16 March 1778

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Printed document signed

Title: [Partially printed document authorizing the forcible capture of British vessels]

This document serves as a form by which Continental Congress authorizes the seizure of British ships and crew members in a warlike manner. Originally signed by Hancock during his term as President of the Congress (24 May 1775- 31 October 1777). This particular document authorizes Ebenezer Williams, Commander of the Polly, to seize British vessels. States that the Polly is owned by Andrew Caldwell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Signed at the bottom by William Mumford, a Secretary, and Rhode Island Governor Nicholas Cooke. Williams' name and other information appear to have been filled…

GLC00231

February 5, 1780

Paine, Robert T., 1731-1814

Autograph document signed

Title: [Legal document pertaining to the confiscation of William Walter's property]

On behalf of the states of Massachusetts, Treat, the state attorney general, writes to the Justices of the Superior Court to argue the case for confiscating a tory's property in Boston. Claims Walter "levied War and Conspired to levy War against the government and People of this Province Colony and State." Describes him as an absentee loyalists whose messuage and land in Boston were confiscated on 20 April 1775 according to "An Act for Confiscating the Estates of certain persons Commonly called absentees." Argues that the property should "accrue to the sole use and benefit of the…

GLC00133

22 June 1769

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph document signed

Title: [Land bond to increase acreage at Mount Vernon]

Cosigned by Robert Alexander. Washington refers to himself in the third person seven times. Alexander wants to sell 300 acres of Maryland land his wife inherited from her father to George Washington. Washington hoped to exchange the plot with Thomas Hanson Marshall for land adjacent to Mount Vernon. The agreement was contingent upon approval by Alexander's wife, who had not reached the age of 21. Alexander agreed he would not sell the land to anyone without Washington's approval, "this clause is expressly provided as a means to induce her Compliance because it is highly presumable that if…

GLC00479

25 July 1780

Reed, Joseph, 1741-1785

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Orders for John Moore, Wagon Master of Pennsylvania

Signed as President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Explains that the arrival of the French fleet has induced General George Washington and the Continental Congress to "call for a number of Teams and Horses." Seeks wagons and horses from Moore. Discusses how to obtain the horses and wagons and branding them. Explains that impressment is permitted. A post script asks for frequent updates on his progess. Written in the hand of Timothy Matlack, Secretary of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania.

GLC00490

1 September 1776

Morton, John, 1724-1777

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of James Waugh]

Appoints James Waugh Lieutenant of a Company of foot in the first Battalion of Associates in the County of Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Note on left margin reads, "Exchanged 1 Septr: 1776. T.M." T.M. are the initials of Timothy Matlack, the clerk to the secretary at the second Continental Congress. As such, he was possibly the engrosser of the Declaration of Independence.

GLC00481

8 November 1780

Pettit, Charles, 1736-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Estimate of the profits of the office of the Commissary General of Forage]

Pettit, acting as Assistant Quarter Master General, responds to the request of Colonel Clement Biddle, former Commissioner General of Forage, for the profits of his office since 2 March 1778, when General Nathanael Greene became Quarter Master General. Provides a detailed calculation of Biddle profits from commissions. Provides an example of the form and acceptability of war-profiteering during the American Revolution.

GLC00488

1780

Campbell, William, 1745-1781

Autograph manuscript

Title: The expedition to and battle on Kings Mountain

An account of Battle of Kings Mountain, which took place in South Carolina on 7 October 1780, by Colonel Campbell (two months after the battle he was made brigadier general of militia). Describes the political and administrative background leading to this battle with a brief description of the battle itself. Date and transcription inferred from page 3. Genealogy, which appears to be added later, penciled in on page 4. Although there is no date it appears to be of the period.

GLC00496.011

April 18, 1775

Clymer, George, 1739-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Committee of Correspondence of the County of Berks

Also signed by Joseph Reed, John Cadwalader, Thomas Mifflin, Jonathan B. Smith, John Benezet, James Mease, John Nixon, and Samuel Meredith. Circular to the committees of Pennsylvania encouraging the formation of military associations in each county; this letter was sent to Berks County. This is an answer to the letter of Berks County from April 15, 1775. Says now that "Ministerial violence" - meaning attacks by British troops under Parliament's orders - has occurred they need to act and not deliberate. Says their "despotic" intentions are "beyond doubt." Says word came that the Houses of…

GLC00496.022

20 February 1781

Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805

Manuscript document signed

Title: A Proclamation

Written and signed by aide-de-camp Henry Broderick. Also signed by Cornwallis. A proclamation stating it is King George III's "gracious Wish to rescue His faithfull & loyal Subjects from the cruel tyranny under which they have groaned for several Years." Invites them to repair without loss of time with their arms and ten days provisions to Hillsborough. Wants to establish good order and constitutional government to the province

GLC00496.023

circa May 1777

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Signed by Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. Reports on their activities in France including getting Mr. Hodges released from the Bastille for lying about outfitting a privateer. Mentions receipt of commissions for Ralph Izard and William Lee (both appointed May 1777) but cites a lack of salary. Also mentions loans and subsidies requested from Europe. The lack of salary for Izard and Lee caused problems between them and Franklin. Date inferred from the commissions. The last three lines are in Franklin's hand. Last page only, so letter is incomplete.

