14 October 1783

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Document signed

Title: [Certificate of capture]

Written by Jackson as Colonel of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment (he was breveted a Brigadier General on 30 September 1783). Countersigned by Thomas Ivers, Massachusetts State Treasurer on verso. Note on verso written by Major Moses Ashley on 12 January 1784. Jackson certifies the capture of Asa Whitney, William Powell, and Nathan Smith (alias Wait), deserters from the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, by Ashley. Says Ashley is entitled to the reward for their captured. Note on verso is a reminder to the government "to pay what I am entitled to." There are several dockets, one of which says the…

GLC01412.46

12 March 1788

Martin, Peter, fl. 1778

Document signed

Title: [Receipt acknowledging funds]

Co-signed by John Delka. Martin and Delka were exchanged prisoners returning to South Carolina. Document is a receipt acknowledging Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress, had lent them sixty dollars for their trip home.

GLC01412.64.04

5 May 1785

Irvine, James, 1735-1819

Printed document signed

Title: [Order to pay General Arthur St. Clair two pounds and seven pence]

Partially printed document in which Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council orders payment for one year's interest on St. Clair's depreciation certificate, due 10 April 1784. Signed by Irving as V.P. An autograph note on the verso signed by "I.S. Carnahan" indicates that the payment was received in full from the treasurer, David Rittenhouse. Countersigned by John Nicholson, Robert Morris's financial partner

GLC01412.64.07

1783-1815

Harrison, Benjamin, 1726-1791

Free frank

Title: to Jonathan Hudson or Benjamin Levy

This is the address leaf for a letter sent by Benjamin Harrison, a Virginian Continental Congressman and Declaration of Independence signer, to Jonathan Hudson or Benjamin Levy, merchants in Baltimore. It was sent using a free frank under Harrison's signature, which has partial text loss. Faint postmark includes the word "Phila" and the month "August." No year could be ascertained.

GLC01412.65

April 30, 1808

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to William Pinkney

Discusses congressional proceedings, foreign affairs, the Chesapeake affair, British and French aggression, and the Embargo Act of 1807. A portion of the letter has been written in code and is translated in another hand. Letter signed as Secretary of State. Pinkney was the U.S. Minister to Great Britain.

GLC01191

January 2, 1801

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Boylston Adams

Docketed on page 4. Written as President to his son about the Convention with France which averted war. Adams quotes from jurist Vattell and mentions Grotius and Pufendorf. Also, The Law of Nations (book by Emer de Vattell).

GLC01204

July 9, 1813

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Armstrong

Harrison makes an urgent request to the Secretary of War Armstrong for medical supplies to be sent to Cleveland, Ohio. Also asks that all liquor shipments be sent with a "dry-barrel" because "Experience has long since convinced all those in the western Country" that it is the only way to prevent its plunder. Letter written during the Siege of Fort Meigs. Numbered "No. 72."

GLC01193

February 12, 1783

Armstrong, John, Jr. 1758-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Searle

Armstrong writes to Searle, a fellow Pennsylvania politician, to relate personal news. He complains about political infighting and expresses his hopes for treaty negotiations in Europe and the possibility of peace. Address leaf separated.

GLC01221.01

December 31, 1793

Clarkson, Matthew, 1733-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Nicholson

Letter written by Clarkson, the mayor of Philadelphia, to Nicholson, a famous land speculator, as comptroller general of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He references Nicholson's letter from December 26, 1793. Says he has passed its contents on to the "Committee for the relief of the poor & distressed Citizens" who have been suffering from the "malignant disorder" - yellow fever. They accepted it with thanks and "will cheerfully undertake the distribution thereof as comfortably to your wishes as possible." Small hole where seal was removed. Paper has a watermark.

GLC01221.03

15 August 1797

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Printed document signed

Title: [Land share certificate for Moses Levy in Pennsylvania Property Company]

Partially printed certificate signed by Robert Morris, certifying that Levy owns ten shares in the Pennsylvania Property Co. Also signed by Garrett Cottinger, Thomas Fitzsimons, and Joseph Ball.

GLC01221.05

April 1, 1796

Smith, Thomas, 1745-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Smith

Thomas Smith writes in detail about accounts to be collected (while he is on the judicial circuit) interspersed with family news. He comments on Revolutionary War certificates: "I think I can make more by buying Certificates while they continue so low at present...for I am buying only to sell again." There are some notes on page 2.

GLC01221.06

April 28, 1785

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Trumbull

Mentions Trumbull's M'Fingal, a poem styled on Hudibras, the great poem by Butler concerning the English Civil Wars. Also discusses the desire for a national poem.

GLC01228

1786

Paine, Thomas, 1725-1802

Pamphlet

Title: Dissertations on government, the affairs of the bank and paper money

8vo; Howe P18, Sabin 58221, Evans 19880, NUC NP0023152A defense of the infant Bank of the US.

