1To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the weekly return of the troops. On the 7th instant the remainder of the 3d Massachusetrs regiment arrived from the southward in a pretty healthy state, having left but few upon the road. The troops having been uncommonly sickly for this place, and a malignant putrid fever being among their disorders, I have fixed upon the barrack at Constitution Island as an...
2To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency the last weekly returns of the troops. Since my last, I appointed a board to inspect the decrepid and infirm who were incapable of duty, which have reported sixty one to be discharged as unfit for service, one of them with a pension. I shall accordingly discharge them which I hope will have your Excellency’s approbation. We are busy in withdrawing...
3To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the return of the troops, to the 20th instant, and am, with the greatest respect, Your Excellency’s most obedient servant, DLC : Papers of George Washington.
4To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to state to Your Excellency, and through you to the Honorable Congress, That the unavoidable expences arising from the command of this post and its dependencies have greatly exceeded any emoluments of office arising from my rank in the Army—and that, in order to support my station with some propriety, so as not to reflect disgrace upon the public rank I sustain, I have been obliged...
5To George Washington from Henry Knox, 1 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am unable to express the sense I have of your kindness, in the instance of your writing to General Lincoln, on the 6th of last June respecting an extra allowance from the Publick, as head of the ordnance, and during the time I have been in the command of these posts. Your letter to him, was so full, and complete, that I did not think another word, would have been necessary to have obtained...
6To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
By some bad arrangement of the post, which has been detained two days upon the road, I did not receive your excellencys dispatches of the 23, and 25 ultimo untill last night. I will attend to your directions to discharge the invalids and those whose times of service will shortly expire. If 3000 men or any number near it, should be absolutely necessary for a considerable part, or the whole of...
7To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your Excellencys favor of the 28th ult., requesting a return of clothing, which will be actually wanted supposing the troops necessary during the Winter. And of the 26th ultimo, containing the resolves of Congress, thanking general Howe, and the detachment under his orders, which, with your Excellencys sentiments, will be published this day. The return shall be forwarded...
8To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s favor of the 8th instant. In consequence of which, and one of the same date, to the Quarter Master General, we shall set to work to procure firewood for the Garrison who will probably be retained here during the winter. This I propose shall be performed by the men whose times of service will expire in December and January, to receive their...
9To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
Major L’Enfant will have the honor to wait upon your Excellency to solicit leave of absence and to obtain the certificate, I requested, of his being a member . His zeal to serve the Cincinnati has been conspicuously displayed in the emblems of the bald eagle, designs of the medals, seal, and of that noble effort of genius, the diploma. He proposes to attend the execution of these several...
10To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the weekly returns, and a slate of the periods at which the enlistments of the Rhode Island Companies will expire. If those Companies should be necessary at their present station, they must be replaced either in the winter or very early in the Spring. I have the honor to be with the highest respect your Excellencys most obedient servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
11To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s favor of the 16th instant. We shall endeavor to put the troops into their Winter quarters as soon as possible—The 4th Massachusetts regiment has already gone to occupy the huts built by Colonel Swift’s regiment which are in pretty good repair—The New Hampshire Corps will go to morrow to Constitution Island—The remainder of the Connecticut regiment...
12To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys farewell orders, yesterday by express. I shall not attempt to describe my feelings upon this affecting occasion—But I most sincerely and devoutly pray that the Almighty would preserve you for a long period, to see the happy fruits of all your toils. The cannon for the Count de Grasse are I beleive finished. Three weeks, or a month past, I was at Poughkepsie, and Mr...
13To George Washington from Henry Knox, 6 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the Cannon from Mr Billings for the Count de Grasse. I know not exactly who to direct them to, but supposing that your Excellency might wish to see them and probably send a letter to the Count, I have taken the liberty to direct the serjeant who has them in charge to take your Orders respecting them. In case you should have departed from Princeton and the secretary of War,...
14To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 15 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
We, the Officers of the part of the Army remaining on the banks of the Hudson, have received Your Excellency’s serious and farewel address to the Armies of the United States. We beg your acceptance of our unfeigned thanks for the communication, and your affectionate assurances of inviolable attatchment and friendship. If your attempts to ensure to the Armies the just, the promised rewards of...
15To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 15 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the part of the Army who agreed on the inclosed address, having committed to us the honor of presenting it. With great pleasure we now offer to your Excellency this testimony of their affectionate attachment & respect. We have the honor to be, with perfect consideration, sir, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servants, DLC : Papers of George Washington.
16To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Knox, 28 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): New-York Historical Society I take the liberty to introduce to your acquaintance and civilities Jeremiah Platt, a gentleman of this City, who has just returned from a long exile of seven years, in which period he has in every instance approved himself a zealous and upright citizen of the republick, a warm asserter of its liberties and ever ready to contribute his full proportion...
17To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I did not leave New York untill the 18th ultimo, it being the earliest period that we were able consistent with the wish of Governor Clinton to withdraw the troops from thence. Indeed we then left nearly one hundred men, who are since releived by a company of light infantry, of the regiment retained in Service. In addition to which there is a sub., and about twenty artillery men. I have...
