20 February 1784

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Washington writes to Knox, who had been Chief of the Continental Artillery during the Revolutionary War. Recently visited his "aged Mother," Mary Ball Washington. Thanks Knox for so diligently reporting the state of the garrison and stores at West Point while he was there (1782-1783). Discusses payment of the Office of Secretary at War. Relates that the Society of Cincinnati will meet in Philadelphia on the first Monday in May, and that he named Philadelphia as the location to comply with the wishes of South Carolina. Writes, "I am just beginning to experience that ease, and…

GLC02437.09404

11 November 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his orders regarding collecting wood to be used as fuel for the nearby hospital. Washington states he directed the Fourth Connecticut regiment to gather the wood because he found the corps idle and the rest of the army was employed in other tasks. Suggests that if the Fourth Massachusetts is needed elsewhere, the fuel should be cut by troops under Knox's orders, or by Levies from the transportation service. Mentions that since no more sick will be sent to the hospital of Dr. Eustace, less fuel will be needed. Docketed by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide.

GLC02437.10429

2 November 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Washington instructs Pickering, Quartermaster General, to extract 150 lbs. from the "British Military Chest" to pay General Henry Knox for use in his artillery department. Docket, in the hand of William Knox, indicates this order is a copy. A clerical note states that the amount was received in full from Pickering. Clerically written, and docketed as a copy. Verso contains several mathematical equations, possibly related to accounts.

GLC02437.09308

30 April 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox and Gouvenor Morris

Discusses Morris and Knox's progress regarding "the commission you were charged with by me" (possibly a commission to negotiate prisoner exchange with the British in Elizabethtown, New Jersey). Has received Morris and Knox's dispatches, as well as those of Henry Clinton. Transmitted a copy of Morris and Knox's report to Congress, allowing them to decide upon the terms of future exchanges. Laments the unreasonableness of the British and "the miseries of War which may be augmented and protracted by such unreasonable conduct." Praises the conduct of Knox and Morris during their "odious and…

GLC02437.09309

6 June 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written from military Headquarters in New York. Washington, Commander in Chief of Continental forces, writes to Lincoln, Secretary at War. Discusses extra allowances requested by General Henry Knox, declaring the allowances "perfectly reasonable and well founded." Attests that Knox's position as commander at West Point (1782-1783) required extra expenses (in 1782, Knox entertained many French officers in the area). Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide. Docket indicates this letter is a copy.

GLC02437.09310

4 April 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: to Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Alexander Hamilton

Washington provides instructions for his ministers to follow in his absence from the seat of government. Plans to travel to Savannah, Georgia. Presents an itinerary for his travels, noting the days he plans to pass through specific cities. Asserts that if any important cases arise in his absence, the Secretaries of War (Henry Knox), Treasury (Alexander Hamilton), and State (Thomas Jefferson) will hold consultations to determine if the case demands his personal attendance. Notes that the Vice President will be in Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.09311

3 December 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy. Wishes to postpone a certain undiscussed matter until the next day, and perhaps put it off entirely.

GLC02437.09313

2 November 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy. Has discussed with members of Congress "in time of Peace of Uniting the Offices of Secty for War and Master of Ordinance in one person." Also upset with "stupidity of the Postmaster at Princeton" due to a great deal of his mail being lost. Letter copied on 3 February 1854 according to note at top of first page.

GLC02437.09314

31 May 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter written to Henry Knox, briefly discussing the begining of the Constitutional Convention, and his election as chair of the Convention. Copy made on 1 February 1854 according to note at top of first page.

GLC02437.09315

15 October 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter to Henry Knox, discussing the Constitution, its level of support and the level of wisdom and foresight possesed by the Constitution's authors. Admits the document may have flaws, but believes it should be accepted, and then fixed as time goes on. "The Constitution is now before the Judgement Seat - It has, as was expected, its adversaries, and its supporters: which will preponderate, is yet to be decided. The former it is probable will be most active: because the major part of them it is to be feared will be governed by Sinister and Self important considerations on…

GLC02437.09316

8 September 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter by Washington condoling Knox on the death of his son. Copied 3 February 1854 according to note at top of first page.

