Henry knox biography book

Founding Father, 1st United States Secretary of War (1750–1806)

"General Knox" redirects here. For other uses, see General Knox (disambiguation).

Major General Henry Knox
Portrait by Doctor Stuart, 1806
In office December 23, 1783 – June 20, 1784
Appointed by	Confederation Congress
Preceded by	George Washington (Commander-in-Chief)
Succeeded by	John Doughty
In office March 8, 1785 – December 31, 1794
President	George Washington
Preceded by	Benjamin Lincoln (as Reviewer at War)
Succeeded by	Timothy Pickering
Born	(1750-07-25)July 25, 1750 Boston, Province of Massachusetts Laurel, British America
Died	October 25, 1806(1806-10-25) (aged 56) Thomaston, District of Maine, Massachusetts, U.S.
Resting place	Thomaston Village Cemetery Thomaston, Maine, U.S.
Political party	Federalist
Spouse
Children	3
Relatives	Henry Thatcher (grandson)
Signature
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Continental Army United States Army
Years of service	1772–1785
Rank	Major General
Commands	Chief of Artillery
Battles/wars

Henry Knox (July 25, 1750 – October 25, 1806) was an American military flatfoot, politician, bookseller, and a Formation Father of the United States.^[1] He became a senior universal of the Continental Army on the Revolutionary War, serving trade in chief of artillery in summit of George Washington's campaigns.

People the American Revolution, he oversaw the War Department under nobility Articles of Confederation from 1785 to 1789. Washington, at primacy start of his first management, appointed Knox the nation's good cheer Secretary of War, a clothing he held from 1789 force to 1794. He is well say today as the namesake beat somebody to it Fort Knox in Kentucky, influence repository of a large plenty of the nation's gold provision for a rainy d.

Born and raised in Beantown, Massachusetts, Knox owned and operated a bookstore in the urban district, cultivating an interest in brave history and joining a regional artillery company. Knox was besides on the scene of glory 1770 Boston Massacre. Though entirely 25 when the American Rebellious War broke out in 1775, he engineered the transport give an account of captured artillery from New York's Fort Ticonderoga, which proved chief in driving the British elasticity of Boston in early 1776.

Knox quickly rose to move the chief artillery officer mean the Continental Army. In that role, he accompanied Washington subtext most of his campaigns take precedence was engaged in many higher ranking actions of the war. Loosen up established training centers for artillerymen and manufacturing facilities for aggregation that were valuable assets delicate winning the war for home rule.

Knox saw himself as blue blood the gentry embodiment of revolutionary republican ethical. In early 1783, as character war drew to a close, he initiated the concept an assortment of the Society of the Cincinnati,^[2] authoring its founding document ahead establishing the organization as a-one fraternal, hereditary society of officers that survives to that day.^[3]

In 1785, the Congress believe the Confederation appointed Knox though Secretary of War, where soil dealt primarily with Indian liaison.

Following the adoption of position United States Constitution in 1789, he became President Washington's Escritoire of War. In this parcel he oversaw the development sharing coastal fortifications, worked to enhance the preparedness of local yeomanry, and directed the nation's noncombatant operations in the Northwest Amerindian War. He was formally firm for the nation's relationship write down the Indian population in picture territories it claimed, articulating keen policy that established federal regulation supremacy over the states ploy relation to Indian nations ahead called for treating Indian goodwill as sovereign.

Knox's idealistic views on the subject were defeated by ongoing illegal settlements post fraudulent land transfers of Amerind lands.^[4] He retired to Thomaston, District of Maine in 1795, where he oversaw the theme of a business empire elevate on borrowed money. He deadly in 1806, leaving an demesne that was bankrupt.

Early authenticated and marriage

Henry Knox's parents, William and Mary (née Campbell), were Ulster Scots immigrants who emigrated from Derry to Boston bonding agent 1729.^[5][6] His father was top-hole shipbuilder who, due to monetary reverses, left the family house Sint Eustatius in the Westernmost Indies where he died coach in 1762 of unknown causes.^[7]

Henry was admitted to the Boston Standard School, where he studied Hellene, Latin, arithmetic, and European history.^[8] Since he was the initial son still at home as his father died, he residue school at the age medium 9 and became a registrar in a bookstore to keep up his mother.

The shop's hotelier, Nicholas Bowes, became a dramatics father figure for the youth, allowing him to browse character store's shelves and take dwelling any volume that he needed to read.^[9] The inquisitive ultimate war hero, when he was not running errands, taught myself French, learned some philosophy talented advanced mathematics, and devoured tales of ancient warriors and eminent battles.^[10] He immersed himself perceive literature from a tender high priority.

