1From John Adams to Henry Knox, 11 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of a Letter from you a few days ago and was rejoiced to learn that you have at last determined to take a more im portant share than you have done hitherto in the Conduct of our military Matters. I have been impressed with an Opinion of your Knowledge and Abilities in the military Way for several years, and of late have endeavoured, both at Camp, at Watertown and at...
2From John Adams to Henry Knox, 2 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your esteemed Favour of the 16 of May, came to my Hand a few Days ago. You have laid me under obligations, by your ingenious Observations upon those Books, upon military Science, which are necessary, to be procured, in the present Circumstances of this Country. I have been a long Time convinced of the Utility of publishing american Editions of those Writers, and that it is an object of...
3From John Adams to Henry Knox, 25 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 21. is before me. I agree that We ought to have an hundred more of Mortars, Howitzers, and Field Pieces, And if I knew where to procure the Brass, I should be glad to promote the Manufacture of that Number. You Say that Copper can be purchased at a little advanced Price. I wish I knew, where, and at what Price. We have contracted with a Gentleman in Maryland, for a large...
4From John Adams to Henry Knox, 19 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have had the Honour of your Letter of the 4th of this Month, and I thank you for your obliging Congratulations on my Return, which gives me Happiness, whatever Passions or Reasonings produced it. You have Cause to thank Heaven, that the state of Europe is so favourable. It is Scarcely possible it should be more so. France is already elevated to the highest Degree of Reputation and England...
5From John Adams to Henry Knox, 28 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your Friend the Marquis, with whom I have sometimes had the Honour to drink your Health after that of General Washington, will deliver you this. His Love of Glory is not diminished, nor his affection for America, as you see by his Return. He has been indefatigable in endeavours to promote the Welfare and Comfort of our Army, as well as to support their Honour and Character, and has had success...
6From John Adams to Henry Knox, 19 June 1791 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the Pleasure of receiving your kind Letter of the 10th of this month, and am happy to find that you are pleased with your situation at Bush Hill. I hope soon to hear of the Birth of a peaceable son of Mars, and that Mrs Knox is as well and in as good Spirits as you appear to be. The Paragraphs in the New York Papers I know nothing of: The Lyes in the New Haven one I never heard...
7From John Adams to Henry Knox, 13 September 1791 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your favour of the 4th. and am much obliged by your Account of Affairs in this as well as in the Letter you wrote the Week before which I have also received. Mrs Adams joins me in friendly regards to Mrs Knox and yourself. We are very Sorry for any unpleasant Circumstances you have found at Bush Hill: and very happy that it happened to be in our Power to accommodate your...
8From John Adams to Henry Knox, 30 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received with much pleasure your favor of the 19th. If I Should meet with any “roses” in my Path, I Shall thank you for your Congratulations, and when I set my foot on “Thorns” as I Certainly shall, I shall thank you Equally for your Condolence, But when you assure me that you “feel a Confidence in the Safety of our Political Bark” you give me much Comfort, and I pray you may not be...
9From John Adams to Henry Knox, 10 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have recd the favour of your Letter of the 27th. of last month, and feel myself much interested in the subject of it. Mr Stoddert had before shewn me your Letter to him and to your son and I had consented to the Idea Suggested in them. The Navy however is a Scene of momentous responsibility to me and if a ship should be lost by any Man for whom I shall have made myself thus exclusively...
10George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Discusses disposal of the artillery at Albany and Farmington. Instructs Knox to send the artillery to Camp as soon as weather permits. Hopes that Knox will soon return to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
11From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [30 January 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you sundry papers respecting the Ordnance department. The General requests you will prepare your observations on them and be ready to meet The Committee and himself tomorrow forenoon. As he is going out of town on Monday and will have no time to spare, He begs you will be ready at the time mentioned. Will you be at home to day at 2 oClock? Mr. Garanger plagues me to accompany him to...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 26 March 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey, March 26, 1779. Letter not found .] Sold by Thomas Birch’s Sons, December, 1892, Lot 106.
13From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [6 May 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I am commanded by His Excellency to acknowlege the receipt of your letter. He desires you will have the persons you mention carefully confined ’till they can be delivered over to the civil Magistrate as we have no military law by which to punish them. But ⟨that⟩ the civil law may have something substantial to operate upon, he requests you will do every thing you can think of to discover the...
