11From George Washington to Henry Knox, 7 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
The papers which you yesterday submitted to me, respecting the arrangement of the three companies to be sent to Georgia and the Instructions to be given to their Captains, have been duly considered, and meet my approbation. The proposed disposition of the said companies after their arrival in Georgia— “To wit One company—at the St Mary’s. One do—at Beards } Altamaha Bluff on the One do at the...
12Enclosure: Edward Telfair to Henry Knox, 20 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
On the 2nd inst: I received a letter from Timothy Barnard Esquire, dated Flint River the 23’rd ultimo, whereupon the enclosed proclamation of the 2’nd inst: was issued —I was hopeful that this measure would have prevented further outrage contrary however to expectation I received a second letter from Mr Barnard of date the 12’th on which my proclamation of yesterday was founded—herewith are...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, [12 August 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
May I invite the three Chargés des affaires to attend the ceremony ? May they be permitted to bring respectable strangers of their nation with or without limitation of numbers? Do ladies go? If they do, Mrs. Otto must be named in the invitation to Mr. Otto. I will beg the favor of your answer to these queries and govern myself accordingly. Only be so good as have reserved for them a seat in a...
14From George Washington to Henry Knox, 13 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Session of Congress having closed, and it being my intention to go to Virginia as soon as the public business will permit; and wishing, during my absence from the Seat of Government, to have my mind as free from public cares as circumstances will allow; I am desireous of having such matters as may, by Law or otherwise, require the agency or sanction of the President of the United States,...
15“John A. Dingwell” to Henry Knox or Tobias Lear, 17 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In The incloased I Send you a letter I did myself the honour to write to the President yesterday in answer to one he honoured me with[.] in mine to him I have incloased a peaper that it or one to the Same purport must be Signed before I make the least discovery as in the peapers I Can lay before him there is that that might indanger the lives of Gentlemen I wou’d Sooner die then hurt who is...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 26 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On the hasty view which the shortness of time permits me to take of the treaty of Hopewell, the act of cession of N. Carolina and the act of acceptance by Congress, I hazard the following sentiments. Were the treaty of Hopewell, and the act of acceptance of Congress to stand in any point in direct opposition to each other, I should consider the act of acceptance as void in that point: because...
17From George Washington to Henry Knox, 27 August 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Henry Knox, 27 Aug. 1790. On 29 Aug. 1790 Knox wrote to GW , “In answer to your secret communication of the 27th instant, and the questions stated therein.” See GW to John Adams, 27 Aug. 1790 (second letter), n.2 .
18From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Novr 2d 1790 I am a little surprised that we have not heard (so long after the time appointed for the Rendezvous) of the issue, the progress, or the commencement of the Expedition against the Wabash Indians under the conduct of Brigr Genl Harmer. This, in my opinion, is an Undertaking of a serious nature. I am not a little anxious to know the result of it, &...
19From George Washington to Henry Knox, 4 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 25th ultimo with its enclosures. I am apprehensive that Governor St Clair’s communication of the object of the expedition to the Officer commanding at Detroit has been unseasonable and may have unfavorable consequences—it was certainly premature to announce the operation intended until the troops were ready to move—since the Indians, through that channel,...
20Enclosure: Josiah Harmar to Henry Knox, 4 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, ⟨th⟩at on the 30th September I marched with 320 federal troops, and 1133 militia, total 1453. After encountering a few difficulties, we gained the Miami village. It was abandoned before we entered it, which I was very sorry for. The villainous traders would have been a principle object of attention. I beg leave to refer you to my orders which are enclosed—The...
21Enclosure: Arthur St. Clair to Henry Knox, 6 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
On the 29th of last month I had the honor to inform you generally of the success that attended General Harmar. I could not then give you the particulars as the General’s letters had not reached me (the officer however who had them in charge got in a few days afterwards) it is not now necessary because he writes himself—One thing however is certain that the Savages have got a most terrible...
