circa 1585-1763

Docket

Title: Docket listing witnesses

GLC03107.04807

17 October 1791

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

This is a letter requesting information for President George Washington's address to Congress. Hamilton seeks material on the expeditions against the Indians and specifically requests items describing "Every pacific measure" that was tried to produce an accommodation and avoid expense. Hamilton also asks for information on the "More pointed laws with penalties to rest[r]ain our own people." Also requests information on the treaties with the Cherokee and Six Nations, and the reasons for making them. Asks him to include anything else he thinks pertinent. Refer to GLC02437.05210 for Knox's…

GLC02437.05199

26 July 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Haskins

Marked "copy" in docket. Discusses the "pitiable case" of Haskins's son-in-law, Mr. John Inman, who has been imprisoned for debt and has become "deprived of his reason." Upon hearing about the case, Knox took a physician to evaluate him and then decided to help him make arrangements with his creditors.

GLC02437.03287

30 July 1786

Haskins, John, 1729-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his attention to his son-in-law Mr. John Inman (see GLC02437.03287) and for "delivering [him] from Prison & perhaps Death." Inman arrived last night and was escorted home by General [John] Crane, and is "now under the care of an able Physician god grant he may be returned to his right mind." Is aware that Inman made a "very great sacrifice of property" in his New York business, and will see to it that "strict justice" be granted to Inman's creditors, who had him confined for debt and then allowed for his liberation. Will see to it that they receive the money owed them.

GLC02437.03288

2 June 1790

Harwood, Hannah, F.U., fl. 1774-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Apologizes for not writing sooner, but declares she was ashamed to tell him that no progress had been made on their Waldo patent land dealings. However, is pleased to report that she "obliged the Creditors of my Father to consent to your receiving your demand without a chancery suit." Discusses business interests relating to the Waldo patent and debt repayment, including financial affairs with Thomas Longman in London, England. Also discusses family news, congratulating the Knox family on the birth of a new son.

GLC02437.04622

27 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Hamilton

Knox informs Hamilton that "Mr. Tyler of Deer Island in the Province Maine has shown a statement of his case drawn up by Judge Sewall." Knox wants to check that the business meets Hamilton's approval.

GLC02437.04738

14 August 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Paul Dudley Sargent, Oliver Parker, Thomas Phillips

Knox relates to Sargent, Parker, and Phillips the assaults and death of his surveyors by "unlawful and armed combinations of individuals" who had only murder as their intention on July 18, 1800. Knox asks that they bear in mind the "law of the Commonwealth passed the 20th day of February 1787, entitled "an act for the more speedy and effectual suppression of Tumults and insurrections in the Commonwealth." Knox wants these perpetrators punished.

GLC02437.07445

1691

Provoost, Johannes, fl. 1691

Manuscript signed

Title: Petition of Johannes Provoost to Governor Henry Sloughter

Provoost petitioned the Governor to ask that a ship unlawfully confiscated by Jacob Leisler be returned to him.

GLC03107.04830

30 August 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Writes that he was unable to respond sooner to Hodgdon as he was traveling with Mr. [William] Bingham. Discusses in great detail the judgment of the Bank of Pennsylvania against their associate Mr. [George] Meade (he spells it "Mead"), which has pushed Hodgdon's finances into danger. Mentions a recently concluded business deal with Mr. Alexander Baring, and money he received from that. Considers Mr. Hodgdon's options to salvage his finances.

GLC02437.06806

13 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William] Hull

Knox vouches for Isaac Wilkins, who delivers this letter to Colonel [William] Hull. Wilkins hopes to move from Long Island to Westchester, New York. Notes that during the course of the war, Wilkins conduct has been "fine," and his character "unexceptionable." Adds that Chief Justice [Richard] Morris had advised Wilkins on the move. Hopes to "free him from any apprehensions of the Laws of this State respecting persons attached to the british Government." Appears to be asking Hull to protect Wilkins from the "bandittes" or banditti. See GLC02437.02225, .02461, and .10120 for related…

GLC02437.10119

January 29, 1785

Giles, James, fl. 1776-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for assistance in obtaining the depreciation of pay for his service during the Revolutionary War. Expresses his hope to settle his accounts with the New York Legislature. Writes that although he fares well as a lawyer in New York, he does not expect "to be amongst the foremost in the Profession" because his studies were neglected during the time he served in the military.

GLC02437.03089

11 March 1787

Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses an issue concerning the salary of the governor. States that "One step they [the General Court] took[,] I am afraid[,] will be injurious in the approach[ing] election - which is that the two Towns passed a Bill to reduce the Governor salary to eight hundred pounds." Believes that the state did not honor the agreement made with the governor concerning his income. Writes that "such is the diversity of opinion among the People that I shall not be surprised if there is no Governor or Lieut Gov. chosen by them." Notes that the state has chosen its delegates for the meeting in Philadelphia…

GLC02437.03488

24 June 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christopher Gore

Written as an introductory letter for Mr. Tallerand and Beaumetz, "two gentlemen, of the greatest respectability, whom the troubles of France have constrained to quit their ... Country." Continues saying that "[t]hey are on a visit to New england where I flatter myself they will see as much genuine liberty regulated by order and law, as ever blessed any portion of Mankind." Watermarked "J Watt & C Patent Copying/Sold by J Woodmason/London." Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10310

circa 1763-1783

Manuscript

Title: Notes on a court case concerning a land dispute [fragment]

GLC03107.04754

1837

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of Salmon P. Chase, in the case of the colored woman Matilda

Speech given before an Ohio court, arguing for the freedom of a slave named Matilda. Argues that Matilda should be free now that she is in Ohio, and argues that the Fugitive Slave Act is unconstitutional. Matilda had been brought before the court by a writ of habeas corpus. She had been working as a servant for Chase's client, when it was discovered she was an escaped slave.

