January 15, 1797

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Mentions the loss of two children and settling into his new home and the surrounding area. Also discusses Washington's retirement and the threat of war with France, "there will be no danger of the french attempting an invasion of our country. If they should we must resist..." Regarding the slave revolt in Santo Domingo, he says: "The whites will either starve or be murdered by the blacks." Noted as a draft in the docket. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.06900

29 August 1796

Bradford, Samuel, 1759-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he is very flattered to have been appointed by the President as Marshall of the district (presumably of Boston). Very much appreciates Knox's friendship and support, which helped him attain the position. Promises to conduct himself well.

GLC02437.06804

19 March 1797

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Adams

Writes that he does not know if he ought to congratulate Adams on becoming the next president, since there are also a lot of issues and heavy responsibilities that come with the office, but expresses his happiness that Adams will be "at the helm of Government." Discusses Adams' inaugural speech and an impending war with France.

GLC02437.06936

February 14, 1803

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to Knox to discuss why Adams "dissented from the vote for an address to remove the two Judges." Includes the major reasons as to why he dissented, such as that the judges were only accused of "official misdemeanors," and that the Constitution does not provide for the removal of judges except by the impeachment procedure.

GLC02437.07788

16 December 1805

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Quincy Adams

Docket indicates the addressee is "J Q Adams," as Secretary of the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Writes in response to the academy's electing him a member; accepts the honor with gratitude.

GLC02437.07990

circa 29 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [draft of a letter to George Washington regarding possible British troop movements from Detroit] [incomplete]

This appears to be a partial, preliminary draft of Knox's 29 August 1790 letter to George Washington (in the GW Papers at the Library of Congress) responding to Washington's secret communication of 27 August. In that communication, sent to the members of his Cabinet, Washington asked for opinions as to the proper response to take if the British asked for permission to travel across U.S. territory, from Detroit to the Mississippi, in order to attack Spanish posts. See GLC02437.04709, GLC02437.08217, and GLC02437.09449 for related drafts.

GLC02437.08216

18 May 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Discusses the appointment of either Mr. [Thomas] Pinckney or [David] Humphreys as the minister to the Republic of France. Mentions Mr. Pinckney might transfer to France as long it is not disagreeable to him. Also notes Mr. Humphreys has not voiced opinions on the French Revolution and would make a good appointment. Recommends the following people, [Thomas] Jefferson, [James] Madison, Governor Henry Lee Virginia, John Rutledge, Elbridge Gerry, Doctor William Eustis, and Jedediah Huntington, along with a few others. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.06098

6 October 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Secretary of War Knox informs the president of his arrival in Philadelphia, and also for permission to join Washington in Carlisle, Pennsylvania "until the painful task upon which you are, shall be settled." The "painful task" was the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion by government troops, headed by Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Virginia Governor Henry Lee. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.06219

21 November 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to George Washington

A brief description of lands for sale. Document is unsigned but appears to be in Knox's handwriting.

GLC02437.06247

January 24, 1795

Belknap, Jeremy, 1744-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Warns Knox he published some observations in a local newspaper regarding what he perceived as "offensive" passages written in Knox's report to the President (George Washington).

GLC02437.06322

September 2, 1795

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Knox discusses public reaction to Jay's Treaty, which had just been ratified candidates to fill the vacant position of U.S. Attorney General, the arrival in the U.S. of Lafayette's son, who had just escaped from Revolutionary France, mutual friends, and his own family. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.06510

May 6, 1824

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McLean

Secretary of State Adams writes to McLean, Commissioner of the General Land Office, about the government responsibility for internal improvements. In response to McLean's request, he encloses a copy of an 1807 resolution he put before the senate on the topic (written on p. 3 in a secretarial hand) and indicates it can be "found in the Octavo Edition of the Journals of the Senate recently published Vol. 4, p. 155." Describes it as "the first Resolution ever offered in Congress, contemplating a general system of internal improvement." Discusses the congressional vote on it and the…

GLC01727

June 30, 1824

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: to Oliver Wolcott Jr.

Partly printed circular letter signed as Secretary of State written to the Governor of Connecticut, with printed resolution on page 3 directing distribution of copies of the (W. J. Stone) facsimile of the Declaration, and other documents. A note at bottom of page 1 reads: "Two of these are for the Colleges of the State." The circular is accompanied by a separate small folio sheet printing of the resolution.

GLC01728

7 March 1829

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John McLean as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court]

Countersigned by James Hamilton as acting Secretary of State. Autograph note signed by Charles H. W. Wharton on verso certifies that McLean has sworn to support the Constitution of the United States. Docketed on verso by Wharton. Writing is faded on document. Paper seal on left side.

