27 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes affectionately, asking about Lucy's journey from Worcester. Discusses his own journey to New York City on his way to Fort Ticonderoga, where George Washington had ordered him to travel to in order to bring back to Cambridge the British artillery captured there in the Spring of 1775. He met his brother on the road, a meeting he describes and dubs "truly farcical." Comments on business opportunities. Reports the easy victory by which American forces captured Montreal on 13 November 1775. mentioning the British retreat, the construction of an American battery, and the interception of…

GLC02437.00211

27 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

A highly detailed letter in which Knox reports on his efforts to obtain ordnance in New York City for the Continental Army in Cambridge. Discusses similar, unsuccessful activities in regard to the activities of a man named Colonel Read, and his problems with the committee sitting during the recess of the Second Continental Congress, possibly the Second Provincial Congress, which met in New York in late 1775 or the Committee of Safety. Reports Colonel Alexander McDougall's promise to exert his influence on the committee and have them send munitions to Cambridge immediately. Seeks permission…

GLC02437.00212

27 November 1775

Quincy, Josiah, 1710-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Discusses the need for and benefits that would come from establishing an American naval force. Has changed his mind and now believes Row Gallies could be effectively used in the Boston Harbor. In support of establishing a navy, cites successful transportation of provisions in whaleboats, "excursions to the Lighthouse and other Islands, by Detachments from the Companies posted to guard the Shores, and especially, the numerous Captures by our armed Cruisers." Discusses financial applications of taking up Major Benjamin Tupper on an offer to command a flotilla of whaleboats. Enumerates…

GLC02437.00213

5 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

A brief note to tell his wife that he has arrived near Fort Ticonderoga and is in good health. Comments that the battery is waiting for him, in reference to his orders from George Washington to inspect artillery seized from the British earlier that year and return with it to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Written from Fort George in Lake George, New York.

GLC02437.00214

5 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Discusses working with General Philip Schuyler to arrange to have artillery seized from the British earlier in the year forwarded from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Describes the garrison at Ticonderoga as weak and "the Conveyance from the fort to the landing so indifferent & the passage across the lake so precarious that I am afraid it will be ten days at least before I can get them on this side the lake." Mentions potential problems with the sledding. Written from Fort George in Lake George, New York. Knox's retained working draft. Docket is written in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.00215

9 December 1775

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox's presence at headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts on behalf of George Washington. The letter was addressed to Worcester, Massachusetts, but at the time, Knox was at Fort George, in Lake George, New York.

GLC02437.00217

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Docket is written in Knox's hand. Asks Colonel McDougall to use his influence to have the listed shells sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts, immediately. In a post script, asks that McDougall inform George Washington if he cannot obtain the listed items. When Knox was in New York City a month earlier (en route to Ticonderoga to retrieve ordnance for American forces in Massachusetts), McDougall had promised to assist him in obtaining artillery by exerting influence on a committee representing the Second Provincial Congress (see GLC02437.00212). Written from Fort George in Lake George, New…

GLC02437.00220

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Discusses activities relating to the transport of artillery captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga earlier that year. Comments on difficulties of getting the ordnance over Lake George. Mentions that he has obtained sleds and oxen. He will use the oxen to drag the artillery to Springfield, where he will get new animals to drag them the rest of the way to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Explains the route and speculates on potential for either progress or hardship. Expects to arrive in Cambridge in 16-17 days. Sends an inventory of the artillery from Ticonderoga and the pieces requested…

GLC02437.00222

11 November 1775

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

In response to Knox seeking a commission as colonel, Adams writes that he is "rejoiced to learn that you have at last determined to take a more important share than you have done hitherto in the conduct of our military matters." Explains that he has been impressed with Knox's military knowledge and has been making his name known among the members of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Reports that he is lobbying for Knox to receive the commission he seeks, and believes he will. Wants Knox to keep him informed about everything that is happening in the camp. Adams wants "to know the…

GLC02437.00208

16 June 1775, 9 December 1775, and 12 December 177

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [Resolutions for Revolutionary War generals' pay]

Three resolutions regarding pay. The earliest sets major generals' pay at $166 per month, and double that when they serve in two departments. The next two issue General Richard Montgomery, commander of American forces in Canada, additional money. Montgomery was killed in an unsuccessful attack on Quebec in late December 1775. Possibly created circa 1783, in the context of Henry Knox's application for additional pay due as commander of a separate department.

GLC02437.00216

12 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Palmer

Asks Captain Palmer to obtain forty sleds for transporting artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the oxen or horses needed to pull them. Asserts that he will assist in any way possible. Requests an immediate response. Written from Fort George in Lake George, New York.

