Collection Search

Instructions to captains and commanders of private armed vessels...

Evans 17021. Printed broadside authorizing privateering. With Thompson's name printed at end

GLC00820

to Jonathan Dayton

One future signer of the U.S. Constitution to another. Brearly (also: "Brearley"), writing as Chief Justice of New Jersey, sends Dayton, then a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, a scale (not included) determined by the New Jersey legislature...

GLC00916

To the inhabitants of the United States of America

With notes on verso: "West Springfield" and calculations. Evans 16637. Printed by order of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, printing a congressional resolution for a $45 million requisition, approved by Jay as President of Congress.

GLC00882

Resolutions [raising 2700 militia for General Washington]

Signed on p. 1 by Avery as Secretary. Docketed "Ipswich" on left margin of p.1

GLC00906

to Henry Knox

States that while some men do not have proper winter clothing, Congress does not want to lose manpower, so they should remain in camp. Instead hopes to get as much use out of men whose enlistments expire soon, and then send them home. Also encloses...

GLC02437.09367

to Henry Knox

Sending Knox an extract of a letter he has received from the Board of War, regarding funds for Knox. The Board states that it has petitioned Congress for the funds Knox needs for military stores and transportation, but has not yet received the funds...

GLC02437.09374

to Henry Knox

Enclosing a summary of documents recently sent to him by the Marquis de Lafayette. Also notes that a Congressman has assured him that the army is in fine shape. Letter written at "Head Quarters." Docketed in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.09383

to Henry Knox

Washington answers a question from Knox. States that under a resolution of Congress of 23 April 1783, musicians are not entitled to take firearms home with them on furlough or disbandment. Notes that they should be allowed to take their drums &...

GLC02437.09387

to Henry Knox

Encloses resolves of Congress. Instructs Knox to publish the resolves for the army. Expresses great pleasure in Congress's commendation of General [Robert] Howe and his detachment (for their role in suppressing the Philadelphia mutiny of 1783)....

GLC02437.09390

to Henry Knox

Reports receiving a letter from Knox, delivered by Captain Shaw (possibly Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp). Informs Knox, commanding at West Point, he has been impatiently waiting for Congress to decide the number of troops to be stationed at West...

GLC02437.09392

to Henry Knox

Writes, "The arrival of the Definitive Treaty and the evacuation of New York- have been so long delayed as to interfere very materially with our arrangements for the Celebration of Peace..." Has decided that the celebration will be deferred until...

GLC02437.09394

to Henry Knox

Expresses gratitude for Knox's praise of Washington in the context of Congress's resolution "That an equestrian statue of General Washington, be erected at the place where the residence of Congress shall be established," passed on 7 August 1783 (and...

GLC02437.09401

to Henry Knox

Mentions the return of General Benjamin Lincoln. Hopes the transition to a peacetime military establishment will commence without further delay. Does not think Congress intends to abolish the Office of Secretary at War (which Lincoln held from 1781...

GLC02437.09402

to Henry Knox

Marked "Duplicate" at the top by George Washington. Mentions the return of General Benjamin Lincoln. Hopes the transition to a peacetime military establishment will commence without further delay. Does not think Congress intends to abolish the...

GLC02437.09403

[Letterbook related to the Newburgh Conspiracy]

Table of contents is written on front cover in what appears to be a later hand. Includes copies of letters by various individuals, all in the hand of Samuel Shaw, relating to officers' complaints regarding pay, supplies, and other topics. Contains...

GLC02437.09443

[Roll of enlisted men in Captain [Sebastian] Bauman's artillery company for the Continental Service ordered to be raised in the colony of New York by the Provincial Congress]

Lists the names of men, date of enlistment, and place of birth.

GLC02437.10661

to Robert Livingston, Jr. re: nomination for Commissioner of the Treasury

Walter states that while he was in Philadelphia he was nominated for a Commissioner of the Treasury. If he should be chosen for this position, he would have to give a security deposit, and asks his father if he would agree to be his security. He...

GLC03107.03564

to Joseph Reed

Written by McKean, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as President of the Confederation Congress to Reed as President of the supreme executive council in Pennsylvania. Says that Brigadier General William Irvine (McKean has written Irwine)...

GLC00131

[Collection of five journals chronicling William Ellery's travels to Congress] [Decimalized .01-.05]

GLC00107

[Journal of William Ellery's journey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Dighton, Massachusetts]

Signed "W.E." Discusses his travels and expenses through eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, southern New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Contains descriptions of Moravian settlements near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; imprisoned Tories at Newton...

GLC00107.01

[Journal of William Ellery's journey from Dighton, Massachusetts, to Yorktown, Pennsylvania]

Discusses British General John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga and meetings with Generals Oliver Wolcott and Israel Putnam, and with Members of the Continental Congress Francis Dana, John Hancock, John Adams, and Samuel Adams. Includes allusions to...

GLC00107.02

[Journal of William Ellery's journey from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts]

Discusses his travels through Eastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Princeton, New Jersey, southern New York State, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island, and Massachusettes. Describes the defeat of Sir Henry Clinton at the Battle of Monmouth and...

GLC00107.03

[Journal of William Ellery's journey from Dighton, Massachusetts, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]

Discusses travels through Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. Describes preparations for Independence day in Philadelphia on the day of his departure (3 July 1779) and reports news of British marauding on...

GLC00107.04

[Journal of William Ellery's journey from Cranston, Rhode Island, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]

Discusses his travels through Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The bulk of the journal records the journey from Rhode Island to Philadelphia. Discusses a debate about blood chemistry and other medical matters that he...

