4 November 1792

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks his brother if there is any business to be done before he leaves New York. Says that he will remain in the area until the following Wednesday or Thursday, and, "During that period it shall be my object to ascertain... every thing respecting the character, integrity, punctuality and general circumstances of Mr. G[reen]." William cautions his brother to proceed with caution in his financial dealings with Green, advising him to do business with Green "as if he was a perfect stranger." Year inferred from content and written in pencil at the top of page one.

GLC02437.05689

8 November 1792

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

In accordance with Henry Knox's previous request, William reports on the character of [William Green], who he refers to as "Mr. G." Says that a mutual acquaintance "has no exalted opinion of Mr. G. although he could not say any thing against him either respecting his personal character or that he has not a large property." William could not ascertain the number of shares Green holds in the bank. Comfort Sands gave a favorable report of Green's character. Nonetheless, William advises Knox to be careful in his negotiations with Green.

GLC02437.05693

2 December 1792

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs his brother that he was unable to obtain passage and so has been obliged to stop for a while on his journey. States that he has met with William Duer, who seems insistent on delaying some payment or proposal. Date from docket. Noted as written at Broad Street.

GLC02437.05719

January 25, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Arrived Wednesday evening and spent part of yesterday enquiring for a house. Makes reference to various homes, including a Mr. Morton's on Broadway, and Brockholst Livingston's. Reports "at this moment I cannot hear of a good one to be hired." Says that Samuel Shaw believes he will sail on Sunday, but William does not think he will. Says he dined with Shaw and Thomas Randall yesterday. Writes, "The idea here is universal that you are about resigning, how it got here I do not know." Written from the home of Mrs. McEwen. Place written inferred from content. "Free" handwritten on address…

GLC02437.05794

January 26, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that he had dinner with Mr. Morton and learned that house rents will be high this year. Called on William Duer yesterday who reported that "Billy Morris was directed by Mr. C. to make the written report he did respecting the Eastern lands." Duer claimed that Morris had given a favorable report in the past, but he is not surprised as "this trick had been practiced more than once by the same parties." Writes, "People in general here appear to be sorry at your intention of retiring (which I have neither confirmed or denied) it is universally circulated - and it was last night…

GLC02437.05795

January 28, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Enquired of Berry & Rogers for horse or travelling canteens. They only had one pair of a small size for 7 guineas. Heard Mr. Edgar will quit his house on Wall Street. Also heard that Mrs. Fleming is moving from her home. Is meeting with Fleming's agent and Mr. Edgar today to discuss possible rent. Reports there is a house belonging to a Mr. Rynlander on the North River near Partition Street, although he thinks Henry will not like it. Is satisfied that Henry did not have a connection with Green, as his reputation has been damaged recently over an incident involving "erasure on a note…

GLC02437.05798

January 29, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Initialed by William Knox. Reports that Mr. Edgar will not leave his house on Wall Street. Says Macombs large house is not yet sold. Says that Mrs. Fleming wants to rent her house out for 1,200 pounds for three years. Edgar informed him that [Philip] Livingston offered her 1,000 pounds, but that it was refused. Will wait as "the extraordinary advance in rent will probably induce some to part with theirs who did not intend it." Provides the full story on Mr. Green, which he quickly referenced in GLC02437.05798. Green altered a document on a shipment of goods sent on a ship he owned.…

GLC02437.05799

February 6, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Henry's letter of 2 February. Mentions that Shaw and Randall sailed on 1 February. Does not know how they made the mistake of drawing the interest on his shares. If Henry wants, he will write to Mr. Smith or another of their agents to have the situation rectified. Mr. Green goes in the packet on Thursday in an attempt to recover property "which has been long litigated on the other side of the water." Green believes Mr. Pinckney will assist him in London. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05807

10 February 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that there are so many people in the market for a house that a place will not remain unrented for more than a day. Believes if one opens up it will be gone by the time Henry would forward the necessary instructions. Forwards a letter from Mr. Brett from Britain. Brett mentioned that "great apprehensions were entertained of disturbances in England." Reports that a large fleet has been ordered to be in readiness. Says the garrison at Frankfurt on Main has been taken by the combined forces of Prussia and Germany. The King of Prussia was present at the battle, which proves he has…

