531To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have been requested by several respectable characters in this place, to name for your consideraton Christopher Gore Esqr. of this vicinity as a suitable character for one of the Commissioners to repair to Great Britain in pursuance of the late treaty. I before took the liberty of suggesting his name upon another occasion, and to express my conviction, of his fitness, for high confidential...
532To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The following hints are humbly submitted to the consideration of your Excellency. The necessity of recruiting the Army is so very obvious, that there cannot be the least doubt but Congress will take the most speedy and effectual methods to induce the respective States to furnish their quotas of men, in such season that they may be collected and disciplind, before the Campaign opens. The mode...
533To George Washington from Henry Knox, 28 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I cannot refrain from trespassing on Your time by expressing to you the perfect satisfaction which the people of New England possess by the operations of the general goverment. The unanimity of the legislature of this state was such as to overbear all dispositions of a disorganizing nature. Had the legislature conceived it proper or constitutional they would have expressed their approbation in...
534Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 24 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Will you please to submit the enclosed letters of the 27th and 30th July from the Secretary of the South Western Territory, and their enclosures to the President of the United States. I am Sir with great esteem Your humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Daniel Smith’s letter to Knox of 27 July, from Knoxville, reported that the unauthorized attack on some Cherokee Indians by a party of...
535Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 10 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to submit to the President of the United States the enclosed letters from General Wayne and Major Gaither —the former descended the Ohio on the 30th Ultimo and in all probability was at Fort Washington on the 6. instant. I am Dear Sir Your humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For Anthony Wayne’s letter to Knox of 29 April, in which he reported on his army’s preparations to...
536To 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...
537To 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...
538To 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...
539To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
In addressing myself to you I experience the mingled emotions of respect and affection, the former repelling lest I should intrude, and the latter attracting me to hold conversation with you, whom independent of all political considerations, and situations, I shall ever hold dear to my soul. Having overcome my reluctance to break in upon your important affairs, I shall truly state to you the...
540To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to you the draft of a proposed letter to Governor Blount, together with the letter of the 26t[h] of November to which it refers. The secretary of the treasury is extremely urgent that the expence of the probable great numbers of militia which Governor Blount has in service should be reduced to the standard mentioned. I have the honor to be sir with perfect respect...
541To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 27 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d here last saturday morning and immediately made inquiry whether Colo. Read had done any thing in the buissness with which he was charg’d—I found his Stay had been short during which time the Committee that sit during the recess of Congress could not be gotten together so that he went away without being able to forward the matter—The Committee met Yesterday and after having consider’d...
542To George Washington from Henry Knox, 7 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your Consideration two questions relative to the preservation of the peace with the Creeks and Cherokees and the answers thereto by Governor Blount and General Pickens—the latter declines forming an estimate but the Governor will do it alone. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your most obedt servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . GW received this cover...
543To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s favor of the 29th directing a suspension of the troops and stores destined for the Western Posts. The light Infantry company which came from the Lines have returned, & I directed that the clothing drawn by them and the Artillery men to be redelivered to the Clothier. There are certain french refugees in this vicinity under the direction of a Major Merlet, who have...
544To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your consideration a report upon Indian affairs—If it should be your pleasure to lay the same before the two houses of Congress it would probably produce the bill which is desired. Colonel Pickering has made his report upon that part of his business respecting the change of the line —The Secretaries of State and Treasury have perused the same, and been consulted...
545To George Washington from Henry Knox, 1 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received a Letter from Major General St Clair, dated at Lexington in Kentucky the 4th ultimo. He had repaired to that place in order to meet the County Lieutenants of the district, for the purpose of obtaining such a number of militia as he judged would be necessary to enable the Army to accomplish the objects which had been directed. He agreed with the County Lieutenants, that...
546To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your consideration the draft of a proposed letter to General Wayne. It appears that Colonel Pickering would not dislike the proposal of joining him provided the arrangements consequent upon the Post Office Bill now under consideration would permit the measure which however he doubts. If the purport of the letter should meet your approbation it may either be...
547To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 18 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received a letter from Lt Colonel David Mason, superintendant of the laboratory at Springfield, dated 30 ulto, enclosing a copy of a resolution of Congress for dismissing him from any further service at that post. I take the liberty to inform Your Excellency that Col. Mason has been employed, by my direction, at Springfield for the summer past in making fuzes, a species of laboratory...
548Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 27 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 27 April 1792. “I am unwilling to trouble the President with so many papers, but it seems necessary he should be acquainted with those what are now enclosed from Mr Seagrove, and from Govr Blount.” ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Knox had sent Lear on 26 April some unidentified papers to be submitted to the president ( DLC:GW ). The enclosures to this letter have not been...
549Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 31 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Will you please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed extract of a letter from major Craig, dated at Pittsburg the 24th instant. Your’s sincerely LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Maj. Isaac Craig (1746–1826) of Pennsylvania, a Revolutionary War veteran, served as deputy quartermaster general 1792–96. Craig’s letter to Knox of 24 May contained information on the state of...
550To 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...
551To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall take particular care with respect to the Gun screws, and if those imported should not be sufficient they shall be made. The Artillery Artificers will make the cover’d ammunition Waggens and travelling forges. I expect they will be able at Carlile and Springfield to make 200 ammunition Waggons by the Spring which in addition to those we alredy have will be nearly sufficent. I have given...
552To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Excellencys orders to give my sentiments “upon the advisability of making a Winters Campaign, and Practicability of an attack upon Philadelphia, with the aid of a considerable body of militia to be assembl’d at an appointed time & place” —Were it probable that Sir Wm Howes destruction would be the consequence of a Winters Campaign I would most chearfully give my voice and...
553To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully submits to the President of the United States, the following ideas relatively to the frigates authorised by the law for providing a naval armament. That the said frigates be constructed upon the principles which shall after the most mature information and consideration appear to combine the greatest possible force, with adequate strength, and swiftness of...
554To George Washington from Henry Knox, 11 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to submit the enclosed dispatches just received from Governor Blount. I have the honor to be, Sir, Most respectfully, Your obedt Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . In his journal of proceedings for this date, GW noted that the enclosed dispatches were “Return’d to be copied for Congress” ( JPP Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797 ....
555To George Washington from Henry Knox, 18 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Having arranged all the Papers referred to in the proposed instructions to me, I have the honor to submit them under one cover. A Map of the south-western frontier is preparing, which will not be finished until tomorrow, and which would be proper to accompany the book. The instructions for Major General St Clair, are copying, in order to be submitted to your consideration; and it may be proper...
556Enclosure II: Draft Authorization to Henry Knox, 14 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Being about to make a journey to the Southern States, in which I shall be absent for some time, it has become necessary, for the public service, that I should give you authority in the cases herein after named. Firstly. I approve the general principles of your report of the 22nd February last for the operations of the proposed campaign north west of the Ohio, and I authorize you to instruct...
557To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 16 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Excellencys two Letters one of the 15th and the other of the 21 ultimo. I have given your Excellencys directions about the arms: There are in this Town and the Magazines at Springfield between 6 & 7000 new arms, I dont know the precise number but beleive it to be somewhere thereabouts, I propose to send on to Pensylvania 4000, the others will be scarcely sufficient to arm the...
558To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
As there is much preparation to make, and many matters to arrange, in the Ordnance Department in order to take the field the next campaign with advantage, I take the liberty to lay before your Excellency the situation in which I am, and beg, if you think proper, that you would lay the same before the Honorable Congress for their consideration. Some time last May I did myself the honor to...
559To 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...
560Enclosure: Uniform for the Navy of the United States of America, 25 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
Captain’s Uniform Full dress Coat to be blue with long buff lappels and a standing Collar and lining of buff—to be made and trimm’d full with a Gold Epaulet on each Shoulder—The Cuffs to be buff with Four Buttons, and four Buttons to the Pockets—The Lappels to have Ten Buttons, and one to the Standing Collar. The Buttons to be of yellow metal and to have the Foul Anchor on the same. The...
561Henry Knox’s Minutes for the President’s Speech, 18 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of the powers vested in me by law, I have directed such measures for re-establishing the tranquillity of the western frontiers, as appeared adequate and proper for that purpose. At the same time that treaties were held, and other just means used, to attach the wavering, and to confirm the well disposed tribes of Indians in their friendship to the United States, offers of...
562To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon Mr Vigo arrived here from Fort Washington, and brought dispatches from Brigadiers General Putnam and Wilkinson to the 9th of July, as will appear by the abstracts of Brigadr Wilkinson’s letter of 9th July herein enclosed. I have the honor to enclose for your consideration General Putnams letter giving his opinion of the operations proper to be pursued—On this letter, I...
