1 August 1792

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Laws of Northwest Territory

Sargent also signed the names of John Cleves Symmes and Rufus Putnam, as judges of the North West Territory. Details three acts establishing laws for the territory. The first act concerns granting licenses to merchants, traders, and tavern keepers. The second act covers opening and regulating highways, and the third act examines taxes.

GLC06050

circa 1791

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Manuscript document

Title: [Army expense/supply report and a copied letter written by Hodgdon]

Copy of a report written by Sargent as Adjutant General. Discusses Samuel Hodgdon's role as Quartermaster for the army raised for General Arthur St. Clair's 1791 Western expedition. Contains a letter from Hodgdon to Henry Knox, Secretary of War. Final page contains a morning report for the army commanded by St. Clair 89 miles from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10356

6 June 1789

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes via their mutual friend, General [Rufus] Putnam, but unfortunately has no news to report from the Western territories. Discusses his pleasure at the commencement of the new government, especially at the fact that "our Cincinnatus has been induced to once more quit his Plough" (referring to General George Washington's decision to accept the Presidency). Had wished for his Excellency's success and happiness, and asks Knox to send his best wishes to the President. Also sends his best wishes to Mrs. Knox, Knox's brother William, and asks him to "remember me to any of our friends who are…

GLC02437.04234

20 August 1789

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received his recent letter and hopes that Knox's child is restored to health. Is overjoyed to hear of the President's recovery; feels his death might have caused dramatic instability. Discusses his interest in the "doings of Congress," especially the Treasury Bill. Mentions that he is "very poor" and trusts that Knox will help him acquire a government appointment if possible. Also relates that they have apprehended a Virginian man named Wetzell who fired on an Indian man by the name of Washington. Has enclosed some letters to his friends (not present) for Knox to forward.

GLC02437.04332

2 January 1792

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, at present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Asks Knox to attend to the accompanying letters, which outline confrontations between General [Arthur] St. Clair and Indians in the frontier, specifically in Kentucky. Wishes he had more information about the Indian towns. Would like information on how the government will protect the frontier region in during the upcoming season. Asks about the possibility of hiring some Chickasaw Indians to work within the army for upcoming campaigns.

GLC02437.05285

6 January 1792

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, at present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Received his recent letter, and touches on financial matters. Mentions that he heard that the President intends to eliminate the position of Adjutant General of the Army (his current position) after the present campaign in the frontier, and give the Adjutant's duties to the Inspector. Comments on whether to take as a personal affront the elimination of his position. Discusses his motives for joining the campaigns in the Ohio territories.

GLC02437.05287

10 March 1792

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, in present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Comments on and defends his ability to perform his duties under General [Arthur] St. Clair. Also touches on his abilities to use military forces to protect areas in the Northwest Territories. Declares that he has done everything in his power, and refers Knox to General [James] Wilkinson for further assistance.

GLC02437.05344

1 June 1792

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Mentions that he successfully completed some experiments Knox suggested he perform (on artillery). Discusses the upcoming appointment of a new Adjutant General, and the qualifications necessary for the candidate. Comments on the importance of assigning high military rank to soldiers in the Northwest Territories. Provides a variety of information on the military endeavors in the Ohio area. Refers to General [James] Wilkinson.

GLC02437.05486

1 August 1794

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the conduct of a [soldier] named Parson Jones. Comments he believes Jones was a man of sedition both here and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Believes if Knox personally admonishes Jones it would correct him. Notes he heard Jones speaking in mixed company at a tavern about the president's (George Washington) intelligence. Expresses his concern over the effect Jones's opinions may have over the public mind.

GLC02437.06157

June 1783

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Captain Sargent to Major General Knox. Says that Colonel Crane has omitted his name on the return of Massachusetts artillerymen as a captain for reasons and authority he is ignorant of. Hopes Knox can attend to it in a proper way. Docketed by Henry Knox.

GLC02437.02207

30 December 1786

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Delivered to the governor a note that Knox wrote in his favor. Would like very much to be in the army, but if there is no possibility of that, will "in good Earnest set about making my arrangements for evacuating altogether this Country in Favor of the Western World, while there are so many disposed to accompany me." Also mentions joining the Engineers to the Artillery Department. Believes he has "some claims to an honorable Appointment." Relates that the Court in Springfield was prevented from doing business this week by 300 insurgents who took possession of the Court House and presented…

GLC02437.03394

January 30, 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his letters. Never doubted Knox's good wishes toward him, or his desire to promote Sargent's military achievements. Is acutely aware of Knox's responsibilities and does not want to put him in an embarrassing position because of his desire to attain an appointment. Though he wanted the Captaincy of Artillery, he even moreso wanted Knox's high esteem, both during military service and in civilian life. Writes, "Consider [...] how severely I must have been wounded by [William] North & [Elnathan] Haskell- who were both my Junior Officers during [an] the war & who have…

GLC02437.03432

10 March 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his "motives for addressing the Plan of surveys... to the Board of Treasury - " Does not think his ideas about surveys will be accepted, but states that he has the public in mind. Mentions funding proposals for surveying lands in Ohio and the West. Also refers to the possibility of [perhaps William] North's resignation apparently from a position as Inspector, and the pay and benefits associated with that post.

