20 October 1783

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Congress has voted to "discharge the National Debt," and that one party had wanted to insert a clause to "exclude the Commutation & confirm it solely to discharge the foreign debt," though this clause did not pass.

GLC02437.02691

January 27, 1789

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has received Knox's last letter. Has not yet seen Mr. [Isaac] Winslow, Sr. but has seen a member of the petition committee, who declared that the committee will meet in two or three days. Hopes to see Mr. Winslow before then. Has enclosed a copy of the petition, Knox's check book from the bank, and a letter to Peirce's brother (not present).

GLC02437.04101

January 31, 1790

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a letter for his brother and thanks Knox for the information about his brother since he had not heard from him since his absence. Asks Knox if he received Pierce's father's letter regarding being the heir to "county land due to my late brother." Asks if a certificate can be entitling his father to the land. Also informs Knox of a possible Clause "that may affect you very materialy [sic] if adopted - it is to enact a Law to quiet the Setlers [sic] on land who have been in quiet possession thereof..."

GLC02437.04487

4 April 1790

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to assist a friend's son, who wishes to enter the service. States that the boy would be well suited for arms, but says he has informed the father that a position being available is unlikely due to the number of officers applying for positions.

GLC02437.04575

February 15, 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes Knox to discuss the "business of Mr. Flucker's Estate." Says he has heard from the debtors and "they seem disposed to pay as fast as they can." There are some obstacles with some of the debtors that the letter details. Notes General [Josiah] Harmar's expedition "was unsuccessful." Insists that Knox "must send a powerful force of regular troops - and strike the Red men so effectually that they [never more] will have it in their power to do much mischief again..." Mentions in the postscript that Henry Jackson "calld several times to tell me the Cause of not writing."

GLC02437.04856

20 March 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes Knox about his son receiving "an appointment in the 2d Regiment of the Federal Troops." Informs him that his son cannot accept the appointment due to his present commitment, but they are both grateful for the opportunity. Mentions issues with Mr. Thomas Flucker's estate, as well as issues involving other debtors.

GLC02437.04880

6 April 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce writes to Secretary of War Knox regarding the condition of Knox's property they are trying to sell. Peirce tells Knox, "it may be of importance for me to know if you furnished Mr. Jas Bowdoin with the statement of Mr. Flucker's acct." Peirce believes the statement was in Knox's handwriting. Thinks "the commission" might use that in case Knox claims he did not pay "the note."

GLC02437.04906

9 April 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce tells Knox that in his last letter, he forgot ask about other documents he might have. There is a question regarding Thomas Flucker's estate and "whether the Estate should be held responsible for quieting the settlers that were in possession previous to April 18, 1775." Peirce goes on to discuss various details of Flucker's and James Bowdoin's accounts.

GLC02437.04911

8 May 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses land deals related to the Flucker family and the Waldo patent. Mentions business affairs with Mr. [James] Bowdoin, Mr. [Benjamin] Hichborn, and Judge [John] Sullivan, among others.

GLC02437.04941

17 May 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce received Knox's letter of 8 May 1791. Says the Commissioners rejected Mr. [James] Bowdoin's claim. Also discusses a letter he received from Captain [Thomas] Vose regarding advertisements Vose put up, with the help of [David] Fales and [Moses] Copeland, about the sale of lands in Maine. Encloses the probate bond with this correspondence (not present). Peirce asks Knox "who shall draw the deeds after the sale?" (See GLC02437.04957 for related information.)

GLC02437.04949

24 May 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Knox's agent Peirce to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's letter of 16 May, which mentioned the insolvency of the estate. Is confident it is insolvent because the probate judge reported it so to the judges of the Supreme Court and because of advertisements in the newspapers. Says that Samuel Winslow reported to him that David Partridge, an occupant (possibly a squatter) of the Cooper Claim, was served a writ. On Winslow's advice he sent fifteen dollars to a Mr. Parsons to handle this issue, which will be tried in Portland in July. Peirce wrote to Winslow to find evidence of…

GLC02437.04957

29 May 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Peirce as Knox's agent in Boston to Secretary of War Knox. Recently received a letter from a friend in reference to "Fowles Land." Says the buildings mortgaged stood on land that was not Fowles's. The buildings were sold to pay the ground rent. Says the land could sell for 150-200 dollars as it is in a good part of town. Wants to know if it should be sold immediately. Claims that Mr. Parsons will visit him tomorrow to discuss the Cooper Claim. Sends latest information on claims on the Flucker estate. Mentions Samuel [Hindley], a Mr. McCarthy, Isaac Winslow, and Thomas…

GLC02437.04964

5 June 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Knox's agent Peirce to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's letter of 30 May. Says the Sheriff of Lincoln County came to see him about taxes due on Knox's lands in Maine. Peirce was able to prove that there "was a Resolve of Court to stay the Sale of Absentees Estates for Taxes till the further order of Court." Received word from Samuel Winslow that it would be best to retain Judge Sullivan. He accordingly gave Sullivan 15 dollars and asked him to be particularity mindful of the problems at the Cooper Patent. Mentions a court case involving a Miss Bradbury, Mr. Parson, Mr.…

