30 July 1779

Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791

Document signed

Title: [Pay order receipt for Jonathan Dana]

Countersigned by Nathaniel Appleton, commissioner of the Continental Loan Office. Orders payment to Jonathan Dana of 18 dollars for interest on money borrowed by the United States. Marked as number 181. On verso there are two notes. One states pay the contents to Captain Simeon Samson, the other is signed by Simeon Samson and requests payment go to Captain Corbin Barr. Signed by Hopkinson as Treasurer of Loans and endorsed by Jonathan Dana on the verso.

GLC00883

5 June 1781

Livingston, William, 1723-1790

Document signed

Title: An Act to preserve buildings in this State belonging to the United States from being destroyed and for the Punishment of those that shall seize on or injure the same.

Signed by William Livingston as Governor of New Jersey. Countersigned by Josiah Hornblower, Speaker of the New Jersey House of Representatives. Endorsed on verso near docket by Bowes Reed and Maskell Ewing, clerks of the Assembly, stating the document was read three times and has passed the House. Resolution written because of Congressional recommendations of 3 July 1779 asked the various states to preserve buildings owned by the United States. Says any person convicted of damaging or destroying a building or fortress owned by the United States will pay no more than a 20 pound fine and…

GLC00904

January 23, 1776

Massachusetts Colony Legislature

Broadside

Title: By the Great and General Court of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay: A Proclamation.

This document explains the Revolutionary views of the House of Representatives of the colony of Massachusetts Bay. The writing covers the philosophy behind Massachusetts as a colony and as a free state. Signed at end: "God Save the People"

GLC00905

1781

Morris, Roger, fl. 1781

Book signed

Title: The Constitutions of the several independent states of America [...]

Roger Morris's copy, signed on t.p. Bound in contemporary calf. Howes C716, Evans 17390, Sabin 16086. First edition limited to 200 copies.

GLC00912

December 16, 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Letter in hand of aide-de-camp Benjamin Walker, and written to Smith, the Commissary of Prisoners to the Army. References Smith's letter from December 12, 1782. Thanks him for intelligence it contains. Disagrees with Smith's assessment on Dobbs Ferry. Says it can withstand a small surprise attack and that it was never designed to deal with a large attack. Says the daily intercourse between the inhabitants "of the lower country" with the enemy is alarming and should be broken up. Would like suggestions on how to do that. At this point, after the American victory at Yorktown, Dobbs Ferry was…

GLC00949

August 11, 1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Greene sends Biddle a copy of the resolution appointing Timothy Pickering Quarter Master General of the Continental Army (not included), which occurred after Greene was forced out of the position into retirement. Discusses his resignation and his worries about the consequences of the change for the current military campaign. He asks Biddle for an account of debts from his department. Letter written at Camp Tappan.

GLC00954

1774

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Pamphlet

Title: A summary view of the rights of British America

8vo. 2d edition reprinted by Dunlap. Evans 11351, Howes J79, Sabin 35918, Streeter Sale 2: 754. With authorship noted on titlepage in a contemporary hand. There are twenty copies of Dunlap's printing recorded. Seminal for Jefferson's thoughts recorded in the Declaration of Independence and said to have brought him to the attention of delegates as a talented writer.

GLC00962

December 10, 1778

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Arthur Lee

Francis Lightfoot Lee warns his brother, then on a diplomatic mission with Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane to obtain aid from France during the American Revolution, about the intrigue surrounding the recently recalled Deane. Indicates that Deane has formed a faction within Congress determined to "remove all the old friends of Liberty & Independence." Comments that he does not know Deane's specific intentions but suggests that he arm himself with "the means necessary, both for attack & defence."

GLC00975

March 1, 1776

Walton, George, 1740-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Goddard

Walton writes about defense preparations in Georgia. He advises that a full board of devoted men has been assembled and are in very good spirits. Indicates that they have prepared several fire vessels to defend against the British navy and erected a small battery below the town. He states that no rice ships will be allowed to sail until the Continental Congress is fully resolved. Letter addressed to Goddard as the Inspector General of the Constitutional Post Office. Upper left corner is torn.

GLC00977

September 19, 1774

Rodney, Caesar, 1728-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Rodney

Written by Rodney, an eventual signer of the Declaration of Independence, as Speaker of the Delaware Assembly to an unknown recipient, most likely Thomas Rodney. Says he wrote recipient on September 17, 1774. Says he was probably concerned about a report of the British firing on Boston. Says Philadelphia's bells rang all day when that news arrived, but that it proved to be false a few days later. When expresses were sent out from Boston to say it was false, the riders came upon 50,000 men in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Says if the men were not armed, they were carrying provisions for…

GLC00983

March 9, 1779

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Clarke

Hancock writes to Treasurer Clarke that he must deny his request for a loan, as the state is too burdened with debt. " ... the Situation of our publick Funds, & the large Calls for Money by Loans for the Service of the State, makes it impossible to obtain Loans for any other purposes."

GLC00987

10 May 1776

Massachusetts Bay Council

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Thomas Dingley as Massachusetts militia captain]

Partially printed document signed by Perez Morton as deputy secretary of the council. Other signers from the Massachusetts Bay Council included: James Otis, W. Spooner, Caleb and Thomas Cushing, B. Chadborn, Moses Gill, John Whitcomb, Jedediah Forster, Michael Farley, James Prescott, John Winthrop, B. White, and Dr. Samuel Holten. Appoints Dingley to the 13th company, in the 2nd regiment of militia from Plymouth County, commanded by Colonel John Cushing. Includes a paper seal.

