11 October 1795

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Maine lands and describes the layout of the towns and roads.

GLC02437.06538

5 December 1792

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards Knox a journal pertaining to Cobb's survey for a possible canal from Boston to the Connecticut River. See GLC02437.05542 for the enclosed journal. Docket in Knox's hand states "Journal of the Journey in exploring the Country between Connecticut River & Boston." Also notes, "Our Elections this day are unanimous for the old King & his second, - partie influence has had no effect on the votes for the latter," referring to a meeting of the Electoral College, which elected George Washington as president and John Adams as vice president.

GLC02437.05726

February 12, 1800

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Cobb bemoans the loss of George Washington and updates Knox on marriages.

GLC02437.07369

18 July 1791

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States this letter will be given to Knox by David Leonard Barnes, a lawyer and neighbor of Cobb's. Says that Barnes is going to Philadelphia on business and hopes Knox will show him whatever civilities and attentions he can.

GLC02437.05072

4 September 1791

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 27 July. Complied with Knox's request to converse with gentlemen in trade "on the subject of the probable quantity of produce that would be convey'd on the Canal from Connecticut River to this place in the course of the three first years after its completion." The results of his inquires are: 28-30,000 tons of "Pot & Pearl ashes, Flaxseed, Flax & Hemp, Beef & Pork salted, Grain of all sorts, Flour, Timber & Plank, Hoops & Staves." Smaller items were not taken into account, but he estimates 15,000 tons of those items could be carried. Rate of…

GLC02437.05143

11 March 1792

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that the General Court passed an act allowing them to build their canal, and that Harry [Henry Jackson] will be bringing him a copy of the act, which should meet with Knox's approbation. Declares that it is up to Knox to determine what measures to pursue next, but feels they should do something to convince others who believe that their canal project was begun purely for speculation purposes. Suggests that while [Benjamin] Hichborn is going to Europe, the rest of the members of the canal project (John Coffin Jones, Jackson, and himself) should visit Knox in Philadelphia to establish…

GLC02437.05347

13 August 1792

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox [incomplete]

Discusses travelling with Captain John Hills to survey the land and waterways for the building of the canal, specifically Millers river and other waterways going east. Informs Knox that they are continuing the survey and will probably be in the Concord area by the end of the week.

GLC02437.05578

30 August 1795

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses land business concerning several towns as well as surveys.

GLC02437.06506

10 October 1795

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes some of the measures he is pursuing to help sell Maine land.

GLC02437.06535

26 October 1795

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the buying and selling of land and towns.

GLC02437.06549

January 23, 1796

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses land and related business in Maine, especially the difficulty in selling land in that area. Free frank signed by David Cobb.

GLC02437.06601

18 April 1796

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks him whether he is still in Boston, when he plans to depart for St. George's (likely in Maine), and whether he has any news from Boston or from their friends in Philadelphia. Writes that he has been in town to handle his father's estate but will be leaving soon. Asks after the well-being of Knox's family.

GLC02437.06709

27 September 1796

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has recently arrived at Gouldsboro after departing from Knox's house. Reports that the settlers in his town are happy with the town they chose, and discusses his attempts to hire a surveyor and complete a survey of the region. Considers the unfortunate status of the logging business in Gouldsboro, as well as other local matters.

GLC02437.06831

19 October 1796

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions his astonishment to have not heard from Knox, [William] Bingham or [Alexander] Baring (he spells it "Bearing") since Cobb left Knox's house. Discusses a survey of his land as well as construction of a house near his "Nest." Comments that the settlers of his town seem happy with it. Adds that Knox must have heard of his recent brush with death by drowning, and declares that he is very glad he did not pass away and see their "friends in the other world a little sooner than I wish'd." Asks about Knox's health, and inquires about the livestock on Knox's land on Brigadier Island,…

GLC02437.06846

4 November 1796

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's recent letter, and again refers to Cobb's recent near-death by drowning. Relates that he is pleased to hear Knox is happy with his business ventures. Reports that he has heard citizens of the town of Warren, on Knox's land, are unhappy with Knox's rules related to fishing, and urges Knox appease them. Discusses his desire to build a comfortable house to live in at Gouldsboro and the difficulties he is having while constructing it. Comments on their business accounts.

