December 1, 1787

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs that he has debts in Jersey and is willing to have his pay applied to discharge the debt. Writes about the new constitution and the western territory, "I am much obliged to you for the new constitution & for the plan of Government for the Western Territory, they are both much wanted - it is hoped some kind of order will be introduced in this country by the latter, I never saw a country in which Licentiousness political & religious so much prevailed as in the Infant Settlements in this western World ... it wants a Government peculiarly adopted to the circumstances of the…

GLC02437.03718

3 March 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Doughty encloses the last return (possibly GLC02437.10578) of the corps of artillery (Doughty took command of the artillery at West Point after the suspension of Sebastian Bauman which resulted from a disagreement with William Hull, commandant of West Point). Declares, "It is no small misfortune to our little Corps, that on its first formation it should be embarrassed with trifling squabbles about duty, & perhaps had our Commandant diverted himself of his knowledge of foreign services, & attended to the practice of his own, much trouble might have been prevented..." Criticizes…

GLC02437.02970

30 June 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Doughty encloses returns of the ordnance stores and troops under his command. Plans to wait for clothing to arrive before sending a party of soldiers to Springfield, Massachusetts. Writes, "I have the Happiness to inform you that the greatest good order has prevailed in the discharge of the Troops from this place-" Reports a theft of stores. Reports on other events at West Point, thanking Knox for his charge.

GLC02437.03022

9 October 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Doughty, commander at West Point, gives a detailed report on matters at that post. Writes, "I intend with your permission to go to Congress about the first of next month upon the concern of my small Corps, to settle their account & procure them if possible some Money, for want of this very essential article, our situation is become so very necessitous as to border upon Wretchedness..." Asks for a letter from Knox introducing him to a Congressman from Massachusetts and to the President of Continental Congress (Thomas Mifflin).

GLC02437.03057

30 October 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses the monthly military returns for October. Doughty gives a detailed report on matters at West Point and the surrounding areas. Discusses stores, arrangements to be made for winter, and other topics.

GLC02437.03065

12 March 1785

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Doughty, commander at West Point, transmits returns of troops and stores (returns not included). Doughty is extremely upset because he hopes to remain in the military as an artillerist, but recently heard that Congress plans to discharge the troops presently in service. Writes, "If this measure takes place, which it is probable will be the case, instead of continuing my military pursuits, I am fearful I shall be thrown upon the wide world without a profession, or a capital to create one..." Asks Knox, who was recently offered the position of Secretary at War, to procure him an office…

GLC02437.03108

21 March 1787

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he is extremely busy at the moment and will not be able to return to New York City as expected. Discusses concerns about the men not being paid and feels that if the corps are disbanded for lack of pay, they may never be able to raise another. States that if the federal troops are disbanded he should be allowed the choice of whether to stay or retire and "without one, I cannot see how any government worth living under can be kep up in this country." Comments on the poor quality of the powder at Fort Pitt. Asks Knox about the state of affairs in Massachusetts, "I feel so anxious…

GLC02437.03497

5 July 1788

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Pitt. Thanks Knox for his assistance: "...it has extricated me from a Difficulty which all men must feel who are in Debt, & fail in their resources for payment." Congratulates Knox on Virginia's adoption of the Constitution, writing "I am in Hopes Health & Vigour will soon be restored to our Body politic- This happy circumstance must cheer the Hearts of our Countrymen, particularly those of our military Brethren, who have been struggling through the late Revolution, & who to their immortal Honor appear to feel so much for the Honor and Dignity of their Country…

GLC02437.03927

2 July 1789

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to introduce the bearers, Dr. Allison and Ensign Suydam, who are traveling to New York.

