20 October 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he did not receive the receipt on Palmer's note. Discusses a financial matter regarding when payments are to be made. Recommends a young man for a position in the Navy. Letter is marked as private.

GLC02437.06227

26 September 1801

Peabody, Stephen, fl. 1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a complicated land deal likely located in Maine. Requests Knox provides him with a deed for a disputed lot of land. A note signed by Ana Peabody signing over her interest in the land to Stephen Peabody is included on page two of the letter. Written from "Buckston" which is likely in Maine.

GLC02437.07627

17 February 1788

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates the details of his passage to France. Had planned to avoid conversing with people from Boston, but ran into people he knew aboard ship. Received introductions from French nobility during his passage. Asks for news related to the United States Constitution. Discusses his debt, stating his interest in obtaining a consular position to an unspecified location in Europe. Notes that the merchants' wives are the most extravagant in their spending, while the higher order are "very prudent & oeconomical, tho' showy." Discusses letters of introduction, mentioning two previous letters…

GLC02437.03801

27 December 1790

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan has enclosed a plan "advantageous" to both the U.S. and France and wishes Knox to exert his influence over President George Washington and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton to agree to it. Swan also sends "the bankers' letter to me, the Commission or agency in which, I sacredly engage to pay to you." In a postscript dated 30 December Swan asks Knox, "pray sound Mr. Jefferson on this, or get some one to do it. I am affraid of him, merely because Mr. Short may have misled him."

GLC02437.04810

2 December 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Caleb Swan

Outlines instructions about an audit for the Treasury Department. States that "the Levie and Militia serving on the Frontier under Major general St. Clair should have their accounts regularly adjusted and the balance paid to the officers and soldiers respectively, previously to their discharge at Fort Washington ... " Goes on to write that this is an important business and that he trusts Caleb Swan to carry it out, especially since the amount needed to carry these instructions out is a "considerable sum of money which are delivered to [Caleb Swan's] care and safe keeping ... " Noted as No…

GLC02437.10242

22 March 1782

Swetland, Aaron, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to discuss the future of his appointment with the Commissary of Military Stores. Has served in the department since the previous June, without knowing whether he would receive an appointment to the position of Conductor. Explains that last June he and Captain Patten met with Knox in New Windsor, and Knox referred him to Richard Frothingham, Field Commissary of Military Stores, and told him that if his service was acceptable he would be appointed to Conductor. Believes his service was satisfactory, but asks that if Knox disagrees, he arrange for a discharge for Swetland. Adds, "I am…

GLC02437.01373

22 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lord Stirling [William Alexander]

Thanks Lord Stirling for the wagons and buildings he sent for use "in the public service." Does not expect to require any more supplies from Albany, and says that the materials which have already arrived are in excellent order. Believes that "muskets and other military stores" might remain in Albany over the winter, but if Lord Stirling thinks otherwise, he will arrange to have them sent to West Point via Captain [Thomas] Seward. Describes a new negotiation between England and America which has begun under the "auspices of Lord Shelbourne" with an agent from England named Mr. Fitzherbert…

GLC02437.01677

1 November 1782

Sumner, Job, 1754-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed by J. Sumner, Capt.; author may be Captain Job Sumner of the 3rd Massachusetts. Written from "Camp." Writes, "There is one Bound a soldier in the 3 Massachusetts, now confined in the provost, under your direction by Complaint of Mr. Nait an Inhabitant, "for injuring his property" - he has been long confined & if you think it will not injure Service, I should be glad he might be sent to his Regiment, when he may receive trial agreably to the nature of his crime before a general or regimental Court Martial, I shall take care to advertise Mr. Nait of his removal, should you assent."

GLC02437.01692

19 November 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lord Stirling [William Alexander]

Mentions that he has received stores which were sent by Captain Leonard's company, including a brass mortar. Also discusses the prospects for the peace treaty currently in negotiations, as well as the way it is being considered in the newspapers.

GLC02437.01712

10 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Heman Swift

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "I was yesterday at Head Quarters and applied to His Excellency, respecting your absence and that of Major Smith. He consents to your going for the time you propose, but objects to more than one field officer being absent at a time. He intends to make that the principle for furloughs. I shall send the address to you tomorrow to be signed."

GLC02437.01735

21 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Cornelius Swartwout

Informs Swartwout that someone will show him where he and Captain Dusten can gather firewood for the upcoming winter.

GLC02437.02693

11 December 1783

Sumner, J., fl. 1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests that a fellow officer may be discharged.

GLC02437.02825

17 December 1783

Sullivan, James, 1744-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a letter (not included) of introduction and request to locate a doctor's grandson. Stamped "[B]oston" on the address leaf.

