6 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Tells William he is anxious about his sister-in-law Mrs. "Horwood" (Hannah Flucker Harwood) paying a debt Henry Knox owed to Mr. Longman. Writes, "I hope there is no unnecessary delay on the part of Mrs Horwood - She appears to have answered the business with judgment and fidelity." Also asks about the state of the St. Lawrence lands and Mr. Malcolm's "state of mind respecting the balance."

GLC02437.04720

19 April 1791

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Lamb has sent Knox two barrels of apples, "best Newtown Pippins" and a bundle of English newspapers for Knox's culinary and reading pleasure.

GLC02437.04919

15 September 1791

Lamb, James, fl. 1746-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Creator listed as "James & Thomas Lamb & Concerned." States that they have just completed a 150 ton copper bottomed ship called the "Margaret." It was built by Edmond Hartt of Boston, and will travel around Cape Horn to the northwest coast of America. Says that James Magee is the principle owner and will travel in the ship himself. Knows that Knox is well acquainted with Magee's credentials and honor. Encloses a copy of a letter from Vice President Adams to Don Joseph De Viar in Philadelphia asking for letters of introduction and protection from the Spanish Minister for the voyage (…

GLC02437.05159

25 October 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks his brother to investigate the character of William Green, especially in relation to his integrity and punctuality. Calls for this investigation because of his financial involvement with Green (refer to GLC02437.05666).

GLC02437.05667

3 September 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Knox [incomplete]

Writes that he is not a good correspondent and this lack "of duty on my part however does not arise from a want of affection." Mentions that a vessel escaped him a few days ago and the situation "mortifies me not alittle." Gives him some business advice and it would "be extreme folly to pursue further." Advises him to clear his debts. Watermarked with crest over "G R."

GLC02437.10253

20 July 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives a report of his trip to Alexandria, Virginia, and the surrounding area. Mentions that he had dinner with the Washingtons at Mount Vernon. Says he would have stayed with a Mrs. House in Philadelphia, but the Attorney General, Edmund Randolph, arrived with a large family, so William had to lodge elsewhere. Discusses business he tended to while in Virginia and Maryland, and reports on the success of crops, including tobacco, corn, and wheat, in the area. States that Mr. [Alexander] McGillivray left Philadelphia that morning, and will soon see Knox in New York.

GLC02437.04658

June 27, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox references Henry's letter from April 6. Says he has sent 13 letters to him, the last from Dublin on June 13 or 20. Says his last letter informed Henry of his "motives for coming here namely to negociate some funds by which I might be kept from sinking in Dublin." He is sorry that Thomas Randall "cannot find it convenient to wait agreable to my proposition to him, from a perfect knowledge that the amount will bear hard upon you..." Offers to refund him when he is successful. Says Gouverneur Morris is here but has not made a great sale of land. Reports that William Temple Franklin…

GLC02437.05035

18 July 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References the letter he sent Henry on 27 June. Updates Henry on his endeavors in London. Says he is still trying to sell Henry's lands even though Gouverneur Morris has been empowered by Mr. [Alexander] McComb to sell the lands. Will proceed as if Morris was not given this power until he hears otherwise from Henry. Has advertised in the Times and the Morning Herald. Will wait another fortnight to see if things develop. Declares that he is concerned about mounting debts and believes the United States government should support its consuls better. Notes Nathaniel Barrett, consul at Rouen…

GLC02437.05071

3 August 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References his letters of 27 June and 19 July that he sent to Henry. Has not received any letters from Henry since the one marked 6 April. States he has not met with any success in selling Henry's lands, not even a single serious offer. Says his feelers in Paris have not met with any more success, noting "The Scioto business has left unfavorable impressions at Paris relative to purchases of land in America." Wants to go to Ireland next week, but needs to secure a loan to settle his debts there first. Claims his prospects are bleak. Reports "I cannot tell what will be my fate," unless…

