1 February 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, discusses various military and business matters with Langdon, a agent for the Continental Navy. Mentions Miss Wharton. Discusses money submitted to Langdon by the Marine Committee, including a sum transmitted to Langdon by Colonel Bartlett (possibly Continental Congressman Josiah Bartlett). Refers to Mr. Henderson and Mr. [Betten?], who delivered money from Whipple to Langdon. Mentions a ship Langdon was fitting as a result of Mr. Livingston's orders (possibly referring to Continental Congressman Robert Livingston…

GLC06520

18 March 1789

Duer, William, 1747-1799

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Record of John Langdon's accounts as Continental Navy agent, presented to the Board of the Treasury]

Duer, assistant secretary of the treasury department, transmits a copied "Statement of the accounts of John Langdon Esq. with the Secret and Commercial Committees of Congress." Conveys information pertaining to accounts kept and stores received for navy purposes, stating "Upon the whole, both the Cash and Store Accounts appear to me to be as regular as could possibly have been expected, and this has been owing in a great measure to his having made them out and transmitted them to his employees from time to time as the transactions occurred." Copied from the records of Benjamin Walker, a…

GLC06530

1805/12/15

Plumer, William, 1759-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon re: Spain & Louisiana purchase, Jefferson's administration

Jefferson administration's handling of commerce and maritime matters. Problems that have arisen with Spain over Louisiana purchase: "The Spanish nation is weak and feeble... much to fear from the potent arm of Bonaparte."

GLC06543

1805/12/17

Thompson, Thomas W., 1766-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon re: Louisiana purchase, Jefferson

Also negotiations between France and England.

GLC06544

29 December 1806

Thompson, Thomas W., 1766-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by New Hampshire Congressman Thompson to Langdon as Governor of New Hampshire. Says nothing of interest has occurred since the suspension of the non-importation law. Claims domestic issues take up most of their time. Has hope that negotiations with Britain and France are going well. Says that Aaron Burr's presence in Louisiana gave the Jefferson Administration great anxiety. But the capture of part of his flotilla and the probable capture of the rest, has relieved Jefferson. Jefferson considers Burr's insurrection suppressed. That being said, he reports that General James Wilkinson is…

GLC06545

15 January 1822

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Mease

Returns a pamphlet on weights and measures (not present) and thanks him for loaning it. Mentions that he is looking forward to sending his own pamphlet on the same subject to Mease.

GLC06550

25 August 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Lincoln endorsement on Edwin M. Stanton letter to Lincoln]

Stanton asks Lincoln to provide a citation to an Act of Congress that excluded improper applicants from seats in House of Representatives which Lincoln has mentioned to him previously. Lincoln's note on the verso gives the citation for the act and states he got the information from John Armor Bingham, a Representative from Ohio. The act referred to was "An Act to regulate the Duties of the Clerk of the House of Representatives in preparing for the Organization of the House," approved 3 March 1863. On War Department stationary.

GLC06553

23 February 1865

Benfield, Marcus, fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes his appreciation of how Ogden has "faithfully ministered to the wants of the sick and wounded." Sends news concerning past patients from the "Broad and Cherry [Streets Hospital]" in Philadelphia. He is still at the "Pencote Battery," enjoying himself "as well as could be expected under the circumstances." A three cent stamp is included on the envelope. Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.

GLC06559.002

1783 ca.

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: His excellency General Washington's last legacy

A printing in four columns containing Washington's "Circular letter" from Newburgh regarding his resignation as commander-in-chief and discusses the establishment of a stronger government for the United States. Washington wanted a stronger Congress and the ability to raise revenue, amongst other powers. A Rhode Island printing of the famous letter. Tight margins. Also took place in Providence, Rhode Island

GLC06561

19 April 1861-3 June 1861

Manuscript

Title: Journal of a recruit in the 7th regiment

Unbound sheets (possibly a transcript?) detailing the defense of Washington D.C.

GLC06563

30 May 1865

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Broadside

Title: Maj. Gen. Wm. T. Sherman's Farewell Address to his Army.

Special field order no. 76. Printed broadside announcing Sherman's farewell to the armies of Tennessee and Georgia. With decorative border.

GLC06564

July 1788- December 1788

Carey, Mathew, 1760-1839

Magazine

Title: The American Museum: or repository of ancient and modern fugitive pieces, & c. prose and poetical. Volume IV.

Printed by Carey. Carey dedicates this volume to General George Washington. Includes a printing of Washington's farewell orders to the armies of the United States, issued 2 November 1783 from Rocky Hill, near Princeton, New Jersey (pages 240-242). Also includes a letter observing that in Maryland, "negroes are to be introduced [in Maryland] instead of paper money as a medium of commerce" (page 52). Includes various indications of ownership on inner front and back covers (formerly owned by Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia). Also includes, "Observations on bartering Negroes," "An account…

GLC06565

January 1789- June 1789

Carey, Mathew, 1760-1839

Magazine

Title: The American Museum: or repository of ancient and modern fugitive pieces, &c. prose and poetical. [Vol. 5 (January 1789-June 1789)].

