1775-1776

Aitken, Robert, 1735-1802

Magazine

Title: The Pennsylvania magazine, or, American monthly museum.

Nearly complete run, edited in part by Thomas Paine. Total of 13 issues from January to December 1775 (12 issues plus one supplement), January 1776, February 1776 (incomplete with facsimile cover) and March 1776. Two additional issues for April and May 1776 are supplied in photocopy facsimile. (There is one facsimile copy of February 1776.) The famous poem of slave Phillis Wheatley to George Washington is contained in the April 1776 issue (facsimile). Ex-lib marks of Enoch Pratt Library and Newburyport Library.

GLC06466

28 November 1775

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Contracting Thomas Mumford of New London, Connecticut to acquire 50 tons of gunpowder for colonies]

Signed by Benjamin Franklin, Josiah Bartlett, Francis Lewis, Samuel Ward and Thomas Willing, all as members of a Committee of Secrecy appointed by the "honble. the Continental Congress..." Also signed by Thomas Mumford. Lays out the terms for the procurement and transaction.

GLC06401

6 August 1781

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Letter signed

Title: to Charles Dumas

Written shortly after his appointment as one of five commissioners to negotiate peace with England, Franklin complains about the limited assistance the Netherlands had given the United States during the American Revolution. Referring to the Dutch Revolution he notes: "[F]or tho' it was formerly in the same situation with us, and was glad of assistance from other nations, it does not seem to feel for us or to have the least inclination to help us." Also cites a comparison of Holland to a shop, commenting "I begin to think it has no other Principles or Sentiments but those of a Shopkeeper."…

GLC06402

13 August 1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Webb

Discusses his resignation, French forces, and American troops. Says there have been "marches and counter marches, evolutions and revolutions of different kinds," since Webb left. Reports on British movements, which seem to be "without meaning or intention." Prepares for the arrival of French troops and Comte de Rochambeau, but is not optimistic. Says his own forces are weak. "Happy as a prince" now that he has resigned as Quarter Master General. Felt Congress, which he calls "a strange set of men," was making unreasonable demands of his office, and resigned without asking their…

GLC06403

9 October 1775

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Wooster

Directing Brigadier General Wooster's troops to build batteries on the highlands of Hudson (North) River as per General Schuyler's commands.

GLC06404

26 June 1779

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Colonel Lee, a Continental Congressman, discusses politics with Whipple, who was in Congress in Philadelphia. Of Virginia, states "We have neither wicked ... or foolish Politicians here, whose misconduct makes us fear for the safety of our country. I have frequently admired the philosophic ease with which you have contemptuously viewed proceedings in Congress that Town shocked me exceedingly." Mentions Samuel Adams's departure from Congress. Requests that Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee, order several frigates into the Chesapeake Bay stating "The Confederacy & the Boston can…

GLC06411

17 April 1781

Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, 1730-1794

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Written by Major General von Steuben to Jefferson as Governor of Virginia. Says General Mitchell will present a list of men now under General Muhlenberg and report on who is about to leave. Mitchell will also communicate von Steuben's defensive plans for Virginia. Says his plan will require at least the number of men he has already requested. Reports that Colonel Armand's corps has returned and that General Muhlenberg is almost without calvary.

GLC06424

24 June 1782

Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de, 1725-1807

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Harrison

Informs Harrison that the French troops will soon be marching North out of Virginia. After aiding in the American victory at Yorktown, French forces had wintered in Virginia. Plans to leave behind a small French force under "Mr. De La Valette, Brigadier General" until American forces can replace them and defend York and Hampton. Suggests Colonel Charles Dabney's forces be assigned this task. Thanks Harrison for his hospitality. Says he has enclosed a letter from George Washington on these subjects. Docket reads "Count Rochambeau June 24 1782. See Gen Washington May 4 1782." The…

GLC06632

12 August 1775

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Written by Lee as commander of the left wing of the army besieging Boston to Morris as a member of Pennsylvania Council of Safety, with special assignments to procure arms and ammunition. Written on Winter Hill, which is part of modern day Somerville, Massachusetts. Says Morris should not feel the need to apologize for offering recommendations since he has put a "load of jobbs" on Morris. Says the army is in need of medical personnel and that the talents of the draftsman Mr. Lakes are much appreciated. Can use more people like him. Reports they are in the same situation as the last time he…

