Henry Knox Letters for the years 1775 thru 1797

Fort George, NY - 5 December 1775

I arrived here yesterday, and made preparation to go over the Lake this morning, but General Schuyler reaching here before day, prevents my going over for an hour or two.

Fort George, NY - 17 December 1775

I returned from Ticonderoga to this place on the 15th instant, and brought with me the cannon, &c.; it having taken nearly the time I conjectured it would to transport them here.

Middlebrook, NJ - 5 June 1777

A resolution, of the 30th ultimo, has been shown to me by some French officers attached to the corps of artillery under my command, ordaining that all officers of artillery, ... shall take rank, in the American artillery, according to the dates of th

Artillery Park, RI - 15 June 1778

In all considerable armies in Europe, a General Officer has the command and direction of the artillery, and the preparation of every thing pertaining to the ordnance department

New Windsor, NY - 7 February 1781

I proceeded to the States of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and delivered the despatches, with which I was charged, to the Governors and to the President, to whom they were addressed.

New Windsor, NY - 27 March 1781

There being no established principles to govern the appointments to the vacancies of officers in the artillery, some doubts have arisen since the last regulation of the army, whether the right of appointment is in Congress

Peekskill, NY - 2 July 1781

If your Excellency should think fit to alter the time of the arrival of the stores from Philadelphia, I pray you to write to the Board of War on the subject.

Boston, MA - 21 February 1784

Your calm retreat of Mount Vernon must be a source of ineffable delight to you. You can from thence take a retrospective view of the critical exigencies of the war, and see a thousand ways by which the issue might have been the reverse of what it is.

Annapolis, MD - 28 May 1784

I have now been here nearly one week, and nothing of importance has been decided upon, owing to the contrariety of sentiments concerning the powers vested in Congress to raise troops, in time of peace, for any purpose.

Boston, MA - 24 March 1785

My jealousy for your fame is so high that I should prefer seeing you, Cincinnatus-like, following your plough, rather than accept the least pecuniary reward whatever.

New York, NY - 14 January 1787

With respect to the Convention proposed to meet in May, there are different sentiments. Some suppose it an irregular assembly, unauthorized by the Confederation, which points out the mode by which any alterations shall be made.

New York, NY - 14 August 1787

I have hitherto forborne the pleasure, my dear Sir, of writing to you since my return from Philadelphia. I have been apprehensive, that the stages of the business of the Convention might leak out, and be made an ill use of by some people.

New York, NY - 3 October 1787

The new Constitution is received with great joy by all the commercial part of the community.

New York, NY - 28 July 1788

It is with the most sincere satisfaction that I congratulate you on the unconditional adoption of the Constitution by the Convention of this State.

New York, NY - 21 December 1788

In the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, the great object of organizing the new Constitution, engrosses the attention of the people. It is with sincere satisfaction that I can assert, from personal observation, that the affecti

Philadelphia, PA - 15 February 1790

The serious crisis of affairs in which the United States are involved with the Creeks, requires that every honorable and probable expedient that can be devised should be used to avert a war with that tribe.

Philadelphia, PA - 10 April 1791

By the information from Fort Harmar, of the 17th, and Pittsburg, of the 31st, it would appear that the Delawares and Wyandots are committing depredations, and that they will be joined in the war against us.

Philadelphia, PA - 8 June 1791

Colonel Procter has just arrived in this city by the way of Fort Pitt. He was unable to go forward to the western Indians without an escort of the Six Nations.

Philadelphia, PA - 22 September 1791

The Minister of France has written me a letter, of which the inclosed is a copy.

Philadelphia, PA - 28 July 1792

A meeting of the Cherokees, at Estanaula, had taken place, which lasted from the 24th of June to the 1st of July, at which the Little Turkey and many other Chiefs were present

Philadelphia, PA - 5 August 1792

General Putnam, in his letter of the 5th of July, which principally contains the same information as that mentioned in Wilkinson's letters, states it as his opinion, that a treaty ought to be concluded, as soon as possible, with the Wabash Indians

Philadelphia, PA - 31 August 1792

The manner of treating the Spaniards and McGillivray, was unanimously considered as the most proper to be adopted in the present conjuncture.

unknown - 19 March 1794

As it is understood that the bill for fortifying the ports and harbours has passed into a law, I beg leave respectfully to lay before you the following thoughts upon the manner of executing this business.

Boston, MA - 28 January 1796

Mr. Adams, the Governor, may console himself with his good intentions, but he has no credit for them in the opinion of the wise and enlightened part of his countrymen.

Boston, MA - 15 January 1797

The loss of two lovely children, on which you condoled in that letter, has been recently revived and increased by the death of our son, of seven years of age, bearing your name.