GLC02437.04268

19 August 1790

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Doughty acknowledges Knox's letter of 25 July. Doughty was worried about his parents who had word that he had died in a skirmish on the frontier (see GLC02437.04606 and GLC02437.04628 for Knox's correspondence with Doughty's family). Thanks Knox for writing to his family and for sending him a letter from Doughty's parents and sister, which eased his mind. Mentions that Judge Turner left him two eagles from "the property of the Society [of Cincinnati]" to sell. Says that General Josiah Harmer wants Doughty to encourage re-enlistment of older soldiers. Doughty says "not one soldier…

GLC02437.04695

8 March 1791

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Declines Knox's request to serve as Lieutenant Colonel Commander. Says after much deliberation, he has decided to leave the service. He wanted to when he served with General Josiah Harmar but the difficult situation with the Indians "forbid my retireing at that Time." Explains in detail his reasons for leaving the military stating, "I have long tried the military Life & have found many Disapointments..." Questions the nature of the military establishment. "A military establishment is certainly a very unpopular measure in this Country," Doughty explains. "Every Act of the Government…

GLC02437.04875

26 October 1791

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions the terrible weather and how unwell he is. Says he cannot leave his home right now but will as soon as he can. Notes he had a fever all of last night and his mind was disturbed. Also discusses a mission Knox wants him to do, and mentions it being a secret. Written from Morris, which is possibly Morristown, New Jersey or Morris County, New Jersey. Marked as private.

GLC02437.09822

1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards to Knox returns of the troops' stores and feels burdened by the number of Canadian refugees. Date from docket.

GLC02437.09973

January 16, 1783

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: Provision Return for the Masons Under My Directions for Eight Days Comminsing [sic] 17th of Jany 83 & Ending 24th Both Ddayts in Cluded [sic].

Lists men by regiment and company with rations issued. Also signed by Joseph Cheesman with an endorsement on the verso signed by a person surnamed Hayden. The first name is illegible.

GLC02437.01855

5 October 1781

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph document signed

Title: Return of the Companies of Artillery attached to the Brigade of the Line.

Chart enumerating numbers of men in various companies. Created during the siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01208

March 14, 1783 circa

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Document signed

Title: Victualing return

Return issued for the rations for 8 men over 4 days, from 10 March to 13 March. A total of 32 rations were issued. Appears to be for "ye Andrew CMarshal." Signed by Captain John Howell of the main guard and John Doughty as fort major of West Point. Note at bottom says this a copy of an original which was lost. Docket signed by Jonathan Edwards(?) stating the rations arrived from contractors.

GLC02437.01993

14 July 1783

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Order to supply rations to John Mundin]

Order of 27 rations to Sergeant John Mundin of the Invalid Regiment discharged and on his way to Albany, New York. The order for 27 rations also includes Mundin's wife and five children.

GLC02437.02271

circa 16 July 1783

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Provision return for army rations issued]

Provision return for rations issued to the superitendant of the Masons; employed by the engineers department from 13-16 July. A total of 6 rations were issued over the four days for one person. Countersigned by Joseph Cheesman, superintendant. Docket signed by a Jacob Wight that contractors delivered the rations.

GLC02437.02292

23 July 1783

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph note signed

Title: [Supplies issued]

Illegible signature on recto, which may say John Most. The note says he received from James Forsyth, Commissary at West Point, 20 pounds of tallow and ten pounds of soap as ordered by Fort Major John Doughty. Recto has a partial copy of the order in Doughty's hand and under his signature. A note beneath Doughty's signature says "Recd the above."

GLC02437.02320

31 July 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph document signed

Title: Monthly return of the corps of artillery

Lists numbers of officers present and fit for duty. Signed by Major Doughty.

GLC02437.03033

9 October 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: Monthly return of a corps of artillery commanded by Capt John Doughty

Lists officers present fit for duty, on command, sick present, and on duty. Title includes a note indicating that Doughty is a major by brevet.

GLC02437.03055

30 October 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph document signed

Title: Monthly return of the corps of artillery in the service of the United States of America

Lists officers present fit for duty, sick present, absent with leave, on duty, and on command. Indicates that Doughty is a major by brevet. Location inferred.

GLC02437.03064

29 February 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Return]

Return for the corps of artillery. Lists men by company, rank and current status. Includes a list on the verso of absent men.

GLC02437.10578

6 May 1783

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: Victualing return for one army prisoner

Under the return, lists the names Asa [Andrews?] and Richard Douglass (possibly quartermaster and captain respectively; text is faded). Doughty signs by order of General Knox. Contains a note on page two written by [P.?] Austen, noting receipt of rations.

GLC02437.09710

30 October 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Proof of powder made at West Point

Titles continues to add that the powder referred to is "made at West Point with a 24 pd Ball fired from a 5 1/2 inch mortar..." Lists powder at Fort Clinton and Fort Putnam.

GLC02437.03066