December 1, 1798

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

References Bourne's letter of 23 November 1798. Writes to Bourne, American Consul in Amsterdam. Says he does not have any recent information from America. Says stories on the yellow fever in the American newspapers are distressing, but otherwise the news is good. Says Congress adjourned on 1 December 1798, but he does not know what Elbridge Gerry told them after he returned from France after the XYZ affair in October 1798. Believes that no matter what Gerry said, it will not change American-French relations. Says "As long as they continue to treat neutrals much worse than their Enemies, it…

GLC05656

1787

Nicholson, James, 1737-1804

Pamphlet

Title: View of the Proposed Constitution of the United States [damaged p. 1]

Published by R. Aitken and Son. Stab-stitched into a slightly later paper cover.

GLC05665

circa May 10, 1785

Cooper, William, 1720-1809

Broadside signed

Title: Instructions from Boston to its Representatives in State Legislature

This document is a printed sheet with a manuscript note at top containing information and instructions about a meeting of those who represent the Town of Boston. The note concerns State Legislators and mentions John Hancock, Samuel Allyn Otis, Caleb Davis, Thomas Dawes, Samuel Breck, Benjamin Austin, and Benjamin Hitchborn. Annotated by William Cooper as Town Clerk. Docketed on verso.

GLC05666.01

30 June 1790

Huntington, Samuel, 1731-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Johnson

Thanks Doctor Johnson for his earlier letter and papers containing, ". . . directions by which persons in whom the vital powers are suspended either by natural causes or by accident may be restored to live." Tells Johnson he will exert himself to preserve the health and happiness of mankind, the citizens of Connecticut in particular. Docketed by Huntington as a copy. Contains numerous strikeouts.

GLC05586

12 May 1798

Cabot, George, 1752-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Williams

Cabot, former United States Senator, informs Williams that he "must decline the Secretaryship of the Navy; to this determination I was ultimately brought by a full conviction that I cou'd not go through the labor of an office so difficult ... in estimating the forces that cou'd be employed to overcome the obstacles in a path hitherto untrod in this country I assure you that my mind constantly resorted to you as the principle, & if I cou'd have been induced to take upon myself so weighty an engagement I shou'd have relied greatly upon your assistance in every part of the performance of it…

GLC05588.01

27 July 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Burgess Ball

President Washington discusses the construction of a tilt hammer. Relates that the United States Government may be interested in purchasing a tract of land from Ball, upon which to establish an arsenal. Discusses the character of Hyland Crow, who served as an overseer on Washington's Union Farm after Washington left to serve as President in 1789. Notes that if Ball hires Crow as an overseer on his own farm, he must be strict. Praises Crow's understanding of the farming business, but also received frequent reports of Crow's hasty temper, ill treatment, and frequent absence from his post.…

GLC05287

8 July 1796

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Marshall

Marked private. President Washington offers the Ministry of France to Marshall. Says it was necessary to recall Monroe, the current minister. Hopes he will accept the offer as soon as possible. Post script says he wants Marshall to see him when he goes to Philadelphia for the session of the Supreme Court. Ultimately, Marshall declined the offer. Washington was angry at Monroe's inability to control French rage over the Jay Treaty of 1795.

GLC05288

23 December 1795

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Carrington

Thanks him for earlier letters. Discusses official appointments. States that the Senate has denied the appointment of John Rutledge as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Informs that the Department of War is still unfilled and he is waiting for more information before he fills either appointment. Marked private on first page.

GLC05310

16 December 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

States he is stuck on the Susquehanna River because of low tide and bad winds. Takes the opportunity to discuss administration of the Provisional Army. Says War Department should only communicate with a concentrated military leadership, or else it will get bogged down in details. Says he is not the best person to contact about day to day military affairs because he will not personally lead the army unless an actual military engagement seems likely. He wants McHenry to communicate with General Thomas Pinckney, the commander in the south and with General Alexander Hamilton in the north. General…

GLC05319

1804

Duane, William John, 1780-1865

Pamphlet

Title: Report of a Debate in the Senate of the United States [12th Amendment]

Major changes in electoral process for Presidential and V.P. elections (twelfth amendment). Printed by William Duane.

GLC05325

12 August 1790

Sherman, Roger, 1721-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Huntington

Reports to the Governor of Connecticut about the actions of Congress in the most recent session. Encloses notes on the acts and laws passed (not present). Informs him of the provision for funding domestic debt and states that though both Houses agreed, it was not the favored decision of either. Remarks upon state debt, "The assumption of the State debts, will ease all the States of a burthen of direct taxation, and put the other branches of revenue under one direction." He also mentions the bills for defending the frontiers, regulating the Post Office, and ongoing negotiations with "…

GLC05282

February 12, 1788

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: balanced government under the Constitution

Adams mentions his Defence (just received by Rush) and writes "It is an opinion here that they [the volumes] contributed Somewhat to to restore permanent Tranquility to this Commonwealth, as well as Suppress the pestilent County Conventions, Insurrections and Rebellion." He continues to argue that balanced government is the only way to protect the laws and secure "Liberty, Property, Life and Character...." Adams also mentions Rush's expectation that he will have higher office, "[y]ou tell me my Labours are only beginning, Seven and Twenty years have I laboured in this rugged Vineyward and am…

GLC05289

January 22, 1791

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter signed

Title: to Sharp Delany

Instructions for commissioning a new revenue cutter for Delaware station, to be built on strict budget. Written from the Treasury Department. Addressed to Delany as Collector for Philadelphia.