GLC02437.09318

14 October 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, informing Knox that he will arrive later than he expected to or had hoped for in Philedelphia. States that his later than expected arrival means he will have very little time to prepare for his meetings with other officials. Asks Knox to be ready for his arrival. Copied from original 1 February 1854 according to note at top of first page.

GLC02437.09319

February 25, 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter in which he informs Knox that he has sent him the draft of a letter to Captain Brandt, allowing him to let stand any corrections he may chose to make. Along left margin, "Recd from Lt. Henry Knox Thatcher Aug 9 1855 by mail."

GLC02437.09320

30 December 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, thanking Knox for his valuable public service, as Knox is about to retire as Secretary of War. Copied from original 7 February 1854 according to note on first page.

GLC02437.09321

1795

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Book

Title: Message of the President [official documents re: Genet affair]

Printed by Matthew Carey

GLC08660

January 13, 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Col. Alexander McDougall

Washington writes that he is told that a vessel has just arrived with gun powder, which he asks McDougall to obtain. (Name is McDougall, per Fitzpatrick.)

GLC00154.03

September 9, 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gov. Edward Rutledge SC

The letter discusses the European war and military preparedness.

GLC00122

September 9, 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Address leaf

Title: Free frank for letter to Rutledge (#122)

GLC00123

September 19, 1796

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph note

Title: Printed Farewell address with autograph note (written on Claypoole's Advertiser)

Printed copy of Washington's farewell address in Claypoole's Advertiser. Washington has added manuscript notes to his copyist for copying: "The letter contained in this Gazette addressed to the People of the United States is to be Recorded -- and in the order of its da[te.] [Pointing hand] Let it have a blank page before & after so as to stand distinct as it were. -- Let it be wrote with a letter larger & fully [sic] than the common recording hand -- and where words are printed with capital letters it is to be done so in Recording this letter -- and where other words that are printed…

GLC00185

May 5, 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Marked private. In response to McHenry's private letter of April 29, which was a response to Washington's letter of April 23. Washington, commander of the Provisional Army created in 1798 in response to French aggression, wrote to McHenry, Secretary of War in the Adams Administration, on the issue of rank and pay in the army. Officers who lived farther away from the capital received their commissions later than those who lived closer. Since rank was calculated by time of acceptance, those living farther away felt slighted. He agrees with the solution that McHenry suggested to the President…

GLC00204

18 July 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: General Washington's Letter Declaring his Acceptance of the Command of the Armies of the United States

Regarding the Quasi-War with France, Washington's support for the Administration and acceptance of commander in chief. Signed: "D.R. Slade" in upper right corner. Washington's letter is dated July 17, 1798 from Mount Vernon. The document is also dated July 13, 1798 from Mount Vernon.

GLC00265.04

22 June 1769

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph document signed

Title: [Land bond to increase acreage at Mount Vernon]

Cosigned by Robert Alexander. Washington refers to himself in the third person seven times. Alexander wants to sell 300 acres of Maryland land his wife inherited from her father to George Washington. Washington hoped to exchange the plot with Thomas Hanson Marshall for land adjacent to Mount Vernon. The agreement was contingent upon approval by Alexander's wife, who had not reached the age of 21. Alexander agreed he would not sell the land to anyone without Washington's approval, "this clause is expressly provided as a means to induce her Compliance because it is highly presumable that if…

GLC00479

March 25, 1793

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Discusses his non-involvement in foreign affairs. The death that called Washington to Mount Vernon was that of his nephew, George Augustus Washington, who died of tuberculosis.

GLC00494

March 20, 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Washington acknowledges receiving the letter from Colonel George Morgan, and discussing "affairs to the westward." McIntosh, who had mortally wounded Button Gwinnett in a duel, commanded Fort Pitt from May 1778 until March 5, 1779. His subordinates Daniel Broadhead and Morgan complained of his conduct. Washington writes that residence with McIntosh at Valley Forge had impressed him and he hoped the Georgian would be disinterested in western disputes. He writes that command will go now to Brodhead and concludes (with a hint of exasperation) "with such means as are provided, I must labour" ("…

GLC00496.099

August 14, 1795

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Dickinson, et al.

Memorial regarding Jay's Treaty. Answers Dickinson's current inquiry regarding a memorial with an enclosure previously sent to the Selectmen of Boston (not included).

GLC00496.100