November 1839

Manuscript document

Title: [Testimonies regarding the capture of the Amistad]

Possibly given at Connecticut District Court in November 1839. Marked "U.S." at the top. Begins with the testimony of Lieutenant Richard W. Meade, who led an armed party that initially boarded the Amistad, requesting the ship's papers. Includes the testimony of Baldwin, Dart Sharp (on board the USS Washington when it came in contact with the Amistad), and Captain Mather (who "went with Mead made soundings & c.").

GLC05636.11

January 1840

Manuscript document

Title: [Testimonies regarding the capture of the Amistad; includes Cinque's testimony]

Created at Connecticut District Court in 7-9 January 1840 by or for William S. Holabird. Serves as notes of the testimony of Richard Robert Madden (head of the British Anti-Slavery [Mixed] Commission in Havana), Sullivan Haley (on board the USS Washington when it met the Amistad; discusses the statements of Jose Ruiz and Pedro Montes, two Spanish men found aboard the Amistad) , Dwight P. Janes (abolitionist), James Covey (a Mende native and translator for the Africans aboard the Amistad), Professor Josiah Gibbs (who claimed based on the Amistad Africans' language, they were recently arrived…

GLC05636.13

9 January 1840

Manuscript document

Title: [Testimonies regarding the capture of the Amistad; includes Cinque's testimony]

Marked "&c Cinqué" at top. Appears to be a continuation of GLC 5636.13. Testimony of Cinqué, leader of the Africans aboard the Amistad, continues. Contains the testimonies of Grabbo and Foolaqua, Amistad mutineers. Includes the testimony of Norris Wilcox (United States Marshal for the District of Connecticut), Captain Mather (on board the USS Washington when it came in contact with the Amistad), Professor Josiah Gibbs (who claimed based on the Amistad Africans' language, they were recently arrived from Africa and had not resided in Cuba), Reverend George Day (employed to supervise the…

GLC05636.14

2 July 1834

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

Document signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Partially printed. Holabird's appointment as Attorney of the United States for the District of Connecticut. John Forsyth, Secretary of State, appoints William S. Holabird as Secretary of State for the District of Connecticut. A handwritten note by Forsyth states: "I will thank you at the time of acknowledging the receipt of your Commission to name the place of your birth."

GLC05636.16

23 September 1839

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

Letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Forsyth states: "It is necessary to a just decision on the various points presenting themselves for the President's consideration in the case of the Spanish Schooner 'Amistad,' that the Department should be furnished, with a copy of the ships' papers, together with a transcript of the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry held by the District Judge, on board that vessel, to which you refer in your letter of the 5th instant, and on which the Blacks were imprisoned for the alleged murder of the Captain and Mate..."

GLC05636.17

circa July 1776

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives a letter of introduction for John Robertson, who served under Colonel McDougall "in the sea service" and has experience manning canons. Thinks Robertson could be of use to Knox and seeks to have him put on the payroll. Dated "summer 1776."

GLC02437.00406

1 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Chastises his brother for not writing and complains of writing so much himself that his arm hurts. Gives some instructions for business.

GLC02437.00407

4 August 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

In response to her husbands recent illness, pleads with him to attend to his health. Worries about Henry's exposure to enemies. Thanks him for his expressions of love and comments on their baby's health. Requests updates on British activities. Sends Henry saltpeter from the mills in New Haven, Connecticut. She will consider going to Boston for smallpox inoculation but fears the arrival of foreign troops will limit her movements.

GLC02437.00409

4 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses his introduction to Mr. Livingston and Mr. King and their activities in the area. Comments on a rude letter from his brother, Henry Knox (see GLC02437.00398) and how he should respond. Notes that he will talk to the doctor about Lucy coming to Boston for a smallpox inoculation. Wants to set up a regular correspondence. Gives news about a privateer and confirms earlier news about Lucy's family (see GLC02437.00396). Notes that he will send money and Henry Jackson will soon write. Give compliments from various acquaintances.

GLC02437.00410

5 August 1776

Burbeck, Edward, 1740-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain Burbeck has heard that all the Continental regiments are heading to New York and seeks instructions on what to do with his company. Also discusses accounts and pay for his and Lieutenant John Edes' company. Burbeck and Edes were officers in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00411

5 August 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Rebukes Knox for calling him a lazy scoundrel for not writing at every post. Discusses privateering news from a man named Captain White in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and provides an account of ships and cargo seized. Notes that the privateering has affected the price of sugar. Responds to Knox's suggestion of raising a regiment of artillery, but plans to write more on it in the future.

GLC02437.00412

8 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports intelligence gathered from two British deserters on the size and plans of the British force gathering to attack New York.

