Collection Search

re permit to John Riddell to take passage to Great Britain

[Continental Congress members]

GLC02471.33

to unknown

Written by Ericsson as the pioneering naval engineer and inventor to an unknown recipient. Says he has enclosed Mr. Stimpson's letter relative to the broken exhaust valve stem (not included). Says he included it to "show what a capital fellow he is...

GLC02480.05

to John Ericsson

Discusses moving the boilers on the Princeton a few feet from the aft to make more room for the engines. Mentions being held in Philadelphia because a friend has been ill for weeks. Impression in upper left corner reads "Jessup & Brothers."

GLC02494.10

[Navigation of Pennsylvania Rivers] [Incomplete]

Irvine, a member of the Continental Congress and former Brigadier General in the Revolutionary War, writes to an unknown recipient. Refers to an enclosed sketch of the Allegheny River (not included with this document). Discusses navigation of the...

GLC02497.08

to the Committee of Safety of Massachusetts

Says agreeable to the resolves put forth by the Committee that he gave directions for Captain Davis to travel southward. Wants them to send whaling ships to Plymouth to help with its defenses. Thomas, who was eventually named a Major General, died on...

GLC02498.15

to John Barry

Captain Barron informs Commodore Barry that he will leave for Philadelphia the following Sunday and will meet Barry thereafter. Reports that Commodore Thomas Truxtun, noted for his success during the Quasi War, "has been Received in this Place with...

GLC02500.01

to Dudley Saltonstall [Receipt for copper nails and blue cloth]

Signed twice by Captain Elisha Hinman, who served in the Continental Navy. Indicates that Captain Dudley Saltonstall was involved in the transaction. Guy Richards, (possibly a merchant in New London, Connecticut) signs on verso, acknowledging...

GLC02500.06

to unknown

Forwards a list of prices and mentions the sale of a schooner, containing molasses and rum that had been taken by one of their privateers.

GLC02503.01

to Alexander James Dallas, Jr.

Written by Dallas as U.S. District Attorney for eastern Pennsylvania to his 19-year-old son Alexander James Dallas, Jr. The father wanted his son to pass this letter along to the Port Collector. In reference to the slave trading ship "Eugenia." It...

GLC02505.14

to Mr. Willings & Francis

Insurance premium for voyage to China.

GLC02505.45

[Privateer's commission for "the Concord"]

Signed by John Adams as President and countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Allows Ebenezer Sage and Benjamin Williams to outfit a privateer, the "Concord," to attack French shipping under a Congressional law passed on July 9, 1798...

GLC02517.01

[Papers granting the ship "Hunter" voyage permission in four languages]

Countersigned by Secretary of State John Marshall, New York Port Collector Joshua Sands, and Notary Public John Wilkes. Partly printed document in four languages (French, Spanish, English, and Dutch). Papers give permission to Captain William Van...

GLC02517.02

to John Page

Discusses the American defeat at the Battle of Long Island and their retreat. Thinks the British will quit New York City very shortly. Reports that Brigadier General Lord Sterling and General Sullivan have been taken prisoner along with other...

GLC02540

[Journal of voyage from New York City aboard the Raleigh]

The unsigned manuscript, apparently British in origin, was written while on the Frigate "Raleigh," commanded by Captain James Gambier. Gives list of passengers, who are all officers and says they are bound for the Chesapeake. On 12 November his...

GLC02542.08

[Privateer's license for William Van Duerson]

Partially printed document signed by McKean as President of Congress and countersigned by Charles Thomson as Secretary of the Continental Congress. Identifies Van Duerson as the commander of the brigantine Middletown owned by Chauncey Whittlesey. The...

GLC02542.18

[Insurance inventory and charges]

Insurance document for the cargo of the brigantine "Prudence" written by Hurd while at sea. Says it was delivered to Mr. P. Mayer at Belzone & Co. Starts on 6 December and ends 22 December. The items being shipped are mostly foodstuffs and farm...

GLC02542.29

[Pass permit for Benjamin Brown and his schooner]

Permitting Benjamin Brown and his schooner Rebecca "to Pass the Fort at Black Rock on his Way to New Port." Verso contains a roll of enlisted men.

GLC02542.32.09

to William Van Deursen

Has been informed by Commodore Decator that "two 74s and two large frigates" may be headed in their direction, and hopes Van Deursen is prepared in the event "they should think proper to pay us a visit." H. Burbeck may be Henry Burbeck (1754-1848).

GLC02542.32.25

Journal of a cruise to China and Japan in the U.S. Sloop Vandalia.

Journal of a sailor under Captain John Pope. The journal describes customs in the ports it visited, mentions meeting Commodore Matthew Perry's flag ship, and provides information on hostilities between American troops and the Japanese military.

GLC02547

to James Dundas [fragment]

Discusses contested parliamentary elections in the south, remarking that "from the eagerness to get into Parliament, one would think that more Patriotism prevails now than ever." Notes that there is great expectation for news from Admiral Darby and...

GLC02549.15

to James Dundas

Discusses information about their brother George and letters he has been sending. Describes the fleets at Portsmouth and compares them to the locusts of Egypt. Asks James to obtain a "Seal Cutter two scales with our Arms Cut upon a good Cornelian...

GLC02549.16

to James Dundas

He writes to transmit "Political News" about the American Revolution he received from George Germain. Relays an account that the Americans under Nathanael Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette landed 18,000 troops in Rhode Island. Describes a near...

GLC02549.60

[French and Indian War privateer's commission of Captain Samuel Partridge]

Countersigned by Thomas Clarke, Deputy Secretary. Pownall, Governor of Massachusetts Bay, authorizes Captain Samuel Partridge to "set forth in warlike manner the said Ship Race Horse under his own Command and ... seize & take the Ships, Vessels, and...

GLC02587

to David Conner

Reports that the Mexican brig Creole had been boarded and burned by men under his command during a blockade of Vera Cruz. The destruction of the Creole has obliterated Vera Cruz's commerce, as she was the city's only ship. Written as lieutenant...

GLC02647

to sister

J. Henry Flitner writes a letter to his sister describing the voyage of him and their father to Mobile Bay in Alabama. Flitner writes that for the first fifteen days of the voyage the weather was very bad and they were not able to reach their...

GLC02669.095