GLC02437.05099

9 October 1789

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Since Henry Knox is returning to Boston soon, William states that "I shall be rather particular in stating to you the objects, which require your return as soon as possible, or for you to give such directions respecting them as can be done only by you." Goes on to discusses various issues in the War Department, such as an upcoming march by a Lieutenant [possibly John] Pratt and his company, the lack of clothing for troops, and financial business pertaining to General [Josiah] Harmar, Major [John Francis] Hamtramck, and troops in western Pennsylvania. Also touches on the financial…

GLC02437.04384

5 July 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on a recent visit he made to [Samuel] Ogden. Attempted to persuade Ogden to pay a debt he owed [James] Webber, a London merchant, but Ogden has to wait for money that is owed to him before he can pay the debt. Relates that he delivered several letters to different individuals, and discusses the prospect of exporting flax seed to Ireland. Informs Knox that two ships from India have arrived in Philadelphia since he has been there, and they both have full cargoes. Says that [Thomas] Mifflin has taken him to dine with the Society of the Cincinnati. Writes, "Bells ringing and Grays gardens…

GLC02437.04645

14 July 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses meeting Colonel [Marinus] Willet and Alexander McGillivray (Willet was accompanying McGillivray, on his way to negotiate a treaty with the United States). Notes that Willet "appears to have overcome great obstacles in the object of his mission..." Says that McGillivray introduced him to two chiefs who were traveling with the men. Willet informed him that McGillivray sometimes drinks in excess, but nonetheless, Willet thinks highly of McGillivray's abilities. Plans to visit Mount Vernon. Writes, "The people at George Town & this City appeared to be very much delighted with the…

GLC02437.04651

4 August 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses dinner engagements with various friends. Mentions that a Mr. LaTombe expects a large number of French trade ships to arrive from the West Indies soon, so they may avoid traveling during the rainy season. Reports that General [Henry] Jackson has gone to Portsmouth along with Mr. [Benjamin] Hichborn (see GLC02437.04666 for related information). Adds that Jackson's mother seems very ill. Declares that the elder Isaac Winslow wants Knox to complete certain deeds that he sent. Discusses potential changes in Congressional representation in upcoming elections, and mentions possible…

GLC02437.04668

9 August 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox writes Secretary of War Henry Knox about his travels through Newburyport and Salem, Massachusetts. Reports that his friends Mr. Jonathan Jackson and Mr. George Cabot have welcomed him and introduced him to "characters most calculated to forward my views to the eastward of this Town." Adds that his return will be delayed by a day due to the trip he took through Newburyport and Salem. Plans on returning via Newport, Rhode Island, for two reasons, "first, that my stay at Providence was too short for me to make any arrangements satisfactorily in passing through, and the second is…

GLC02437.04681

28 September 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox describes to his brother, Henry Knox, that the winds were not in his favor as they set sail from Sandy Hook, New Jersey. He has now reached Newfoundland. Remarks that he has not suffered any seasickness, unlike his other companions, Mrs. Green, who is still seasick, and Miss Hunter, who has recovered.

GLC02437.04739

September 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox describes to Knox the weather around the sea and the lighthouse before an expected storm. Asks Henry to remember "the subjects of an appointment to Cork or Limerick."

GLC02437.04741

25 October 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William relates the details of what was nearly a shipwreck on his voyage from America to England. William will report to Knox on the political situation in Europe as soon as possible. Will see Mr. [James] Webber before W. Knox leaves London. Reports: "This much I can tell you that the British fleet is in the Channel - that 2000 guards are to march this day for Plymouth for embarkation - that Peace is restored between the Swedes & Russians - & that the Duke of Cumberland brother to the King of Eng. is dead in consequence of which every body that can buy a black coat or get credit for…

