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1807/09/18
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
to Caesar A. Rodney re: transmitting documents for trial of Aaron Burr
Written as President to his Attorney General. Recipient from address leaf. Free franked.
GLC01483
[1789/04]
Washington, George (1732-1799)
Inaugural address [leaf from 1st draft of discarded first inaugural = pp.57-58]
Concerning trade and population growth, with allusion to the postal service, newspapers and manufactures. This was a first draft which Washington later discarded. The manuscript was disassembled by Jared Sparks (whose unsigned autograph note...
GLC01589
27 October 1789
To the Members of the Society of Cincinnati... [speech as president]
One manuscript speech dated 1789, signed by Washington and addressed to those members of the Society in Massachusetts.
GLC01972
9 June 1792
to Thomas Jefferson
Recommends purchasing land and building a facility rather than leasing space for the United States Mint. So that "all the applications may be brought to view," letters and engravings are "to be shewn to the Director of the Mint" and brought to...
GLC01996
[1786/11/11]
to James McHenry re: news of Lafayette, conspiracy to return a slave
Describes his scheme to return a runaway slave to his master William Drayton of Charleston, S.C. After visiting Mount Vernon with his master, the enslaved person escaped and returned to Washington's home. Washington writes that "[t]he fellow...
GLC02065
13 May 1799
to James McHenry
In reply to McHenry's letter of 2 May 1799. Written as commander of Provisional Army created during the fear of a French invasion to McHenry as Secretary of War in the Adams Administration. They are attempting to find the best candidates to fill...
GLC02337
1 January 1783
Jackson, William (1759-1828)
to Henry Knox
Signed by Major W. Jackson, possibly William Jackson, an aide-de-camp of General Washington and secretary of Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary at War. Written from "War Office." Writes to inform Knox of the status of his application to the superintendent...
GLC02437.01784
7 January 1783
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
to Edward Hand
Written and signed for Knox by his aide Samuel Shaw to Brigadier General Hand. Says the prisoners of war at West Point are being marched this day to the 4th Massachusetts Regiment. Their names are enclosed. Says Lieutenant Hoit [could be the same...
GLC02437.01807
14 January 1783
Humphreys, David (1752-1818)
Relays the information that George Washington consents to the absence of Lieutenant Colonel Johnson. Noted as written from Head Quarters.
GLC02437.01834
24 January 1783
to Ephraim Fenno
Discusses ammunition that has been stolen out of the magazine at Verplanck's Point and asks for an investigation. Written and signed for Knox by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide de camp. See GLC02437.01852 for Washington's request for an investigation.
GLC02437.01853
4 February 1783
Walker, Benjamin (1753-1818)
Relays a message that "His Excellency," most likely General George Washington, really needs to have Knox's estimates of his department. Noted as written at Head Quarters.
GLC02437.01890
3 March 1783
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
11 March 1783
to George Washington
Sends his regrets to General George Washington as he was unable to make a meeting at Head Quarters due to the the large amount of ice in the river. Discusses the "extraodinary notification and address forwarded to Colonel Crane" (the first of the...
GLC02437.01995
16 March 1783
Later copy of GLC02437.02009. References his letter from "a few days past." Says that letter mentioned a meeting of officers called for by a paper circulating around camp. Says "The meeting was had yesterday, and the General will forward the...
GLC02437.02007
22 March 1783
Livingston, Robert R. (1746-1813)
Written in the hand of Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., Washington's Secretary. Marked as a copy of a letter from Secretary of Foreign Affairs Livingston to General Washington. Docket in Knox's hand. Sends "the agreeable Intelligence of Peace, upon which I...
GLC02437.02018
28 March 1783
to Peter Taulman
Discusses charges brought by Taulman against Deputy Judge Advocate Cogswel and informs Taulman that he will have to consult with General George Washington regarding the situation.
GLC02437.02035
15 April 1783
Writes in response to Knox 's letter about Thomas Coffin (see GLC02437.02087). Humphreys encloses a passport for Coffin (not present), given by Washington, on the stipulation that Governor John Hancock has also given permission for Coffin to travel...
GLC02437.02091
16 April 1783
Hay, Udney (fl. 1776-1806)
About Washington's permission to allow volunteers to rebuild Udney's house after a fire. After Quartermaster Udney Hay's house (the historic "Clinton House") and possessions were destroyed by fire, Washington authorized volunteer officers to rebuild...
GLC02437.02095
19 May 1783
Trumbull, Jonathan (1740-1809)
Jonathan Trumbull Jr., as Washington's secretary, requests that Knox and General Huntington attend a dinner with General Washington the next day and then select the best ground for the celebration of peace. Noted as written at Head Quarters.
GLC02437.02127
8 June 1783
Discusses a lack of artificers and the importance of the arsenals and magazines for the artillery and any other branch of the military. Knox's retained draft.
GLC02437.02153
23 June 1783
Requests that Knox and "all the General Officers belonging to the Garrison" attend a meeting with General George Washington the next day and asks Knox to "notify those Gentlemen accordingly." Noted as written at Head Quarters and docketed by Knox.
GLC02437.02177
25 June 1783
Knox, William (1756-1795)
Written by William to his brother Major General Henry Knox. Mentions he wrote a letter from Bristol, England about two weeks previous. Says he consigned 108 pounds worth of jewelry to Sears and Smith, to be delivered to his order. Says another...
