writes that the Board of Treasury will write to Morris by this post regarding the proposed contracts. Intimates that not enough members of Congress are seated yet, but believes that by the time Morris and Wadsworth, as well as the Board of Treasury, sign the contract, Congress will be in session and will pass the contract easily. Discusses the merits of the measure but laments the time it will take to pass the measure through Congress. See GLC02437.03354 for a related document. Marked "private."

GLC02437.03357

8 December 1786

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received a letter from [John Francis] Hamtramck and has enclosed the majority of the information in it (not present). Hamtramck wrote to North in confidence, but North believes he cannot be faulted for showing the information to Knox, and that his ideas will show Hamtramck to be a good officer. Also hopes Knox will excuse Hamtramck's writing, as "[E]nglish is not his mother tongue." Would have liked to present the recommendation to Knox personally but his sore throat has returned and he would like to stay at home as much as possible.

GLC02437.03368

12 December 1786

Moore, William, 1752-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gratefully acknowledges Knox's support for his cause; this support induces him to include an extract of a letter from Captain [possibly Constant] Freeman which he just received. Had been hoping for an appointment from the state of Massachusetts but now has "the mortifying information of my being neglected." If his conduct as an officer during the war had caused censure from his commanding officers, he would not have looked for another appointment, "but conscious of ever endeavoring to merit their Esteem, by acting, as far as my abilities would admit, consistent with the Character of a…

GLC02437.03373

December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Morris

Writes that he has received the documents finalizing the loan Morris and Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth were preparing to give to the Board of Treasury. He is thrilled the plan worked, and believes the public good will be well served. Has received a copy of a letter from the Board asking that Colonel Wadsworth come to New York to finish signing the paperwork as well. Discusses the insurgents associated with Daniel Shays, and explains the claims and issues they are raising. Also mentions several of their acts of rebellion, including several attempts to keep the General Court from sitting in…

GLC02437.03403

9 January 1787

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has not replied yet to Knox because he expected to see Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth in Philadelphia, but has not yet, and does not know when he will arrive. Declares that the newspapers will have informed Knox that Pennsylvania has "appointed me a Commissioner on her Part to meet at the Convention in May. Had the object been any other than it is I would have declined. The appointment was the most unexpected thing that ever happened to me for I have not only declared in general my unwillingness to accept of any thing under this State but in this particular instance objected to…

GLC02437.03411

January 16, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Marked "copy" on the docket Details General [Benjamin] Lincoln's deployment with 4,000 men to deal with Shays and his supporters. Writes that Lincoln will begin at Worcester, trying to protect the Court, and then make several more stops around the state. If the insurgents do not "choose to oppose him in his parties," he will proceed to search for them individually. Is pleased to hear that both he and Robert Morris have been chosen to attend the Philadelphia convention: "I ardently wish for many reasons that the…

GLC02437.03417

January 25, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Later copy. Writes to update Morris on the status of the fight against the Massachusetts insurgents. First, mentions that Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth is unavoidably detained for a few days. Then, outlines the actions of Generals [William] Shepard and [Benjamin] Lincoln in Massachusetts, mentioning that Lincoln is planning to take his troops to Hampshire next.

GLC02437.03424

18 March 1787

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his resignation from his office and thanks Knox for his kindness, friendship and support.

GLC02437.03495

31 March 1787

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the upcoming election between John Hancock and James Bowdoin and states that "You will see by the news papers, that the Electioneering Mania has taken full possession of all ranks of people, & it is said that [Faneuil] Hall will be shook to its center on the 30th of May by the clashing of the Bowdoin & Hancock parties - most men with whom I have conversed, say that the latter will carry the day." Mentions a situation related to Major Hull's rank and the possible reduction of troops in the state of Massachusetts. Asks Knox about the possibility of being put in charge of the…

