251From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 22 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
It having been agreed among us at a former session of the board of arts that the descriptions to be inserted in patents should be handed to us separately at our lodgings to be examined at leisure and approved with or without amendments, I now hand on to you the inclosed which came to me from the Attorney General who had proposed some amendments to them; I have also proposed some of a trifling...
252From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 10 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to return you the Petition of Mr. Moultrie on behalf of the South Carolina Yazoo Company. Without noticing that some of the highest functions of sovereignty are assumed in the very papers which he annexes as his justification, I am of opinion that Government should firmly maintain this ground, that the Indians have a right to the occupation of their Lands independent of...
253Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 1 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secy of war a letter from Mr Andw Ellicott, to the President, proposing that Mr Joseph Ellicott should proceed immediately to Georgia to explore the head of the Oconee River preparatory to Mr Andw Ellicott’s executing his business of running the line between the territory of the Creeks & the U.S. Should the Secretary of war...
254From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have heard of the death of your promising Son with great concern, and sincerely condole with you and Mrs Knox on the melancholy occasion. Parental feelings are too much alive in the moment of these misfortunes to admit the consolations of religion or philosophy; but I am persuaded reason will call one or both of them to your aid as soon as the keenness of your anguish is abated. He that gave...
255From 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...
256From 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...
257From 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...
258From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st inst: I have duly recd—likewise one of the 4th, covering a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury together with some communications from Lt Colo. Beckwith. I herewith transmit you an Address & Memorial of the Officers, Civil & Military, of the District of Miro, which was sent to me by Govr Blount—I wish you to take the same into your consideration, & make a Report...
259From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Octr 14th 1791. I have been under a strange mistake with respect to the time appointed for the meeting of Congress, and a distressing one; inasmuch as I shall have but little time after my arrival in Philadelphia to receive, & digest the thoughts which may have occurred to the heads of Departments, with those of my own, into proper form for communication, or...
260From 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...
261From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia Decr 26th 1791 The enclosed is a private letter from Colo. Nicholas (an influential character in Kentucky) to the Attorney General. He put it into my hands to read; I, without having asked his permission, send it to you for the same purpose, of course the communication is confidential. My reason for sending it to you is, to shew you the uniform sentiment of...
262Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 28 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 28 Dec. 1791. By the president’s command, returns the reports that the secretary of war sent to GW last evening, with a letter from Colonel Pickering received at the same time, in order that any alterations necessitated by the latter might be made before the former are submitted. LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed reports apparently were those on Arthur St. Clair’s campaign and the new...
263From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Henry Knox, 1792. ALS , sold by Goodspeed’s, no. 129, item 2073, 1919. GW marked this letter “Private,” and according to the catalog entry, this letter is “on matters concerning the army organization.”
264From George Washington to Henry Knox, 22 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Upon reflection, I think it best that no mention should be made of the probability that the characters we run over yesterday will be nominated as General Officers (in case the Bill shall pass)—and, if you have disclosed the matter to Mr M——or any one else, that secrecy may be enjoined as to the Men, not the numr. In the embryo state of this business it might (especially as it respects the...
265From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
You will receive herewith a copy of a Resolution of the House of Representatives, that has been just now delivered to me by a Committee; and I desire you will prepare and lay before the House the statement therein requested. As communications of a similar nature have taken place between the Executive of the General Government and the Governor of Virginia, it may be proper to lay these also...
266From George Washington to Henry Knox, 25 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have given the enclosed draught of a letter to Captn Brandt a careful perusal. Such additions as are made with a pencil may be advisable—but, after you have given them an attentive consideration, they may stand or fall as you shall think best. Yours &ca ALS , PHi : Society Collection; Df , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW
267From 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...
268Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 16 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
United States [Philadelphia] 16 Mar. 1792. Transmits by GW’s command a representation to the president from the county lieutenants and field officers of the District of Kentucky. ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been found, but it was probably similar in nature to the request of a council of militia officers in Harrison County, Va., for authorization to...
269From George Washington to Henry Knox, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Has G——W——ne decided yet? Has any answer been prepared for G——St—— —I am anxious to have these matters closed. Also for the departure of T—— and that the business with the Indians may be brought to a conclusion. Yrs always ALS , CSmH . Anthony Wayne earlier had informed the secretary of war that he would not accept a subordinate position in the new force being raised to subdue the hostile...
