19 April 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Manuscript document

Title: [Receipt pertaining to Webber & Company]

Relates to details of a transaction between Webber & Co. and Mr. Goodeve.

GLC02437.03129

June 1785

McIntosh, Lachlan, 1725-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Speech regarding the boundary line of the Creek Nation]

Docket indicates this to be a speech by McIntosh. "We wish to show you our Brothers & Country Men also, that all injuries are forgotten and gone away- and the Hatchet buryed deep between us and your Nation likewise [1]... if one nation or people have more than they can use or have occasion for; - they ought in reason of Justice to give part of what is useless... to those people who are in want & cannot live without it &c" [4]. McIntosh claims that the boundary line designated in a previous treaty was left unmarked. Attempts to settle the boundary dispute and to persuade the…

GLC02437.03161

July 20, 1785 - January 28, 1786

Killingley, Green, & Son, fl. 1785

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Consists of two letters. The first, sent 20 July 1785, is marked as a copy. In the letter, Killingley, Green, & Son congratulate William Knox on his restored health and his planned return to America. They express assurance that William will pay the money he owes. They inform William that they would like to supply him in the future if he chooses to keep hosiery among his other merchandise. The second letter, on verso, is written 28 January 1786. In this letter, the firm congratulates William on his safe arrival at Boston, and implores him to settle his account.

GLC02437.03166

13 August 1785

Savage, Joseph, 1756-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain John Savage writes to ask for Knox's recommendation for a job. Savage explains that Colonel William Burbeck has recently died, and the berth is unoccupied. Plenty of people are applying for the position, including Savage, so he hopes that Knox will recommend him to Governor James Bowdoin of Massachusetts, who apparently will select the candidate to fill the position. Sends regards to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.03177

22 August 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to discuss business endeavors with Knox. Declares that as he has not had a response from Mr. [possibly Robert] Morris in four weeks, he has changed his plans. Instead of remaining in Boston and trying to sell Mr. Morris's teas, which he is holding at "12 per cent higher than the market price," he has asked his brother-in-law, Mr. Parkman, to manage his business affairs and will come to New York to visit Knox and his wife. Has written to Mr. Morris to this effect, and will take passage to New York in four or five days on a ship called "Godfrey" from Rhode Island. He also wants to…

GLC02437.03180

6 September 1785

Broome & Platt (firm), fl. 1785

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The firm of Broome & Platt, which owes Henry Knox money (see GLC02437.03182), explains its problems with various creditors and the ways in which they are in debt. According to the writer (perhaps Samuel Broome, as he refers to Mr. Platt in the letter), they are suffering from ill treatment by their former creditors in England, due to the war. They are hoping to avoid bankruptcy and hoping they will be able to work out with all their creditors a similar arrangement to the one Samuel Shaw negotiated with them, on behalf of Henry Knox. Reaffirm their commitment to justice in their…

GLC02437.03184

6 September 1785

Broome & Platt (firm), fl. 1785

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The writer, on behalf of the firm of Broome & Platt, encloses documents detailing the correspondence between the firm and its creditors in England, as requested. Outlines the firm's dealings with John Blackburn, of London, who until July 1783 was apparently on good terms with the firm. Invited them to come to London to settle their business whenever convenient, so Mr. Platt left in December 1783 and arrived London in mid-January 1784. Upon calling on Mr. Blackburn, Mr. Platt "found a clause which had artfully been kept from us": unbeknownst to them, their contract with Mr. Blackburn…

GLC02437.03185

12 September 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for goods received from the firm of Broome & Platt]

Duplicate of GLC02437.03193, in the hand of Samuel Shaw. Receipt of "sundry goods" received from the firm of Broome & Platt, "charged at their lowest cash price, amounting to seven hundred and ten pounds four shillings, sterling money of Great Britain" in response to a debt between that firm and the firm of Webber, Addington and Birhnall of London. Outlines the details of their arrangement. Signs on behalf of Henry Knox and himself.

