1776/12/02

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris re: defending James Duane's loyalty

"I am exceedingly hurt at the wicked attack made on Mr. Duane. Envy Hatred Malice and all Uncharitableness must have conspired in producing it. Whatever suspicions some folks might entertain of his political conduct from his opposition to certain Men & Measures, I am convinced he has maintained no correspondence with the enemy...." He continues "I heartily wish some [A]merican St. Patrick would arise, and cleanse those fair abodes of liberty, not only of Vipers Toads & noxious Reptiles; but also of Parricides, Traitors and insidious dark designing Iagos...." he asks Morris to send…

GLC07130

1776/01/13

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph endorsement

Title: [Report to continental Congress]

Manuscript copy of Philip Schuyler letter (probably made for forwarding to Washington), with 4 line endorsement by Washington: "Copy of Genl Schuyler's Letter to the Contl. Congress. 13th Jan. 1776." Schuyler announces the death of Richard Montgomery to John Hancock and asks for 3000 troops to send to Canada. He proposes to march to Tryon County against Tories there. Schuyler's letter was received January 17 (Burnett, Letters to Delegates 1: 317 note 4); two days later, Congress voted to send several battalions to Schuyler.

GLC07139

1781/06/23 ca.

Oswald, Richard, 1705-1784

Manuscript document

Title: Plan for the Future Conduct of the American War

The only recorded copy of a very detailed proposal for the conduct of Britain's war in America by Oswald, a successful merchant and former slave trader. Oswald, a friend of American Henry Laurens, later served as a British Peace Commissioner for the Treaty of Paris. Although Oswald had no official status in the government until his apointment by Lord Shelburne in March 1782 as a peace commissioner, he had privately circulated recommendations among influential government friends. This is the only known copy of his "second" plan. (Other Oswald opinions privately circulated in the government…

GLC07121

1763/03/05-1764/07/30

Kemble, Stephen, 1740-1822

Manuscript document

Title: Manuscript orderly book of aide-de-camp to Lord Jeffrey Amherst [Decimalized .01- .05]

Regarding the final months of the Canada Campaign and the treaty of peace. Locations mentioned include Fort St. Ann on Lake Erie, Fort William Augustus (Ogdenburg, N.Y.), La Chine, La Prairie, Pointe Claire, Fort Ontario, Chambly, etc. Kemble, an American from New Jersey, served with the British regular army. He married Thomas Gage's sister and was rapidly promoted, serving throughout the Canada campaigns. He later served in the British army as Adjutant General under Generals Howe and Clinton 1775-1778. After serving in the British West Indies, Kemble returned to the U.S. in 1805. Four…

GLC07126

1763/11/21

Gage, Thomas, 1718-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sir William Johnson re: Indian raids on Virginia Frontier

Writing five days after taking over as Commander in Chief writing to Johnson as Supterintendent of Indian Affairs. In part: "... I have received a letter form the Council of Virginia complaining of the Depredations of the Northern Indians on the Frontiers of that Province..., I enclose you a copy of the said letter; begging the favor of you to return me an answer thereto...."

GLC07127

1778/03/05

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton re: complaints about a French officer; fortifying Hudson

Responding to complaints about a French officer Col. Louis la Radiere, the engineer engaged in works for the Hudson Highland defenses. "We could wish to avoid offence to any foreigners...we would treat them with all possible respect: but we must not sacrifice, or hazard our safety, from a point of delicacy."

GLC07128

1775/07/13

Germain, George Sackvile, Viscount Sackville, 1716-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown re: evaluating British commanders in America; campaign

A remarkably outspoken letter written three months after Lexington. He evaluates commanders and vows that now further accommodations are now possible: "We will soon have very interesting news from Boston, as I never can believe that Howe will be subject to be block'd up in that town...." He adds "I confess I am in no humour to treat lite. The Colonies have felt the power of this Country, their insolence would be insupportable if any accommodation now took place. Lord North must see the necessity of making them sue for Pardon, and when that happens, I shall not wish for any preasures [?] of…

GLC07129

[1775]/11/13

Montgomery, Richard, fl. 1775-1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert R. Livingston re: his victory at Montreal, need for support

Written on the day he succeeded in taking Montreal: "I have courted fortune and found her kind." Now planning his attack on Quebec, he requests support from Livingston and the Continental Congress: "It will be absolutely necessary to throw a considerable Body of Troops into this Province as soon as the ice will bear. General [Charles] Lee should have this important command. Quebec if it dont fall before Winter must be attacked early in the Spring before succours can arrive." Montgomery, a son-in-law of Livingston, had easily captured a lightly protected Montreal, but his campaign of Quebec…

GLC07136

1782/07/28

Morgan, Daniel, 1736-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene re: lack of pay and hardship due to army service

