851To 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...
852To 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...
853To 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...
854To 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...
855To 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.
856To 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...
857To 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...
858To 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...
859To 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...
860To 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...
861To 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...
862To 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...
863To 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...
864To 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...
865To 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...
866To 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...
867To 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...
868To 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...
869To 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...
870To 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...
871To 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...
872To 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...
873To 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...
874To 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...
875To 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...
876To 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...
877To 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...
878To 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...
879To 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...
880To 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...
881To 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...
882To 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...
883To 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...
884To 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....
885To 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...
886To 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...
887To 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...
888To 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...
889To 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...
890To 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...
891To 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...
892To 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...
893To 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.”
894To 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.
895To 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...
896To 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.
897To 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...
898To 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...
899To George Washington from Lawrence Kortright, 10 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave to address myself to your Excellency, in order to put in my power to get settled my Acct against the United States, in regard to my Sloop Hester, wch Capt Randall, at perticular request of your Excellency, had in the Service for an Arm’d Vessell, wch was taken into pay the 8th April 1776 & discharg’d the 23d August, wch has been Valued And apprais’d by the Wardens of this port...
900To George Washington from Tadeusz Andrzej Bonawentura Kosciuszko, 26 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
General Lincoln was pleased to recomend me to Congress. and requested them to promote me to the Ranck of Brygadier General, which by the date of the Commission I hold he thought I was intitled to Long ago. Your Excellency will forgive me the Liberty I take in troubling you in this affaire—Unacquiented as Congress may be of my Services—by the different promotions already granted to many Made me...