18 September 1780

Dundas, Ralph, 1732-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Dundas, Captain of the H. M. S. Bonetta, informs his brother James he was in New York and other locations before moving north to Nova Scotia. Reports that on the way, his men took five prizes and reclaimed two brigs containing low-valued cargo. States that a French fleet is "Blocked up at Present at Rhode Island" by Admiral Marriot Arbuthnot. Refers to the British defeat of American forces at Charleston, South Carolina, in May 1780 and the capture of valuable Virginia ships by New York privateers. Discusses a riot in Boston, Massachusetts following General George Washington's call for 3,…

GLC03676.02

24 December 1866

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Canby re: disputes in Texas convention on dividing Texas into 2 states

GLC03677

1 August 1850

Phelps, Samuel Shethar, 1793-1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. H. Barrett

Phelps, a Whig Senator from Vermont, writes to J. H. Barrett, possibly Joseph Hartwell Barrett. Relates that an article by E. D. Barber in the "Brandon Post" (a newspaper from Brandon, Vermont) provided misinformation regarding the Clayton Bill of 1848. Phelps argues that this bill prohibited the extension of slavery, and was an equivalent to the Wilmot Proviso. He vehemently defends his position on the bill against Barber's false reports, emphasizing his opposition to the spread of slavery. Also argues that Barber misrepresented Horace Greeley's opinion of the bill, and thinks the bill's…

GLC03678.01

22 August 1850

Phelps, Samuel Shethar, 1793-1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Docketed with blue ink. Possibly to J. H. Barrett (refer to GLC03678.01). Discusses the Compromise of 1850 (the Pearce Act) in detail. Phelps offers his opinion on the act, which related to the extension of slavery in territories acquired by the Mexican American War: "... this country is and will remain a desert and neither slavery or population will ever exist there." Phelps voted for the Compromise of 1850 because, "there was danger that the govt. itself might be dissolved if these questions about slavery were not disposed of... It was not violence that I apprehended but the... silent…

GLC03678.02

1837

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Broadside

Title: Farewell address of Andrew Jackson

This document is a copy of Andrew Jackson's farewell address. In it, he says "Our country has improved and is flourishing beyond any former example in the history of nations," Jackson writes. Like Washington's farewell address, he warns of the dangers of sectionalism, saying, "At every hazard and by every sacrifice, this Union must be preserved...What have you to gain by division and dissension?" Discusses states rights versus federal. Worries about federal abuse of the power to tax, and about the use of paper money. This document was printed and published by Israel Sackett. Currently mounted…

GLC03680

15 September 1857

Cobb, Howell, 1815-1868

Letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Rogers and Henry Vethake

Rogers and Vethake were appointed Treasury Department commissioners in July 1857. Requests them to report to him as soon as possible if they intend to accept the appointment, and if so they are to "arrange with the Director of the Mint to give Dr. Barclay the proper facilities for testing his alleged discovery." James T. Barclay had developed tests to detect counterfeit coinage. Rogers and Vethake accepted the commission and verified Barclay's discovery. Written as Secretary of the Treasury.

GLC03689

16 May 1876

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Maury re: pardon and restoring political rights to C.S. Naval Officers.

GLC03694

1 June 1796

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Printed document signed

Title: Fourth Congress of the United States: at the first session, begun and held at the city of Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania, on Monday, the seventh of December, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five.

Signed by Pickering, Secretary of State. Includes "an act regulating the grants of land appropriated for military services, and for the society of the United Brethren for propagating the gospel among the heathen," "an act for the admission of the state of Tennessee into the union," "an act limiting the time for the allowance of drawback on the exportation of domestic spirits, and allowing a drawback upon such spirits exported in vessels of less than thirty tons, by the Mississippi," "an act to suspend, in part, the act, intituled 'An act to alter and amend the act, intituled 'An act laying…

GLC03698

18 February 1825

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Williams

Forwards commission appointing Williams Attorney of the United States for the District of Maryland (commission not included with letter). Signed as Secretary of State.

GLC03701

9 September 1786

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Francis Mercer

Washington replies to a letter from Mercer, noting that he would have replied sooner, but he had a fever. Expresses his plan to never enslaved another person again, and his wish that slavery be abolished by "slow, sure & imperceptible degrees." Discusses financial matters, mentioning a debt he owes Governor George Clinton of New York, which was supposed to have been repaid within twelve months of "the Peace" (1783). For what remains of the loan, Washington is paying seven percent interest. Mentions another, higher debt he owes to an unspecified individual, and that repayment of this…

GLC03705

29 December 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to New Hampshire re: asking for supplies, call to arms & poor state of army

Written in the hand of Robert Hanson Harrison. Washington appeals for clothing and supplies for his troops. Copies of this letter went to every state. Washington writes in part: "We had in Camp on the 23rd Instt. by a field report then taken, not less than 2898 men unfit for duty by reason of their being barefoot and otherwise naked." Fitzpatrick 10: 221-25 (based on the copy sent to Massachusetts).

GLC03706

27 August 1814

Snyder, Simon, 1759-1819

Printed document signed

Title: [General orders for Pennsylvania's troops to be ready defend the state]

In response to the British capture of Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812, the Pennsylvania governor issued this order because of the threat "and probable conflagration of the metropolis of a sister state," particularly an attack initiated from the shores of the Delaware River.

GLC03708

22 June 1846

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Document signed

Title: to James Boyd re: circular, instructions to US envoys abroad [printed]

Printed letters signed as Secretary of State.

GLC03712

June 14, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph document signed

Title: [Resolution of the Continental Congress advising New York to make provisions for detecting, restraining and punishing Tories].

