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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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23 August 1799

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Benjamin Joy

Knox received Joy's letter of 6 August 1799. Knox's financial woes are preventing him from making payments presently. He, himself, is owed money. Knox mentions that his sawmills are not at work right now. He has discussed these matters with Henry Jackson as well.

GLC02437.07301

5 December 1799

Joy, Benjamin, 1758-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Joy writes Knox about the court summons that he received, along with Henry Jackson and Knox regarding past payments that they have not paid. Joy says, "I had rather pay it out of my pocket than let my name appear in the court." Joy would like some assistance and advice from Knox. Mentions Knox consulting with Benjamin Lincoln.

GLC02437.07335

8 April 1800

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Very personal letter from Vice President Thomas Jefferson. Notes that he passed along Knox's "friendly expressions" to General Gunn, possibly Senator James Gunn. Refers to a transaction, likely concerning the debate in the U.S. Senate regarding Knox's son's promotion, stating "of the transaction to which they are related I can say little, having, you know, neither ears to hear, eyes to see, or tongue to speak, but as the Senate direct me." Assures Knox the debate in the Senate was polite and respectful. Discusses Jefferson's and Knox's difference of political opinions. States that if every…

GLC02437.07390

30 September 1800

Jones, William, 1760-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jones writes that he is impressed with the land of Kennebec and says if he can obtain them based on an agreement with Knox, he will probably move there. Jones says he would gladly serve as an agent.

GLC02437.07465

14 October 1800

Jennet, J.B., fl. 1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jennet writes to Knox a letter in French.

GLC02437.07469

29 March 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Recommends Henry Jackson for the appointment to the office of Naval Agent (possibly the Secretary of Navy). Lists Jackson's qualifications, including his supervision of the construction of the USS Constitution, and describes Jackson as being competent in "all respects to execute the duties of the station cannot be questioned with propriety." Marked as private.

GLC02437.07516

14 June 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Joy

Informs Joy his timber will be shipped to him this week. Also informs Joy that he hired a surveyor for Joy's lands.

GLC02437.07544

1 August 1801

Joy, Benjamin, 1758-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses business transactions involving timber and lime. Appears to complain about a shipment of timber being short and the long pieces being cut. Threatens to prosecute the shipper who delivered the timber unless the shipper can replace the missing timber. Requests more timber and two long pieces. Also mentions other items he would like Knox to ship to him. Expresses his sympathies in the troubles Knox is having with the squatters (likely in Maine).

GLC02437.07577

13 September 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Jones

Expresses his sympathy in hearing about Jones's barn being burnt down by the insurgents. Assures Jones the government will reimburse him for his loss provided the "villains" cannot be found and are unable to pay for the damages. Requests Jones makes out an estimation of his damages. Provides further instruction on what Jones needs to do to be reimbursed by the government. Also instructs Benjamin Bartlett to do the same for his losses.

GLC02437.07613

10 October 1801

Joy, Benjamin, 1758-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Joy mentions he is desirous to have a description of the land he purchased from Knox. Notes he would like as detailed of a description on the lands as possible. Says he would like the information to be "backed" by Knox's "declaration" and would like a copy of his deed. Also expresses his dread about a day of reckoning approaching.

GLC02437.07636

16 October 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General [Stevens]

Letter is not signed but appears to be in Knox's handwriting. Knox explains the financial difficulties he is having. Describes his limestone business and boasts over its quality. Requests Steven's takes Knox's limestone under his protection and form contracts on Knox's behalf. Provides the selling prices of the stone and encourages Masons; to try his stone. Asks for Steven's candid opinion on the subject. Addressee name was added later in red pen.

GLC02437.07637

9 October 1802

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Kidder

Noted as a copy. Instructions given to Kidder regarding the sale of Brigadiers Island (present day Sears Island, Maine) to [Rowland] Center.

GLC02437.07760

13 October 1802

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Mr. Kerby

Letter is not signed but appears to be in Knox's handwriting. Discusses their mutual friend Mrs. [Sarah Lyons] Beaumez (Knox's sister-in-law) and the loss of her husband. Mentions Beaumez's sons (Thomas and Francis Flucker) and how he hopes they will be led down the path of honor. Also speaks of a cargo full of lumber which might be of service to the Navy. Docket notes letter as a draft.

GLC02437.07761

16 November 1802

Kidder, Nathaniel, 1771-1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Updates Knox on the advertisement he listed for Knox's personal property on the newly purchased Brigadiers Island (present day Sears Island, Maine). Informs Knox he tried negotiating with the new owners (Messrs [Rowland] Center and Jenkins) as instructed for the sale of the hay and livestock on the island but did not succeed. Notes they did not wish to purchase anything other than the sheep and the amount they offered was under values so he refused the offer. Says the auction took two days and totaled $304.40. Also mentions that a Mr. Stowers would like Knox's taxes from last year to be…

GLC02437.07768

23 November 1802

Kidder, Nathaniel, 1771-1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says the "post" left earlier than expected and he was not able to mail the letters last week. Notes he enclosed (not included) an account of the sale from the auction. Also mentions William Staples applied to him about paying Knox's current years' tax from the proceeds of the auction.

GLC02437.07771

19 April 1803

Jones, Thomas K., fl. 1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed by Thomas K. Jones & Co. Agrees to furnish Knox a further financial acceptance on the property he has consigned to the firm if Knox has the occasion to draw on them for one thousand dollars.

GLC02437.07797

18 August 1806

McKellar, John, fl. 1759

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "St. Georges," likely in or near present-day Thomaston, Maine. Writes to ask for an appointment to be keeper of the new lighthouse to be built on Franklin Island. Explains that he and his son are in financial trouble, and if he obtains the appointment, he can afford to pay his debt. Asks Knox to use his influence to help him obtain the appointment.

GLC02437.08037

21 July 1802

Kidder, Nathaniel, 1771-1855

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discussing various leases of small parts of the Waldo Patent, parts of which he oversees for Knox. Wonders why Knox allows Captain Grant to occupy so much of the marshland.

GLC02437.09280

22 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Informs Jefferson that "General Stewart declines accepting the appointment of Inspector for the port of Philadelphia and would have done the same with the naval office had it been offered to him. He says that he made the application at the influnce [sic] of his father-in Law, who is now convinced that the acceptance of the office would injure his commercial pursuits." Goes on to say that he enclosed "a letter from the Governor of Maryland" concerning "the capture of the brigs Cunningham and Pilgrim." Watermarked "J Watt & C Patent Copying/Sold By J Woodmason/London." Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10285