21 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Robert] Howe

Possibly written to General Robert Howe. Asks Howe, commanding detachments of the Continental Army at Philadelphia, to inform him of any political news. Writes: "We have nothing here but the same dull round of the rise & setting sun. No objects to amuse hope, except the uncertainty of the time when we shall be ordered to depart." Asks Howe to order two men serving under him, Phineas Austin and Robert Cormach, to travel to Boston by the first of September. They, along with Thomas Austin, under Knox's command, are required to serve [as witnesses] against "rascals" accused of collusion…

GLC02437.10128

23 October 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Written by Brigadier General Knox, the Continental Army's chief of artillery, to Major General Smallwood of Maryland. Letter sent through General Nathanael Greene. Asks how he is sustaining the fatigues and hardships of war in a southern climate. Says it must be "agreeable in some degree, as it has produced you such a harvest of Glory." Mentions gallantry of the Maryland Line at the Battle of Camden. Asks to "prospect my love" to General Nathaniel Gist and other friends. Smallwood's brigade was actually swept to the rear by a flood of fugitives at Camden, but he still earned the "thanks of…

GLC06504

16 December 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mason Wheaton

Knox had been in correspondence with Wheaton, who was handling matters related to the division of the Waldo Patent among Samuel Waldo's heirs. Encourages Colonel Wheaton to "come up to this place as soon as possible, that we may finally agree upon the manner of carrying on the business..."

GLC02437.03077

January 10,1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mason Wheaton

Writes that the bearer, Captain Thomas Vose, has arranged with Knox to occupy and apparently rent farmland belonging to Knox. Asks Wheaton to deliver him to the territory at a time he and Vose can agree upon.

GLC02437.04082

January 27, 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Duer

Writes Duer regarding a supply of rations Duer requested for the frontiers. Discusses relations with the Indians. Notes he has heard that the Indians killed 11 men, 2 women, and 1 child near Marietta, Ohio [the "Big Bottom Massacre"]. Believes, "Every appearance indicates an extensive Indian War - great preparations must be made and probably great quantities of provisions will be required - I give you this in confidence as the measure are not yet decided upon by Congress But as soon as they shall be it will be necessary to proceed with great vigor." Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.04838

25 April 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown

Addressed to "My dear friend." Writes that he looked at all the newspapers "relative to the claim of James Bowdoin on behalf of his late father Wm. Bowdoin but...found nothing among Mr. Flucker's accounts or papers." Encloses a "paper in possession of Mr. James Bowdoin, and what I took from the paper delivered me by him what was in Mr. Flucker's handwriting" [not present]. Hopes the "legal impropriety" will "influence the commissioners to repeal it entirely." Continues to discuss business.

GLC02437.04925

23 May 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Duer

Expresses discontent that 5,000 dollars worth of notes Duer gave him will not be discounted by the bank because Duer is a non-resident. Claims he was depending on the notes being discounted and says "I shall suffer the most excessive inconvenience unless you make an arrangement for that purpose." Asks him to write to Mr. Ross to find a solution. Expected to hear from him by now and wants to know when he will be in Philadelphia.

GLC02437.04955

8 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Written by Secretary of War Knox to Duer. Marked "Secret." After receiving William Constable's answer, says that Samuel Ogden will write to the commissioners of Massachusetts "relinquishing any claim on the eastern lands." Knox says he told Ogden "if he relinquished and we purchased that he should have a handsome quantity without any advance." Says the eastern lands are exempt from taxes by law for 10 years. 20 families are to be settled on each township in 5 years. Says Henry Jackson will arrive tomorrow evening at the latest. Asks him to send the declaration that Duer, Constable, and…

GLC02437.04980

14 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Duer

Writes, "Mr. Samuel Ogden transmitted by the post yesterday to the Massachusetts [committee] a full [renumeration] of my claim on the eastern lands..." Says this will make things easier for Henry Jackson. Discusses the details of two drafts for $5,000. Has given them to Captain Randall and hopes Duer will accept them. Tells Duer that his son William has been injured in a fall.

GLC02437.04993

June 17, 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Signed and initialed by Knox. This appears to be a copy of two letters that Knox sent to Duer on 17 June and 19 June. On June 19, Knox told Duer to pay a $2,500 note 33 days after the date to the firm of Shaw and Randall. On June 17 he had told Duer to pay a $2,500 note in 60 days. This document relates to the notes worth $5,000 Knox has recently corresponded with Thomas Randall about (refer to GLC02437.05006).

GLC02437.05008

19 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Knox reports that Samuel Ogden decided to take the obligation for $3,000 in preference to the 50,000 acres of land. Asks Duer to draw up a joint note for both of them to sign. Adds that if Duer thinks it proper, Mr. Constable should also sign the note. Relates that by the last post, he received the deed from Henry Jackson, and he will have it copied and sent to Colonel Walker on Monday. Wants to know if he has any plans or prospects "relative to a sale."

GLC02437.05009

20 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Says Duer must have received Henry Jackson's letter of 12 June. Writes, "I flatter myself you have sent Mr. Flint or some other person in his stead. I am desirous we should secure the whole quantity of 4 Millions as I am concerned it is now or never." Says different names for land companies must be used to complete the sale. Hopes for a price of 7 or 8 cents per acre.

