101To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
The last letter which I had the honor to write to you was dated on the 10th instant. Since which I have received your favor of the 7th instant. Colonel Hall having declined Colonel Darck agreably to your orders, will have the offer of the 1st regiment of Levies, and if he should decline, it is probable that Colonel Rawlings would accept it. We shall march between the 25th instant, and the 1st...
102To George Washington from Henry Knox, 1 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am unable to express the sense I have of your kindness, in the instance of your writing to General Lincoln, on the 6th of last June respecting an extra allowance from the Publick, as head of the ordnance, and during the time I have been in the command of these posts. Your letter to him, was so full, and complete, that I did not think another word, would have been necessary to have obtained...
103To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The first principle of the security of the United States must rest and consist in a hardy militia, in whom the ideas of freedom and a generous love of their Country shall be inherent. These upon every invasion will form the advanced guard of defence; and if the war should continue a sufficient number must be selected, under the discipline of a regular army, to oppose the invaders. It ought to...
104To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 10 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will please to observe by the above summary that there are now mounted and fit for action in this City and the neighbouring posts one hundred and twenty one heavy and light Cannon. To each Cannon it will be necessary to have ten men including the mortar and contingent Services. this would make twelve hundred an[d] ten men. we have in the regiment six hundred officers included,...
105To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this instant received your note of this date. every thing here was in perfect readiness. The necessary appartus, and provisions embarked, and the party waiting at the Wharf, for orders to step unto their boats to Verplanks. every thing without suspicion. If the orginal design, should be still persisted in, I beg I may notice at least the day before it is to be executed, least a hurry of...
106To George Washington from Henry Knox, 31 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to inform you on the 27th of the murder of certain friendly Indians at the Big beaver Creek, on the 9th instant. I enclose a Proclamation of the Governor of this State, relative to that affair. I assured him of the readiness of the General Government, to pay the reward offered upon the conviction of the Offenders. The Governor has directed the Magistrates to make inquisition...
107To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
It is a long time my dear Sir since I have had the pleasure of addressing you, owing to my having been into Massachusetts and the province of main, during the period of the last four months. I have received your favor enclosing some foreign applications for admission into the Cincinnati—These papers are placed on the files of the society but cannot be acted on, untill the next general meeting...
108To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit the answer of General Pickens to your additional questions; and also a letter from Governor Blount relatively to a post at Bears Creek, and goods for the Trade of the Choctaws and Chickesaws. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your most obedt Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For these two documents, see the enclosures below. GW received this cover...
109To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
Major L’Enfant will have the honor to wait upon your Excellency to solicit leave of absence and to obtain the certificate, I requested, of his being a member . His zeal to serve the Cincinnati has been conspicuously displayed in the emblems of the bald eagle, designs of the medals, seal, and of that noble effort of genius, the diploma. He proposes to attend the execution of these several...
110To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was at West point to day where I had the honor to receive your Excellencys favor of Yesterday. I am sorry to learn by the extract of the letter from the board of War that things are not in a good train in Pennsylvania, especially as the prospects are so good from the eastward. I am very sorry that your Excellency has any doubts upon being able to carry into execution the plans which you have...
111To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of information from the Secretary of the Treasury, the enclosed letter has been drafted to the Governor for your consideration relatively to the application of the British Minister. I also submit some papers from Mr Dallas relative to the proposed establishment at Presque Isle. The Secretary of the Treasury and myself concur in submitting to you the enclosed as a proper answer....
112To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Pattersons brigade and Sprouts regiment will be in readiness to march this afternoon, and will halt at the Furnace of Dean this night. Two peices of artillery will be at Stoney point in order to commence their march from thence tomorrow morning. part of one of General Pattersons regiments has not yet joined from the Lines & it will be difficult to make up the Deficiency. The Connecticut...