22From George Washington to Henry Knox, 19 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Novr 19th 1790. I have received your letter of the 10th instt, and will declare to you without reserve, that my forebodings with respect to the Expedition against the Wabash Indians are of disappointment; and a disgraceful termination under the conduct of B. Genl Harmer. I expected little from the moment I heard he was a drunkard. I expected less as soon as...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 24 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to Genl. Knox and incloses him a copy of a memoire sent him by Blanc the gunsmith who made the 6. fusils sent to Genl. Knox. It will explain to him more fully the extent of Blanc’s improvements. He incloses him also some certificates in favor of a Mr. Hastings Marks junr. of Virginia who would be glad of some commission in the federal troops to...
24From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
On as full a consideration of the last speech made to me by Cornplanter, Half Town, and the Great-tree, Chiefs of the Seneka Nation, as my comprehension of their meaning enables me to give, I am led to the following conclusions, which, if there is any propriety in discussing their request, or yielding the land asked for, I wish you to consider as the basis of the communications to be made to...
25Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 1 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command, T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of War the enclosed letter, which has just come to the President’s hands; signed by a number of the Inhabitants of Washington County in the State of Pennsylvania, expressing their apprehensions of the depredations of the Indians in that quarter. The President requests that the secretary will give the subject that...
26From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th Ultimo was received last evening. Your proceeding upon the intelligence therein contained (which I think truly alarming) meets my entire approbation, and appears to promise as good effects as the limited sphere of action, allotted to the general government, in cases so deeply effecting its dignity and the happiness of the citizens will allow. Should you suppose that...
27George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, 4 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
As the public service may require that communications should be made to me, during my absence from the seat of government, by the most direct conveyances and as, in the event of any very extraordinary occurrence, it will be necessary to know at what time I may be found in any particular place, I have to inform you that unless the progress of my journey to Savannah is retarded by unforeseen...
28From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, 4 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the public service may require that communications should be made to me, during my absence from the seat of government, by the most direct conveyances—and as, in the event of any very extraordinary occurrence, it will be necessary to know at what time I may be found in any particular place, I have to inform you that unless the progress of my journey to Savannah is retarded by unforeseen...
29From George Washington to Henry Knox, 4 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
To avoid the inconvenience of future delay in officering the Virginia battalion of levies, and to remove the uncertainty which your want of information might occasion, I have determined to attempt its completion, with the assistance of Colonel Darck, whom I have authorized by a letter of this date, to appoint three Captains, three lieutenants, and three Ensigns from among the Gentlemen of his...
30I. The President to the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and War, 4 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
As the public service may require that communications should be made to me, during my absence from the seat of government, by the most direct conveyances, and as, in the event of any very extraordinary occurrence, it will be necessary to know at what time I may be found in any particular place, I have to inform you that unless the progress of my journey to Savannah is retarded by unforeseen...
31From George Washington to Henry Knox, 7 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Judging it necessary, before I left Mount Vernon, which I shall do this morning, to place the organization of the Virginia battalion of Levies on a certainty, I have devolved on Colonel Darck, who lives near Shepperds town in Berkley County, an authority to appoint all the officers, and, when appointed, to direct the Major to repair immediately to Philadelphia, to receive your instructions—and...
32From George Washington to Henry Knox, 7–8 May 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Henry Knox, c.7–8 May 1791. Tobias Lear wrote to GW on 22 May : “I had the pleasure to receive a letter from Major Jackson—enclosing one for each of the heads of the Departments.” GW’s letters to the secretaries of state and treasury bear Charleston, 7 and 8 May, datelines.
33From George Washington to Henry Knox, 15 June 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Henry Knox, 15 June 1791. On 19 June GW referred Knox to “My letter of the 15th inst.” William Jackson informed Tobias Lear on 14 June that “The President thinks he may write to the Heads of departments by the next post.” In the letter-book copy of GW’s letter of 19 June to Knox ( DLC:GW ), Lear noted that “The letter of the 15th instant was not among those put into the...
34From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 June 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Henry Knox, 17 June 1791. GW docketed Knox’s official letter of 17 April as answered on 17 June, and Knox wrote on 21 June to GW: “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favors, of the 15th and 17th instant.” Although Henry Knox wrote “ 17th instant” in his letter of 21 June, he was probably referring to GW’s letter of 19 June (which might have been misdated...
