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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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circa 1770-1806

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph document

Title: [Promissory note]

States that Henry Jackson will pay Mrs. Hannah Moore money due her on either a quarterly or monthly basis.

GLC02437.08105

20 July 1774

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Explains why he has not written sooner. Discusses working on a fishing ship and being owed money by his employer. He fears the possibility of staying in Newfoundland until the fall, citing that the town lacks amusements, even a "five alley." He also expresses his deep feelings of friendship with Knox and how he will miss him. Wishes Lucy Knox well. Comments sullenly on the lack of news he has. Asks Knox to write. Jackson was colonel of the 16th Massachusetts regiment from 1777 to 1779 and commanded the 9th or Boston regiment from 1779 to 1782.

GLC02437.00167

29 August 1774

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Comments on the "disagreeable" current events.

GLC05663

17 June 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds very late to Knox's two previous letters because he is busy. Briefly outlines his daily routine. Gives an account of the recent plans, activities, and capture of the privateer Hero, captained by James Tracy, while pursuing a prize of transport vessels near Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Continues with discussion of Nathaniel Tracy's efforts to have the prisoners exchanged and the injuries sustained by the forty member crew. Discusses raising a company of soldiers in Boston.

GLC02437.00343

11 July 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

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 Campbell, a British officer from Scotland who was then a prisoner, suspiciously purchased a rifle dress. Jackson holds Campbell in a high esteem. Comments on the ships whose recent capture was decribed in an earlier letter (see GLC02437.00343).

GLC02437.00370

15 July 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wants Knox to write more frequently to keep him updated on activities in New York. Remarks that "at Last the grand Question of Independence is determined and I hope every true American will support it with his Life and Fortune." Comments on smallpox afflicting the Continental troops and the lack of news about the privateer he discussed in his previous letter (GLC02437.00370). Date of 15 July 1776 from docket. Header of letter only dated July 1776.

GLC02437.00376

18 July 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports no news from Boston and a feeling of security there. Explains that all news from New York comes from the bi-weekly post deliveries. They keep hoping to hear "something grand from you[r] quarter." General George Washington's call for troops from Boston to go to New York has made the people alarmed, but Jackson sees it in a positive light because it will compel the raising of more local troops to replace those leaving. Smallpox will prevent some troops from marching for New York. Mentions that Colonel John Glover's men will march to New York.

GLC02437.00382

29 July 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to a letter in which Knox described a meeting between George Washington and an adjutant general from the British army seeking to deliver a letter and negotiate a truce (the story was written to Lucy in GLC02437.00385). Claims that the information about the conference had not been known to anyone else in Boston. Seeks Knox's permission to have the account printed. Mentions that the Continental troops have left Boston triggering the creation of a new militia. Comments on preparatory activities of Colonel Craft's regiment.

GLC02437.00400

29 July 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on intelligence on British forces gathered from Benjamin Davis, one of about 150 prisoners taken from a ship captured by a privateer named Captain Skimmer and brought it to Marblehead, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.00402

29 July 1776

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Very brief letter mentions that there is no news and chastises William for not writing. He expects letters from William and Henry Jackson, the latter recommending officers. See GLC02437.00410 for the reaction of Knox's brother, William, to this letter.

GLC02437.00398

5 August 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Rebukes Knox for calling him a lazy scoundrel for not writing at every post. Discusses privateering news from a man named Captain White in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and provides an account of ships and cargo seized. Notes that the privateering has affected the price of sugar. Responds to Knox's suggestion of raising a regiment of artillery, but plans to write more on it in the future.

GLC02437.00412

19 August 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Fears potential British successes in New York and the consequences it would have on morale. Wants all available men in New England sent to defend New York so it is not lost for want of soldiers, as was the case with the invasion of Canada. Believes that the British value New York very highly and if the Americans lose it will be disastrous. Discusses a ship from St. Augustine, Florida, that was seized and the intelligence gathered from it. Would like Knox to get him some artillery pieces.

GLC02437.00420

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.

GLC02437.00436

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

9 September 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Laments the loss at the Battle of Long Island because they lost the territory, had to abandon military stores and artillery pieces, and lost access to the good farms and livestock on the island. Others in Boston think the loss was of little consequence. Hopes to keep Manhattan and thinks it possible. Reports hearing that nine prizes containing rum and sugar from the West Indies have been captured by privateers and brought to Newport, Rhode Island and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Seeks a response to his inquiry about getting guns to outfit a ship (see GLC02437.00436). Explains that Mr.

