18 February 1789

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relies on their continued friendship to ask for Knox's advice. Recalls his duties in the war, and his attempt to be faithful and enthusiastic. Is now interested in seeking an appointment with the new government, and asks if Knox will recommend him to the President, with whom he is intimate. Declares that "if you knew me formerly, and thought I merited the public confidence, be assured you still know the same man, who will give you no cause to repent of your confidence in future." Would most like a position in Virginia, specifically the role of head of customs at the Port of Norfolk. Also…

GLC02437.04119

31 March 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certificate for Captain John Bryce]

Certifies that Captain John Bryce served in the Artillery under Knox's command during the war, and that he was a good officer.

GLC02437.04160

1 April 1789

Fales, David, fl. 1770-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: [Permit to occupy land]

David Fales, under authority of Henry Knox, Samuel Winslow, and Isaac Winslow, gives permission to William Burton "to occupy and improve a Lot of Land of fifty acres" (likely on the Waldo patent lands). Burton has agreed to pay Knox, Winslow and Winslow six shillings per acre, and they have provided him with a "Warrantee Deed."

GLC02437.04162

4 April 1789

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his recent letter. Writes, "Your suggestion as to the advantages to be derived from a personal attendance at the metropolis, is constantly found in the experience of Mankind & I am satisfied that such a step would give me a better appearance of success than I can otherwise have, but [were] this situation were it to continue for any length of time, would be painful to me, and no judgment can be [favored] when the arrangements of the Government will bring forward its permanent appointments." Is presently engaged in public business, but will travel to New York in early…

GLC02437.04167

1 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Bingham

Introduces the bearer, Harrison Gray Otis, of Boston. Writes that he is a young gentleman of merit, and Knox is happy to recommend him. Adds that he will gladly be of service to any of Bingham's friends coming to New York. Sends his respects to Mrs. Bingham.

GLC02437.04190

11 May 1789

Barrett, Samuel, 1739-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to help him find a job in the new government. Declares that he has a "numerous young Family to support" and has lost all his land by misfortune. Wants to be able to provide food, clothing and education for his children. Would either like an appointment in Knox's department, or for Knox to tell him of any new offices, departments or positions as they arise and to provide him with points of contact. Refer to GLC02437.04219 for Knox's reply.

GLC02437.04200

11 May 1789

Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Visited Knox's house several times, but Knox was not home, thus Bourne decided to write this letter. Asks, on behalf of his mother, whether Knox could repay 250 dollars of the late Mr. [Thomas] Flucker's debt, right away, as there is a great need for it at present. Also mentions that he received a letter recently from a Mr. Bayard in Maryland asking for his share of the debt, which Bayard supposed Bourne had. Refer to GLC02437.04202 for Knox's reply.

GLC02437.04201

11 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Response to GLC02437.04201. Writes that he is sorry he wasn't available when Bourne tried to visit in person. Adds that he would be happy to send him the money owed Bourne from Mr. [Thomas] Flucker's estate, but he has not yet received any money through the estate for the purpose.

GLC02437.04202

20 May 1789

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wrote Knox recently and thought he might be able to visit "the metropolis," but now believes he must "decline the trip." Would prefer not to leave while his arrangements are still so tentative, and asks that Knox provide him with useful information as he sees fit. (Carrington may be referring to his prospects of receiving an appointment with the new government; see GLC02437.04167.)

GLC02437.04209

20 May 1789

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to remind him of a letter he wrote to Knox previously, asking Knox to help him financially (perhaps by finding him a job). Argues that he was left impoverished because he spent so much time in "pursuit for the honor of my Country." Adds that he does not have family or friends in a position to help him, so he hopes that Knox will speak with the President and Vice President on his behalf. Docketed 21 May 1789.

GLC02437.04213

21 May 1789

Burke, Aedanus, 1743-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions that he has tried unsuccessfully to "raise a subscription for the unfortunate Baron," likely the Baron de Glasbeech. Writes that there is nothing more he can do, except to send good wishes, and that he is "much mortified by it." A pencil note near the signature, likely written at a later date, states, "Who wrote against the Cincinnati," a reference to Burke's attacks on the Society.

GLC02437.04214

24 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Barrett

Received his last letter (GLC02437.04200). Declares that Barrett's education and reputation entitle him to request a position in the new government, but that all nominations are made by the President. Encourages him to submit a letter of application, and discusses what its contents should include.