GLC02437.05809

February 12, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Dined with Cary Ludlow, the father-in-law of Mr. Morton, where he learned that Mrs. Morton was opposed to going into their new house on Broadway. Ludlow said his son-in-law will probably be induced to let it for 350 pounds. Says if Morton can be persuaded to part with it for 300 pounds, it will be a good price in the current market. Relates that he spoke to Mrs. Fleming again about her house, but she is still determined to let it for 400 a year for 3 years. Reports that Isaac Clason, a merchant, is about to buy up Macomb's debt at 5/6 to the pound. Does not see William Duer taking any…

GLC02437.05815

February 22, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Henry's letter of 19 February. Notes he delivered the letter that Henry enclosed for William Duer. States the January packet from Europe arrived yesterday and he saw a letter from Mr. Brett to General Maunsell. The letter stated "every preparation was making for War by England, although hopes were entertained it would not take place." Goes on to say the letter reported that William Pitt "stood on high ground by being strongly supported by Parliament and the people in general." Says Mr. Fox's supporters left him because of his stance on France. Believes Thomas Paine is going to…

GLC02437.05830

6 March 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Has been trying to make an arrangement with Mr. Vaughn's bill for the last 3 or 4 days. Says it will be impossible to cash without the loss of 10 percent. The scarcity of money is making borrowing hard. Asks Henry to send him a United States bank note for $50 so he can pay his debts before going to Philadelphia. Wants to know when Henry will employ Dr. Shippen. Signature has been clipped.

GLC02437.05843

9 April 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on Mr. Hoffman's inquiries on houses in New York. Says Baron Von Steuben's former house is now occupied by Mr. Stockholm, who operates a button manufactory in the neighborhood. Reports the house advertised by Mr. McEvers at Bloomingdale has been sold to a rich Dutchman. Says John Livingston bought the house previously owned by Colonel Platt. He will not let the house for less than £300 per year. Says the house of Roger Morris is now owned by or at the disposal of Mr. McKenncot, a merchant. A farmer lets two of the rooms in the house and watches over the place. McKenncot is trying…

GLC02437.05867

19 April 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wanted to write yesterday, but received no word of Wilks' house until after the post left. Mr. Wilks is currently in negotiations with Colonel William Smith either for the purchase or lease of it. Will know the outcome in two or three days. If Smith does not take the house it will be let for £350 per annum. The house also has 50 acres of grounds. Yesterday a ship arrived form Calcutta owned by John Livingston. It contained Indian sugars and muslins. Says the ship and cargo amounts to $50,000. While it did not net Livingston as much as he hoped, "he considers it as so much saved from…

GLC02437.05874

1 May 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Henry's letter of 27 April. Also delivered the enclosed letter to [Royal] Flint in prison. Agrees with Henry that his best recourse is to move to Maine. Hopes to be able to do so in a few days. Says his mind has been "depressed" lately due to a debt he cannot discharge. If it is paid he can move without any troubles. In reference to what seems like mental illness says "Bailey prescribed a fixed time to my remedies in order to be certain of embracing even the worst circumstances, which time has nearly elapsed, without my experiencing any of those evils which presented themselves to…

GLC02437.05884

17 November 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References two letters from Henry. Reports that Henry's son, Henry Jackson Knox, arrived safely last evening. He is travelling to Hingham tomorrow or the next day. Says he will write Berkeley Sidney Knox, a man in Jamaica claiming to be a distant relative of Knox and seeking a job (see GLC02437.05938). Notes he "cannot undertake to say any thing more than has already been said upon this subject." Is happy to hear that a group of physicians announced the official abatement of the yellow fever in Philadelphia. Believes the disorder may still be latent and recommends that Henry keep his…

