251From 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...
252From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am to desire--that you will take the earliest Opportunity to furnish me with an Estimate of every thing in the Ordnance and Artillery Department which will be necessary to carry on an Offensive and vigorous Campaign—considering also the Seige of New York as a probable Operation—this Estimate to be on the same principles as those of 80 & 81—noting such of the Articles as are already in our...
253George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 9 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 9, 1781 . Commends Knox for measures taken to carry out instructions sent on January 7. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
254From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 10 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
In the conference between the Count De Rochambeau and myself, it was agreed, that if by the aid of our allies, we can have a naval superiority, through the next campaign, and an army of thirty thousand men (or double the force of the enemy [at New York] and its dependencies) early enough in the season to operate in that quarter, we ought to prefer it to every other object, as the most...
255From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the Instructions I gave you to day, I beg may be added that of providing a number of Gunscrews for the purpose of Drawing Ball. I concieve this to be a matter well worthy of attention—will prevent the disorderly firings in our Camp—and be a considerable Public saving. If they are to be made, Let them be stout & substantial. but I recollect something of a large importation of...
256From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
I would not let Mr Bingham (who says he is about to visit you) depart without acknowledging the receipt of sevl letters from you; and offering Mrs Knox & yourself my sincere condolence on your late heavy loss. Great, and trying as it must be to your sensibility, I am persuaded after the first severe pangs are over you both possess fortitude enough to view the event as the dispensation of...
257From George Washington to Henry Knox, 29 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having learnt from an Advertisement in the New York Daily Advertiser, that there were superfine American Broad Cloths to be sold at No. 44 in Water Street; I have ventured to trouble you with the Commission of purchasing enough to make me a suit of Cloaths. As to the colour, I shall leave it altogether to your taste; only observing, that, if the dye should not appear to be well fixed, & clear,...
258From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but the pleasing hope of seeing you under this roof in the course of last month, and wch I was disposed to extend even to the present moment, has kept me till this time from acknowleging the receipt of your obliging favor of the 23d of October. Despairing now of that pleasure, I shall thank you for the above letter, and the subsequent one of the 17th instt, which came to hand yesterday...
259From George Washington to Henry Knox, 23 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have read the proposed message to the “Sachems, Chiefs and Warriors of the Six Nations” and approve of it, except that I question whether the 8th and the 11th paragraphs are expressed quite strong enough. The 8th gives too much ground, in my opinion, to expect a compliance with their request in its full extent; and the 11th although the sense is plain, seems hardly decisive enough for Indian...
260George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Springfield, New Jersey ] June 21, 1780 . Instructs Knox to transport the flour at Trenton, New Jersey, to New Windsor, New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
261From George Washington to Henry Knox, 5 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you on the 1st instt Your letters of the 28th & 31st of July have come to hand. The latter, containing an acct of the fate of Majr Trueman, fills me with deep concern. The circumstances with which it is related (unless fabricated to answer some purpose to us unknown) will not allow one to doubt the fact. Nor do the Accounts from the Southward wear a much more agreeable aspect...
262From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
By a letter this moment arrived from General McDougall dated two OClock yesterday, the enemy were advancing in force towards The Continental Village. The other part of their army on the West side were to move the same day to invest the Fort. On reconsideration, as some heavy cannon in our future operations may become essential, if you can possibly procure a sufficiency of horses to carry those...
263Instructions to Colonel Henry Knox, 10 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
as it is more than probable (unless Genl Howe should throw his whole force into the Jerseys & bend his Course towards Philadelphia) that there will Scarce be a junction of our Troops again this Season; it may be well for you to Consider of a proper partition of the Field Artillery, Artillerists and Stores for each Service, and delay no time in the arrangement and dispatch of those destined for...
264From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit you the proceedings of the society of the Cincinnati of the State of So. Carolina which I reced yesterday. I am sir Your most Obed. Servt DSoC .
265From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the 4th Connect. Regt, under the expectation of being soon drafted into the other Regts, is not now employed in hutting, or any other public duties; it is my wish, that this Corps may be occupied in cutting & laying in Wood for the Hospital on the east side of the River. The importance of this business is so great & so obvious, that I scarely need express the earnestness of my desire, that...
266From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 14 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have for some time past most earnestly expected you, to arrange matters in the Artillery department which has in a manner lain still since you went away. I have prevailed upon Colo. Proctor, tho he is under positive orders from the State of Pennsylvania to return to Philada, to stay till you come back. I beg you will endeavour to bring forward as many of the Artillery Men, intended for this...
