2 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Briefly describes an unsuccessful "secret expedition" to obtain some artillery pieces. Seeks assistance in outfitting a ship with guns. Discusses a town meeting to choose wardens and various militia officers. Says James Otis "spoke as well as ever he did in his life." Names militia officers chosen, including William Davies, who had been Paul Revere's fellow rider on the April 18, 1776 "midnight ride." Indicates that many people think there will be no fighting in New York in the fall, but he is uncertain. Prays that Knox's "head may be cove[re]d in the day of Battle."

GLC02437.00436

10 January 1840

Holabird, William S., 1794-1855

Document signed

Title: [Antonio G. Vega's deposition given to United States District Attorney William S. Holabird]

Signed deposition read before the court stating "that the court of mixed commissions had no jurisdiction except in cases of capture... that newly imported African Negroes were constantly brought to the Island, & after landed, were bona fide transferred from one owner to an other without any interference by the local authority, or the mixed commission, and were held by the owners, and recognized, as lawful property, that slavery was recognized in Cuba by all the Laws that was considered in force there... " Appears to be a complete version of GLC 5636.07 and an edited version of GLC 5636.…

GLC05636.09

January 1840

Holabird, William S., 1794-1855

Manuscript document

Title: [Notes of Holabird, United States District Attorney for Connecticut]

Contains testimony of Dwight G. James (an abolitionist), Captain Green (who came into contact with Amistad Africans on shore, prior to their capture), N. Wilcox (Norris Wilcox, United States Marshal for the District of Connecticut), and E. Osborne (who notes the value of the cargo). Wilcox notes the cargo on board the Amistad, and Green identifies persons in the courtroom who he had seen on shore. Possibly created in Connecticut, where the District Court heard the case.

GLC05636.10

November 1839

Manuscript document

Title: [Testimonies regarding the capture of the Amistad]

Created at Connecticut District Court in November 1839. At the top, states: "Schooner Amistad plea to jurisdictions & matter of it- Baldwin says most extraordinary objections & c Circuit Court said only that so long as the matter was pending before the District Ct that Court should not dismiss & c..." Relates events that took place 26 August 1839, when Captains Henry Green and Peletiah Fordham, [Fithy?], Sherman, Conklin met the Africans from the Amistad on the shore near Culloden Point, New York. Green would later enter a salvage claim for the ship and its contents. A faint…

GLC05636.12

1839-1840

Manuscript document

Title: U. States v. Cinqué & others...

... (title continues) Charged with murder & robbery (piracy) on board the Spanish Schooner 'Amistad'- The offense committed by foreigners, on the high seas, & on board a vessel belonging exclusively to subjects of foreign states... Have the Courts of the U.S. jurisdiction of the offense?" Contains a summary of the results of several cases, and how their verdicts affect the Amistad case. Cases include: U.S. v. Palmer et al. 3 Wheat 610, U.S. v. Pirates 5. Wheat 195, U.S. v. Keesler 91 Baldwin's Rep, U.S. v. Davis 2 Sumner's Rep 482, and 5 Halls Am Law Journal 459 case of the Almeda…

GLC05636.15

13 January 1829

Bostwick, Charles, fl. 1796-1840

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Bostwick, a lawyer, discusses terms of settlement in a court case between Mr. Jervett and his creditors. Holabird represented the creditors. Bostwick states that Jervett will settle on the terms proposed by Holabird in previous correspondence. Address indicates that Holabird practiced in Winchester, Connecticut.

GLC05636.24

24 March 1830

Griswold, Jared, fl. 1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Discusses the case of Peters vs. Sumner, implying that Griswold and Holabird were working on the case together. States that E. Phelps, another lawyer, moved the date of the case on account of a witness or witnesses who were absent. Relates that he will attend to Hitchcock's cases.

GLC05636.25

6 July 1830

Boyd, John, 1799-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

States that Henry Jones contacted him (Boyd) regarding an audit in the case of Jones vs. [Brunnik?]. Jones hopes to hold the case at New Hartford. Asks that Holabird respond to confirm the time and location for hearing the case.

GLC05636.26

17 May 1831

Holabird, William S., 1794-1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodore Hinsdale

Holabird asks Theodore if he told Horace Hinsdale that Holabird recommended Colonel [Sopic?] as Justice to General Adams on the grounds that Sopic was an anti-mason. Includes Theodore's reply of the same day, informing Holabird he did not pass the message to Horace.

GLC05636.27

27 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Comments on Lucy's baby daughter's improving health. Discusses the possibility of purchasing two "[corsetts] with bells" for Lucy. Promises to send her tea. He has little hope for a truce, commenting that Lord William Howe will seek a settlement "at the point of a Bayonet." Reports news from England that foreign troops are on route to America. Speculates on the possibility of treaty obligations between Britain and Portugal forcing British troops to be shifted away from America to support Portugal. Reports hearing that General Henry Clinton was defeated by General Charles Lee at Charleston…

GLC02437.00396

29 July 1776

Webb, Samuel Blachley, 1753-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Upon the direction of George Washington, provides a letter of introduction for a Mr. Belton, who was recommended by a member of the Continental Congress, to make "some experiments on the Enemies Ships." Requests that Knox assist Belton, give him three canons, and keep the operation a secret. At the time, Webb was one of Washington's aides.

