1 April 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

One of Washington's most famous letters, written shortly before going to New York for his inauguration. Washington writes about his apprehensions on assuming the presidency: "my movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution: So unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties, without that competency of political skill- abilities & inclination which is necessary to manage the helm..." Promises integrity and…

GLC02437.09419

10 April 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for recently sending cloth and buttons. Notes that his coat requires six more buttons for trim, and asks Knox to procure and hold these until Washington arrives in New York. Mentions an article of impost, and laments "the stupor, or listlessness with which our public measures seem to be pervaded." In a post script, predicts a quorum in both Houses of Congress.

GLC02437.09420

19 November 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses an expedition against the Wabash Indians. Expresses disappointment in General [Josiah] Harmer. Expected little from Harmer, after hearing he was a drunkard. Instructs Knox to present other important matters before Congress, as they occur to him, preceding Washington's arrival. Notes that recent heavy rains may hinder his progress to Philadelphia. Marked private at the top of page one.

GLC02437.09421

1 January 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits a letter from the President of the Society of the Cincinnati of South Carolina (possibly William Moultrie). Relates that the enclosed letter pertains to a resolution of the Society. At the bottom of the page, indicates that Knox is Secretary General to the Society.

GLC02437.09422

26 December 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits a letter from Colonel Nicholas, who Washington describes as an "influential character in Kentucky." Sends Knox the letter without asking Nicholas's permission. Notes that the transmitted letter pertains to the lack of confidence the citizens of Kentucky would have in a militia plan Knox recently proposed. Advises Knox to create a plan, if only for comparison, based upon Kentucky inhabitants' wishes, allowing for a regular force of 1200 men. Discusses the details of organizing a militia in Kentucky. Cites benefits of the military plan, noting "if the War can be terminated by…

GLC02437.09423

January 22, 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Instructs Knox not to disclose information regarding the nomination of General Officers and a bill that has not yet passed. Docketed in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.09424

29 February 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the case of General St. Clair (possibly Arthur St. Clair), noting that he wishes to answer St. Clair's letters with a reply that can be published. Comments that saying neither too much nor too little with be difficult concerning St. Claire's case.

GLC02437.09425

24 September 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for information he previously sent within his private letters. Mentions Mr. [George] Hammond (the first British envoy to the United States), Mr. [John] Penn (former colonial governor), and Andrew Allen (former colonial attorney general; Washington mistakenly writes Andrew Hamilton). Asks how Allen is being treated "by the Officers of the state Government (particularly the Govr) _ Mr. Morris &ca?" (likely referring to Governor Thomas Mifflin and U.S. Senator Robert Morris), noting that Allen is one of the obnoxious characters in Pennsylvania. Relates that his nephew is…

GLC02437.09426

14 June 1793

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "private" by George Washington at the top of page one. Addressed to The Secretary of War (Knox). Comments that a ship has arrived from New Orleans, carrying several Ohio residents. Asserts that the United States Government should be informed of the Spanish force in the Floridas in case a dispute should arise between the two nations. Asks Knox to interrogate the Ohio residents separately, in an unsuspected manner, to gain information on the Spanish ports in Florida.

GLC02437.09427

5 April 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses General Israel Chapin's negotiations with the Six Nations (possibly referring to the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794). Notes that the Treaty should take place apart from British agents and spies.

GLC02437.09428

8 August 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked 'private' by George Washington at the top of page one. Discusses an insurrection (the Whiskey Rebellion) and mentions a letter from [Attorney General William] Bradford concerning Colonel [John] Neville and Major [David] Lenox (the federal inspector and U.S. marshal, respectively, who had fled the area of disturbance in western Pennsylvania). Based on the new information, gives consent to Knox to absent himself from government to manage affairs on his plantation in frontier Maine.

GLC02437.09429

September 20, 1795

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Washington recently received a letter from Knox "with great pleasure." He comments on Knox's home in Maine (Knox retired to his estate, Montpelier, in 1795, located near the St. George River in Thomaston, Maine). Mentions the "Treaty with Great Britain," referring to the Jay Treaty, signed by Washington in August 1795. He refers to public opinion of the Treaty. Discusses the details of providing for George Washington Lafayette (son of the Marquis de Lafayette and the President's godson). Relates that he has arranged for Lafayette to be cared for by Senator George Cabot and entered in the…

GLC02437.09430

2 March 1797

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for a letter recently received. Offers condolences to Knox for his recent losses (three of Knox's children died 1796-1797, including his seven year old son named after George Washington). Washington complains of those who lack confidence in and have criticized his leadership, stating that they will be satisfied with nothing "short of a change in our political system." Writes that he looks forward to the prospect of retirement, but is not "without my regrets at parting with (perhaps never more to meet) the few intimates whom I love, among these, be assured you are one." Has…

GLC02437.09431

16 July 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox [incomplete]

Declares that it is in vain "to look for ease & happiness in a world of trouble," noting that the call of his country has persuaded him to participate in public service (Washington accepted command of the army in 1798, but did not assume an active role). Indicates that he does not want to jeopardize his good reputation by a poor performance at his post. Indicates he placed Knox among the people "on whom I wish to lean," with Alexander Hamilton and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Notes that Hamilton will be second in command of the new army. Commends Pinckney's character as an "active,…

GLC02437.09432

circa 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph document

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to a letter and other papers of a Mr. Anderson. Provides an enclosure for Mr. Cameron. Instructs Knox to return the enclosure to Washington.

