circa 1775-1783

Clarkson, Matthew, 1758-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Bradford

Note from Clarkson as aide-de-camp of General Benjamin Lincoln to Bradford as Commissary of Prisoners that says General Lincoln wants to see Bradford immediately. Letter dated August 2, but year cannot be inferred.

GLC01450.458.02

1 March 1782

Massachusetts House of Representatives

Broadside

Title: [Printed resolution of recruitment schedule]

Broadside says that the 4,240 troops apportioned on Massachusetts was not a sufficient quota to fill out the Massachusetts Line by nearly 1,000 men. Because of casualties and this shortage, the state needs to raise another 1,500 men for three years or the duration of the war. The schedule is broken down by county and further into the quota for each town. Totals provided for each county. Essex County is asked to provide the most with 232 recruits and Dukes County the least with 10 recruits. Resolves at the end of the document provides the details for the enlistments. The year "1780" is…

GLC01450.602.01

22 June 1781

Massachusetts House of Representatives

Printed document

Title: [Printed resolution on collection of clothing and blankets] [incomplete]

Asks that the selectmen of each town to collect from town inhabitants, or otherwise procure, the items listed in the resolution by 20 September 1781. The resolution calls for 8,000 shirts, 8,000 pairs of stockings, 8,000 pairs of shoes, and 4,000 blankets. Articles need to be shipped by 1 October 1781. Lists officials in various counties to spearhead the collection. Provides information on where counties should ship their items. If the items are not delivered, the counties will be fined and assessed the value of the items not shipped and billed for them. Breaks down number of items to be…

GLC01450.602.02

March 25, 1777

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Bowdoin requests assistance in writing a history of the present disputes. Reports the American people "continue spirited & determined." Complains "the English now in America seem to have lost all that humanity for which they were justly famed."

GLC01791.02

June 27, 1769

Macaulay, Catharine, 1731-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sophronia

Draft of letter commenting on Sophronia's sentiments of public liberty. She looks forward to future correspondence and publications from America relative to the present dispute.

GLC01797.01.02

1 June 1780

Sartine, Antoine de, comte d'Alby, 1729-1801

Manuscript document signed

Title: Copie de la lettre ecrite par M de Sartine a M. le Cte de Grasse [in French]

Copy of a letter informing de Grasse that his orders are being transmitted. The instructions are listed in GLC04322.02. Expectes de Grasse to accept this command, assuming he is in good health.

GLC04322.01

8 June 1780

Sartine, Antoine de, comte d'Alby, 1729-1801

Manuscript document signed

Title: Memoire du Roi pour servir d'instruction particuliere a M. le Cte. de Grasse [in French]

Copy of orders sent to Admiral de Grasse. Orders state that he is to replace Comte de Guichen as the French naval commander. Also state that he is to remain in Newport, Rhode Island and protect the French squadron under Rochambeau. By the time de Grasse had received these orders he had already returned to France with Guichen. He quickly returned to America, and later played a vital role in the American victory at Yorktown. This copy was most likely intended to be distributed to de Grasse's subordinates.

GLC04322.02

31 August 1781

Monteil, Adhemar, Marquis de, 1725-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to François Joseph Paul comte de Grasse [in French]

Monteil's retained copy of a letter discussing personal matters with de Grasse, and suggesting a subordinate for a promotion. Written just after the French fleet arrived in Virginia. Written on board Monteil's ship, the Languedoc, in the Chesapeake Bay.

GLC04322.03

13 October 1781

Monteil, Adhemar, Marquis de, 1725-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to François Joseph Paul comte de Grasse [in French]

Complains about de Grasse rejecting his proposal for a detached action near Chesapeake Bay. Also complains of de Grasse's favoritism towards Admiral Bougainville during the Battle of the Virginia Capes. Charges that de Grasse is not aggressive enough against the English. This is Monteil's retained copy. Written on board Monteil's ship, the Languedoc, in the Chesapeake Bay.

GLC04322.04

14 October 1781

Grasse, François Joseph Paul de Grasse, Comte de, 1722-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Adhemar Marquis de Monteil [in French]

Rejects Monteil's complaints from a previous letter (GLC04322.04). Written on board de Grasse's ship, the Ville de Paris, in Chesapeake Bay.

GLC04322.05

15 December 1781

Vaughn, John Crawford, 1824-1875

Letter signed

Title: to François Joseph Paul comte de Grasse [in French]

Discusses arrangements for Monteil to leave the fleet and the personnel changes this will entail. Written on board the Ville de Paris near "St. Lucie," the French name for Saint Lucia.

GLC04322.06

19 December 1781

Monteil, Adhemar, Marquis de, 1725-1787

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henri César Marquis de Castellane Majastre [in French]

Monteil justifies the actions he has taken during his argument with Comte de Grasse. Complains about de Grasse's actions, especially at the Battle of Virginia Capes. Written on board the Ardent, the ship onto which Monteil was demoted, in the "Canal de Ste. Lucie." St. Lucie was the French name for St. Lucia.

