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Special intelligence report on... the Panama Canal during the year 1885
1886
Kimball, W.W., fl. 1886
Printed by the GPO. Illustrated with 9 lithographs and a large fold-out map.
GLC05643
to Craven Peyton
2 May 1803
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
Discusses a dispute with a neighbor, the Henderson family, and their dam near Monticello. States that although he does not remember the exact position of John and Charles Henderson's four acres of land, he knows they cannot build a mill without...
GLC05966
to James Wilson Grimes
7 March 1866
Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878
Written in secretarial hand and signed by Secretary of the Navy Welles to Grimes, U.S. Senator from Iowa who chaired the Committee on Naval Affairs. Wants to "invite your attention" to the estimate submitted last November to provide for the...
GLC05997
[Patent for George Chandler's improvement in making nails]
12 December 1796
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Signed by Washington as President. Countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State and Charles Lee as Attorney General. Chandler's written description of his improvement is signed by J. Churchman and Peter Barker as witnesses. Includes a...
GLC06040
to Father
January 10, 1865
Wolcott, Laurens W., fl. 1861-1865
He requests several items. He notes that there is construction going on around him.
GLC00653.11.06
to Sister Mary
August 14, 1864
He reports all the fun they had for the past 9 days. They've had picnics and seen fireworks for the Fourth of July. But now they are back at work building an advanced entrenchment.
GLC00653.11.13
[Accounts of costs for Fort Penobscot and Fort Halifax]
1779-1784
Hartcup, Thomas, fl. 1761-1820
British document concerning the construction of these two forts. States that expenditures are for Fort Penobscot from 1 May 1779 to 24 January 1784 and at Halifax from 1 January 1783 to 31 July 1783. Hartcup was Commanding Engineer. Fort...
GLC01450.012.03
[Account of supplies used by the Royal Artillery in Charleston, South Carolina in October 1780]
31 October 1780
Traille, Peter, fl. 1782
Lists ordnance, building supplies, and smithery, wagon-making, repair, and laboratory supplies, the service for which they were needed and the quantities expended.
GLC01450.155
to Parents
24 April 1864
Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892
Received a letter and a package containing tobacco, paper, and envelopes. Was almost out of envelopes, but had enough paper "to last me a month." Hopes he will be able to write a lot during the summer. Now has enough paper to write for the next two...
GLC09355.061
to Alexander McDougall
21 March 1778
Introduction of French engineer, Colonel Louis des Hayes de la Radiere, who was to superintend fortifications on the North (Hudson) River. Washington appointed de la Radiere to oversee the construction of the Hudson's Highlands in late 1777, but a...
GLC04215
to Lord George Germain
July 1778
Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795
Written by Clinton as Command of Chief of British forces in America to Germain as British Secretary of State for the American Colonies. Detailed report of his recent activity. Says he evacuated Philadelphia on 18 June 1778. Details the problems of...
GLC04283
to his mother
1862/8/25
Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?
He is feeling better and expects to return to his unit in about a week. Since he does not know where they are, he will have to go to Washington to learn their location. A gang of men are putting up a large building, which Walbridge thinks may be a...
GLC04662.013
to James Dinsmore re: architecture and building projects at Monticello
1806/12/28
The document is overall tanned. Jefferson discusses the style of doors for the North Pavilion at Monticello, mentions Poplar Forest's window frames, and suggests dismissing the worker Stewart. Dinsmore (d. 1830) was a housejoiner who worked and...
GLC04956
to James Dinsmore
24 December 1807
Discusses instructions for a table at Monticello. Lists mahogany forwarded to Monticello by Oldham and copies out a note he received from Oldham about the wood planks and the delivery of them to the estate. Jefferson's note to Dinsmore instructs on...
GLC04964
Wing of the Capitol building with flag at half-staff.
23 May 1865
A print of a photograph taken of the Grand Review of the Union Army on May 23rd, 1865. The photograph shows the north wing of the US Capitol building with the camera facing south-west. There is a large crowd in front of the Capitol, presumably...
GLC05111.01.0011
The Senate Wing of the Capitol Building, Washington D.C. [stereoview]
circa 1861-1865
A stereoview (perhaps made to be mounted on cardstock) of the Senate wing of the under-coustruction Capitol Building. Seen to the periphery of the building are two cranes. Inscription on verso: "Senate Wing Capitol." Numeric notation on verso: "163."
GLC05111.01.0876
to darling Cherry
6 December 1863
Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916
The ship was so crowded that they had to build an office and quarters for him. He hopes Grnat will be marching into Charleston soon.
GLC08284.087
to Mary "Mollie" McLean
20 September 1861
Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902
He will miss Hattie who has sadly departed. He regrets all the unkind things he said to her. Meanwhile they have been building nice quarters for themselves. He describes the interior of their tents.
GLC02161.009
A plan for the establishment of a Corps of Continental Artillery, Magazines, Laboratories &c
[18 December] 1776
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Argues that "a well regulated...well disciplined" and well supplied artillery is the most important factor in modern war, and has recently proved decisive in Europe. The British rely on artillery, and feels America should copy them. States the most...
GLC02437.00505
[Description of an artillery laboratory]
3 March 1777
Plans for an artillery laboratory with "room for 60 men to work," store rooms, "an air furnace," shops for fifty carpenters, forty smiths, twenty wheel makers, as well as tin men and harness makers, "in all about 200 artificers." Plans also call for...
GLC02437.00542
February 6, 1864
Scarborough, William H., fl. 1862-1865
He went to the army church and enjoyed it immensely. They recently built a new fort and two companies have to sleep in it every night to be ready for an attack, but he is not alarmed, he does not think the Rebels would be dumb enough to attack.
GLC02173.23
to Amos J. Harding
13 July 1863
Padgett, W.B., fl. 1863
Writes that he has not heard from Harding in some time because his first letters were directed to General Davidson. Have no mail facilities with their brigade so it is very difficult to receive and mail letters. Writes that "General Davidson seems...
GLC02178.05
to Henry Knox
12 October 1781
Crane, John, 1744-1805
Encloses a return of ordnance and stores. Reports that nothing will be done in the fall toward building the magazine at Fort Clinton or Fort Putnam because of all the work needed to prepare for winter. The artificers have been building a workshop at...
GLC02437.01221
19 December 1781
Writes to inform Knox of his "wishes that the detachment from the Regiment may joine us" if consistent with Knox's plans. They are acquiring clothing for the regiment and he wants the men to anticipate the new clothes and feel satisfaction from...
GLC02437.01307
[sketch of "shanty"]
1861-1864
Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865
circa November, 1864. Hammond to wife. The first side of the sketch is a detailed drawing of the "shanty" Hammond will be living in throughout the winter. It is made of logs, and seems to be fairly well built. The shanty also includes a chimney and a...
GLC09273.11
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