June 11, 1783

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Hamilton writes to Clinton in Poughkeepsie, New York to inform him that he wants to return to private occupations and will resign his office as a New York member of the Continental Congress within ten days.

GLC00812

18 June 1787

Lansing, John, 1754-1829

Manuscript document

Title: The Supreme Legislative power of the United States of America...

Hamilton's constitutional plan for two legislative bodies, as Assembly and Senate, and a permanently elected executive. In the hand of John Lansing, Jr.

GLC00819.10

June 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph manuscript

Title: Proposition... from Mr. Franklin [and] Proposition from Mr. Rutledge

Franklin/Rutledge proposals with population figures. Docketed: "Proposition from Doctor Franklin June 30, 87- with sundry reports & Calculations from two Committees." Franklin proposed an equal number of delegates for the second branch of government and fixing their salary (p. 1), while Rutledge proposed basing the number of "suffrages" upon each state's revenues (p. 2). Page 3 consists of calculation of representation for the states. Dated June 30 through July 10, 1787

GLC00819.11

20 August 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: And to make all Laws, not repugnant to this Constitution....

Half sheet of paper signed "P. Butler." A brief fragment concerning Congress' power to legislate. Date from Hutson.

GLC00819.12

21 August 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph manuscript

Title: All demands... against the United States

Quarter sheet of paper. Confirming the validity of debts incurred by the previous Congress which will devolve upon the new legislature. With addition in a different hand "The Legislature shall fulfill the Engagements and discharge the Debts of the United States."

GLC00819.13

30 August 1787

Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813

Manuscript

Title: Objections to the Constitution as far as it has advanced...

Lists eleven objections to the Constitution (the 12th has been struck). Docket reads "Objections to the Constitution / by Mr. Randal."

GLC00819.18

31 August 1787

Mason, George, Sr., 1725-1792

Manuscript document

Title: [Various proposals:] The Council of State...

Large folio sheet. Unidentified handwriting. Also re: import duties, revenues, limiting terms and appointments of elected officials including the President, limits on the executive pardon authority and a rejected clause concerning revenues.

GLC00819.19

30 August 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph manuscript

Title: The Members of the Legislature shall be ineligible to any Office...

Quarter sheet concerning eligibility for offices. Date from Hutson

GLC00819.20

14 - 15 September 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph manuscript

Title: Free persons, those bound to servitude for a term of years...

Two fragments written on front and back of a quarter sheet of paper. The front has part of the 3/5's clause. On verso begins "Prov'd that no Monopoly be granted"

GLC00819.22

August 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Notes on debate]: Whether the States Vote Equally or not....

Half sheet of paper. Not dated in Hutson. Debate concerning the equality of votes of the states and the danger to small states posed by large ones.

GLC00819.24

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

June 4, 1821

Pinckney, Charles, 1757-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Gales, Jr.

Written by Pinckney, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, as a Congressman from South Carolina to Gales, an editor of the National Intelligencer newspaper. Letter marked "Confidential." Sending along a copy of his speech against the prohibition of slavery in Missouri. He regrets that it has taken so long because he has been travelling. He wants his speech to appear in one issue of the paper and gives directions so that it will be as mistake-free as possible when it is printed. He hopes they like it and that they will notice "some observations as to the dependence of the Eastern & Northern…

GLC00852

January 16, 1840

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Solomon Haven

Fillmore writes as a U.S. Representative to Haven, serving as lawyer in Buffalo, New York. He complains of the cold, writing "People here know nothing of comfort in cold weather. Their houses are all built for a southern summer, but by some mistake we have now got a northern winter." Remarks that Mitchell (possibly Representative Charles F. Mitchell, also from New York) made an exposé the previous day in the House of Representatives, and that it will be published in the following day's Intelligencer. He remarks "The day has been wholly spent in discussing abolition- All the insolent…

GLC01088

23 August 1935

Photograph signed

Title: [Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the 1935 Bank Reform Act]

Also signed by ten other persons in the photograph, including Carter Glass and Henry Steagall. Shows Roosevelt sitting at his desk signing the act while the other ten men look on from behind.