GLC01734

June 30, 1829

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

President Jackson responds to a letter from an unknown sender suggesting that Cadwallader David Colden represent the United States Government in the Netherlands. He expresses his favor regarding this suggestion, and praises Colden's character.

GLC01735

March 4, 1834

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moses Dawson

Jackson writes as President concerning the subsiding economic panic of 1834 caused by the calling in of loans by the second Bank of the United States. Informs that the panic will leave the country in a better condition "... by giving us, in time, a metalic currency to meet the wants of the labouring class of the community by putting down the circulation of notes under five dollars ... " Jackson made a decision to prohibit all bank notes worth less than five dollars. Ends the letter by stating, "The tyrant [the Second Bank of the United States] is chained & must expire at the end of its…

GLC01736

March 1, 1806

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Mitchill

President Jefferson sends New York Senator Mitchill an enclosed letter (not included) regarding a case involving General John Armstrong. He asks if the Tripoline Treaty experiences delay in the Senate. One full length seated engraving of Jefferson included.

GLC01737

May 4, 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: to unknown

Lincoln writes a note on military forces. He recommends a division be admitted to the new corps of volunteers.

GLC01739

4 April 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Promotion of Nathaniel C. McLean to Brigadier General of Volunteers]

Official document promoting McLean, signed by President Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Partially printed from an engraving, with blanks filled in by hand. This item was accompanied by maps. Includes blue seal on top left section.

GLC01740.01

May 2, 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to California Delegation in Congress

Lincoln asks the delegation to take a case off his hands because he does not have time to get acquainted with it. The case referred to is not identified. Letter written on Executive Mansion stationary. One bust engraving of Lincoln included.

GLC01741

March 16, 1817

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Swartwout

Letter written by Monroe as President to Swartwout, the former Quartermaster-General from March 1813 to June 1816. Monroe was Secretary of War from 1814 to 1815 and Swartwout reported to him during that point in the War of 1812. Swartwout apparently wrote Monroe for documents defending his conduct during the war. Monroe says he is returning papers relating to claims of Swartwout from January 1815. Says he remembers the time well and recollects the powers given to Swartwout to carry out the war. Says his letter from February 4, 1815 will give the best account of the powers given him. Says…

GLC01743.01

22 November 1816

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph document signed

Title: [A general account of General Robert Swartwout's duties]

Written by Monroe as Secretary of State, recollecting the appointment and duties of Quartermaster-General Robert Swartwout, who served from March 1813 to June 1816. Monroe also served as Secretary of War in 1814-1815 and would have been his superior during those years. Swartwout was apparently seeking documents after questions of his conduct came up. Using cautious wording, Monroe recollects authorizing Swartmout's recommendations for deputies and assistants in January 1815. Also says it was decided to raise a large force for an approaching campaign and gave Swartwout the necessary powers to…

GLC01743.02

September 25, 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Tallmadge

Letter signed as commander in chief and written in the hand of John Laurens, Washington's aide. Assures Tallmadge that his cavalry would receive enough supplies but warns that there will be no new horses. Complains about the dragoon's ill use of the horses, "It gives me pain but I cannot forbear attributing the ill state of the Cavalry, in a great measure to the unrestrained licence of the Dragoons in the use of their horses; their speed is equally immoderate on all occasions; when they are detached, nor are their horses less freely employed on their own private concerns." Letter addressed to…

GLC01746

January 6, 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Mary Katherine Goddard

Washington responds to a previous letter from Goddard, who requested his intervention in her replacement as postmaster of Baltimore, Maryland. Replies that "the Resolutions and Ordinances establishing the Post-Office under the former Congress, and which have been recognized by the present Government, giving power to the Post-Master General to appoint his own Deputies, and making him accountable for their conduct, is an insufferable objection to my taking any part in this matter." See GLC09756 for materials sent to George Washington by Mary Katherine Goddard.

GLC01747

18 April 1863

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Document signed

Title: [Military voucher for the payment of General Garfield and three servants]

Partially printed. Signed by Garfield as Brigadier General of Volunteers and Chief of Staff, Department of the Cumberland. Garfield acknowledges receipt of $304 from Major William Smith, Paymaster in Washington, D.C. Pertains to pay for the month of March 1863 for Garfield and his private servants. Notes that this payment is for service at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Lists the names of three servants: James Rollins and John Brockenberry, whose complexions are described as "cold," and Albert. Servants' eyes and hair are "Black." Servants were allotted three rations per day; Garfield…

GLC01762.01