16 October 1778

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Congressional resolution denying the flag of truce to British Peace Commissioners]

Denies the use of flags of truce to "nefarious" British peace commissioners who abused the privilege to disseminate "under the sanction of a Flag certain seditious Papers under the name and title of Manifestoes...with a view to stir up dissentious animosities and Rebellions among the goode Popele of these States."

GLC04805

January 30, 1776

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797

Autograph letter

Title: to John Page

Lee, a Virginia delegate to the first Continental Congress, reports on the reception and failure of the Olive Branch Petition (an attempt to broker peace with England after the outbreak of the American Revolution but prior to the Declaration of Independence). Also discusses raising an army, sending newspapers, and a potential military appointment. Page was a Virginia politician and military officer.

GLC04806

24 November 1777

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roger Sherman

Discusses the surrender of John Burgoyne, Cornwallis' movements, and the loss of Red Bank, among other activities in the Revolutionary War. Also mentions international relations and naval activities. Supports the Articles of Confederation, comments on the need for the states to compromise with each other, and discusses other issues pertaining to the formation of the United States. With a long signed postscript that updates his comments on the war.

GLC04808

1775

Russell, Ezekiel, 1743-1796

Broadside

Title: Bloody Butchery by the British Troops [First printing]

Printed and sold by Ezekial Russell. Printed broadside in three columns with woodcut mourning borders and two rows of forty woodcut coffins (each captioned with the name of an American casualty). Detailed narrative of battles at Lexington and Concord. References: Evans 13898; Ford, Massachusetts Broadsides 1792; Streeter, American Beginnings 41; Winslow, American Broadside Verse 28.

GLC04810

23 June 1782

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Livingston, then Secretary of Foreign Affairs, notes on the benefits of the British surrender at Fort St. Phillips. Comments on the "distrusts and jealousies between Spain and the People of the Country," discussing disruptions to the Havana trade and the surrender of the Bahamas to Spain. Suggests that it is strange that the Dutch United Provinces acknowledged American sovereignty before Spain. In regard to military activities, mentions the rejection of British General Alexander Leslie's proposal to General Nathanael Greene for a cessation of hostilities. Comments on the strengthening of…

GLC04814

22 August 1775

Lynch, Thomas, 1749-1779

Document signed

Title: Receipt for 50 pounds

Partially printed. Provided by South Carolina as legal compensation for an executed slave belonging to Lynch's father, Thomas Sr.

GLC04815

October 31 1774

Dawe, Philip, fl. 1750-1785

Print

Title: The Bostonian's Paying the Excise-man, or Tarring & Feathering

Engraving attributed to Philip Dawe, with hand-coloring. Shows the Boston Tea Party in the background, a "Liberty Tree" with a paper "Stamp Act" affixed upside-down, with five unsavory Bostonians forcibly pouring a pot of tea into the mouth of a tarred and feathered tea excise collector. Printed for Robert Sayer and J. Bennett, October 24, 1774. Dawe was a British mezzotint engraver.

GLC04961.01

1772

Bowles, Carington, 1724-1793

Print

Title: The Young sweep in love, or the house-maid's conquest [mezzotint with color]

Mezzotint printed by Carrington Bowles, 7th May 1772. Depicts a short and filthy chimney-sweep embracing a house-maid, while an obscured figure watches in the background (and puts food in his mouth). The poetry appears to be a parody of Dryden's "Alexander's Feast."

GLC04961.02

1772

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Book

Title: [The Holy Bible; inscribed by Benjamin Rush].

Presented by him to his daughter, Ann Emily Rush.

GLC04998.01

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

August 12, 1776

Williams, William, 1731-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jabez Huntington

Summarizes affairs in first weeks of independence. Opens by commenting on his arduous journey to Philadelphia to join the Continental Congress. Informs that Silas Deane has arrived from France with the report of the French court's unfavorable reception of the American request for aid. Discusses the Declaration and comments that it has spurred the colonies to form governments. Informs that South Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey have established them and indicates who these colonies have chosen or might choose for governors. Mentions John Alsop, a Continental Congress member from New…

GLC04867

circa 1781-1782

Hanson, John, 1715-1783

Printed document signed

Title: [Congressional certificate authorizing vessels to engage in military activity]

Signed below seal by John Hanson. Countersigned by Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. Contains blank spaces designated for the name of commander and vessel, the vessel's weight and type, and the number of men on board. Created to authorize vessels (possibly privateers) to "set forth ... in a warlike manner ... to attack, subdue, seize, and take all ships and other vessels, goods, wares and merchandizes, belonging to the King or Crown of Great Britain ..." Features paper seal.

GLC04870

February 24, 1797

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carlos Martinez de Yrujo

One letter from Timothy Pickering to Carlos Martinez de Yrujo, Spanish Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States, dated February 24, 1797. Pickering wrote in his role as Secretary of State, in a matter related to ships and a treaty between Spain and the United States. "The Secretary of State takes the liberty to inclose the forms of sea-letters now given to vessels of the United States, one of which may be adopted and translated into Spanish, if the Chevalier de Yrujo has no form annexed to the copy of the treaty between Spain and the United States in his possession. The Secretary prays…

GLC10129

Circa 1790

Object

Title: Commemorative medal

GLC01997.02.01

1972

Smith, Paul Hubert. fl. 1931-

Book

Title: English Defenders of American Freedoms 1774-1778 Six Pamphlets Attacking British Policy

GLC01784.03

1793

Object

Title: half cent coin

GLC01997.02.02

1793

Object

Title: Penny

GLC01997.02.03

Circa 1873

Unknown

Book

Title: Index to Knox Manuscripts

GLC02437.10738

1782

Hicks, Elias, fl. 1782

Book signed

Title: The select works of William Penn. vol 1

Each inscribed on a front flyleaf by Elias Hicks: "Elias Hicks his Book / Price of the 5 Volumes L2 16 s. 9d. / ye 1st of 5th Mo. 1783." Third edition, volumes 1, 4 and 5. Printed in London by James Philips.

GLC08573.01

1782

Hicks, Elias, fl. 1782

Book signed

Title: The select works of William Penn. vol 4

Each inscribed on a front flyleaf by Elias Hicks: "Elias Hicks his Book / Price of the 5 Volumes L2 16 s. 9d. / ye 1st of 5th Mo. 1783." Third edition, volumes 1, 4 and 5. Printed in London by James Philips.

GLC08573.02

1782

Hicks, Elias, fl. 1782

Book signed

Title: The select works of William Penn. vol 5

Each inscribed on a front flyleaf by Elias Hicks: "Elias Hicks his Book / Price of the 5 Volumes L2 16 s. 9d. / ye 1st of 5th Mo. 1783." Third edition, volumes 1, 4 and 5. Printed in London by James Philips.

GLC08573.03

1778-1784

Book

Title: Journals of Congress v.3

Vols 3, 9 and 10 were printed by Dunlap while vols.5 and 7 were printed by Claypoole. All are uniformly bound in quarter leather with marbled paper boards.

GLC03672.02.01

1778-1784

Book

Title: Journals of Congress v. 5

Vols 3, 9 and 10 were printed by Dunlap while vols.5 and 7 were printed by Claypoole. All are uniformly bound in quarter leather with marbled paper boards.

GLC03672.02.02

1778-1784

Book

Title: Journals of Congress v. 7

Vols 3, 9 and 10 were printed by Dunlap while vols.5 and 7 were printed by Claypoole. All are uniformly bound in quarter leather with marbled paper boards.

GLC03672.02.03