51To 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...
52To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 22 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here early this morning, and immediately set myself to execute the matters I had in charge. Governor Livingston has been gone from here two days, and the Legislature adjourned. Col. Furman is here and has exerted himself much. There are here nearly 3000 barrells of flour, some rum and salt. About 250 bbls flour went off by the back route yesterday and to day; and Col. Furman expects...
53To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 25 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just returnd here from Trenton which place I left last evening, at which time there had gone towards new Windsor by the back route 2213 barrells flour, and I believe that by this evening all will be in motion that was at Trenton amounting to about 3500 barrells including 445 which had arriv’d there from the Gentlemen directors of the bank form’d at Philadelphia. The teams which have...
54To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Return of Shells, Shot and Powder, in possession of the Continent, and the places where they are deposited; compared with an estimate of stores presented to the Committee of Congress with the Army, 27 June 1780, and the deficiencies pointed out. In addition to the remarks already presented on the estimate made last October, it is to be observed, that 50 shells and sixty shot were then,...
55To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit to Your Excellency the enclosed return, by which you may be enabled to see the number of artillery men wanting from each State, at one view. The service of the artillery, in case of a siege, will be so evidently extensive, that it would be unnecessary to say any thing to Your Excellency on the importance of having the corps filled up from the recruits that are...
56To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 16 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received Your Excellency’s directions, not to lose a moments time in bringing forward all the cannon and stores in our possession proper for a siege, and necessary for the service of the campaign; to the North river, New York being the object. As I am now writing to the board of war on the subject, I should be obliged to Your Excellency to direct whether the stores shall be...
57To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellency’s directions to me of the 15th instant, To have the cannon and stores for the intended siege collected to the North river, I applied to the Quarter Master General for assistance to move the heavy park from Easton, and about two hundred tons of shot and shells from Hibernia, Mount Hope and Pompton furnaces. Enclosed are copies of my letter to him, and his...
58To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mr Faesh is so deeply impres’d, with a beleif, that the disafected, will set fire to his furnace, if he shall cast shot, or shells, that he declines to cast those articles, unless the continent, will indemnity for any loss he may incur in consequence, or provide him with a guard. I have endevor’d to convince him to the contrary, but without effect. I humbly submit to Your Excellency, the...
59To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The great demand we probably shall have for musket cartridges the present campaign must induce every exertion to procure as adequate supplies as possible. We have at Fishkill, West Point, and with the spare stores of this army, materials sufficient for six hundred thousand. I therefore take the liberty to propose that one hundred men be immediately set to work at Fishkill, or West Point, as...
60To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 9 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have endevor’d attentively to consider the several propositions, resulting from the State of the Army and Country, which your Excellency on the 6th instant was pleas’d to lay before your General Officers assembled in Council: The respective States, complying only partially, with the requisitions made of them, of men, and provisions; The inadequate quantities of Military Stores; the...
61To 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...
62To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 19 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Monsieur Garranger has sollicited me to write to Your Excellency in his behalf. This gentleman was directed by the honorable Congress, nearly two years ago, to repair to camp, and to serve in such capacity as Your Excellency might judge proper. Accordingly he has been with the Army for the greater part of the last and present campaigns, desirous of an opportunity to signalize himself, but...
63To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the council of war held on the 31 ulto, Your Excellency did your general officers the honor to state to them the force which the enemy had detatched from New York, and the reinforcements they had received since the council of the 6 Sepr last, and the probability that the detatchment was destined for the Southern States. Also, the number of men that will remain of this Army for the war, on...
64To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to state, for your Excellency’s consideration and decision, the case of two companies now in Col. Lamb’s regiment of artillery. These companies, originally commanded by Captains Lee and Porter, were raised in the State of Pennsylvania, have always been returned to the Board of War as part of the quota of that State, and for a considerable time past adopted by it and received...
65To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
A doubt having arisen respecting the mode of appointing officers of artillery under the new arrangement of the Army, I beg leave to refer the matter to Your Excellency for decision. The corps of artillery is to consist of four regiments—the officers to rise regimentally to captains, and from that grade to field officers in the line of the corps. This arrangement will render it difficult, if...
