July 22, 1776

Davis, Aaron, 1709-1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Medcalf

Discusses appointment of William Draper of Roxbury as captain of a company being raised for Canada. Also inquires about the amount and type of camp baggage available for the company. Written when the American forces were in retreat from Canada. American troops were forced to leave their siege of Quebec in May 1776 after the spring weather allowed British ships to bring reinforcements. They eventually fell back to Fort Ticonderoga.

GLC01412.22

Febraury 23, 1778

Hillegas, Michael, 1729-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. French

Inquires, on behalf of a Mr. Clarkson, about the allowance available to those who sell lottery tickets for the United States lottery established to help fund the Revolutionary War. Accompanied a lottery ticket (see GLC01412.23.01).

GLC01412.23.02

September 23, 1778

Delany, Sharp, 1736-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Joseph Clarke

Cosigned by George Campbell as Sitting Manager of the United States Lottery. Assigns care of Rhode Island State lottery tickets to Clark.

GLC01412.24

September 1, 1778

Powell, Jeremiah, 1714-1789

Letter signed

Title: to Selectmen of Newburyport

Written by Powell as President of the Massachusetts Bay Council, which was the upper house of the legislature when the General Court was in session to the selectmen of Newburyport, a northern coastal town. The president of the council was always the most senior member of the legislature. Warns of a British fleet sighted near Boston, said to consist of 15 capital ships and seven frigates. Wants to give notice to neighboring towns so they can prepare.

GLC01412.25

August 20, 1780

Phillips, Samuel, 1752-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Phillips Savage

Discusses the amount of saltpeter he has left in the refining house, mill, and other buildings. States that the amount of gun powder he can produce weekly is uncertain because it depends on weather and other circumstances.

GLC01412.26

May 29, 1775

Green, Robert, fl. 1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Cosigned by Mary Green. Says he has been in bad health for the past five weeks. Hopes to get better by the grace of God. Says their sister has a new daughter three months old. References a letter that came from several brothers and sisters. Hopes he will remember him to them all. Goes into his belief in faith and God. Says the country "Is In a uproar" and that "the peapel" have been taken "the kings forts" of Crown Point and Ticonderoga. Says the Revolutionaries have taken the shipping in the "Lake" - probably Champlain. Says they had a small fight with the regulars. The Revolutionaries…

GLC01412.31

May 28, 1775

Jewett, D., fl. 1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his son

A father writes to his son outside of Boston in the early stages of the siege. Relates that he just heard that "our Forces" march to Boston tomorrow. Was disposed to visit him in camp, but sends this letter instead. Sends his kindest regards and says his only daughter, Sally, is with him. Says she behaves well and is in good health. Says "She has not had one Turn of Hysterick-Disorder since she came." Includes some of her "broken Scrawls," but in a postscript says she tore it up to bits before he could include it. Will watch her as long as he remains at the front. Thanks God for his son's…

GLC01412.58

February 12, 1776

Langdon, Henry Sherburne, 1766-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Woodbury Langdon

Written by the ten-year-old son of Woodbury Langdon. Woodbury was elected to the New Hampshire assembly in 1774-1775, but then spent the next two years in England trying to recover a large sum he invested there. This letter was sent to England. Henry says that Doctor Brackett asked him to write and to ask for a watch, laced hat, sword, and pistol. Says he has been a good boy, attended school, minded his books, and been good to his mother, brothers, and sisters. Tells his father that he has a new little sister since he left. Says he is looking forward to seeing him. Signs his name "Henry…

GLC01412.59

October 25, 1775

Stanley, Edward H., fl. 1765-1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jelly and Stephen Watson

Recipients inferred from contents of the letter. Countersigned by William Goodwin, Mr. Norris, Henry Jelly, and Stephen Watson. Orders an account of every ship and vessel that has arrived at the port in Dover, England, from North America. Further orders the accounts to include the port from which the vessel has come, names of the master and owner(s), and any intelligence gathered. Also requests that an account be given for every vessel that is equipped from Dover to any part of North America. Written at the London Customs House.

GLC01412.63.03

August 2, 1782

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Henry Jackson

The recipient is inferred from contenets of the letter. Informs Col. Jackson that he has just received the New York newspaper with an enclosed letter of intelligence from him. States that he will send the letter and newspaper to the Commander in Chief.

GLC01412.63.04

May 10, 1777

Ridges, R., fl. 1777

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Samuel Purveyance

Requests a portion of shirts purchased by Purveyance for the Continental troops.

GLC01412.64.06

April 1, 1782

Bowen, Jabez, 1739-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Stevens

Bowen states that he has received a request from Stevens to supply rations to Rhode Island troops. Stevens is instructed to only answer orders from Bowen or Lieutenant Colonel Olney regarding supplies for troops. Jabez Bowen was Deputy-Governor of Rhode Island from 1778-1786.

GLC01412.64.09

January 2, 1781

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Stevens

Acknowledges his reception of the Quarter Master's receipt for Colonel Hazen's regiment. Written from "Garrison West Point."

