circa 1785-1791

Macpherson, John, ?-1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his kind considerations of all of his inventions and discusses pensions and his own service to the country. Claims he has been cheated by three powerful men, who then prevented him from publishing a pamphlet exposing them. Encloses (not present) the few pages that were printed.

GLC02437.08250

12 April 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Moriarty

Responds to a letter of Moriarty's and provides price information about lands in part of the Waldo patent.

GLC02437.09123

February 21, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to Morris, Superintendent of Finance. Remarks, "The Army generally have always reprobated being thirteen Armies. Their ardent desires have been to be one continental body looking up to one sovereign..." Calls for a central government to preserve the anticipated peace. Declares, "America will have fought and bled to little purpose if the powers of Government shall be insufficient to preserve the peace...why do not you great men call the people together and tell them so, that is have a convention of the States to form a better Constitution. It appears…

GLC02437.10098

6 July 1791

Macomb, Alexander, 1748-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a letter of recommendation for a young gentleman, a W. Meyrick British officer of the 24th Regiment. Takes "the Liberty to request [Knox's] Civility towards him, and presume upon [Knox's] goodness to pardon [his] boldness, which however [he does] not sit uneasy under knowledge [of] the hospitable dispostion of Mrs. Knox and [Knox]." Sends his regards to "your Lucy" and informs Knox that he is going to remarry. Invites the Knox family to visit. Stain on address leaf where the letter was sealed. Watermarked " J Whatman" and with a hunting horn inside a crest.

GLC02437.10232

12 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Written by Brigadier General Knox to General Lincoln. Says he was concerned for him, but hopes he is safe at Head of Elk, Maryland. Tells him to "pray take care of the trophies and carry them triumphantly into rome." Reports from Mount Vernon that Martha Washington's son, "Mr. Custis," has died. Says there is a pallor of sadness in the Washington home and that "You who know the tender feelings of a father in their extreme can form some idea of the affliction which must at this moment overcome Mrs Washington & the General." Says they are expected back at Mount Vernon in a…

GLC02437.01288

20 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Explains his recommendations and opinions on key issues regarding the "ensuing campaign" in and around New York. Relates that upon asking General George Washington when to be prepared to march his troops, General Washington claimed to be out of touch with the status of preparations, but as soon as he decided, he would let Knox know. Knox relates that this makes him uneasy, as it makes planning the ordnance and stores far more difficult. Describes recent experiments on howitzers of French and of English origin, and explains that they require different shell sizes (see GLC02437.01411), and…

GLC02437.01426

10 July 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office." Informs Knox that Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch has begun casting shells for them, and that Captain [William] Stevens "must immediately go there to prove the shells." Tells Knox to provide Stevens with instructions for how many shells to order cast for the French howitzers. Suggests that if, after a conference with "the General" [perhaps General George Washington], they feel they might not need the French shells right away, they should wait to make them in case they are able to recast the French howitzers and make them "of the English caliber." Also asks what…

GLC02437.01481

31 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to Lincoln, the Secretary at War, to ask his opinion on various subjects surrounding artillery stores for future campaigns. Various topics include shells being cast for French howitzers by Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, preparation of shot and shells by Mr. Byers, transportation of cartridge boxes from Philadelphia to the New York state posts. Also mentions directions from General George Washington to have stores from the post in Burlington, New Jersey moved to New Windsor, New York, and the amount of repairable arms in Albany, Fishkill and West Point. Discusses the urgent need for hiring…

GLC02437.01510

12 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes in response to Lincoln's letter of 20 August. Declares, "I am sorry Mr. [Robert] Morris cannot pay for any shells for the french [8?] inch howitzers, as they without shells much be useless after all the time and money which has been expended making new cartridges for them." Has asked General George Washington his opinion on employing German prisoners as armorers at Newburgh in exchange for their freedom (see GLC02437.01589), and Washington feels this is a good idea, so Knox asks Lincoln to make the appropriate arrangements. Also comments that he has received recent Congressional…

GLC02437.01604

19 April 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre Charles L'Enfant

Writes that he has received L'Enfant's note from this morning. Does not believe the members of the Society of Cincinnati in France have received their diplomas yet. Does not have the names of the members because all the information was left in the possession of General [Otho] Williams, Assistant Secretary. If L'Enfant has the names, and sends them to Knox, he will immediately have General [George] Washington sign them and have the name blanks filled in.

GLC02437.03261

12 August 1801

L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 1754-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Seeks help from Knox for compensation from his previous employment noting that the 1800 War office fire destroyed much of his evidence. Mentions he has provided letters proving past employment as an engineer in the state of Pennsylvania and Delaware but they have not helped his cause. Asks Knox to testify and deliver his opinion before the Justice regarding L'Enfant's case.

