22 August 1775

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Palmer

Washington discusses supply and armament of the Army, strategic locations for placing artillery, how best to prosecute the war, and his public image. Asks Palmer for his advice on strategy for defending Boston and the surrounding area, and has solicited the advice of other men on this topic.

GLC04858

1 August 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Anthony Walton White

Washington writes that the recipient should scrutinize the characters of his men and immediately dismount any suspicious ones since "the loss of a worthless soldier will occasion less regret when it is not accompanied with that of a Horse and Accoutrements." Written in response to the disappearance of a horse from White's unit.

GLC04859

18 March 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Mercer

Written one month before taking his oath of office as the first United States President, Washington attempts to collect a debt owed by the estate of James' father John Mercer. States that he was formerly promised repayment by James' brother, Colonel John Francis Mercer, but John did not deliver the sum in full. Informs James "I am thus explicit, for the purpose of evincing to you, that necessity alone prompts me to make this plain and unequivocal declaration" regarding reimbursement. Reveals willingness to receive land titles as repayment. Expresses his wish to secure titles for two lots…

GLC04860

1 February 1796

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Wolcott

Responds to a previous letter from Wolcott announcing the death of Samuel Huntington, Governor of Connecticut. Informs Wolcott that "At the same time that I regret the loss of so worthy a character, I cannot but feel consoled; that the Administration of the Government of that State has fallen into such good hands as yours." Refers to attacks made upon his Presidential Administration, declaring that "If the enlightened, and virtuous part of the Community will make allowances for my involuntary errors, I will promise they shall have no cause to accuse me of wilful ones." Confirms the…

GLC04861

1795/01/01

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: Proclamation for day of Thanksgiving and prayer

Setting aside the nineteenth of February as a day of "Public Thanksgiving and Prayer." Compare to other Thanksgiving broadsides: Adams, GLC00270 and GLC01947.

GLC04862

25 December 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Expresses frustration with contradictory accounts from New York. Updates Washington on the movements of the British fleet and states that Benedict Arnold boarded one of the vessels. Reports that he does not know if they have sailed yet. Gives information on Arnold's activities and says he was definitely in New York on Saturday 23 December because he was seen by someone. Remarks that he is attempting to form an intelligence network, "I am endeavouring to form a Chain of Intelligence & will succeed if practicable - should any thing material turn up you may be assured of being Informed…

GLC04863

2 April 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Whipple to Langdon. Both were members of the Continental Congress from New Hampshire. Whipple would sign the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, while Langdon would leave Congress in June 1776. References Langdon's letter of 19 March 1776. Rejoices over arrival of two powder vessels. Asks "what think you of the Retreat of the Barbarians from Boston, it will be a pretty story to tell their Master"? Says Admiral Hopkins was at New Providence, North Carolina where he found 200 cannons and many cannonballs, but no powder. Says the people of North Carolina took 1800 stands of…

GLC04866

2 August 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: to John Charles Frémont

President Lincoln informs Major General Fremont that Dr. Godfrey Aigner was appointed by the United States Sanitary Commission to visit soldiers stationed at a camp under Fremont's command "to report upon circumstances affecting their health, and to advise the officers in regard to means for sustaining and improving the sanitary condition of their men." Contains a United States Bureau of Pensions Division stamp.

GLC04874

1788/01/20

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay re: prospects for ratification of Constitution

Forwarding some enclosed letters to Europe (not included) and discussing ratification of the Constitution. Mentions decisions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia in adopting the Constitution. Fitzpatrick publishes with some textual differences based on the Washington letterbook.

GLC04876

30 May 1797

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William C.C. Claiborne

Thanks him for his "favourable sentiments," noting that "If all our Citizens were actuated by the principles you profess, it would much promote the happiness and prosperity of our Country." In regard to some papers Claiborne requested, Washington claims that he is determined not to interfere "directly or indirectly - in recommendations to Office." Closes by stating that it was "very pleasing to me to learn from such good authority that the people of the state of Tennessee are well affected to the General Government & that your prospect of peace with the Indians is not likely to be…

GLC04877

May 1761

Read, George, 1733-1798

Autograph document signed

Title: Legal document, accepting a judgment against his client in Laforge v. Goforth

Date from docket.

GLC04842.35

1776/07/25

Rutledge, John, fl. 1739-1800

Manuscript document signed

Title: Pay order for a minister's salary for William P. Graham of Prince Wm. Parish

Signed as a member of a committee. On verso the minister has asked that money be paid to another party.