GLC05299

circa May 1, 1805

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown [in French]

Letter possibly written to Armand Duplantier on May 1, 1805. No date indicated on document. Lafayette discusses lands he was granted in the Louisiana territory and the building of a brick factory. In reference to the factory, he mentions thirty enslaved individuals. The letter is a fragment.

GLC05315

19 July 1790

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Sends copies of "the act for establishing the...permanent seat of the government of the United States" in Washington, D.C. and an act providing for the payment of invalid pensioners (the actual copies are not included). The text of this letter is exactly the same as GLC04886, which is addressed to the President of New Hampshire Josiah Bartlett.

GLC07668

January 15, 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre C. L'Enfant

Requests a meeting to go over some papers Jefferson received from President Washington, so that the relationship between the commissioners superintending the building of Washington, D.C. and L'Enfant could be "entirely understood." L'Enfant designed the city of Washington. At the time of this meeting he was experiencing a falling out with the commissioners, and was dismissed from the project following month.

GLC07669

8 April 1783

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Whipple

Informs his brother that "The Treaties of Peace were sign'd," officially ending the American Revolution, and that "The British I suppose are preparing to leave our Territory." Indicates that soldiers will soon be coming home in need of employment. Joseph Whipple was William's only living brother (by blood), although it is possible that the addressee was a brother-in-law.

GLC07700

1808

Broadside

Title: 5000 American Seamen detained on board British vessels!

Alerts citizens to British impressment, American prisoners in France, "Algerine Piracy and Barbarity," and the relocation of American families to Canada, and blames it all on the Embargo Act of 1807. Urges "a hearty vote for the ANTI-EMBARGO and FEDERAL REPUBLICAN TICKET" in the election of 1808.

GLC07703

1789

Blois, A.J.E.R. de, fl. 1789

Autograph manuscript

Title: Gouvernement des Etats-Unis d'Amerique [in French]

French primer on American Democracy by member of Society of the Cincinnati, including discussion of U.S. and State Constitutions. Includes ALS (04/14/1808) addressed to Monsieur Le Prefet [in French], and an MDS (07/15/1825) detailing de Blois's military and civil service [4 p.].

GLC07688.01

12 May 1800

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

During the Quasi war with France, Major General Hamilton writes to the Superintendent of Military Stores Hodgdon, in anticipation of greater hostilities. Requests a supply of marquees and tents, as he plans to set out for camp at Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

GLC07539

1802-1822 ca.

Pinkney, William, 1764-1822

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Personal notebook re: various legal questions, case issues and diplomacy

Two items: notebook 252 p. oblong quarter in leather, discusses transaction of Louisiana and Florida, the Pinkney Family crest, and numerous legal cases; paperbound record book 20 p. Formerly the property of J.A. Soiecki, record book containing a biography of William Pinkney, ca. 1868.

GLC07602

5 May 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Stuart

Washington thanks Stuart for his observations on the fitness of the Potomac for the fur trade with China. Asks if Stuart has informed Colonel John Fitzgerald and Colonel Howe of his observations and inquires if he gave them reason to believe those ideas "would be recommended to Mr. Jefferson?" Washington also writes that he will soon journey to Philadelphia by way of Annapolis (to attend the Constitutional Convention). Discusses a debt owed to him by Stuart. Washington desires payment in bills that will not cause delay, because he wants to use the money to pay a debt and buy some goods.

GLC07546

1804

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson re: congratulations on Louisiana Purchase

GLC07560.02

1800-1820 ca.

Header Record

Title: Native American manuscripts re: Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Indians [Decimalized .01- .23]

This collection consists largely of correspondence and legal documents pertaining to Native Americans, particularly the Cherokee Nation. Topics include despoiled property (#9, 17, and 18); compensation (#6, 7, 8, and 21); the Treaty of 1805 (#11); and slaves (#2 and 3). Individuals who figure prominently into these papers include Return J. Meigs, A. (Andrew?) Jackson, John Riley, and Native Americans, such as Bird Doublehead, Leaf Doublehead, and Black Fox. Itemized inventory available.

GLC07562.03

March 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Fairfax

Before leaving Mount Vernon to serve his first term as President of the United States, Washington instructs Fairfax regarding management of the estate. States that all matters should ultimately be directed by his nephew, Major George Augustine Washington. Encourages Fairfax to manage Mount Vernon more diligently, stating "I have a very good opinion of your honesty, sobriety and industry, and now is the time to give me proofs of your capacity and skill." Laments the current condition of his manor, stating "it is idle and vain for me to attempt to stall feed any kind of Meats; when I have…

GLC07487