14 December 1786

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is presently at Mr. [Stephen] Bruce's, whom he and Knox have discussed "respecting his supplying in some way as a public agent." Thinks this is a good time to determine that point. Writes, "Bruce is in every respect perfectly ready & I have no doubt the issue will be [illegible: met] to a charm." Declares that Harry [likely Henry Jackson] is fully engaged in this business. Mentions that Bruce has sent letters to the Commissioners and to Knox on the subject. Sends regards to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.03379

25 March 1787

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to ensure the enclosed letter (not present) gets on the packet and apologizes for troubling Knox with his private matters. Discusses the upcoming election for the governorship of Massachusetts. States that John Hancock will have 3/4ths or 4/5ths of the votes and that "Lincoln is very popular but he with Bowdoin is damned by his connections (Higginson & Co.). I give you this information because Harry & many of your good Friends are blind."

GLC02437.03498

22 July 1787

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a difficult situation of mutual friends, [possibly Henry] Jackson and [Stephen] Bruce, stating that "something must be done ... or they must both be ruined." Asks Knox for his "friendly aid in this interesting business," which seems to be financial in nature. Explains that Bruce will be departing for New York with "vouchers & information," with the goal of obtaining only "scanty justice." Written in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.03610

23 December 1787

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his worry over a mutual friend [possibly someone eluding creditors] who is in danger. Hopes the friend is gone by the time Knox gets this letter. States, "things are at present in status quo, but hostilities are threatend from all quarters." Marked as "private."

GLC02437.03735

December 11, 1788

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Extremely faded and difficult to read. Discusses recent correspondence and appears to apologize for not replying sooner. Hopes to conclude some business (a funeral?) before Mr. Jones goes to Europe.

GLC02437.04050

5 March 1789

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Declares that Knox must think him a "Barbarian" for not writing sooner, and apologizes. Briefly touches on Waldo patent business. Discusses the possible appointment of a Mr. Frederick, a former naval officer, to the new government. Writes that Governor [John] Hancock is still sick, but less incapacitated than he had been. Mentions that Mr. [John] Adams, the new Vice President, has bought a coach through his agent, Colonel Smith, from Mr. [James] Swan. Sends Mrs. Hichborn's regards to Mrs. Knox, and reports that he should be arriving in New York some time next month.

GLC02437.04136

21 June 1789

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Apologizes for not responding sooner to his recent letters. Comments on a variety of issues regarding the Waldo patent lands, including whether to bring the matter before the General Court and how to handle the petitioning residents of the territory. Refers to "Cousin Isaac," likely Isaac Winslow, Sr. Sends his compliments to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.04252

28 July 1789

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a letter to the President from his "worthy friend and Nephew Majr. [likely Nathaniel] Fosdick," which asks for an appointment in Marblehead for Fosdick. Knows Fosdick to be an "honest worthy fellow." Sends his regards to Knox's wife and family.

GLC02437.04308

15 October 1789

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that the upcoming visit to New York of their mutual friend [Henry] Jackson will likely render unnecessary the present letter. Discusses Knox's financial dealings in Maine, especially regarding a land ownership dispute with Mr. [William] Wetmore. Relates news of mutual acquaintances and mentions several people complaining that Knox has not written them in a while. Expresses his sympathy for the death of Knox's child and sends his respects, along with his wife's, to Knox and his family. Free frank signed by Benjamin Hichborn.

GLC02437.04390

20 November 1789

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has browsed Knox's statement on the Flucker Estate and plans to attend to the matter of the creditors. Asks Knox to recommend that his friend [John] Tucker be appointed to the position of clerk of the Supreme Court, implying that the appointment would help Knox's case. Notes that Mr. Jay is already in support of Tucker. Stamped "Boston" and "Paid." Marked "private" on the address leaf.

GLC02437.04418

15 July 1790

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes on behalf of General [John] Glover who wishes to fill the office of collection officer at Marblehead, Massachusetts. Mentions that a Mrs. Danforth "took herself from earthly trouble yesterday by strangling herself." For Glover's appeal to Knox, refer to GLC02437.04653.