GLC02437.07581

8 October 1781

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives recommendations for arranging the artillery for the siege of Yorktown. Discusses the establishment of the first parallel for the investment and fears a delay in operations. Speculates that one in four shots from the Continental Army will hit the British works. Explains how operations in the field can differ from academic assessments because of the great variety in ordnance quality. Argues that the Continental Army should not expect anything from the current batteries except cover while they build the second parallel, and urges Knox to establish them with that purpose in mind.…

GLC02437.01213

23 December 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Duplicate of GLC02437.01309. Writes to respond to General Benjamin Lincoln's request of his opinon on where to store 4,000 barrels of public powder now in Boston. Declares that West Point is so important that they should do everything possible to provide ample supplies. Thinks 1,000 barrels should be sent to West Point as soon as the snow allows transportation. Also thinks that 1,000 barrels should be deposited at Springfield, and that the remaining 2,000 should be split between Reading, Easton and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Through this arrangement "if either of the two…

GLC02437.01308

December 31, 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Mentions that among the stores taken from the enemy at the battle of Yorktown are "a number of copper hoops that had been attached to the casks of powder consumed during the siege, which according to the customs of War invariably appertain to the officer commanding the artillery of the conquerors." They have been delivered to the Company General of Military Stores. Asks that if it is consistent with general practices, he would like to have them delivered to his company.

GLC02437.01312

6 January 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Marked "copy." Writes in response to receiving from Lincoln a proposal by Colonel Timothy Pickering to send the artificers from the Park of Artillery to General Nathanael Greene's Southern Army. Writes that this proposal was made "without a sufficiency of knowledge or due consideration of the service these artificers have to perform, and cannot be complied with in any degree, without mining all prospects of advantage from the Artillery in the operating of the next campaign." Argues that their artificers have been working under the same officers for a long time and have developed a high level…

GLC02437.01326

January 22, 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses the deficiency of supplies in the ordnance. Comments on the amount of horses necessary for the wagons in the field. Also discusses the supplies necessary for the ordnance, including cannon, howitzers, and ammunition, and the amount of artificers at Springfield who could help build and repair these supplies.

GLC02437.01337

7 April 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to inform Knox of Knox's appointment to Major General, and describes the details of his appointment.

GLC02437.01382

29 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Lists several items needed by the artificers at Burlington [New Jersey], including one ton of iron, the dimensions of which to be given by Captain [Thomas] Patten to Mr. [Samuel] Hodgdon, "iron to cover the ammunition waggons and tumbrills," and "8 blacksmiths with their tools, to be hired for one month to go to Burlington."

GLC02437.01398

30 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to General Lincoln, the Secretary at War, to inform him of the recent acquisition of ordnance from the enemy, obtained with the help of France. Explains that the articles obtained are in bad repair but are in high demand, so recommends a Mr. Byers, "who is at present under engagements" to the United States, to be employed to make as many mortars and howitzers as necessary from the materials. Knox will submit an estimate as to how many they might need.

GLC02437.01399

7 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses the importance of establishing laboratories for artillery stores in the field. Comments on the work being performed by officers and enlisted men, as well as the pay scale they receive.

GLC02437.01413

8 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to General Lincoln, the Secretary at War, on behalf of Captain Jeremiah Freeman, an officer of Artillery who is attached to an independent company. He is trying to obtain fair pay through Congress's resolve, but because of his attachment to an independent company, he is not receiving the deserved pay. Testifies to Freeman's service record and asks General Lincoln to take an interest in the case and see that Freeman get paid appropriately.

GLC02437.01414

16 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes again about problems he is having with laboratories and the Commissary, Mr. [Richard] Frothingham. Emphasizes the need for some payment, especially for the officers: "a little money now would be of much more service than a great deal in future." "[Y]our Joseph" is likely Joseph Nourse. See GLC02437.01413 for a related letter.

GLC02437.01419

29 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Arrived in Newburgh three days earlier. Was at West Point "with the officers of the Army and find them generally much discontented." Says the problems revolve around the issuing of provisions. Says "Tomorrow it is proposed to celebrate with a good deal of taste & some pomp, the birth of the dauphin. I am sorry we shall have such a bad sauce to the feast, as the late unfortunate event in the West Indies" (the French fleet under de Grasse was defeated by British Admiral Rodney on 12 April off the coast of Dominica).

GLC02437.01432

29 June 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "Since my return my dear Sir I have found great difficulty in renewing our obligation at the bank I have at last by ye [the?] aid of our mutual friend Mr. Osgood obtained a farther credit (by giving a new obligation & paying the interest) of thirty days. I am under the painful necessity therefore of giving you the information & of soliciting your attention to the matter. Had I the money you would not have heard from me on the subject unless to inform you that the debt was discharged - I am particularly embarrassed at this time as prior to your receiving the money I drew for…

GLC02437.01469

3 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Marked "Private." Letter from Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Reports that the Massachusetts line has determined to apply to the state for its backpay. Says "It would be useless to detail the reasons why such a settlement would be preferable to a continental one." Says it is probable that Massachusetts "may decline to account for the officers subsistence, if so it must be brought before Congress."

GLC02437.01473