GLC05114

1860

Elliott, E. N., fl. 1860

Book

Title: Cotton is king, and pro-slavery arguments; comprising the writings of Hammond, Harper, Christy, Stringfellow, Hodge, Bledsoe, and Cartwright, on this important subject, by E. N. Elliott...

(title continues)... With an essay on slavery in the light of international law, by the editor. 908 pages of text followed by 4 pages of advertisements at the end of book. Contains prints of some authors whose works are included. Printed by Pritchard, Abbot & Loomis. Includes prefaces to the first, second, and third editions. Includes articles or books by David Christy, Albert Taylor Bledsoe, Thornton Stringfellow, and others.

GLC05115

1850

Tappan, Lewis, 1788-1873

Pamphlet

Title: The fugitive slave bill: its history and unconstitutionality

Gives various arguments why the Fugitive Slave bill should be declared unconstitutional. Also tells the story of James Hamlet, a mulatto arrested under the law despite protests that he was not a slave. Eventually Hamlet was returned to freedom. Full title reads: "The Fugitive Slave Bill: its history and unconstitutionality; with an account of the seizure and enslavement of James Hamlet, and his subsequent restoration to liberty." Printed by William Harned. First edition. With handwritten notes in an unknown hand in pencil on pages 24-6, 28, 30, 32, 24 and 36.

GLC05118

11 September 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Mifflin

Presidential circular letter in which Washington transmits to Mifflin "the duplicates of the two Acts - one to establish the Treasury Department - and one for registering and clearing Vessels, regulating the coasting trade, and for other purposes."

GLC07116

20 August 1815

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

Written by Madison as President to Rush as Attorney General. Asks advice on various problems the government needs to handle. Wants to know if it is proper to give naval protection against the "Carthaginian Corsairs" -- probably the Barbary powers. Madison thinks it is proper, but wants to make sure. Louisiana Governor William Charles Cole Claiborne wants to know if it is proper to use naval and military forces against Spanish provinces. Asks Rush for precedents and suggests talking to Secretary of State Monroe about his letter to the Spanish diplomat Louis de Onís. Also asks for suggestions…

GLC07110

2 April 1828

Key, Francis Scott, 1779-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John H. B. Latrobe

Concerning an American Colonization Society legal settlement arising from the transportation of cargo and colonists. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and member of the society, brainstorms ideas for diminishing their liability. Latrobe was also a lawyer. 1 black and white bust engraving of Key included. Written in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

GLC07100

21 March 1802

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Burdett

Written by Clay as a lawyer in Lexington, Kentucky, before he began his political career to Burdett as an attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio. References a previous letter by Burdett respecting Jim, a runaway slave whose status was in question. Says an answer was not necessary because he had already forwarded "a Copy of those papers on which Jim's right to his freedom is founded. He derives his title from an Indian ancestor who was in the early part of the last Century reduced to Slavery in Virginia, contrary to the laws of that State." The only difficulty of his claim arises from the uncertainty of…

GLC07098

21 November 1840

Baldwin, Roger Sherman, 1793-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodore Sedgwick

Discusses a two hundred page report (possibly of the Amistad case). Mentions Lewis Tappan, an abolitionist who supported the Amistad Africans' freedom. Discusses the authenticity of treaties admitted as evidence in the Amistad case at District Court. Refers to the Amistad Africans, whose recent importation to Cuba, reflected the violation of international and Spanish law. States that John Quincy Adams, who assisted with the Africans' defense, "Thinks the govt, when they see the record, may abandon their appeal without a hearing; as he is very confident they cannot hope to be successful.…

GLC07099

14 December 1872

Chase, Thomas N., fl. 1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Sumner with Sumner's autograph endorsement signed

Chase, a professor at Atlanta University, updates Sumner on the condition of African Americans in Georgia. States that "[t]he opposition to the elevation of the colored people is becoming more & more intense. 'I don't want a nigger to know more than I do' is the general sentiment." Reports that in Georgia, African Americans are excluded from the benefit of agricultural scrip. States that Joseph Emerson Brown, Chairman of the Atlanta Board of Education, does not support African American schools as much as he supports white schools. He indicates that black students only get female…

GLC07202.02

circa 1866

K.L.K., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Sumner

A vitriolic death threat signed with initials: "Your infamous equal rights bill if passed will secure your death inside of 8 months. The spirit of 76 is not dead yet & the Land which my & our forefathers fought for shall never be compelled to submit to the motion of a petifoger, or the filthy arm of an alien Black ignoramous nor shall her [2] sons & daughters be made to bow their heads, & grovel in the earth at the command of an Alien. So beware I sware & I never sware falsely your life shall be the penalty." Signs the letter, "Yours with extreme disgust." Writes a post…

GLC07202.03

16 April 1776

Van Schaack, Henry, 1733-1823

Autograph letter

Title: to his brother [incomplete]

Writes to his brother about the shipment of goods, family matters, and a difficult boy working as his clerk, named Johnny. Discusses legal issues pertaining to the division of a land patent in Kinderhook, New York. Incomplete and not signed. Possibly a retained copy. Henry had a brother named Peter Van Schaack, who is possibly the recipient of this letter.

GLC07160.02