3 April 1791

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that his son, William Gray Cobb, "thou by a wrong name" has accepted a military commission offered to him by President George Washington. Says he hopes to build a canal and believes that it may interest Knox as well. Asks Knox to send an engineer to survey the county for the project. They are competing with other canal companies in New England. Says, "what makes it a matter of greater consequence at this time, is, that the Company at Hartford have now, on the Files of our Genl Assembly, an Act, to empower them to clear the Falls on Connecticut River within the Commonwealth, which…

GLC02437.04897

May 29, 1791

Behague, Jean Pierre Antoine, comte de, 1727-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to George Washington [in French]

The letter, which is in French, appears to be about the request of several French officers to join the Society of the Cincinnati. Behague, Governor of the French Windward Islands, requests a diploma for himself and for Fressinaux from the Society of the Cincinnati. Also sends his regards and pleasantries to Washington. Includes, on page 2, a copy of the text of a letter from Lafayette to Behargue. Recipient inferred from content of this letter and from another letter (GLC02437.05115) written by President George Washington's secretary William Jackson, dated August 12, 1791.

GLC02437.04963

10 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Adams

Written by Secretary of War Knox to Vice President Adams. Thanks Adams for his hospitality at Bush Hill. Mentions criticism of Adams's travels in the Connecticut and New York newspapers. Comments on the "political heresy [of the] American edition of [the] payne pamphlet mentioned in the preface." This is a reference to Thomas Jefferson's endorsement of Thomas Paine's "The Rights of Man," in which he conflated the spirit of the American Revolution of 1776 with that of the French Revolution of 1789. Knox says "he has assured me that the note he wrote to the printer never was intended for…

GLC02437.04986

19 June 1791

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Vice President Adams to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's letter of 10 June. Is happy Knox is pleased with his situation at Bush Hill. Hopes to hear soon "of the Birth of a peaceable son of Mars." Says he did not know about the paragraphs in the New York newspapers. Just heard of the "Lyes" from New Haven yesterday. Does not think the criticism originated with Roger Sherman or Ezra Stiles. Says "The Preface to [Thomas] Paines Nonsense has occasioned much Speculation. It is thought rather early for Electioneering. My head I thank God is not easily diverted from its…

GLC02437.05014

26 September 1791

Belcher, Andrew, 1763-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "It is often matter of great Regret... that it was out of my power to improve & to cultivate so much as I cou'd have wish'd, the Acquaintance I was honor'd with in your Family & to be recognized by Mrs. Knox as a near Relation." Introduces the Reverend Doctor Brown, a clergyman in the Church of Scotland, noting that he is "of unblemish'd Character and the fairest Reputation; a Man of great & superior Talents, of strong sense, great Ability, Science, Genius and profound Learning." Hopes Brown can be introduced to [George] Washington, [Alexander] Hamilton, and Pennsylvania…

GLC02437.05169

8 August 1789

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Left some of his books and other items in New York during his last visit. Asks if he could trouble Knox to forward them privately to Boston. Describes some of the items. Sends his respects to Mrs. Knox and their family. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.04322

August 1789

Brooks, John, 1752-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has not composed a letter to Knox for awhile in order not to interrupt the business of his office, and also, in order not to be a burden. Discusses his poor financial prospects and wishes for a government appointment. Asks Knox about his prospects for receiving a position, now and in the future. He and his wife send their respects to Mrs. Knox. Date taken from docket.

GLC02437.04346

16 September 1789

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that their friend Mr. [Nathaniel] Barrett, the bearer of the letter, is applying to the President for the position in the Consulate of France. Relates that Mr. Barrett lived in France as a merchant and would be well-suited for the position. Hopes that if Knox agrees that Mr. Barrett is a good match for the position, he will second the nomination.

GLC02437.04359

27 September 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Carrington

Has received his last letter. Believes that highly respectable people have sought and been appointed to the position of Marshal, and congratulates him on his appointment to that office. Adds that the President supports his nomination. Mentions that his wife Lucy is ill and grief-stricken after the death of their child. Also discusses content of newspapers.

GLC02437.04366

27 September 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Received his recent letter. Did not reply because he expected to see Bourne in New York. Discusses appointments to the position of Marshal, and provides advice about Bourne's political career. Briefly comments on the Waldo patent lands.

GLC02437.04368

29 September 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Clymer

Discusses a map of the Susquehanna. Reports that someone has been hired to make a copy of the map.

GLC02437.04372

15 October 1789

Checkley, Elizabeth, fl. 1788-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks for Knox's financial assistance. Explains that she was "left a widow with six young Children, whose whole support depended on the exertions she could make..." Mentions that she is a creditor to the Flucker estate and hopes Knox can hasten the estate to pay her what they owe.