14George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 30 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 30, 1779 . Sends instructions concerning brigade artillery. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
15From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [2 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excelly directs me to notify you that the last division Kalb’s is ordered to be in readiness to march tomorrow. Its actual marching will depend on a contingency—the getting of horses. The General however wishes the Park to be also ready to move tomorrow. The route will be by Morris Town & the Maryland division will serve as a cover. You will have previous notice to march. Your care is...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [3 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey, June 3, 1779. ] Catalogue description reads: “Regarding DeKalb’s movements.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by C. F. Libbie, April 26, 1904, Lot 1125.
17George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 4 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] June 4, 1779 . Informs Knox of British advance toward the Continental Village and West Point. Asks Knox to send heavy cannon. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
18From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [25 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
A party of the enemy’s horse with about 1000 infantry are said to be at Pines bridge. Possibly the stores at New Millford may be the object. The General requests you will send a proper person to see what progress may have been made in removing them and to complete the removal. I have the honor to be Your most Obed ser ALS , Mr. Otto Madlener, Hubbard Woods, Illinois; ADfS , George Washington...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 27 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Garanger has waited upon the General to know decisively his fate. He renounces all ideas of command or rank in the corps of Artillery and asks only a brevet of Captain in the army. The simple question is—can he be employed usefully or not in the present state and temper of the corps? if not, I shall be obliged to you to inform him so, with a line either to the General or myself, informing...
20George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 12, 1779 . Urges Knox to send all available arms to Army and to apply to Board of War for a further supply. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
21From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 24 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Headquarters, West Point, July 24, 1779. Letter not found. ] Sold by Thomas Birch’s Sons, December, 1892, Lot 106.
22From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [25 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
The General is anxious to receive you observations on the letter sent you yesterday from General Gates so soon as possible, that he may dispatch an express waiting for an answer. Yr. Most Obed ser ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Major General Horatio Gates’s letter to Washington (dated July 18, 1779), which deals with questions concerning the management of the arsenal at...
23George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 20 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 20, 1779. Instructs Knox to prepare a sufficient number of cannon ball and to write Board of War for powder. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 22 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a petition just put into my hand. You know the General’s idea is not to force the continuance of any man in the service longer than he can be detained consistently with the terms of his engagement; attempts of this kind in a service like ours do more harm than good. This I dare say corresponds with your sentiments; and if the petitioner is not really inlisted during the war, you...
25George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 8, 1779 . Instructs Knox to send artillery pieces and men to man them to the Southern Department. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
26From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [28 May 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The General requests you to furnish two Grasshoppers and a company of Artillery to be attached to the New York Brigade which marches tomorrow morning toward Albany. GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , XVIII, 443, note 80. On the same day, Washington wrote Governor George Clinton: “In consequence of the intelligence from Your Excellency...
27George 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.
28George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 15 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Bergen County, New Jersey ] July 15, 1780 . Informs Knox that objective of siege is to be New York. Instructs Knox to bring forward all cannon and stores as quickly as possible. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
29From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [22 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The alliance is not come nor our arms, nor our powder. They probably will come with the second division we want to know what we can do in the meantime in the article of arms without those; will you send us immediately a memmorandum of what we have to your knowledge? Do you know whether the Eastern States can furnish any on loan and in what proportion. We must borrow of them and borrow of our...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [17 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Garanger has returned from ⟨Philadelphia⟩ with a resolve of Congress ⟨that it⟩ cannot employ him. ⟨He⟩ writes me it was because ⟨there was⟩ no testimonial ⟨from the⟩ General or from you. ⟨I assume⟩ the Committee did not transmit your letter. I confess there seems to me something hard in this Gentleman’s case, to be rejected after having taken so much pains and lost so much time to put...
31George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] October 21, 1780 . Has permitted Captain Lewis Garanger to experiment with the artillery at West Point before recommending Garanger to Congress for appointment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
32George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 22 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 22, 1780 . Orders Knox to prepare artillery to cover passage of troops across river. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
33George 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.
34George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 10 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York ] February 10, 1781 . Reports that conference between French and American commanders tentatively decided to make New York the focus of operations. Directs Knox to make necessary artillery preparations for cooperation with French. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
35George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 10 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 10, 1781 . Asks Knox to supply Captain Lewis Garanger with materials necessary for executing his experiments. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
36From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Henry Knox, [7 June 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
We are told here that there is a British officer coming on from Cornwallis’s army to be executed by way of retaliation for the murder of Capt Huddy. As this appears to me clearly to be an ill-timed proceeding, and if persisted in will be derogatory to the national character I cannot forbear communicating to you my ideas upon the subject. A sacrifice of this sort is intirely repugnant to the...
