23 July 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 15 July, which referred to a plan for an arsenal [at West Point?]. Reports that as the official peace treaty has now arrived, they may not have the help of "the three years men in building the magazines." Says they should hire common laborers, as it will be cheaper than keeping those troops in the army. Says he will be able to give more information in a few days when Congress makes a decision on the magazines. Expresses that Knox's plan for the arsenal was "elegant," but does not expect an arsenal based…

GLC02437.02319

7 August 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the commutation of Captain Patten's pay. Hopes Patten will signify to Congress his acceptance of it. Marked as private.

GLC02437.02372

14 October 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Request for Knox to deliver "for the use of the Indian tribes, five hundred pounds of powder - one thousand pound, of lead and one thousand flints - " Noted as written at the War Office.

GLC02437.02649

1 November 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to deliver "as many of the inclosed brevets as are officers with you to recover them - The others for Massachusetts I wish you would forward by the next post ..." Noted as sent via "Public Service." Free frank signed by Benjamin Lincoln.

GLC02437.02746

22 October 1784

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses "as near a copy as I could make of our address to the Indians," possibly referring to a recent address he and Knox made to the Penobscots in present-day Maine. Discusses copying documents related to former Governor [Thomas] Pownall's interactions with Native Americans. Asks Knox to edit the documents he transmits.

GLC02437.03060

January 28, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a brief report on the status of Shays and his troops. Refers Knox to several letters he has enclosed, in order to get a fuller picture of the story. However, as he has very little time, writes that he must wait till the next opportunity to say more.

GLC02437.03426

February 5, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes in full, "As I have not had time to write to you fully on the subject of our movements & the state of matters in this part of the country I have caused copies to be made out of such papers as will give you the best information on these points. I wish you would let Mr. [likely Rufus] King & our other delegates see them." "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03444

February 22, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox to read and send a document (not included) to the governor concerning the mood of the people. Writes that "His people, as I am informed, are getting mad, [Ours] have been so for some time since the rage is abating."

GLC02437.03463

1-3 March 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the convention (referring to the upcoming Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia) and his views of the people's ideas of changes Congress would bring about. "I have not the most distant idea that the people would adopt any recommendations of Congress in which the inlargement of their powers are included; they would immediately become jealous of them that the few were attempting to influence the many: sentiments like these would be thrown out .. " In relation to Shays' Rebellion, describes skirmishes with the rebels in Stockbridge and Barrington, Massachusetts. He has heard that…

GLC02437.03476

6 June 1788

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits a letter pertaining to a Major Baylies to be forwarded to John Jacob Faesch. Writes, "I have no private news- I need not add that I love you." Presents his regards to Lucy and the Knox children.

GLC02437.03888

31 May 1789

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he wrote to the President to discuss the possibility of working for the new government. Explains a dramatic property loss he experienced while fighting in the war. Declares that he did not approach Knox on the subject because he felt that Knox was too close a friend and he could ask Knox to use his influence to give Lincoln preference for employment. Adds that he feels sure that Knox will always support him and aid him if he can. Marked "private" on the address leaf.

GLC02437.04226

18 July 1789

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the President's appointments to the judiciary branch. Mentions the possibility of a Mr. [likely John] Lowell being nominated for the Supreme Court, and provides his opinions on that appointment.

GLC02437.04293

February 12, 1790

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a response to Knox's proposed plan for regulating the militia and gives his opinion that it has "great merit" and "if cordially embraced it would make ours the strongest militia in the world." But believes the people of Massachusetts will not adopt the plan. "The expence, pay of officers, no pay of men, the burden on Masters, calling the youth indiscriminately, disfranchised for a time in certain cases, officers excluded from actual service, subjection to a draught, for a service of three years &c &c will be magnified here and dam the bill." Thinks it is a bad time to bring…

GLC02437.04509

27 April 1791

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's letter of 19 April 1791. Comments on "young Mr. [William] Balch" and calls him, "a wild citizen, yet I think he has many qualifications which will recommend him as an officer - He very well knows that he cannot sport with his character and hold his rank in the army." Talks extensively about the job of army surgeon and why Dr. William Eustis did not accept the appointment. Eustis could not be guaranteed a rank equal to his experience and "Besides the pay of the surgeon of a regiment, though handsome for a young Gentleman whose wish is to introduce himself into life is no…

GLC02437.04933

26 December 1792

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that their son Henry Jackson Knox is doing well and that he was not allowed to go to Boston since Henry Jackson would not be there to supervise. He is advancing well in his studies. Also recommends Mr. James Henry Langier for a clerk's position to Knox. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05758

January 15,1795

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy of a letter from Benjamin Lincoln in Knox's hand, dated 15 January 1795. Letter congratulates Knox on his retirement and his "escape from an office, which did not give you [bread], and more, that Malice, and design have been fully checked by the force of truth."

GLC02437.06308

14 August 1798

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he has signed the inclosed notes (not included).

GLC02437.07163

24 October 1798

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph document signed

Title: [Memorandum]

Certifies an agreement between Lincoln and Henry Knox concerning a brigantine and cargo.

GLC02437.07181

17 October 1800

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lincoln encloses papers related to the agreement made with Thomas Winthrop "in the appointment of appraisers in Robt Houston Esqr. George Ulmer Esquire Mr. Charles Vaughan and Docr. Samuel Coleman." Lincoln says nothing is needed from Knox now until he comes up to "have the Land run out in Bangor" and approve an oath taken by the aforesaid gentlemen.

GLC02437.07470

31 May 1803

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to put through a petition.

GLC02437.07803

20 September 1804

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions that their affairs have remained unsettled for a long time, and he cannot bear for them to be unsettled any longer. Provides suggestions for how they might arrange their financial matters.

GLC02437.07879

26 September 1804

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses settling their financial accounts together, specifically repayment by Knox of a sum Lincoln loaned him. Considers repayment options, including the possibility of accepting land from Knox instead of money. Mentions General [Henry] Jackson.

GLC02437.07882

16 September 1805

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that the bearer of the letter, a Mr. [Romanie], is the Catholic instructor for the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes. He is moving to Knox's neighborhood and would like Knox's help and advice. Lincoln writes that he is sure Knox will meet with him, as Knox is "no bigot."

GLC02437.07972

12 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 7 August. Thanks him "for your opinion on the department of field Commisary of Military Stores." As Knox hinted, Lincoln said he has submitted it to Washington. Wants his opinion on the peace. Says he received a late letter from London "shewing the miserable state to which their nation is driven. - which, if true, must soon produce a peace provided we do not relax on the present state of things - and thereby lay ourselves open to a stroke." Says a Mr. Blake of South Carolina has recently returned from…

GLC02437.01524

28 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the War Office. Mentions that he received Knox's letter of the 19th regarding the French shells and Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, and asked Mr. Faesch whether he would cast the French shells under his present contract. Mr. Faesch said a new contract would be necessary, so he wrote to Mr. [Robert] Morris to ask for more money, who replied that that he has "no hopes of receiving the necessary sums required by Mr. Faesch." However, since the "repairs of the arms are of too much importance to be omitted if possible to effect them," he wonders about the "propriety of sending on some…

GLC02437.01546