GLC02437.04756

29 October 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox writes Secretary of War Knox that though in London ten days, he has been unable to do much regarding the sale of Knox's lands. William hopes to provide more news next week including "the result of the business between Mrs. Harwood and Mr. Longman." William notes that a Mr. Teissier will be his correspondent in London. He tells Henry to tell Captain [Thomas] Randall that William will write Randall with the next "Packet" across the Atlantic. William tells Henry that Lord Howe's fleet is at Portsmouth, and General Garth's troops were recently reviewed by the King in Hyde Park. The…

GLC02437.04759

3 November 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William tells Secretary of War Henry Knox that since his last letter to Henry of October 29 (GLC02437.04759) he has discussed with Hannah Harwood the money she owed Mr. Longman and has "delivered her the care of Watch furniture and seeds from Mrs. Knox." William explains the reason that Harwood is holding back payment to Mr. Longman. She hopes "that the other creditors would agree to her paying him the full sum of 1300 pounds." The agent for the creditors, Mr. Frazer, believes she has a case, and the prospect of a lawsuit would prevent the creditors from pursuing one. Nevertheless, "she is…

GLC02437.04768

4 November 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox writes Secretary of War Henry Knox to correct his previous letter (GLC02437.04768). After speaking with Mr. Longman, William has learned that "the idea of paying the whole thirteen hundred pounds originated with Mr. Frazer" is not correct. Mr. Longman and Hannah Harwood were the only parties involved. When they informed Mr. Frazer, the creditors' agent, Frazer warned them that a "suit in Chancery would probably be the result of refusal to pay the Creditors their proportion, and the insisting on your whole sum." Mrs. Harwood is still waiting for Henry Knox's decision to "acceed…

GLC02437.04769

January 15, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy. Describes the various transportation obstacles that prevented his letters from arriving earlier. Says the St. Lawrence lands are being advertised in two prominent Irish newspapers. Discusses the meeting he had with "the Earl of Westmoreland, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland" (John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland). Says they discussed trade between Ireland and America, and that he will write more about his encounter with the Earl and on the English administration of Ireland at a later time. Asks Knox to thank Mrs. John Jay for introducing him to the "Viscountess Stronghold," whose husband…

GLC02437.04828

February 13, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Urges Knox to write him as soon as he can, or make Lucy Knox "overcome her natural timidity" and write him. He has heard of the General (Charles) Scott expedition in the Miami Country and of the casualties Scott suffered. Discusses in great detail the Turk-Russian war along with other foreign affairs. The Russians are not far from Constantinople; the Empress (Catherine the Great) seeks to drive the Turks completely out of Europe and listens to no offers of negotiations. Prince Potemkin said that the Empress would consider stopping the war on several conditions; ceding Moldavia and Wallachia…

GLC02437.04853

7 April 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William had previously sent a packet to Knox that included "Paynes [Thomas Paine] pamphlet in answer to Burke on the french revolution." William tells his brother, "therefore the present is only to enclose you the papers since then, by which you will see from the debates in the English House of Lords and Commons and the preparations making, that Great Britain is about incurring a few more millions of debt, and (if the Empress should prove inflexible which in all probability she will) plunging the greater part of Europe into a War by sea and land - However distressing to humanity such an event…

GLC02437.04907

26 April 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wonders why he has not heard from Knox in so long and expresses hurt and confusion over it. "...only consider you are my only relation, and although I am in a country partly civilized, yet it is a Country of Strangers." States he has written "eleven" letters without replies. He is now enclosing some other letters with this one including one "to Mr. Jefferson on the subject of men lately impressed in Ireland from American vessels."

GLC02437.04928

11 May 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox informs Secretary of War Knox of what ships William's letters to Henry were traveling on. William is trying to arrange monies to live on until next winter; reports on his health, walking, rising early and drinking quite a lot of wine: "I never in any five winters of my life drank so much wine as the last; it has agreed perfectly with me although the custom of drinking to excess in good companies is fresh in the memory of most persons here, and is pretty well over, yet there is a difficulty in being the first man from table. I am commonly the second or third - and to be sure I…

GLC02437.04946