GLC02437.00414

13 August 1776

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's letter (see GLC02437.00403) to tell him that he did not meet with the founder making the cannons Knox wrote about, but another member of the Continental Congress did. Reports that the congress is also making efforts to mine copper in New Jersey. Discusses the possibility of sending Knox some information about five ships, probably seized vessels. Agrees that Massachusetts should supply the army with more officers, since they supply so many soldiers. Adams continues to discuss the need to promote Massachusetts officers and raises additional artillery concerns in a letter to…

GLC02437.00416

12 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph note signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Colonel David Mason sixty dollars. A note from Mason on the verso directs that the payment be made to Hannah Mason.

GLC02437.00417

15 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses his recent fever, treatment, and recovery. Comments on his duties and the upcoming conflict in New York, in sometimes florid prose. Discusses news from Ticonderoga concerning the attempted siege of Canada, and notes the arrival of a French fleet. Seeks assistance in obtaining buttons, possibly for his regiment's uniforms.

GLC02437.00418

19 August 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Fears potential British successes in New York and the consequences it would have on morale. Wants all available men in New England sent to defend New York so it is not lost for want of soldiers, as was the case with the invasion of Canada. Believes that the British value New York very highly and if the Americans lose it will be disastrous. Discusses a ship from St. Augustine, Florida, that was seized and the intelligence gathered from it. Would like Knox to get him some artillery pieces.

GLC02437.00420

19 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses corresponding with his wife. Discusses domestic issues like food, clothing, and money, and a sick servant. Asks Lucy to assist Mrs. Jonathan Pollard, who is in need of money. Comments on firing on the Phoenix and other British vessels sailing up the Hudson river and receiving return fire. He expects General William Howe to attack at any time. Discusses Sarah Mifflin, the wife of Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, as the only lady among the army. Tells Lucy to measure his affection but his letters' content, not their length. Notes that the newspapers are reporting 70,000 men in…

GLC02437.00421

19 August 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains how a friend's illness and the difficult times brought on by the Revolutionary War have delayed her writing. Notes how expensive the war has made living and suggests William expand beyond just selling books. Looks toward the future when they can all live in happiness and reaffirms her husbands affection for his brother. Comments on the impending battle in New York and notes that very wealthy men are among the ranks, describing the effort as "a glorious spirit." Indicates that their are 25,000 British forces. Provides information about various acquaintances. She received the…

GLC02437.00422

21 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Adams

Later copy. Responds to Adams' (see GLC02437.00416) and discusses the urgent need to obtain copper from mines in New Jersey in order to cast canons. Joins Adams in lamenting the lack of officers from Massachusetts in the Continental Army, but also considers there to be a dearth of qualified candidates. Discusses recruiting and training good officers' rely not only on gentlemen but also on "local" talent. Suggests Colonel John Glover for possible promotion. Discusses raising an army and re-enlistment at length. Warns Adams that a bounty of $25-$36 or 100-150 acres of land is necessary to…

GLC02437.00423

25 August 1776

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's letter (see GLC02437.00423). Discusses the difficulty of obtaining copper in order to cast canons. Also discusses importance of officers to an army and the issue of appointing more officers from Massachusetts. Asks Knox for a list of the best prospects and comments on their characters. Explains his advocacy of a permanent regular army but also his doubts about one being created. Writes, "I am a constant Advocate for a regular Army, and the most masterly Discipline, because, I know that without these We cannot reasonably hope to be a powerfull, a prosperous, or a free…

GLC02437.00424

25 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to his brother's news about British ships sailing up the Hudson river, reinforcements arriving for the Continental Army, and Henry's optimistic outlook on the impending battle. Relays news from the West Indies that the Dutch have refused to renew a treaty with Britain to not sell military supplies to Americans and to supply the British with Scotch regiments. Hostilities between the two are beginning. Describes naval skirmishes. Mentions that he has not received any letters from Lucy Knox. Comments on the poor treatment of Tories exiled from Boston…

GLC02437.00425

25 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses why he did not introduce two of Lucy's acquaintances, Mr. Livingston and Mr. King, to the ladies Lucy mentioned. Indicates that any enemy ship in the bay is seizing every ship that comes near.

GLC02437.00426

26 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Captain William Perkins thirty dollars. A note on the same page, signed by Perkins, instructs that the payment be made to Naby Perkins.

GLC02437.00427

27 August 1776

Greene, Caleb, 1751-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

A former customer of Henry Knox reestablishes a relationship in order to have some bookbinding completed that was ordered before the start of the war. Greene was a bookseller and apothecary in Bedford, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.00428

28 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Describes in detail the beginning of the Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn) on 27 August 1776. Looks forward to the future when they can be together again.

GLC02437.00429