35From John Adams to Henry Knox, 19 June 1791 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the Pleasure of receiving your kind Letter of the 10th of this month, and am happy to find that you are pleased with your situation at Bush Hill. I hope soon to hear of the Birth of a peaceable son of Mars, and that Mrs Knox is as well and in as good Spirits as you appear to be. The Paragraphs in the New York Papers I know nothing of: The Lyes in the New Haven one I never heard...
36From George Washington to Henry Knox, 19 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
My letter of the 15th inst. mentioned that I had not received any letters from you between the 15th and the 30 of May—it should have been the 15th of April and 30th of May. By the last post from the southward I received yours of the 17th of April—which renders a duplicate of that letter unnecessary. As it appears to be alike requisite to the satisfaction of the public mind and to General...
37Alexander J. Dallas to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 27, 1791. “In Obedience to the directions of the Governor, I have the honor to present to you, a Copy of the Laws of this Commonwealth, passed at the last Sessions of the General Assembly.” LC , Division of Public Records, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg.
38From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 19 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
When the hour of dinner is approaching, sometimes it rains, sometimes it is too hot for a long walk, sometimes your business would make you wish to remain longer at your office or return there after dinner, and make it more eligible to take any sort of a dinner in town. Any day and every day that this would be the case you would make me supremely happy by messing with me, without ceremony or...
39From George Washington to Henry Knox, 22 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) Dear Sir, Philadelphia July 22d 1791 If, without disclosing the object in the smallest degree, you can come at (from Mr William Houston or through any other channel by the time you return) the rate of abilities possessed by Colo. (Joseph) Habersham—to what they would most usefully apply—whether he is a man of arrangement—or Industry—&ca you would oblige me in making the enquiry...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 22 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
It having been agreed among us at a former session of the board of arts that the descriptions to be inserted in patents should be handed to us separately at our lodgings to be examined at leisure and approved with or without amendments, I now hand on to you the inclosed which came to me from the Attorney General who had proposed some amendments to them; I have also proposed some of a trifling...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 10 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to return you the Petition of Mr. Moultrie on behalf of the South Carolina Yazoo Company. Without noticing that some of the highest functions of sovereignty are assumed in the very papers which he annexes as his justification, I am of opinion that Government should firmly maintain this ground, that the Indians have a right to the occupation of their Lands independent of...
42Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 1 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secy of war a letter from Mr Andw Ellicott, to the President, proposing that Mr Joseph Ellicott should proceed immediately to Georgia to explore the head of the Oconee River preparatory to Mr Andw Ellicott’s executing his business of running the line between the territory of the Creeks & the U.S. Should the Secretary of war...
43From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have heard of the death of your promising Son with great concern, and sincerely condole with you and Mrs Knox on the melancholy occasion. Parental feelings are too much alive in the moment of these misfortunes to admit the consolations of religion or philosophy; but I am persuaded reason will call one or both of them to your aid as soon as the keenness of your anguish is abated. He that gave...
44From John Adams to Henry Knox, 13 September 1791 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your favour of the 4th. and am much obliged by your Account of Affairs in this as well as in the Letter you wrote the Week before which I have also received. Mrs Adams joins me in friendly regards to Mrs Knox and yourself. We are very Sorry for any unpleasant Circumstances you have found at Bush Hill: and very happy that it happened to be in our Power to accommodate your...
45From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Nothing at present occurs to me of which I have to inform you, except that since the rect of your letter of the 22d ulto respecting the situation of affairs in the French Island of Hispaniola—your other letter of the 22d & that of the 24th of the same month, one giving an Accot of the Expedition under Gl Wilkinson—the other enclosing a Statemt of the Troops now on our frontiers, having been...
46From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 3 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I transmit you, as relating to your department, a letter just received by me from Lieutenant Colonel Beckwith forwarding a copy of a paper purporting to be a speech of Lord Dorchester, in answer to an address of the deputies of certain indian tribes. You will observe that the object of this communication is stated to be “the information of the executive government.” In conversation, a reliance...
47From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st inst: I have duly recd—likewise one of the 4th, covering a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury together with some communications from Lt Colo. Beckwith. I herewith transmit you an Address & Memorial of the Officers, Civil & Military, of the District of Miro, which was sent to me by Govr Blount—I wish you to take the same into your consideration, & make a Report...
