1To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday the house of representatives completed their number, and chose Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania Speaker and Mr Beckley of Virginia Clerk. The senate are still deficient one member. Mr Read of Delaware has been expected daily but he has not yet arrived. Mr Thomson will sett off to announce to the President the unanimous choice of the people of the United states as soon as...
2To George Washington from Henry Knox, 30 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
The chagrin of the members who first arrived still exists, one senator and two representatives being yet wanted —The latter will arrive certainly in a day or two from Jersey and Pennsylvania, but unless Mr Reed from Delaware shall come on, the senate may be deficient during the whole of the present week. The tardiness of the members is more unfortunate at this season than at any other—The...
3To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
The house of Representatives want Yet four members and the Senate two. The first will not be formed until Monday, and the senate probably not untill Wednesday next the first of April. Colo. Hanson of Alexandria is so good as to take charge of the cloth sent you from the Hartford manufactory, and also of some federal buttons manufactored in this City, both of which will I hope safely reach you....
4To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Jersey election being decided, the four members from that State will be here tomorrow or next day —Two members from Pensylvania who have hitherto attended the Assembly of that state which has now adjourned will also be here tomorrow evening—With the above and Mr Smith who has arrived here from Maryland the house of representatives will be formed on Wednesday or Thursday next. The senate...
5To George Washington from Henry Knox, 19 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the second instant which I received by the last post. The extreme badness of the roads is given as the reason that the number of members necessary to form a quorum of both houses are not yet assembled. Mr Patterson of the Senate, and Mr Griffin and Mr Moore of the representatives are the only additional since my last —The number therefore at present nine senators...
6To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
The members of the government are the same as when I wrote you last, excepting Mr Maddison Mr Page and Mr B. Lee from Virginia —But it is expected from information received, that a sufficient number of members will be assembled in the course of this week to form a quorum. I am my dear Sir Your respectfully affectionate humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . See Knox to GW, 12 Mar. 1789 . John Page and...
7To George Washington from Henry Knox, 12 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is a circumstance of great chagrin to the members of the new government who are assembled here, that they have received no additionals since my last. They remain at 8 senators and 18 Representatives. Letters are forwarded to the absent members of Maryland Delaware and Virginia; but if the two houses are not formed untill effected in consequence of those letters, a month at least will...
8To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
By the last post on the 5th instant I informed you of the number of Members of the new government who had assembled here. There are no additions since, excepting one representative from New Hampshire, and one from Massachusetts. There is some competition between east and West Jersey, respecting the election for representatives, which have delayed the members from that state Appearing—None from...
9To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your favor of the 21st ultimo containing enclosures which shall be submitted agreably to your desire. Yesterday being appointed for the assembling of the new government the members of it who are in Town met together, but there not being a quorum for business, they will adjourn from day to day untill they have a competent number of members which will most probably be early...
10To George Washington from Henry Knox, 19 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I forward you by the stage which sets out this day 13 1/2 yards of 3/4 Wide bottle green cloth of the Hartford manufacture —I would there were more of it for your and Mrs Washingtons purposes but it was all of the color which came—The greys & the dark browns were too mean and coarse either for you or Mrs W. There will probably be enough for a coat and waiscoat for you and for Mrs Washingtons...
11To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
The cloths have not yet arrived although expected by the first wind. The moment they come to hand I will forward those for you and Mrs Washington by the stage. It appears by the returns of elections hitherto obtained which is as far as Maryland southward that your Excellency has every vote for President, and Mr John Adams 28 for Vice President exclusively of New Jersey and Delaware whose votes...
12To George Washington from Henry Knox, 12 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure by the post of Yesterday to receive your favor of the 29th ultimo. I immediately sent to the store where the american cloths were advertised for sale, and to all other stores where it was probable there were any, but was exceedingly chagrined to learn there were none in Town at present. Four peices are however expected hourly, the invoice being received, and information of...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 10 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 10 Jan. 1789 . Introduces bearer, Major Haskell : “His having served his Country through the late War, and his sustaining the character of a worthy citizen will I hope be received by you as an apology for the liberty I am taking.—I shall always be happy to receive any gentleman whom you may think proper to make known to me.” RC ( PHi ); 1 p.; endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 22...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Knox, 28 December 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
As you are going to Albany I beg your assistance in arranging the following business for me. I am a purchaser with you and others in certain Lands on the St Laurence, the patents for which have been taken out of the Land office in the name of Alexr Macomb Esqr. Independent of the purchase of the state, there were certain locations made by Genl Schuyler and others, which were to be paid for by...
15To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
It is a long time my dear Sir since I have had the pleasure of addressing you, owing to my having been into Massachusetts and the province of main, during the period of the last four months. I have received your favor enclosing some foreign applications for admission into the Cincinnati—These papers are placed on the files of the society but cannot be acted on, untill the next general meeting...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 10 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 10 Dec. 1788 . Introduces “to your protection and civilities John Coffin Jones Esq and his Lady.” Jones “is a merchant of eminence in Boston. His abilities, his honor, and his liberal Fortune unite to render him a valuable member of our republic.” Dft ( MHi : Knox Papers); 1 p. Recorded in SJL as received 25 Apr. 1789 “by Mr. J. Coffin Jones.” On this same date Knox wrote to John...
