19 August 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains how a friend's illness and the difficult times brought on by the Revolutionary War have delayed her writing. Notes how expensive the war has made living and suggests William expand beyond just selling books. Looks toward the future when they can all live in happiness and reaffirms her husbands affection for his brother. Comments on the impending battle in New York and notes that very wealthy men are among the ranks, describing the effort as "a glorious spirit." Indicates that their are 25,000 British forces. Provides information about various acquaintances. She received the…

GLC02437.00422

21 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Adams

Later copy. Responds to Adams' (see GLC02437.00416) and discusses the urgent need to obtain copper from mines in New Jersey in order to cast canons. Joins Adams in lamenting the lack of officers from Massachusetts in the Continental Army, but also considers there to be a dearth of qualified candidates. Discusses recruiting and training good officers' rely not only on gentlemen but also on "local" talent. Suggests Colonel John Glover for possible promotion. Discusses raising an army and re-enlistment at length. Warns Adams that a bounty of $25-$36 or 100-150 acres of land is necessary to…

GLC02437.00423

25 August 1776

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's letter (see GLC02437.00423). Discusses the difficulty of obtaining copper in order to cast canons. Also discusses importance of officers to an army and the issue of appointing more officers from Massachusetts. Asks Knox for a list of the best prospects and comments on their characters. Explains his advocacy of a permanent regular army but also his doubts about one being created. Writes, "I am a constant Advocate for a regular Army, and the most masterly Discipline, because, I know that without these We cannot reasonably hope to be a powerfull, a prosperous, or a free…

GLC02437.00424

25 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to his brother's news about British ships sailing up the Hudson river, reinforcements arriving for the Continental Army, and Henry's optimistic outlook on the impending battle. Relays news from the West Indies that the Dutch have refused to renew a treaty with Britain to not sell military supplies to Americans and to supply the British with Scotch regiments. Hostilities between the two are beginning. Describes naval skirmishes. Mentions that he has not received any letters from Lucy Knox. Comments on the poor treatment of Tories exiled from Boston to the country. Indicates that…

GLC02437.00425

25 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses why he did not introduce two of Lucy's acquaintances, Mr. Livingston and Mr. King, to the ladies Lucy mentioned. Indicates that any enemy ship in the bay is seizing every ship that comes near.

GLC02437.00426

26 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Captain William Perkins thirty dollars. A note on the same page, signed by Perkins, instructs that the payment be made to Naby Perkins.

GLC02437.00427

27 August 1776

Greene, Caleb, 1751-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

A former customer of Henry Knox reestablishes a relationship in order to have some bookbinding completed that was ordered before the start of the war. Greene was a bookseller and apothecary in Bedford, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.00428

28 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Describes in detail the beginning of the Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn) on 27 August 1776. Looks forward to the future when they can be together again.

GLC02437.00429

29 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives a detailed account of a town meeting in Boston's Old Brick Meeting House about smallpox, and a debate over the propriety of multiple office holding especially when it links civil and military authorities. [James] Otis and Major [Paul] Revere argued on opposing sides. Mentions that they read a letter addressed to Henry Jackson in order to hear the news. Discusses getting the buttons and cloth that Knox ordered.

GLC02437.00430

6 September 1776

Callender, Eliezer, 1709-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

He has heard that his son, John Callender, was either killed or wounded and taken prisoner in the Battle of Long Island. If a prisoner, [which he was], Eliezer seeks Knox's aid in getting his son released. John Callender was later exchanged and George Washington reversed his court-martial for cowardice at Bunker Hill in light of his valor at Long Island. He was captured while serving as a volunteer in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00441

7 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Indicates that military activities in New York are disrupting the mail. Thanks her for the kindness of her last letter. Reports little activities since the retreat in the Battle of Long Island. Criticizes the promotions that have been made because the army needs "men capable of great Ideas & who are acquainted with military matters." Fears George Washington is bearing too great a load of leadership. Indicates that General Nathanael Greene is recovering from illness. Hopes General Charles Lee arrives soon. Discusses treatment of prisoners, the honor of war, and his desire to not make…

GLC02437.00442

19 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains that he has been extremely busy and has not been able to write. Notes that those "Rascally Hessians" took his baggage with most of things and asks that some cloth be sent to him. Written from Mount Washington (now Washington Heights) in New York.

