4 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Knox's brother, William, writes, "You will undoubtedly be surprised to hear that this day Seven States in Congress were decided upon Baltimore in Maryland as the place of the future residence of the Government of the United States, it has surprised every body out of doors and even the Members themselves..." Discusses the opinions of Colonel [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [William] Bingham, and Colonel [Edward] Carrington on the location of Congress. Reports that General [William] Irvine and Colonel Reid request that Mr. [John] Stagg remain in town until they receive tomorrow's post. They…

GLC02437.03955

5 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that the future location of Congress is "still open to final decision," as the resolve to situate the seat of government at Baltimore was not final. Discusses military matters related to [John] Stagg's departure for West Point (see GLC02437.03955 for related information on these issues). Stagg will travel there tomorrow with money and receipts to transact business. Encloses a letter from Knox's wife, Lucy (not present).

GLC02437.03956

7 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the details of New York being chosen as the site for Congress. Mentions the opinions of [James] Madison, [Henry] Lee, and [William] Few. Reports that this decision is still not final, as some states are not yet voting. Discusses military matters, such as financial accounts for recruiting soldiers. Notes that Mr. King arrived in town the previous evening (possibly Rufus King).

GLC02437.03957

10 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the organization of troops in Pennsylvania. Mentions General [William] Irvine and troop movement and reorganization. Refers to an attack on a party carrying goods to negotiate a treaty on the Muskingum River, noting that Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, intends "to send a high toned Message to the Indians" and to postpone the treaty. Mentions a business transaction involving Samuel Shaw, Samuel Parkman, and Samuel Ogden. Reports that letters sent from Colonel Joseph Martin related to the Indians will be forwarded on to Congress. Encloses a letter from […

GLC02437.03958

12 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on military matters regarding troop movements in Pennsylvania and at West Point. Describes an incident regarding a deserter from Lieutenant Kersey's troops, and payment of a reward for capturing and imprisoning the deserter. Relates that shoes and shirts were sent to West Point. Also mentions the formation of a congressional committee.

GLC02437.03960

21 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on business in New York during Henry's absence. Forwards letters that arrived in the morning by packet. Two are to Lucy Knox from her sister. Another letter, apparently a duplicate of previous correspondence, is addressed to Knox from Samuel Shaw. In this letter, Shaw "seems offended with R[obert] Morris..." Also received correspondence from his friend James Webber asserting that William owes Webber money. Sent Arthur St. Clair, General Josiah Harmar, and others recent resolves of Congress. Encloses letters from Delaware Works (possibly from Samuel Ogden) for Knox. Reports…

GLC02437.03970

22 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, managing the office of Secretary of War in Henry's absence, discusses the people in Boston and their opinion of him and Henry. Mentions the flourishing state of trade in [Boston]. Plans to take a restful two day vacation to the country. Received reports from Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, and General Josiah Harmar. They arrested six Chippewas suspected of murder. Refers to Mr. Martin's appointment by Congress as an agent to the Chickasaw and Cherokee Indians.

GLC02437.03973

2 September 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, attending business in Henry's absence, transmits two letters from Lucy Knox (possibly GLC02437.03976 and GLC02437.03979). Notes that Congress recently addressed the question of its permanent location. Six states were in favor of New York, while four were in favor of Philadelphia, "so the question was lost as seven states are necessary for the decision." Discusses military matters: Royal Flint's clothing contract with [the War Department?]; Joseph Howell's appointment as Commissioner of Army Accounts; correspondence with Arthur St. Clair and Josiah Harmar; business with William…

GLC02437.03980

4 September 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, attending to business in Henry's absence, reports on white settlers' infringement on Cherokee lands in the western territories. Congress recently directed Knox to prepare troops to protect the Cherokees (the troops are to march from Ohio to Chota, a Cherokee town in present-day Tennessee). The troops are to disperse Congress's proclamation among white settlers "in the vicinity of the hunting grounds secured to the Cherokees by the treaty concluded between them and the United States Nov. 28th 1785..." William has sent copies of the proclamations to the Northwest Territory via Mr.…