GLC02437.05977

January 24, 1795

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses building a store in the Eastern lands. Notes the establishment would be created to serve the people and to add to "their happiness, ease, & comfort." Describes the traits and qualities the person in charge of the project should possess. Writes, "A young Quaker of good talent or other plain person… possessing honest & virtue principles a good accountant & understanding business..." Also discusses in great length Knox's time as a public servant and where his next place of residence should be. Advises Knox to keep his children close until they marry and suggests which…

GLC02437.06321

January 31, 1795

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes his current health problems to his brother. Starts by stating that he had a very black day but is recovering and thanks "the supreme disposer of events for his mercy in pointing out this happy asylum to me." Includes a list of 11 things that are improving his health, such as not smoking or drinking, regular sleeping hours, cleanliness, exercise, "a very tolerable passage of urine instead of great obstruction," and "a considerable degree of Hope instead of despair."

GLC02437.06335

9 July 1789

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes he will be heading to Baltimore, Maryland. Also mentions his disappointment with Congress regarding their decision for removal [it is unspecified as to what removal]. Docket notes 9 July 1790.

GLC02437.09815

10 September 1791

Knox, John, fl. 1771-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References his letter to Henry Knox of 22 May. That letter was "acquainting you of my Family and my very unhappy Situation in not only being obliged to live so long absent from a Dear and Affectionate wife and Family, but also not having wherewith to support myself." Asserts that they are descended from the same family and asks for assistance, stating, "from all Accounts, you are a Gentleman possessed of such Tenderness, and Humanity, that altho no Connection might subsist betwixt your Family and mine, yet you would take Compassion on my Distress." Has heard no answer and assumes the…

GLC02437.05151

14 June 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox (daughter)

Writes to his daughter telling her how much he loves her, but that "I am not alittle [sic] jealous that it is not so reciprocal as perhaps it ought to be. I do not mean as to degree that is that yours should equal mine - But I only desire a due proportion, an hundreth [sic] part or so of what I possess -" Asks for her to confide in him as if he were a female friend and "write the long letters - reciting all the little incidents which fall under your notice ..." Some text loss on the upper left side of the first page and second paragraph on the second page.

GLC02437.05504

29 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Knox

References receiving his son's letter by Mr. LeRoy. Sent two pairs of shoes yesterday. Sent three shirts by Mrs. Stagg today. Six more will be sent when they are made. Writes, "It is the judgement of your Mama and me, that you are too young to alter the style of your dress - That long clothes would be ridiculous for you - That you have a sufficiency of clothes for the present." Tells him he will have what he needs, and instructs him not to be extravagant. Informs him that Dr. [Samuel Stanhope] Smith will furnish him with spending money as he sees fit. Says "As you see many persons of my…

GLC02437.05038

21 May 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes that he has been in ill health again since he wrote her last, and explains how he has treated his ague. Wishes he had received a letter from her. Asks about the welfare of their children. Sends his love to Mrs. [Sarah Lyons] Flucker, his sister-in-law. Relates messages for each of his children: Lucy, Henry, Julia, and Washington. Asks to be remembered to various friends in the Boston area.

GLC02437.05474

8 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his happiness on hearing about his son Henry's current situation. Sends Lucy news of various acquaintances, which he lists by number. States that he is sorry to hear of Mrs. [Abigail] Adams's "indisposition," noting that the Adams family has ordered their furniture to be shipped to Boston. Vice President John Adams plans to return to New York without his family. Reports that George and Martha Washington will be going to Mount Vernon the following Wednesday, and will not return until 15 October. Mentions the Ogdens, Mrs. Smith, the Izards, the Stewarts, and Count Andreani.…

GLC02437.05528

12 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Mentions being "attacked with the cursed fever" last week, but is now better. Wishes he could be with her and the family. Informs that Mrs. Smith is doing better after being very ill with a "disorder in her bowels." Writes that "Our President [George Washington], Mrs. Washington and family departed yesterday..." Writes of events in England and France exclaiming, "What unpleasant work on the frontiers of France! - England will go into confusion - do you not think Tom Paine has excited great commotion in mens minds to be honored with a royal Proclamation against his writings."

GLC02437.05535