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to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for helping him in renewing his post as consul at Canton, China and prepares to set sail again. Writes that "[m]y prospects in the Eastern hemisphere are not flattering, to be sure - but the empire of Chance is a wide one - and who knows...

GLC02437.04517

to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he has written to Daniel Parker and encloses the letter so Knox can read it (not present). Concerns financial matters related to obtaining insurance on the ship Massachusetts and involves Samuel Parkman, Daniel Parker, and Messrs...

GLC02437.04521

to Henry Knox

Discusses his business with [Samuel] Parkman and Messrs [Nicholas] Hoffman and [Son], noting it will soon be settled. Informs Knox he will be sailing in the near future, thanks to Parkman. Writes that "[l]anguage is insufficient to express how much...

GLC02437.04532

to Henry Knox

Gives Knox some last minute instructions concerning his affairs before he sails, and expresses his love towards Knox and his family, including Knox's brother, William, whom Shaw calls Billy. Page one is from 15 March; page two is from 21 March.

GLC02437.04549

to Samuel Shaw [incomplete ?]

May be missing its beginning page(s). Discusses a proposal apparently geared to help Shaw and [Thomas] Randall avoid debt if "the Jay" (likely a ship) does not arrive according to plan. Mentions that he will likely not be able to write again before...

GLC02437.04569

to Henry Knox

Sends Knox a copy of the "Ratification of the Constitution of the United States, by the Convention of this State on the 29th Inst. by a Majority of Two Votes." Copy not included. He goes on to say "this Important Business being now happily...

GLC02437.04621

to Henry Knox

Discusses appointments made by the President to various positions. Asks Knox "reason of my being totally neglected; perhaps it might have been from Misrepresentation made to the President." Informs Knox that Rhode Island's senators will be arriving...

GLC02437.04629

to Henry Sherburne

Informs Colonel Sherburne, "I am unable to inform you of the motives which [induced] the President of the United States to nominate the persons he did to the service for officers in the customs at Newport." Assures Sherburne that although he was...

GLC02437.04639

to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his "favor of the 16th [of January]" and for his "communications respecting Messieurs Pintards proposals." Informs Knox, due to the advanced season it would be impossible for him to "deviate from the direct and speediest route to...

GLC02437.04832

to Samuel Shaw & Thomas Randall

Thanks Randall for the extension (see GLC02437.04882) he received. Writes, "I have nothing of Mr. D's by which I could secure you..." Notes he owed considerable sum of money from land.

GLC02437.04885

to Oliver Smith

Says that Henry Jackson told him by a letter of 19 June that Smith purchased the estate for £900. Thought it would have sold for "a much more considerable sum." Says the whole sum shall be divided among the other creditors after taxes. Has written...

GLC02437.05032

to [Samuel] Shaw and [Thomas] Randall

Signed in text in third person as "the General." This document is a statement by Knox that the U.S. House of Representatives validates his position as "Secretary for the Department of War."

GLC02437.05200

to Henry Knox

Discusses the positive outcome of a meeting with his creditors in Europe, specifically outlining how he was able to save his credit by selling his ship. Happily relates that his creditors are willing to lend to him again due to his honest character...

GLC02437.05281

to Henry Knox

Discusses seeing Knox before he returns to Boston. Writes, "I have deferred writing to you since I came here - and as I now promise myself that happiness next Monday evening, I shall still defer for a viva voce communication..."

GLC02437.05511

to Henry Knox

Asks for a pay raise to help support his family.

GLC02437.05519

to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he will be sailing for China again in January. He would be happy to execute commissions for Knox in China. States that "your wandering friend intends after this voyage to stay at home - " States that his wife sends her regards to...

GLC02437.05756

to Henry Knox

Randall and Samuel Shaw ask Knox to forward information to a Mr. Anthony on the court case involving the ship "Nelly." The first two pages contain letters related to the case, apparently copied by Thomas Randall. The first page contains the...

GLC02437.05784

to Samuel Shaw and Thomas Randall

Knox relates that extreme hurry has kept him from answering their letter relative to the demands of Messrs. Philips and [Cramond]. Will attend to the matter in the manner they want.

GLC02437.05787

to Henry Knox

Encloses his account against Daniel Parker and Parker's acknowledgment of having received the original sum (not included). Also encloses a receipt from Messrs. Smith & Moses for $29,537.58 to be disposed of for his account with Knox (not included)....

GLC02437.05793

to Henry Knox

Reports that bad weather prevented them from going to sea yesterday. It is now fair and they will sail in an hour. Received Knox's letter of 28 January and says "you will herewith receive a packet from me."

GLC02437.05801

to Samuel Shaw and Thomas Randall

Mentions he may not be in town during their visit. Encloses an order for $10,000 at the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Informs them they can credit him on his bond and they will discuss the remainder amount when he returns...

GLC02437.06162

to Jacob Sheafe

Reports he sent instructions for the frigate being built in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Also notes Sheafe will be furnished with supplies and money from time to time.

GLC02437.06175

to Henry Knox

Introduces Knox to his brother, John Pickering. Notes Pickering is currently the Chief Justice in New Hampshire and is desirous of being appointed to District Judge of New Hampshire in place of the late Judge [John?] Sullivan.

GLC02437.06329

to Henry Knox

Writes a letter of recommendation for an acquaintance.