GLC02437.03982

14 September 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William attests to his endeavors to keep affairs in order at the War Office while Henry is away on business. Reports that a Mr. [Joseph] Martin has been appointed by a board of officers "to command an Expedition against Chickamaga [sic] with 1000 men..." Martin noted that "the middle settlements and the Indians of the valley are disposed to Treat..." (refer to GLC02437.03982). Notes that Martin received a friendly message from "the Hangingman who succeeds the old Com Tassell." Announces that Congress voted New York to be the permanent seat of the United States Government. Relates other…

GLC02437.03985

16 September 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on personal matters and War Office business. Relates that Colonel [Edward] Carrington will accompany Lucy Knox from Trenton to New York. Discusses reports from Governor Arthur St. Clair and General Josiah Harmar on Indians in the Northwest Territory. Says "many Indians have arrived at Fort Pitt...as yet it is uncertain whether they [sic] will be a great meeting of Indians or not, as many seem inclined to attend the Treaty at Detroit." Both Harmar and St. Clair fear "the worst consequences might be apprehended to the posts in case hostilities should take place, as it would be in the…

GLC02437.03987

18 September 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that Colonel [Edward] Carrington will escort Lucy Knox from Trenton, New Jersey, where she is visiting friends, to New York. Mentions The Alliance, a ship owned by Robert Morris. Was informed by [Alexander] Hamilton at dinner the previous evening that an unspecified business matter related to Henry Knox has not yet been addressed in Congress. Comments on a board appointed by Congress to settle accounts connected with the United States. The board consists of William Irvine, Abraham Baldwin, and Nicholas Gilman. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03988

7 October 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that the Ogden family arrived 6 October to visit Lucy Knox. Discusses letters from Arthur St. Clair (Governor of the Northwest Territory), General Josiah Harmar, and Majors [John Francis] Hamtramck and [possibly John] Wyllis. Notes that St. Clair's letter to Congress looks hostile, and that Hamtramck reported an Indian attack on a provision escort in the Territory.

GLC02437.03990

11 October 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses War Office business regarding the pay of Ensign [Luce], who will join Lieutenant Pratt on his march through Sussex County, New Jersey. William is managing affairs in the War Office during Henry's absence.

GLC02437.03993

October 14, 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, managing affairs in the War Office in Henry's absence, discusses military matters. Reports that Sergeant Alcott arrived at West Point with his complete party. Instructed Lieutenant Pratt to wait at Hartford, Connecticut for Henry Knox before departing with his party for West Point. Also reports receiving correspondence from the Marquis de Lafayette, forwarded by Mr. [John] Jay's office, regarding the Society of the Cincinnati. Docketed in pencil, possibly at a later date.

GLC02437.03997

21 October 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports War Office business. Discusses Lieutenant Pratt's recruits and his orders to march to Fort Pitt. Refers to matters in the Northwest Territory, clothing inspection and packing, and a [Congressional] committee's inspection of the War Department. Of the inspection and resulting report, writes, "I do not think it looks unfavorably to you- but which with defference [sic] to their great wisdom might I think as well have been left undone, as it acquaints the world with secrets, which should have been less extensively known." Reports that Robert Morris is in town, and the "Old Congress"…

GLC02437.04010

28 October 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, managing War Office business in Henry's absence, reports on gathering clothing for an impending march to Fort Pitt: Captain Price arrived in the morning; Mr. Stagg has begun inspecting and packing 400 uniforms; Samuel Hodgdon organized wagons for transporting the clothing, etc. Refers to Lieutenant John Pratt (who will lead troops to Fort Pitt). Comments on his illness: "...I had a face like a pudding- and more pain than I know what to do with... my face is swelling while I am writing-"

GLC02437.04017

30 October 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, managing the War Office in Henry's absence, discusses military business. Comments on transporting clothing in preparation for a march to Fort Pitt. Transmits news from Generals Josiah Harmar and Arthur St. Clair. Reports on St. Clair's news: "No treaty yet things look doubtful." Also remarks that [John] Sevier "is outlaw'd in N. Carolina." Notes that Mr. Martin (possibly General Joseph Martin), defeated the Chickamaugas in a recent battle. In closing, complains of a cold, writing "I am closely confined physicking fomenting and politicing."