GLC01094

May 1, 1822

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to House of Representatives

Recommends Congress grant a request by the government of Norway that the United States provide reciprocity of a policy reducing port duties and cargo unlading fees for U.S. vessels using Norwegian harbors. Letter written a year before the Monroe Doctrine.

GLC01107

May 24, 1854

Colfax, Schuyler, 1823-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Pitt Fessenden

Colfax notes that he is not personally acquainted with Senator Fessenden, but they were both present at a previous National Convention. He hopes that instead of voting against the Clayton Amendment, Fessenden will allow it to pass, in hopes that its passage and effect will prove disastrous for the bill's supporters: "...it would drag down the Conspirators to a deeper degradation & a more decisive condemnation." He calls supporters of the bill "Douglasites," possibly a reference to Senator Stephen A. Douglas. Letter written on Register Office, South Bend stationery. Top left corner…

GLC01095

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

1776

Hall & Sellers

Printed document signed

Title: [One third of a dollar, No. 307773]

Partly printed document signed by J. Sellers, of Hall & Sellers, Philadelphia printers. The front indicates the money was printed according to a resolution of the Continental Congress passed 17 February 1776. Underneath an icon of a sundial appears the phrase: "Mind Your Business."

GLC01450.215.03

June 12, 1776

Wendell, John, 1731-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Wendell asks Gerry to use his political influence to help place him in a number of governmental positions. Says that he is confident he can attain the position of "Vendue Master" if Gerry can get him a favorable letter from the President. Also mentions his own powerful friends. He views Canada as integral to American success, though hears events are going poorly there. Letter is tipped onto a border.

GLC01450.234

June 16, 1776

Freeman, Samuel, 1743-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

On Gerry's advice, Freeman and his regiment "have applied to Court to consider our losses at Falmouth," in the hopes the court would petition Congress. The court refuses, and feels it might seem "selfish" to do such a thing. Discusses trouble obtaining copies of records of Congress.

GLC01450.235

October 25, 1781

Stone, Michael Jenifer, 1747-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Stone writes a long letter to his brother that includes an announcement that "Cornwallis was taken." Discusses his brother's business in Philadelphia and advises him of the benefits of continuing to cultivate a friendship with a man named Mr. Morrill. Discusses commerce and American affairs: "at present the flourishing State of American affairs gives me warm hopes that Speculation must be succeeded by a Sober and regular Spirit of Commerce." Indicates that the public prints have announced his membership in the Maryland state house of delegates. Also admits his likelihood of joining Congress,…

GLC01450.412.15

December 6, 1780

Lee, Arthur, 1740-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Docketed in Gerry's hand. Tells Gerry that Congress has finally decided to satisfy his accounts "declaring that no charge against me have been proved." Comments that he thinks "a serious inquiry into the conduct of the Commissioners, must soon commence" and defends the quality of the military supplies he secured from Gardoqui & Co. in France. Briefly relates news of advantages against Lord Cornwallis and General Leslie's evacuation of Virginia. Lee had been recalled from France, suspected of abusing his diplomatic post.

GLC01450.456

18 July 1780

Levy, Levy Andrew, fl. 1745-1784

Document signed

Title: to Joseph Bullock

Sending Bullock all the second class lottery tickets he has sold. Includes the numbers of these tickets. In regard to a dispute over lottery tickets & prizes.

GLC01450.508

May 8, 1781

Lovell, James, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Discusses fiscal matters in detail, claiming that "Nothing can exceed the Confusion here as to money." Comments on problems related to paying delegates, regarding inflation caused by paper money and the state as paymaster. Using personal examples, he worries he will not be able to provide for his family if he does not use hard currency (coin money) but also is concerned with what effect converting paper money will have on his reputation. Laments that "All the Stuff about Money is contrary to my natural Disposition. I began as early as 19 to have a Contempt of Wealth...This Discussion now…

GLC01450.541