GLC00107.05

to William Ellery

Written by Laurens, previously President of the Continental Congress. Laurens left his Congressional seat in November 1779 and returned home before departing from Philadelphia for the Netherlands to negotiate a loan in August 1780 (he was captured by...

GLC00110

to James Madison re: need for a strong Federal government

The letter discusses the necessity for a strong Federal government, settlement of loans and elections, and the urging of John Taylor of Caroline for Congress.

GLC00099.110

to James Madison re: attempts of House of Delegates to pass war debt

The letter discusses the attempts of the House of Delegates to pass the war debt bill and the election of the new delegation to Congress (Madison was not re-elected).

GLC00099.115

to James Madison

The letter discusses the powers of Congress and need to define them. Suggests that a day may come when the junction of the Ohio and the Mississippi might be a central location for a capital. Also, writes about his hopes for the evacuation of New York...

GLC00099.122

to James Madison

Signature has been clipped-off but postscripts remain. Mention's powers of Congress, seat of government (Philadelphia, Annapolis), need for a Constitution, crops in Virginia, Edmund Pendleton's suggestions regarding the District of Columbia. A large...

GLC00099.125

to James Madison re: Madison's impending retirement from Congress

The letter notes that Madison will soon retire from Congress, thanks him for his correspondence, and hopes he will soon be in the Virginia House of Delegates. Also mentions Congress fixing Princeton, N.J., as the permanent meeting place.

GLC00099.128

[Receipt to Richard Caswell]

Certifies receipt of Governor Richard Caswell of North Carolina 466 pounds, 13 shillings to cover the expenses of attending the first and second Continental Congress. There are four symmetrical holes in the page causing text loss.

GLC00168

to Gov. of Delaware

It is a letter of complaint from Francis Wade. Letter cosigned by Gouverneur Morris and William Whipple.

GLC00184.25

to John Brown

[Title continued] for frigate "Confederacy" and ship "Saratoga." Co-signed by William Ellery. re: authorization of payment for beef

GLC00184.27

to Jonathan Trumbull

Written by Washington as commander of the American army around Boston to Trumbull as Governor of Connecticut. Trumbull was the only colonial governor to join the patriot cause. References his hasty dispatch of January 19, 1776. Says he forgot to...

GLC01138

Report on lagging attendence at Congress, recommendations

Recommends that the state appoint more representatives to Congress.

GLC01153

[Oath of allegiance for enlisting Maryland soldier]

Partly printed document signed. Ceary enlists in the "7th Maryland Regiment, of Foot Commande by Col. John Gunby for three years. Also signs below in receipt of a $450 bounty. Printed part of document states that a $200 bounty should be paid, but...

GLC01412.50

[Receipt acknowledging funds]

Co-signed by John Delka. Martin and Delka were exchanged prisoners returning to South Carolina. Document is a receipt acknowledging Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress, had lent them sixty dollars for their trip home.

GLC01412.64.04

Resolutions settling states' Revolutionary War debt

Printed broadside signed by Charles Thomson as Secretary of Congress.

GLC01414

Resolution [revising act of Congress for governing troops]

Printed by Dunlap. Signed in type by John Hancock.

GLC01182

Act: re: requiring officers to take oath of office

Signed in type by Charles Thomson. Prints the oath to be taken and describes the circumstances for taking the oath.

GLC01184

to Ellen Lothrop

Letter written by Warren, the well known Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary writer, to her friend Lothrop. Says she will leave politics for others to discuss and that she only has warm feelings for the circle of friends in Fairfield (where Lothrop...

GLC01189.01

to William Smallwood

Hancock sends resolutions by the Continental Congress (not included) relating to measures to suppress a Tory insurrection in Somerset and Worcester counties in Maryland. He orders General Smallwood to stand ready to execute the forthcoming orders...

GLC01205.01

Extract from minutes of Congress re: raising Maryland troops

Disbound. Directs Smallwood to raise Maryland troops Was written in Congress.

GLC01205.02

to William Smallwood

Letter written by Peters as secretary to the Continental Board of War to Brigadier General Smallwood. Says that he is sending a circular letter written by the Board with an enclosed resolve from Congress (the resolve is not included, but the circular...

GLC01205.03

Manifesto and proclamation to the members of the Congress

Double-column format. Issued by the British Peace Commissioners Lord Carlisle, Sir Henry Clinton and William Eden after the failure of their peace initiative. Offered a general amnesty and pardon with internal self-government and the repeal of...

GLC01032

[Certificate of appointment to rank of major general]

Partially printed document appointing William Heath to Major General in the Continental Army (Heath was previously a Major General of only Massachusetts troops and Brigadier General in the Continental Army). Signed by John Hanson as President of the...

GLC01412.08

to John Lawrence

No free frank. Encloses a Congressional resolution (not included) to advance $150,000 to Lawrence's state of Connecticut.

GLC01412.15

[Resolution of Congress]

Extract of Congress, signed by Thomson as Secretary of Congress. Gives Major General Arthur St. Clair two weeks leave of absence to visit his family.

GLC01412.18

[Revolutionary War era United States Continental lottery ticket]

Third class lottery ticket, numbered D5m276, signed by John Mease. Indicates the lottery authorized by a congressional resolution on 18 November 1776. The lottery was established to fund the Revolutionary War. Accompanied by letter about the...

GLC01412.23.01

to Joseph Clarke

Letter cosigned by George Campbell as Sitting Manager of the United States Lottery. He assigns care of Rhode Island State lottery tickets to Clark.

GLC01412.24