48From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Octr 14th 1791. I have been under a strange mistake with respect to the time appointed for the meeting of Congress, and a distressing one; inasmuch as I shall have but little time after my arrival in Philadelphia to receive, & digest the thoughts which may have occurred to the heads of Departments, with those of my own, into proper form for communication, or...
49From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 17 October [1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The following are the particulars in the Presidents Letter which he expects you to prepare. Expeditions against the Indians. Every pacific measure was previously tried to produce accom~ & avoid expence. More pointed laws with penalties to rest⟨r⟩ain our own people. This & good faith may produce tranquillity. Treaties with Cherokees & six Nations & reasons . I annex to the first the hints in...
50From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia Decr 26th 1791 The enclosed is a private letter from Colo. Nicholas (an influential character in Kentucky) to the Attorney General. He put it into my hands to read; I, without having asked his permission, send it to you for the same purpose, of course the communication is confidential. My reason for sending it to you is, to shew you the uniform sentiment of...
51Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 28 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 28 Dec. 1791. By the president’s command, returns the reports that the secretary of war sent to GW last evening, with a letter from Colonel Pickering received at the same time, in order that any alterations necessitated by the latter might be made before the former are submitted. LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed reports apparently were those on Arthur St. Clair’s campaign and the new...
52From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Henry Knox, 1792. ALS , sold by Goodspeed’s, no. 129, item 2073, 1919. GW marked this letter “Private,” and according to the catalog entry, this letter is “on matters concerning the army organization.”
53From George Washington to Henry Knox, 22 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Upon reflection, I think it best that no mention should be made of the probability that the characters we run over yesterday will be nominated as General Officers (in case the Bill shall pass)—and, if you have disclosed the matter to Mr M——or any one else, that secrecy may be enjoined as to the Men, not the numr. In the embryo state of this business it might (especially as it respects the...
54From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
You will receive herewith a copy of a Resolution of the House of Representatives, that has been just now delivered to me by a Committee; and I desire you will prepare and lay before the House the statement therein requested. As communications of a similar nature have taken place between the Executive of the General Government and the Governor of Virginia, it may be proper to lay these also...
55From George Washington to Henry Knox, 25 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have given the enclosed draught of a letter to Captn Brandt a careful perusal. Such additions as are made with a pencil may be advisable—but, after you have given them an attentive consideration, they may stand or fall as you shall think best. Yours &ca ALS , PHi : Society Collection; Df , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW
56From George Washington to Henry Knox, 29 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
That General St Clair may not think his letters (enclosed) to me, have been unattended to, or slighted, I wish such an answer as will do for publication may be prepared—conformably—to the Sentimts which seemed to be entertained of the matter when the subject was before us the other day. I am always Yrs P.S. To say neither too much, nor too little, in the answer will be a matter of some...
57Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 16 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
United States [Philadelphia] 16 Mar. 1792. Transmits by GW’s command a representation to the president from the county lieutenants and field officers of the District of Kentucky. ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been found, but it was probably similar in nature to the request of a council of militia officers in Harrison County, Va., for authorization to...
58From George Washington to Henry Knox, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Has G——W——ne decided yet? Has any answer been prepared for G——St—— —I am anxious to have these matters closed. Also for the departure of T—— and that the business with the Indians may be brought to a conclusion. Yrs always ALS , CSmH . Anthony Wayne earlier had informed the secretary of war that he would not accept a subordinate position in the new force being raised to subdue the hostile...
59From George Washington to Henry Knox, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
You will lay before the House of Representatives such papers, from your department, as are requested by the enclosed Resolution. Df , in Tobias Lear’s hand, DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Tobias Lear noted at the bottom of the draft: “(The papers aluded to are such as relate to the expedition under Genl St Clair—).” The enclosed resolution was undoubtedly that passed by the House of Representatives...
60From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 2 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Genl. Knox and incloses him a letter from a Mr. Thorn solliciting a military appointment. He knows no more of the writer than his letter expresses, and can not conjecture from that, of what state he is. He incloses also two letters from a Mr. Bowyer and Mr. Matthews (brother of the General) solliciting an appointment for a Mr. Gibson. The writers are...