18To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you particularly on the 3d instant and enclosed you my report to Congress with the various returns. I have now finished the necessary arrangements for the winter and in a few hours I shall set out for Boston—The public interest has been my actuating principle in the cou[r]se of this business and I flatter myself will meet your approbation. I have found it necessary to direct that a few...
19To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Agreably to my promise my dear sir, I write you from this place, and flatter myself with the hope, that although my letter contains no important intelligence, yet it may not be unpleasing to you. 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...
20To George Washington from Henry Knox, 4 April 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Henry Knox, 4 April 1784. On 12 April Knox wrote to GW : “I wrote your Excellency on the 4th of this month.”
21To George Washington from Henry Knox, 12 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 20th ultimo yesterday. I am fully persuaded of the importance of a general attendance at the meeting at Philadelphia, and I have now written to those concerned in this State, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, urging their attendence to the utmost of my power. If General Greene shall not be gone before I reach Newport I will endeavor to bring him along....
22To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24–28 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
I had the mortification to find that you set out from this place about ten oClock of the same day I arrived here. Our horses were injured on the road, which obliged me to halt one day at Baltimore. I am uncertain how long I shall stay, but I hope to set out on my return on Wednesday—You Know the state of things here—It is to be apprehended that all the necessary business will not be Finished...
23To George Washington from Henry Knox, 4 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
I just write a line to inform you that I am just setting out for Boston—The president who has just gone for Mount Vernon, will inform you of the State of public matters—Things are not well and will probably be worse before they are better. I beg you to have the goodness to present my respectful compliments to Mrs Washington and beleive me my dear sir to be your truly affectionate ALS , DLC:GW...
24To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
A fear of intruding upon your more important concerns has prevented my writing to you since my return. I found here your kind favor of the 2d of June, with its enclosure for General Putnam which I delivered. The measures taken by Congress respecting the western posts must defeat themselves by their own imbecillity. I cannot say but that I am well satisfied to be excluded from any...
25To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Heaven forbid my dear Sir, that you should measure my affection for you by the frequency of my letters. I have been absent from this place, a considerable part of the summer and upon my return I learned that you had gone to the Western Waters, and would not return untill the beginning of this month. There is another reason which I confess has had its influence. I considered you as overwhelmed...
26To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Mr Laurence is a gentleman from Denmark who has been here some time, and is largely concerned in commerce to this Continent He is extremely anxious to have the honor to see you before he leaves the Country and has requested me to introduce him to you. I am my Dear Sir With the most perfect respect and attachment your affectionate humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . GW does not indicate in...
27To George Washington from Henry Knox, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have the satisfaction, my dear Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favors of the 5th of Decr and of the 5th instant for which I beg you to receive my warmest thanks. I regard these letters as fresh proofs of your unchanging friendship and kindness, which I shall ever esteem among the cheif blessings of my Life. The Indians being in a bad temper when you went to the Westward I felt...
28To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your kind favor of the 28th ultimo, which I received last evening with its enclosures & I sincerely hope I shall not be under the necessity of troubling you so much again. But in the present instance I am under the necessity of mentioning that Major Winthrop Sargent has repeatedly informed me, that a certificate from you would be one of the most desirable and acceptable things...
29To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
It has been my intention ever since I have been in this City which is fourteen days to have written to you, but my business has been such as to prevent this gratification. Congress have directed 700 Men to be raised for three years, to be apportioned upon the states of Connecticut New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, for the protection of the Western frontiers, to defend the Settlers on the...
30To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have often been on the point of acknowledging your Kind favor of the 18th of June, and have as often deferred it, from the hope of having the pleasure of visiting you at Mount Vernon, on my way to James River, at which place there is a quantity of public Stores. Having been hitherto disapointed I shall no longer trust to the chapter of accidents, but embrace the opportunity which presents...
31To George Washington from Henry Knox, 13 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have received your esteemed favor of the 1st instant, covering the copy of a letter from Mr Jefferson. The Marquis de la Fayette also wrote to me concerning the affair of the eagles. The enclosed papers will fully inform you on the subject. I have not the papers of the general society, they being with General Williams, therefore I cannot speak on the subject so accurately as I could wish....
32To John Jay from Henry Knox, 3 October 1786 (Jay Papers)
You will have heard the issue of the late serious insurrection at this place. M r Stagg the bearer will give you particulars—Government has lost ground. Faction desperate faction gains strength hourly—They speak of a military government and embodying troops ^ against the constitution. ^ —The number which appeared against government ^ is opposed to Law ^ were great. had all the parties which...
33To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 October 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have long intended myself the pleasure of visiting you at Mount Vernon, and although, I have not given up that hope, and shall probably gratify it in the Course of next month, yet I cannot longer delay presenting myself to the remembrance of my truly respected and beloved general, whose friendship I shall ever esteem among the most valuable circumstances of my existence. Conscious of...
34To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the pleasure of writing to you last month, and stated generally that certain disturbances existed in Massachusetts. Since that period the legislature have been sitting, and endevoring to conciliate the minds of the disafected, and perhaps in some instances by unjust means. There are people however who hold that if a measure be right in itself, one Should not be very delicate...
