17 October 1781

Wigglesworth, Edward, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Indicates that he has enclosed copies of a vote of thanks from Harvard College to Granville Sharp for a donation to the library that was conveyed through Knox (see GLC02437.01220). Asks that when Knox arrives in France he send thanks to Sharp, who lives in London. Requests that the communication be sent in way that does not expose Sharp "to political resentment." Also mentions that Harvard has not acquired any British publications since 1774 and asks that Knox attempt to procure some while in Europe. Wigglesworth was president of Harvard College.

GLC02437.01236

21 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Williams

Announces the surrender of the British and German forces under Lord Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown, which occurred two days earlier. Explains that the enemy was given the same terms of surrender that the American forces received at Charleston the year before. The enemy forces number greater than 7000 men. States that there were over forty ships in the harbor. Comments on the unmatched harmony between American and French troops and offers praise for the French. Williams was a diplomat who served as an inspector of arms shipments with his uncle Benjamin Franklin's mission to France.

GLC02437.01250

14 December 1781

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Happy to receive news of Lord Cornwallis's surrender: "The Effect this reverse of Fortune has on the british Government is similar to what we often see in a man mad with Rage - Vengeance, Death Destruction foams at his mouth although he has not strength enough left to manage his weapon." Discusses the perspectives of the British King and Lords of Commons and their attitudes toward the American victory. Talks about Major Franks's arrival in Nantes and his acquaintance with Knox. Wishes he could be "galloping by your Side in pursuit of an Enemy; I have not much confidence in myself, but I…

GLC02437.01304

1 January 1782

McDougall, Ranald Stephen, fl. 1782

Autograph document signed

Title: [to the issuing commissary at New Burg New Windsor or Fishkill Landing]

Relaying orders of General Alexander McDougall. Written by McDougall's son and aide-de-camp. Docketed by Samuel Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp. Orders that "Sarah Dean the wife of Moses Dean Sergeant in the Artillery Artificers" receive a ration for herself and half a ration for each of her six children until further orders. "No Rum is to be issued to her or the Children." On verso, an autograph note signed by Daniel Niven, Captain of Engineers, certifies that the document is "a true Copy of the Original."

GLC02437.01322

12 February 1784

Williams, Joseph, 1753-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Williams reports he has applied to Dr. Waldo of Springfield to attend sick men under Williams's care. Waldo requests that an order be created for the procurement of provisions in the hands of "Widow Pincher." Encloses a provision return (refer to GLC02437.02957).

GLC02437.02952

7 May 1786

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to inquire about an unsettled account against the late Mr. [Thomas] Flucker, Knox's father-in-law. Recently looked over his old account books and found that goods which were taken up by Flucker after Williams's departure (he apparently went abroad in 1770), but before the "Lexington Business put an End to all commercial Concerns in the Town." There is no record of the debt having been paid, and his business agents think it was not. Would like to know whether this account might be "admitted in the Settlement of the Estate?" Has enclosed the account information. Sends his…

GLC02437.03265

18 July 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Davis, Jr.

Secretarially written and signed. Docket identifies it as a copy. Writes that he received Davis's request for certificates from the Commissioner of Army Accounts specifying the amounts due to John Childs and Samuel Chase. Encloses the certificates in the specified amounts, and asks that he send back receipts from Childs and Chase promptly.

GLC02437.03281

10 April 1787

Williams, Henry Howell, fl. 1775-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox's help in getting Congress to compensate him for the loss of his property during the Revolution. Mentions that many articles were taken from Noddles Island either for use of the American army or to keep them out of the hands of the enemy. He has received no compensation and has been reduced to beggary. Noddle's Island is now a part of East Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.03516

1 March 1789

Williams, H., fl. 1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to introduce the bearer of the letter, Mr. Samuel Hanson, who is seeking a position in government. Believes Mr. Hanson has "good natural abilities, improved by a liberal education," and that Knox would be pleased with his services.

GLC02437.04131

18 April 1789

Davis, William, fl. 1786-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has written to several members of Congress about his desire to receive an appointment in the new Government. Declares that Knox knows his family well and knows that he has always been a "staunch friend to my Country." Also mentions his misfortune after the war. Asks Knox to use his influence to help him obtain a position.

GLC02437.04183

22 April 1789

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he "presume[s] upon their early friendship" to introduce to Knox a Captain All, the bearer of this letter, who he has known for fourteen years. Knows him as a capable man well-suited to working on behalf of his country. Believes that in the new government, appointments should be based on merit and not on recommendations from influential men, and would be the last to break those principles. However, argues that Captain All deserves an appointment due to "real worth & undeserved misfortune." Presents his respects to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.04186

15 July 1789

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Printed letter

Title: [Letter from Jonathan Williams to Thomas McKean, forwarded to Henry Knox]

Printed letter from Jonathan Williams to Thomas McKean, "Chief Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court of Pennsylvania." Forwarded to Henry Knox and signed by hand, "The Honble. H Knox Esq. from his affectionate & respectfull Friend & obedt Servant The author." A printed note at the top emphasizes that the author "offer[s] it for public consideration." Provides his opinions regarding commerce and international trade, and how these pertain to a legal case upon which Judge McKean has recently ruled.