267From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am happy in transmitting to you the inclosed Resolves of Congress,which I must desire you to publish to the Army and to assure General Howe and the Detachment who were under his Command, of the pleasure it gives me to communicate to them this public testimony of the approbation of Congress. I am Dear sir Your most Obedt Servt MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
268From George Washington to Henry Knox, 27 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
Hurried as I am I cannot (not expecting to see you in Philadelpa) withhold the copy of a Paragraph in a letter which came to my hands yesterday from Mr Jefferson, and a translation of the article “Cincinnati” from the Encyclopedie Methodique; forwarded to me by the same Gentleman as they relate to the Society & serve to shew the light in wch it is viewed in France. I do not know what the...
269From George Washington to Henry Knox, 25 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Sep. 25th 1793 I have duly received your letters of the 15th & 18th instt and as the last announces your intention of setting out for Boston the next day I shall add nothing in this letter on business—but shall thank you for the information you have given me—as well private as public; and observe that, it appears to me highly necessary that the heads of...
270From George Washington to Henry Knox, 19 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have given due consideration to the papers annexed. If the usage of the Army has been, that the Officer next in seniority has not only the right to fill the vacancy which is occasioned by death—Resignation—or dismission; but also (if adjudged worthy of promotion) to have his Commission dated at the time the said vacancy happened: And; as it appears that the resignation of Captn Mercer of the...
271George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, 24 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States requests the attendance of the at Nine o’Clock tomorrow morning ; at the President’s house, on the subject of the note sent to the on the 17~. inst: and that the will bring with him such remarks as he may have committed to writing in pursuance of said note. At the same time the President will lay before the Heads of the Departments & the Attorney General some...
272From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
In order to facilitate and expedite the communication between the Post of Dobbs Ferry and Head Quarters (which must be kept up principally by Runners) I have to request you will give Orders for forwarding expeditiously by a trusty Non Commissd Officer or Soldier as far as Kings Ferry (where the senior Officer has Instructions on the subject) all Dispatches from Head Quarters to Dobbs Ferry—and...
273From 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, &...
274From 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...
275From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you the 15th desiring you to have the Arms in Massachusets and New Hampshire collected and a Return made to me as soon as possible. I find by letters from General Heath that Arms have lately arrived in several Vessels from France, I beg they may be immediately sent to the different Arsenals and put in order. We shall want a considerable number in the Spring when the Levies come into...
276From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the last General Return of Ordnance and Military Stores which I have recd from the Board of War; of which You will take a Copy. There appears to me a very great deficiency of many Articles, particularly of small Arms, powder and Lead. But you will be pleased to examine it critically and report to me what are in your opinion wanting that I may lay the estimate, without loss of...
277From George Washington to Henry Knox, 5 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The arms of the army are daily getting out of repair with out any possibility of remedying it there are no travelling forges here and if there were I am informed they could not be set at work for want of some Articles which are absolutely necessary such as Borax salt &c. can any of the Armourers and necessary materials be spared from West Point to come here with some travelling Forges and...
278From George Washington to Henry Knox, 23 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
The arrival of the Definitive Treaty, and the evacuation of New York have been so long delayed as to interfere very materially with our arrangements for the Celebration of Peace; at this Season no use can be made of the Bower, the only possible means of accomodation, besides, the dissolution of the Army at so short a period totally defeats the object in view, for if we were even determined not...
279From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 29 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have no doubt but that in the new appointment of Artillery Officers, you thought of Mr Machin in the manner he deserves—however, as he is now here, and has heard nothing from you on this Subject, I cannot help reminding you of him, as he appears from observation, and information, to be a person of Merit. He has also mentioned something to me respecting his pay, which you will cause to be...
280From George Washington to Henry Knox, 13 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the several points contained in your private letter of yesterday I have to observe—that I shall not be able finally to adjust a system of Signals, until I have seen Governor Clinton, which I expect will be in a few days—in the mean time I would have the Guards continued at the Beacons, as at present. The Rockets you propose to have made will be necessary. As to the Guard of...
281From George Washington to Henry Knox, 30 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
You are too well acquainted with my opinion of certain characters in this State—especially one whom I am told is now an attendant on you at Elizabeth Town—to need a repetition of it at this time; but I wish it were possible for you to guard your Colleague against the arts, & the disadvantages which certainly will result from a free intercourse of Sentiments with the person I allude to, on...