GLC02437.06472

to Benjamin Shute

Mentions his wish not to have any more of his lands occupied by settlers and states that he will decide on some kind of system.

GLC02437.06484

to Henry Knox

Discusses unspecified business.

GLC02437.06620

to Henry Knox

Discusses landscaping projects he is working on for Knox's land in Maine.

GLC02437.06732

to Benjamin Shute

Discusses the renewal of Shute's commission.

GLC02437.07094

to Henry Knox

Sheafe writes Knox to see if he has any deck plank that might of use to Sheafe on his ship. Sheaf asks Knox what has become of Captain Watts, whom he has not heard from or about in five weeks. Address leaf says "Hand by Mr. Jno Hancock."

GLC02437.07229

to Jacob Sheafe

Knox thanks Sheafe for his letter of January 26, 1799 (GLC02437.07229). Knox will "exert" himself "to have a load of plank transported to Portsmouth from St. Georges." Knox says he does not know anything about Watts.

GLC02437.07231

to Henry Knox

Sheafe received Knox's plank on 19 March 1799. Sheafe paid for the plank after making sure what the fair price was. Sheafe has enclosed bills for Knox to sign and return to him.

GLC02437.07249

to Henry Knox

Sheafe includes in this letter to Knox "duplicate Bills of the Pine and Oak plank purchased of you and now inclose you my Check on the Branch Bank for the balance due to you."

GLC02437.07252

to Jacob Sheafe

Knox received Sheafe's check of $282.27 and says he will order more deck plank "as soon as possible."

GLC02437.07255

to Henry Knox

Sheafe acknowledges receipt of Knox's letter of April 7, 1799 and tells Knox that the Frigate has no use for oak plank, but is using pine now that 3 1/2 to 4 inches thick.

GLC02437.07256

to Henry Knox

Sheafe encloses bills for the planks and informs Knox of other balances and payments regarding his planks. He also tells Knox that he does not need more shipped.

GLC02437.07273

to William S. Shaw

Knox writes Shaw, secretary to President Adams, requesting that his son Henry, a lieutenant in the Navy, be assigned to the Frigate Constitution. Knox reminds Shaw that Knox already objected "verbally" to his son being assigned to the Boston. He has...

GLC02437.07278

to Henry Knox

Shute writes Knox for instructions about taking care of Knox's land and dealing with roaming cows.

GLC02437.07284

to Henry Knox

Naval agent Sheafe tells Knox that next Thursday "is the day fixed on to launch the United States Ship Congress" (one of the original six frigates of the U.S. Navy). Sheafe will gladly be at Portsmouth to meet Knox if he can present on that day.

GLC02437.07293

to Abiel Smith

Knox received Smith's letter of January 5. Knox expresses his deep gratitude for Smith's loan to him. Knox would like to pay more of it back but that is difficult for him at this time. It is not within Knox's power to "command any such security."...

GLC02437.07361

to Jacob Sheafe

Informs Sheafe he is unable to reimburse him the money that Sheafe lent to his "expensive son" (likely Henry Jackson Knox) at this time.

GLC02437.07531

to Benjamin Shute

Letter is not signed but appears to be in Knox's handwriting. Requests Shute informs the people that Knox will remain in Thomaston, Maine until the first of August to provide the settlers with their deeds. A portion of the letter, including Knox's...

GLC02437.07601

to Jacob Sheafe

Discusses a debt owed by Knox's son, Henry Jackson Knox. Says Mrs. [Lucy] Knox will repay their son's debt and apologizes for taking so long to repay it.

GLC02437.07644

to Henry Knox

Writes that since seeing Knox the other day, he felt compelled to address Knox about a financial obligation of Knox's to a Captain Stoner. Declares that Stoner can wait no longer to receive payment.

GLC02437.07791

to Henry Knox

Discusses land deals and taxes by lot.

GLC02437.08137

to Henry Knox

Major Smith requests a twelve day leave of absence from Major General Knox. Writes that he has "thirty or forty pounds of money in expectancy" if he can travel to Hartford [Connecticut] to settle a matter with the Committee of Pay Table.

GLC02437.09561

to Henry Knox

Shepard, Colonel of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, informs Knox that a board of officers (one from each regiment) will meet at Major General [William] Heath's headquarters the following Wednesday at 10 am. The officers will discuss "the several...

GLC02437.10039

to unknown

Previous cataloging suggests this letter was written to Henry Knox. Smith informs the recipient, "your Excellency," regarding the mode of signaling to northern posts when armed vessels pass Dobbs Ferry, New York. Smith writes from "Light Infantry...

GLC02437.10050

to [Samuel] Shaw

Requests that Shaw settle some business for him concerning a bill for £1,530 drawn by a Mr. Broome and Mr. Platt, who are now bankrupt and unable to pay the bill. Asks Shaw to go to New Haven to collect the payment or obtain a security. Watermarked...

GLC02437.10205

to [Samuel] Shaw

Discusses the financial problems of Broome and Platt. Notes his financial embarrassment after receiving Shaw's report about the state of Broome and Platt. Determines to take goods instead of payment from the company, but is unsure of what to do...

GLC02437.10206

to Henry Knox

Swan relates the details of his passage to France. He had planned to avoid conversing with people from Boston, but ran into people he knew aboard ship. Received introductions from French nobility during his passage. Asks for news related to the...

GLC02437.03801