January 28, 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Encloses (not included) his report on the subject of a "republican national militia." Discusses his thoughts concerning a "republican national militia..." Believes republic governments are the sort of governments that will be "more productive of happiness and an enlargement of the mind than other forms [of] government, But that they cannot be [effectively] secured [against] the machinations of the interested and ambitious unless the people will sacrifice some [portion] of [ease], and establish strong institutions..." Solicits Hancock's help saying he does not know the fate of the report…

GLC02437.04484

10 May 1790

Greaton, Richard H., 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for an appointment in the Army. Says he last served under Colonel Henry Jackson's commission and that he has always been fond of the military. Written from Roxbury, likely present day Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.04600

4 April 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Informs Hancock that he has complied with his wishes and has "enclosed to your [Hancock] protection the appointment of Mr. Balch." The letter is marked "private."

GLC02437.04899

10 April 1791

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Massachusetts Governor John Hancock informs Knox that he has sent Knox via Caleb Hopkins on the Brig Maria, a box of "the very best Winter Isle Shoales Table Fish, which I have preserved in the best manner, & which I will venture to assert if dress'd agreeably to the mode I practice, & which we conversed upon when together, will prove as good Eating Fish as was ever on any Table whatever."

GLC02437.04913

28 April 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Thanks Governor John Hancock for the fish he sent.

GLC02437.04934

27 May 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Greene

Written by Secretary of War Knox to Catharine Greene, General Nathanael Greene's widow. Expresses chagrin at their lack of communication. Feels bad for not sending along the packages he now encloses for three months (not present). Wishes to know about her prospects and happiness. Reports that he has heard from "Colo. [Alexander] & Mrs. Hamilton" that Mrs. Greene's children were doing well at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

GLC02437.04962

14 March 1792

Hammond, Abijah, 1757-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reminds Knox that he promised Knox he would purchase any good quality Madeira wine he could find, from Mr. Stuyvesant or anyone else who had any. Was unable to search immediately upon his return home, as he had family matters to attend to. Has finally had time to search, but has unfortunately is unable to find any of the kind he asked for, not even from Mr. Stuyvesant. Sends his respects to Mrs. Knox and their family, and offers to help Knox in the future in any way he can. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05356

18 September 1792

Green, William, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses papers he has copied and transcribed for Knox dealing with William Duer, with his opinions on each point.

GLC02437.05619

26 September 1792

Green, William, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses land deals, financial matters, and legalities on various types of loans. Informs Knox that merchants are not required to provide securities on their credits and if Knox were to look into the matter himself he would find this true. Continues to discuss in detail particulars regarding their business arrangements and various loan options, including deals involving Madam de Leval and [William] Duer. Highly recommends that they drop association with Duer because of Duer's current reputation: "I do however think it absolutely necessary to get rid of Mr D as to the business his name…

GLC02437.05628

25 October 1792

Green, William, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Knox's current business with William Duer. States that reassignment is essential to their security, and hopes Knox will allow his brother William, or another person in New York, to sign for him in order to speed the matter along.

GLC02437.05666

28 October 1792

Green, William, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a release (not included). Asks for his signature for a document related to his business with William Duer. Sends a draft of a reassignment for Knox to browse. Further discusses the business related to Duer, urging Knox to hurry so that "no time is to be lost."

GLC02437.05670

1 November 1792

Green, William, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Henry Knox]

Discusses their financial agreement in great detail. Provides a list of stipulations that will dictate his involvement in the agreement. On page five, includes information copied from a paper given to him by William Duer related to the financial arrangement. In closing, writes, "Respecting myself, I have only to add, that no possible addition to my present means would be a compensation for the loss of the tranquillity and ease of mind which I value above all things. I think I have survived the folly of ambition... If an opportunity [offers] to you of a more advantageous association than…

GLC02437.05685

2 November 1792

Green, William, fl. 1792

Manuscript letter

Title: to unknown

Reaffirms his previous offer to secure the payment of $50,000 by three yearly installments. Declares that this arrangement is "unexceptionable." Possibly written to William Duer, as Green adds that he has already written to General Knox on the subject of the security. Writes, "...you will also have the goodness to recollect the propriety of Employing great caution in negotiations that are so materially to affect the fate of myself & family." Noted as a copy.

