23 December 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is happy to hear that Pennsylvania adopted the Constitution. Mentions the debates over the Constitution in Connecticut. Hopes to set out soon for New York "as soon as that business is over" and possibly attend Congress. Mentions that "Old Pluckemin" [a dog] has died. In a postscript, writes, "If Publius comes out in a pamphlet I would want to have a number" (likely a reference to the Federalist Papers). States that everything written about the constitution in New York is "forwarded under cover to our Wrong Heads - & every under hand manner taken to prevent our adopting it..." Recipient…

GLC02437.03736

9 January 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth declares, "This moment from Convention- Where the proposed Constitution was passed 127 Yeas- 40 Nos- it ought to be remarked that all the [first?] Characters in the Convention were for the Constitution and Gen James Wadsworth the only man of any real consequence who was against it Our Governor Deputy Governor late Governor Griswold & all the Judges of the Superior Court were present except one- & for it - All of ye Council for - (one against it Gen Wadsworth)." Letter dated 1787, but docket (and content) reveal that it was created in 1788. With unsigned free frank.

GLC02437.03756

17 April 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Replies to Knox's letter from 12 April (GLC02437.03835). Discusses army pay warrants. Has "ransacked the County a couple of good cows." Promises to send a cow to Knox when one can be obtained. Speculates on the possible adoption of the Constitution by Virginia and New York: "I don't believe [George] Mason and old [William] Grayson will be very influential in Virginia- and hope the exertions of the Federalists will continue to be industrious in New York for as I came thro E & W Chester I found the Antis had been busy and too successful." Further relates his views on whether New…

GLC02437.03843

23 April 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that Mr. Skinner is driving cattle and oxen to New York for Knox. Writes, "Yesterday your Cow & Calf began their March by Land for New York in Company with Seven of the Finest fat oxen in the World two of which are far beyond any I ever saw tho not of the great Breed they are large but their flesh is so thick on them that they can hardly walk..."

GLC02437.03854

11 May 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Connecticut politics, mentioning James Wadsworth. Promises to send pumpkin seeds from his garden. Mentions that Mr [Joel] Barlow [see GLC02437.03874] will be travelling on a packet for France, and will be able to take care of George.

GLC02437.03869

1 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Connecticut politics, referring to a sheriff whose actions may slow the payment of warrants. Informs Knox he will send him a letter via Pierpont Edwards, who will soon take a seat in Congress. Notes receipt of a circular letter from the General Meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati soliciting payment for Pierre L'Enfant, who designed badges for the Society of the Cincinnati. Intends to pay L'Enfant for his services and encloses something to Platt (presumably) money for that purpose. Wants to finish paying by the 4th of July.

GLC02437.03882

3 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I am told the Present Post riders from New York to this Place are asking Congress for additional pay." Complains that "they have performed badly- deprived us of the benefit of stages on the road." Asks Knox to help him persuade Congress to revive the use of stagecoaches in mail delivery between Connecticut and New York.

GLC02437.03887

15 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for updating him on the progress of the Virginia convention for ratification of the United States Constitution. Writes, "I am just now informed by a friend who has been into New Hampshire that their [sic] is little doubt but that state will adopt it." Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03896

17 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he will be able to pay his dividend of bank stock in early July. Asks that Knox inform him if he decides to draw on Wadsworth immediately for 2,000 dollars. Writes, "I am obliged to have recourse to some Magic to get hold of Money on your warrants- but you see I am not without some success." Thanks Knox for transmitting news of the likelihood of Virginia's adoption of the Constitution.

GLC02437.03901

22 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked as private. Discusses financial matters related to warrants. Informs Knox he can draw on Wadsworth for two thousand dollars. Mentions a secret financial transaction he promises to explain when he next sees Knox. Writes, "... their [sic] has been such cursed work between the collectors & sherrifs that I am afraid their will be trouble enough before we have got through with ye settlement of our old taxes." Has been in hopes of getting "good news" from Virginia, referring to the Constitutional ratification convention of that state. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no…

GLC02437.03906

26 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Promises Knox one thousand dollars in addition to the two thousand already given. Discusses the safety of sending the money by stage. Congratulates Knox on New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution, noting "is it possible the an[cient] Dominion [Virginia] can reject it. if they do who can think of a Curse that is equal to their Crime- [William] Grayson and [James] Monroe how- unaccountable their conduct are you not convinced their is a Hell - is any other punishment but [illegible] unquenchable fire equal to the crime of destroying the [fairest] hopes of a world - Adam & Eve […

GLC02437.03914

29 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth discusses arrangements for getting money to Knox. Promises to bring two thousand dollars to New York, and will make sure another thousand arrives in New York by mid-July. In closing, writes, "Virginia must adopt the Constitution I cant bear to think they will not..." "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03919

3 July 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Wadsworth writes, "We celebrated the Independence of America the 3d instead of the fourth- as our members the Society of the Cincinnati live so remote they could not have returned home before Sunday had we delayed." Remarks that during a sermon given for the celebration, they received news that Virginia ratified the Constitution. Plans to soon bring Knox money they had previously discussed. Docketed in pencil, possibly at a later date.

