25 May 1863

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

Written at Headquarters of the Department of the Tennessee near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grant writes to Sherman in the early days of the siege of Vicksburg. Relates he ordered Colonel Johnson to ascertain the number of Confederate troops north of the Black River, and to burn a bridge over the river, leaving Haynes' Bluff without a garrison. Writes "I deem that point of so much importance that I am willing to weaken our force here rather that to leave it unoccupied." Orders Sherman to send a brigade to assist in fortifying the bluff. Endorsed by Sherman, who orders Tuttle (possibly General…

GLC03512

30 March 1845

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bennett

A private letter in which Ericsson defends the merits of his screw propeller over Steven's Scull. Claims that reports that the scull beat his ship are misleading. Accompanied by a two page manuscript autographed by Ericsson that details his invention. John Ericsson invented the screw propeller, which replaced the paddle wheel and remains the most common form of marine propulsion to this day. James Bennett was editor of the New York Herald.

GLC03513

May 10, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Broadside

Title: [Broadside version of a letter to Braxton Bragg]

Printed broadside version of a letter from Beauregard to Braxton Bragg encouraging aggressive tactics. Bragg had the letter printed as a broadside "for the information and guidance of this army." States "When without orders or at a loss to know what to do in action, they must rapidly advance in the direction of the heaviest firing-for the art of war consists in the concentration of masses against fractions of masses; moreover, our motto should be 'Forward, and always forward,' until victory may perch decisively upon our banners. The more rapid the attack, the weaker, habitually, the…

GLC03514

February 2, 1865

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Document signed

Title: [Sealed certification of the Thirteenth Amendment]

Seward, Secretary of State, certifies accompanying true copy of Thirteenth Amendment (GLC03264.02). Contains faded seal and fragmented dark blue ribbon. Partially printed on United States Department of State paper.

GLC03264.01

September 24, 1780

Varick, Richard, 1753-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dirck Romeyn

Varick says his he spent all of the previous night on "public letters" which now occupy all his time, and must be brief. He says Luzerne stopped with them on his way to meet Rochambeau, Ternay, and Lafayette. This would be the Frenchmen's first meeting with George Washington, who is not mentioned in the letter. Relates the events of the Battle of Camden, as told to him by Luzerne. Says the Maryland troops fought bravely, and if General Horatio Gates had not fled the Americans might have won. Says General William Smallwood served bravely but eventually had to withdraw. Despite the loss,…

GLC03265

10 May 1783

Varick, Richard, 1753-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Glen

George Washington's secretary describes to Glen, a deputy quartermaster general in the Revolutionary War, his eyewitness account of Washington's meeting with Sir Guy Carleton at Tappan, New York. Provides details of the meeting, which was intended to arrange the terms of British withdrawal.

GLC03266

24 December 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris re: accepting invitation to Christmas dinner with Robert Morris

The date has been inferred. A very kind and generous letter, accepting the invitation to Christmas dinner with Mrs. Washington and his family.

GLC03267

24 December 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by New Hampshire Continental Congressman Whipple, a Declaration of Independence signer, to Langdon agent for Continental prizes and superintendent of the construction of several ships of war. Langdon had resigned his Congressional seat in June 1776. Wrote last letter to Langdon a day or two before Congress adjourned on 11 December 1776. Says they started meeting in Baltimore on 20 December 1776. Claims the British approach sparked a panic except for the Tories "of which you know there are not a small number." Heard that enemy troops have made it to Burlington, New Jersey. Because…

GLC03269

17 August 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: possibilities of increased trade with France

Discusses tobacco, wool, etc. Washington comments on the good sense of trading with France, the "Maritime Genius of this Country", and his hope that the new national government may strengthen America's ties to France. Published in: Fitzpatrick, Writings of GW, 30: 43-47.

GLC03273

25 May 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: rejecting his claim to deal directly with Washington

Written as President, to the French Minister to the US. Moustier wished to bypass the cabinet in negotiating a commercial treaty. Published in: Fitzpatrick, Writings of GW, 30: 333-35.

GLC03278

01 November 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: progress of US under constitution & hopes for France

Written as President. Published in: Fitzgerald, Writings of GW, 31: 141-42.