GLC01412.64.10

May 6, 1782

Taylor, John, fl. 1744-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Livingston

Written by Colonel Taylor, commander of the 4th Hunterdon militia, to New Jersey Governor Livingston. Tells Livingston that the citizens of Brunswick have mounted a piece of artillery and have procured everything necessary for it. Says a company has also been formed and officers elected to command it. Encloses a certificate of their election (GLC01412.64.12.02). Says they ask the governor to grant a commission to Henry Lupp and if it is thought necessary to Peter Nessis. The company consists of 20 privates. Says "Give me leave to congratulate you Sir upon the present favourable appearance of…

GLC01412.64.12.01

October 19, 1880

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gen. John Ramsay

Grant expresses the hope that New Jersey will vote for Garfield and Arthur, and keep the Democrats out.

GLC01416

July 18, 1871

Agassiz, Louis, 1807-1873

Letter signed

Title: to William Claflin

Explains that the United States Coast Survey is attempting to "make us acquainted with the bottom of the Ocean, as thoroughly as we already are with the surface of the Earth." Requests a contribution of $20,000 from Massachusetts Governor Claflin to finance the preservation, for scientific purposes, of specimens discovered in the course of the surveys dredging and fishing along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

GLC01417

April 12, 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Gov. John Milton

Lee asks the Florida governor if the state could raise troops to defend Pensacola.

GLC01424

April 16, 1864

Hood, John Bell, 1831-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to K. Butts

Hood, commanding 2nd Corps of the Army of Tennessee, thanks Butts for a map of Georgia. Envelope addressed to Miss K. Butts of Macon, Georgia.

GLC01425

June 10, 1847

Hamlin, Hannibal, 1809-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jabez True

Informs True that he will probably not be nominated for county Sheriff. Discusses the political caucus debating nominations. Hamlin and others support True's candidacy, but believe that the "nomination for Shff for our county" will probably go to Chamberlain instead of True. Also discusses other nominations and upcoming elections. Excerpt: "…Stetson has done all that man could do and I have aided all in my power, but I must say that we now think the matter looks very doubtful –  We both fear that Chamberlain will be nominater, which justice requires, and we yet hope it will not be so…

GLC01429

October 9, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Governor John Milton

Writes as President of the Confederate States to the Governor of Florida about enforcing the Conscript Act in the state and encloses a copy of the instructions (not present). Addresses the issue of physically unfit men reporting for duty and directs that it is the duty of the mustering and inspecting officers to refuse them. Written to Milton in Tallahassee, Florida.

GLC01430.01

November 25, 1861

Garner, George Gibson, 1830-1877

Letter

Title: to John Milton

Garner (possibly Gardner), Assistant Adjutant General, writes from Head Quarters of the Department of Alabama and West Florida, near Pensacola. Replies to a letter from Milton, Governor of Florida. Relates that his commanding general, Braxton Bragg, "regrets that he has no guns Engineers or Artillery officers to spare, Every resourse he possesses is ... needed for the defence of this point, now menaced with formidable forces." Declines Milton's offer of cavalry. States that Lieutenant [G?] is discharged and on his way home. Marked as a copy.

GLC01430.02

November 7, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Milton

Discusses the defense of Florida. Has received Milton's letter requesting aid to Florida. Notes the need to defend Florida, but is unable to send troops. Will, however, send arms and officers. Written primarily in the hand of Davis' private secretary Burton Harrison, with a ten line addition in Davis's hand and signed by Davis.

GLC01430.03

January 8, 1861

Brown, Joseph Emerson, 1821-1894

Letter signed

Title: to Madison Starke Perry

Georgia Governor Brown writes to Florida Governor Perry about the importance of taking control of Pensacola, Florida. Acknowledges "that it will be regarded as a bold move, but it is better to look danger full in the face, than by inaction to give our enemies the advantage." Explains that it is "a key position" because "a strong Naval force there may control the commerce of the Gulf of Mexico" and that "its occupation by federal troops would place us in imminent danger." Marked private.

GLC01430.04

December 13, 1861

Blocker, Haley T., 1818-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Milton

Captain Blocker relates events of the capture of John Futch, Cicero Franklin, and L. S. Spright to Milton, Governor of Florida. States that after hearing that the prisoners were on the Island of St. George, he apprehended them at Porter's Bar, Florida (possibly located in or near Apalachicola Bay). Refers to an enclosed order (refer to GLC1430.05.01) issued by General Richard Ferdinand Floyd for their capture, based on the knowledge that they had the intent of misusing the Naval Blockade in Apalachicola, Florida. States "they have no visible means of support and are men of notorious bad…

GLC01430.05.02

April 14, 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ellen Caskie

Returns photographs that he has signed. Tells her to never hesitate to ask him for more. Thanks her for keeping his name out of the papers and requests that she "... ask the editors of the Despatch & Inquirer to cease quarelling over my name." Mentions the weakness of his eyes.

GLC01434