5 November 1852

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed document

Title: To the voters of the Counties of Oswego and Madison

Complains that he was nominated for a Congressional seat, a position he did not seek. Assures he will not resign, but will perform his duty, pursuing abolition from his position. Includes his political creed, asserting that slavery is not in the Federal Constitution, that free trade is the necessary outgrowth of human brotherhood, and that political rights encompass all persons, among other beliefs. Contains a pencil note at the top.

GLC04717.36

5 January 1855

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed letter

Title: Hon. H. C. Goodwin, M.C.

Smith writes, "I am happy to see, in the proceedings of the House of Representatives, the proposition to take up the Bill for the relief of the sufferers by French spoliations... We must remember the condition of our country in 1778, in order to estimate rightly the value to her of the Treaties, which she made with France, in that year..." Henry Charles Goodwin served as a United States Representative from New York 1853-1854 and 1857-1858.

GLC04717.67

February 1, 1845

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed letter

Title: Hon. F. Whittlesey of Rochester

Criticizes Whittlesey for advocating a plan for higher rates of toll on the Oswego River than on the western part of the Erie Canal. Smith calls it "discrimination in tolls." Whittlesey served as a United States Representative from New York 1831-1834, and as a justice of the State supreme court in 1847 and 1848.

GLC04717.68

22 June 1872

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed document

Title: Speech of Gerrit Smith (to his neighbors) in Peterboro, N.Y., June 22d 1872.

Smith writes "The Democratic Party is my dread. The Republican Party is my hope... I need not say that it is not the original Democratic Party- the party of my childhood and youth... But this modern Democratic party- this degenerate Democratic party- is very unlike the original Democratic party." Defends President Ulysses S. Grant against criticism. Mentions United States Senator Charles Sumner's speech against Grant, accusing Grant of insulting Frederick Douglass. In closing asks, "Is there a black man either at the North or at the South, who is inclined to vote the Democratic ticket?…

GLC04717.71

1 March 1876

Cox, Samuel Sullivan, 1824-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Lewis Maury

Writes that one of two bills he introduced (to relieve the disabilities imposed by the 14th Amendment) passed. The bill to relieve Judge Hawkins of Florida passed, and the bill to relieve Maury should pass tomorrow. Cox was a U.S. Congressman from New York.

GLC04572.39

4 March 1876

Cox, Samuel Sullivan, 1824-1889

Printed document

Title: [U. S. House of Representatives bill]

Printed copy of a U. S. House of Representatives bill introduced by Cox to "remove the political disabilities of William L. Maury... that all legal and political disabilities imposed by the fourteenth amendment of the constitution of the United States, by reason of participation in the rebellion, be, and they are hereby removed." Includes a printed note on verso that the bill was read before the House 31 January 1876. Includes a handwritten note on verso, likely in Cox's hand, noting that the bill "Just passed 1 P.M. Friday March 4. 76."

GLC04572.40

18 May 1876

Kernan, Francis, 1816-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Sullivan Cox

The bill for the relief of William L. Maury passed the Senate yesterday. Encloses (not included) a copy of the bill as it passed the Senate, striking the phrase "legal and. . . ." Undated note from Cox responds that he will make sure the House concurs in "the verbal amend[men]t of the Senate." Kernan was a U.S. senator from New York.

GLC04572.41

21 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Thanks her for writing and remarks that "Religion and virtue dictated every line" of her last letter. Discusses death from a religious perspective. Informs Lucy that this letter will be delivered by Elbridge Gerry, a member of the Continental Congress from Massachusetts, and asks her to be as civil towards him as her circumstances will allow. Notes that Gerry will tell her about General Charles Lee's recent victory over the British at Fort Moultrie in Charleston (28 June 1776), South Carolina, and Knox provides some details about the battle. Briefly mentions the unsuccessful attempt of an…

GLC02437.00387

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

16 July 1776

Paine, Robert T., 1731-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that the British approach necessitates a change in location for casting brass cannons and indicates that an air furnace will be set up in Pennsylvania. Congress will still offer to employ Mr. Byers for the job if it can be done at a reasonable cost. Inquires if brass cannons can be cast without sea coal and expresses concerns about the weight of the cannons to be cast. Reports that Congress has written Byers a letter and urges Knox to send it to him and have him reply expeditiously. Mentions that Knox has new visitors and asks him to "treat them in a very polite manner,"…

GLC02437.00379

29 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Adams

Later copy of the original. Notifies Adams' that a founder named Mr. Byers is on his way to Philadelphia to make cannons for the artillery. Seeks Adams' support. Also emphasizes the importance of working copper mines in New Jersey. Adams was then a member of the Continental Congress.

