7 April 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses an upcoming meeting with the Society of the Cincinnati. Says the standing Committee would like to know if the Constitution of the Society will be voted on during the next meeting. Asks the number of delegates Knox believes will be necessary to handle the business at the meeting. Believes it more convenient if Knox were to handle the whole business himself. Mentions it has been reported that Gov. [Arthur] St. Clair and Major [Winthrop] Sargent have been taken by Indians.

GLC02437.04579

11 April 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that his father passed away the day before, stating that "he was calm & resigned, and died in full faith of perfect happiness in the world of spirits - this was a great consolation to my honored mother & to his Children & friends around him - my aged mother is very much afflicted, and cannot reconcile the separation they having live'd together fifty eight years last month, and but very little apart during that period - " Goes on to discuss matters regarding the raising of troops and a possible appointment in the military, though he states "but why do I mention QMG [Quarter…

GLC02437.04581

25 April 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his letter of condolence on account of his father's death. Discusses Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton's plan for the federal government to assume state debts. Writes, "[t]he nonassumption of the State Debt has thrown the people into the greatest confusion, and will be the means of weakening the Federal government more than any other measure they could have persued..." Believes that "unless this measure is obtained in the present session of Congress, very serious consequences will take place..." Mentions a number of public creditors had a meeting on Thursday, and will…

GLC02437.04589

9 May 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a meeting Knox and his delegation are attending. Mentions a meeting held at the Green Dragon to deal with officers pay. Says a committee was appointed to draft a memorial to Congress and report it at the Society of the Cincinnati meeting in July. It is the intention of the committee to meet with the officers the latter part of this month and present their findings to Congress in June. Forwards a copy of the memorial that was drafted for Knox to peruse, he is instructed not to say a word of it to anyone. Says if he dislikes or would like an amendment to any part of the report to…

GLC02437.04599

16 May 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Acknowledges receipt of Knox's last letter. Mentions current issues facing the military establishment, particularly regarding enlistment and pay. Also touches on military inspections, and tells Knox to expect a letter from Captain C[onstant] Freeman on the subject. Briefly mentions the "price of State notes." Discusses the travel plans of Mrs. Swan, who will be meeting her husband in Paris. Hopes she will travel with some letters of introduction in case Mr. [James] Swan cannot meet her when she arrives.

GLC02437.04610

30 May 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he received Knox's letter and the enclosure for Mr. Short, but it arrived too late to give to Mrs. Swan as she left for Paris. Wishes her a safe journey. Also reports that Mr. Swan wrote to him and seems to be doing well; promises to tell Knox more when Jackson visits New York on business that weekend.

GLC02437.04619

20 June 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a trip he made to visit his mother, and asks about Mrs. Lucy Knox's health. Relates that there will be great opposition to Mr. Dalton's election, referring to Tristram Dalton's reelection to the United States Senate. Reports news from a captain recently arrived from London: "we have accounts of a Spanish War with England, he informs there was a very hot press in England & [every] British Seaman was put on board their Men of War." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.04631

22 June 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Mr. Constant Freeman will be a good worker in Knox's department and discusses the election for senator. States that "Mr. George Cabot obtaind the vote by a majority of one, and was chosen - "

GLC02437.04633

27 June 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Replies to Knox's letter from 20 June. Encloses some unspecified papers (not included). Notes that the [Massachusetts General] Court met Friday and have adjourned until January 1791. Reports that Thomas's party has been quiet, and the people are angry. In a post script, adds that Governor John Hancock refused signing an act giving the light houses to Congress. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.04638

4 July 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "The time taken up by Congress in fixing the permanent seat of Government, and the situation of the Funding business has caused a great uneasiness & clamour amongst the people, and of that Class that have been the firmest supporters of the government ... every mechanick & Tradesman conceives that their being out of employ is wholly owing to that circumstance - and the distress of that class of people in the several seaports in this State is very alarming - in this town it is melancholy to see the poverty and wretchedness of the inhabitants..." Reports that Captain Vose,…

GLC02437.04644

11 July 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati where they elected officials, most of whom were the same as the ones they had the year before. Lists the delegates, including Knox, who were chosen to attend the general meeting the following May. Notes that Governor John Hancock has been ill. Writes on behalf of a Captain Phelon and asks Knox if he would be able to employ him.

GLC02437.04650

1 August 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his arrival in Portland en route to Burnt Coat Island. He is traveling with his "friend Ben" [possibly Benjamin Hichborn], and expects that they will return to Boston in ten to twelve days. Mentions his hope that a General [John] Glover will receive "the appointment of Collector for the port of Marblehead." Also touches on international issues: "I wish from my soul for a Spanish War, I think it would put a new face on the affairs of this Country." Also provides information on Knox's extended family, and reports that Knox's cousin Samuel Winslow wants Knox to inspect parts of the…

GLC02437.04666

22 August 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jackson acknowledges Secretary of War Knox's letter of 15 August 1790. Mentions that he and "the Colonel" are making their way to Portland. Describes the journey, his sea sickness, and the help they received during the trip. Says a Mr. Gregory "has a high idea of the value of the Patent, and considers it a source of immence wealth." Mentions paying a visit to Captain [Thomas] Vose whose farm had "some of the best butter and Cheese" they have eaten this year. Reports that Vose will be disappointed if Knox does not pay him a visit. Suggests Knox come on 15 September 1790 when the…