GLC02437.03192

12 September 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [Receipt for goods received from the firm of Broome & Platt]

Copy of GLC02437.03192. Unsigned, but identical to GLC02437.03192 and written in the same hand, that of Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.03193

30 September 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Webber

Draft of GLC02437.03204, written in the hand of Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.03205

November 2, 1785

L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 1754-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette [in French]

Letter written by Major L'Enfant to Lafayette. Probably in reference to the problems he was having with payments owed to Parisian jewelers for badges made for the Society of the Cincinnati. The eagle insignias did not sell well among American officers when L'Enfant returned to the United States in 1784.

GLC02437.03212

12 November 1785-2 June 1789

Milton, John, fl. 1740-1804

Manuscript document

Title: [Articles of two treaties, concluded at Galphinton and Shoulderbone Creek between Georgia and the Creek Nation]

Clerical copies of treaties concluded at Galphinton between "commissioners appointed on the part of the state of Georgia" and the Creek Nation. Verified as a true copy by the Secretary of the State of Georgia, John Milton. Apparently establishes the land upon which it is acceptable for Creeks to settle on in the state of Georgia. Copies of signatures of several dozen members of the Commission and of the Creek Nation, including John Twiggs, Elijah Clark, Warrior King, and Okmulgey Tusknackey. The first five pages (numbered 1-5 in a later hand) comprise a clerical copy of the signed 12…

GLC02437.03216

20 November 1785

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that in Knox's letter from 14 November, Knox had reported that his brother William Knox had not yet arrived from England, but believes Knox is mistaken since he heard that the ship had in fact arrived. Discusses the political prospects of Mr. [John] Hancock, who "attends the General Court every Tuesday" but has not yet confirmed whether or not he will take his seat in Congress. Some have suggested Hancock will be appointed to the "chair" of the government, and that taking a seat in Congress will damage his prospects. Discusses debates in court over the Refugee Act, which passed by a…

GLC02437.03218

1 November 1783

Milton, John, fl. 1870-1880

Manuscript document

Title: [Articles of a convention held at Augusta between the Creek Indians and the state of Georgia]

Copy with clerical signatures of several individuals on both sides of the treaty, including John Twigg, Elijah Clark, Tallessee King, and Tallessee Warrior. See GLC02437.03216 (probably originally another component of the same document) for copies of related treaties, with clerical signatures of John Milton and many of the same people, including John Twigg and Elijah Clark. John Milton certifies the authenticity of the copy.

GLC02437.03222

25 December 1785

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Manuscript letter signed

Title: [Appraisal of arms imported for William Knox]

Document has two parts. Top part features an evaluation by a John Goeld[?], which reads, "Having viewed twenty four fire arms imported in a case address'd to William Knox Esqr. I hereby certify that upon an average I suppose them to be valued at Forty shillings sterling each and also a cross bow which I suppose to be worth about four shillings sterling." The bottom part features calculations and figures, and a certification that 44 shillings total were received for duty. This portion is signed by John Lamb in his capacity as Collector [of Customs for New York].

GLC02437.03228

2 April 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Report of General Knox's letter to Dr. Gordon]

Later copy. Apparently an excerpt of GLC02437.03257, outlining an incident between General George Washington, the Comte de Grasse, General Rochambeau, General Henry Knox, and Lord Cornwallis. Note at top of page reads, "Report of Genl Knox's letter to Dr Gordon, which the Dr has transferred to his history ii 255,256. outlining General Washington's letter to Count de Grasse, 'which,' says Knox, 'by some unaccountable means has been published.'" Embossed seal in the upper left corner.

GLC02437.03258

13 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Later copy of GLC02437.03273.

GLC02437.03274

June 16, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox references Lafayette's letter from February 11, 1786. He thanks Lafayette for his kindness toward his brother, William, when he was ill. Says that William has recovered and has been with him since October 1785. Hopes the recovery is permanent. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase jeweled eagle badges for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati. L'Enfant returned to America in 1784 and brought back many badges purchased on credit. The price proved too high for some officers, which left L'Enfant in a bind. Goes on to…

GLC02437.03276

7 December 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Webber

Appears to be of very similar content to, though not an exact copy of, GLC02437.03232.