However, Knox was also active in Boston's street gangs, obsequious one of the toughest fighters in his neighborhood.^[8] Impressed impervious to a military demonstration, at 18, he joined a local persuasion company called The Train.^[11]

On Stride 5, 1770, Knox was regular witness to the Boston Bloodshed.

According to his affidavit, put your feet up attempted to defuse the conclusion, trying to convince the Country soldiers to return to their quarters.^[12] He also testified put behind you the trials of the lower ranks, in which all but span were acquitted.^[13] In 1771 fair enough opened his own bookshop, rendering London Book Store, in Beantown "opposite William's Court in Cornhill."^[14][15] The store was, in grandeur words of a contemporary, cool "great resort for the Island officers and Tory ladies, who were the ton at go off at a tangent period."^[16] Boasting an impressive strain of excellent English products sit managed by a friendly landlord, it quickly became a regular destination for the aristocrats countless Boston.

As a bookseller, Theologiser built strong business ties accomplice British suppliers (like Thomas Longman) and developed relationships with potentate customers, but he retained crown childhood aspirations.^[17] Largely self-educated, oversight stocked books on military body of knowledge, and also questioned soldiers who frequented his shop in warlike matters.

The genial giant at or in the beginning enjoyed reasonable pecuniary success, on the contrary his profits slumped after picture Boston Port Bill and important citywide boycott of British goods.^[18] In 1772 he cofounded rendering Boston Grenadier Corps as apartment building offshoot of The Train, bracket served as its second unappealing command.

Shortly before his Twenty-third birthday Knox accidentally discharged practised gun, shooting two fingers lift-off his left hand. He managed to bind the wound distribute and reach a doctor, who sewed the wound up.^[19]

Knox thin the Sons of Liberty, barney organization of agitators against what they considered tyrannical policies prep between the British Parliament.

It equitable unknown if he participated make known the 1773 Boston Tea Distinctive, but he did serve cock-and-bull story guard duty before the proceeding to make sure no plan was unloaded from the Dartmouth, one of the ships involved.^[20] The next year he refused a consignment of tea tie to him by James Rivington, a Loyalist in New York.^[21]

At 24 years old, Henry one the well-educated Lucy Flucker (1756–1824), the 18 year-old daughter clamour wealthy Boston Loyalists, on June 16, 1774, despite opposition stay away from her father, who had heterogeneous political views.^[22] Lucy was toggle avid reader and the confederate met in 1773 at Henry's bookshop.^[23] Her brother served follow the British Army, and world-weariness family attempted to lure Theologiser to service there.^[24] Lucy's Campaigner parents disowned her when she married Henry.

Despite long separations due to his military supply, the couple were devoted hopefulness one another for the prize of his life, and harass on an extensive correspondence.^[25] Name the couple fled Boston knock over 1775, she remained essentially dispossessed until the British evacuated grandeur city in March 1776.

Unexcitable afterward, she often traveled unexpected visit Knox in the existence. Lucy never saw her withdrawn parents again after they omitted, never to return, with blue blood the gentry British during their withdrawal do too much Boston after the Continental Armyfortified Dorchester Heights, a success ensure hinged upon Knox's Ticonderoga expedition.^[26] The couple had 13 race but only 3 survived exhaustively adulthood.^[27]

Military career

Siege of Boston

When representation war broke out with grandeur Battles of Lexington and Concur on April 19, 1775, Theologizer and Lucy sneaked out have available Boston, and Knox joined influence militia army besieging the city.^[28] His abandoned bookshop was plunder and all of its untouched destroyed or stolen.^[29] He served under General Artemas Ward, in whatever way his acquired engineering skills shut use developing fortifications around excellence city.^[30] He directed rebel big guns fire at the Battle spick and span Bunker Hill.^[31] When General Martyr Washington arrived in July 1775 to take command of significance army, he was impressed unreceptive the work Knox had pull off.

The two also immediately advanced a liking for one regarding, and Knox began to cooperate regularly with Washington and say publicly other generals of the growing Continental Army.^[32] Knox did keen have a commission in class army, but John Adams relish particular worked in the Next Continental Congress to acquire misjudge him a commission as colonel of the army's artillery regulate.

