The Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History: Apply now and join us for Fall 2024 courses
9 May 1785
Barbé-Marbois, François, marquis de, 1745-1837
to Henry Knox
Barbé-Marbois, a French diplomat, writes that he is "anxious of laying before [Knox] some matters concerning french officers..."
GLC02437.03142
19 February 1783
McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786
Written by General McDougall to Major General Knox. Says that Colonel Brooks has no doubt reached him before this letter, but hopes to give an update to events in Congress since. Says "Nothing has since been done by Congress on the Subject of our...
GLC02437.01933
24 September 1783
Asks Knox over for a visit to discuss the army. Mentions that if the fireworks will be going off at West Point, he can take part of the company off Knox's hands. Discusses preparations to host a large group of visitors including the Minister of...
GLC02437.02563
12 August 1782
Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 7 August. Thanks him "for your opinion on the department of field Commisary of Military Stores." As Knox hinted, Lincoln said he has submitted it to Washington...
GLC02437.01524
3 March 1783
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
to Benjamin Lincoln
Later copy. Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Congratulates Lincoln on the "glorious termination of our struggles." References Lincoln's letter of 22 February. Agrees with Lincoln on "the efficacy of the funds you mention...
GLC02437.01972
29 May 1782
Later copy. Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Arrived in Newburgh three days earlier. Was at West Point "with the officers of the Army and find them generally much discontented." Says the problems revolve around the issuing...
GLC02437.01432
14 December 1782
Later copy. Writes that Major Villefrance, who will deliver the letter, hopes to receive a promotion. He has not been promoted since he joined the service in 1777. Writes that he has been very successful as Commanding Engineer and is highly...
GLC02437.01744
13 September 1782
Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816
Written by Morris as Assistant Superintendent of Finance to Major General Knox. A sarcastic letter expressing annoyance about Congress and their activities after receiving information on the conduct at Elizabethtown -- probably a reference to the...
GLC02437.01608
31 March 1785
Moriarty, John, fl. 1785-1787
Written in Bristol, Broad Bay (present-day Maine). Hopes to be able to purchase one or two hundred acres of land from Knox. Asks what price Knox would charge for the land, and discusses his method of payment. Writes, "I expect some familys here...
GLC02437.03123
31 July 1785
Discusses the possible purchase of some of Knox's land in present-day Maine, referring to Knox's ownership of two farms and a limeworks. Notes that he could arrange to bring people from Ireland to settle the land. Proposes his method of payment.
GLC02437.03169
11 October 1776
Hancock, John, 1737-1793
[Orders to George Washington to blockade the Hudson River]
Orders to blockade and defend Mount Washington from the enemy without regard to expense. Allows Washington's appointment of a Deputy Commissary of Stores for the Army at New York. Docket not in Hancock's hand.
GLC00372.01
26 February 1776
Read, Joseph, 1732-?
to Artemas Ward
Gives a military report provided by Thomas Mayfield. Describes ship activities in Boston Harbor, mentioning workers and loading occurring at "the Castle," in reference to the military garrison on Castle Island in the harbor. Written in Dorchester...
GLC02437.00257
circa March 1776
to Lucy Knox
Responds affectionately to a letter from Lucy asking what has become of him. Answers that he has not written because of how busy he has been (during the siege of Boston). Comments that the British are packing up and leaving Boston, and Knox expects...
GLC02437.00264
7 February 1787
Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797
Discusses financial arrangements and is happy to hear that Knox has received part of the monies owed him. Writes, however, that "[a]s Mr. Soderstam and Goodeve has not yet paid, must request you to take every step, which you may judge most prudent...
GLC02437.03445
20 April 1788
Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804
Discusses a financial matter involving warrants and a sheriff, of whom Wadsworth writes, "I find the sherif will fight hard and tho no body justifies him-" Notes that the sheriff received ill treatment in the office of Mr. Milligan. Plans to travel...
GLC02437.03851
17 October 1783
Wengierski, Thomas Cajetan, 1755-1787
Thanks Knox (for showing him West Point). Asks Knox for a copy of the map of West Point for a journal he is writing.