GLC02437.04388

25 October 1789

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Opens by thanking Knox for his role in obtaining Carrington a presidential appointment [as marshal of Virginia]. He then discusses the French revolution, writing that "[t]he Revolution in France is as singular as it is important to the cause of Liberty. It is perhaps the first instance in the History of Nations of a King & his people uniting to extend the Rights of the latter in abridging the power and privileges of the Nobles. The Common tendency of Revolutions founded in a [sense] amongst the people of oppression from the Nobility has ever been to an implicit surrender of every thing…

GLC02437.04396

9 November 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Aitken

Based on an agreement with David Ramsay, Knox was supposed to have sent Aitken a list of general and field officers to be published in the appendix of Ramsay's book, History of the American Revolution. He had another person working on the list for over two months, and upon review found the list too erroneous to publish. Also thinks the list would offend many, as it did not take into consideration those who left the service before the end of the war. Intends to let Ramsay know his reasons for not sending the list (refer to GLC02437.04778).

GLC02437.04411

12 November 1789

Bacon, John, 1738-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a demand made by a Mr. Goldthwait regarding the Waldo patent. Wishes to know if there is any "certain prospect of [the estate] being selled [sold] within a short time? We are unwilling our demand should lye any longer in the situation in which it now is."

GLC02437.04413

22 November 1789

Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Replies to Knox's letter of 27 September (GLC02437.04368). Plans to present his wishes to obtain a foreign appointment. Urges Knox to forward his proposals to the Flucker estate's creditors so Bourne can attend to the matter before the next session of Congress.

GLC02437.04419

13 December 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bacon

Discusses the Waldo patent. Refers to difficulties in having the patent authorized by the Legislature of Massachusetts. Mentions struggles with settlers who believe they have claims upon the land.

GLC02437.04437

January 10, 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Discusses the financial business of a mutual acquaintance.

GLC02437.04469

February 4, 1790

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wrote an affidavit as requested by Knox of his knowledge "respecting the circumstances which led Genl [Nathanael] Greene into his securityships for John Banks" (refer to GLC02437.04498). Discusses the transaction between Banks and Greene in detail. In the affidavit, Carrington did not comment on the suggestion that Greene was involved in trade with Banks. He plans to send Knox some newspapers that discuss Banks involvement with Greene, or send an additional affidavit. Hopes Knox will obtain evidence of the circumstances that led Banks to be pressured for additional security.

GLC02437.04497

9 March 1790 - 21 November 1792

Manuscript document

Title: The United States of America for Sundry expenditures from the 10th Sept 1789, to the 1st of March

Lists transactions for the account of Joseph Howell Junior, Paymaster General, by name and date. Includes amounts. Noted as written in the Auditors Office and the Pay office in New York City. Countersigned as a true copy by Joseph Nourse [?].

GLC02437.04523

2 March 1790

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses his affidavit (not present) upon the circumstances of private merchant John Bank's contract with Nathanael Greene to supply the southern army with provisions in 1783. It later came to light that Banks was involved in disreputable business dealings and Greene wanted to renounce any involvement with him. Both Carrington and General Anthony Wayne were asked by Greene to provide affidavits disclaiming any financial connection between Banks and Greene. Carrington asks Knox to withdraw his old affidavit and send this new one to Congress in its place. Encloses a copy of a letter (not…

GLC02437.04525

12 March 1790

Bryant, John, 1742-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to Knox, stating, "when I think of the attention that has been paid to me in my necessitous circumstances and of my situation in life, I cannot but with gratitude think on the author of it that his name may ever be rememberd [sic] in my family. I have named a son Henry Knox. he was born on the first of March. He is a fine large boy."

GLC02437.04545

15 March 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Parker

Discusses in detail his financial business related to the Empress of China, the ship he took on his first trip to China. The owners refused to pay him and [Thomas] Randall. Says not only did the owners refuse to pay them upwards of $3000 but that they also instituted an account against them for $2300. The account was appropriated by Parker from the owners' funds committed to Shaw and Randall. Another $884 was also charged which he and Randall paid to Captain Green. The owners are now suing Shaw and Randall for the remaining balance that was not charged to their account. Discusses the…

GLC02437.04571

17 April 1790

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses taking out a draft of money for the census department. Notes the Secretary of Treasurer, Alexander Hamilton, has informed him that in order to obtain a draft of money for the departments in the census, another person needs to be empowered to perform drawing and transmitting duties during his absence. Requests Knox takes over this function and to transmit the money by post. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.04586

27 April 1790

Châteaubourg, Camille Basset de, fl. 1790-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his invitation to join the Society of the Cincinnati that he received after the late War. Says in 1784 he was one of the French officers admitted into the Society, but at the time he could not procure himself the commission for his admission. Would like to obtain a diploma for the title of the honor he had to participate in the Society.

GLC02437.04590