282From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th instt, with its enclosures, came duly to hand. It is exceedingly to be regretted that all the attempts of Government to bring the hostile Indians acquainted with the real designs of it—(so far as it respects the disputes with them)—should be so pointedly marked with misfortune, disappoint or delay. Captn Brants illness, and the sickness & delays of the other Chiefs of...
283From George Washington to Henry Knox, 23 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
The letter of which the enclosed is a copy, was received yesterday. The information wch it contains being of a serious nature I request that strict enquiry may be instituted into the matter and a report thereupon made to me. ADfS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . See Pierce Butler to GW, 30 November. Knox referred the question to Alexander Hamilton, who in turn referred it to Tench Coxe. Noting that...
284From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The following is an extract of what I have just received from the Board of War in a letter of the 22d Inst. "The Board are unhappy to inform you that nothing is yet done in consequence of General Knox’s letter: immediately on the receipt of it they made the necessary estimates and applications to Congress for the following Sums—To the department of Military Stores £3794 Specie and for...
285From George Washington to Henry Knox, 31 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
It gave me great pleasure to find by your letter of the 29th that you were freed from all apprehension on acct of Miss Lucys eye—and that we might flatter ourselves with the expectation of seeing Mrs Knox & you at this place. It was not untill Friday last that Seven States assembled in Convention. By these I was, much against my wish, unanimously placed in the Chair—Ten States are now...
286From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
The early attention which you were so obliging as to pay to my letter of the 8th ulto is highly pleasing and flattering to me. Were you to continue to give me information on the same point, you would add to the favor; as I see, or think I see, reasons for and against my attendance in Convention so near an equilibrium, as will cause me to Determine upon either, with diffidence. One of the...
287From 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...
288From 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,...
289From 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...
290From 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...
291From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 16th Inst. Things being circumstanced as they are, I consent to the work upon the Magazine being stopped, and the Workmen employed upon the Barracks in the Garrison. I shall inform the Secretary at War, who seemed to have the completion of the Magazine much at heart, of the reasons which have hindered us from proceeding. I shall approve your nomination of...
292From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The cloth & Buttons which accompanied your favor of the 30th Ult., came safe by Colo. Hanson; and really do credit to the Manufactures of this Country. As it requires Six more of the large (engraved) button to trim the Coat in the manner I wish it to be, I would thank you, my good Sir, for procuring that number and retaining them in your hands until my arrival at New York. Not to contemplate...
293From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
As Mr Corne was ignorant of the Regulations respecting Flags when he came out, he may be permitted to Return with the other Prisoners. You will please therefore to send them with a Serjeant and the enclosed Letter to Colonel Canfield who commands at Stanford. I am Dear Sir Your very hum. Servt MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
294From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have concluded to name you on the part of the United States, as Commissioners, to meet those of Sir Guy Carleton, for the purposes of settling a general Cartel of Prisoners &ca agreeable to the inclosed Resolutions of Congress. I have therefore to desire you Gentlemen to undertake that Business and if any previous preparation is necessary, that you will be pleased to attend to it as early as...
295From George Washington to Henry Knox, 4 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of a Resolve of the Congress of the United States, bearing date the 26th of Augt 1789, I have thought fit to appoint Andrew Ellicot to compleat a certain survey directed to be made by an Act of the late Congress of the 6th of June 1789. The sum of Eleven hundred and twenty five dollars is (by an estimate of Mr Ellicot) found necessary to carry into effect the beforementioned...
296From George Washington to Henry Knox, 5 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Apologies are idle things: I will not trouble you with them—that I am your debtor in the epistolary way I acknowledge—and that appearances indicate a disposition to remain so, I cannot deny; but I have neither the inclination nor the effrontary to follow the example of Great Men or St—s to withhold payment altogether. To whatever other causes therefore my silence may be attributed, ascribe it...
297From 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...
298From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment recd a letter from Colo. Hamilton. It is Lord Stirlings opinion that the quantity of Amunition sent with the peices may be perhaps insufficient, should they find the Houses possessed by the Enemy stronger than are expected. You will be pleased to send a further supply to Elizabeth Town without loss of time, that we may lose no advantage for want of it—The troops began to...
299I. 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...
300From George Washington to Henry Knox, June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having already communicated to you my intention to attempt to Surprize the Enemys Posts at the north end of York Island, & prepared you for the part I expect you to take in the conducting of it, I have now to desire That you will on next (under the most specious pretence that can be devise to conceal the real object) detach as many Officers and Men as with the aid of the Infantry they are to...