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6 November 1783
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
to George Washington
Informs General Washington that he has received the cannons for the Count de Grasse and makes plans for their further transport. Knox's retained draft.
GLC02437.02759
9 November 1783
to [George] Clinton
Discusses with Governor Clinton the preparations for the arrival of "The General" [George Washington] at Poughkeepsie, New York. Adds that he has sent his aide-de-camp John Lillie to New York, thinking that sending an aide would leave "less room for...
GLC02437.02762
12 November 1783
Carleton, Guy (1724-1808)
to Henry Knox
Informs Knox of his proposed schedule to evacuate New York, starting from King's Bridge as far as McGowan's Pass, continuing eastward on Long Island. Mentions evacuating Brooklyn the day following, then Paulus Hook, Denys's (Denyse's Ferry in...
GLC02437.02770
15 November 1783
to William Hull
Informs that the British will begin evacuating New York soon. Mentions the evacuation of Kingsbridge, Fort Washington, McGowan's Pass, New York City, Brookland (Brooklyn), Paulus Hook, Staten Island, and De Neices (Denyse's Ferry in Brooklyn)....
GLC02437.02780
16 November 1783
Hull, William (1753-1825)
Expresses his regret that his order of overalls for the Light Infantry cannot be fulfilled, but insists on breeches for those who "joined from the 5th Regt. [as they] did not draw Breeches when they received their other cloathing [sic], and now...
GLC02437.02784
24 November 1783
Informs Washington of his plans to evacuate New York, stating that "I purpose to withdraw from this place to morrow [sic] at noon, by which time I conclude your Troops will be near the Barrier. - The Guards from the Redoubts & on the East River shall...
GLC02437.02798
1 December 1783
Ogden, Samuel (1746-1810)
Wants to know when General George Washington will be in town so he can pay his respects before Washington returns to Virginia. States that the treatment of Loyalists in New York City is much to the honor of the U.S. military and nation as a whole...
GLC02437.02815
14 December 1783
to Francois Jean Chastellux
Discusses the great debt and gratitude the new nation owes to France and the French officers and commanders for their leadership and support.
GLC02437.02829
to Marquis de Lafayette
Says he wrote Lafayette "several letters" expressing his affection for him. Says America as a nation believes the same thing and that "you must not regard [such expressions] as compliments but the language of sincerity." Goes on to say "Our...
GLC02437.02830
8 January 1784
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de (1757-1834)
References receiving a letter from Knox. Writes of their warm friendship. Says "from the beginning of our Great Revolution which Has been the Beginning of our Acquaintance, We Have Been Activated By the Same principles, supported with the same ideas...
GLC02437.02928
21 February 1784
Knox reflects on the Revolutionary War: "Your calm retreat to Mount Vernon must be a source of ineffable delight to you. You can from there take a retrospective view of the critical exigencies of the War, and see a thousand ways by which the issue...
GLC02437.02960
3 July 1784
Estaing, Charles Henri, comte d' (1729-1794)
Ideas upon the association of the Cincinnati
Written in Knox's hand. Docketed 13 July 1784. Contains reforms and resolutions in response to public reaction against the Society of the Cincinnati.
GLC02437.03027
26 July 1784
Responds to a 2 June 1784 letter from Washington. Discusses a recent Congressional order requiring Frederick Haldimand, Governor of the Province of Quebec, to give the United States information as to when British troops will completely evacuate...
GLC02437.03031
21 January 1785
to George Washington [incomplete]
Comments on a recent trip Washington took to his western lands. Expresses relief that Washington did not travel as far west as he originally planned due to "the indians being in a bad temper." Referring to settlers on Washington's lands, writes...
GLC02437.03087
29 March 1785
Knox introduces Catharine Macaulay Graham and her husband, James Graham, to Washington. Writes, "a glorious enthusiasm for the cause of general liberty and human happiness, has impelled this lady and her husband, to cross the atlantic to visit that...
GLC02437.03122
18 April 1785
Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)
Discusses the proper time to sell goods recently arrived from London that were consigned to Henry Knox. Relates that Granville Sharp sent a box of books intended for Knox, Harvard College, Rhode Island College, and George Washington. The books were...
