August 7, 1776

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Varick

In the postscript it says letter has been forwarded to Connecticut Governor Trumbull and General David Waterbury of Connecticut shortly after General Schuyler led the controversial retreat from Crown Point. Says he received their letters from August 4-5, 1776, along with their enclosures. Asks them to send iron and spikes and any other supplies they might think the army will need. Says he is "greatly surprised" that money has not arrived and says he will not be to blame if it doesn't arrive. Says they can borrow on his credit as long as they can, but to keep track of who they are borrowing…

GLC01529

April 9, 1778

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Greene mentions that he discussed his plan to amend Pennsylvania's wagon law with General George Washington, who suggested that the change might cause jealousy between the army and state. Closes the letter by mentioning the return of Lafayette, who wants his old quarters back. Greene, as the new Quartermaster General for the Continental Army, desired a change in the wagon laws as part of a larger effort to reorganize the transport operations. Commissary General Biddle had previously served as Greene's aide-de-camp.

GLC01637

1776-1792

Sawyer, William, 1753-1817

Header Record

Title: Account book and deed pertaining to William Sawyer [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01626

September 9, 1780

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: Appointing county commissioners to procure supplies for Continental army

Two printed documents, one signed by Jefferson as governor of Virginia. The supply requisition was for county troops going to the Carolinas. The second document is a printed extract of the relevant act of the Virginia assembly (13 x 16 cm.)

GLC01634

October 22, 1780

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to Lieutenant of Berkeley Co.

Manuscript letter signed by Jefferson as governor of Virginia, ordering the Lieutenant of Berkeley County to mobilize a quarter of the county militia. The letter also discusses the arrival of British troops.

GLC01636

20 June 1776

Howe, Richard Howe, Earl, 1726-1799

Manuscript document

Title: Official French copy of Benjamin Franklin-Richard Howe letters [in French]

First letter dated 20 June 1776, written aboard the Eagle off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, is from Admiral Richard Howe to Benjamin Franklin. Encloses official dispatches (not present) outlining his mission of peace with the colonies. Mentions in his postscript that his brother, General William Howe, will act as a fellow peace commissioner. Franklin replies on 30 July 1776 from Philadelphia. Refuses the offers of a pardon in the case of the colonies' surrender, as outlined in the official documents referred to by Howe. Rejects the idea of surrender and excoriates the British Empire for what…

GLC01670

October 16, 1775

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holton

Letter written to fellow jurist Samuel Holton discussing the qualifications of a justice, the readiness of the American forces, and George Washington's opinion of his own army. Satirizes another judge who thinks all judges should have "the prime qualities of an executioner." He believes "the proper qualifications of a judge" are "integrity, ability, & knowledge of the law...a discerner between truth & falsehood, right and wrong." Believes that the colonies were not ready for war, and are still unprepared now, but insists in his full patriotism despite these doubts. Says Washington "…

GLC01579.01

July 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin

A cryptic but important letter written in the same month as the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, as commander in chief, in response to Franklin's letters. Possibly a draft since Washington has left the day and a name blank, but soon or shortly after July 30, when Franklin's response to Howe was delivered. Letter discusses belated peace initiatives of the Howe brothers. This letter responds to two letters from Franklin, one commended Washington for his work with the inventor Joseph Belton to construct a submarine, while the other (now lost) was a copy of his response on behalf of…

GLC01588

October 27, 1776

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Letter signed

Title: to Elias Dayton

Letter written by Major General Schuyler as commander of the Northern Department, to Colonel Elias Dayton of the 3rd New Jersey Regiment. Sent by Schuyler when Dayton's regiment was marching north from Schenectady. Dayton's troops were being sent to the Mohawk Valley to defend the residents from Tory and Indian assaults during the vicious partisan fighting in upstate New York. Says that based on intelligence from General Nicholas Herkimer, his regiment will probably have to march back to the German Flatts, an area near the mouth of the West Canada Creek in New York, unless militia can be sent…

GLC01580

May 26, 1779

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Weiss

Greene informs Weiss, the deputy quartermaster general, of the orders he received from George Washington to ready the Pennsylvania troops to march and asks Weiss to supply them with tents and others necessary stores. He indicates where Weiss can obtain some tents and canteens. Letter written from "Camp."

GLC01556

1782

George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Broadside

Title: Epitaph [mock epitaph on George III, "Button-Maker"]

Satirical epitaph on King George III. Compares George III to various dictatorial rulers, including Caligua and Cesar, Printed by F. Bailey. Inscribed at top to "Mrs. Rebecca Treat at Yorktown -- From Sam: Leatney [?]."

GLC01531

January 25, 1765

Winthrop, John, 1714-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Belcher

Winthrop congratulates Judge Belcher on recovering "from a dangerous illness." He notes having read that many French Acadians have been removed from Nova Scotia, Canada, to the West Indies, and observes that because of their religion, they "could hardly ever have been good Subjects to a Protestant government." Indicates that the Sugar Act and the Currency Act, referred to as "The late Acts of Trade," are widely discussed and cause much uneasiness among merchants and judges alike. He notes the death of Edward Wigglesworth, the first Hollis professor of Divinity at Harvard College. Discusses…

GLC01541.01

July 8, 1780

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Titus Homer

Encloses a certificate from the Board of War (not included), needed to settle his pay. Arnold informs Homer that he will accept the command of West Point. Although Homer was a friend of Arnold, he probably was unaware of his treasonous plans. Possibly a retained draft, with several deletions in the text by Arnold.