GLC00993

25 July 1775

Warren, James, 1726-1808

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Second Lieutenant Enos Briggs]

Document of the Congress of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay appoints Enos Briggs a second lieutenant of a Company of Foot. Signed by James Warren, President of the Congress and Samuel Freeman, Secretary of the Congress. On verso is note written by John Cushing, Jr., Justice of the Peace in Plymouth, that Briggs took the oath required by officers and soldiers of the Massachusetts Army on 2 September 1775.

GLC00994

December 24, 1776

Ward, Henry, 1732-1797

Document signed

Title: [Rhode Island laws]

Signed by Ward as Rhode Island Secretary of State. Printed set of laws passed by the legislature and Nicholas Cooke, Governor of Rhode Island. Second page lists members of the legislature. Each page lists resolutions and laws and each paragraph has a quick summary in a column next to it. Most of the laws and resolutions deal with military issues of the Revolution. Some examples of laws include: appointment of a council of war, regulation of prices of goods, and the raising of three regiments. Most provide for military details, the commissions of officers, and money payments. Document is bound…

GLC00996

8 May 1779

Greene, William, 1731-1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Collins as a Rhode Island delegate to the general congress]

Signed by Greene as governor of Rhode Island, countersigned by Henry Ward as secretary of state. Commissions Collins to represent Rhode Island in the general congress in Philadelphia until ratification of the Articles of Confederation.

GLC00997

July 21, 1781

Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Varick

Letter discusses several wartime matters: George Washington's desire for Varick to build an unspecified fortification, a lack of intelligence from Nathanael Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette, and reports of "a partial action between the Marquis and Cornwallis." Also congratulates Colonel Varick on his actions at Poughkeepsie. Letter written in a light-hearted manner and composed at "Head Quarters." Tilghman was Washington's aide-de-camp.

GLC00816

02 May 1780

United States. Continental Congress.

Broadside

Title: Instructions to captains and commanders of private armed vessels...

Evans 17021. Printed broadside authorizing privateering. With Thompson's name printed at end

GLC00820

December 6, 1781

Harrison, Benjamin, 1726-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to a Virginia state assemblyman

Mentions a set of instructions for the assembly addressed to Thomas Roane and Thomas Coleman which are to be handed out in the county by John Warden. Also mentions a letter from Colonel Thomas Newton concerning the possession of the Cape Lands, ". . . which it seems some designing persons are determined to possess, which will be the case if the assembly does not act." Dated in council. Docketed, "Governor's Letter, inclosing Newtons/Decr:6th:1781. /to lie on table."

GLC00854

10 November 1770

Wythe, George, 1726-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for two pounds, 14 shillings]

Certifies receipt of payment from Mr. Claiborne. Signed "G. Wythe."

GLC00856

2 June 1779

George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Document signed

Title: King's Warrant

Order to pay Arnold Nesbitt, Adam Drummond and Moses Franks 9915.18.4 pounds for services provided in feeding the British troops in America. Sent to Richard Rigby, "Paymaster General of Our Gaurds Garrisons and Land Forces. Also signed by Lords North, Westcote and Palmerston. Richard Rowland, attorney for Drummond, Franks, and the late Nesbitt, signs on verso. Crow signs integral blank staing "Entered 5th June 1779 into the office of the Comptrollers of the Accounts of the Army." Title is from verso of integral blank.

GLC00857

26 September 1776

Morton, John, 1724-1777

Document signed

Title: [Payment of salary to Benjamin Bartholomew]

Authorizes the treasurer for the county of Chester, Pennsylvania to pay Bartholomew 31 pounds and 12 shillings for 79 days attendance as a member of the house. Also three pounds, 16 shillings for mileage. Note on verso dated 12 October 1776 states "received of John Branton 22 pounds, 15 shillings." Signed as Speaker.

GLC01098

March 18, 1777

Duer, William, 1747-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Townsend

Continental Congressman Duer orders Captain Townsend to send an inventory of the effects of Israel Seaman and William Crocker to "the Commissioners appointed for his County." Townshend had apprehended Seaman and Crocker earlier by order of the Congress. Instructs Townsend to follow any directions concerning "the personal Estate" of the captured men given by the commissioners. Seaman and Crocker were possibly loyalists.

GLC01099

August 31, 1779

Harrison, Robert H., 1745-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Letter written by Colonel Harrison as secretary to General George Washington to an unknown recipient. References a letter received from the recipient on August 31, 1779. States that his private opinion is that the commissaries and conductors of military stores should not be included in the benefits of the resolve from August 18, unless they come under the description of the officers mentioned in the resolve. Otherwise, every officer in the army might be included under it. Says he has heard that Congress has other regulations under consideration, which will to be better suited than the resolve…

GLC01450.149

1775-1776

Massey, Eyre, 1719-1804

Document signed

Title: General Contingent Accompt of Garrison and Incidental Expences at Halfax, during the Command of Brigadier Genl Eyre Massey from 25th December 1775 to the 31st March 1776

Document signed by Major General Massey as commander of British forces on Nova Scotia. List of two vouchers for expenses of troops in Halifax; one for the "Contingent Accompt of the Garrison of Halifax," which could possibly mean the cost of extra troops sent to Halifax, and the other for "Incidental Expenses at Halifax." The entire bill is slightly over 181 pounds of Halifax currency. Place written inferred from the location of Massey's headquarters at the time. One edge repaired with tape on verso. On 1 April 1776, General Sir William Howe's troops arrived at Halifax after being forced out…

GLC01450.151

17 March 1781

Whittlesy, Martin, 1737-1800

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for Martin Whittlesey]

Receipt for seventy-six pounds received from Mr. Seymour. Name spelled Whittlesy in this document.

GLC01450.188.02