113To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War, to whom the President of the United States was pleased to refer the Speech of the Corn-planter, Half-Town, and the Great Tree-Chiefs and Counsellors of the Seneka nation. Respectfully reports— That the objects stated in the said Speech are as follow— to wit— 1st—A Complaint respecting the hard terms imposed on the six Nations, in the Treaty made at Fort Stanwix October...
114To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 5 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
The draft of a proclamation and that of an instruction to the Commissioners being both prepared, we take the liberty to suggest that we think a meeting tomorrow morning at such hour as may be convenient to the President, may be adviseable. The Secretary of State & Attorney General being out of town we cannot consult them, but we will engage the attendance of the Attorney General provisionally...
115To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your Excellency’s request I enclose the estimate required in your favor of the 1st instant. I am sorry it is out of my power to render it in the manner you wished. But my not having any general returns of stores from the War Office prevents my stating, in a summary view, the difference of the estimate from what is in possession of the Continent. I am, with the highest degree of...
116Memorandum from Henry Knox, 16 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and the Attorney General yesterday in pursuance of your direction an equal division of opinion took place upon the question herein stated. It appeared that certain privateers commissioned on the part of the French Nation by Mr Genest at Charleston equipped and manned at that place partly by Citizens of the United States, have brought prizes taken from...
117To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
By an express received by me Yesterday affairs at Springfield were most critically circumstanced. At 4 oClock last Thursday afternoon Genl Sheppard and the insurgents were drawn up in battle array and Shepperd expecting to be momently attacked. Capt. Cushing an officer in the troops now raising was dispatched as an express to Hartford for asistance to Shepperd says that he was confident an...
118To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 23 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
In the conversation which I had the honor of having lately with your Excellency, you informed me that there appeared to be three methods to open the ensuing campaign, and directed me to consider and report my opinion of each, with the reasons on which it was founded. The first was—To remain in the present Camp, receive the expected recruits, for the Continental Battalions, discipline the Army,...
119To George Washington from Henry Knox, 31 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
No distinct accounts have arrived but by the post this evening we shall expect some particulars, which I will communicate tomorrow. Thus much is certain that no action has happened. I am my dear Sir Respectfully Your humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW .
120To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your view a draft of a letter to the Governors of Virginia, Maryland Pennsylvania, and New Jersey —Perhaps as Brigadier General Samuel Smith was at the head of the militia of a State the same ought to be transmitted him excepting as to the thanks. Most respectfully, Your obedt Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . On this date Knox wrote to Virginia governor Robert...
121To George Washington from Henry Knox, 1 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I shall go through New York tomorrow for Boston as my days of quarantine expire today. I hope to be in Philadelphia by the 25th instant. The french fleet excepting the Ambuscade will sail tomorrow from New York upon some cruise unknown. The surviellant saild on the 29th ultimo for France with dispatches from Mr Genet. and such is his desire that they should arrive safely, that he will in a day...
122To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s favor of the 16th instant. We shall endeavor to put the troops into their Winter quarters as soon as possible—The 4th Massachusetts regiment has already gone to occupy the huts built by Colonel Swift’s regiment which are in pretty good repair—The New Hampshire Corps will go to morrow to Constitution Island—The remainder of the Connecticut regiment...
123To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
I submit certain papers relative to a Capt. Scott. I have conversed with Colonel Wadsworth concerning him; the result of which is that Scotts discretion for the object proposed cannot be depended upon—As he however has mentioned that he had an audience of you I have thought it my duty to submit the papers. I also submit Genl Waynes letter. I am with perfect respect Your humble servant ALS ,...
124To 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....
125To George Washington from Henry Knox, 1 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit the enclosed letter just received from Major General Wayne dated the 10th of March 1794. I am, Most respectfully, Sir, Your obedient Servant. LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Wayne’s letter to Knox relayed a report that the Indians had met in council and were sending a flag, preparatory to the surrender of prisoners, but expressed his doubts about the report’s...