A letter to his former commander concerning his situation and back pay owed to him and to the Continental soldiers who served under him. He thanks Greene for the recommendation of a Captain Osborn. He complains about the compensation from the state of Virginia: "Our assembly gave the officers certificatyes [sic] for two years pay, which was to be paid out of the money arising from the sales of the confiscated property [of Loyalists]...[.]" Morgan writes that the Assembly had made an act to raise 3,000 men with a bounty and clothing, which he remarks "would have been sufficient to have…

GLC07137

1777/08/08

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton re: reporting Battle of Oriskany

Writing to Governor Clinton, providing early reports of the costly British ambush of General Herkimer and an American contingent at Oriskany on 6 August. "I wish it was in my power to march a body of men to the relief of Fort Schuyler [i.e., Fort Stanwix], but I have unfortunately none to send..." Schuyler had alienated New England by detaching regiments for Fort Schuyler and, in fact, had been (unknown to him) been relieved of his command by Congress two days before the date of this letter. Horatio Gates was despatched to meet Burgoyne.

GLC07140

1778/05/02-1778/06/02

Jones, Daniel, fl. 1778

Manuscript document

Title: Orderly book of ranking officer at British garrison in New York

Oblong quarto. Manuscript leaves interleaved . Original paper marble boards with shaped flap enclosure. Orderly book of a British garrison in New York when Jones was the ranking British commander (while Generals Howe and Clinton were in Philadelphia). Topics include civilian rule (May 4 appointing Police Superintendent and a Mayor), appointment of Sir Henry Clinton commander in chief (June 1), recruiting and weapons practice, supplies, wood-cutting, and paroles. The manuscript may be in the handwriting of Captain Philips of the 38th Foot, who was appointed Jones's secretary on May 4.…

GLC07120

1782/11/13

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Henry Knox.

Protecting the Hudson, adjusting the system of signals (including rockets) guards in New York.

GLC07965

February 19, 1776

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Praises Knox and congratulates him on his recent commission to colonel and his successful operation retrieving artillery from Fort Ticonderoga. Discusses his own ill health as well as his desire to get well and return to military service. Comments on his friends' attempt to conceal the plundering of his house and shop from him, in order to avoid agitating his health. Comments on a man named Hardy, who Peirce recommended and Knox found work for. Recollects and affirms their friendship. In a post script, favorably mentions a proposal by the Continental Congress to fortify a dock for the…

GLC02437.00252

Febraury 23, 1778

Hillegas, Michael, 1729-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. French

Hillegas inquires, on behalf of a Mr. Clarkson, about the allowance available to those who sell lottery tickets for the United States lottery established to help fund the Revolutionary War. Accompanied a lottery ticket (see GLC01412.23.01).

GLC01412.23.02

1775[8]

Document

Title: [Massachusetts Militia Return]

Return or account of a militia and their armaments. Partially printed with a manuscript accomplishment, possibly by Capt Jonathan Rice, Sudbury, Massachusetts, dated in text 5 July 1775, with orders on verso from Colonel Ezekiel How, dated 26 October 1778[?].

GLC09045

February 19, 1785

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Mauger

Inquires about Mauger's illness. He is on the Cricklade Committee.

GLC03902.041

February 9, 1809

Renfislar, H., fl. 1809

Autograph document signed

Title: receipt of Mr. Orange Finton

GLC03769.075

February 19, 1778

D'Auvergne, James, fl. 1771-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Mauger

He told Hughes to ask Mauger for advice concerning his new offices in Halifax.

GLC03902.105

[1782-1786]

Livingston, Family

Manuscript

Title: Contra ledger [bound in paper]

GLC03107.05436

[1782-1788]

Livingston, Family

Manuscript

Title: Ledger F [reverse calf] [red rot and disbound]

GLC03107.05437

1780/06/16

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Broadside

Title: State of Massachusetts in Convention [State Constitution]

GLC03116

1766/05/12

Edes, Benjamin, 1732-1803

Newspaper

Title: Boston gazette: Supplement. [May 12, 1766]

Prints a scriptural parody critical of the Stamp Act (p. 1), a letter "from a North-American, now on the Island of Barbados" passionately denouncing the Stamp Act (p. 2), an extract from a letter from London claiming Benjamin Franklin had assured Parliament that the repeal of the act would relieve tensions, and another extract on the fate of nations and liberty (p. 3). Also contains many advertisements. Benjamin Edes and John Gill, the publishers of the Boston Gazette, were members of the anti-British faction in Boston.

GLC03120

1778/05/09

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Broadside

Title: A Proclamation.

This document is a proclamation ordering American ships to act according to an honest code and not take up piratical acts while in American waters. It is a printed broadside approved by Henry Laurens and Charles Thomson as President and Secretary respectively.

GLC04804.02

1776/02/22

Massachusetts

Broadside

Title: A Proclamation for a general fast [Massachusetts Bay Colony]

Printed by Benjamin Edes. References: Evans 14841, MHS Broadsides 1981.

GLC04817

1773/01/08

Baldwin, William, fl. 1773

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Huntington re: honesty and law [Not the signer of the Constitution]

GLC04842.01