1781/06/16

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry re: neutrality, French alliance, and his anti-British feelings

Written as U.S. Minister to the Netherlands. The first part recommends the bearer, Mr. Le Roy, desirous of commercial connections in America. Adams deprecates the idea of armed neutrality and concludes: "you must not entertain the most distant Idea of Peace while there is one British Soldier alive and at Liberty in America."

GLC02292

1785/07/06

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry re: frustrations and doubts on British commercial treaty

Written as U.S. Minister to Great Britain after formally presenting his credentials to George III. Enclosing letters (not included) "sent to Mr. Jay in Cypher." America had been flooded with British imports after the Revolution, but Congress was not permitted to enact protective tariffs. Instead, various states enacted tariffs.

GLC02293

23 October 1815

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Thanks him for his letter, which included a letter from William Cobbett to Niles. He loves clergymen "because they are often sociable and sensible men," but "the priesthood seems to have something militant and belligerent in its nature." Remarks that Edmund Burke and Samuel Johnson seemed to have supported the idea of religious primacy. Adams had been President of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Smith was Adams's son-in-law and his former secretary.

GLC02295

30 September 1791

Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John E. Howard

Writes to the governor of Maryland to formally accept the appointment of chief judge of the Supreme Court. States he will come to Annapolis on Monday.

GLC02296

28 August 1864

Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888

Letter signed

Title: to Wesley Meritt

Union General Sheridan, Commander of the Middle Military Division and Army of the Shenendoah, writes to Merritt, Commander of the 1st Division Cavalry Corps. States that General William Woods Averell informed him through a scout that Martinsburg, Virginia (present-day West Virginia) is unoccupied by Confederate troops. Writes: "Send out at early dawn parties in the direction of Bunker Hill if it is possible for them, to get through and ascertain whether or not the enemy's infantry are all moving, or have gone, towards Winchester... Prompt information from you, early in the day, may save my…

GLC02297.01

6 April 1860

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Messrs. Bond & Lear

Meade signs as Captain of Topographical Engineers. Discussing telescopes, writes: "I...am aware that in increasing the field, other things remaining the same, we lose power. I have no doubt the glass you are now having made will be satisfactory in all respects..." Requests chronometers, watches, and almanacs. Inquires as to the procurement of a "[Detorsion?] Bar" (for a portable declinometer) in London.

GLC02297.02

February 28, 1865

Warren, Gouverner K., 1830-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hollen Richardson

Marked confidential. Writes to Colonel Richardson as Major General. Warren, with General George Meade's agreement, feels that the drilling required to undertake a secret plan suggested by Richardson will arouse the suspicion of the enemy. On stationary of Head-Quarters, Fifth Army Corps.

GLC02297.03

18 February 1865

Richardson, Hollon, 1835-1916

Letter

Title: to Gouverneur K. Warren

Contains two letters, both copied by James Preston. Page one contains a copy of a letter from Richardson to General Warren dated 18 February 1865. Original created near Petersburg, Virginia. Discusses attacking Petersburg: "I am satisfied in my own mind... that the works of the Enemy in front of Petersburgh, or at almost any point in the line, can be carried by assault... " Refers to the Battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, assuming that an assault on Petersburg should have the same success. Thinks two corps will be sufficient for the assault. The second page contains Warren's reply…

GLC02297.04

22 December 1863

Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Letter

Title: to Charles A. Heckman

Secretarial letter written and signed for Butler by R. C. Davis. Writes to Brigadier General Heckman, commanding forces at Newport News, Virginia. Encloses orders for Captain Belger's Rhode Island battery to report to Point Lookout, Maryland for duty. "The reason for this move is that that country has been added to this Department and an attack by the Rebels is apprehended to release the prisoners now confined there." Written on stationery of Headquarters 18th Army Corps, Department of Virginia & North Carolina.

GLC02297.05

31 March 1863

Combs, Leslie, 1793-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles K. Gallup, esq.

Declares, "The Union as it was, in all its greatness & glory- not one state to be given up."

GLC02297.06

1776-1803

Barry, John, 1745-1803

Printed document signed

Title: [Certificate for distribution of naval prize money]

Signed as a captain in the navy. Blank document certifying that the bearer, aboard a ship under Barry's command, is entitled to a portion of the prize-money (from ships seized). Penciled in notes indicate the document's connection to the navy and the rarity of Barry's autograph.

GLC02297.07

20 October 1861

Curtin, Andrew Gregg, 1815-1894

Letter signed

Title: to Col. J. B. Finlay

Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania, writes to Finlay, who is organizing a regiment, then placing the regiment in the field under the command of another qualified officer. Recommends Colonel Samuel Morris Wickersham of Pittsburgh for the position. Remarks that Wickersham is "a high minded & honorable gentleman, of fine abilities, thorough education & patriotic impulses- Having already authorized Regimental organizations, somewhat in excess of the requisitions of the Genl Government on Penn, I cannot accommodate Col. Wickersham by a further extension of this authority, but take…

GLC02297.08

1862/08/10

Eliot, S. F., fl. 1862

Letter signed

Title: to Brigadier General John M. Brannan

Signed as Brigade Surgeon, 4th N.H. Vols. About health problems in his regiment.

