1798/04/10

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter

Title: to Earl of Stanhope

Explains to Stanhope the various reasons that his canal system will be so profitable. Argues that it will speed transportation and increase commerce. Says that it will earn an extra 84 million sterling per year for France if they replace their roads with his canals and that the country will need only to tax shipping to make money. Also argues for the freedom of trade, claiming that if each country produces only what it does best this will force them all to trade freely and fairly and even bring an end to all wars. He closes by saying "superior riches is only to be found in home…

GLC04661.02

1798/04/14

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Earl of Stanhope

Writes that all wars are a waste of money and labor. Improving a country's infrastructure is the best use of these funds and energy, through projects such as his canals. He estimates just how much the canals would save England. Fulton comments: "Manual labor is true riches...There is not true policy but that which tends to multiply the produce of labor and increase the conveniences of life."

GLC04661.03

1814/09/04

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Commission of Winfield Scott as Major General during the War of 1812]

This document is a record of the commission of Winfield Scott. It is signed by Madison as president and countersigned by James Monroe as secretary of state. The promotion was a brevet "for his distinguished services in the successive Conflicts of Chippewa & Niagara, and for his uniform gallantry and good conduct as an officer." The document is partially printed. It is encased in mylar and mounted.

GLC04735

1804/07/17

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Uriah Tracy

Adams writes about the possibility of an amendment against slavery, the fact that the House of Representatives represents freemen, and discusses the New York elections.

GLC04754

1793/02/27

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Printed document signed

Title: [Two signed acts of the second Congress on one page]

Two acts of Congress, the first repeals a law that placed duties on imported livestock, the second providing compensation to families of two soldiers "killed by the said Indians." Signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State.

GLC04722

1808/09/08

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: railing against narrow, selfish spirit of parties; Napoleon

Also mentions Spain, religion, and the Louisiana Claims.

GLC04756

1788 ca.

Manuscript document

Title: Proposed amendments to the Constitution

This document, in a contemporary hand, compiles and compares the proposals of several states. Many of the proposals are in the form substantially used in the Bill of Rights.

GLC04770

1794/04/02

Bradford, William, 1755-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox re: considering constitutionality of a Pennsylvania Act

GLC04772.01

1788/03/15

Dane, Nathan, 1752-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to S[amuel?] Holten re: ratification of the Constitution

GLC04772.03

1797/11/14

Jackson, William, 1759-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sharp Delany re: returning equipment used in surveying

Written from the Surveyor's Office. Jackson signed the Constitution as Secretary of the Convention. In one of his last acts as President, Washington appointed Jackson surveyor of customs at Philadelphia.

GLC04842.25

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

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

1787/12/21

Ingersoll, Jared, fl. 1787-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jasper Yeates re: inquiry as to legal practices in Orphans Court

GLC04842.24

1794/01/28

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Hall re: land deals, expecting land office closure and rising prices

GLC04842.32

1786/06/03

Pinckney, Charles C., fl. 1746-1825

Autograph document signed

Title: Case. [Legal opinion on a bankruptcy case]

A closely reasoned opinion in a bankruptcy case which considers English and common law.

GLC04842.34

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

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

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

1789/06/01

Otis, Samuel A., 1740-1814

Document signed

Title: First act of Congress. Act to regulate certain oaths, to support Constitution

Printed act of Congress setting the form of oath: "I, A.B. do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States." Certified and Co-signed by Samuel A. Otis as Secretary of the Senate and John Beckley as Clerk of the House.

GLC04856

1789/05/20

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Wilson re: Wilson's role in ratifying Constitution, appointment

Wayne congratulates Wilson on the adoption of the Federal Constitution: "permit me to add that it was to a display of the perfect knowledge you entertained, & the plain elucidation you gave of the components of the System, which caused it to be approved by the [Ratification] Convention of Penna being the first that met...." Also congratulates Wilson on being appointed to the Chief Justiceship of the US (sic), and seeks a judicial appointment for himself.

GLC04865