GLC02437.09433

1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy, "No. 19 Copied from & compared with the Original Feb'y 8th 1854." Marked private. Mentions a letter from Mr. Bradford concerning Colonel Neville and Major Lenox (possibly referring to David Bradford, Presley Neville and Marshal Lenox). Discusses an insurrection (the Whiskey Rebellion), and instructs Knox to pursue an unspecified plan.

GLC02437.09434

circa March 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy. An estimated date of March 1780 is written in pencil at the top of page. Washington thanks Knox for three recent favors, including sending him a "Suit of the Hartford Manufacture." Discusses a recent election, noting that votes have been in favor of Mr. Adams (possibly John Adams). Comments on the severe weather, noting that it will prevent some members from attending an unspecified event (possibly Congress). Hopes Knox has recovered from a "painful disorder."

GLC02437.09436

circa March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript

Title: [Letterbook related to the Newburgh Conspiracy]

Table of contents is written on front cover in what appears to be a later hand. Includes copies of letters by various individuals, all in the hand of Samuel Shaw, relating to officers' complaints regarding pay, supplies, and other topics. Contains George Washington's address to officers at Newburgh, New York, intended to quiet dissatisfaction. Letter 1, dated 7 October 1780, is from Nathanael Greene and five other generals in Tappan, New York, including Henry Knox, written to the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut "to represent the distressing condition…

GLC02437.09443

circa 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: [Drafts of secret articles in a treaty between the United States and the Creek Nation]

A working manuscript that has been corrected by Knox probably intended for George Washington. Consists of several secret articles pertaining to the proposed treaty; in each case, "secret" has been struck. One article grants trading rights in United States ports. If the Spanish obstruct Creek commerce, promises to transport Creek goods through United States territory until the obstruction is removed, as long as the goods do not exceed 60,000 dollars in worth. Another article appoints Alexander McGillivray, Chief of the Creek Nation, as Brigadier General in the United States Army with 1,200…

GLC02437.09459

1803-1804

Breck, Anna, fl. 1803-1804

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy [incomplete]

Breck writes to her friend Lucy, likely Lucy Flucker Knox, daughter of Henry Knox. Discusses the marriage of Lucy's brother (possibly Henry Jackson Knox, who married in May 1803). Mentions the engagements of other friends, noting, "...all my friends are taking leave of the single state and I shall soon be quite a solitary member of it-" Continues writing 24 June. Expresses boredom regarding life in the country and living with her parents. Daydreams of distant lands and travel to exotic locales. Mentions memories of Boston, promising not to go to Boston without traveling to Maine to…

GLC02437.09445

circa 1794-1798

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Examination of a disagreement between Captain Nicholson and Colonel Claghorn]

Discussion of a disagreement between Captain Samuel Nicholson and Colonel George Claghorn. The creator notes, "It appears pretty evident that the secret and real cause of the difference has been a jealousy of power." Apparently Nicholson opposed the admittance of two gentleman and ladies to an unspecified location (possibly the ship). The group Nicholson refused was associated with Claghorn.

GLC02437.09455

20 August 1739

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Document signed

Title: [Promissory note between Bradshaw and Samuel Waldo]

Bradshaw promises to pay Samuel Waldo ten pounds in "well made, hard-burnt merchantable bricks" to be delivered at Waldo's house in Boston on or before 30 October [1739]. Also signed by Samuel Whittemore.

GLC02437.09460

January 11, 1754

Winslow, Isaac, 1709-1777

Document signed

Title: [Supplies for Samuel Waldo's estate made by Winslow and Thomas Flucker]

Based on a joint account between Winslow and Flucker, Waldo's son-in-law. Also signed by Flucker. A note at the bottom of page one, continuing to page two indicates this account information is pertinent to supplies sent to Waldo's eastern settlements.

GLC02437.09462

1754

Document

Title: [Account of supplies for James Beveridge at St. George (present-day Maine)]

By order of Samuel Waldo. Lists spinning wheels, wool, spades, flour, quilts, ledgers, and axes, among many other items.

GLC02437.09463

circa March 1776

Manuscript document

Title: [Abstract of Captain Edward Burbeck's company in Colonel Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Abstracts relating to Edward Burbeck's company for the months of January and February of 1776. Each abstract lists men by rank.

GLC02437.09493