GLC02437.03128
8 May 1785
to J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur
Knox writes to Crevecoeur, French consul at New York. Expresses his regret at Crevecoeur's loss of important papers. Apparently responding to Crevecoeur's request for information related to the Revolutionary War, writes, "...I was not at the...
GLC02437.03141
2 April 1786
to William Gordon
Writes that he is unaware of a present being sent from the King of France to General George Washington; declares that Colonel Laurens received money and goods but he thought they had been purchased. Provides information about a wartime incident...
GLC02437.03257
[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...
GLC02437.03258
19 April 1786
to Pierre Charles L'Enfant
Writes that he has received L'Enfant's note from this morning. Does not believe the members of the Society of Cincinnati in France have received their diplomas yet. Does not have the names of the members because all the information was left in the...
GLC02437.03261
16 June 1786
Later copy of letter written by Knox to Lafayette at GLC02437.03276. Thanks Lafayette for the kind treatment given to his brother William. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase...
GLC02437.03275
References Lafayette's letter of 11 February 1786. 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...
GLC02437.03276
14 November 1786
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
Extract of a letter in the hand of Tobias Lear, secretary to George Washington. Explains that he proof-read entries from the "Encyclopedie Methodique" on the "Etats unis" and the "Cincinnati," and gave corrections to the author. Also gave the...
GLC02437.03338
14 February 1787
Fleury, François-Louis Teissèdre, vicomte de (b. 1749)
Written from "Port Louis, Isle of France," present-day Port Louis, Mauritius. Relates that Mr. Sears stopped at the Isle of France on his way to and from Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China), and brought him a letter from Major Samuel Shaw. Fears...
GLC02437.03454
20 May 1787
Gardoqui y Arriquibar, Diego (1735-1798)
Asks Knox to deliver the enclosed letter (not included) to George Washington and informs him that all their mutual friends in the area are well. Wishes "the Convenssion [sic] & the Cincinatus all manner of success," referring to the upcoming...
GLC02437.03551
25 July 1787
References Lafayette's letter of 5 May 1787. Says the letter gave information that was "truly important and evinces that the french nobility possess the true spirit of justice & liberality." Tells him that there are dangers and that he "must not...
GLC02437.03616
to Charles Henri d'Estaing
Discusses the application of the Marquis de Bouille to the Society of the Cincinnati. Also asks the Count d'Estaing for a list of the officers in the French Navy who are members of the Society; would like to use this list to to fill out diplomas for...
GLC02437.03619
24 October 1787
Says he has probably already heard of the results of the Constitutional Convention. Says "The propositions being essentially different, in many respects from the existing Confederation, and which will probably produce different national effects, are...
GLC02437.03680
17 February 1788
Swan, James (1754-1830)
Relates the details of his passage to France. 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 United...
GLC02437.03801
5 March 1788
Webber, James (fl. 1784-1797)
Congratulates Henry on the birth of another child (George Washington Knox, who was born in December 1787). Transmits a bill of lading. Asks Knox to urge Mr. [Samuel] Ogden to settle his bill with Webber. Comments on the Russo-Turkish War, noting...
GLC02437.03816
11 March 1788
Grasse, Alexandre-Francois Auguste, Marquis de (1765-1845)
to George Washington [in French]
Extract from a letter (in French) from Augustus de Grasse to George Washington to be presented before the Society of the Cincinnati, regarding Augustus's father, Admiral Francois De Grasse. The younger de Grasse asks Washington's permission to wear...
GLC02437.03820
18 March 1788
Expected to write this morning, but was interrupted by deputies of the "dutch patriots." While he was speaking to them he says he had a copy made of his letter to the General, possibly referring to George Washington, and has enclosed it (not included...
GLC02437.03825
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
15 May 1788
Marked "Copy." Letter in a secretarial hand. Says that Joel Barlow, later known as one of the Connecticut Wits, will deliver this letter. Knox identifies Barlow as the author of "The vision of Columbus," a long epic poem in heroic couplets. Barlow...
GLC02437.03874
May 1788
Discusses the recruitment of troops. Writes, "I have farther investigated the Bermuda business I am persuaded there will be a Garrison [there] of one or two thousand men..." referring to British soldiers. Refers to the possible adoption of the...