GLC02437.05015

26 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Knox signs with his initials. Is glad Royal Flint is in Boston. Says Flint has written to Duer on the progress of their negotiations, "which appears to be good." Knox says he wrote to Jackson about the boundaries of the purchase. Says "if they can execute the advice I have given they will do well." Wonders if he will see Duer soon, and calls Duer "a terrible correspondent." Thanks him for accepting bills. Is concerned about provisions on the frontier and says about 2,500 troops are marching to Ohio. Perhaps in reference to his land dealings, writes, "Charleston South Carolina subscribed…

GLC02437.05031

7 July 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Says Duer will receive by this day's post a public letter "relative to the supplies on the western frontier." Says he is alarmed about information he just received from Mr. Walker that Duer has yet "to arrange for ... the stores for the expedition." Tells him "I hope in God you have made other and more effectual arrangements or you will suffer excessively in your interests." Wants to know by the return post what exact steps he will take to fix the situation. Says the troops for the expedition have now arrived at Fort Pitt "and other places on the Ohio - and the rear of the force for the…

GLC02437.05056

10 July 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Knows that Duer is a bad correspondent so "I have not suffered myself to be hurt by your silence." Congratulates him on their shared accomplishments in Massachusetts, a reference to their purchase of two million acres of land in the District of Maine. Reports that Royal Flint will be in New York on 15 July and that Duer can examine the relevant documents and maps then. Proposes that he will be in New York by 16 July. Tells him to use his "sensible mind" to handle any changes that need to be made to the business. Has written Duer repeatedly about preparing provisions for the frontier.…

GLC02437.05060

15 July 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Intended to leave for New York today, but circumstances will prevent him from going until next week. Says he cannot give an exact day "as I am not entirely master of my own time." Will go at the first opportunity. Place written assumed from content.

GLC02437.05064

4 August 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer and Benjamin Walker

Pages 1-2 contains a letter to William Duer. Pages 2-3 contains a letter to Benjamin Walker. Knox signed the Duer letter and initialed the Walker letter. Hopes Duer received the maps and that he will be in Boston with Royal Flint by 14 August. Says the committee will be together to collect the $5,000 and "it will be an excellent opportunity on the payment of that sum to commence the negociation for the additional million, and the conditional agreement to be extend[ed]." States much of their future depends upon the punctual payment of the $5,000. The letter to Walker says he has enclosed…

GLC02437.05101

5 August 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Initialed by Knox. Encloses Mr. Bruce's report on the eastern lands (not included). Congratulates him on their purchase of the Mount Desert lands. Says "This is decidedly a good thing." Mentions that Duer will see from Bruce's report "that it would be rather imprudent to us to take the second million between the Schoodie and Penobscot - I would rather we should negotiate by Jackson and Flint for a million north of the Waldo Patent." Wants to explore buying additional townships for sale on the Penobscot or on the sea coast. Says they should move immediately and wants to know Duer's…

GLC02437.05103

3 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Legal document involving land agreement with William Duer and Henry Knox]

This document is in the hand of William Duer, but the last sentence on page 3 is written by Knox, who also signed it. States that Duer and Knox accede to the forming of a French colony on their land in Maine, probably in reference to Madame de la Val and Mr. de la Roche's inquiries. Proclaims a need for the boundaries of the colony to be precise. The two parties still need to describe the number of rations that need to be purchased and their price, the number and size of the houses to be built, and the price of the land. Reports that "The Subscriber is of Opinion that a Vessell from New York…

GLC02437.05141

5 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Says he wrote to Duer earlier about the provisional articles for the French colony on the land they have purchased in Maine. Believes that Madame de la Val and Mr. de la Roche were supposed to have seen the property yesterday, but believes they were kept by the recent bad weather. Had written to Henry Jackson earlier and asked him to assist them in any way. Says if they are expecting to establish their colony this winter they need to move without delay. Asked Jackson to procure another million acres, even if it costs 15 cents per acre. Does not think any time should be wasted getting the…

GLC02437.05145

4 October 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Knox signs with his initials. Knows that Duer understands the "modification of our purchase in Massachusetts yet I confess I wish we could make some definitive arrangement, to enable us to pay for a considerable portion of it that we might be freed from anxiety on that head." Believes that their land is "superior to any other purchase that has been or can be made in the United States, or perhaps in any other part of the world." States that it would better if they could add another million or two [acres], even if they have to pay 15 cents for it. They could then connect their various purchases…

GLC02437.05185

17 December 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Receipt]

Knox outlines monies Duer owes him for accommodations. Duer writes that he promises to repay the monies, and signs his name at the bottom.

GLC02437.05259

February 16, 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Notes on his accounts with William Duer]

Chronicles financial transactions between Henry Knox and William Duer from December 1791 to mid-February 1792. Information on page 2 indicates that a Francis Ingraham is willing to "take up Mr. Duer's note."

GLC02437.05322

7 March 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Appears to be making arrangements with Duer for his portion of lands in the Waldo patent. Mentions General [Henry] Jackson, as well as debates in the Legislature regarding the lands.

GLC02437.05336

29 March 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Catharine Alexander Duer

Marked "copy." Received her letter, and will try to help her servant Henry if possible. Largely illegible, but may be discussing the financial troubles of Mrs. Duer's husband, William Duer. Place not listed, however, another letter (GLC02437.05384) written on the same day places Knox in Philadelphia.

GLC02437.05386