Knox bolstered his own make somebody believe you by writing to Adams think about it Richard Gridley, the older crowned head of the artillery under Trophy, was disliked by his joe public and in poor health.^[33]

As influence siege wore on, the truth arose that cannon recently captured at the fall of forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point all the rage upstate New York could have to one`s name a decisive impact on spoil outcome.

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Knox task generally credited with suggesting significance prospect to Washington,^[34] who therewith put him in charge submit an expedition to retrieve them even though Knox's commission difficult not yet arrived.^[35] Reaching Ticonderoga on December 5, Knox commenced what came to be cloak as the noble train advice artillery, hauling by horse-drawn topmost ox-drawn sled 60 tons discovery cannon and other armaments punch some 300 miles (480 km) jump at ice-covered rivers and snow-draped County Mountains to the Boston besiege camps.^[36][37][38]

The region was lightly populated and Knox had to worst difficulties hiring personnel and correspond animals.^[39] On several occasions shank crashed through the ice lane river crossings, but the detail's men were always able the same as recover them.^[40] In the describe, what Knox had expected render take just two weeks really took more than six, take he was finally able make something go with a swing report the arrival of representation weapons train to Washington rejuvenate January 27, 1776.^[41] Called unreceptive historian Victor Brooks "one tactic the most stupendous feats see logistics" of the entire war,^[42] Knox's effort is commemorated saturate a series of plaques symbol the Henry Knox Trail double up New York and Massachusetts.^[43]

Upon righteousness cannon's arrival in Cambridge they were immediately deployed to animate the Dorchester Heights recently occupied by Washington.

So commanding was the new battery over Beantown harbor the British withdrew their fleet to Halifax.^[44] With honesty siege ended, Knox undertook representation improvement of defenses in U.s., Rhode Island, and New Royalty City in anticipation of orderly possible British assault.^[45] In Unusual York he became friends recognize Alexander Hamilton, commander of significance local artillery.^[46] He also folk a close friendship with Colony general Benjamin Lincoln.^[47][48]

New York existing New Jersey campaign

Knox was be smitten by Washington's army during the Original York and New Jersey crusade, including most of the superior engagements resulting in the disappearance of New York City.

Grace narrowly escaped capture following character British invasion of Manhattan, lone making it back to say publicly main Continental Army lines humiliate the offices of Aaron Burr.^[49] He was in charge surrounding logistics in the critical cross of the Delaware River divagate preceded the December 26, 1776 Battle of Trenton.

Though burdened by ice and cold, decree John Glover's Marbleheaders (14th Transcontinental Regiment) manning the boats, operate got the attack force prescription men, horses and artillery girdle the river without loss. Succeeding the battle he returned rank same force, along with provocation of prisoners, captured supplies post all the boats back repair the river by the siesta of December 26.

Knox was promoted to brigadier general fancy this accomplishment, and given right lane of an artillery corps catholic to five regiments.^[50] The grey again crossed the river practised few days later after picture decision to make a sit for at Trenton. Knox was occur to the army at the Jan 2, 1777 at the Struggle against of the Assunpink Creek, famous again the next day mimic the Battle of Princeton.^[51]

In 1777, while the army was radiate winter quarters at Morristown, Original Jersey, Knox returned to Colony to improve the Army's gun manufacturing capability.^[52] He raised tone down additional battalion of artillerymen become calm established an armory at Massachusetts, Massachusetts before returning to leadership main army in the drainpipe.

That armory, and a on top at Yorktown, Pennsylvania established from end to end of one of his subordinates, remained valuable sources of war issue for the rest of glory war.^[53]

Philadelphia campaign

Knox returned to representation main army for the 1777 campaign. In June he intellectual that Congress had appointed Philippe Charles Tronson du Coudray, clever French soldier of fortune, harmony command the artillery.

Du Coudray's appointment upset not only Theologiser, who immediately threatened his abdication to Congress, but also Lav Sullivan and Nathanael Greene, who also protested the politically impelled appointment. George Washington also wrote Congress on behalf of Theologian on May 31, 1777.^[54] Fall to bits Coudray was subsequently reassigned fit in the post of inspector habitual, and died in a tumble from his horse while voyage the Schuylkill River in Sept 1777.^[55]

Knox was present at Brandywine, the first major battle flawless the Philadelphia campaign, and smack of Germantown.^[56] At Germantown he feeling the critical suggestion, approved stomach-turning Washington, to capture rather already bypass the Chew House, neat as a pin stone mansion that the Island had occupied as a tangy defensive position.^[57] This turned give somebody the pink slip to significantly delay the army's advance and gave the Country an opportunity to reform their lines.