66To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Ordnance and Military Stores necessary for the campaign of 1781 Muskets of the latest and most approved construction in Europe, complete with iron ramrods, bayonets, scabbards and belts—25000. Gun worms, brushes and wires, and screw drivers—of each species—30000. Cartridge boxes it is presumed may be easily made in America. Flints of the best kind—250000. Swords for the non commissioned of the...
67To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I send your Excellency the volume of pamphlets belonging t[o] Governor Trumbull. I have taken the liberty to retain for two or three days the single pamphlet written by Governor Pownall, and shall be oblig’d by the perusal of the Volume when your Excellen[c]y has done with it. I wish to go to West point to day the weather & sleighing bei[n]g favorable which obliges me to postpone making my...
68To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 7 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of Your Excellency’s instructions to me, dated the 7th ulto, I proceeded to the States of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and delivered the dispatches with which I was charged, to the Governors and to the President to whom they were addressed. The legislatures of Connecticut and Rhode Island unfortunately were not sitting. The Governor of the former...
69To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received the communication of your Excellency’s intentions the next campaign, with instructions to me to use every exertion in our power to procure those articles which we shall want in a capital operation against New York—or against Charlestown, Savanna, Penobscot, &ca in case of our inability to undertake the siege of the first and principal object. I shall with peculiar pleasure...
70To 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...
71To 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...
72To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you particularly on the 3d instant and enclosed you my report to Congress with the various returns. I have now finished the necessary arrangements for the winter and in a few hours I shall set out for Boston—The public interest has been my actuating principle in the cou[r]se of this business and I flatter myself will meet your approbation. I have found it necessary to direct that a few...
73To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Agreably to my promise my dear sir, I write you from this place, and flatter myself with the hope, that although my letter contains no important intelligence, yet it may not be unpleasing to you. Your calm retreat, of mount Vernon, must be a source of ineffable delight to you. you can from thence, take a retrospective view, of the critical exigencies of the War, and see a thousand ways, by...
74To 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.”
75To George Washington from Henry Knox, 12 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 20th ultimo yesterday. I am fully persuaded of the importance of a general attendance at the meeting at Philadelphia, and I have now written to those concerned in this State, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, urging their attendence to the utmost of my power. If General Greene shall not be gone before I reach Newport I will endeavor to bring him along....
76To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24–28 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
I had the mortification to find that you set out from this place about ten oClock of the same day I arrived here. Our horses were injured on the road, which obliged me to halt one day at Baltimore. I am uncertain how long I shall stay, but I hope to set out on my return on Wednesday—You Know the state of things here—It is to be apprehended that all the necessary business will not be Finished...
77To 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...
78To 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...
79To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Heaven forbid my dear Sir, that you should measure my affection for you by the frequency of my letters. I have been absent from this place, a considerable part of the summer and upon my return I learned that you had gone to the Western Waters, and would not return untill the beginning of this month. There is another reason which I confess has had its influence. I considered you as overwhelmed...
80To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Mr Laurence is a gentleman from Denmark who has been here some time, and is largely concerned in commerce to this Continent He is extremely anxious to have the honor to see you before he leaves the Country and has requested me to introduce him to you. I am my Dear Sir With the most perfect respect and attachment your affectionate humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . GW does not indicate in...
81To George Washington from Henry Knox, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have the satisfaction, my dear Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favors of the 5th of Decr and of the 5th instant for which I beg you to receive my warmest thanks. I regard these letters as fresh proofs of your unchanging friendship and kindness, which I shall ever esteem among the cheif blessings of my Life. The Indians being in a bad temper when you went to the Westward I felt...
82To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your kind favor of the 28th ultimo, which I received last evening with its enclosures & I sincerely hope I shall not be under the necessity of troubling you so much again. But in the present instance I am under the necessity of mentioning that Major Winthrop Sargent has repeatedly informed me, that a certificate from you would be one of the most desirable and acceptable things...
