1 April 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter written by Washington to Knox, discussing his hesitation to become President. Reads "My movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution: so unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties, without that competency of political skill, abilities & inclination which is necessary to manage the helm." Copy made 2 February 1854.

GLC02437.09342

19 November 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing an expedition against the Wabash Indians. Expresses disappointment in General [Josiah] Harmer. Expected little from Harmer, after hearing he was a drunkard. Instructs Knox to present other important matters before Congress, as they occur to him, preceding Washington's arrival. Notes that recent heavy rains may hinder his progress to Philadelphia. Marked private at the top of page one. Copy made 3 March 1854.

GLC02437.09343

1 January 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, which transmitted a letter from the President of the Society of the Cincinnati of South Carolina (possibly William Moultrie). Relates that the enclosed letter pertains to a resolution of the Society. At the bottom of the page, indicates that Knox is Secretary General to the Society. Copy made 6 March 1854. The original of this letter is GLC02437.09422.

GLC02437.09344

January 22, 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, instructing Knox not to disclose information regarding the nomination of General Officers and a bill that has not yet passed. Copy made 1 February 1854. Original of this letter is GLC02437.09424.

GLC02437.09345

24 September 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, thanking Knox for information he previously sent within his private letters. Mentions Mr. Hammond, Mr. Penn, and Andrew Hamilton. Asks how Pennsylvania State officers, including Mr. Morris (possibly Robert Morris), received Hamilton, noting that Morris is one of the obnoxious characters in Pennsylvania. Relates that his nephew is scarcely able to walk. Intends to leave Mount Vernon for Philadelphia on 8 or 9 October 1792. In a post script, notes that Hammond and Mr. Smith have arrived at Mount Vernon. Copy made 8 February 1854.

GLC02437.09347

5 April 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing General Israel Chapin's negotiations with the Six Nations (possibly referring to the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794). Notes that the Treaty should take place apart from British agents and spies. Copy made 8 February 1854. Original of this letter is GLC02437.09428.

GLC02437.09348

September 20, 1795

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing a letter recently received from Knox "with great pleasure." Comments on Knox's home in Maine (Knox retired to his estate, Montpelier, in 1795, located near the St. George River in Thomaston, Maine). Mentions the "Treaty with Great Britain," possibly referring to the Jay Treaty, signed by Washington in August 1795. Refers to public opinion of the Treaty. Discusses the details of providing for George Washington Lafayette (son the Marquis de Lafayette and the President's godson). Relates that he has arranged for Lafayette to be cared for…

GLC02437.09349

2 March 1797

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, thanking Knox for a letter recently received. Offer condolences to Knox for his recent losses (several of Knox's children died 1796-1797, including his seven year old son named after George Washington). Washington complains of those who lack confidence in and have criticized his leadership, stating that they will be satisfied with nothing "short of a change in our political system." Writes that he looks forward to the prospect of retirement, but is not "without my regrets at parting with (perhaps never more to meet) the few intimates whom I…

GLC02437.09350

16 July 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of the final portion of a letter from Washington to Knox. This section discusses private matters related to the Secretary of War. Also worries about "The loss of our independence or the Subjugation of our Goverment both of which are evidently struck at, by an intoxicated - ambitious - and domineering foe." Copy made 3 March 1854.

GLC02437.09351

3 December 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments on "The splendid display of Fireworks last evening" and wishes Knox to pass along his compliments to those in charge. With an signed endorsement on the verso by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide de camp, sending the letter to Brigadier Generals Michael Jackson and Henry Jackson stating that the letter be published for "the troops under your command." George Washington's signature is clipped.

GLC02437.09368

30 March 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that he received a letter from Knox, and that Mr. Madison informed him Knox had recovered from a "severe indisposition." Discusses ratification of the Constitution at state conventions, commenting that New Hampshire's behavior has baffled other states due to a long adjournment. Notes that if Virginia rejects the Constitution, all those states following it will do the same, and the Constitution will not be adopted. Relates that northern Virginia supports the Constitution, while in general, southern Virginia is opposed. Comments that the Kentucke district (Kentucky County, which…

GLC02437.09417

10 February 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of original. Asks Knox to gather materials and help prepare scientific experiments for military purposes planned by Mr. De Granger. With Washington's name at the bottom, signed in another hand. On blue paper. Original Washington signed letter is GLC02437.09371.

GLC02437.09322

February 11, 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Invites Knox to join him for "Dinner to day at 2 o Clock." The year is not given, but has to be 1776 as Knox was a Colonel then.