GLC02437.03233

January 19, 1786

Francastel, Nicolas Jean, fl. 1784-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette [in French]

For an English translation of this French letter see GLC02437.03239. The translation is in a different hand. This letter was written by Parisian jeweler Nicolas Jean Francastel, who was one of the creators of the jeweled eagle insignia worn by some members of the Society of the Cincinnati (Claude Jean Autran Duval was the other). Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant had been sent to France in 1783 to order the badges for the Society, which he did on credit and was later unable to sell to officers in America. This letter details the settlement over the payment for the badges. With interest,…

GLC02437.03238

January 19, 1786

Francastel, Nicolas Jean, fl. 1784-1786

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

An English translation of GLC02437.03238 in a different hand. This letter was written by Parisian jeweler Nicolas Jean Francastel, who was one of the creators of the jeweled eagle insignia worn by some members of the Society of the Cincinnati (Claude Jean Autran Duval was the other). Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant had been sent to France in 1783 to order the badges for the Society, which he did on credit and was later unable to sell to officers in America. This letter details the settlement over the payment for the badges. With interest, Francastel was to be paid 20,229 livres. Francastel says…

GLC02437.03239

12 March 1786

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Nathanael Greene writes, "I thank you for the public attention you are paying to my public Trophies; but I have been so embarrassed and perplexed in my private affairs for a long time past which originated in the progress of the War that I have but little spirit or pleasures on such subjects. My family is in distress and I am overwhelmed with difficulties and God knows when or where they will end. I work hard and live poor but I fear all this will not extricate me." Describes some business losses he has suffered, including poor harvest due to wet weather. Mrs. Greene is about to "…

GLC02437.03251

28 March 1786

Duncan, David, fl. 1786

Manuscript document

Title: Extract of a letter from David Duncan to Tho Hutchins Esqr.

In this letter, David Duncan, a former Indian trader appointed to work at Fort McIntosh, writes to Thomas Hutchins, the Geographer of the United States. After a four-month tour of Detroit and the surrounding areas, Duncan reports to Hutchins about the Indians he encountered. First, he says that evidence indicates the British will not be giving up their post at Detroit any time soon, as they seem to be settling in there. He describes the dispositions of the Indians he encountered, providing detail about the nations he came upon, including the Shawnee, Ottowa, and Delaware. Is highly…

GLC02437.03254

18 June 1786

Tatopocsha, fl. 1786

Manuscript document

Title: A Speech from the Delaware Chiefs residing in the Delaware towns in the Shawanese country met in council at Coshocton June 18, 1786

Copy of a translation of a speech by Tatopocsha, Chief of the Coshocton Delaware, as well as Chief Captain John Dowdy and Chief Bigg Catt. Contains a note by Obadiah Robins, confirming that "This is the sense of the speech as it was interpreted to me." Speech discusses the peaceful relationship between the Delaware and their "brethren the Americans." Tatopocsha mentions an incident in which the Delaware nation tried to convince the Pottowattimi nation to keep the peace with the Americans, that they had no dispute with the Americans. Also discusses an incident in which the Mingoes murdered…

GLC02437.03277

22 July 1786

McDowell, John, fl. 1786

Manuscript letter

Title: to William North

Addressed to "Major North," William North, a Major and Inspector of the Army. Written from Fort McIntosh, located in present-day Beaver, Pennsylvania. Writes to discuss how best to equip surgeon's mates in the Fort McIntosh area. Argues that since most surgeon's mates are stationed "at such a distance from each other that assistance cannot be given in cases of immediate necessity," they should be equipped with pocket instruments and amputation kits so they may do their duty. Adds that the equipment they do have is in bad repair: "There is but one set of amputating & one set of pocket…

GLC02437.03282