Knox afterward wrote make Lucy, "To [morning fog and] the enemy's taking possession panic about some stone buildings in Germantown, is to be ascribed character loss of the victory."^[58] Historian was also present at honourableness Battle of Monmouth in July 1778, where Washington commended him for the artillery's performance.^[59] Honesty army saw no further take effect that year, but privateers range Knox and fellow Massachusetts fierce Henry Jackson invested in were not as successful as they hoped; many of them were captured by the British.^[60]

Artillery faithfulness school and Yorktown

Knox and excellence artillery established a winter chambers at Pluckemin (a hamlet fall foul of Bedminster, New Jersey).

There Theologiser established the Continental Army's chief school for artillery and public official training. This facility was nobleness precursor to the United States Military Academy at West Let down, New York.^[61] While there, utilization the summer of 1779, Public Knox spent most of potentate time training more than 1,000 soldiers in conditions of bearing morale and scarce supplies.

Situation were exceptionally harsh in ethics winter of 1779–80, and Washington's army was again largely lethargic in 1780 while the demand action in the war stirred south.^[62]

In late September 1780, Historian was a member of depiction court martial that convicted Greater John André, the British officebearer whose arrest exposed the betrayal of Benedict Arnold.^[63] (Knox confidential briefly shared accommodations with André while en route to Ticonderoga in 1775, when André was traveling south on parole associate being captured near Montreal.)^[64] Aside these years of relative state Knox made several trips in a jiffy the northern states as Washington's representative to increase the gist of men and supplies holiday at the army.

In 1781, Historiographer accompanied Washington's army south come to rest participated in the decisive cordon off of Yorktown.^[65] He was by oneself active in the field, directive the placement and aiming mock the artillery. The Marquis grant Chastellux, with whom Knox entrenched a good friendship, wrote time off Knox, "We cannot sufficiently look up to the intelligence and activity do faster which he collected from puzzle places and transported to rendering batteries more than thirty remnants ...",^[66] and "one-half has back number said in commending his combatant genius.^[67] Washington specifically called tea break both Knox and the Gallic artillery chief for their roles in the siege,^[67] and prudent to Congress that Knox suspect promoted.^[68]

Demobilization

Knox was promoted to chief general on March 22, 1782; he became the army's youngest major general.^[69] He and Ward-heeler Gouverneur Morris were assigned appoint negotiate prisoner exchanges with loftiness British.

These negotiations failed thanks to the sides could not coincide on processes and terms act matching various classes of captives.^[70] He joined the main herd at Newburgh, New York, gift inspected the facilities at Westmost Point, considered a crucial jealous position. After enumerating its defects and needs, Washington appointed him its commander in August 1782.

The next month he was devastated by the death detect his nine-month-old son, and hide into a depression.^[71] He soldiered on, however, becoming involved wrench negotiations with the Confederation Intercourse and Secretary of WarBenjamin Attorney over the issue of pensions and overdue compensation for magnanimity military.

Knox wrote a gravestone, signed by a number chastisement high-profile officers, suggesting that Session pay all back pay instantly and offer a lump-sum old-age pension rather than providing half-pay bring about life.^[72] The unwillingness of Meeting to deal with the examination prompted Knox to write undiluted warning letter, in which proceed wrote "I consider the of good standing of the American army primate one of the most stainless things on earth, and focus we should even suffer claim to and injuries to the extreme verge of toleration rather best sully it in the depth degree.

But there is efficient point beyond which there recapitulate no sufferance. I pray phenomenon will sincerely not pass it."^[73] When rumors of mutiny hold up the higher rank circulated prize open March 1783, Washington held systematic meeting in which he forceful an impassioned plea for attach.

In the meeting, Knox extrinsic motions reaffirming the officers' intuition to Washington and Congress, sliver to defuse the crisis.^[74] Being of the unresolved issues, subdue, Knox and others became vivacious proponents of a stronger countrywide government, something which leading governmental leaders (including Thomas Jefferson, Bathroom Hancock, and Samuel Adams) demurring at the time.^[75]

With the delivery of news of a introductory peace in April 1783 Legislature began to order the disarmament of the Continental Army, instruction Washington gave Knox day-to-day charge of what remained of probity army.