GLC01542

25 May 1772

George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Henry Clinton to Major General in the British Army]

Partially printed document issued at the Court of St. James's and countersigned by "Suffolk" possibly the Earl of Suffolk Henry Howard. A note indicates it was filed with the Secretary of War Anthony Chamier. Another note on the bottom, made at an unspecified later date, describes the document: "Above: This is the Original Commission of Sir Henry Clinton as a Major General, signed by King George the Third which Sir Henry bore when he accompanied Lord Wm Howe and General Burgoyne to America in 1775 to quell the 'Patriots'. Clinton became commander in chief in 1778. Fought at Bunker Hill,…

GLC01552

8 March 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francois Marie, comte de Aboville

Responds to Aboville's last letter (see GLC02437.01350). Discusses the loss of cannon: "Your surprize and astonishment must have been great indeed that Machines so important and essential to the defence of a country would be placed in so negligent a manner as to be destroyed or rendered unserviceable by a single malignant person. But you judged right my dear Sir when you informed [his Excellency] Genl Rochambeau that I had no knowledge of them." Comments on the acquisition of military stores by the state of Virginia, and declares that General Washington will begin to negotiate with Virginia…

GLC02437.01365

10 March 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Refers to a letter he received from Colonel Francois Marie, comte de Aboville (see GLC02437.01365), who commands French artillery in Virginia. Aboville mentions 14 artillery cannon belonging to the State of Virginia which do not have carriages or ammunition and are in poor repair. Argues that these cannons would not be useful to Virginia, since they could not repair or equip them, but that the United States forces are in dire need of cannon for an artillery battery and could make them serviceable. Encourages General Washington to pursue a trade with the State of Virginia and give them…

GLC02437.01369

21 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Relates some of his experiences at the commissioner meeting in Elizabeth Town to negotiate a prisoner exchange. Suspects that many of the propositions the patriots made were discussed in New York by a council before any decisions were made by the British. Believes they "never shall obtain justice or equal treatment from the Enemy" unless they are "in a position to demand it." Refers to a report (GL02437.01377), and a "private letter," (GL02437.01395). Also discusses his and Washington's belief that several unnamed persons are providing intelligence to the British. Comments on whether they…

GLC02437.01393

21 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to George Washington

Copy in Samuel Shaw's hand and signed by him for both Knox and Morris. Knox and Morris assumed the public would be interested in the POW report they recently submitted to Congress, so they wrote this letter for Washington with information they excluded from that report to avoid its publication. Says they "had no opportunity of bringing forward distinctly the affairs of Mr. Laurens. By pushing it abruptly into notice we might have obstructed but would not have forwarded your views for his release. Had our general propositions been acceded to, his exchange would have followed necessarily. Had…

GLC02437.01395

14 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Relates that the artillery artificers are preparing supplies and will be ready to march whenever General Washington thinks it is the right time; Knox imagines it will be after 1 June. Explains that he will be leaving today for Burlington and expects to stay there for three or four days before proceeding to headquarters. Describes Mrs. Knox's travel plans as well.

GLC02437.01416

1 June 1782

Hiwell, John, fl. 1788

Autograph document signed

Title: Inspection return of the music in the army under the immediate command of his excellency General Washington

Chart indicates the amount of supplies (such as fifes, drums, and fife cases) per regiment which they have in good repair, the amount broken, and the amount they need.

GLC02437.01435

8 June 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Written from "Head Quarters." Shaw writes to Ruddock, the Field Commissary of Military Stores for Fishkill, that General Henry Knox wants Ruddock to send Colonel George Reid, commanding officer at Albany, "twenty thousand musket cartridges for the use of the troops under his command." On the verso is an "Extract of a Letter" from Colonel Reid (spelled Ried), addressed to General Washington, and written in a different hand. This letter informs Washington that they are "almost Distitute of Cartriges in this Quarter - the few that are on Hand, are much too small, being made for the Militia…

GLC02437.01445

8 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Impressed with the importance of West Point for "the existence of the United States," says he wanted to make sure the fort was in working order and that its dependencies were well-supplied with cannon and military stores. Says he has made every exertion, but that money and equipment are in short supply. Has included a paper describing the state of ordnance and supplies (not included here). Says if he had all the ammunition he requested he would only have enough for a siege of ten days, but as it is, only half the cannon would be functional. Says many of the 10-inch shells and shot are at…

GLC02437.01479

31 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

In response to a request by General George Washington to consider the best place in West Point to erect a magazine, the "General Officers" would like Knox to report that the "hollow west of Fort Clinton" is "under all circumstances" the best place for it.

GLC02437.01512

31 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sir Guy Carleton

First two pages are from an unsigned letter written by Major General Knox to General Carleton, the commander of the British Army. The third page is a signed note to Washington on 31 July 1782. References Carleton's previous letter which contained a request for a passport to be forwarded to Chief Justice Smyth so he could bring the trial transcript and his explanatory comments to the Americans. This is probably a reference to the court martial proceedings against Lippincott, who the Americans claimed was responsible for the killing of Captain Joshua Huddy. Hopes that Carleton will punish the…

GLC02437.01513

3 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Has received his recent letter directed to himself and General [Andrew] McDougall. Declares that for his own part, he is perfectly ready to do what General Washington would like him to do, including meeting the "Gentlemen from the enemy" on the 16th or 18th of September. Mentions that they will need to prepare accommodations and provisions for the meeting. Says that General McDougall "seems to decline the commission for reasons which Major [likely Hodjiah] Baylies will give" to General Washington.

GLC02437.01564