GLC02437.03487

13 March 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the resignation of Mr. [William] North, from the Inspector's Office. Alerts Knox that North may write to Knox and members of Congress in support of Sargent. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature. Appears to be docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.03490

22 April 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he is not disappointed by the disbandment of the troops since he was expecting it. Discusses William North's retracted resignation of the office of Inspector General, which Sargent was to have taken over as North's replacement. Expresses his embarrassment over this as everyone thought he would receive the appointment until North decided not to resign. "To have told me absolutely that he would not continue in the office - & inform'd a number of my friends that he had resigned in my favor, & to resume it (thereby apparently displacing me at his own Pleasure) more than…

GLC02437.03533

6 May 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions he still has not been reimbursed for his expenses from last year. Discusses relations with the Native Americans, stating he is glad that "the surveys will soon be continued & that the Indians are peaceably inclined." Writes, "that as the Indians are out trapping for Beaver there is little doubt but they will steal them all" [referring to the surveyors' horses], which will stop the survey. Comments on Congress deciding about "disposing of the Lands which have been surveyed ... " and wishes his townships had been included. Stamped "Boston." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no…

GLC02437.03544

20 August 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends his condolences over the recent death of Knox's baby. Discusses his visit with Jeremiah Wadsworth and an upcoming voyage to China. Notes a 500 ton ship is supposedly being built for the China trade and Sargent believes it would be "not impossible if we could engage Wadsworth heartily in the Business..." (See GLC02437.03637 for Wadsworth's views on the voyage). Describes the business in further details, including the different parties involved and possible funding for the voyage. Stamped "Boston." See GLC02437.03644, GLC02437.03647, and GLC02437.03652 for related documents.

GLC02437.03638

2 September 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sargent sends the proceedings of a meeting of Ohio Company agents that took place 29 August (refer to GLC02437.03648). Notes that keeping part of their purchase "out of sight" had enhanced the value of the first [1000] shares. Offers Knox his opinions on the appointment of Western Officers for the company. Hopes that he [Sargent] will be appointed secretary. Asks Knox to let him know if there will be a treaty with the Native Americans in the Western Country.

GLC02437.03651

2 December 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses financial business in relation to the Ohio Company and the western lands. Signature clipped, resulting in text loss of the first portion of the letter. Stamped "Boston."

GLC02437.03719

17 December 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards letters regarding the Ohio Company accounts. Writes that he has heard General Armstrong resigned from his position as a judge of the Federal Territories. Asks that if this is true, Knox put in a good word for "my friend Mr [Manasseh] Cutler to your Friends in Congress," to appoint Cutler a judge.

GLC02437.03729

January 12, 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulations Knox on the birth of son. Mentions their "friend Platt" noting, "It appears to me that we have not placed any 'Bars in the way of military Associators' & that soldiers would find it very much to their interests to take their Lands with us..." Referring to state ratification of the Constitution, writes "French & English war, Dutch Interests & every thing else indeed are giving way to the important Business of the Convention." Mentions Massachusetts delegate Samuel Adams's opposition to ratification. Notes that Connecticut's ratification (9 January 1788) will…

GLC02437.03757

February 3, 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his regret that Knox has rheumatism. Expects that Massachusetts will adopt the Constitution. Discusses several delegates who advocated its adoption. Mentions [John] Hancock's publication in the [Massachusetts] Centinel 2 February 1788, which according to Sargent stated "that we should ratify &c. & propose certain Amendments..." Asks if General [Arthur] St. Clair will hold a treaty with an unspecified tribe of Native Americans and discusses business of the Ohio Company. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03783

2 March circa 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses shares and shareholders of the Ohio Company. Encloses a pamphlet (not included but possibly related to GLC02437.03815), and asks Knox to forward it to Platt. Month and day are given; year is written in pencil at a later date.

GLC02437.03811

17 July 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sargent writes, "the adoption of the Constitution by Virginia & New Hamshire [sic] is a Circumstance of very high Gratification to all your Friends in this Western World- I am unhappy that you should seem to suspect me of Inattention to you since my Arrival here-" Notes that he has been unable to use his right hand, thus writes with his left. Encloses a letter to [Richard] Platt (not included), asking Knox to inspect it. Discusses the Ohio land interests of a Mrs. Colden and the retention of settlers to Northwest Territory lands. Hopes to accommodate "those Settlers who are every day…

GLC02437.03937

15 August 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses matters related to the Ohio Company settlement at Marietta, including the possibility of defense against Native American attacks. Intended to send Knox a plan of Marietta, but was unable to draw one due to his injured or afflicted hand. Relates the details of cultivating the land and discusses land prices. Plans to go down the [Ohio] River to meet with nine Indian tribes.

GLC02437.03962