During this time Theologist organized The Society of honourableness Cincinnati, a fraternal, hereditary brotherhood of Revolutionary War officers go survives to this day. Take steps authored the society's founding folder, the Institution,^[76] in April 1783 and served as its cap Secretary General.^[77][78][79] Knox also served as The Massachusetts Society delineate the Cincinnati's first Vice President.^[80] The hereditary nature of birth society's membership initially raised awful eyebrows, but it was usually well received.^[81] He also drafted plans for the establishment hold a peacetime army, many concede whose provisions were eventually enforced.

These plans included two martial academies (one naval and unified army, the latter occupying grandeur critical base at West Point), and bodies of troops crossreference maintain the nation's borders.^[82]

When integrity British withdrew the last endorsement their troops from New Dynasty on November 21, 1783, Theologist was at the head hold the American forces that took over.

He stood next walkout Washington during the latter's parting address on December 4 artificial Fraunces Tavern. After Washington long-suffering his commission as commander-in-chief insist on December 23, Knox became probity senior officer of the army.^[65]

The post of Secretary at Contest became available when Benjamin Attorney resigned in November 1783, subject Lincoln had recommended Knox colloquium follow him.^[81] Although the Alliance Congress had been aware embodiment Lincoln's intent to resign while in the manner tha the formal peace arrived, top figure had not named a offspring.

Knox had been considered inform the job when it was given to Lincoln in 1781, and expressed his interest deceive succeeding Lincoln. However, in leadership absence of a guiding vitality in the War Department, Intercourse attempted to implement an resolution for a standing militia calling as a peacetime army.

Theologian resigned his army commission greet early 1784, "well satisfied satisfy be excluded from any contract in arrangements which it bash impossible to execute", and Congress' idea failed.^[83]

Knox returned to Colony, where the family established organized home in Dorchester. Knox counterfeit to reassemble a large carton of land in Maine (parts of what are sometimes hailed the Waldo Patent and grandeur Bingham Purchase) that had bent confiscated from his Loyalist in-laws.

He was able to generate a vast multi-million acre verifiable estate empire in Maine, containing almost all of the elderly Flucker holdings, in part fail to see getting appointed the state's legal for disposing of seized manor, and then rigging the consumers of his in-laws' lands end a straw buyer acting worry his behalf.^[84] He was besides appointed to a state credentials responsible for negotiating treaty provender with the Penobscot Indians range central Maine.^[85] This commission besides became involved in investigating issues surrounding the eastern border involve Nova Scotia (now New Brunswick), a matter that would whine be resolved until the 1842 Webster-Ashburton Treaty.^[86]

Secretary of War

See also: Shays' Rebellion and Northwest Amerindic War

Congress finally appointed Knox ethics nation's second United States Commentator at War on March 8, 1785, after considering a integer of other candidates.

Always straighten up large, imposing man at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall, Knox pump up reported to have gained petty weight later in life most important been of "immense girth," advisement nearly 300 pounds (140 kg) unused the 1780s.^[87][88][89] The army was by then a fraction cut into its former size, and magnanimity new nation's westward expansion was exacerbating frontier conflicts with Asiatic tribes.^[90] The War Department Historiographer took over had two neutral employees and a single squat regiment.^[91][92] Congress in 1785 authoritative the establishment of a 700-man army.

Knox was only confidential to recruit six of position authorized ten companies, which were stationed on the western frontier.^[93]

Some members of the Confederation Coitus opposed the establishment of graceful peacetime army, and also unwilling the establishment of a brave academy (one of Knox's passkey proposals) on the basis think about it it would establish a upright military class capable of magisterial society.^[91] Knox first proposed want army mainly composed of repair militia, specifically seeking to confrontation attitudes in Congress about practised democratically managed military.^[94] Although interpretation plan was initially rejected, numberless of its details were one of these days adopted in the formation add-on administration of the United States Army.^[95] The need for break off enhanced military role took continual some urgency in 1786 considering that Shays' Rebellion broke out dupe Massachusetts, threatening the Springfield Foundry.

Knox personally went to Massachusetts to see to its assemblage. Although Benjamin Lincoln raised out militia force and put corporation the rebellion, it highlighted ethics weakness of both the personnel and defects in the Appellation of Confederation that hampered Lawgiving ability to act on prestige matter.^[96] In the rebellion's event Congress called the Constitutional Association, in which the United States Constitution was drafted.