GLC02437.04020

5 November 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses military preparations for John Pratt's march to Fort Pitt. Notes that Pratt passed through New York on his way to New Brunswick, where he will depart with troops to Fort Pitt. John Stagg, assisting William in the War Office, gave Pratt a fife and drum. William promised Pratt another month's pay. Mentions Samuel Ogden's procurement of wagons for transporting supplies to Fort Pitt. Notes that [Pratt?] is accompanied by Solomon Jennings, a deserter who was tried and punished at West Point. Mentions General Josiah Harmar and Ensign Luce. Comments on his recent illness, which was…

GLC02437.04026

April 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph document signed

Title: [William Knox's payment to a contractor]

Appears to be in William Knox's hand. William Knox paid the contractor Thomas Clement £1.19.6 for boards, screws, hooks, clasps, and labor. Clement signed the bottom noting he received full payment.

GLC02437.08406

28 August 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph document signed

Title: [Description of a bill of exchange]

William Knox signs on his own behalf and on behalf of his brother, Henry Knox. Copy of an explanation of bills of exchange (see GLC02437.04703) drawn by William Knox, in favor of and endorsed by Henry Knox, and sold to Samuel Shaw and Thomas Randall. States we "the drawn [William Knox] and the endorser [Henry Knox] of the beforementioned bills hold ourselves bound to Messrs Shaw & Randall for the payment of the same, together with the charges arising thereon if they should not be duly honored and paid..."

GLC02437.04703

27 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Comments on Lucy's baby daughter's improving health. Discusses the possibility of purchasing two "[corsetts] with bells" for Lucy. Promises to send her tea. He has little hope for a truce, commenting that Lord William Howe will seek a settlement "at the point of a Bayonet." Reports news from England that foreign troops are on route to America. Speculates on the possibility of treaty obligations between Britain and Portugal forcing British troops to be shifted away from America to support Portugal. Reports hearing that General Henry Clinton was defeated by General Charles Lee at Charleston…

GLC02437.00396

18 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Remarks on Henry's talent for burlesquing William's writing. Expresses sympathy for Lucy's situation, in which she has to stay in Connecticut away from Henry. Offers to leave the bookstore in someone's care and go to Fairfield to bring Lucy back to Boston. Mentions that the Declaration of Independence will be read in Boston on the day of this letter's writing. Remarks that he heard the British sailed up the Hudson, which they did on 12 July 1776, and conjectures "it to be by way of experiment." Mentions that Captain Harry Johnson came in from Halifax. Also mentions that two persons were…

GLC02437.00383

24 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a British ship that was captured near an American fort at Nantasket, Massachusetts. The vessel had come from Ireland to support General William Howe's army and had mistakenly thought the British were still in Boston. Tells a detailed story about how the Committee of Correspondence and Safety ordered every man between sixteen and sixty to gather with full military accoutrements and drafted thirty-two of them to join the invasion of Canada. Many men ran away but the draft was eventually made by offering larger bounties. The debacle caused some to call for the removal of John Brown…

GLC02437.00392

28 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the recent American victory in Charleston, South Carolina, and praises the patriotism and dedication of those in the southern campaign. Notes Captain Skimmer (possibly a privateer) seized a large ship and brought it to Marblehead, Massachusetts, and captured Benjamin Davis, a sandemanian preacher who was on board. Reports supplies on board. Davis and the other prisoners were brought to Boston, where the guards had to prevent the people from attacking him. Recounts what he recently wrote to Lucy Knox about her family and the establishment of a Court of Inquiry to try Tories (see…

GLC02437.00397