GLC02437.03924

26 October 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses military matters, possibly related to gathering troops to march to Fort Pitt. Remarks, "Lt. Pratt went of [sic] with a heavy Heart he hoped to have seen you- he has been very industrious & indefatigable-" (Pratt was gathering men to march to Fort Pitt and was disappointed in his own pay and the lack of pay granted to some of his men; refer to GLC02437.04013).

GLC02437.04015

2 November 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth comments on an escaped enslaved person or servant: "Mrs. Greene left us last Monday for Charleston Via N York on the night before she went away- her molatto man servant Ham left her & has been heard of on his way to Boston. she wishes to regain him he has been a favorite from his infancy & brot up un the family- as damed a rascal as [ever] was unhanged- & if I could now get him to Georgia she would sell him... I will have some body bring him away privately for I am told to do it publicly is impossible in Boston." Notes that his cousin, James Wadsworth, and other anti-…

GLC02437.04021

December 6, 1789

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth returns the warrants that Knox requested (refer to GLC02437.04422). Sends news that his family is recovering from influenza. Discusses the Marquis de Lafayette and the French Revolution: "Our friend the Marquis is indeed in a perilous situation, but he is in great spirits & I hope will succeed. Tho I fear they are [aiming] at more liberty than is consistent with good Government, I do not think France can for a great many years to come be governed by a very free Liberal system - but they were before wretched enough & it was time to make an experiment they could loose nothing…

GLC02437.04426

7 September 1801

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions he received Knox's note and the advertisements Knox sent to be distributed to the Legislature. Notes he will send the advertisement to New Haven, Connecticut to be distributed in October. Complains about his old age and bad health and says he does not have the spirits to go as far as St. Georges, Maine.

GLC02437.07607

January 20, 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses ratifying the new Constitution. Feels unsure of his own position as many of his friends oppose his viewpoints. Expresses a fear that [i]f New York should after all not come in - the new constitution will be in danger..." Signature is cut out. Watermarked "C Taylor" and with a hunting horn inside a crest and "GR" underneath.

GLC02437.10211

February 26, 1785

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth writes, "It is now in contemplation to appoint you Secretary at Warr- the Salary may possibly be 2500 dollars per annum- which is certainly too small, but small as it is, it is probable it will be 500 dollars less- and not worth Your acceptance." Suggests that if Knox accepts the position, he hire Samuel Blachley Webb to oversee affairs in New York while he remains in Boston.

GLC02437.03101

19 April 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Account information related to Jeremiah Wadsworth]

First page pertains to warrants Wadsworth received from Knox drawn by the Board of Treasury on William Imlay, Receiver of Continental Taxes for Connecticut. Knox signs second page 15 July 1788, noting receipt of a sum. Wadsworth signs third page, which appears to be a duplicate of page one.

GLC02437.03847

1 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Introduces Pierpont Edwards, who is in New York to take his seat in Congress.

GLC02437.03883

25 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt for two warrants]

Receipt of two warrants from Henry Knox numbered 135 and 136 draw by the Board of Treasury respecting continental taxes for the state of Connecticut. Warrant No. 135 is related to the resolve of Congress dated 20 October 1786, concerning raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion.

GLC02437.03534

25 April 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt of two warrants]

Duplicate copy of GLC02437.03534. Receipt of two warrants from Henry Knox numbered 135 and 136 draw by the Board of Treasury respecting continental taxes for the state of Connecticut. Warrant No. 135 is related to the resolve of Congress dated 20 October 1786, concerning raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion.

GLC02437.03535

3 December 1786

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Manuscript letter

Title: to Robert Morris

Discusses the contract recently sent by the Board of Treasury to him and to Morris regarding a loan they are planning to give to Congress. Will come to New York to finish signing paperwork with Morris. Writes, "I am very far from wishing to engage in any public business nor have I funds that I can readily apply to the purpose of a Contract but with those offered us & your extensive Credit & influence - I will not refuse to undertake, if it is perfectly agreeable to you." Secretarially written and signed for Wadsworth.

GLC02437.03365