GLC02437.02838

29 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Major Sumner

Provides instruction to Sumner about mustering troops. Says it will be unnecessary to muster the Massachusetts troops.

GLC02437.02870

7 June 1784

Sumner, Job, 1754-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for "a speedy determination of our Ranks" as rank will determine his subsistence and pay. Hopes he is entitled to "the allowance of major" unless Congress revokes his commission.

GLC02437.03010

8 January 1787

Sullivan, James, 1744-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a variety of financial matters. Mentions bonds and a mortgage involving Mr. Isaac Winslow, as well as investment in the estate of a Major Dench, which is now proving to be insolvent. Date of letter is cited as 8 January 1786, however, docket notes this letter was actually written 8 January 1787. GLC02437.03428 is possibly a response to this letter.

GLC02437.03235

27 October 1786

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he is "agreeably saluted with the news of War being declared against the Indians." Is quite overjoyed at the situation: "I told you in State Street, what my hopes were- little did I think the happy circumstance so near." Would like Knox's advice on "buying or selling in to the Continental funds." Has been very pleased with Knox's advice before and would be happy to have it again. Would like to know "whether to engage actively" in the "present commotions." Seems to be inclined to do it - "My heart is warm for supporting Government" - but is unsure whether he can convince his "…

GLC02437.03321

4 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Very flattered by Swan's confidence in his judgment, and only wishes his judgments were up to that standard. He has not been contemplating the funds, so he cannot judge "which species of them ought to have the preference." Provides some thoughts as to the merits of each type of fund. Discusses attempts to raise money for Congress, for the government to use until the states provide money to the treasury. Relates that they need to make sure individuals who loan money to Congress feel secure that they will be repaid in a timely fashion. Discusses the functionality of their government.…

GLC02437.03326

14 January 1787

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sullivan, the Governor of New Hampshire, writes that based on their long acquaintance and friendship, he takes the liberty to introduce his good friend Paine Wingate, delegate to Congress from New Hampshire. Writes that "he is a stranger in New York and I shall esteem it a great favor if you will please to make him acquainted with some of the first characters there. You will find him the scholar the Gentleman, and the man of sense every mark of attention paid to him by you will be gratefully acknowledged."

GLC02437.03415

26-28 February 1787

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Two parts. First part written 26 February 1787. Notes he missed the post at Hartford, Connecticut and only has time to write a quick note. Describes how long and difficult his journey has been, particularly for Mrs. Swan, and says he will never go by land again. Mentions that General [Benjamin] Lincoln will be in town, at which point Swan hopes to learn his future rank. Says he saw [Colonel David] Humphreys in Springfield, Massachusetts dressed "in all the extra elegance of Paris. Noted as written at Bruce's Leicester. Second part dated 28 February 1787. Writes that he forgot to…

GLC02437.03471

28 February 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Sullivan

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Discusses an upcoming convention (the Constitutional Convention) in Philadelphia. "The late approbation of Congress of a Convention to be held at Philadelphia in May next will it is presumed remove all objections as to its legality. - If men of truly great minds should compose the Majority of the convention something of importance may be effected. But if a number of trifling Characters get together we shall only be deluded instead of being benefited." Noted in the docket as a copy.

GLC02437.03473

2 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Swan

Mentions some legal papers that he is trying to get an attorney assigned to. Discusses horse breeding and the recipient's recent trip through Connecticut.

GLC02437.03479

10 May 1787

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that the bearer of the letter, William Morris, was appointed Captain to command the forces "destined for the western frontiers." Morris is very disappointed by this appointment. Sullivan asks Knox if there is anything that can be done for Morris and that he will "hazard my own reputation upon his fidelity courage and good conduct..."

GLC02437.03547

30 October 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Returns Swan's account against John Campbell, "who has been liberated from Goal by an oath of Insolvency & gone to Europe." (Swan had a dispute with Campbell; see GLC02437.03437). Says he does not know what the charges of Colonel [Alexander?] Hamilton are on this business, but will let Swan know when he finds out. Supports the new Constitution, and believes it will be adopted ultimately. Adds, "Should Massachusetts & the other Eastern states embrace it eagerly much evil would be avoided." Date from docket.

GLC02437.03690

20 December 1787

Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for the information from Monsieur La Forest about his sons, who were in France for their education (see GLC02437.03714 for a related letter). Laments that he did not meet up with La Forest when he was in New York and discusses paying the bills for his sons board and education in France. Asks Knox to help him get the money to the Intendant of Normandy, who has advanced the sums needed to accommodate Talbot's sons.

GLC02437.03731