GLC04322.07

January 23, 1782

Grasse, François Joseph Paul de Grasse, Comte de, 1722-1788

Manuscript letter

Title: to Adhemar Marquis de Monteil [in French]

Responding to a letter from Monteil. Sarcastically informs Monteil that the he will command the Ardent and no other ship. Expresses surprise at Monteil's complaints. Denies Monteil's accusation that he intended to publicly humiliate him. Written the same day the French fleet set sail from Saint Kitts to engage Admiral Hood's fleet. The next day Monteil's failure to follow de Grasse's orders allowed Hood to outmaneuver de Grasse's fleet in what would later prove to be a pivotal action. Because of this maneuver, Hood would be able to join Admiral Rodney, and later defeat the French fleet…

GLC04322.08

February 15, 1782

Grasse, François Joseph Paul de Grasse, Comte de, 1722-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Adhemar Marquis de Monteil [in French]

Informs Monteil that he will not be allowed to command a ship other than the Ardent. Tells Monteil he can return to France as a passenger aboard another ship commanded by Admiral Barras if he would prefer. Written on board the Ville de Paris, near Saint Kitts.

GLC04322.09

February 15, 1782

Grasse, François Joseph Paul de Grasse, Comte de, 1722-1788

Manuscript letter

Title: to Adhemar Marquis de Monteil [in French]

Informs Monteil that he will not be allowed to command a ship other than the Ardent. Tells Monteil he can return to France as a passenger aboard another ship commanded by Admiral Barras if he would prefer. Written on board the Ville de Paris, near Saint Kitts. A retained copy identical to GLC04322.09.

GLC04322.10

19 May 1779

Estaing, Charles Henri, comte d', 1729-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Davat [in French]

Regarding a sailor. Written aboard the Languedoc.

GLC07282.01

27 October 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Landon Carter

Signed twice by Washington. Discusses his campaign, the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Red Bank and Saratoga, and the danger of being captured. "at the same time that I assure you, that, It is not my wish to avoid any danger which duty requires me to encounter I can as confidently add, that it is not my intention to run unnecessary risques." On the Battle of Germantown: "After driving the Enemy from their Incampment - possessing their ground - and being, as we thought, upon the point of grasping victory, it was snatched from us....a very heavy atmostphere [sic], aided by the smoke of…

GLC07115.01

9 October 1778

Document signed

Title: [Return of Captain Simon Edgel's Company]

Possibly for Edgel's Framingham, Massachusetts Company. States that Edgel's Company is part of Colonel Jacob's Regiment, possibly referring to John Jacobs. Includes a chart indicating different positions held within the company, but no numbers are indicated.

GLC01450.219.02

circa 1777

Clapp, Jonathan, ?-1815

Document signed

Title: The commissary for the Northern department to the Officers of Major Clapp's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia

Date inferred due to this document's similarity to GLC01450.435.01. Lists officers' names, rank, days in service, and ration allowance, among other items. Clapp signs at the bottom of the page, certifying that "the several Officers above named actually served under my Command in the Northern Department agreeable to the several ranks and time above mentioned during which time they have drawn no more Provisions from the Publick stores than what is given Credit for in the foregoing Ration Accounts." Requests the recipient to pay Quarter Master Benjamin Clapp for the cost of rations.

GLC01450.435.02

4 June 1776

Wyer, William, fl. 1776

Document signed

Title: [List of expenses regarding the construction of a fort at Plum Island]

Lists expenses for such items as sugar, an apprentice, pork, and labor. Docket states "Capt Wyers Bill Settled part."

GLC01450.459.01

7 June 1776

Moody, John, 1750-?

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for the payment of John Moody]

Captain William Coombs and others on a Newburyport committee pay Moody for work completed in May and June 1776 related to the construction of a fort on Plum Island. Moody receives payment for such items as work with oxen (used to haul timber), bushels of corn, and hay for oxen. Moody attests that the sums listed have been paid in full. Docket states "Jn Moodys Bill part."

GLC01450.459.02

June 1776

Coombs, William, 1736-1814

Document signed

Title: [Receipt regarding Captain Edward Wiggleworth]

Possibly created in Newburyport. Coombs signs for a list of expenses for items such as travel and overnight lodging. States that he received the amount cited for Captain Wiggleworth. Docket states "Captain Wiggleworths Bill."

GLC01450.459.03

20 February 1775

Greenleaf, Jonathan, 1723-1807

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt for Jonathan Greenleaf]

Receipt for Jonathan Greenleaf from town of Newburyport, "for fourteen days travel and attendance at Congress at Cambridge." Verso signed by Greenleaf, stating payment was received.

GLC01450.460.01

February 21, 1777

Manuscript document

Title: [Receipt for Moses Nowell]

Receipt for Moses Nowell from Town of Newburyport for provisioning workmen.

GLC01450.460.02

September 7, 1776

Marsh, Jonathan, ?-1825

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Price

Marsh orders Price to inform all eligible voters to meet and vote on whether to allow the state to use the town's cannons. Letter signed by Greenleaf, Marsh and Little as the selectmen of Newburyport. Verso signed by Price, and states he has informed the townspeople.

GLC01450.460.03