GLC02437.04975

14 June 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "private" on address leaf. References receiving Knox's letter through Henry Jackson. Has received information that Mr. Thomas's letters were being forwarded in a memorial this day. Cannot guess what his real intentions are, but thinks it might be to stop a land sale related to the Waldo patent. Makes reference to various intrigues in the Massachusetts House and Senate over the Waldo lands. Postscript mentions receiving Knox's letter of 8 June. Says he will consult Hichborn and Davis about getting a petition drawn up before the legislative session ends this week. Believes it is bad…

GLC02437.04995

19 June 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "private." Peirce says he wrote Knox last on 16 June. On 17 June the estate sale took place. After a short conversation he had with Mr. Thomas the sale went forwarded and succeeded. Says that "Mr Fluckers residue (as by the advertisement), of the Patent was knock'd off to Dr. Oliver Smith (from whom is the enclosed Letter) for Three thousand dollars." Reports that the rights to the Welch house "was knockd off to Genl Jackson for 100 dollars." Will have the deeds drawn and executed as soon as possible. Wants to know how much of a commission to pay the auctioneers. Mentions that an…

GLC02437.05007

23 June 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Encloses deeds for Knox to execute (not included). Also encloses deeds of conveyance to be executed to Knox (not included). Says it is necessary to have the deeds for property in Lincoln and Hancock counties (in Maine) recorded in those places. Is unable to determine if the lands of the Lincolnshire Company "in which the half share is" lay in both counties. As it is in the patent as a whole he included the deeds. Tells Knox about some quibbling in the wording about the quantity of lands. Says the deed from Henry Jackson is not included. Says "The purchase…

GLC02437.05020

5 July 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Knox's Boston agent Peirce. Had planned to send him "a sketch of what debts of the Estate there is a probability of collecting," but did not get it done. Just received Knox's letter of 29 June and Thomas Randall's letter containing a $900 draft on Bossinger Foster. Knows he is to distribute the money amongst the creditors along with the proceeds from what may be collected from the estate after taxes and expenses. Will wait on an answer to his last letter before proceeding. Says that Henry Jackson informed him "that you have written him about relinquishing yr. proportion, but…

GLC02437.05052

12 July 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Applied at the probate office "for an order of distribution but was told there must be ... an Accot. exhibited of all expenditures about or on Accot. of the Estate and charge of the Agency." As Knox needs to pay out creditors from this estate, Peirce suggests he make such an account and send it to him. Describes various claims and notes that have been paid or need to be paid. Says Knox forgot to tell him how much to pay the auctioneers.

GLC02437.05063

17 July 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has not received a letter from Knox since 2 July. Received a letter from Samuel Winslow dated 12 July. Winslow's letter noted, "I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that our Cause has succeeded: the Adverse party intend reviewing at the Sup. Court next year - Mr. Bradbury opin'd & Sullivan closed the plea - The Action upon Coxes petition was continued for want of time - Mr Parsons is secd against us - Judge Sullivan thinks there is no danger - It will be adviseable to secure Parsons & Sullivan to defend the Action at Review next year." Reports that the cause first mentioned is…

GLC02437.05069

19 July 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Says he received Knox's letter of 10 July from the post office "after it was too late to answer it." Lists copies of the papers that Mr. Wetmore had in his possession. Says he received £78.19.0 for his "Charlestown place." Tells him he is "beyond a doubt quite right to conciliate Mr. Thomas & all other even by a sacrifice of some property - especially when there is an object of such magnitude." Mentions he has written Captain [Thomas] Vose several times for the depositions. Heard they may be in the probate office, but he has not received them yet.…

GLC02437.05076

4 August 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The original was sent to New York. Says that Henry Jackson informed him that Knox was in New York. Informs him that the deed from Knox to Oliver Smith is recorded. Notes they will both be sent eastward once he finds a responsible person to take them. States "Colo. H. however is of the opinion it would be best to keep the Deed from S to you several months, without recording and then have a new one executed in lieu of it.." Wants his opinion on that. Says his accounts are complicated "so that the appointments will be made ready to deliver me with the order for distribution on Monday next…

GLC02437.05102

14 August 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letters of 3 and 8 August. Shall attend to what he requests. Says his absence from town is the reason the transfer of the twenty bank shares has not been forwarded. Reports they are now done and enclosed (not included). Tells him "you have been very fortunate for which I sincerely rejoice." Reports that "There never has been such dashing in the funds as within a few days, great property as been acquired by selling out - while others who have made contracts to deliver largely of the Scripts at 75 PCt on ye. 25 dolls are taken in beyond all calculation."

GLC02437.05121

11 November 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that his last letter was shipped on board a schooner, upon which he also shipped a variety of merchandise. Regrets that he hasn't had a line from Knox in some time. Includes information related to the business and real estate world, such as the news that Mr. [James] Bowdoin "declined receiving the dividend due to his Fathers Estate" (may be speaking about Governor Bowdoin's son, as the Governor died in 1790). Provides information on Knox's Waldo patent lands in Maine, and the legal struggles relating thereto.

GLC02437.05256

19 December 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to inform Knox that he has placed on board a particular schooner bound for New York several goods that Knox wanted, including potatoes and cranberries. Marked private on address leaf.

GLC02437.05266

January 29, 1792

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his attention to his son, especially for his help in getting his son a job with General [Benjamin] Lincoln. Discusses taxation on estates and refers to General [Henry] Jackson and Colonel [Benjamin] Hichborn (may be alluding to the Waldo patent lands). Mentions that he hasn't heard from his brother in some time, and asks whether the brother has traveled into the Indian Country.

GLC02437.05301