GLC02437.00218

14 December 1775

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that the boat with letters and provisions sent by Henry arrived yesterday. Explains how a boat William was riding to Sabbath Day Point in sank close to the shore, making the artillery on board and the vessel salvageable. Captain Johnson also arrived, and together with William sent a boat toward Lake George, but the ice will make it slow. William will ride a different scow up to Lake George. Asks Henry to pay Captain Johnson. Henry was then engaged in an operation to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.00219

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Philip Schuyler

Gives General Schuyler an update on the progress of preparations to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mentions that he has gotten the mortars and cannon over Lake George and arranged with Captain George Palmer to obtain sleds and oxen or horses to pull them (see GLC02437.00218). Discusses plans for moving forward. Asks that Schuyler increase the length of the amount of rope he requested from Mr. [Walter] Livingston and that it be sent expeditiously. Also asks him to forward enclosed letters (not included). Written from Fort George in Lake George, New…

GLC02437.00221

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see his wife and plans to in three weeks. Discusses activities relating to the transport of artillery captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga earlier that year to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that both his and William Knox's health has been good. Quips about his rotund figure. Discusses the "Bravery of America" and a growing awareness of it among the British prisoners he has seen: "Enemies who would not before this allow the Americans a Spark of Military virtue." Blesses America and Lucy. Links God watching over Americans to God watching over Lucy in particular.…

GLC02437.00223

18 December 1775

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he is happy to hear Knox was able to get the artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Fort George on the other side of Lake George. Schuyler has already made arrangements to transport the artillery to Cambridge and consequently orders Knox to countermand his directions to Captain George Palmer to obtain carriages and pack animals for the journey (see GLC02437.00218).

GLC02437.00224

25 December 1775

Palmer, George, 1719-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's cancellation of an arrangement for Captain Palmer to obtain sleds and pack animals to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that the patriotic people Palmer contracted with are insulted by the cancellation and cryptically comments that Knox's "Penetration will Easily Discern the Consequences that will follow Disappointing Such A Number of People So Resolutely Determined." General Philip Schuyler ordered Knox to cancel the arrangements (see GLC02437.00224).

GLC02437.00225

4 May 1776

Foster, Thomas Waite, fl. 1769-1776

Autograph document signed

Title: [Invoice for blanket money for January through April 1776]

Indicates that cash was received by Colonel William Burbeck and Major John Crane. Foster was a captain in Knox's artillery regiment. Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.00284

7 May 1776

Dana, William, 1745-1809

Manuscript document

Title: [Invoice for soldier payment and blanket purchases for men in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

List pay for officers and new recruits, and the cost of blankets for fifty-three men. Docket identifies it as Captain Dana's account.

GLC02437.00285

8 May 1776

Todd, William, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Places a new book order, mentions receiving several books and reminds Knox about others. Docket possibly in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.00286

8 May 1776

Crafts, Edward, 1746-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: An Account of money Rec'd. and of whom Rec'd.

Lists money received by officers in Henry Knox's artillery regiment and troops paid. Docket, in Knox's hand, identifies it as Captain Craft's account.

GLC02437.00287

9 May 1776 and 11 May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Invoice for soldier payment and artillery and supply purchases in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Records pay for members of the regiment and money spent on some supplies and ordnance associated with several officers.

GLC02437.00288

11 May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [State of the companies for which Henry Knox drew pay]

A small chart relating to the pay of soldiers in Henry Knox's artillery regiment. Lists several captains and other officers in the regiment.

GLC02437.00289

11 May 1776

Morton, Dimond, 1743-1792

Manuscript document

Title: [Invoice for soldier payment and clothing purchases for men in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Actual title: "Collo. Henry Knox in Accott. with Capt. Dimond Morton." Records money distributed to pay members of the regiment and to purchase clothing. Docket possibly in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.00290

12 May 1776

Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes Knox to update him on activities reinforcing the siege of Quebec. Discusses orders to congregate at the town of Surrel, about 135 miles outside of Quebec. Mentions that since the Americans had been driven from the Plains of Abraham, it was unknown where they would make their attack. Comments on the location of various generals and assures Knox that all "are in Good Health & Spirits." Informs Knox that only one man failed on the march and was sent back to Charlestown, Massachusetts. Stevens was a captain in Knox's artillery regiment. He earlier reported on his mission to assist…

GLC02437.00291

13 May 1776 - 24 June 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Invoice for soldier payment and clothing purchases for men in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Records money distributed to officers to pay members of the regiment and to purchase clothing.

GLC02437.00292