GLC02437.04285

17 August 1789

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to remind Knox of his friend Mr. Samuel Newman. Thinks Knox might know him by reputation from the army, and declares that he is so attached to military life that he awakens to the sounds of "Reveille" in his head. Asks for Knox's help seeking employment for Newman. Also sends his regards to Mr. [Samuel] Shaw and to thank Shaw for his continued friendship to Williams's brother Jack. Sends his respects to Mrs. Knox and their family.

GLC02437.04330

6 September 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Williams

Thanks him for his two recent letters relating to Judge [Thomas] McKean (see GLC02437.04285) and to Captain Newman (see GLC02437.04330). Writes that he will not compliment him on his public letter to the judge, but whenever he has heard merchants discuss the letter, they appear to agree with his position. Would be happy to help Captain Newman, "because you request it, and because I believe him to be an excellent soldier." However, he does not believe that more military forces will be raised in the near future, but if it should happen that more are raised, he will help the Captain.

GLC02437.04351

10 September 1789

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to thank Knox for his replies to his recent letters. Mentions that he and his wife are happy to announce they will be "permanent Citizens[s] of these States," and hopes to be close enough to Knox to renew their friendship. Thanks him for his attention to the recommendations he submitted to Knox for federal employment of several individuals, and knows Knox will select people based on merit. Sends his respects to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.04353

9 July 1790

Dawes, Thomas, 1731-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Highly recommends a Mr. Alexander Thomas, who is applying for a position in Knox's department. Notes that Thomas was committed once to the prison limits for not settling a town tax he had to collect, but this incidence was the result of "an ill timed lenity," not of any dishonesty on Thomas's part. Refer to GLC02437.04616 for a related letter, in which Alexander Thomas asks Knox for employment.

GLC02437.04648

8 May 1791

Dawes, Thomas, 1731-1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: Answers to six questions proposed by General Knox

Dawes, apparently an attorney, responds to Secretary of War Knox's questions about settling the Flucker estate. Mentions issues about claims on the estate, insolvency, taxes, and the sale of "a disputed estate."

GLC02437.04943

24 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Jonathan Williams

References Williams's letter of 27 May (GLC02437.04961). Has forwarded Mr. Bradford's letter. Says that he cannot say much about his application other than he "esteems him highly, and it would afford me real satisfaction to serve him." Writes, "The indian [business] will probably do well - An adequate force is raised and in [motion] forwards-" Tells Williams that he seems to have judgment to appreciate his own situation and that, in terms of finding an occupation, the "pursuit of some Love is as necessary for your mind as food for your body." Makes reference to bank stocks. Apparently in…

GLC02437.05028

26 July 1791

Wilcox, Samuel, fl. 1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Provides an opinion of John Houston of Georgia, as Knox requested. Does not doubt that Houston has talents of the first order, together with a cultivated mind improved by a liberal education. Believes he completed his education at the Temple in London. "His moral character is perfectly fair and unimpeachable - and no man perhaps is actuated by more independent, and purer principles of honor and Justice." Has clear judgment, dignified manners, and decision of conduct. Is 40 years old and is rumored to be in debt, but not embarrassingly.

GLC02437.05085

4 November 1796

Whiting, Thurston, 1753-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to apologize for losing a letter he was given to pass along to Knox. Describes the incident, and relates that he received it from Nicholas Sprague of Waldoborough, and believes Sprague received it originally from someone in Wiscasset. Is mortified for losing it and apologizes profusely.

GLC02437.06864

26 June 1798

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. White

Letterpress copy. Discusses his concerns about the navy, and mentions a "few ships of War, and the french [sic] have a few, would in a few days convey an army of ten thousand blacks and people of color in Vessels seized from our own citizens." Continues with expressing his concern about the defense of the coast. Noted as private.

GLC02437.07154

6 September 1799

Davis, Daniel, 1762-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Davis discusses Knox's lands and possible buyers, particularly about the Duck-pond lands. Much depends on whether the "timber and wood has not been intirely plundered." Davis offers Knox his help if Knox wants to sell his land, but Davis insists he needs more information in order to process things.

GLC02437.07307

15 October 1799

Davis, Daniel, 1762-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Davis tells Knox that he has just returned from Boston. He goes over the progress he has made in selling Knox's land and encloses $200 to Knox. Davis tells Knox he could do more to facilitate sales if he were not so busy in court.

GLC02437.07317

20 October 1799

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Davis

Knox has received Davis's letter of October 15 with $200. Knox tells Davis to sell the Duck pond lands for cash if possible. Knox says it will take him some time to divide the lands.

GLC02437.07319

23 October 1799

Davis, Daniel, 1762-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Davis tells Knox about the progress he is making in his negotiations over Knox's land. In a postscript, Davis tells Knox he received his letter of October 20 (GLC02437.07319). Davis says, "I have been offered what the Duck pond lands were sold at auction for and hope to be able to send you teh whoe fo the purchase money as soon as the power of attny is returned executed."

GLC02437.07320