January 31, 1787

Shays, Daniel, 1747-1825

Manuscript document

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Contains two letters. The first, written from Pelham, Massachusetts on 31 January 1787 to General Benjamin Lincoln, is signed by (though not in the hand of) Daniel Shays, along with Francis Stone and Adam Wheeler. The second is Lincoln's reply, written on the same date, from Hadley, Massachusetts. The Shays letter mentions that he and his men have sent a petition with terms of surrender to the General Court, and he feels that all hostilities should cease until they receive a reply. Lincoln responds that the "request is totally inadmissible, as no powers are deligated [sic] to me which…

GLC02437.03434

February 1, 1787

Eustis, William, 1753-1825

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Dr. William Eustis writes that it "amounts almost to a presumption in Major [Elnathan] Haskell & myself" to provide information by letter to Jackson, as "Colo. [William] Hull will carry more in his head than we can possibly crowd into his pocket." Has enclosed the correspondence "between the two Generals" (not present). Reports that the latest news is that Mr. Fowle has been taken by Shays, but he does not know if this is true. Adds that they are stationed at Hadley, and that Shays is twelve miles away in Pelham Hills. Relates that Parsons, Stone and Billings came with the flag;…

GLC02437.03438

February 1, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript document

Title: [Letter of address to the town of Granby]

Honored with their application from the day before. Writes that he sympathizes too much with "the distresses of those unhappy men" who have risen against the government not to try to avoid reclaiming them without bloodshed. Has tried to avoid firing, and has warned Shays of the danger he and his men are in. Hopes they heed his advice. Says that towns which want to put a swift end to the rebellion should aid the government, and provides ways they might help. Marked as a copy. See GLC02437.03435 for a copy of the letter to which he replies.

GLC02437.03439

February 3, 1787

Valiniere, Pierre Huet de la, 1732-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: [Translation of a French letter from Pierre Huet de la Valiniere, Vicar General to Charles Thomson]

Body of the letter in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Original letter written from "Kaskaskias in the Illinois." Writes that he left New York to go west in May 1786 and has received very few provisions from Congress. Has enclosed a written piece (not included) regarding the fertility of the lands in this region and hopes the addressee will have it printed in the gazettes. Provides extensive information on the quality of the land, the crops that grow there, and the cultivation techniques necessary. Relates that the land "produces naturally and without labor excellent wine, sugar…

GLC02437.03440

February 4, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript document

Title: [General Benjamin Lincoln's orders]

General orders which congratulate troops on the successful capture of a large number of insurgents. This document is probably one of the enclosures that accompanied Lincoln's 5 February 1787 letter to Knox (GLC02437.03444).

GLC02437.03442

February 5, 1787

Harwood, Hannah, F.U., fl. 1774-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses financial arrangements regarding the settlement of the Flucker estate. Is happy Mrs. Knox now seems to believe she acted for the best. Discusses Mr. [James] Webber and Mr. [Thomas] Longman, agents who are working with them to settle debts. Mentions frequent correspondence with Mr. Jephson, but is sad to note her lack of friends and relatives in London. Wishes to be near her sister and is almost tempted to take the voyage to America. Asks whether Mrs. Knox will send her one of her daughters for companionship; promises to treat her with "a mother's fondness" and feels she is "…

GLC02437.03443

9 February 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Unsigned, and marked "copy." Body of the letter in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Knox refers to a previous letter he sent to Lincoln (see GLC02437.03446). Thanks him for his last letter, and believes his recent services to the government (by leading troops to suppress Shays' Rebellion) will prove beneficial. Writes, "A Congress of seven States has been lately formed. Our old friend General [Arthur] St. Clair president. Nearly three months elapsed between the time Congress ought to have been and the time it was actually formed." Adds, "I have written you an official letter…

GLC02437.03447

February 14, 1787

Humphreys, David, 1752-1818

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for bills drawn by the Board of Treasury]

Reads, "Received from the Secretary at War, ten Bills drawn by the Board of Treasury on William Imlay Esqr. Commissioner of the Continental Loan Office, State of Connecticut, amounting to one thousand Dollars, for which I have given duplicate Rects. of the same tenor & date, and for which I promise to be accountable to the [proper] offices."

GLC02437.03455

February 24, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Same as GLC02437.03465. Writes a recommendation to Lincoln for Mr. Payson, a "reputable inhabitant of Massachusetts" who is looking for "employment to give him bread." Notes he has no openings at present and is referring him to Lincoln.