GLC02437.02673
20 October 1783
to Thomas Cajetan Wengierski
Replies to Wengierski's request for a map of West Point. States that he is unable to provide the map for security reasons, especially since the war with Britain had just ended. See GLC02437.02673 for Wengierski's request.
GLC02437.02692
14 December 1784
to James Webber, Addington, and Bicknell
Knox writes to his brother William Knox's friends (presumably in London). Thanks them for caring for William and aiding his recovery (William suffered from mental illness). Praises them, offering his services in the future.
GLC02437.03075
2 July 1785
to James Webber
Dicusses the Birmingham wares, which are in the care of Henry Jackson (refer to GLC02437.03164). Relates that the Consul of Sweden informed him that a bill owed by William Knox, Henry's brother, has been paid. Discusses other financial matters...
GLC02437.03163
7 September 1785
Writes to Mr. James Webber of London on a variety of topics. First, thanks him very much for caring for Knox's brother William when William was ill. Is overjoyed to hear of "his restoration to reason and health," and that he will be returning to...
GLC02437.03186
8 June 1786
Mentions the "embarrassments" of Mr. [Richard] Soderstrom, who has recently moved to a house nearby. Discusses the payments being made by debtors such as a Mr. Goodene, as well as the sale of goods. Mentions the health of his brother, William Knox...
GLC02437.03272
6 December 1786
Writes to Webber to discuss a variety of business matters. Explains why he has not written in some time, but thanks him on Mrs. Knox's behalf for advice he wrote to her the previous July. Provides an update on the status of merchandise (such as...
GLC02437.03367
7 June 1787
Informs Webber of Mr. Pritchard's arrival, and promises to render him every assistance. Discusses Samuel Ogden's lack of success in paying William Knox so far, noting that Ogden will be "pressing the persons to whom he has credited the goods." Notes...
GLC02437.03572
1 August 1776
Reaffirms his love for his wife. Discusses smallpox and the possibility of Lucy going to Boston to be inoculated. Comments on various daily and domestic activities, like how he typically spends his time, with whom he dines, and what time he goes to...
GLC02437.00408
circa August 1776
Disposition of Troops at New York
Lists major generals Israel Putnam and John Sullivan and the brigadier generals immediately under them.
GLC02437.00415
15 August 1776
Expresses thanks for their ability to communicate while separated and is looking forward to their future together. Philosophically expresses hopes that reason and religion will someday dictate man's actions. Writes that he "will make a very family...
GLC02437.00419
19 August 1776
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824
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...
GLC02437.00422
20 October 1776
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Discusses their correspondence and speculates that not all their letters reach each other. Discusses the recent British victories in taking Long Island and New York. Had hoped the victories would induce the British into an ill-planned and...
GLC02437.00476
6 November 1776
Discusses her poor health, explains why she did not write for three posts, and laments their separation. Seeks verification of a rumor that General William Howe met the same fate as General John Burgoyne. Letter dated below signature as 6 November...
GLC02437.00480
8 November 1776
Comments on their problems corresponding and reaffirms his love for her. Indicates that the British have stopped pursuing them and their intentions are unknown. Denounces British and Hessian plundering. Describes the Scottish (Highlanders) as the...
GLC02437.00484
11 July 1776
Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809
Discusses Scottish (Highlanders) attempts to "purchase Conquer'd Lands." Describes Scottish prisoners as saucy because they call the country people rebels and say they will later be able to sieze their farms. Explains news that Colonel Archibald...
GLC02437.00370
16 July 1776
Paine, Robert T., 1731-1814
Informs Knox that the British approach necessitates a change in location for casting brass cannons and indicates that an air furnace will be set up in Pennsylvania. Congress will still offer to employ Mr. Byers for the job if it can be done at a...
GLC02437.00379
4 July 1776
Notes that Lucy Knox and others have gone to Fairfield, Connecticut, away from potential fighting in New York. Indicates that he gave Colonel David Mason a draft for fifty dollars to be paid by William (see GLC02437.00358). Asks William to write...
GLC02437.00360
25 August 1776
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
25 July 1776
Explains that he was disappointed to not receive a letter from Lucy by the most recent post and wonders if the difficulty of her journey to New Haven, Connecticut, prevented her writing. Reports via his brother, William Knox, that the people...
