13 March 1788

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Carrington, a Continental Congressman from Virginia, reflects on Massachusetts' adoption of the Constitution (in February 1788) and what it will mean for Virginia: "The decision of Massachusetts is perhaps the most important event that ever took place in America, as upon her in all probability depended the fate of the Constitution- had she rejected I am certain there would not have been the most remote chance for its adoption in Virginia- the demoniac spirit has within a few weeks passed from the few in whom it was generated, to the mass of the people & rages in such a manner as to give…

GLC02437.03821

25 October 1789

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Opens by thanking Knox for his role in obtaining Carrington a presidential appointment [as marshal of Virginia]. He then discusses the French revolution, writing that "[t]he Revolution in France is as singular as it is important to the cause of Liberty. It is perhaps the first instance in the History of Nations of a King & his people uniting to extend the Rights of the latter in abridging the power and privileges of the Nobles. The Common tendency of Revolutions founded in a [sense] amongst the people of oppression from the Nobility has ever been to an implicit surrender of every thing…

GLC02437.04396

February 4, 1790

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wrote an affidavit as requested by Knox of his knowledge "respecting the circumstances which led Genl [Nathanael] Greene into his securityships for John Banks" (refer to GLC02437.04498). Discusses the transaction between Banks and Greene in detail. In the affidavit, Carrington did not comment on the suggestion that Greene was involved in trade with Banks. He plans to send Knox some newspapers that discuss Banks involvement with Greene, or send an additional affidavit. Hopes Knox will obtain evidence of the circumstances that led Banks to be pressured for additional security.

GLC02437.04497

2 March 1790

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses his affidavit (not present) upon the circumstances of private merchant John Bank's contract with Nathanael Greene to supply the southern army with provisions in 1783. It later came to light that Banks was involved in disreputable business dealings and Greene wanted to renounce any involvement with him. Both Carrington and General Anthony Wayne were asked by Greene to provide affidavits disclaiming any financial connection between Banks and Greene. Carrington asks Knox to withdraw his old affidavit and send this new one to Congress in its place. Encloses a copy of a letter (not…

GLC02437.04525

17 April 1790

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses taking out a draft of money for the census department. Notes the Secretary of Treasurer, Alexander Hamilton, has informed him that in order to obtain a draft of money for the departments in the census, another person needs to be empowered to perform drawing and transmitting duties during his absence. Requests Knox takes over this function and to transmit the money by post. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.04586

14 October 1791

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 5 October, which enclosed John Pope's note for eight dollars. Knox sent Carrington a copy of a memorandum on a meeting he had with Pope on 5 October (see GLC02437.05187). Describes Pope as "unhappy in his habits of wandering, and is considered in a degree crazed. he was once a young man somewhat pioneering - his talents were more than common." Adds that even now, several scraps of poetry written by Pope are "not intirely contemptible." Relates that Pope left Virginia for Kentucky about 12 months previously. After that, Carrington heard he traveled to New Orleans.…

GLC02437.05195

14 June 1792

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph note signed

Title: to unknown

Carrington writes, "I have been acquainted with Colo. John Pope the bearer hereof, and do believe him to be a very honest man."

GLC02437.05506

7 August 1792

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the situation of the family of the late General Nathanael Greene and believes that "[i]t is time a Bill was finally passed by a considerable majority for pecuniary restitution to the family;" Also writes concerning the status of the military at Camden [South Carolina]. Mentions the French Revolution, stating that "it is a great & a good cause" but still has some misgivings due to the direction in which the government seems to be heading.

GLC02437.05571

27 May 1799

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Ralph Wormeley, Esq. delivers this letter from Carrington to Knox. Carrington thanks Knox for kind words Knox said about Carrington to a neighbor and hopes to be able to visit Knox soon.

GLC02437.07271

January 10, 1782

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses problems related to the transportation of military stores from Yorktown to Westham or Richmond, Virginia. Comments that he and his associates are bound in their ability to carry out orders because the state government of Virginia refuses to help. Mentions the resignation of Thomas Nelson as governor and the election of Benjamin Harrison. Has managed to set up the stores near Westham, close to the river so as to be able to ship them by boat in case of danger, but fears that in an invasion or attack they still may not be able to protect them. Mentions the arrival of an independent…

GLC02437.01330

7 April 1782

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his promotion to Major General of the United States Army. Fears his own promotion may fall through. Explains that his appointment is determined by the state of Virginia, and he will only receive a promotion "as a compliment from the state with the approbation of a majority of the officers." Must remain in his current circumstances until he finds out, but is suspicious about the principles on which promotions are determined.

GLC02437.01381

8 October 1782

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, quartermaster to Nathanael Greene's Southern army, to Major General Knox. Makes reference to Congressional military appointments. Expresses anger at some Congressional decisions involving himself, saying "I shall not sacrifice that independency, which I have always possessed, to hold it on Terms inconsistent with the principles on which I accepted it - and, wretched as it may, perhaps, be supposed the situation of an American Officers would be in private life, I shall certainly embrace that wretchedness, in all its Horrid forms, rather than remain…

GLC02437.01652

19 November 1782

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to [Thomas] Jones

Marked "copy" by Carrington. Addressee is listed only as "Mr. Jones," but earlier correspondence suggests the addressee is Thomas Jones. Colonel Carrington writes that he has waited till this morning for Jones to arrive, before Carrington must leave to meet with General [Arthur] St. Clair, and he is disappointed to see that Jones has not arrived. Wishes he could have made plans with Jones in person to arrange for the deposit of arms and military stores at Westham or Richmond, Virginia. Writes, "I now enclose you the Generals instructions which you are to put into execution without loss of…

GLC02437.01719

19 November 1781

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Thomas Nelson

Refers to a letter he forwarded to Nelson from General George Washington regarding a shipment of military stores to be deposited at Westham. If unable to find storage there, he was to ask Nelson for help finding storage in Richmond. Comments he waited several days to see Nelson but must now depart to attend to the General Affairs Division. Introduces Captain Singleton as the person Nelson should now contact regarding this matter. They will need about twenty men "as a guard and fatigue: which I shall be happy he could be furnished with, as early as they can be procured from the militia, or…

GLC02437.01291

11 October 1781

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph document signed

Title: Return of the Ammunition expended at the grand Battery October 10th & 11th 1781.