17To George Washington from Henry Knox, 28 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
It is with the most sincere satisfaction that I congratulate you on the unconditiona⟨l⟩ adoption of the constitution by the Convention of this state. The particulars of this important event are contained in this days paper herein enclosed. Messrs Jay Hamilton and the rest of the federalists have derived great honor from their temperate and wise conduct during the tedious debates on this...
18To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge my dear Sir the receipt of your several favors in March and yours of the 28th of april enclosing the application of Major LEnfant. I intended to have written You from Philadelphia while attending on the Cincinnati but being only three days there, and being much hurried by public business I could not obey my wishes in that respect. I have this day been putting on board the...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 20 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to receive your favor of the 6th. of February, and submitted a copy of it to His Excellency the President of Congress, but as a sufficient number of members have not been present, until within a few days past, nothing has yet been done on the business. But it is to be presumed that they will soon take into consideration the case of the unfortunate Pilot, and afford him such...
20To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 11th ultimo was duly received. The publication signed Publius is attributed to the joint efforts of Mr Jay, Mr Maddison and Colo. Hamilton It is highly probable that the general conjecture on this case is well founded. I have not written to you since the untoward event of New Hampshire⟨.⟩ The conduct of the convention was so contrary to expectations of every person who...
21To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
It is with great satisfaction that I inform you that last evening the news arrived here of the adoption of the new constitution in Massachusetts on the 6th instant. The members present in the convention on the decision of the question 355—187 affirmatives, 168 negatives—majority 19. It may be asserted with great truth, that the subject was most candidly examined and debated. Many of the...
22To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I thank you my dear Sir for your favor of the 10th of last month which I duly received. The constitution has labored in Massachusetts exceedingly more than was expected. The opposition has not arisen from a consideration of the merits or demerits of the thing itself as a political machine, but from a deadly principle levelled at the existence of all government whatever; The principles of...
We have hired for a Year the new House of the honorable Walter Livingston Esquire in the Broad way, for the Offices of foreign affairs and of War, at the rate of £250 and the Taxes. As we shall not have occasion for all the Rooms, it may perhaps be convenient to you to place one or more of the Officers within your Department in the supernumerary ones. We have the honor to be &c a . LbkC , DNA:...
24To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
Some time has elapsed since my writing to you as I had nothing to offer but what you were acquainted with through the medium of the public papers. The new constitution has hitherto been as well received as could have been expected, considering the various existing opinions prejudices, and parties in the respective states. In addition to Delaware Pensylvania, and New Jersey, Connecticut has...
25To George Washington from Henry Knox, 11 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your kind favor of the 15th October which was duly received. Notwithstanding the opposition and writings of the enemies of the new constitution it is now pretty apparent that it will be received by considerable majorities in New Hampshire, Massachusetts Connecticut New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The information from Maryland is defective, but Virginia it is said will...
26To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
The bearer the Marquis de Chappedelaine has been made known to me by my old friend Colo. Mauduit duplessi. The Marquis who is an officer in the service of his most christian Majesty thinks that he should have come to America to little purpose were he to depart without having seen your Excellency, I therefore take the liberty of introducing him to your attention. I am with the most perfect...
27To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
By this time my dear Sir, you will have again renewed your attention to your domestic affairs, after the long absence occasioned by the convention. I flatter myself with the hope that you found Mrs Washington and your family in perfect health. Every point of view in which I have been able to place the subject induces me to believe, that the moment in which the convention assembled, and the...
28To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
presuming that you will not set out from Philadelphia untill Monday the 17th I write you a line to congratulate you on the termination of your arduous business & to wish you a happy sight of Mrs Washington and your family. In every event respecting the reception of the propositions of the convention you will enjoy the high satisfaction of having performed every thing that could possibly be...
29To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Influenced by motives of delicacy 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. I have therefore been anxious that you should escape the possibility of imputation. But as the objects seem now to be brought...
30To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a letter from Don Diego de Gardoqui, which he transmitted to me by the post to Philadelphia after my departure, and which I received by the return post. I was happy on my return to find my daughter Lucys eye so much better, as to remove all fears of being obliged to apply the surgeons instruments to it. As you will have states sufficient to proceed to business, we hope to hear by...
31To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your kind favor of the second instant which I received by the last post. Since my last to you, the legislature of Rhode-Island who seem to be unworthy of the rank of freemen, have rejected the proposition of the convention. But this may not be conclusive—The people themselves in that State may take the matter up, of which there is some probability, and send...
32To 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...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35To 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...
36To 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...
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...
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, 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...
43To 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...
44To 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...
45To 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...
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To 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...
49To 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...
50To 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...