35To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
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 prevent the Court of Common Pleas from proceeding to business. It is probable that the seizing some of the insurgents at Middlesex occasioned a greater number...
36To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you my dear Sir for your Kind favor of the 26th ultimo, which I received on the 7th instant. On the dispersion of the insurgents at Worcester, which was dictated more by the inclemency of the weather, and the consideration of having effected their object, than by any apprehensions of coercion from Government, many people were of opinion that the disorders were at an end, and that...
37To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you my dear Sir last week and then mentioned to you the operations against the insurgents were to commence the 19th or 20th since then I have received in confidence the enclosed orders of the governor. You will be able having this for the explanation to judge more clearly of the progress of the business. You will please to retain these papers in your hands for although, no object will...
38To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you my dear Sir on the 21st instant and then enclosed you the General orders of Governor Bowdoin—By the post last evening I have received information from Genl Sheppard, that he took post at the Magazine of the United States at Springfield on the 18th. That the insurgents were collecting in his neighbouhood, and he expected to be attacked by them as the public Stores seemed to be their...
39To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
By an express received by me Yesterday affairs at Springfield were most critically circumstanced. At 4 oClock last Thursday afternoon Genl Sheppard and the insurgents were drawn up in battle array and Shepperd expecting to be momently attacked. Capt. Cushing an officer in the troops now raising was dispatched as an express to Hartford for asistance to Shepperd says that he was confident an...
40To George Washington from Henry Knox, 30 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you my dear Sir by the post of yesterday and stated the high probability of an action between Genl Shepperd, on the part of government, and the insurgents at Springfield on Thursday the 25th instant, but since then I have received no further information. This is a cruel suspense and difficult to account for, but on the principle of the expected action being avoided by some...
41To George Washington from Henry Knox, 31 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
No distinct accounts have arrived but by the post this evening we shall expect some particulars, which I will communicate tomorrow. Thus much is certain that no action has happened. I am my dear Sir Respectfully Your humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW .
42To George Washington from Henry Knox, 1 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding my expectations of receiving particular accounts of the operations against the insurgents in Massachusetts yet I am disapointed by those people who are in some degree obliged by their official connection with me to communicate with me. The two enclosed letters will convey to you the most distinct ideas of the situation of affairs up to the 28th ultimo. I shall continue to keep...
43To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was of the 1st instant since which I have received your favor of the 25 Jany. You will probably have received mine long before this time of the 14th ultimo which will satisfy you that I received duly your favor of the 26th December. I now enclose you (in confidence) three Copies of letters written by our friend Lincoln to Govr Bowdoin which will shew you in a more connectd State...
44To George Washington from Henry Knox, 12 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
In my last to you of the 8th instant I enclosed you a number of General Lincolns letters to Govr Bowdoin, in order to give you a connected statement of the rebellion in Massachusetts. I have now the great satisfaction of informing you, that this ugly affair, is in a train of being speedily and effectually suppressed—pursuing my former plan, I enclose you (in confidence) 4 copies of letters...
45To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you my dear Sir for your kind favor of the 3d instant which I received yesterday. I beg leave to make an observation once for all which is, that you would not consider yourself as under obligation to answer any of my letters, (unless I should particularly request the favor) untill you should find sufficient leisure and inclination for the purpose. It would pain me exceedingly were I in...
46To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
The storm in Massachusetts is subsiding for the present. But what effects the disfranchisement of a great body of people will create is not easy to say. a numerous body of high spirited men, conceiving themselves oppressed by the government composed of their equals, will reguard the oppression more than the causes which gave birth to it—They will be probably plotting perpetually, to releive...
47To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was on the 22d instant, in which I stated my apprehensions respecting the proposed disfranchisement in Massachusetts. I did not mean to find fault with the measure. I am persuaded circumstances have rendered it necessary, and proper. But any rigorous chastisement of the rebels, will enflame them and render it right and expedient for the government to provide for its own safety...
48To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you on the 22d ultimo, that the affairs of Massachusetts were quietly settling down to peace and good order. But by recent advice from General Lincoln, it appears that the Insurgents who fled from Massachusetts, have received encouragement from the Inhabitants of this State bordering on the Line—and that embracing the time when the greatest part of his force were disbanded on the 23...
49To George Washington from Henry Knox, 19 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
The disturbances by the Massachusetts insurgents on the frontiers of this State, were quieted by an action which happened, on the 28th ultimo near great Barrington in which a number of them were taken prisoners. Govr Clinton therefore on his arrival, at the borders of Massachusetts finding no business, congratulated Genl Lincoln and returned to this City. The leaders of the rebellion are...
50To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have attended my dear Sir to your request respecting the Chevalier D’anterroches, and the following sketch is the result. He is the son of a general officer in the french service old and infirm; His uncle is the bishop of Condon, rich, and miserly; besides which he is a relation of the Marquis de la Fayette—In the early part of his Life his father designed him for the church, and forced him...