GLC02437.00443

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.

GLC02437.00451

23 September 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that some of "our cool W[h]igs" are getting discouraged, in response to activities in New York and the loss at Long Island, and wish an end to hostilities. Jackson, however, only wants the matter settled "upon Independent terms." Reports that General Benjamin Lincoln will be marching to New York with 6,000 reinforcements. Jackson's company was not ordered to join them. Indicates that two prizes have been captured by privateers.

GLC02437.00453

26 September 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Compliments Knox on the "generalship" of the evacuation of Long Island and New York. Offers his opinions of the activities in New York and the role of the British navy. Also mentions the loss at Long Island's negative effect on morale. Also comments on Knox's baggage stolen by the Hessians and the cowardice of some of the troops. Communicates that Mr. Spears wants Knox to pursue the exchange of Captain Lieutenant John Johnson, who was taken prisoner at Long Island (also see GLC02437.00440). Discusses correspondence problems.

GLC02437.00458

2 October 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Explains why he has not written recently. Reacts to Knox's account of Major Thomas Henley's death in a failed surprise attack against the British on Randall's Island. Notes that he has published accounts Knox requested. Indicates that Bostonians are "much alarm'd, about the burn'g, hang'g & cut'g the throats of some of our people..." Discusses the appointments, resignations, and selection of several officers. Reports the capture of a British vessel with light horse on board.

GLC02437.00466

10 October 1776

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Expresses disappointment with not receiving a letter from William, but writes this letter for both William and Henry Jackson. Discusses being recalled from New Jersey in response to sightings of British ships. Tells William to not give credit to reports that an American garrison has been taken, because it has not be verified. Comments on cannons he is getting for Henry Jackson to be mounted on a privateer. Mentions that Lucy Knox and their daughter visited briefly. Composed at Mount Washington.

GLC02437.00472

10 October 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Laments the loss of Bergen Point, New Jersey, as well as any other easy victory by the British because it lifts their spirits and emboldens them. It also discourages the Americans. Wants there to be no more works built that cannot be properly defended. Discusses several prizes taken by privateers and the supplies seized. Also relates news from London papers that were aboard one of the ships. Discusses a ship his is outfitting and inquires again about the guns he requested from Knox. Mentions the marriage of Ebenezer Oliver to Sucky (Susanna) Johonnet.

GLC02437.00474

14 October 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

He is anxious for news, which has not come in twelve days. He is also worried about the upcoming December because there are rumors that few in the old army will reenlist. Discusses possible solutions. Mrs. Johnson, the wife of Captain Lieutenant John Johnson, who was taken prisoner at the Battle of Long Island, was glad to receive a letter from Knox. Thinks it wise for Lucy Knox to stay in Boston for the winter. Inquires about a Mr. Cheever (possibly Ezekiel Cheever), who was possibly wounded.

GLC02437.00475

20 October 1776

Knox, William (1756-1795)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

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 unsuccessful attack. Discusses the transportation of lumber. Asks his brother if he believes British General William Howe will attempt to end the war decisively this winter, if he believes France will assist the colonies, if he thinks the Continental Congress is taking proper actions to form the army.

GLC02437.00476

7 November 1776

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Knox infrequent correspondence and attributes it to him being "in one of the most active Situations in the whole army." Is happy to hear Knox is getting over an illness. Mentions Knox becoming increasingly fat. Discusses the scarcity and inconsistency of news reaching Boston. He is especially disturbed by the effects of false, positive news. Fears that the British might attack when the current army's enlistment ends. Laments not enlisting last year and hopes for a solution to the manpower problem.

GLC02437.00482

16 March 1777

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Crane has been authorized to give twenty pounds as a bounty to those he enlists in the regimental artillery. But Boston is offering a town bounty of fifty pounds for anyone who joins the local army, and this is making recruiting very difficult. Suggests the only way to fill the artillery will be with men from other units, but has his doubts about this as well. Wishes that George Washington would issue an order putting the artillery on equal footing for recruitment. Feels that the other officers, who gave up a lot while fighting, deserve better than their current situation.

GLC02437.00550

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