GLC02437.04219

30 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Bowdoin

Writes to discuss a recent letter he received via a Dr. Bayley regarding political reforms in Europe.

GLC02437.04225

16 June 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Carrington

Has received his last two letters, but did not write back because he hoped to see Carrington in person. Was also waiting for some government issues to be resolved so he could properly answer Carrington's queries. Has learned Carrington did not yet write the President about obtaining a position in the government, and encourages him strongly to do so, providing advice on what information to include. Mentions that he has recommended him to the President. Adds that he thinks Carrington was smart to not come to New York and try to solicit a job in person.

GLC02437.04243

20 June 1789

Barrett, Samuel, 1739-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Declares that he received Knox's last letter, and would like to ask him to forward to the President a copy of a letter from Governor [John] Hancock, which he transcribes on the bottom half of the page. Hancock's letter recommends Barrett for a job with the federal government.

GLC02437.04249

20 June 1789

Allen, Jeremiah, fl. 1774-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions that his friend Captain Josiah Roberts asked him whether Mr. [Samuel] Shaw has a captain for his ship yet for his next voyage. Allen promised to write and ask, as well as to recommend Roberts for the post, declaring that he himself took a voyage with Roberts and never knew a "more compleat sailor."

GLC02437.04250

25 June 1789

Bryant, John, 1742-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to ask if Knox might help his brother, Lieutenant David Mason. Mason is in New York in a desperate situation, and Bryant has no money at present to help him. Asks if Knox might lend Mason fifteen dollars to book passage to Boston or Springfield on Bryant's account, and Bryant will pay him back out of the first income he receives.

GLC02437.04255

29 June 1789

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the establishment of a judicial branch for the United States, and his appointment as a justice in Philadelphia. Mentions that his accounts are in order. Has applied to the President for the position of "Marshall of the federal Court for the District of Pennsylvania," but has not yet appealed to any Senators except for those from Pennsylvania. Asks for Knox's help and recommendation. He and his wife also send their respects to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.04261

1 July 1789

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes from "Powhatan via Richmond," most likely in Virginia. Writes that he has, in fact, decided not to travel to New York City in pursuit of a government appointment. Adds, "I did expect that many would collect there in quest of appointments, and that it would draw on them remarks which would tend rather to injure than promote their wishes - I now learn that this is in fact the case - I would not be ranked amongst them for the world." Believes that the President will not make appointments based on "absence or presence" but instead based on "character." Sends his respects to Mrs. Knox…

GLC02437.04267

3 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Bryant

In a secretarial hand and unsigned, but author is likely Henry Knox. Letter is probably a reply to GLC02437.04255, from Bryant to Knox. Writes that he would be happy to advance Bryant's brother-in-law Mr. Mason the sum Bryant requested, but he thinks it will not be necessary, as "such provision has been recently made for him as will relieve his present necessities."

GLC02437.04269

4 July 1789

Manuscript document

Title: [Minutes for the Society of the Cincinnati meeting of 4 July 1789]

Docket suggests that this copy of the minutes was created by a Thomas Jainson on 25 January 1836. Minutes for an annual meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati held 4 July 1789 at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston, Massachusetts. Topics discussed include financial relief for a Society member, David Mason, Jr. (see GLC02437.04255 and .04269), and reports from the Standing Committee. Also includes motions that passed at the meeting.

GLC02437.04270

14 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Barrett

Received his recent letters with their enclosures, and delivered the enclosures to the President. Writes that the President's recent illness has limited his ability to consider candidates for public office, but agrees that Barrett's documents will receive the fullest consideration.

GLC02437.04283

15 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Discusses Bourne's request to borrow money. Due to the debts owed on the Flucker estate, he cannot advance money to him from the estate, but he would be willing to loan him fifty dollars.

GLC02437.04288

16 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Breck

Writes that this letter will be handed to Breck by Mr. John Henry, who works for the American Theatre. Since Pennsylvania has repealed laws against dramatic performance, Mr. Henry wants to expand his theatre into that state. Contends that the theatre under the direction of Mr. Henry and a Miss Hallan is conducted with the greatest propriety.

GLC02437.04292

20 July 1789

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to recommend a friend, Mr. Hall, for a clerk's position under Knox in the War Department. Describes Mr. Hall's past military service as well as his misfortunes in civilian life, and describes him as old but honorable and of great ability. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.04296