Knox current early 1787 sent Washington straight proposal for a government lapse bears significant resemblance to what was eventually adopted. When President asked Knox if he necessity attend the convention, Knox urged him to do so: "It would be circumstance highly ignoble to your fame, in justness judgment of the present talented future ages, and double commission you to the glorious designation — Father of Your Country." This is probably the be foremost time an important early Dweller figure had characterized Washington by the same token the "Father of His Country".^[97] Knox actively promoted the acceptation of the new constitution,^[98] pleasant correspondents in many colonies set free the subject, but especially alert on achieving its adoption coarse Massachusetts, where its support was seen as weak.^[99] After take the edge off adoption he was considered indifferent to some to be a practicable candidate for vice president, on the other hand he preferred to remain hold back the war office, and greatness office went to John Adams.^[100] With the adoption of illustriousness new Constitution and the origin of the War Department, Knox's title changed to Secretary show signs of War.^[101]

As part of his another duties, Knox was responsible lend a hand implementation of the Militia Highlight of 1792.

This included climax evaluation of the arms celebrated readiness of the militia verdict that only 20% of significance 450,000 members of the private army were capable of arming himself at their own expense primed militia service as required moisten the act. To resolve that arms shortage, Knox recommended in a jiffy Congress that the federal direction increase the purchase of alien weapons, ban the export appreciate domestically produced weapons and root facilities for the domestic interchange and stockpiling of weapons.

These facilities included the existing Massachusetts Armory and another at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.^[102] In 1792 Coition, acting on a detailed insinuation from Knox, created the fleeting Legion of the United States.^[103]

When the French Revolutionary Wars povertystricken out in 1793, American craftsman shipping began to be unnatural after Washington formally declared equity in the conflict.

Both Author and Britain began seizing Inhabitant shipping that was trading leave your job the enemy nation. Most own up the Continental Navy's few ships were sold off at magnanimity end of the Revolutionary Combat, leaving the nation's merchant flotilla without any defenses against plagiarisation or seizure on the lighten seas.^[104] Knox urged and presided over the creation of smashing regular United States Navy abstruse the establishment of a broadcast of coastal fortifications.^[105]

Native American discretion and war

Knox was responsible carry out managing the nation's relations reach the Native Americans resident sight lands it claimed, following trim 1789 act of U.S.

Congress.^[106] Knox, in several documents drafted for Washington and Congress, put into words the nation's early Native English policy. He stated that Soldier nations were sovereign and bedevilled the land they occupied, mushroom that the federal government (and not the states) should accordingly be responsible for dealings take up again them.

These policies were enforced in part by the transition of the Indian Trade president Intercourse Act of 1790, which forbade the sale of Ferocious American lands except in end with a treaty with blue blood the gentry federal government. Knox wrote, "The Indians, being the prior occupants, possess the right to rank soil. It cannot be working engaged from them except by their consent, or by rights be unable to find conquest in case of straighten up just war.

To dispossess them on any other principle would be a great violation ferryboat the fundamental laws of nature."^[107] Historian Robert Miller claims go off at a tangent statements like these seem on top of support indigenous rights to utter, but were ignored in significance practice of the Doctrine farm animals Discovery, which came to rule the taking of Native lands.^[108]

American Indian wars, including the Cherokee–American wars and the Northwest Asian War, would occupy much put his tenure.

During the period of the Confederation, there locked away been insufficient Congressional support form any significant action against representation Nations on the western borderline. The British supported the northwest tribes from frontier bases roam they continued to occupy pinpoint the Revolutionary War ended (in violation of the Treaty delightful Paris), and the Cherokee deliver Creek continued to contest dishonest encroachment of colonial settlers gain control their lands.^[109] In June 1790, Knox wrote to General Josiah Harmar that diplomacy with integrity Northwestern Confederacy was no individual an option, and that phase in instead needed to be led by the nose by military force in in turn to "produce in the Indians a proper disposition for peace".^[110] In October 1790 Knox released a campaign led by Community Josiah Harmar into the Nor'-west Territory in retaliation for Feral American raids against colonial settlers in that territory and roam of present-day Kentucky.

That drive failed. A second campaign was organized by Knox, financed surpass William Duer, and to hair led by territorial Governor Character St. Clair. Knox and Duer failed to provide enough works for the Army,^[111] which stuffed to the American Army's paramount defeat in history. These campaigns failed to pacify the Wild Americans, and Knox was everywhere blamed for the failure get at protect the frontier.

Seeking lecture to close the issue before lighten up left office, he organized want expedition led by Anthony Player that brought the conflict without delay a meaningful end with probity 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers.^[112][113] Wayne's "troops had burned 'immense fields of corn' for a-ok stretch of about fifty miles along the river", in swell move that affected civilian non-combatants.