GLC02437.03506

21 July 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Moultrie

Writes to Moultrie, the president of the Society of the Cincinnati's South Carolina chapter, about society business. Reports that the Society as a whole has decided to repay Major L'Enfant for money he laid out on their behalf, but without their permission, to buy more Eagle insignias; they wanted to preserve the "immaculate" reputation of the Society. The Society also felt that "the general credit of our country does not stand well in Europe," so they wanted to ensure that the credit of their foreign members remained in good stead. Provides details of their reimbursment of L'Enfant,…

GLC02437.03609

29 October 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Reports that a Mr. Hoffman and a Mr. Hornblower have been in contact with a British company interested in pursuing a project with Morris. Requests that Morris make a decision as to whether he wants to participate, and what his share would be; and that he provide the necessary funds. Briefly describes his own interest in the venture, and adds that Mr. Hoffman would like to write to England right away with Morris's decision. See GLC02437.03687 for further discussion of this project.

GLC02437.03686

1 November 1787

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Must decline Knox's offer to participate in a business deal. Explains that the need for him to decide on the matter immediately makes him reluctant to agree. Also argues, "[t]o hold a small Share is not worth our while, to hold a large one, say 1/2 or 3/4, might prove inconvenient." Might consider participating if an opportunity arises at a later date. Noted as private. See GLC02437.03686 for Knox's offer to Morris. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.03692

24 March 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Alexander Macomb

Thanks Macomb for information related to the exports of Canada for 1787. Apologizes for his late reply, noting that Lucy, his wife, had inadvertently placed the information Macomb sent in a pile of her own papers.

GLC02437.03829

15 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [John Peter Gabriel] Muhlenberg

Discusses the appointment of officers to meet Pennsylvania's quota. Informs Muhlenberg, Vice-President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, that Captain [David] Ziegler arrived from the frontier for the purpose of the recruiting service (Ziegler had been serving in the Ohio Valley under General Harmar). Marked "private" at the top of verso and on docket.

GLC02437.03839

7 December 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Wishes Morris, who will soon embark for Europe, "a prosperous passage and a full participation of every felicity of this life."

GLC02437.04045

10 December 1788

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Morris, who will soon embark for Europe, thanks Knox for his well wishes (GLC02437.04045). Notes, "Whatever Orders you have in Europe if (as Mr. Burgoyne says) within my Scale of Talent command me." Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.04046

January 28, 1791

Macomb, Alexander, 1748-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Delivers this letter to Knox via Van Slyck whom he recommends to Knox. Comments that his social activities have declined since the Knoxes left for Philadelphia. Asks Knox to send him the "obligatory paper relative to the St. Lawrence lands."

GLC02437.04839

5 May 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Macomb

Knox writes Macomb about the St. Lawrence lands. Samuel Ogden convinced Knox to buy them. Knox believes that in a year or two it will "be sold for a much higher price then either you or I have hitherto contemplate."

GLC02437.04938

10 July 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Macomb

Says that a Mr. [Reynal] called on him with Macomb's letter of 6 July. Was not there to receive him and missed [Reynal] when he went to town today. Hopes to see him tomorrow. Delivered to Lucy Knox the news of Macomb's pending marriage. He joins her in wishing him the best. Reports that Lucy gave birth to their tenth child on 8 July. Says the mother and daughter are both "in a good way." Is "well satisfied you have authorized Mr. Gouverneur Morris to sell the ... Lawrence Lands." Hopes Morris will get a good price for him. Describes Morris as "an able negociator." Thanks Macomb for…

GLC02437.05061

December 21, 1791

Morse, Jedediah, 1761-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is making preparations for the second edition of his American Geography textbook. Would like to make this edition as accurate as possible, so would like to obtain from Knox any new geographical information. Also asks him to review several passages in the current edition of his book to check for accuracy. Discusses the geography of the territories in the American frontier, specifically in the Ohio region. Describes his patriotic motives for compiling his geography. Stamped "FREE."

GLC02437.05268