1To John Adams from Henry Knox, 19 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I experience a reluctance in addressing you lest I should absorb a certain portion of your time which ought to be used for more important purposes. I doubt whether I ought to congratulate you on being elevated to the Cheif Magistracy of the United States; for it is questionable wheth very questionable, whether there are not more thorns than roses in the situation. But I religiously felicitate...
2To John Adams from Henry Knox, 24 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received the within paper containing the extraordinary correspondence between the Minister of foreign relations of the french Republic and Mr. Gerry. It seems important that you should see it early in order to take measures to counteract the effects I am most respectfully / Your MHi : Adams Papers.
3To John Adams from Henry Knox, 27 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of the resolves respecting rank passed the 24 November 1778 which are the basis of all the rules which are in operation. I have written to the Secretary of War this day upon the subject of officers, and enclosed him the list of the field officers for three regiments of the augmented army which might be raised in this State. I am under the necessity of...
4To John Adams from Henry Knox, 23 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter, enclosing a commission, and giving me to understand, that, A Hamilton is ranked as the first, C C Pinckney the second, and myself as the third, Major General, and that this arrangement is considered as definitive. In so plain a case, it is unnecessary to multiply words. The impossibility of my serving under Officers so much my juniors, must have been known, to...
5To John Adams from Henry Knox, 5 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Although I have often entertained the intention of writing to you, yet as I had nothing more to communicate, than assurances of my sincere attatchment, and the warm approbation which appeared to possess the best mind of the great majority of the People, I could not bring myself to intrude on your time, so precious to your Country. But when your recent nomination for France seem for a moment to...
6To John Adams from Henry Knox, 2 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I flatter myself with the hope that, the subject of this letter it will not be considered by you as unreasonable importunity—My son my only son has been a mids Midshipman th in the navy for upwards of a year. Before that period he was a year as he performed along voyage to india. The His expenence he has , and his know skill as a navigator, to add to his experience
7To John Adams from Henry Knox, 19 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I flatter myself with the hope that the subject of this note, will not be deemed by you as unreasonable importunity. My son my only son has been a midshipman in the Navy upwards of a year. Before that period he performed a long voyage to India. He is reputed to be well skilled as a navigator, active as a seaman, in addition to which the experience of three years, appears in the opinion of Capt...
8To John Adams from Henry Knox, 27 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
The unalterable respect and affection I entertain for your talents and character dissipates all apprehension of offence in addressing you on the present occasion. My feelings as a father whose fortitude is assailed and wounded by the conduct of a thoughtless and extravagant son will I well know excite your sympathy. A son acting under the delusions of Youthful passions which hurry him headlong...
9To John Adams from Henry Knox, 9 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Mr Wetmore who has been long a barrister at the bar of this state, but who meeting with pecuniary embarrasments has removed into the district of Maine, is very desirous of some employment in the judicial Line. His age about fifty, and his legal knowledge, qualify him in the opinion of those who are intimately acquainted with him, for almost any office in the department of the law I have the...
10Enclosure: Henry Knox to James McHenry, 5 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recieved your letter dated on the 25th. ultimo, informing me that the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, had been pleased to appoint me a Major General in the Army. Impressed as I am with the conviction, that our Country, is about to enter into a Contest in which its existence as an independent nation will be involved, I should promptly...
11To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir Boston 29 July 1798. Yesterday I received your favor of the 16th instant, which I opened with all the delightful sensations of affection which I always before experienced upon the receipt of your letters. But I found on its perusal, a striking instance of that vicissitude of human affairs and friendships, which you so justly describe. I read it with astonishment, which...
12To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
In your welcome and much esteemed favor of the 9th I recognise fully all the substantial friendship and kindness which I have always so invariably experienced from you. My letter of the 29th ultimo was written under a pressure of various ideas, all sharp’ned by a strong sense of the comparison which had been publickly made between others and myself and in consequence the inferior station which...
13To George Washington from Henry Knox, 4 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favors of the 21st and 23d ultimo. They breathe a spirit of friendship and affection which has ever been ardently reciprocated by me. The appointment of the third Major General having been explicity declined by me I have nothing to add on that subject but one single observation. To wit that you are the only decided personal friend who has advised my acceptance of it....
14To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 9 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel great pleasure in any circumstance, which may present me to your remembrance.—No person has a higher respect & esteem for your Character, any shades of a difference in political opinions notwithstanding. The mutual and sincere expressions of regret at parting have always afforded me satisfaction.— I remember on a former occasion that You desir’d some information respecting the...