GLC02437.05686

4 November 1792

Green, William, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses their financial agreement involving William Duer. Includes information copied from a note written by Duer (for a full copy of the note, refer to GLC02437.05687). Hopes that since Knox cannot travel to Green's location, he will appoint someone with "plenary powers" to conduct business in his stead. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05688

26 April 1793

Gunn, James, 1753-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Georgia Senator Gunn writes to Knox to inform him of problems with the Indians in the Southeast. References a previous conversation they had where Knox pledged two companies of troops would arrive in Georgia by April. Says "The death of General McGillivray and the late murders committed by a party of Indians headed by John Galphin makes it necessary that Troops be sent to protect the low country and I am persuaded you will find on inquiry the Troops are badly posted." Reports that if the troops were more strategically placed, Georgia would be better protected. Believes General Thomas Posey…

GLC02437.05880

10 June 1793

Gunn, James, 1753-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he returned from a tour of St. Mary's on 24 May. Describes the situation in Georgia after Alexander McGillivray's death. Says James Seagrove, the U.S. Indian agent amongst the Creeks, has done all he can to prevent war. Reports that Panton's party prevailed amongst the Creeks after McGillivray's death and determined on war. Panton's Indians attacked a group of Indians friendly to the U.S. who were on their way to attack the Chickasaws. Panton stopped them and convinced them to turn back and attack the U.S. Says complaints against the agent (as mentioned in a previous letter to Knox) stem…

GLC02437.05899

2 June 1794

Gunn, James, 1753-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Indian affairs in Georgia and recommends troops. Writes, "I again suggest the Policy of collecting all the Troops acting under Federal Authority and forming a camp in a situation which will hold the Indians in check." Recommends the militia occupies the post until the army is prepared too. Also requests an officer of rank and capacity to be sent; hints Knox's current commanders are incompetent.

GLC02437.06111

30 August 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Griffin

Working draft to GLC02437.06190. Discusses the terms on his newly purchased island (Brigadiers Island, now Sears Island, Maine). Notes all the inhabitants, except for a gentleman named Benjamin Carver, have agreed to leave the island within a year's time. Requests Griffin to insure that the inhabitants do not cut more than a acre of wood. Also requests Griffin to care for the land once the inhabitants leave. Asks Griffin to purchase sheep and put it on his account. Notes Griffin will be reasonably compensated. Written from Brigadiers Island, present day Sears Island. Letter is unsigned…

GLC02437.06189

30 August 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Griffin

Final retained version of GLC02437.06189. Discusses the terms on his newly purchased island (Brigadiers Island, now Sears Island, Maine). Notes all the inhabitants, except for a gentleman named Benjamin Carver, have agreed to leave the island within a year's time. Requests Griffin to insure that the inhabitants do not cut more than a acre of wood. Also requests Griffin to care for the land once the inhabitants leave. Asks Griffin to purchase sheep and put it on his account. Notes Griffin will be reasonably compensated. Written from Brigadiers Island, present day Sears Island. There is a note…

GLC02437.06190

5 November 1794

Griffin, William, fl. 1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he has cleared 15 acres of fallen timber. Mentions he secured the material and a carpenter for the house and needs to know where to draw payment from. Also asks for clarification on other details regarding Knox's property. Likely in reference to Brigadiers Island (present day Sears Island) in Maine; see GLC02437.06180 and GLC02437.06188 for related information.

GLC02437.06235

14 November 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abijah Hammond

Expresses his sympathy on the death of [Abijah?] Hammond's child. Notes both him and Mrs. Knox know from experience the sorrow and "agony of the soul" the death of a child brings. Writes, "But such blows while they shake our hold of the world, do not usually assist our piety. We see aged persons by the order of nature pass away, but we see no reason why the young existence should be terminated before it scarcely be realized. The more we revolve or ponder on such events the more deeply are we plunged into a chaos of perplexity, out of which, we can never emerge." Explains in great detail his…

GLC02437.06242

22 November 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Griffin

Discusses his house being built on Brigadiers Island, present day Sears Island, Maine. Instructs Griffin to make the house "comfortable" and to let him know the cost of the carpentry bill. Inquires if any of the inhabitants have the left island yet. Comments he hopes Griffin decides to stay on the island.

GLC02437.06250

29 November 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Hamilton

Writes, "Among other reasons for wishing your return is Mrs. Hamiltons earnest desire. It seems that she has had, or has been in danger of a miscarriage, which has much alarmed her. But Doctor Khan by whom she is attended with Doctor [Heplious], assures that she is in no danger. However as She is extremely desirous of your presence in order to tranquilize her..."

GLC02437.06261

15 September 1795

Hammond, Abijah, 1757-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Apologizes for missing his letter and agrees to help Knox in any way that he can, but states that he is often busy with his own business.

GLC02437.06523

24 December 1795

Hammond, Abijah, 1757-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his disappointment on not being able to see Knox. Writes that he is preparing something for Christmas, together with other friends.

GLC02437.06582