Lists quantities of ammunition used at the Continental Army's grand Battery, redoubt, and left battery under Colonel Edward Carrington's command during the siege of Yorktown on 10 October 1781 and 11 October 1781. Directed to Samuel Shaw, aide de camp of General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.01218

15 October 1781

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph document signed

Title: Report of the Stores expended in the Grand Battery, Oct. 15. 1781 under the Command of Capt. Stevens.

Lists quantities of stores used and on hand at the Grand Battery and Redoubt under the command of Colonel Ebenezer Stevens, at the Left Battery under the command of Captain Lt. Thompson and by 10" mortars commanded by Capt. Gvion, during the siege of Yorktown. A note at the end by Carrington cites the taking of the British forces' left and right redoubts by Lafayette and French forces.

GLC02437.01228

19 November 1781

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Colonel Harrison

Refers to an enclosure of Knox's instructions regarding stores left in Virginia for use by the Southern Department, and the "plan of Deposit directed at Richmond or Westham." Has sent personnel to supervise the collection of the stores. They will be furnished with fatigue men from the Continental troops, and once those troops have left, he has arranged for local militia men to be posted there. He has situated Capt. Singleton at Richmond to receive the stores there and arrange for houses to store them. However, they cannot clean and repair the stores properly and make arrangements for…

GLC02437.01292

19 November 1781

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Singleton

Comments that he has waited for the Governor and Mr. Jones so they all might, with Capt. Singleton, arrange to deposit the stores in Westham or Richmond, but he had to go on to meet General Arthur St. Clair's Division. Declares that the arrangements will be left to Singleton at least until Col. Harrison arrives from Williamsburg to help. Has enclosed a copy of General Knox's instructions to follow as best he can, and expects him to meet with the Executive when he arrives.

GLC02437.01293

7 August 1781

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Carrington writes to Knox from "Camp High Hills of Santee," near the Santee River in South Carolina. Reports that he received Knox's previous letter via Governor [John] Rutledge. Informs Knox he has been transferred to Virginia and, per the General's wish, will remain the Quartermaster's Department. Praises General Nathanael Greene's recent campaign in South Carolina.

GLC02437.01123

30 September 1781

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for Ordnance for the siege of Yorktown].

Colonel Carrington, on behalf of QMG Colonel Thomas Pickering, acknowledges the receipt of four horses from General Henry Knox which were furnished by Governor of Maryland Thomas S. Lee. The Continental Army began invading Yorktown on 28 September 1781. Signed in duplicate.

GLC02437.01201

10 February 1788

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written in Manchester, a present-day neighborhood of Richmond. Comments on the state conventions held to discuss ratification of the United States Constitution (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia). On Virginia, writes, "My situation here is in the midst of Mr. Henries influence, and I find he has pretty well prepared the people for being his blind followers- his demagogues are loud in their clamors against the Constitution, professing a determination to reject unless amendments can be had even at the hazard of standing alone..." (referring to Anti-Federalist Patrick Henry…

GLC02437.03792

20 December 1788

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments on the United States Constitution in Virginia. Notes that he was banished from the house of delegates, but returned to "one of the most antifederal assemblies that could possibly have been collected from amongst the people. This body met in [Phrenzy], and [Patrick] Henry took advantage of that circumstance to push and carry measures which could not have been obtained in the latter parts of the session." Refers to William Grayson, Richard Henry Lee, the evacuation of American Indians, and the possibility of George Clinton being elected as Vice President. Discusses political…

GLC02437.04057

4 April 1789

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his recent letter. Writes, "Your suggestion as to the advantages to be derived from a personal attendance at the metropolis, is constantly found in the experience of Mankind & I am satisfied that such a step would give me a better appearance of success than I can otherwise have, but [were] this situation were it to continue for any length of time, would be painful to me, and no judgment can be [favored] when the arrangements of the Government will bring forward its permanent appointments." Is presently engaged in public business, but will travel to New York in early…

GLC02437.04167

20 May 1789

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wrote Knox recently and thought he might be able to visit "the metropolis," but now believes he must "decline the trip." Would prefer not to leave while his arrangements are still so tentative, and asks that Knox provide him with useful information as he sees fit. (Carrington may be referring to his prospects of receiving an appointment with the new government; see GLC02437.04167.)

GLC02437.04209

1 July 1789

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes from "Powhatan via Richmond," most likely in Virginia. Writes that he has, in fact, decided not to travel to New York City in pursuit of a government appointment. Adds, "I did expect that many would collect there in quest of appointments, and that it would draw on them remarks which would tend rather to injure than promote their wishes - I now learn that this is in fact the case - I would not be ranked amongst them for the world." Believes that the President will not make appointments based on "absence or presence" but instead based on "character." Sends his respects to Mrs. Knox…

GLC02437.04267