GLC02437.06862

13 December 1796

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions the difficulties in getting letters to Knox, because of the unpredictable post and also because of the frequency of Knox's travel. Comments on Knox's vessel being stuck in the St. George's River due to winter weather. Teases Knox about his unwillingness to reside permanently at Montpelier, and his desire to participate in the social life of the city. Discusses his frustration with Mr. [William] Bingham, as he has not heard from Bingham in several months and thus has been unable to receive answers to questions he posed about his financial status.

GLC02437.06882

15 August 1797

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Offers Knox advice on how to deal with his unruly settlers.

GLC02437.07015

1 October 1797

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's letter of 16 September 1797 with an apology for his "abrupt deportation from Montpelier." States that he has met with disappointments while participating in running the nation, commenting that "the inattention of our friends to this Country & me is unpardonable." Comments on Alexander Hamilton's recently exposed affair with Maria Reynolds. Possibly in reference to the Quasi War with France, General Cobb expresses a cynical hope for peace in regard to European affairs, claiming that the Old World is "too numerous and vicious to exist as Governments." Also comments on…

GLC02437.07035

3 April 1791

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that his son, William Gray Cobb, "thou by a wrong name" has accepted a military commission offered to him by President George Washington. Says he hopes to build a canal and believes that it may interest Knox as well. Asks Knox to send an engineer to survey the county for the project. They are competing with other canal companies in New England. Says, "what makes it a matter of greater consequence at this time, is, that the Company at Hartford have now, on the Files of our Genl Assembly, an Act, to empower them to clear the Falls on Connecticut River within the Commonwealth, which…

GLC02437.04897

19 December 1790

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Cobb tells Secretary of War Knox that he has brought up the idea of a canal between the Charles River and the Connecticut River to several people since Knox left Boston, and the idea is growing. There needs to be a more concrete plan in order to attract investors. The "gentlemen" with whom Cobb has discussed this "are much divided in their opinions where the Canal ought to meet [the] Connecticut River." Cobb goes on to detail various plans for the canal. Cobb is convinced that this canal would be good for "the Commonwealth." Cobb says "we are still in the clouds respecting a War," and that…

GLC02437.04800

10 July 1791

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Cobb, a member of the Massachusetts legislature, writes that Knox may have seen "that small son of mine, whom you have kindly honor'd with a Commission." Says he has "an affection" for the "Lad" and that "the Females of my Family will never forgive you or me, if he is unfortunate." Mentions he has frequently discussed the prospects of a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston. Explains that the general consensus seems to be that the canal should be cut from Miller's River instead of the Chickibee. Says that Miller's River is above some of the waterfalls "that at present prevent the…

GLC02437.05057

circa 16 July 1792

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Journal entry on the survey for a canal]

Describes his journey to surrounding land to connect a canal with the upper part of the Connecticut River. Signed in text at top of first page. Originally enclosed with GLC02437.05726. See GLC02437.05578 for a shorter version of this manuscript sent to Knox.

GLC02437.05542

2 September 1794

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Manuscript document signed

Title: to unknown

An estimate of labor and materials needed to complete the frame of a house on Brigadiers Island, Maine (present day Sears Island).

GLC02437.06192

1 November 1781

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Kingsley

Communicates orders from General George Washington to expeditiously load all the stores that are being transported to Head Of Elk, Maryland onto vessels. Anything that cannot fit should be loaded onto French ships. The ordnance being transported had been used in the siege of Yorktown. Probably intended for Henry Knox. Docket written in Henry Knox's hand. Cobb was an aide-de-camp to Washington.

GLC02437.01279

25 November 1783

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a letter (most likely GLC02437.02798) from Sir Guy Carleton concerning "arrangements ... made for the British Officers' visiting your advanced guard." Noted as written at "Quarters."

GLC02437.02802