GLC06645.01

15 November 1775 - 5 July 1778

Kemble, Stephen, 1740-1822

Header Record

Title: [Orderly books of American Loyalist]

Lieutenant Colonel Kemble, an American Loyalist related by marriage to Thomas Gage, served as chief of intelligence under William Howe and (briefly) Henry Clinton. He eventually gave up his position to Major John Andre. Locations include Boston, Halifax, New York, White Plains, and Philadelphia, among others. The books, kept in British Army headquarters, record information relating to the occupation of Boston, New York and Philadelphia, as well as the battles of White Plains and Monmouth, and the captures of Fort Washington and Lee. Kemble recorded not only copies of Howe's and Clinton's…

GLC06668

6 September 1780

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Hamilton, aide-de-camp to Washington, expresses his disgust with General Horatio Gates' disastrous defeat and consequent flight from the Battle of Camden, South Carolina on 16 August 1780. Gates retired in disgrace after Camden, but was cleared two years later by a Congressional inquiry.

GLC06671

16 March 1778

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown [in French]

Indicates that he will approve his correspondent's expenditures, but urges him not to spend too much. Notes that their will be a packet of letters for France in Boston for his correspondent to pick up before his journey, and another packet in eight days. Encourages his correspondent to return in July and see General Washington amidst all his achievements." Written while Lafayette was planning the ill-fated second invasion of Canada during the American Revolution.

GLC06676

9 February 1781

Bee, Thomas, 1725-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Bee writes as a Continental Congressman from South Carolina with news of the American victory in the state (most likely the Battle of Cowpens, 17 January 1781). Also informs that the troops are very low on supplies. Mentions that Benedict Arnold is in Virginia, that Hessians are at Charleston and that North Carolina has been unresponsive to appeals for aid. Also mentions British General Charles Cornwallis and gives an update on other troop movements and events.

GLC06633

10-31 October 1775 circa

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown [incomplete]

Possibly written to Benjamin Church. Apparently incomplete, this part being the conclusion. Arnold closes by addressing "Gentlemen." He expresses his dismay at Congress' plan to abandon Fort Ticonderoga, "which being the only post of this country, leaves our very extensive frontier open to the ravages of the enemy ... " Writes that he has 150 men and expects to have his regiment complete soon.

GLC06634

10 December 1778

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Thompson

Updates Thompson on family news. States that his sister has told him that Fitch has not paid his debt yet and advises Thompson to consult a lawyer to recover the money owed. Asks him what price he can get for selling his house. Hopes to see Thompson next spring if his army service does not take him to the field. Gives love to the rest of the family. Addressed to Thompson as a merchant in New Haven, Connecticut. Free franked by Arnold.

GLC06637

20 July 1782

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Discusses his financial hardships and fear of France's growing power. Hopes Morris can sell his estate for him, since his debts are mounting due to high taxes and low profits. Also hopes Morris can help him secure funds he is owed by a Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina. The Rutledge family was a very prominent one in South Carolina. Is upset by Congress' claim that "they will have no peace however salutary until their good allies assent." Worries that this policy will lead to our aiding the French so greatly that they will come to dominate the globe, and become America's new oppressor.

GLC06645.02

29 July 1774

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Letter signed

Title: to Ezekiel Williams

Written by Adams as a member of the Massachusetts General Court (he would join the First Continental Congress on 5 September 1774) to Williams as Deputy Commissioner of Prisoners in Connecticut and a Sheriff for Hartford County. References Williams's letter of 25 July 1774. Says the letter was referred to a committee in Boston that was appointed to receive donations for the relief of the poor. Thanks him for the town of Wetherfield, Connecticut's donation of 34 3/4 bushels of wheat, 248 of rye, and 390 of Indian Corn. The donation was made because of the closing of Boston Harbor. Claims "…

GLC06657.01

October 25, 1774

Boston (Mass.). Committee of Donations

Broadsheet

Title: [Request for donations for the poor of Boston]

Broadside listing the twenty six members of the committee (including Samuel Adams, Thomas Boylston, and John Adams) seeks donations in accord with their mission to relieve the "Poor, suffering by means of the Act of Parliament, commonly called the Boston Port-Bill." Discusses the plans and projects supported by the committee. Accompanied Samuel Adams's letter to Ezekiel Williams seeking a donation (see GLC06657.01). The verso mentions a meeting on 25 October 1774 in which ten members joined the committee; their names are listed.