37George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, 4 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
As the public service may require that communications should be made to me, during my absence from the seat of government, by the most direct conveyances and as, in the event of any very extraordinary occurrence, it will be necessary to know at what time I may be found in any particular place, I have to inform you that unless the progress of my journey to Savannah is retarded by unforeseen...
38Alexander J. Dallas to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 27, 1791. “In Obedience to the directions of the Governor, I have the honor to present to you, a Copy of the Laws of this Commonwealth, passed at the last Sessions of the General Assembly.” LC , Division of Public Records, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg.
39From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 3 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I transmit you, as relating to your department, a letter just received by me from Lieutenant Colonel Beckwith forwarding a copy of a paper purporting to be a speech of Lord Dorchester, in answer to an address of the deputies of certain indian tribes. You will observe that the object of this communication is stated to be “the information of the executive government.” In conversation, a reliance...
40From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 17 October [1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The following are the particulars in the Presidents Letter which he expects you to prepare. Expeditions against the Indians. Every pacific measure was previously tried to produce accom~ & avoid expence. More pointed laws with penalties to rest⟨r⟩ain our own people. This & good faith may produce tranquillity. Treaties with Cherokees & six Nations & reasons . I annex to the first the hints in...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 28 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Accountant for the departt. of War having mentioned to me as on your part that it was requisite immediately to furnish to the officers on the recruiting service, a further sum of money for that service and having suggested that some arrangement was necessary in relation to the transmitting of it to them—I have the honor to propose the following. Let warrants issue by the Secy of war...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, [6 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Treasury Department, August 6, 1792. “All advances for supplies in the quartermaster’s department will be made after the first of next month to the quartermaster by warrants in his favor from the treasury, and he will have to account immediately to the treasury for the disbursement of the moneys committed to him. It will, of course, be necessary for the quartermaster to have an attorney or...
43From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 29 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Herewith you will find a Warrant for Thirty five thousand dollars for the use of the Quarter Master generals department. I request that you will direct it to be received in Bank post Notes, which for greater security had better be made out in the Name of the Quarter Master General. Experience shews that these Notes answer as well as specie, and Considerations of the Moment induce me to wish...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 14 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your letter of this day I observe I recalled your having spoken to me at the period to which you allude, concerning the contract which you were then about to make with Mr. Duer and the making of which by you was agreeable to former practice in similar cases. You stated that you had adjusted with Mr. Duer the terms of the Contract; that an advance upon it of four thousand dollars...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 24 December [1792] (Hamilton Papers)
It being among the duties assigned by Law to the Treasury department, to prescribe forms for keeping and rendering all public accounts, I now address you for the purpose of sugg⟨est⟩ing in what manner it will be hereafter expected that the accoun⟨ting⟩ for expenditures in the Indian department be regulated and rendered for settlement. Some forms as essential checks upon the account⟨s⟩ for...
46From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 24 January 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you a letter of this day from Mr Miller, Inspector of Cloathing, suggesting the necessity of certain precautions for the preservation of the Hats which have been delivered. You will be fully sensible of the importance of due care on this point, and will I doubt not give the necessary direction to Mr Hodgsdon. I have the Honour to be very Respectfully Sir, Your obedient servt. Copy, RG...
47George 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...
48George Washington to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 27 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
As the day is near at hand, when the President-elect is to take the oath of qualification, and no mode is pointed out by the Constitution or law; I could wish that you, mr Jefferson (Genl. Knox, or Colo. Hamilton) and mr Randolph could meet tomorrow morning, at any place which you may fix between yourselves; & communicate to me the result of your opinions as to time, place & manner of...
49George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, [9 March 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Expecting that my private affairs will call me to Virginia on or before the 25 of this month, I have to request that you will lay before me, previous to that time, such matters within your Department as may require my attention or agency before I set out, as well as those which might be necessary for me to know or act upon during the time of my absence from the Seat of Government (which will...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 18 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I have before me your letter of the 8th. instant, transmitting sundry accounts for supplies at Post Vincennes, during the year 1791, to the neighbouring Indians. From the nature of the case, it appears to me proper to request your more explicit opinion concerning the propriety of allowing these claims. Though I entertain a favourable opinion of the Officers concerned and readily accede to the...