GLC04842.36

1788/05/13

Sherman, Roger, 1721-1793

Autograph document signed

Title: Receipt for monies received, as ordered by the Committee of Pay

GLC04842.37

1794/02/26

Spaight, Richard Dobbs, 1758-1802

Document signed

Title: Certificate certifying William Blair as clerk of Edenton, signed as Governor

Signed vertically in left magin and lacking state seal. This document appears to have been issued on paper similar to the pardon form.

GLC04842.38

1789/07/13

Wilson, James, 1742-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Arthur St. Clair re: being considered for President of Pennsylvania

GLC04842.40

23 August 1783

Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron von, 1730-1794

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Reports on an unsuccessful conference in Canada concerning assuming control of the western forts. Indicates that General Frederick Haldimand, the governor of the province of Quebec, refused to agree on any terms until there was a definitive treaty, although he did observe a cessation of fighting. Claims that Haldimand will limit communication and attempt "to hinder any overtures, being made from the United States to the Indians."

GLC04843

1788/02/20

Stewart, Walter, 1756-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Irvine re: opposition to Constitution

Stewart writes to Irvine, a Penna. delegate to the Continental Congress: "It is expected by the Anti-Federal Party that very extensive Petitions will be laid before them against the new Constitution. I however think they have abated much in their Warmth since they see Massachusetts have come to it. [....] And they [the Anti-Federalists] at last say they think amendments may probably be made. I sincerely hope they will, as it would be a means of reconciling all Party's, and enable us to carry it through; Without them, the opposition will be so powerful as to clog its execution in too large a…

GLC04844

23 August 1778

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Requests Whipple's opinion on the best course of action regarding the siege of Newport now that "The Count De Estaing...abandoned us in the present Enterprise and opened the Harbour for...Reinforcements." Believes the British have only 6,000 men, while the American forces number "8,174. Rank & File exclusive of 628...Artillery Men." Asks Whipple whether he thinks it best to continue the siege without French naval support and risk the British reinforcing their position by sea, or to attack immediately with what seems a superior force, or to withdraw at once. Desires that Whipple's…

GLC04845

1788/05/26

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William Ellery Jr.] re: contempt for "pure democracy" of R.I. (ratification)

Rhode Island had not ratified the Constitution. Ellery shared Thomson's unhappiness.

GLC04847

1785/03/28

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [President of Congress] re: exposing a plot to forge army pension securities

The President of Congress is the presumed recipient for Thomson's attempt to expose counterfeiting.

GLC04849

1785/07/27

United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles

Document signed

Title: Resolution of Congress asking for copies of state legislation [printed]

The printed resolution asks for 13 copies of each state's legislation for the period from Sept. 1, 1774 to the present, for sharing among the states and Congress.

GLC04850

1788/05/22

United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles

Document signed

Title: Resolution of Congress "relative to public and unsettled accounts" [printed]

GLC04851

1 February 1766

Thornton, Mathew, fl. 1766

Autograph document signed

Title: [Deposition of Martha Campbell regarding paternity of her child].

In a paternity case, the deposition states "...on or about the month of July last past one Thomas Lennen of Londonderry or Windham Aforesd. Weaver, in the House of one Henry [illegible] Of Windham Aforesd. Yeoman, Did Enter her Body, & recd Knowledge of her, Whereby this Examinant, is now with Child,...."

GLC04852

5 April 1783

Rivington, James, 1724-1802

Broadside

Title: The Royal Gazette Extraordinary

Published by James Rivington. Preliminary articles of the Treaty of Paris as found in reports from English newspapers arriving on the ship "Vigilant". Lists John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens as the Commissioners of the United States present at the negotiations, and Richard Oswald as the Commissioner for Great Britain. Text laid out in 4 columns.

GLC04853

4 March 1777

Troup, Robert, 1757-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Written by Troup as aide-de-camp to General Horatio Gates. In 1777 Jay was a legislator in New York, between appointments to the Continental Congress. Troup had been a law student under Jay. Provides a very blunt assessment of the situation in the Northern Department and gives his critical opinions on the now defunct Canadian expedition. References his last letter to Jay where he predicted the Canadian expedition would fail. He now says his prediction was correct, "for the Want of Men, and every necessary Article, has determined the General Officers to lay aside all thoughts of prosecuting it…

GLC04854