563To George Washington from Henry Knox, 28 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed, being the opinion of the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of the Treasury, I pray your directions whether the three French Gentlemen shall be employed as temporary Engineers—They are to be with me at 12 o’clock. The same direction is requested with respect to three Artillerists now at Baltimore. I have the honor to be Sir, With the greatest respect, Your most obt Servt LS ,...
564To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your consideration, a letter just received from Major Gaither dated at St Mary’s the 8th instant. I am, most respectfully, Sir, Your obedient Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The letter from Henry Gaither to Knox of 8 March, written from Saint Marys, Ga., has not been identified. GW returned this letter to Knox on this same day ( JPP Dorothy Twohig, ed. The...
565To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
War Department [Philadelphia] 27 August 1791. Informs GW that Lieutenant Sherman of the Rhode Island Company of the Second U.S. Regiment “has left his company on the march” and desires to resign his commission: “from received knowledge of his character, . . . his resignation will not injure the service.” LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Lt. Henry Sherman, Jr. (1759–1829), served as an officer of...
566To 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...
567To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 26 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to return the letter from Governor Johnson of the State of Maryland to Your Excellency of the 27th October last. The proposal of making the companies of artillery from that State one corps would, if complied with, totally derange the system of promotion in the line of artillery, and introduce every bad consequence that can follow the supersceding a great number of Captains of...
568To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit a letter just received from the Secretary of this Commonwealth containing information of measures taken in behalf of the Executive of Pennsylvania relatively to the commotions in Allegheney County. After you have perused them I pray that they may be sent to the Secretary of State who has the other papers relating to the same subject. I have the honor to be with...
569To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s letter respecting the loss of the stores at the posts at King’s ferry. I take the liberty to enclose the report of Capt. Lieut. Fenno, of artillery, on that subject. I should have transmitted it to your Excellency when I first received it, but I was in hopes that something further might have been discovered. I have sent him the lock and key, and ordered the quarter...
570To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose, the copy of a letter, just received from the Governor of Maryland, dated the 3rd instant, and submit to your consideration, whether any measures ought to be taken respecting the defence of the harbor at Annapolis. I am Sir, Most Respectfully Your obedt: Servt: LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The letter to Knox from Thomas Sim Lee, written “In Council, Annapolis” on 3...
571To George Washington from Henry Knox, 20 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have previously had some conversation with Doctor Williamson upon the subject of his letter to you of the 19th instant relative to certain posts which in his opinion would be proper to be established in the Western Country. The post which he mentions at Cumberland River would properly come under the cognizance of Governor Blount in whose territory it is & who possesses the powers of interior...
572To 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...
573To George Washington from Henry Knox, 13 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully submits to the President of the United States the following statement relatively to the South Western Frontiers of the United States as connected with the State of Georgia and the Creek Indians and the Territory of the United States South of the Ohio and the Cherokee Indians. That in the month of November 1792. James Seagrove a temporary Agent held a...
574To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the mortification to submit you, the copy of a Letter this day received by express from Governor Blount—The enclosures he mentions are too lengthy to be copied this day, but are such as to leave no doubt of the authenticity of the information. I have consulted with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury on this disagreeable affair. Our unanimous opinion is, That as...
575To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Procter has just arrived in this City by the way of Fort Pitt—He was unable to go forward to the Western Indians without an escort of the six nations—He could have obtained such an escort after counselling with them at Buffaloe Creek, from the 23d of April, until the 15th of May—But the Indians could not proceed either in Canoes along the lake, or by land, but required a vessel—He...
576Memorandum from Henry Knox, 1790 (Washington Papers)
Governor St Clairs proposal of obtaining a cession of territory from the Wabash Indians at this peculiar time, seems liable to several objections. 1st It is not for the interest of the United States to extend their territory at present. They possess abundantly more Land, than they can profitably sell. But was there a market for more Land the policy of scattering our people in distant thin...
577To 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...
578To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
The officer of Artillery stationed at Kings ferry has informed me that the night before last, one side of the redoubt at Verplanks point, gave way, and was entirely levelled with the ground, being the effects of the violent storm. As it is not under my orders I have not done any thing concerning it. Major Villefranche is too busy here to be able to attend to its repair. I have the honor to be...
579To 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.”
580Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 16 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I will wait upon the President after Breakfast, and at half past eight tomorrow Morning being desirous of finishing all things relative to the cherokees this evening—They will depart on Saturday, will it be Convenient for the President to bid them farewell at 12 oClock tomorrow? I am Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For the background to this letter, see Henry Knox to GW, 17 Jan....