GLC02437.04699

19 February 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is annoyed at Knox for not having written in a month and says, "It appears you are done writing me...but I was in hopes we should part friends at least, whenever you found it necessary to shake off your old friend give him a hearing before you adopted such violent measures." Provides Knox with an update regarding the Massachusetts legislature and it is plans to sell lands. Believes they need to do what they must to secure those lands, even if it means paying a little more. Says they "have leave to bring in a bill" for Knox's planned canal and that "it will pass without any difficulty."…

GLC02437.04861

20 February 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the government's relations with the Indians. Believes a greater force is needed in order to deal with the Indian battles in the "western Country." Writes, "the business with the Indians has a very disagreeable appearance, and unless the government apply a sufficient force in the first instance and make them feel their power, a long and bloody war will be the issue - and the whole western country will be depopulated..." Mentions that "Major Joseph Williams" is looking for appointment as "the Inspector of the Militia of this State."

GLC02437.04863

27 February 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that [Samuel] Ogden is very disappointed that he has not been able to purchase "the western Lands" due to the breakdown in negotiations with the Gentlemen who were supposed to make that happen. Says he is confident that Ogden will ultimately succeed by calling on his powerful friends in the legislature. Informs Knox that "the petition respecting the Waldo patent will be refer'd over to the next Sessions of the Court." Notes the "General Heath resign'd his Commission of Major General of this Division, and on Friday the Senate chose me by a large majority but the House elected…

GLC02437.04868

6 March 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that [Samuel] Ogden "closed the purchase of our western Country..." and is now preparing to go to Philadelphia. Warns Knox that he must "prepare your mind to hear much respecting the conduct of your friend [Nathaniel] Gorham, and the trouble & perplexity our friend has met with in this negotiation." Discusses his social and business meetings. The Massachusetts Senate has maintained its support of Jackson as Major General, but the House has not taken up the subject yet. "The Governors and S. Adams's interest is against me," Jackson says, "on account of the [Cincinnati]."…

GLC02437.04871

13 March 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Acknowledges receipt of Knox's letter of 27 February 1791. Comments he is anxious in finding out about what appointments will be made and when. Notes he has heard many reports respecting raising troops but nothing concrete has taken place yet. "We have had many reports with respect to raising of Troops &cc but nothing authenticate. a few days more, will bring this secret business to public view." Tells Knox that the "Committee on Petitions from the Patent have reported, and after some alteration by your friends in the house it was accepted, but you have nothing to fear from it, they…

GLC02437.04878

20 March 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Tells Knox he looks forward to his visit to Boston in the early summer. Updates Knox on various news from the Boston/New England area. Gives his opinion on the organization of the officers and warns Knox that the small salary allotted to the troops would make it difficult to "obtain proper men for the service." Knox could look to the seaports and "stragglers in the Country, but they will be the refuse of Creation." Mentions that Samuel Ogden left Boston for Philadelphia.

GLC02437.04881

22 March 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests that Knox choose "Mr. Samuel Andrews" to "be appointed an Ensign to the vacancy of Mr. Joseph Peirce." Nominates "Mr. Samuel Hall of Boston as an Ensign." Nathanial Balch, Jackson writes, will send a letter to Knox on his son's behalf as well. Notes at the end that he will write more later concerning the 2nd Regiment.

GLC02437.04888

27 March 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Offers his assistance in appointing officers to the army. States, "I believe but few are so well acquainted with the late Officers of the American Army as I am, and I do assure you, I should have been highly gratified to have assisted you in the late arrangement..." Says he cannot account for [John] Doughty declining the appointment as Lt. Colonel Commander. (See GLC02437.04875 and .4891 for related documents.) Knox has asked Jackson how he feels about his position in the 2nd Regiment. Admits he "exceedingly dislike[s] his situation" but he does not believe that being Lieutenant Colonel…

GLC02437.04892

3 April 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Tries to understand how Knox's letters are delayed in reaching him. Provides Knox with his opinion on various appointments.

GLC02437.04898

10 April 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jackson acknowledges receipt of Knox's letter of 27 March 1791 along with two other letters from James Swan. Jackson feared the letters may have been intercepted. Jackson reports that Joseph Peirce has been "very attentive to the directions which he has received" regarding the sale of Knox's lands. Jackson discusses various people he and Knox know, as well as the officers' concerns. Jackson has been assisting in finding recruits to Castle Island.

GLC02437.04914

24 April 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jackson received Secretary of War Knox's letter of 10 April 1791. Comments on various military appointments and the recruits from Massachusetts. He says, "the Officers in this Town have inlisted five or six but they are not such men as you want for the service." Mentions that "gentlemen" in the area are pleased that Knox has sent people to survey the area for the canal. Writes that "Mr. Jonathan Jackson will try to hold both his appointments, that of Marshal, and in the Excise." Jackson does not approve. Gives his opinion to Knox about other candidates.

GLC02437.04924

1 May 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Acknowledges receipt of Knox's letter of 19 April 1791. Talks about people from Boston including the Brecks who were heading to Philadelphia. Jackson would have liked to have joined them, but could not due to "the particular situation of my good mother." Discusses military appointments and that Dr. William Eustis thinks finding a good army surgeon might be difficult. Jackson reports that "recruiting is very dull." Once again, Jackson believes the compensation is too low to "induce our country's lads." Says "Capt. Ulman of Ducktrap" wants Knox to "write the people on Patent to whom [he]…

GLC02437.04935