GLC02437.00399

29 July 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to a letter in which Knox described a meeting between George Washington and an adjutant general from the British army seeking to deliver a letter and negotiate a truce (the story was written to Lucy in GLC02437.00385). Claims that the information about the conference had not been known to anyone else in Boston. Seeks Knox's permission to have the account printed. Mentions that the Continental troops have left Boston triggering the creation of a new militia. Comments on preparatory activities of Colonel Craft's regiment. Discusses a privateer's seizure of a ship bound for New…

GLC02437.00400

1861-1865

Envelope

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Envelope without letter. Post marked from Washington.

GLC04189.60

circa 31 March 1865

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Manuscript

Title: Charges and Specifications of Charges Preferred by Acting Rear Admiral S.P. Lee Commanding Mississippi Squadron Against George W. Shallenburger A 2nd Asst Engr of USS "Forest Rose"

Clerical copy of the charges against Shallenburger. He was charged with overstaying his leave of absence by about 10 days (as stated in his diary at GLC02263.02). Charges state he was given a 3 week leave from the USS "Forest Rose" on 1 March 1865. He did not return until 31 March. Endorsed as a true copy by the judge advocate.

GLC02263.03

25 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains that he was disappointed to not receive a letter from Lucy by the most recent post and wonders if the difficulty of her journey to New Haven, Connecticut, prevented her writing. Reports via his brother, William Knox, that the people inoculated for smallpox in Boston are all recovering well. Discusses the possibility of Lucy being inoculated. Mentions that he sent Lucy an indentured servant, Thomas Eliot. Comments on meetings with acquaintances. Discusses the war and remarks that there has been little activity. He believes the British are awaiting reinforcements.

GLC02437.00394

25 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for clothes for nine companies in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Signed in the text by Knox, who indicates that he paid John Marston 1,900 dollars, equal to 570 pounds lawful money, for the clothing. Lists the captains of the nine companies that received the clothing. Signed by John Marston.

GLC02437.00395

28 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the recent American victory in Charleston, South Carolina, and praises the patriotism and dedication of those in the southern campaign. Notes Captain Skimmer (possibly a privateer) seized a large ship and brought it to Marblehead, Massachusetts, and captured Benjamin Davis, a sandemanian preacher who was on board. Reports supplies on board. Davis and the other prisoners were brought to Boston, where the guards had to prevent the people from attacking him. Recounts what he recently wrote to Lucy Knox about her family and the establishment of a Court of Inquiry to try Tories (see…

GLC02437.00397

29 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Very brief letter mentions that there is no news and chastises William for not writing. He expects letters from William and Henry Jackson, the latter recommending officers. See GLC02437.00410 for the reaction of Knox's brother, William, to this letter.

GLC02437.00398

29 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Thanks her for her letter. Discusses Lucy's dislike of Mrs. Nathanael Greene. Longs to see his wife.

GLC02437.00401

1863/6/5

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

The regiment is under marching orders, probably to Maryland or Pennsylvania. He hopes to hear good news from Vicksburg.

GLC04189.46

June 18, 1863

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

The unit is still under heavy marching orders. Rumor says they will go to Pennsylvania. He is not looking forward to the long, hard march. He does not want his son to be hired out. Written at Fairfax Court House.

GLC04189.47

1863/6/22

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

A description of the old Bull Run battlefield. He describes trees cut in half and open graves. "We passed over an old Battle Field they say it was one of Bull Run Battles. I saw a number of Graves Some with legs out. Some with arms out & Some Scarcely Covered at all. Boots lay about with feet still in them & Some seen fingers laying on the ground & I seen several sculls & other Bones about the feild [sic] & woods." The regiment belongs to French's division, which is being held in reserve to guard supplies and ammunition.

GLC04189.48

1863/7/10-11

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Describes the Battle of Gettysburg. Smith was stationed in the Union center near a stone wall. Smith's regiment may have missed the first day's battle because he writes Pickett's Charge occurred on the second day. "We was in the front & center for 3 days & nights it Rained every day & night. 2 nights I lay or sit in water about 6 inches deep by the side of a Stone fence that was of good use to us for protection against their Balls there was a powerful effort made on the centre the Second day after they had tried the Right & Left & been Repulsed in both they had 160…

GLC04189.49

1863/7/19

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Family

He reports that Marylanders act more friendly toward the troops than the people in Pennsylvania. News concerning the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson.

GLC04189.50

1863/7/29

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

His legs are bothering him again. He hopes to either get a job as a blacksmith in the brigade or get a transfer to the invalid Corps. Currently his regiment is guarding the supply train [wagons] against guerrilla attacks.

GLC04189.51