270From George Washington to Henry Knox, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
You will lay before the House of Representatives such papers, from your department, as are requested by the enclosed Resolution. Df , in Tobias Lear’s hand, DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Tobias Lear noted at the bottom of the draft: “(The papers aluded to are such as relate to the expedition under Genl St Clair—).” The enclosed resolution was undoubtedly that passed by the House of Representatives...
271From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 2 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Genl. Knox and incloses him a letter from a Mr. Thorn solliciting a military appointment. He knows no more of the writer than his letter expresses, and can not conjecture from that, of what state he is. He incloses also two letters from a Mr. Bowyer and Mr. Matthews (brother of the General) solliciting an appointment for a Mr. Gibson. The writers are...
272Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 4 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
United States [Philadelphia] 4 May 1792 . Returns by GW’s command “the Instructions to Major Genl Wayne & a letter to Mr Seagrove, both of which meet the President[’s] approbation.” ALS (retained copy), DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . War Department clerk Benjamin Bankson had transmitted Knox’s proposed letter to James Seagrove to Lear on the previous day and had asked that it be submitted to the...
273From George Washington to Henry Knox, 21 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letters of the 12th & 15th insts. with their enclosures. From the tenor of Mr Seagrove’s letter I am in hopes that the business of running the line &c. will be amicably accomplished, notwithstanding the unfavorable curcumstances which have occurred. When I passed through George Town, Mr Ellicot informed me that a letter from his brother, dated at the Rock Landing the 19th...
274From 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...
275From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 28 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th:Jefferson presents his compliments to Genl. Knox and asks the favor of him to peruse the letter he has prepared in answer to Mr. Hammond’s and to be so good as to suggest any alterations either of matter or manner which he thinks might be made to advantage. He begs his pardon for this trouble; but the importance of this first move in the business renders him anxious that it should be well...
276From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 22 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to the Secretary at War, and to the testimonies inclosed, can add his own that Thomas Divers therein is a man of worth, activity, and skill in accounts, and likely to be of service in the staff if there be any occasion for services in that department, more than already engaged. RC ( MHi : Knox Papers); addressed: “The Secretary at war.” Not...
277From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 2 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to Genl. Knox, and begs leave to submit to him the following paragraph of a letter from Mr. Hugh Rose a very respectable gentleman of Amherst county Virginia. ‘I must request you to make interest with General Knox to transfer John Newman from the Georgia to the Virginia pension list. He lost his arm at the siege of Savannah, and is allowed £15....
278Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 10 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the enclosed letters from Governors Lee & Telfair which have been submitted to the President, and to inform the Secretary that the President requests that any answer to these letters which may require his inspection, may be submitted to him by twelve o’clock tomorrow, as he intends setting out for Virginia in...
279From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your dispatches of the 14th & 21st Ult. came duly to hand, and it is probable the Servt who carries this letter to the Post Office, will bring me a third of this weeks date. I did not acknowledge the receipt of the first letter at an earlier date, because there was nothing contained in it which required a reply. And I am too little acquainted with the Authority under which Colo. Henry Karr...
280From 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...
281From 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...
282From George Washington to Henry Knox, 13 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was dated the 5th instt since which I have received your letters of the 4th 5th & 7th; & shall reply to such parts of them as appear to require it. It is painful to find the Recruiting Service advancing so slowly as your last letters indicate. Endeavor to rouse the Officers who are engaged in this business, to fresh exertions. The unhappy fate of our Messengers is a lamentable...
283From George Washington to Henry Knox, 15 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
This morning your Letter of the 11th came to hand, but I have not as yet had time to read, much less to consider, the enclosures therein contained. Mr Seagrove’s dispatches of the 5th ulto enclosing a packet for you, was received at the same time; & about noon his other Letter of the 27th was brought to me by Express. The whole, as well those addressed to me, as the others directed to you, are...
284From George Washington to Henry Knox, 19 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 15th I promised you my sentiments on Mr Seagroves communications; and though I am not enabled to do it so fully as I could wish, I shall nevertheless give them as fully as I can. His letters, and the enclosures there in contained, with the evidence in support, go to points, which may be classed under six heads. 1st—Spanish interference, to prevent the treaty between the...