GLC02437.03881
3 October 1788
Sayre, Stephen (1736-1818)
Describes his recent liberation from a "long & illegal confinement" and the defense of his liberty against a "malignant Villain." Warns Knox against the "growing Influence of the Law & Lawyers." Discusses his [unspecified] proposition regarding the...
GLC02437.03989
16 November 1788
Knox, William (1756-1795)
Discusses routine War Office affairs and preparations for John Pratt's march to Fort Pitt. Comments on Ebenezer Hazard's assurances that a contract would be renewed to guarantee regular postal service. Forwarded some letters from Henry to Winthrop...
GLC02437.04030
3 January 1789
Forwards him a letter for Genl. W. [General George Washington] regarding the American Navy. Believes that if Knox is named in charge of the military by Congress, as will likely be the case, Knox will have influence with Congress and might encourage...
GLC02437.04067
Has only received a short note from Lafayette (on recommendations for the Society of the Cincinnati), since last June. Believes it is due to the suspension of packets between France and America, as Count de Moustier, the French minister to America...
GLC02437.04071
4 February 1788
Lafayette anxiously awaits ratification results of the U.S. Constitution, discusses debates between himself, Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson and "Common Sense" [Thomas Paine] regarding the need for Constitutional amendments, and stresses the importance of...
GLC02437.04105
24 May 1789
Says it is a long time since he has heard from Lafayette. Is glad that the packets between American and Europe will soon be re-established. When he can communicate better says he will update Lafayette on affairs in America. Says "You will have been...
GLC02437.04218
June 1789
to Anthony Wayne
Thanks him for his recent letter. Accepts his congratulations for the newly-formed federal government and "our truly illustrious Cincinnatus [George Washington] to be head thereof." Extensively discusses diplomatic relationships between countries in...
GLC02437.04265
30 August 1789
Miranda, Francisco de (1750-1816)
to Henry Knox [in French]
Touches on the state of American government, the Constitutional Convention, and the Ohio territories. Asks Knox to present his respects to President [George] Washington, Governor [James] Bowdoin, Colonel [Alexander] Hamilton, and Colonel [William]...
GLC02437.04343
28 November 1789
Thanks Wayne for his letter of 25 October (GLC02437.04397). Discusses the treaty negotiations underway in Georgia with the Creek nation, referring to Creek leader Alexander McGillivray: "Mr McGillivrays influence over the creeks has been exerted to...
GLC02437.04421
6 December 1789
Ward, Samuel (1756-1832)
Mentions that on his return from China, he saw Captain Thomas Randall. Randall had protested against John Searle & Co., a merchant in Madeira, who shipped bad wine on the ship "Jay." Notes that the owners of the Washington Indiaman also have a case...
GLC02437.04427
6 March 1790
Lillie, John (1755-1801)
Explains and apologizes for not writing in a while as he was in France and quite busy. Discusses earnings he made from the vessels he sent to the West Indies from Georgia. Notes his profits were not as great as he expected, but, "on the whole...
GLC02437.04530
15 March 1790
Writes that he has not heard from Knox in quite a while, stating "for god sake let me see few lines from you; & then I shall communicate you the progress of that 4: that has begian [sic] already, about 38:" Mentions that he hopes that the new...
GLC02437.04551
29 March 1790
Wishes to introduce Knox to a friend of his, Count Paolo Andreani from Milan, Italy, who intends to visit America. Describes him as a top "diletante in Chimistery, and natural history, in Europe." Asks him to introduce Count Andreani to General...
GLC02437.04563
17 April 1790
Bourne, Sylvanus (1761-1817)
Signed in text. Note left for Knox as he was not home when Bourne came to call. States that he wanted to discuss with Knox about "when the foreign arrangments [sic] will take place..." Asks Knox to speak to the President, George Washington, on his...
GLC02437.04585
to Sylvanus Bourne
Replies to Bourne's letter (GLC02437.04585) that he received earlier that morning. Says that he will assist Bourne with his pursuits (an appointment abroad in the public agency) and gives him advice on how to best handle the business. Recommends...
GLC02437.04587
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