GLC06657.02

February 23, 1776

Wolcott, Oliver, 1726-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ezekiel Williams

Written by Wolcott, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a Continental Congressman from Connecticut, probably to Ezekiel Williams as Connecticut Commissioner of Prisoners and Wolcott's son-in-law. Notes already in Past Perfect said this document is from the papers of Ezekiel Williams, which could not be confirmed from the collateral files. But the content of the letter makes Williams a likely recipient. Wolcott says he forgot to mail a previous letter requesting a list of prisoners. Is now asking for an updated list in order to liquidate Connecticut's accounts with Congress.…

GLC06659

6 December 1780

Dunlap, John, 1747-1812

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania packet, or, the general advertiser [No. 686 (December 6, 1780)]

Prints the Continental Congress's proclamation of a day of "public Thanksgiving and prayer." There is also an article on national fiscal matters and "Doctor Shippen's Vindication" for charges of neglect to soldiers during the American Revolution. Contains other news from around the colonies and many advertisements.

GLC06665

27 November 1780

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

A personal letter by Adams as a Continental Congressman to his friend and protege, Gerry, a former member of Congress who decided to take a seat in the Massachsetts House of Representatives. Writes concerning his plans to retire from Congress and his fears that human nature is "too debased to relish the republican principles" on which the new American government is being founded. He worries about "political idolatry" and the corruption of Americans. Docketed by Elbridge Gerry.

GLC06667

circa 1777-1778

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [The Lancaster pocket almanack, for the year 1778. Being the third year of American Independency. Inscribed by William Ellery].

Title continues: "and the neighbouring states; containing a variety of useful lists and tables." Signed on the cover with his title: "Lancaster Almanack for 1778." Includes 24 blank pages for notes, which Ellery has filled with diary, notes, and some accounts while serving as a Member of the Continental Congress. He purchased the book in late 1777, possibly after Congress fled to Lancaster to escape the British occupation of Philadelphia. The diary discusses Congress' July 4 celebration, the British evacuation of Philadelphia, the Battle of Monmouth, Franklin's arrival at the French court…

GLC06669

25 July 1780

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Wood

Discusses the complex arrangements between Virginia and the national government to provision the Continental Army, written several months before the British invasion of Virginia. Asserts that "it has been always necessary for the state & Continent to lend interchangeably such articles as the one has & the other wants & to repay them in kind." Advises Wood, if the thinks it appropriate, to order leather for Colonel Joseph Crockett (who was raising a detachment of frontier troops). Gives permission for any officer in ill health, mentioning a Mr. Mooney, to go to the springs.…

GLC06673

11 April 1781

Morgan, Daniel, 1736-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Written by Brigadier General Morgan after resigning on 10 February 1781 to Major General Greene as commander of the Southern Department. References Greene's letter of 26 March 1781. Writes a flattering letter expressing his pride and pleasure in knowing and working with Greene. Congratulates Greene on "repelling the enemy when the whole country stood trembling" at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. He commends Greene for his "Gallantry and good conduct" while the now sick Morgan served with him. Says he is directed by the Virginia Assembly to send their thanks for men who fought with him…

GLC06685

22 November 1776

Lansing, John, 1754-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philip Schuyler

Written by Lansing as secretary to Major General Schuyler. Written to Schuyler, who was commander of the Northern Department. Copied extract from the resolves of Congress. Says situation is such that recruiting officers are to enlist men for three years or the duration of the war and offer respective bounties. Says it should be kept in mind that is Congress's opinion that "the public Service will be best promoted by Inlistments for the War, if the recruiting Business is not retarded thereby."

GLC06568