126To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit, the copy of a letter intended to be sent to the Secretary of the Treasury, relatively to arrangments to be made, for procuring the Iron Cannon and shot; contemplated in the Act, entitled, “An Act to provide for the defence of certain Ports and Harbors in the United States.” I have the honor to be Sir, with the greatest respect, Your most obedt Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB...
127To George Washington from Henry Knox, 20 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit you the Copy of a letter just received from Colonel Pickering. I have conceived that it might be attended with good effects to assuage in the mind of the Governor, of this state, and of the militia Army, any apprehensions they may have entertained respecting the hostility of the six nations. Had they refused Colonel Pickerings invitation, the aspect would have been...
128To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant John Heth having arrived from the Creek country, I have the honor to submit his report relative to his mission and also, three letters from Brigadier General McGillivray of the 15th and 25th of September and the 4th of October; and also a letter from Edward White, dated the 7th of October. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir, Your most obedient Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB ,...
129To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the weekly return of the troops. On the 7th instant the remainder of the 3d Massachusetrs regiment arrived from the southward in a pretty healthy state, having left but few upon the road. The troops having been uncommonly sickly for this place, and a malignant putrid fever being among their disorders, I have fixed upon the barrack at Constitution Island as an...
130To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s request, I have the honor to enclose the nomination of the persons who appear to me to be proper to compose the department of field commissary. I hope it may meet your Excellencys approbation. I am conscious of no other motive in recommending any, under a view of the circumstances attending them, than a wish to retain those who may best promote the service. I am,...
131To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 23 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
To digest a perfect plan of operations, of the magnitude of those proposed by Your Excellency, demands a much greater extent of abilities and military experience than I can pretend to have. It requires a mind, able to comprehend and provide for every possible exigence, so that, in case of success, we might be ready to urge it to the utmost, or, of misfortune, to render it as little distressing...
132Cabinet Opinions on the Debt to France, 25 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 25. 1793. The President desires the opinions of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney General on the following question, to wit. Mr. Ternant having applied for money equivalent to three millions of livres to be furnished on account of our debt to France at the request of the Executive of that country, which sum is to be laid out in provisions within the US. to be sent to...
133Henry Knox’s Notes on the State of the Frontier, January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Although I experience a reluctance in again bringing before you the subject of a treaty with the Wabash indians, yet as some recent events have happened evincing to my mind the propriety of the measure, I conceive it to be my duty to make the following communication, and to request your advice thereon. The indians residing on the Wabash river and its branches, and the people residing on the...
134To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Jersey election being decided, the four members from that State will be here tomorrow or next day —Two members from Pensylvania who have hitherto attended the Assembly of that state which has now adjourned will also be here tomorrow evening—With the above and Mr Smith who has arrived here from Maryland the house of representatives will be formed on Wednesday or Thursday next. The senate...
135To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Having been unavoidably longer detained at Boston, than I expected, I did not return to this place until the 22nd instant, and I shall this day set out for Philadelphia to make the necessary arrangements to remove my office and family to that city. No events of sufficient importance have arisen in my department to warrant my troubling you with particular details at present—But as the...
136I: From Henry Knox, 3 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your directions as delivered to me this day by the Attorney General, I have endeavoured to take into consideration the expediency of your giving your approbation to the Act intituled “An Act for an apportionment of Representatives among the several states according to the first enumeration,” the constitutionality thereof being doubted by some persons. I might plead my inability to...
137To George Washington from Henry Knox, 12 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is a circumstance of great chagrin to the members of the new government who are assembled here, that they have received no additionals since my last. They remain at 8 senators and 18 Representatives. Letters are forwarded to the absent members of Maryland Delaware and Virginia; but if the two houses are not formed untill effected in consequence of those letters, a month at least will...
138To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
A fear of intruding upon your more important concerns has prevented my writing to you since my return. I found here your kind favor of the 2d of June, with its enclosure for General Putnam which I delivered. The measures taken by Congress respecting the western posts must defeat themselves by their own imbecillity. I cannot say but that I am well satisfied to be excluded from any...