GLC01235

2 April 1795

Mifflin, Thomas, 1744-1800

Document signed

Title: [Pennsylvania land grant to William Lane]

Partially printed land patent counter-signed by JamesTrimble as Deputy Secretary and witnessed by Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Mifflin. Lane obtained the land, called "Oatland" in Bald Eagle township, from Isaiah Davis. The document describes the specific boundaries of the tract, the sale of which was orchestrated through 1793 and 1794. A note signed by Matthew Irvin on the verso indicates that the patent was recorded in the state records on 20 April 1795. Large star shaped paper seal on top left corner.

GLC01244

July 21, 1801

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to David Lenox

One letter addressed to David Lenox from James Madison (serving as Secretary of State at the time) dated July 21, 1801. Pertains to two seamen detained in British ships of war. The seamen are identified as Nathaniel Heard and David, a Black man enslaved by a merchant named Lowndes. Lowndes had written for special attention to be paid to the situation.

GLC01124

29 May 1795

Paterson, William, 1745-1806

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Bench notes on the Whiskey Rebellion trial, United State v. John Barnet]

Supreme Court Justice Paterson's notes prepared while sitting as a judge of U.S. Circuit Court. Paterson's notes contain a detailed record of the rebellion and a discussion of the legal definition of treason, which this case helped to shape. Barnett was among several rebels tried for treason for participating in the Whiskey Rebellion. He was acquitted.

GLC01114

February 23, 1813

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Bigelow

Letter written aboard the U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides), Boston Harbor. Bainbridge expresses pleasure in hearing of a vote of appreciation for the Constitution's victory over the British frigate H.M.S. Java. "To merit and receive the appreciation of our Country is our highest ambition, and is the greatest stimulus we can receive in the exertion of our duty." Letter addressed to Bigelow as the speaker of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

GLC01125

1793

Bigelow, Timothy, 1739-1790

Pamphlet signed

Title: An Act for regulating and governing the militia of the commonwealth of Massachusetts

Contains the laws and rules for the Massachusetts militia. Signed "Capt. Thomas Bigelow" on the cover. Published by Adams and Larkin, "Printers to the Honorable General Court." An "additional militia law" of 24 February 1796 is bound in at the close of the volume.

GLC01125.02

28 August 1789

J. Dunlap and D.C. Claypoole, 1784-1790

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania packet, and daily advertiser. [No. 3300 (August 28, 1789)]

Prints seventeen proposed amendments to the Constitution. Reports on activities in the House of Representatives and news from around the country and Europe. Contains many advertisements.

GLC01129

December 18, 1792

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elliot & Williams

Wayne pleads for supplies (particularly flour), decrying with great urgency having "been frequently without provisions" and claiming that "There must have been some fatal neglect or error somewhere." Elliot & Williams were suppliers for the army. Legionville was a camp in western Pennsylvania used by General Wayne during the Indian Wars of the Old Northwest.

GLC01141

July 17, 1787

Jones, John Paul, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jean Crevecoeur

Jones, noted for his leadership in both the American and Russian navies, encloses a separate letter (not included) for Crevecoeur, French consul in New York. Relates that he recently returned to New York from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the company of General St. Claire (possibly Arthur St. Claire, Governor of the Northwest Territory). States that he repaid a loan from Crevecoeur through Mrs. Ellsworth, and transmits a letter (not included) from Mrs. Ellsworth to Crevecoeur. States "I have the pleasure to make you my compliments on your being nominated (at my request) by the President to…

GLC01145

April 18, 1785

Gage, Thomas, 1718-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Simpson

Written by General Gage on the 10th anniversary of his orders which started the American Revolution to Simpson as a former Captain in the 44th Regiment of Foot. Gage is responding to a letter from Simpson. Says he remembers Peter Butler of the 44th Regiment well. Says he was sober and well behaved man and that the indiscretion that has brought distress to his old age must have come from ignorance. Says General Leslie is a friend to old soldiers and that he will offer to do something for Butler. Wishes to be remembered to Moneypenny. Says not many of their old friends are still alive. Mentions…

GLC01146

19 April 1784

United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles

Document signed

Title: Report on lagging attendence at Congress, recommendations

Recommends that the state appoint more representatives to Congress.

GLC01153

30 April 1802

Austin, Moses, fl. 1802-1819

Autograph document signed

Title: Promissory note to James Finley

Austin promises to pay $21.50 for John Gillispey and $53 for Abraham Armstrong

GLC01168

23 July 1800

McKean, Thomas, 1734-1817

Document signed

Title: [Land grant to Isaac Wharton, David Lewis and others]

Partially printed document grants a parcel of land called "Stephen's Green," in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania to Wilhem Willink, Nicholaas Van Staphorft, Hendrick Vollenhove, Rutger Jan Schimmelpennicnck, Chriftiaan Van Eeghen, and Pieter Stadnifki. McKean signed as governor of Pennsylvania. Endorsed on verso by T. Matlock W. R. with seal of office.

GLC01245