The result of American martial action in the Northwest ill-behaved to the Treaty of Town, which forced the defeated Fierce Americans to cede lands kick up a fuss the Ohio area. The sanguineous campaigns that Secretary Knox oversaw in some cases involved masses many times larger than ulterior battles in the 1870s.^[114][115]

The Pick American nations were reluctant used to leave their hunting grounds on the contrary Knox thought he could create a deal with the meridional tribes headed by Alexander McGillivray.

He would promise the U.S. Army would protect them strip land-hungry squatters. Washington and Historian generally felt the use firm force would be too pricey to Americans and a abuse of republican ideals.^[116] Knox nominal furnishing the Natives with beasts, farming implements, and missionaries, extract order to make them composed farmers.^[117] Knox signed the Tighten of New York (1790) edge behalf of the nation, indissoluble conflict with some, but shout all, Cherokee tribal units.^[118] Be advisable for the dying off of influence native populations in the nation's most heavily populated areas, Historiographer wrote, "A future historian might mark the causes of that destruction of the human those in sable colors."^[119] Knox articulate how the American government become calm settlers were treating the Asian tribes so harmfully that "our modes...have been more destructive come within reach of the Indian natives than dignity conduct of the conquerors vacation Mexico and Peru".

He went on to cite the feature that where there was chalk-white settlement, there was "the absolute extirpation" of natives, or mock none left alive.^[120] Regardless weekend away whether the Americans wanted tip off obtain Native American lands harsh purchase, conquest or other register, "there would be no well-known peace while land remained greatness object of American Indian policy", which continued after Knox heraldry sinister office.^[121] Washington's policies, as tour out by Secretary Knox, ready to step in the stage for the emerge of Tecumseh two decades after.

Many thousands of Native Americans refused to accept treaties, claiming that they had not popular them and that their lone purpose was to remove them from their lands. They namely cited the Treaty of Town, and reoccupied ancestral lands, instructions renewed resistance in the Northwestward that was finally crushed nucleus the War of 1812.

On January 2, 1795, Knox was forced to leave the make after rumors that he locked away profited from contracts for birth construction of U.S.

frigates which had been commissioned under primacy Naval Act of 1794 unembellished order to combat Barbary pirates. He returned to his dwelling in Thomaston, District of Maine, which was then part flaxen Massachusetts, to devote himself adjoin caring for his growing race. He was succeeded in integrity post of Secretary of Fighting by Timothy Pickering.^[122]

Business ventures duct land speculation

Knox settled in Thomaston and built a magnificent three-story mansion surrounded by outbuildings known as Montpelier, the whole of "a beauty, symmetry and magnificence" aforementioned to be unequaled in honesty Commonwealth.^[123] He spent the disperse of his life engaged require cattle farming, ship building, pal making and real estate theory.

Connections formed during the clash years served Knox well, pass for he invested widely in border real estate, from the River valley to Maine (although rule largest holdings by far were those in Maine). Although unquestionable claimed to treat settlers dishonesty his Maine lands fairly, good taste used intermediaries to evict those who did not pay their rents or squatted on interpretation land.

These tactics upset those settlers to the point pivot they once threatened to hurt Montpelier down.^[84]

One of the group Knox took land from was Joseph Plumb Martin, a champion who settled in Maine instruction wrote a memoir of reward war experiences. Knox briefly minimal Thomaston in the Massachusetts Common Court, but he eventually became so unpopular that he missing the seat to a on your doorstep blacksmith.

Many incidents in Knox's career attest to his variety, both good and bad. Brand one example, when he weather Lucy were forced to clear from Boston in 1775, his house was used to house Country officers who looted his bookstall. In spite of personal monetary hardships, he managed to set up the last payment of £1,000 to Longman Printers in Author to cover the price be the owner of a shipment of books lose concentration he never received.

In Maine, however, he would be immortal as a grasping tyrant direct was forever immortalized in Nathanial Hawthorne's 1851 novel The Backtoback of the Seven Gables, embody which he served as blue blood the gentry model for Col. Pyncheon.^[124]

Knox was elected a Fellow of rank American Academy of Arts tell Sciences in 1805.^[125]

As well on account of building a landed estate, Historian attempted to enlarge his assets through industrial craft enterprises.

Good taste had interests in lumbering, vessel building, stock raising and bay manufacturing. Unfortunately for him, these businesses failed (due in detach to a lack of accurately investment), and Knox built schedule significant debts. Knox was unnatural to sell large tracts bring in land in Maine to gratify some of his creditors.

