February 21, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to Morris, Superintendent of Finance. Remarks, "The Army generally have always reprobated being thirteen Armies. Their ardent desires have been to be one continental body looking up to one sovereign..." Calls for a central government to preserve the anticipated peace. Declares, "America will have fought and bled to little purpose if the powers of Government shall be insufficient to preserve the peace...why do not you great men call the people together and tell them so, that is have a convention of the States to form a better Constitution. It appears…

GLC02437.10098

12 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Written by Brigadier General Knox to General Lincoln. Says he was concerned for him, but hopes he is safe at Head of Elk, Maryland. Tells him to "pray take care of the trophies and carry them triumphantly into rome." Reports from Mount Vernon that Martha Washington's son, "Mr. Custis," has died. Says there is a pallor of sadness in the Washington home and that "You who know the tender feelings of a father in their extreme can form some idea of the affliction which must at this moment overcome Mrs Washington & the General." Says they are expected back at Mount Vernon in a…

GLC02437.01288

20 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Explains his recommendations and opinions on key issues regarding the "ensuing campaign" in and around New York. Relates that upon asking General George Washington when to be prepared to march his troops, General Washington claimed to be out of touch with the status of preparations, but as soon as he decided, he would let Knox know. Knox relates that this makes him uneasy, as it makes planning the ordnance and stores far more difficult. Describes recent experiments on howitzers of French and of English origin, and explains that they require different shell sizes (see GLC02437.01411), and…

GLC02437.01426

31 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to Lincoln, the Secretary at War, to ask his opinion on various subjects surrounding artillery stores for future campaigns. Various topics include shells being cast for French howitzers by Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, preparation of shot and shells by Mr. Byers, transportation of cartridge boxes from Philadelphia to the New York state posts. Also mentions directions from General George Washington to have stores from the post in Burlington, New Jersey moved to New Windsor, New York, and the amount of repairable arms in Albany, Fishkill and West Point. Discusses the urgent need for hiring…

GLC02437.01510

12 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes in response to Lincoln's letter of 20 August. Declares, "I am sorry Mr. [Robert] Morris cannot pay for any shells for the french [8?] inch howitzers, as they without shells much be useless after all the time and money which has been expended making new cartridges for them." Has asked General George Washington his opinion on employing German prisoners as armorers at Newburgh in exchange for their freedom (see GLC02437.01589), and Washington feels this is a good idea, so Knox asks Lincoln to make the appropriate arrangements. Also comments that he has received recent Congressional…

GLC02437.01604

19 April 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre Charles L'Enfant

Writes that he has received L'Enfant's note from this morning. Does not believe the members of the Society of Cincinnati in France have received their diplomas yet. Does not have the names of the members because all the information was left in the possession of General [Otho] Williams, Assistant Secretary. If L'Enfant has the names, and sends them to Knox, he will immediately have General [George] Washington sign them and have the name blanks filled in.

GLC02437.03261

23 December 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Duplicate of GLC02437.01309. Writes to respond to General Benjamin Lincoln's request of his opinon on where to store 4,000 barrels of public powder now in Boston. Declares that West Point is so important that they should do everything possible to provide ample supplies. Thinks 1,000 barrels should be sent to West Point as soon as the snow allows transportation. Also thinks that 1,000 barrels should be deposited at Springfield, and that the remaining 2,000 should be split between Reading, Easton and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Through this arrangement "if either of the two…

GLC02437.01308

December 31, 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Mentions that among the stores taken from the enemy at the battle of Yorktown are "a number of copper hoops that had been attached to the casks of powder consumed during the siege, which according to the customs of War invariably appertain to the officer commanding the artillery of the conquerors." They have been delivered to the Company General of Military Stores. Asks that if it is consistent with general practices, he would like to have them delivered to his company.

GLC02437.01312

6 January 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Marked "copy." Writes in response to receiving from Lincoln a proposal by Colonel Timothy Pickering to send the artificers from the Park of Artillery to General Nathanael Greene's Southern Army. Writes that this proposal was made "without a sufficiency of knowledge or due consideration of the service these artificers have to perform, and cannot be complied with in any degree, without mining all prospects of advantage from the Artillery in the operating of the next campaign." Argues that their artificers have been working under the same officers for a long time and have developed a high level…

GLC02437.01326

January 22, 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses the deficiency of supplies in the ordnance. Comments on the amount of horses necessary for the wagons in the field. Also discusses the supplies necessary for the ordnance, including cannon, howitzers, and ammunition, and the amount of artificers at Springfield who could help build and repair these supplies.

GLC02437.01337

29 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Lists several items needed by the artificers at Burlington [New Jersey], including one ton of iron, the dimensions of which to be given by Captain [Thomas] Patten to Mr. [Samuel] Hodgdon, "iron to cover the ammunition waggons and tumbrills," and "8 blacksmiths with their tools, to be hired for one month to go to Burlington."

GLC02437.01398

30 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to General Lincoln, the Secretary at War, to inform him of the recent acquisition of ordnance from the enemy, obtained with the help of France. Explains that the articles obtained are in bad repair but are in high demand, so recommends a Mr. Byers, "who is at present under engagements" to the United States, to be employed to make as many mortars and howitzers as necessary from the materials. Knox will submit an estimate as to how many they might need.