Issued by Hancock less than three weeks before the Declaration of Independence, this resolution calls for the suppression of contact with the British among Tories in the colony of New York. It also claims that General George Washington will aid in carrying out these measures.

GLC03716

17 December 1780

Dundas, Ralph, 1732-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Ralph, Captain of the H. M. S. Bonetta, writes to his brother James. Lists the names of ships involved in an expedition. Mentions General Charles Cornwallis. Relates news related to various sailors and a ship that sailed to Antigua. States that the British navy has allowed Count De Rochambeau to strongly fortify his troops in Rhode Island. Refers to the presence of General Stirling (possibly William Alexander) in New York. Relates that some British soldiers found his cousin, T. Dundas, in Reading, Pennsylvania, and that T. Dundas's brother had joined the colonial force. Refers to…

GLC03676.03

July 22, 1781

Dundas, Ralph, 1732-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Dundas, captain of the H. M. S. Bonetta, writes from the Elizabeth River to his brother James. Reports that he was sent to the James Islands "to cover the Boats of Earle Cornwallis's Army who were ordered away from the Pursuit of the Marquis Fayette." Praises Cornwallis. Discusses details of continued battles and skirmishes occurring between December 1780 and July 1781, as the Marquis de Lafayette pursued Cornwallis to Yorktown. Mentions the activities of Colonel Robert Abercrombie and the Edinburgh Regiment. States that he had previous orders to attack Philadelphia, but had received orders…

GLC03676.04

6 November 1781

Dundas, Ralph, 1732-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Dundas, the British captain of the H. M. S. Bonetta, informs his brother James that he was made "a Prisoner to France" and in New York on parole. Discusses the British capitulation at the Battle of Yorktown: "we lost our Ground Inch by Inch and did not Surrender untill our Ammunition was exausted and but five Days Provisions." Notes that the "Bonetta was to be at the Disposal of Lo Cornwallis to carry his Dispatches." Mentions dead and wounded. The articles of capitulation at Yorktown specified that the Bonetta would be permitted to return to New York with to correspondence for Sir Henry…

GLC03676.05

1853-1857

Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe, 1793-1864

Book signed

Title: Information respecting the history condition and prospects of the Indian tribes of the United States

Six volumes of a series entitled, "Information respecting the history condition and prospects of the Indian tribes of the United States," published in 1853- 1957. Contains the results of a study commissioned by Congress to collect statistics on the condition of indigenous peoples of the United States. Volumes 1-4 are signed by the author and inscribed to Clamor Hagedorn. Volume 1 contains 568 p. ; volume 2 contains 608 p. ; volume 3 contains 635 p. ; volume 4 contains 668 p. ; volume 5 contains 712 p. ; volume 6 contains 756 p.

GLC03679

9 March 1862

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Says there was a big fight at Newport News the day before. Says the "Merrimac" came down with the "Yorktown," "Jamestown," and other boats. Reports that "Merrimac ran into and sunk Cumberland killing half her crew, raked the Congress fore and aft till she struck her colors. Minnesota aground, but fought till dark and flies the colors this morning." Says the "Congress" is burned and her magazine blew up. Says the 20th and 99th New York were deployed as Confederate troops were reported landing above Newport News and advancing from Yorktown, but they did not come. Says "The Ericson battery [the…

GLC03681.01

10 March 1862

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter

Title: to his mother

Not signed by Asa Smith. Says they are to remain there because of the "Monitor" and that if they can get through tonight they will be secure. Describes the sinking of the "Cumberland" and the burning of the "Congress" by the "Merrimac." Says the broadside from the Union ships "glanced off without doing much of any damaged and this seemed to satisfy them that our vessels could not hurt them." Says the "Cumberland" went down gloriously, firing her aft guns as the bow went under. Report that "During the evening or camp was full of sailors, and they were the hardest looking set of men I ever saw…

GLC03681.02

11 March 1862

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Continuation of his letter from GLC03861.02 - he numbers the pages 5-8. Goes on to describe the situation involving the Confederate attack near Newport News, as well as the action of the CSS "Merrimac" and USS "Monitor." Says the 20th and 99th New York infantry were sent to deal with a supposed Confederate attack near Newport News. Says "few eyes were closed that night as it was known that troops were advancing from Yorktown and a fight was expected in the morning, very little was said, but many an oath of revenge was registered." Says half the regiment wrote home last night because they…

GLC03681.03

31 May 1862

Elbert, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Soldier "Elbert" writes concerning the death and destruction of the Peninsular campaign. Includes small map.

GLC03682

15 June 1862

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter

Title: to Mrs. Smith [incomplete]

Written to his mother on patriotic stationery reporting on his movements from the time of leaving camp until his arrival at the site of the Battle of Fair Oaks.

GLC03683

18 December 1862

Borary, P., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Johnny Borary

Describes the Battle of Fredericksburg and Stonewall Jackson.

GLC03684

July 1863

Corbin, Elbert, 1836-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily Corbin [Incomplete]

Lists some of the men and their injuries, all of which came from the 1st Regiment, Light Artillery, N. Y. S. Volunteers (Pettit's Battery). Also lists supplies lost, repairs made, patching up a Lieutenant Sheldon, and being left there "in care of the Boys." Mentions that General Alexander Hays has taken command of their corps and would not keep volunteer officers on his staff. Discusses "dressing our Boys wounds then...assisting to cut out Balls and dress the wounded Rebels." Comments that he "can do up wounds from shot or shell or Bullits quite like an M.D." and further claims that…

GLC03685