GLC02437.00403

circa July 1776

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph note signed

Title: to Henry Knox

After receiving an inquiry from the Continental Congress, General Heath asks Knox how many of the canons brought to Massachusetts from Fort Ticonderoga (for the Siege of Boston) were brought from Cambridge to New York, and how many belong to New England colonies. At the time, Heath was in New York, serving under General Israel Putnam. Signed in text in the third person.

GLC02437.00405

13 August 1776

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's letter (see GLC02437.00403) to tell him that he did not meet with the founder making the cannons Knox wrote about, but another member of the Continental Congress did. Reports that the congress is also making efforts to mine copper in New Jersey. Discusses the possibility of sending Knox some information about five ships, probably seized vessels. Agrees that Massachusetts should supply the army with more officers, since they supply so many soldiers. Adams continues to discuss the need to promote Massachusetts officers and raises additional artillery concerns in a letter to…

GLC02437.00416

15 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Complains that Henry has not written to him recently and explains how he has received information from Lucy Knox and Mrs. Jonathan Pollard. Claims that they do not have many good sources for the news in Boston. Indicates that a British ship called the Mifford is seizing any vessel that comes near it in the bay. Mentions plans to mobilize troops from Connecticut. Notes that Benjamin Franklin, Edward Rutledge, and John Adams were being sent by Congress to meet with William Howe, a peace conference that later proved unsuccessful. Mentions reports of a battle on Lake Champlain. Business has…

GLC02437.00445

3 March 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Continued 3 April. Notes that General Hatch relieved General Seymour as commander of the District of Florida. Seymour is under investigation by a congressional committee on the Florida campaign. The section dated 3 April explains that a steamer had not come to take the mail yet.

GLC04663.35

23 May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Indicates that he received William's letter from his wife Lucy, who just arrived in New York with their newborn child. Anticipates New York as "principal seat of war" and worries about his family being in harms way. Mentions that George Washington has gone to meet with the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to discuss the current campaign. Welcomes the news that General Horatio Gates has been promoted to major general and been placed in charge of the defense of Boston. Mentions a heavy loss inflicted by a schooner from the West Indies two days earlier. Promises to write more frequently…

GLC02437.00311

13 December 1782

Paterson, John, 1744-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has received his most recent letter accompanying the address to Congress, and will comply with Knox's request to have it signed by the committee members and then pass it on to Colonel [John] Brooks, who will be leaving for West Point tomorrow. Will also pay close attention to Knox's other requests.

GLC02437.01741

25 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Paterson

Written by General Knox to General Paterson. Says he received a letter from headquarters that stated the need for the troops to press on. Hopes Paterson will reach Ringwood, New Jersey tomorrow night. Sent this note so that he would not "retard your march in the morning."

GLC02437.02184

26 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Paterson

Written and signed for Knox by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Informs General Paterson that Knox has sent him three hundred pairs of shoes for his troops. Writes that other companies have been instructed to follow Paterson as soon as they arrive. See GLC02437.02189, the receipt for the shoes.

GLC02437.02191

7 October 1783

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a petition in Congress "to postpone the sale of absentees estates till further orders of the court, and to enable agents to lease as heretofore," which would affect Knox's claim to the Waldo patent. Also discusses the issue of commutation in Congress, and includes an update on the voting results.

GLC02437.02627

20 October 1783

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Congress has voted to "discharge the National Debt," and that one party had wanted to insert a clause to "exclude the Commutation & confirm it solely to discharge the foreign debt," though this clause did not pass.

GLC02437.02691

8 March 1785

Partridge, George, 1740-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Partridge, a Continental Congressman, discusses Knox's appointment as Secretary at War: "This Congress made choice of you to be their Secretary in the War Department, but it is rather doubtful with some of your friends whither [sic] you will accept, on account of the difficiency [sic] of salary, which now stands at only 2450 dollars." Encourages Knox to accept the appointment despite the low salary.

GLC02437.03104

24 December 1787

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that "By a Resolution of Congress the Ohio Company are intitled to sink their military Rights in the Purchase to the Amount of the Seventh of the Purchase Monies" and asks for documents to facilitate that end. Notes that he has contracted with the Connecticut commissioners "to run the lines of their Reserve to the Indian Boundary." Asks if the military there can assist him, if "a Post will be establish'd next Season near the Mouth of the Cuyahoga, or whither Capt. Hutchins will be directed to take the Course of Lake Erie next Spring." Recommends Mr. [Manasseh?] Cutler to replace Mr.…

GLC02437.03737

1 July 1790

Peck, William, 1755-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to set an interview with Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth prior to the Congressional meeting. Adds that this request is based on Wadsworth's wishes, in order to discuss the nomination of the officers for the State of Rhode Island, an issue which the President plans to send to the Senate.

GLC02437.04641

4 June 1794

Patten, John, fl. 1757-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a request he made a while back for an appointment in the federal service. Comments he did not receive the appointment. Mentions Congress is once again building up troops and he would still like to join the federal service if there is a vacancy.

GLC02437.06113