GLC02437.03466

1 March 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript document

Title: [Remarks on the disfranchisement of the Massachusetts rebels]

Expresses views and thoughts about rebellions, in relation to the recent Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts. Writes, "The spirit of rebellion is now nearly crushed in this state, and the opposition to Government is hereby decreasing. This therefore is the most critical moment yet seen. Punishment must be such, and be so far extended as thereby others shall be detered from repeating such acts of outrage in the future..." States that the Legislature is best suited to handling rebellions, especially in terms of bringing people back under the government. Writes that "I wish that those Insurgents…

GLC02437.03477

4 March 1787

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to the Senate and House of Representatives

Discusses the last session, in particular the budgeting of £2,500 for "the Purposes of raising and subsisting this States Proportion of the Federal Corps ordered by Congress agreeably to their Resolution ..." Since that amount is almost all used up, Jackson asks for more funds to support the current army.

GLC02437.03480

8 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Irvine

Writes that an officer currently on furlough is returning to his post in the Ohio region. Says it is a good opportunity to forward "General Butler's instructions" if they could possibly be ready today. Noted as written at the War Office. Docketed "to Genl Irvine in Congress."

GLC02437.03485

7 March 1787

Humphreys, David, 1752-1818

Autograph document signed

Title: [Orders for clothing]

Orders asking that the clothing supplies Sergeant Root will bring to Mr. Cott's store, be forwarded along with blankets and other clothing items to Captain Willcox in Springfield, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.03486

April 8, 1787

Grégoire, Marie-Thérèse de, 1733-1811

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a letter of recommendation from the Marquis de Lafayette, and asks Knox for help in her claim of "a tract of Land Laying at the Eastward with the Island of Mount Desert," in what is now Maine.

GLC02437.03515

27 March 1783

Smith, David, fl. 1782-1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Lieutenant Tiffany]

Major Smith recommends Tiffany for a leave of absence until 15 April 1783. Directs his recommendation to Major General Henry Knox. Written at Camp Highlands.

GLC02437.09703

5 April 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Joshua Reynolds]

Lieutenant Jonathan [illegible] recommends Reynolds for a seventeen day leave of absence.

GLC02437.09705

12 April 1783

Brown, Ezekiel, fl. 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Certifies that Joseph Bliss has been unable to return to camp for two months]

Notes that Lieutenant Bliss serves in the Massachusetts Regiment of Artillery. Written in Concord; state inferred from content. Also signed by John Cummings.

GLC02437.09707

3 May 1783

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Manuscript document signed

Title: Provision return for one captain lieutenant and police officer for the garrison of West Point

Captain Lillie notes that the return covers three rations a day for fifteen days commencing 1 May. Contains a note on page two written by Charles Fryer, who requests forty-five rations from the contractors for New York and New Jersey.

GLC02437.09708

1 May 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: Provision return for Captain Thomas Patten's Company of artificers

Signed on both pages by Patten. Contains a note on page two written by Dudley Mercer, who notes the receipt of provisions.

GLC02437.09709

5 May 1783

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Manuscript document signed

Title: Provision return for Captain Thomas Batten's Company

Serves as a record of rations issued for three days. Signed on both pages by Batten. Contains a note on page two written by Dudley Mercer, noting receipt of rations. Contains water damage.

GLC02437.09711

1 May 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Provision return for engineers]

Also signed by Joseph Cheeseman, Superintendent of the Engineers Department. Contains a note on page two written by Jacob Wight, who confirms receipt of rations. Covers 1-8 May. Possibly created at West Point.

GLC02437.09713

9 May 1783

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Manuscript document signed

Title: Provision return for ten men employed in the Ordnance Department

Also signed by Captain Thomas Batten. Contains a note on page two written by Sergeant R. Blakley, who confirms receipt of rations. Covers 9-12 May. Possibly created at West Point, New York. Contains water damage.

GLC02437.09715

10 May 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Manuscript document signed

Title: Victualing return for one army prisoner

Also signed by Asa Andrew, Marshall, and Captain Lemuel Clift. Cover 10-13 May. Contains a note on page two written by William Fargo, who confirms receipt of rations.

GLC02437.09716

9 May 1783

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Manuscript document signed

Title: Provision return for Captain Thomas Patten's Company

Also signed on both pages by Captain Thomas Patten. Covers 9-12 May. Signed on verso by Sergeant R. Blakley, who confirms receipt of rations. Contains some water damage.

GLC02437.09717

9 May 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Manuscript document signed

Title: Provision return for the Superintendent of the Masons

Also signed by Joseph Cheeseman, superintendent of Masons;. Covers 9-16 May. Contains a note on page two written by Jacob Wight at West Point, who confirms receipt of stores.

GLC02437.09719