GLC02437.00531

10 March 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

"His Excellency," George Washington, compliments Colonel Knox, asks him to come to headquarters immediately, and invites him to dinner at 2 o'clock that night. The letter must be from 1776, since this is the only year in which Knox is a Colonel in March. He would also be in camp with Washington at Boston at the time.

GLC02437.00546

February 27, 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William A. Washington

Commisserates with his nephew, Colonel William A. Washington, on the death of his wife. Regrets he cannot find employment for Mr. Ashton, who had been recommended to him by his nephew, as he already has hired a clerk. Notes the grains he uses to make whiskey and the price he charges for it. Inquires about a source of staves for flour barrels, and tells him of queries on the Washington family genealogy from Sir Isaac Heard of the Heraldry Office in England. Asks about "Mrs. Washington of Bushfield".

GLC04445

February 16, 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of original. Preparations for a seige in New York early in the year. Informs Knox he expects 20,000 men for the seige of New York. Asks Knox to prepare a plan for artillery during the seige, and requests advice on planning the seige. Recently met with Count Rochambeau, hopes for aid in the form of manpower, naval support and supplies from the French. Also mentions "a secondary object, the reduction of Charles Town - Savanah." Written at "Head Quarters." On blue paper.

GLC02437.09323

28 August 1762

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Burwell Bassett

In a humorous letter, chastizes Bassett, his brother-in-law, for not attending church. States "strange it is that you will be so blind to truth that the enlightening sounds of the Gospel can not reach your Ear, nor no Examples awaken you to a sense of Goodness ..." Discusses the condition of the tobacco crops, claiming that they are "assailed by every villainous worm that has had an existence since the days of Noah." Contains text loss and water stain. Address is included on a separate leaf.

GLC07545

3 March 1797

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of the ten ringleaders of the Whiskey Rebellion, who had been convicted of high treason]

Countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State. Pardons Daniel Hamilton, William Miller, Richard Holcroft, Ebenezer Gallagher, William Hannah, Peter Lisle, David Lock, Alexander Fulton, Samuel Hannah and Thomas Spiers. Includes the comment: "It is ever my desire to temper the administration of justice with a reasonable extension of mercy." This was one of Washington's last official acts as president. The pardon was signed on his final day in office. Has a large paper seal.

GLC08072

7 January 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: Instructions for visiting the hospital

Headquarters, Valley Forge. "The Commander in Chief being informed that many disorders and irregularities have taken place at the Hospitals and in some the sick are not tended with due care thinks it necessary that each Hospital should be visited by a prudent and careful Field Officer, who should govern himself by the following rules.… He is to examine critically whether the sick are well taken care of, and if in his opinion there be any fault or neglect in their management to report the same to the director Gen of the Hospitals or… if a remedy be not applied in a reasonable time, then to…

GLC09246

23 September 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to John Hazelwood

As commander-in-chief, sending confidential orders to Commodore John Hazelwood, introducing Captain Samuel Treat, who is delivering "a message of so interesting and important a nature, that I thought it unadviseable to commit it to writing.…" Per the orders conveyed by Capt. Treat, Hazelwood's garrison at Fort Mifflin on the Delaware River delayed the British fleet until Washington's troops could safely reach winter quarters at Valley Forge.

GLC09378

February 25, 1771

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Draft survey and plot drawing of Fairfax's land jutting into Mount Vernon Estate]

Washington submitted his final version to the Virginia Proprietors, and succeeded in adding the land to Mount Vernon.

GLC08379

5 August 1786

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Document signed

Title: [List of men that worked for Potomac Company]

Listing men that worked for Potomac Company at Shenandoah Falls under Jacob Hackney, overseer, from 9 September 1785 to the 24th inclusive. Lists names, occupations, wages, etc.

GLC08385

24 April 1766

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Dismal Swamp Survey notes]

Including detailed references to specific plantations, mills, dams, and various other landmarks. With small map and image of George Washington adhered to a board.

GLC08386

circa 26 August 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: [Proclamation regarding a violation of the Hopewell Treaty]

Later copy. A note written at the top states, "Recd- from Lt. Henry Knox Thatcher Aug. 9 1855, by mail." Requires all citizens and inhabitants of the United States to "govern themselves according to the treaties."

GLC02437.09435

27 October 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Landon Carter

Signed twice by Washington. Discusses his campaign, the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Red Bank and Saratoga, and the danger of being captured. "at the same time that I assure you, that, It is not my wish to avoid any danger which duty requires me to encounter I can as confidently add, that it is not my intention to run unnecessary risques." On the Battle of Germantown: "After driving the Enemy from their Incampment - possessing their ground - and being, as we thought, upon the point of grasping victory, it was snatched from us....a very heavy atmostphere [sic], aided by the smoke of…

GLC07115.01