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

24 March 1792

Patten, John, fl. 1757-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that General [Henry] Jackson informed him that several gentlemen have declined appointments in the military, so he would like to be considered. Explains his qualifications, and adds that he would prefer an appointment in the cavalry if possible.

GLC02437.05373

4 June 1794

Patten, John, fl. 1757-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a request he made a while back for an appointment in the federal service. Comments he did not receive the appointment. Mentions Congress is once again building up troops and he would still like to join the federal service if there is a vacancy.

GLC02437.06113

29 August 1794

Peabody, Joseph, fl. 1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses gratitude to Knox for his assistance in his cause. Notes he sent a letter to the judge explaining his wishes and his case, but has never heard from the gentleman. Asks Knox for advice in how he should proceed. Discusses the results of his medical examination.

GLC02437.06187

January 20, 1790

Rickard, William, fl. 1785-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for a recommendation in obtaining a position in "the Collection of the Revenue in this Port." Notes he was a lieutenant under the command of Henry Jackson during the War. Asks Knox to refer to Jackson's opinion of Rickard's service. Place writ noted as "Washington/Port Bath/North Carolina."

GLC02437.04475

November 10, 1790

Rochefontaine, Stephen, 1755-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Rochefontaine writes that "M. Poisé secretary to General de Lafayette during the latter part of the American war has received a commission of captain as a reward" for his service. His work was equal to that of an officer and should therefore be allowed into the Society of the Cincinnati. "Madam de la Lafayette has been the intermediary" but she has not had a response yet from George Washington. Inquires after Lt. Col. Peter Regnier who led a New York infantry. His family has not heard from him since 1783 when he was supposed to have been in the West Indies but set to return to New York.

GLC02437.04776

10 June 1791

Roberts, Josiah, fl. 1789-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a receipt for a box of china, which will be delivered by the bearer of this letter. The china came from Canton by the ship "Washington" and arrived in Providence. It was sent by Samuel Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.04984

19 July-9 August 1791

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Four parts. First part dated 19 July. Noted as an extract. Informs Knox of the arrival of troops and states that "by this time it is to be hoped that those from the Eastward have joined...should no addition have been made to them since." Writes about protecting the area with the garrison. Second part dated 3 August. Noted as an extract. Discusses state of the new troops with Knox . Writes that "it would have been well however that the whole of the troops had been drawn together and accustomed a little to the duties in camp before we had hoped to meet the Ennemy." Wishes that the men…

GLC02437.10234

21 June 1789

Russell, Joseph, fl. 1789-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for informing him that Mr. Livingston was away in the country, and for advising him that a personal interview would do better than a letter in handling their mutual business. Also thanks him for his offer of delivering the letter upon Livingston's return. Thanks Knox for his friendship, and provides some information on the business he has with Livingston, which apparently consists of Russell owing Livingston money.

GLC02437.04253

January 15, 1789

Russell, Joseph, fl. 1789-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to help him settle a problem with Mr. Livingston [his first name is not provided], apparently a legal or financial settlement. Describes recent correspondence with Livingston. Writes, "If I should fall through Livingston's cruelty, I hope the curses of Heaven will follow him through life, as being one of the most ungrateful of men, for no other man would have run the risk which I did for him in the hour of his distress." See GLC02437.04253 for a related document.

GLC02437.04286

16 August 1789

Russell, Joseph, fl. 1789-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his help in negotiating Russell's affairs with the House of Livingston. Received a letter from John R. Livingston in which Livingston expresses concern for Russell's misfortunes. Livingston is powerless to do anything for or against his interests, as Livingston's agent, Andrew Stockholm, is in charge of the concerns of the company. Describes his legal dispute with the Livingston company. Asks Knox to provide him with updates regarding the status of Congress's bill about the Judiciary. Hopes that mutual friend General [Benjamin] Lincoln may help him receive an appointment…

GLC02437.04328

August 1789

Rodney, Thomas, 1744-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Poplar Grove, Delaware." Is happy to hear that Knox will continue on as Secretary of War. Declares that he has written to the President and recommended Colonel John Parks for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Would like Knox to speak favorably of the nomination to the President, if he supports it.

GLC02437.04345