Includes six monthly issues. Contains a congratulatory note from Pennsylvania's Executive Council to President George Washington (with Washington's reply following, page 329). Includes a description of Washington's 21 April 1789 arrival to the United States Governmental seat (page 417). Contains congratulatory addresses from the citizens of Baltimore, the Pennsylvania State Society of the Cincinnati, and the Philadelphia Mayor, along with several of Washington's replies (433-436). Includes Washington's 30 April 1789 Inaugural Address to Congress (436-438). Contains various articles and…

GLC06566

29 December 1837

Johnson, Richard M., 1780-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Roberts

Written as Vice President under Martin Van Buren. Mentions Henry Clay and states that Roberts can discern his feelings toward Clay from their relations. But remarks that he has never broken ties with distinguished men just because of politics. Feels that "We must all act upon our own responsibility & judgment but why feel unkind to others & every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle." Comments on the state of the Union and does not believe that anything can divide the states. "We have always seen disturbing causes vanish like smoke when pushed to an extreme -…

GLC06575

29 October 1816

Crawford, William Harris, 1772-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander J. Dallas

Seeks clarification on negotiations with Spain concerning duties and the tonnage act.

GLC06576

1873-1874 circa

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Notes on division in President Lincoln's cabinet over the issue of emancipation]

Appears to be part of a draft to Welles' book, "Lincoln and Seward: Remarks Upon the Memorial Address of Chas. Francis Adams, on the Late William H. Seward..." first published in 1874. In the notes, Welles quotes Secretary of State William H. Seward's reluctance to address the slavery issue during the war. Welles writes, "The President was aware of the position taken by Mr. Seward, and of the embarrassment which he might feel in acceding to a measure that conflicted with that position stated...but he thought to make known to us that emancipation appeared to him an inevitable necessity."…

GLC06577

26 December 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George G. Meade re: hold off execution of Christopher Delker

Also requesting a meeting to discuss death penalty cases.

GLC06578

29 August 1778

Jackson, Hall, 1739-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Hall, an army physician to Colonel Langdon as a commander of militia. Says day before yesterday the British fleet arrived with reinforcements for Newport. A retreat was ordered to their first encampment at midnight last night and was carried out in good order. Reports on a general action outside Newport after the retreat. Says "Our Army fought like Trojans! ... tomorrow morning will give the bloody dogs their Quietus." Claims American losses were less than 100 killed and 200 wounded. Mentions that his brother Woodbury Langdon survived unscathed. Says his friend Samuel…

GLC06523

12 July 1778

Corney, John, fl. 1778

Letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Corney as a prisoner of war on the prison ship "Prince of Wales" to John Langdon as military officer in New Hampshire militia and speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Says he was captured three days after leaving Portsmouth on 12 June 1778. He was captured by the "Experiment," a 50-gun ship commanded by Sir James Wallace. Says he and Captain Palmer are being kept prisoner with no prospect of relief. Claims Langdon's "Powers of doing us Service, is not Circumscribed by the narrow bounds of one who acts only in a Private Capacity, & for the Service of an…

GLC06524

22 July 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certification of John Wheelwright's appointment to Second Lieutenant of the Continental Frigate Raleigh at New Hampshire].

Issued by President of the Continental Congress John Hancock.

GLC06525

July 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Printed document signed

Title: [Blank form created for Marine Committee appointments]

Contains blank spaces reserved for the name, office, and vessel to which the appointee is assigned. Date previously inferred.

GLC06526

12 September 1782

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Tries to convince Langdon not to resign as the superintendent of construction for several ships of war. Urges him not to "despond" or "abandon the business when so near to a completion." Explains that he has not been supplied with more money because there is so little. Claims that "When you compare the trifling sums I have received with the extent and magnitude of the services to be performed by them, you will pity a situation the distresses of which cannot be conceived by those who have not witnessed them." Assures him he has no enemies who "attribute your conduct to mercenary…

GLC06527

19 February 1782

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Discusses bank notes and their utility, and his efforts to widen their circulation and the public's confidence in them by applying his personal credit. Also indicates that he will get flour and iron to Langdon as soon as he can secure a vessel and the ice clears. Written from the Office of Finance.

GLC06528

21 June 1778

Pickman, William, 1748-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Pickman, a Salem shipping merchant, states "A most mortifying accident has occurred which will be extremely Injurious to me unless removed Immediately- the Ship Black Prince is now fit for a cruise with every Article Compleat but by some unaccountable delay of Our Court no Commission can now be obtained." Requests that Langdon, a Continental navy agent, furnish him with the necessary commission. States "should Our Ship be detained we may lose every Man." Relates that Captains Smith and Orne (possibly referring to Captain Josiah Orne) "will wait on you with this any Obligation they enter…

GLC06529

6 July 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, informs Langdon that despite the efforts of Captain Dudley Saltonstall, the ship Trumbull remains grounded in a Connecticut river. Discusses the cost of moving the ship versus building new vessels. States that while in New London, Connecticut, he saw the vessel intended for Captain Chew (possibly Samuel Chew). Relates information pertaining to Mr. Shaw (possibly Nathaniel Shaw, a Connecticut shipowner, merchant, and Continental agent). Reports that the vessels Warren, Providence, and Camden are in the Providence River…

GLC06531