GLC00496.025

February 12, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Resolution to Colonel Anthony Wayne]

Transcribed by Charles Thomson Secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774-1788. Resolve requesting all colonels of the Pennsylvania battalions to send a report detailing the number condition of the enlisted men as well as the places where they are now and their rank. This specific order was sent to Colonel Anthony Wayne. Signed By Hancock, President of the Continental Congress.

GLC00496.031

January 1781

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [Virginia land grant for Josiah Smith]

For thirty-five shillings sterling, Smith was granted 343 acres of land, the borders of which are described. With state seal. Printed document, partially filled in by hand, signed as Governor of Virginia.

GLC00496.038

June 12, 1781

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carter Page

Reply from headquarters indicating regret at learning Captain Page's corps will return home. Carter Page served as a captain in the New Jersey and Virginia cavalries during the American Revolution.

GLC00496.043

September 1780

Pius VI, Pope, 1717-1799

Document signed

Title: Calligraphic document on vellum [in Latin].

Tied with rope with lead seal.

GLC00496.205

1763-1783

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph note

Title: Regarding affidavits in Paris

Contains list of names concerning some issue in Paris, including Peyton Skipwith, Gouverneur Morris, William Lee, General William Hull, and Benjamin Hichborn. Seems to be written on the back of an old letter. Unrelated address leaf on verso. Note is a fragment.

GLC00496.266

January 20, 1778

Lee, William, 1739-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee

Addressed to Franklin, Deane, and Lee as the Commissioners at Versailles. Now that he has received a copy of a treaty, he will go to Vienna to take up his appointment there. Also comments on money needed for travel.

GLC00496.268

October 23, 1776

Andre, fl. 1776

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer

Requesting permission to ship twenty-five barrels of flour. Written to Jenifer while president of the Maryland Council of Safety. Andre was most likely a French merchant.

GLC00496.269

8 June 1782

Marion, Francis, 1732-1795

Manuscript document

Title: Articles of Treaty between General Marion in behalf of the State of So. Carolina and Major Gainey & the Inhabitants under his Command which were Included in the Treaty made under the 17th day of June 1781

Clerical copy of treaty made between loyalist Major Micajah Gainey and American General Francis Marion. Gainey promises to disarm and swear allegiance to America. The second article notes that Gainey "will deliver up all Negroes, Cattle and other property." They loyalists will also give up all who do not agree to the terms and all their prisoners. In return, Gainey's men will be pardoned from treason charges. Those who do not accede "shall have leave to go within the British Lines." Written at Burches Mill on Peedee.

GLC00496.270

March 20, 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Washington acknowledges receiving the letter from Colonel George Morgan, and discussing "affairs to the westward." McIntosh, who had mortally wounded Button Gwinnett in a duel, commanded Fort Pitt from May 1778 until March 5, 1779. His subordinates Daniel Broadhead and Morgan complained of his conduct. Washington writes that residence with McIntosh at Valley Forge had impressed him and he hoped the Georgian would be disinterested in western disputes. He writes that command will go now to Brodhead and concludes (with a hint of exasperation) "with such means as are provided, I must labour" ("…

GLC00496.099

July 19, 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Reporting the battle of Stony Point and the situation on the Hudson River. With brief postscript by Washington. Docketed on page 2.

GLC00496.102

16 July 1779

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: General orders after action at Battle of Stony Point

This document is written in the third person and is signed in text. A hastily written draft conveying General Anthony Wayne's general orders lauding his troops directly after the Battle of Stony Point. Cites Colonel [Christian] Febiger as the field officer of the day. Says their perfect execution of orders reflects the highest honor on the troops engaged. Wants all captured military stores to collected, reported, and placed in charge of proper guards. Commends soldiers for confidence and bravery during battle. Instructs troops and generals on guard duty and moving supplies. The Battle of…

GLC00496.108

August 21, 1766

Wesley, John, 1703-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Avison

John Wesley encourages her in her faith and gives her practical advice on how to increase it. With a side note: "Do not measure the length of your letter by that of mine, I have a thousand avocations."

GLC00496.111

1763-1783

Catton, Charles, 1756-1819

Sketch

Title: [Portrait of the poet Charles Churchill]

Sketch on album cover.

GLC00496.141

circa 1773-1790

Cowper, William, 1731-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lady Hesketh

Declines recipient's offer to send salmon to Olney where the price is prohibitively expensive. Discusses local matters.

GLC00496.149

March 1, 1777

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Manuscript document

Title: to unknown

This manuscript is a copy (possibly a draft) of part of an 01 March 1777 memorandum from American commissioners Benjamin Franklin and to Silas Deane to French foreign minister Vergennes, as they negotiated a contract with the Farmers General of France. [An autograph copy of the full memo is in the Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères of France, according to the Franklin Papers at the American Philosophical Society.]

GLC00496.159