285From George Washington to Henry Knox, 22 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 15th I acknowledged the receipt of yours of the 11th; since which your dispatches of the 16th are come to hand, and convey but a gloomy prospect of peace with the Indians, in either hemisphere; but shew the necessity of preparing more vigorously if possible for the dernier resort. That the Western Indians are stimulated to acts of hostility on one side, and every mean which...
286From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Letter of the 17th inst; with it’s enclosure from Genl Wayne. Whatever Genl Wayne may require towards the equipmt of his troops for the service for wch they are designed, provided a compliance therewith be authorised by Law, I think had better be granted. powder in particular, precisely such as he desires, I would furnish him with in order that there may be no room for...
287From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you—dated the 26th of Augt—I have received your dispatches of the 23d; 26th; & 28th; of the same month; and it is probable, the Messenger who will carry this & other letters to the Post Office, will bring me the result of your deliberations on the communications from Georgia. I am exceedingly glad to find by the copy of Genl Putnams letter to you, that he had resolved to...
288From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Sep. 3d 1792. I thank you sincerely for the medicine you were so obliging as to send for my Nephew, and for the sympathetic feeling you express for his situation. Poor fellow! neither, I believe will be of any avail. Present appearances indicate a speedy dissolution. He has not been able to leave his bed except for a few moments to set in an Arm Chair since...
289From George Washington to Henry Knox, 7 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 31st of Augt and first of the present month, have been duly received. The enclosures in the first for Govr Tellfair and Mr Seagrove have been approved, and forwarded. Those of the Second I have read, but will give them a second & a more attentive consideration before I express any decisive opinion upon General Waynes Plan for carrying on the War. My first impression of it,...
290From George Washington to Henry Knox, 16 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th, with its enclosures, came duly to hand; & requires but little in reply to it, as your answer to Genl Waynes communications contain every direction which is necessary for his governmt at this time. Whatever may be the Attorney General’s opinion with respect to the legality of calling out Militia by the Governor of Pennsylvania—for supplying the place of the Rangers—it is...
291From 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...
292From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Septr 24 92 I thank you for the information contained in your private letters of the 16th & 18th instt—From the contents of the last, it is probable Mr Hammond will be here to day, or tomorrow before Noon. I perceive by the Papers that Mr Penn & lady are arrived—and with them, Mr Andrew Hamilton & family. What, pray, has been the reception of the last...
293From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d Inst., & the enclosures, came to my hands by Wednesdays Post. I adhere to my resolution of commencing my Journey for Philadelphia the 8th of next month if the condition of my Servts will admit of it, two of them (one a Postilion) having been extremely ill with remittant fevers which have not yet left them. My order for the Carriage from Philadelphia, to be here by the...
294From 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...
295From 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...
296Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 14 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the dispatches from Mr Seagrove, which were submitted to the president yesterday. The President thinks there are some parts of these communications which should be laid before Congress, and requests that the Secretary will select such as may be proper & have them communicated accordingly. ALS (letterpress copy),...
297Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 21 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the enclosed letter from the Governor of Virginia, which has been submitted to the President; and to transmit a letter which the President has received from the Representatives of the frontier Counties in the Gene[r]al Assembly of Virginia. The President requests that the Secretary will take the subject of the...
298Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 23 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the two letters from Major General Wayne, with their enclosures, which have been submitted to the President, whose remarks thereon are herewith enclosed. ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Lear wrote over his original date of 22 Nov. on the letterpress copy to change it to 23 November. Lear’s docket reads “23d Nov. 1792,” and...
299Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 24 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the letter to Govrnor Lee—to Thomas Wilson Esq. & others —and the Copy of a letter to Genl Wayne, which have been submitted to the President & to inform the Secretary that their contents meet the ideas of the President. ADfS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For Knox’s letters to Henry Lee and to Thomas Wilson, see Lear...
300Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 25 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s Command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War General Sevier’s letter, which the President has refused, and to inform the Secretary that the President observes, that the Secretary will in his answer to Genl Sevier let him know that by accounts from the Superintendent of Indian Affairs to the Southward, the disposition of the Creek nation is very different...