31 July 1790

Belknap, Jeremy, 1744-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes in full, "Having received several Letters from Major Sargent under your frank, I presume it will not be disagreeable to you that I should ask the favour of you when you send dispatches into the Western Territory to give my letters inclosd with this, a place in your packet." Letters not included.

GLC02437.04663

6 August 1790

Blair, Samuel, 1741-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Reverend Blair to Secretary of War Knox. Blair says his infirmities dating back to his days in the army hinder his ability to work in the "stated customary offices" of his ministry. Requests that Knox help him get a "Chaplaincy in the Congress, on their removal to Philad[elphia]. Mentions that the timing of this letter might be inconvenient as the government prepares to move from New York. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.04671

11 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Blair

Secretary of War Knox confirms receipt of a letter Blair sent him on 6 August. Knox informs him he will "promote your views" but believes that now is not the best time to "agitate the point." Instead, will save the issue for the "next session when we shall all be on the spot together."

GLC02437.04685

14 August 1790

McGillvray, Alexander, 1750-1793

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Oath of allegiance]

Creek chief McGillivray swears an oath of allegiance to the United States government and swears to obey the President of the United States as well as "orders of the officers appointed over me." He further agrees to obey "the true intent and meaning of the secret articles of the treaty of peace" signed between the Creeks and the American government. Sworn before and signed by Supreme Court Justice John Blair, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and chief clerk of the War Office John Stagg.

GLC02437.04691

27 August 1790

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Autograph document signed

Title: [List of food provisions]

An account sent by Bauman to Knox listing food supplies delivered and the outstanding balance owed to Bauman. Bauman acknowledges at the bottom that he received payment in full. Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04701

6 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Breck

Secretary of War Knox's letter of introduction on behalf of Messrs. Cazenove and [Linctlair], both from Amsterdam. Mr. Cazenove is of "respectable character" and Mr. [Linctlair] is "attached to the Navy of the United Netherlands."

GLC02437.04722

16 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to P. Brett

Secretary of War Knox thanks Brett for his letter from 7 July (GLC02437.04647) and looks forward hearing from him more in the future. Also mentions General [John] Maunsell (Maunsell had seen Brett in London, and Brett had updated Knox on Maunsell's voyage from Halifax, in previous correspondence).

GLC02437.04724

12 September 1790

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Breck is pleased with people Secretary of War Knox introduced to him (perhaps the two men Knox introduced to Breck in GLC02437.04722). Informs Knox that they "express themselves much satisfied with our part of America." For Breck this is important "as it tends to cultivate a good understanding between the Citizens of each State and to cement that Union so necessary to the Happiness of our Country." Breck talks about the government paying for the manufacturing of cutters, and wishes the Secretary of the Treasury to know about the new sail cloth manufacturer in Boston. The purpose is the "…

GLC02437.04727

7 October 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bowdoin

Knox acknowledges receipt of a letter James Bowdoin sent regarding Bowdoin's late father. Knox comments that "other demands of a similar nature be a considerable [amount]...have not been attended."

GLC02437.04745

26 October 1790

Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Bourne tells Secretary of War Knox that he has settled "with General Jackson the plan of the arrangements of our business according to your wishes." Knox should give Jackson 92 pounds 11 shillings 10 pence by November 10 or 12.

GLC02437.04757

3 November 1790

Brett, Piercy, fl. 1788-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Brett acknowledges receiving Secretary of War Henry Knox's letter from William Knox in London. General [John] Maunsell passes along to Knox that he has no political news to report, therefore he sees no need in sending a letter. No one truly knows what is happening with the military buildup between England and Spain, as the negotiations, if there are any, are secret. Should war ensue, Lord Howe "with a noble fleet riding at single anchor at spithead will sail directly..." Says Parliament meets 25 November, and at that time "the Minister must satisfactorily account for putting the nation to so…

GLC02437.04767

5 December 1790

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks the Knoxes for their hospitality toward his daughter. Reports that things in Boston are quiet and wishes the same for Virginia "but unfortunately Resolutions [regarding federal assumption of state debts] breath another Spirit. it is to be hoped their disorder will not become epidemical." The Congress is meeting the next day. Says Congress "cannot fail since no question of permanent residence will disturbe them."

GLC02437.04791

8 December 1789

Belknap, Jeremy, 1744-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends an enclosure for Knox to give Belknap's friend "Major Sargent." Asks Knox for advice about the daughter of a friend who wants to keep her "securities" and credit in good standing.