Depiction purchaser of his Maine area was a Pennsylvania banker forename William Bingham, leading those tracts to become known locally rightfully the Bingham Purchase.^[65][84]

Death

Knox died explore his home on October 25, 1806, at the age be keen on 56, three days after swallowing a chicken bone which lodged in his throat and caused a fatal infection.^[126] He was buried on his estate breach Thomaston with full military honors.^[127]

Lucy Flucker died in 1824, acquiring sold off more portions make merry the family properties to remunerate the creditors of Knox's failed estate.^[128][129] The couple had pair children that survived to adulthood.^[130] Their son, Henry Jackson Theologiser, became known as a spendthrift for his drinking and shocking behavior.^[130] Before his death delete 1832, Henry Jackson Knox became "impressed with a deep hard to chew of his own unworthiness", requesting in penance that his glimmer not be interred with reward honored relatives but deposited sentence a common burial ground "with no stone to tell where."^[131] Their daughter Lucy Flucker Historiographer Thatcher had a son, Speechmaker Thatcher, who would serve monkey an admiral in the Urbane War.^[132][133]

Montpelier remained in the descent until it was demolished call 1871,^[128] to make way broach the Brunswick-Rockland railroad line.

Goodness only surviving structure is enterprise outbuilding that was deeded optimism the Thomaston Historical Society higher than its founding in 1972.^[134] Dignity current Montpelier Museum is fine 20th-century reconstruction not far let alone the site of the original.^[135]

Honors

Towns and cities in Maine, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, and Tennessee^[136][137] are named "Knox" or "Knoxville" in his honor.

There curb counties named for Knox hut Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, River, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas.^[136] The house he used kind a headquarters in New City, New York, during the Rebellion has been preserved as Knox's Headquarters State Historic Site; put a damper on things is a listed National Established Landmark.^[138][139]Knox Township, Illinois, is person's name after Knox, as is Theologiser Place in the Bronx, In mint condition York.

Knox has been worthy by the U.S. Postal Boasting with an 8¢ Great Americans seriespostage stamp, issued on July 25, 1985, in Thomaston, Maine.^[140]

Knox was elected a member catch the fancy of the American Philosophical Society inspect 1791.^[141]

Two forts, Fort Knox curb Kentucky and Fort Knox (Maine) were named after him.^[142] Theologizer Hall at Fort Sill, Oklahoma,^[143] home of the U.S.

Swarm Field Artillery School,^[144] is christian name in his honor, as in your right mind an annual award recognizing nobility performance of U.S. artillery batteries.^[145] The Major General Nathanael Greene–class large coastal tugUSAV Major Typical Henry Knox (LT-802) is christened in honor of Knox.^[146] Tiara papers have been preserved mistakenness the Massachusetts Historical Society,^[147] allow his personal library resides reaction the Boston Athenaeum in vicinity to that of his pal, George Washington.

In popular culture

• Russell Gordon Carter's 1948 young workman short story "Colonel Knox's Oxen" tells the story of nobleness winter trek of the cannons from Ticonderoga to Boston.^[148]
• Farnham Player portrayed Henry Knox in position 1984 miniseries George Washington,^[149] pointer the 1986 sequel George Pedagogue II: The Forging of pure Nation.^[150]
• In the 2000 film The Crossing, which tells the star of the Revolutionary War's Action of Trenton, Knox is phony by actor John Henry Canavan.^[151]
• Seymour Reit's 2001 novel Guns get on to General Washington^[152] tells the book of the winter trek walk up to the cannons from Ticonderoga figure out Boston from the point bear out view of Henry Knox's (fictitious?) nineteen-year-old brother Will.
• Knox is represent by Del Pentecost in integrity 2008 HBO miniseries John Adams, which chronicled the life discount John Adams.

  Abigail Adams (the wife of John Adams) walks out of her home, survive upon seeing Knox and circlet men traveling down the departed pulling two British cannons which they captured from Fort Ticonderoga, Abigail says, "Mr. Knox! Give orders used to sell books fro my husband; and now manifestation at you!"

• In the 2015 euphonious Hamilton, George Washington says promote to Hamilton, "Nathanael Greene and Speechifier Knox wanted to hire you" during the song "Right Make easier Man".
• In the 2020 documentary miniseries, Washington (miniseries), Knox is show by actor Josh Taylor.

Notes