GLC02437.00447

23 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses corresponding with his brother. Describes the artillery department in the Continental Army as one of the busiest, and the reason he cannot write as frequently as would prefer to. Gives his analysis and opinions of recent events, commenting on British activities and George Washington's leadership, the poor quality of officers the Continental Army, the failures of the Continental Congress, and the needs of the army. Believes that the Battle of Long Island was their one chance to win New York. Comments on the morale-boosting effects of the small victory at the Battle of Harlem…

GLC02437.00451

26 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Celebrates Knox's "very surprizing deliverance from the hands of the Enemy." Criticizes the "Scandalous Flight of the Connecticut Militia," at the Battle of Long Island. Says that "General Washington himself has wrote to our [Council] & cast most severe reflections on their conduct." In response to Henry's letter from 19 September (see GLC02437.00447), he acknowledges that Henry's work and health have limited his writing and notes that he has obtained the epaulets Henry wanted but has not gotten the blue cloth yet.

GLC02437.00455

27 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Hints for the Improvement of the Artillery of the United States]

A report for the Continental Congress outlining specific recommendations to improve the organization, supply, and administration of the Continental Army's artillery. Composed at Harlem Heights in New York. Title from docket. Knox's retained copy & marked 'copy' by him.

GLC02437.00459

1 October 1776

Hoff, Joseph, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the canons he was ordered to make. Work had stopped from lack of communication but was restarting, and Hoff seeks instructions on what to make. Also indicates that he has the opportunity to hire additional moulders, one of which was the letter bearer, his brother, John Hoff. Assures Knox his iron will make good canons. Hoff ran a foundry called Hibernia Furnace.

GLC02437.00462

1 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Applauds the detection of a German traitor named Ledwitz, who had been appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army. Discusses various orders for payment Henry made. Discusses the last two letters he received from Lucy Knox. Has heard that Halifax was burned down by 500 Indians led by Frank Shaw. Discusses need for guns for privateers in Boston and for Continental frigates. Discusses the comparative advantages of large versus small ships, because Henry Jackson is going to arrange for a vessel that Henry "shall be concern'd in." Notes that new regiments have been raised but are…

GLC02437.00431

2 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

A brief and hurried letter to let Lucy know that he is well and in good spirits. Displays optimism about the war, although at the time the American forces were being driven from New York City by the British.

GLC02437.00432

11 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph note signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Robert Cook twenty dollars. A note signed with the mark of [Anne Cook] (spelled "Cooke"), on verso, dated 2 September 1776, directs that the payment be made to Isaiah Doane.

GLC02437.00433

2 September 1776

Parry, Edward, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses plans to purchase books and other business. Mentions that the Army was in 3 divisions and describes the location of each division.

GLC02437.00434

2 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses the retreat from Long Island, after the Battle of Long Island, and plans to defend Manhattan.

GLC02437.00435

2 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Briefly describes an unsuccessful "secret expedition" to obtain some artillery pieces. Seeks assistance in outfitting a ship with guns. Discusses a town meeting to choose wardens and various militia officers. Says James Otis "spoke as well as ever he did in his life." Names militia officers chosen, including William Davies, who had been Paul Revere's fellow rider on the April 18, 1776 "midnight ride." Indicates that many people think there will be no fighting in New York in the fall, but he is uncertain. Prays that Knox's "head may be cove[re]d in the day of Battle."

GLC02437.00436

5 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Praises his wife. Discusses the war, claiming it will reveal "cowardice treachery ingratitude." His is optimistic about the Continental Army's position in New York. He is in good spirits. Denounces the Continental Congress for not funding the army properly, arguing that a few minor defeats will benefit the revolution by forcing them to alter their administration of the war. He wants there to be a standing army. Argues that the militia spreads panic. Looks forward to "conjugal bliss" with Lucy at the end of the war.

GLC02437.00437

5 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reacts to news of the Battle of Long Island, hopes the loss serve as a learning experience rather than discouraging one, and laments the loss of Lord Stirling and General John Sullivan, who were captured. No news from Boston. "Lt. Johnston" was Captain Lt. John Johnston, captured at Long Island (see GLC02437.00443).

GLC02437.00438

6 September 1776

Lucinda, fl. 1776

Autograph note

Title: to William Knox

Sent to Knox but for a man named Philander. Lucinda thanks Philander for lending her books, and although she was very late in returning them, hopes he will recommend and lend some others.

GLC02437.00439