GLC02437.02181
4 July 1783
to David Humphreys
Written by Major General Knox to Colonel Humphreys, an aide-de-camp to General Washington. Knox says that Captain Lieutenant Kemper has been arrested "at the instance Colonel Crane for uttering expressions to his prejudice." Says the cause of the...
GLC02437.02234
14 July 1783
A letter regarding General Washington's sleigh. Knox apologetically writes that the painting of the sleigh has taken a long time. He explains that due to severe weather, the wood of the sleigh absorbed and congealed the oil, and could not be dried...
GLC02437.02286
7 August 1783
Heath, William (1737-1814)
Requests that Knox intercede with the Commander in Chief, George Washington, to obtain a discharge for a man named Mr. Shaw. References his advanced age and that he had a Captain's commission from the state of Massachusetts. He is therefore, not a...
GLC02437.02373
15 August 1783
Discusses the possibility of leaving some cannon at Niagara and how to best arrange them. Knox's retained draft.
GLC02437.02391
26 August 1783
Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794)
[Journal of Revolutionary War military officers and other staff]
Hierarchical lists of (named) officers serving under Colonels [John] Lamb, [John] Crane, [Lewis] Nicola (Invalid Corps), [Benjamin] Tupper (10th Mass.), Butler (1st Conn.) and [Samuel] Webb (3rd Conn.), and Engineers and Sappers under Major [Jean...
GLC02437.02419
27 August 1783
[Request for goods]
Request for one gallon of rum for George Washington's barge crew. Noted as written at head quarters (Newburgh, New York). Docket signed by Seth Capron.
GLC02437.02423
28 August 1783
Lillie, John (1755-1801)
[Provision return]
Return for two men in George Washington's barge. Docket signed by Jesse [Rice].
GLC02437.02439
4 September 1783
Extract of a letter from General Washington to Timothy Pickering Quarter Master General, dated Rocky Hill, Sepr 4th 1783
Written in Timothy Pickering's hand. Signed in text by Pickering in the body of the document. Docket on verso is in Knox's hand. The extract says: "If it is well ascertained that the Chain can be preserved in perfect order for future use, I should...
GLC02437.02467
13-23 September 1783
United States. Congress
[Resolution]
Copies of two resolves. The first offers the thanks of Congress to General R. Howe for the manner in which he conducted the inquiry into the Pennsylvania Line mutiny; the second resolves to transmit the former to George Washington and have him relay...
GLC02437.02559
18 October 1783
[Proclamation to dissolve the army]
Signed secretarially for Elias Boudinot and Charles Thomson. Congress's resolution to dissolve Continental Army. This resolve was originally enclosed with a letter from George Washington to Henry Knox dated 23 October 1783, GLC02437.09394. Penned in...
GLC02437.02676
22 October 1783
Informs General Washington that he is sending the weekly returns with other information to him (not included). Knox's retained draft.
GLC02437.02696
3 November 1783
to Andrew Billings
Relays a message from General George Washington, urging the completion and delivery of cannons for the Count de Grasse.
GLC02437.02754
12 November 1783
Carleton, Guy (1724-1808)
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
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
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
14 February 1784
Carleton, Joseph (1754-1812)
to Henry Jackson
Carleton signs as "executing the business of the War Department by authority from Congress." Requests information regarding returns of engineers who remain in service. Reports that the remaining engineers were assured by George Washington that "...
GLC02437.02954
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
4 March 1784
Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786)
Discusses his family, stating "My feelings are more flattered by domestic duties than public bustle." Comments on credit being given to George Washington (and himself) for service during the Revolutionary War, noting "there are others no less...
GLC02437.02971
10 April 1784
Putnam, Rufus (1738-1824)
Relates that he will be unable to accompany Knox to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (possibly for the May meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati). Transmits a letter (not included) for Knox to pass on to George Washington, if Washington should attend...
GLC02437.02991
2 April 1786
[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
16 June 1786
to Marquis de Lafayette
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
25 September 1786
Colonel David Humphreys, who has been elected to the Connecticut Legislature, writes to Knox about his opinions about the state militia. Wants to obtain a copy of the report he wrote for Congress on the subject. Would like his opinions in order to...
GLC02437.03302
23 October 1786
Writes that he hopes to be able to visit General Washington at Mount Vernon soon. Is convinced of the General's affection for him and feels sure that his limited correspondence will not be misconstrued; is aware that responding to too many letters...
GLC02437.03319
21 December 1786
Writes, "The insurgents who were assembled at Worcester in Massachusetts have disbanded- The people at Boston seem to be glad at this event and say it was the effect of fear- But the fact is that the insurgents effected their object, which was to...
GLC02437.03385
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
1 April 1787
Gorham, Nathaniel (1738-1796)
Believes that George Washington's attendance at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia "will add weight to their proceedings - the spirit of electioneering has exceeding any before known ... " Discusses the election for the Massachusetts...
GLC02437.03510
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
14 January 1788
Knox updates Washington on various state conventions meeting to decide on ratification of the United States Constitution. Writes, "The new Constitution has hitherto been as well received as could have been expected considering the various existing...
GLC02437.03762
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