GLC02297.09

6 October 1784

Clark, Abraham, 1726-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: [Abraham Clark's account to Congress]

Submitted and signed by Clark, a Declaration of Independence signer, as a Continental Congressman from New Jersey. Formal account for service in Congress. Mentions that he attended Congress on: 15 November 1782-4 January 1783, 25 February 1783-25 June 1783, 7 July 1783-20 August 1783, and 12 September-31 October 1783. At his pay rate of 4 dollars/day he claims he was owed 1056 dollars. This account corrects Clark's dates of attendance in E.C. Burnett's "Letters of Members of the Continental Congress." On verso are two notes signed by "Colonel Houston." The first note says he received…

GLC02298

August 1857

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written after relinquishing the post of Secretary of War, defending himself against charges made by General John Wool. Davis asks that his correspondent publish his letters on the matter, in hopes of clearing his name. Davis also writes about the events at the Battle of Buena Vista. Wool had been voted a testimonial sword by Congress but had not received it in California and believed that Davis kept it out of spite.

GLC02299

1802-1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Header Record

Title: [Collection of 26 letters from William Ellery to his son, George Wanton Ellery. Decimalized.]

GLC02300

4 August 1802

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island, to encourage him in his studies: "It is my highest wish that you should be so educated as to assist you in becoming a useful and honorable member of society; and if can give you such an education it will be the best legacy I can leave you." Would like him to go to college. When he next visits, he is to get winter clothes. Sends his regards to the Chaloners and to Mr. Updike and to his family. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He…

GLC02300.01

January 16, 1803

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Is pleased to learn that the son of his friend, Mr. Bowen, boards with George. Advises him to be studious: "Now is your time to lay a foundation for future usefulness. Time past cannot be recalled. Therefore, my son, exert yourself, and let not your hours run to waste without improvement." Asks him to have the weak part of his skates replaced. Mrs. Barney is to apply to Mr. Updike for any monies owed the school for him. Docketed by George Wanton Ellery. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785,…

GLC02300.02

January 25, 1803

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Admonishes his carelessness in exposing himself to poison sumac, and warns him to avoid poisons in the future: "I wish to see you a strong, vigorous boy, not a puny effeminate one." Encourages him to expose as much of his body as is possible to the air and not to overdress. Notes spelling errors in his letters and gives him advice on word division. Explains that he took him out of Mr. Chaloner's School and placed him in Captain Barney's School because it was less expensive. Asks if he has the proper Latin textbooks…

GLC02300.03

26 March 1803

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks George for admonishing him for forgetting to date his last letter. Corrects his spelling and grammar errors, and instructs him how to fold and seal letters properly. Asks George to retain his letters: "keep my letters as I do yours." Commends George on his diligence in getting through his Latin grammar. In the event of Ellery's death George's care will be entrusted to his older brother, William. Will pass on to Dick his thanks for the oranges. Docketed by recipient. A Member of the Continental Congress from…

GLC02300.04

2 May 1803

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks him for his letter. Corrects his spelling and grammar errors. Encloses with this letter a pair of socks from Nancy. George is to bring his clothes when he visits, and leave his books where they will be safe. He should also bring his old clothes, "for they may be useful to a little boy whom I have hired because old Dick has become infirm." Ellery will travel to Providence on business, but will return the next Wednesday. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of…

GLC02300.05

16 June 1803

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Mentions Dr. Pearson, a professor at Harvard College, who visited Wickford. Uses George's fishing mishap, a dogfish snapping his line, as a metaphor to teach a lesson about dog-like men giving one trouble in life. Corrects his spelling and grammar, but also commends George for his improved spelling and writing. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.

GLC02300.06

25 October 1803

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks him for his letter of 15 October, which had been delayed because of misdelivery. Ellery is a strong supporter of good local schools. Encourages George in his study of Latin grammar. Carr has not finished his shoes, and when he does, he will send them to George. Critiques his handwriting, grammar, and spelling. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.

GLC02300.07

11 November 1803

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks him for his letter. Gives dietary advice to avoid cholic. Accuses George of writing a short letter in order to avoid errors, and tells him to "[s]tretch your wings, and fly over two pages at least." Since his shoes are too small, he should get a pair in Wickford. Includes a recipe for rat poison for Mr. Updike. Closes with an admonition to George to keep his teeth clean. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was…

GLC02300.08

25 May 1804

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Advises George that perseverance is necessary to succeeding in studies, and that education lays the "foundation for future reputation and usefulness." Is sorry to hear of the derangement with Benjamin Reynolds. Tells him of the unexpected deaths of two members of the same family. Advises George to read his Bible, and to go to church both forenoon and afternoon on Sundays. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the…

GLC02300.09