GLC02437.04793

16 December 1790

Briggs, Isaac, 1763-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Hawkins

Briggs opens his letter to Senator and Indian agent Hawkins with an allegory of a drunken servant beaten by master; other servants and lower types told the beaten man to commit suicide to escape his situation, others counseled patience, some wanted to take his goods, others to take his position. He was dosed with wormword and in delirium talks on. Briggs quotes his ravings at length. Briggs then shifts to Creek Treaty reception in Georgia: "But excuse the allegorical flight, and I will descend to a more plain, matter-of-fact stile. If, my dear sir, I were detailing the politics or describing…

GLC02437.04798

19 December 1790

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Cobb tells Secretary of War Knox that he has brought up the idea of a canal between the Charles River and the Connecticut River to several people since Knox left Boston, and the idea is growing. There needs to be a more concrete plan in order to attract investors. The "gentlemen" with whom Cobb has discussed this "are much divided in their opinions where the Canal ought to meet [the] Connecticut River." Cobb goes on to detail various plans for the canal. Cobb is convinced that this canal would be good for "the Commonwealth." Cobb says "we are still in the clouds respecting a War," and that…

GLC02437.04800

20 December 1790

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Writes that he is concerned he has not received any letter from Miss Breck in awhile. Asks that if Jackson has any he send them on. Invites Jackson over Tuesday evening.

GLC02437.04802

22 December 1790

Barrett, Samuel, 1739-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Barrett wants to know "(in confidence)" from Knox whose idea was behind a recent speech President Washington made in which he "introduces the Subject of the Consular Convention to the Consideration of Congress." Barrett asks for advice about when he should resubmit an application to the President.

GLC02437.04805

3 April 1791

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that his son, William Gray Cobb, "thou by a wrong name" has accepted a military commission offered to him by President George Washington. Says he hopes to build a canal and believes that it may interest Knox as well. Asks Knox to send an engineer to survey the county for the project. They are competing with other canal companies in New England. Says, "what makes it a matter of greater consequence at this time, is, that the Company at Hartford have now, on the Files of our Genl Assembly, an Act, to empower them to clear the Falls on Connecticut River within the Commonwealth, which…

GLC02437.04897

29 May 1791

Behague, Jean Pierre Antoine, comte de, 1727-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to George Washington [in French]

The letter, which is in French, appears to be about the request of several French officers to join the Society of the Cincinnati. Behague, Governor of the French Windward Islands, requests a diploma for himself and for Fressinaux from the Society of the Cincinnati. Also sends his regards and pleasantries to Washington. Includes, on page 2, a copy of the text of a letter from Lafayette to Behargue. Recipient inferred from content of this letter and from another letter (GLC02437.05115) written by President George Washington's secretary William Jackson, dated 12 August 1791.

GLC02437.04963

10 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Adams

Written by Secretary of War Knox to Vice President Adams. Thanks Adams for his hospitality at Bush Hill. Mentions criticism of Adams's travels in the Connecticut and New York newspapers. Comments on the "political heresy [of the] American edition of [the] payne pamphlet mentioned in the preface." This is a reference to Thomas Jefferson's endorsement of Thomas Paine's "The Rights of Man," in which he conflated the spirit of the American Revolution of 1776 with that of the French Revolution of 1789. Knox says "he has assured me that the note he wrote to the printer never was intended for…

GLC02437.04986

19 June 1791

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Vice President Adams to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's letter of 10 June. Is happy Knox is pleased with his situation at Bush Hill. Hopes to hear soon "of the Birth of a peaceable son of Mars." Says he did not know about the paragraphs in the New York newspapers. Just heard of the "Lyes" from New Haven yesterday. Does not think the criticism originated with Roger Sherman or Ezra Stiles. Says "The Preface to [Thomas] Paines Nonsense has occasioned much Speculation. It is thought rather early for Electioneering. My head I thank God is not easily diverted from its…

GLC02437.05014

26 September 1791

Belcher, Andrew, 1763-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "It is often matter of great Regret... that it was out of my power to improve & to cultivate so much as I cou'd have wish'd, the Acquaintance I was honor'd with in your Family & to be recognized by Mrs. Knox as a near Relation." Introduces the Reverend Doctor Brown, a clergyman in the Church of Scotland, noting that he is "of unblemish'd Character and the fairest Reputation; a Man of great & superior Talents, of strong sense, great Ability, Science, Genius and profound Learning." Hopes Brown can be introduced to [George] Washington, [Alexander] Hamilton, and Pennsylvania…

GLC02437.05169

9 November 1791

Darke, William, 1736-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: to George Washington

Written from Fort Washington, near present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Battle report providing extensive details of the defeat of General [Arthur] St. Clair at the hands of the Miami Indians on the Northwest Frontier. Docketed by George Washington.

GLC02437.05233

22 December 1791

Butler, Maria, fl. 1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by Mrs. Maria Butler, the widow of General Richard Butler, who had been killed that year by Indians in battle in the Ohio Territories. Refers to the death of her husband and the dangerous living conditions surrounding her in the Pittsburgh area. Requests more troops to protect her and her family and the other white settlers in the region, and to hold onto the land that was so dearly fought for by her husband.

GLC02437.05269

22 January 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Writes that he has not "list[ed] the characters mentioned yesterday to any mortal." Declares that Arthur St. Clair has arrived, and that he has not seen him yet but will this morning.

GLC02437.05296