83To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
It has been my intention ever since I have been in this City which is fourteen days to have written to you, but my business has been such as to prevent this gratification. Congress have directed 700 Men to be raised for three years, to be apportioned upon the states of Connecticut New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, for the protection of the Western frontiers, to defend the Settlers on the...
84To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have often been on the point of acknowledging your Kind favor of the 18th of June, and have as often deferred it, from the hope of having the pleasure of visiting you at Mount Vernon, on my way to James River, at which place there is a quantity of public Stores. Having been hitherto disapointed I shall no longer trust to the chapter of accidents, but embrace the opportunity which presents...
85To George Washington from Henry Knox, 13 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have received your esteemed favor of the 1st instant, covering the copy of a letter from Mr Jefferson. The Marquis de la Fayette also wrote to me concerning the affair of the eagles. The enclosed papers will fully inform you on the subject. I have not the papers of the general society, they being with General Williams, therefore I cannot speak on the subject so accurately as I could wish....
86To 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...
87To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the pleasure of writing to you last month, and stated generally that certain disturbances existed in Massachusetts. Since that period the legislature have been sitting, and endevoring to conciliate the minds of the disafected, and perhaps in some instances by unjust means. There are people however who hold that if a measure be right in itself, one Should not be very delicate...
88To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
The insurgents who were assembled at Worcester in Massachusetts have disbanded. The people at Boston seem to be glad at this event and say it was the effect of fear. But the fact is that the insurgents effected their object, which was to prevent the Court of Common Pleas from proceeding to business. It is probable that the seizing some of the insurgents at Middlesex occasioned a greater number...
89To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you my dear Sir for your Kind favor of the 26th ultimo, which I received on the 7th instant. On the dispersion of the insurgents at Worcester, which was dictated more by the inclemency of the weather, and the consideration of having effected their object, than by any apprehensions of coercion from Government, many people were of opinion that the disorders were at an end, and that...
90To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you my dear Sir last week and then mentioned to you the operations against the insurgents were to commence the 19th or 20th since then I have received in confidence the enclosed orders of the governor. You will be able having this for the explanation to judge more clearly of the progress of the business. You will please to retain these papers in your hands for although, no object will...
91To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you my dear Sir on the 21st instant and then enclosed you the General orders of Governor Bowdoin—By the post last evening I have received information from Genl Sheppard, that he took post at the Magazine of the United States at Springfield on the 18th. That the insurgents were collecting in his neighbouhood, and he expected to be attacked by them as the public Stores seemed to be their...
92To 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...
93To George Washington from Henry Knox, 30 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you my dear Sir by the post of yesterday and stated the high probability of an action between Genl Shepperd, on the part of government, and the insurgents at Springfield on Thursday the 25th instant, but since then I have received no further information. This is a cruel suspense and difficult to account for, but on the principle of the expected action being avoided by some...
94To 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 .
95To 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...
96To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was of the 1st instant since which I have received your favor of the 25 Jany. You will probably have received mine long before this time of the 14th ultimo which will satisfy you that I received duly your favor of the 26th December. I now enclose you (in confidence) three Copies of letters written by our friend Lincoln to Govr Bowdoin which will shew you in a more connectd State...
97To George Washington from Henry Knox, 12 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
In my last to you of the 8th instant I enclosed you a number of General Lincolns letters to Govr Bowdoin, in order to give you a connected statement of the rebellion in Massachusetts. I have now the great satisfaction of informing you, that this ugly affair, is in a train of being speedily and effectually suppressed—pursuing my former plan, I enclose you (in confidence) 4 copies of letters...
98To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you my dear Sir for your kind favor of the 3d instant which I received yesterday. I beg leave to make an observation once for all which is, that you would not consider yourself as under obligation to answer any of my letters, (unless I should particularly request the favor) untill you should find sufficient leisure and inclination for the purpose. It would pain me exceedingly were I in...
99To 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...
100To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was on the 22d instant, in which I stated my apprehensions respecting the proposed disfranchisement in Massachusetts. I did not mean to find fault with the measure. I am persuaded circumstances have rendered it necessary, and proper. But any rigorous chastisement of the rebels, will enflame them and render it right and expedient for the government to provide for its own safety...