GLC02437.04652

10 November 1790

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that "with some difficulty" he "obtained the necessary Certificate, and the order of the Supreme Court at Cambridge for the Sale of the whole of Mrs. Flucker's real Estate." Before the sale Knox has to take an oath "and I think give hands for the faithful discharge of your duty." After a "small journey" Hichborn will see "whether that oath cannot be taken at Philadelphia."

GLC02437.04775

23 March 1791

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that he has received a request from Mr. Peirce to give him his advice "respecting the Sale of the Patent Lands." States he thinks that land will sell "in the time limited by [Knox's] wishes." Provides his opinion on whom should be appointed to the 2nd regiment.

GLC02437.04889

23 April 1791

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Know to give his son, who received an appointment, preferential treatment. Believes Harry [Henry Jackson] should be appointed district Marshall. Thinks Jackson will be a good appointment as Knox "possesses an unbounded influence" on him. Hichborn mentions that he has seen Joseph Peirce often. This letter is marked private. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.04923

28 September 1791

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that he has "at last settled the principles on which the account is to be closed very much to my satisfaction tho not exactly upon my first plan." Says their "friend" was not of service as expected and he had to come forward and negotiate for himself. Hopes to see Knox the following week. Reports that Madame de la Val and her party set off in a packet last Saturday. Writes, "they had a shocking time, but are well over it by this time." Concludes with "yours in more friend ship than I believe you have for me. -" Stamped "FREE" on verso.

GLC02437.05172

11 March 1792

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a recent General Court decision against them in their wish to be compensated for some of the Waldo patent lands. Touches on their canal project and mentions that General [Henry] Jackson will forward to Knox some information about it. Mentions his imminent departure to Europe and sends his love to Mrs. Knox. Finally, provides some parting advice on how Knox should proceed with the Waldo patent, including, "for gods sake be cautious!"

GLC02437.05348

14 December 1792

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that "I shall be able to bring with me everything which can be collected in this Country respecting Canals." Says he has heard that Knox is considering hiring an expensive director from England. Believes this is unnecessary as he has the fullest confidence in his own services. He has, however, developed a relationship with Mr. [James] Rumsey, the "greatest Mechanical genius in that line known in Europe." Says he will know soon if the gentleman will be able to serve them. Updates him on news from England, including the possibility of war and their upcoming congressional…

GLC02437.05735

9 January 1793

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he will be sending him some maps of canals. Asks Knox, if it will not be too troublesome, to ask William Smith to employ Stephen Bruce to purchase provisions. Notes he sails for Paris, France the next day. Also mentions the possibility of a war: "War - War, is [a] Cry here, but without a object, I therefore doubt." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05778

19 October 1793

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he sent several letters to Knox since arriving in Europe. Tells Knox he is leaving Europe sometime in the spring when his affairs are wrapped up. Mentions "there are various expectations about the part America will take in the present War, but I am fully persuaded that she will - that she must remain quite neutral." Is surprised to hear the government is quibbling on the terms of the treaty respecting the admission of prizes. Comments he is "astonished & mortified" to hear that the courts have adopted the President's Proclamation as the law of the land and have prosecuted certain…

GLC02437.05948

circa 1789

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses land.

GLC02437.09937

circa 1784-1817

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Manuscript document

Title: [Memo]

Memo discussing Samuel Waldo's estate.

GLC02437.09919

circa 1783-1788

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Manuscript document

Title: [Hichborn's opinion]

Document written in question-and-answer format about financial matters relating to the estate of the recently-deceased Thomas Flucker. Docket attributes authorship of the answers to Benjamin Hichborn, but no author is listed for the questions. One question suggests that the author is an agent or executor for the estate, and therefore may be Henry Knox, Hannah Urquhart Harwood, Knox's sister-in-law, or a third party.

GLC02437.09101

February 8, 1792

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Provides information on the Committee's decisions regarding the settlement of the "ten Proprietors" on Knox's Waldo patent lands in Maine. Updates Knox on financial deals the Committee is making about the purchase of land.

GLC02437.05314