GLC02437.00394
28 July 1776
Discusses the recent American victory in Charleston, South Carolina, and praises the patriotism and dedication of those in the southern campaign. Notes Captain Skimmer (possibly a privateer) seized a large ship and brought it to Marblehead...
GLC02437.00397
19 October 1781
Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794
[Return of Ordnance associated with the siege of Yorktown].
One side lists muskets, damaged arms, balls and shells that have been sent up the Chesapeake Bay, reserved for the Southern Army, remaining in Virginia, and fired at the British. The other side lists muskets, damaged arms, balls and shells that have...
GLC02437.01248
14 June 1787
Relates that Henry Jackson had shipped some goods on behalf of Knox, but was unable to procure a bill of lading. Notes, "...upon the whole I think the step we have taken not an improper step in having those articles brought to this city, as they were...
GLC02437.03579
8 July 1779
Makes financial plans before embarking for Holland on a business venture. Encloses an inventory of "the stock on hand, which amounts nearly to as much sterling as it did upon my taking it after returning from the Army ... " Informs Knox he has only...
GLC02437.00773
26 July 1779
Greene, Joseph, 1712-1790
to [William Knox]
Recipient inferred based on content. Gives detailed instructions regarding bills and a shipment of tobacco. Notes, "any Commission business you may send this way, if agreable [sic] to you shall be done on our joint Acco ... " In a post script...
GLC02437.00777
8 August 1779
Requests that Lucy write to him and inform him of her health. Recently sent a letter to her through Major Bauman (Sebastian Bauman). Hopes "to be so far informd [sic] of the Enemies intentions and designs, as to determine to have you nearer to me...
GLC02437.00780
28 September 1779
Later copy. Expresses happiness in hearing of the British evacuation of South Carolina, which Knox attributes to Lincoln's attack on the British in the Battle of Stono Ferry, 20 June 1779, (there is evidence that the British had previous plans to...
GLC02437.00783
November 1779
Neufville, John de, fl. 1779-1789
De Neufville, of the Amsterdam firm De Neufville & Son, writes to William Knox in London. Reports that since Knox left [Amsterdam], "we have no material news." Apparently discusses business ventures. Refers to mutual acquaintances, including...
GLC02437.00787
29 June 1778
Describes the Battle of Monmouth (28 June 1778) in detail. As the British marched away from Philadelphia toward Shrewsbury, New Jersey, Continental troops under General [Charles] Lee attacked the British rear. In the ensuing battle, "My brave Lads...
GLC02437.00713
24 August 1778
Acknowledges receipt of a letter William wrote 14 August 1778. Notes that his wife Lucy would also reply to William, but Shaw has not provided her with pens (possibly referring to his aide-de-camp, Samuel Shaw). Refers to a naval battle near...
GLC02437.00720
5 October 1778
Written at Fredericksburgh. Comments on the arrival of (the privateer) General Arnold's prize. Thinks the British will leave the United States to secure their possessions elsewhere, noting that an attempt to capture the French fleet at Boston rests...
GLC02437.00728
28 October 1778
Written at Fredericksburgh. Reports that a large detachment of British troops sailed recently, and by all accounts are bound for the West Indies or Europe. Writes, "The Enemy in New York are still preparing for a further Embarkation, if it takes...
GLC02437.00735
13 February 1779
Explains why he has not written recently, citing "a very bad arrangement between me & the post Master." Expresses relief that he and William agree regarding an unspecified matter and a Mr. Hichborne (most sources say "Hichborn"). Refers to the...
GLC02437.00750
25 April 1779
Waldo, Jonathon, fl. 1721-1779
"Agreeable to your Desire I embrace the earliest Opportunity of acquainting you to the Rate of exchange upon France." Gives details of the rate of exchange of bills. Also notes that the destination and time of sail for a certain Dutch ship is...
GLC02437.00759
21 May 1779
Recaps a letter he recently sent to William, in which he urged William to sail directly to Amsterdam instead of stopping in France. Mentions letters of introduction he previously sent for William's voyage to Europe, noting he will also ask the Baron...
GLC02437.00763
Showing results 351 - 400