139To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your view a Statement of the non commissioned Officers and privates at present in the service of the United States specifying the places where they are and the periods which they have still to serve. The force immediately under Major General Wayne is much lessened by the expiration of the services of his Troops and is inferior to the demand of existing...
140To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit, a letter received from James Seagrove Esqr: dated the 6th of July —and two letters from the Governor of Georgia of the 24th & 30th of the same month, with their enclosures. I am Sir, Most respectfully, Your very humble Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . In his letter to Knox of 6 July, Indian agent James Seagrove wrote that the murder of David Cornell, a Creek Indian...
141To George Washington from Henry Knox, 13 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
War Department [Philadelphia], 13 Oct. 1791. Submits copies of letters received from Arthur St. Clair and Richard Butler, both dated 18 Sept.: “I would not unnecessarily occupy your time at present—but, knowing your anxiety for the success of the operations, as they approach to a crisis, I have conceived it proper for your satisfaction to enclose these letters.” LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The...
142To George Washington from Henry Knox, 28 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
It is with the most sincere satisfaction that I congratulate you on the unconditiona⟨l⟩ adoption of the constitution by the Convention of this state. The particulars of this important event are contained in this days paper herein enclosed. Messrs Jay Hamilton and the rest of the federalists have derived great honor from their temperate and wise conduct during the tedious debates on this...
143To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
[ “Park of Artillery, near New Windsor,” 17 Feb. 1781 ]. In a series of tables, Knox estimates “Ordinance, Ammunition, &ca necessary for an operation against the City of New York, by way of York Island, exclusive of what may be wanted for Long Island and its communications.” The first table estimates “Cannon” as 32 pounders—8, 24 pounders—12, 18 pounders—26, and 12 pounders—22. A second table...
144To George Washington from Henry Knox, 1 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
The great demand for mounted militia for the defensive protection of the frontiers and the immense expence attending the measure far exceeding according to any information in my possession, the supposed security or advantages thereof have induced an anxiety in my mind that some principles should be fixed and adopted upon this subject. The letter of the Governor of Georgia submitted yesterday...
145To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your consideration the appraisement of the Maps in the Care of Colonel Burr —the valuation is far below the idea contemplated by him, and he therefore absolutely rejects it—after a considerable conversation he has consented to take one hundred and fifty Guineas. My own opinion is that they are exceedingly valuable to the United States in their further views upon...
146To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia, 22 April 1792] . Submits “Doctor Allens report, Brandts Letter to Kirkland, and a recommendation of Genl Chapin handed to me by Mr Elsworth.” ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Tobias Lear docketed the cover of this letter: “From The Secretary of War 22d April 1792.” On this day GW dined with twenty-two of the visiting chiefs from the Five Nations, their interpreter, and Samuel...
147To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor on the 6th to mention my arrival and the cause of my detention longer than the time I had specified. I am occupied in the affairs of the department, until I shall receive your orders whether to join you or not. If you should progress westward, and should be of opinion I could be serviceable I shall fly to join your standard. I have the satisfaction to say, that at the eastward...
148To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Possessing as I do a thousand evidences of your friendship, I am persuaded that you will readily beleive me, when I say that my silence of late, has been the effect of my unwillingness to intrude, lest I should for a moment prevent the consideration and different views, you give to the important subjects incessantly before you. Although the same cause continues to prevent my interruption, yet...
149To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Machin is desirous of going to Philadelphia for a few days, to transact some business relative to the recruiting service for this state. If his absence for a short time will not interfere with his trial, and your Excellency has no objection, I would recommend him for the indulgence requested. I have the honor to be most respectfully Your Excellencys very hum. servt DLC : Papers of George...
150To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
The case of the late Captain Perrit has been referred to me by the house of representatives with instructions to report thereon to the next session of Congress—It is therefore under consideration. Upon reconsidering the subject Mr Howell will have no objection of showing to Mr Blanchard, the decisions upon the cases which he mentions and of delivering to me for the use of Congress and to...