GLC03279

October 7, 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier [in French]

A rather formal letter of thanks which mentions Washington's hospitality at Mount Vernon towards the end. Signed in the text by Lafayette.

GLC03281.01

circa October 10, 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier [in French]

A rather formal letter mentioning the voyage. Letter also mentions the letter of introduction to Washington. No year, but inferred from content. Signed in the text by Lafayette.

GLC03281.02

09 May 1907

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sam Chapman

Written on stationery of the Department of Justice. Discusses Grant's endorsement of Lee's pardon after the war, and Johnson's refusal to grant it. He discusses politics during the Reconstruction era. He comments "there was more vindictiveness shown to me by the Virginia people for my voting for Grant than the North showed to me for fighting four years against him." Various politicians and judges mentioned.

GLC03293

25 July 1778

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Mentions that business and ill health have kept him from writing. Congratulates him on the arrival of the French fleet and the minister. Informs that the fleet has gone to Rhode Island. Addressed to "Dear General." Washington is suggested as a possible recipient based upon Arnold's comments about the French fleet. The letter has suffered severe damage and lacks its address leaf.

GLC03302

January 25, 1838

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Encloses a letter (not included) from "an old woman, who with the rest of his negroes, was liberated by Mr. Alexander Donelson." Notes that the entire family, with the exception of the woman and her husband, left for Liberia. Her son and daughter, John and Celia, have lost their children since their arrival at Liberia, and the woman has not heard from any of her other relatives. Requests the recipient to give the enclosed letter to the Secretary of the Colonization Society in Washington, D.C. for delivery to the old woman's family.

GLC03317

05 March 1844

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Y. Mason re: opinions on the annexation of Texas, US claim to Oregon

Written to Mason, Secretary of the Navy. Also requests an appointment for John Adams (no relation to JQ Adams) to midshipman.

GLC03318

November 28, 1780

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Hamilton

Lafayette states that he arrived last night and will set out for Philadelphia. He writes about his recommendation to General George Washington that Hamilton should be made Adjutant General. Explains the reasons he gave in support of his recommendation. Assures that Washington values Hamilton's friendship greatly. Comments on his own friendship with Hamilton and his fondness for him. He gives compliments to Mrs. Hamilton, General Philip Schuyler, and the Schuyler family.

GLC03323

28 September 1796

Webster, Noah, 1758-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Messrs. Hudson & Goodwin

Writing to his publishers, Webster acknowledges their letter that told him that 500 grammars had been shipped. He wants 4,000 copies of his spelling book that he can sell in Philadelphia and would like them to print 10,000 more copies for spring sales. Recommends they add a table of contents for the sections of the spelling book.

GLC03268

09 October 1787

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: inability to see him before departure

Written as American Minister to France, to Moustier as French minister to the US. Also mentions relations between France and America, and Britain and America. Published: Boyd, Papers of TJ, 12:224-25.

GLC03270

17 May 1788

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: etiquette, new US Constitution, the Estates General

Written as American Minister to France, to Moustier, the French Minister to the U.S. Slight ink bleedthrough. Published in: Boyd, Papers of TJ, 13: 173-76.

GLC03271

09 August 1788

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: political changes in France & calling of the Estates

Written as American Minister to France, to Moustier, the French Minister to the U.S. Published in: Boyd, Papers of TJ, 13: 491-92.

GLC03272

03 December 1788

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: thanks for information on France, American manners

Written by Morris as American Minister to France. Morris also writes that he "cannot flatter myself that my Country men and above all my Country Women will shew so much good Sense and such Sensibility as daily to render your Situation more and more agreable [sic]." He notes that American manners may not be "sufficiently advanced to have got around to what is quite natural."

GLC03274

February 23, 1789

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: thanking for letter of introduction, praise for service

Written by Morris as American Minister to France. Morris also talks about the elections for the Estates General and the optimism which pervaded France at this time.

GLC03275

13 March 1789

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: French fiscal crisis, political affairs, elections

Written as American minister to France. The electioneering was for the gathering of the Estates General. Moderate ink bleedthrough. Published in: Boyd, Papers of TJ, 14: 652-54.

GLC03276