GLC02437.01399

7 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses the importance of establishing laboratories for artillery stores in the field. Comments on the work being performed by officers and enlisted men, as well as the pay scale they receive.

GLC02437.01413

8 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to General Lincoln, the Secretary at War, on behalf of Captain Jeremiah Freeman, an officer of Artillery who is attached to an independent company. He is trying to obtain fair pay through Congress's resolve, but because of his attachment to an independent company, he is not receiving the deserved pay. Testifies to Freeman's service record and asks General Lincoln to take an interest in the case and see that Freeman get paid appropriately.

GLC02437.01414

16 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes again about problems he is having with laboratories and the Commissary, Mr. [Richard] Frothingham. Emphasizes the need for some payment, especially for the officers: "a little money now would be of much more service than a great deal in future." "[Y]our Joseph" is likely Joseph Nourse. See GLC02437.01413 for a related letter.

GLC02437.01419

29 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Arrived in Newburgh three days earlier. Was at West Point "with the officers of the Army and find them generally much discontented." Says the problems revolve around the issuing of provisions. Says "Tomorrow it is proposed to celebrate with a good deal of taste & some pomp, the birth of the dauphin. I am sorry we shall have such a bad sauce to the feast, as the late unfortunate event in the West Indies" (the French fleet under de Grasse was defeated by British Admiral Rodney on 12 April off the coast of Dominica).

GLC02437.01432

3 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Marked "Private." Letter from Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Reports that the Massachusetts line has determined to apply to the state for its backpay. Says "It would be useless to detail the reasons why such a settlement would be preferable to a continental one." Says it is probable that Massachusetts "may decline to account for the officers subsistence, if so it must be brought before Congress."

GLC02437.01473

13 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Marked "copy." Writes, "The bearer of this is a Mr. [Burnet] who is connected with some person who contracted in 1779 for [Cartridge] boxes. I do not remember exactly the circumstances, but generally that Mr. Ruddock was directed by the board of War in the first instance to make the contract & that specimens were approved by me."

GLC02437.01485

17 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Marked both "Private" and "Copy." Mentions writing to Lincoln on 13 July, which acknowledged Lincoln's letter of 29 June. Was in the hope of being able to remit to him the money that was sent, but was unable to. Says he expected to make the remittance in bank bills, but claims "there are none in this quarter." Mentions that a note from [Robert] Morris and Joseph Peirce might be tapped for funds, especially since Boston owes much money to Philadelphia. Presumes those bills can be sold at the coffee house in Philadelphia. Thanks him for…

GLC02437.01489

7 August 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses changes in the number and arrangement of field commissaries, quartermasters, and conductors. Comments on the usefulness of the Deputy Commissary of Military Stores at West Point, especially regarding distribution of artillery materials throughout New York State. Includes a list of the distribution of commissaries and conductors. A note in the hand of Samuel Shaw on page three states that a return of stores from the department of field commissary of military stores is enclosed.

GLC02437.01518

19 August 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. References 2 private letters from 7 and 10 August. Says he cannot furnish him estimates. Says he read over his last public letter (which was on the issue of soldiers pensions at half pay) to Lincoln of 31 July and cannot find anything improper in it. On the peace negotiations, he says "Unequivocally then, we have drank such liberal draughts at the fountain of peace that we can see no other object." Goes on to say that "The independence of America being fully acknowledged, say we[,] France will be easily satisfied by the adjustment…

GLC02437.01532

18 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Lists the appointments to the department of military stores after it has been restructured by resolves of Congress of 3 September 1782. Writes: "In consequence of the aforegoing resolves of Congress, Major General Knox having appointed Richard Frothingham Esq - Field Commissary of Military Stores [,] Asa Copeland - Conductor [,] John Hoff - Clerk [,] for the Main Army [;] John Ruddock - Depy Commy [,] John Banks - Conductor [,] William Herrick - Clerk [,] for West Point [and] Matthew Parvin - Conductor at Fort Pitt…

GLC02437.01673

February 15, 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Leroy [Bayer] & Mr. [Evers]

Informs them that Mrs. [Sarah Lyons] Beaumez's son, Francis Flucker, was appointed by the British government and is serving in India and that her other son, Thomas Flucker, is a midshipman on his way to the West Indies. Continues to discuss the Flucker's and their future plans. Letter is not signed but appears to be in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.07506

1 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Knox writes to Lincoln, Secretary of War. Writes, "His Excellency the commander in chief has stationed me at this post, which in addition to its natural embarrassments, is attended with much greater expenses than my purse can admit." Notes that Congress arranged for extra compensation for General Alexander McDougall, a previous commander at West Point. Asks Lincoln to provide a similar arrangement for him. If this is beyond the reach of Lincoln's powers, requests that Lincoln consult Mr. Morris (possibly Gouverneur Morris, assistant superintendent of finance). "How my dear sir is the…

GLC02437.10040

25 November 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Knox, commander at West Point, writes to General Lincoln. Mentions a recent application by Continental Army officers to the State of Massachusetts regarding half pay. Knox reports the decision has been postponed, mainly because of Osgood (Samuel Osgood, Massachusetts's delegate to Continental Congress). Regarding the officers, writes, "something must be done to relieve their present distress, which is intolerable- and they must have a full confidence concerning the execution of the half pay whether in its present form, or in some other that may be more agreable..."

GLC02437.10064