1783-1815

Manuscript document

Title: [Document on the French Navy] [in French]

Document on the French fleet.

GLC02437.08442

September 1779- February 1780

Laperouse, Jean-François de Galaup, Comte de, 1741-1788

Document signed

Title: [Monthly list of armorer's supplies for the Frigate L'Amazone] [In French]

Laperouse signs six times (once per month).

GLC01768

June 17, 1801

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to David Lenox

Forwards papers to Lenox concerning British impressment of American seamen because they possibly allude to one such impressed citizen, John Stafford.

GLC01511

February 16, 1776

Williams, William, 1731-1811

Autograph document signed

Title: [Document allocating funds for the construction of a naval galley]

Williams, a Lebanon, Connecticut city clerk and Selectman, reports that at a previous meeting, the Governor and Council of Safety of Connecticut voted that the Committee of Pay Tables should collect money to build a galley for use by the colony. States that the sum will be accounted for by Captain Jonathan Lester. Instructs that Lester draw his order on Constable Jabez Hough of Norwich. Lester signs on verso, stating "Please to pay or Discount the within to Jabez Hough." Hough also signs, underneath an order to the treasurer for the amount requested. Docketed 15 March [1776].

GLC01503

28 August 1812

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Printed document signed

Title: Additional instruction to the public and private armed vessels of the United States.

Signed by Monroe as Secretary of State, directed to privateers. In response to the repeal of British Orders in Council, instructs naval and privateering ships to assist American-owned vessels bringing British goods to the United States. Issued shortly after the beginning of the War of 1812. States "The public and private armed vessels of the United States are not to interrupt any vessels belonging to citizens of the United States coming from British ports to the United States laden with British merchandize... " Compare to GLC01494.

GLC01665

20 June 1776

Howe, Richard Howe, Earl, 1726-1799

Manuscript document

Title: Official French copy of Benjamin Franklin-Richard Howe letters [in French]

First letter dated 20 June 1776, written aboard the Eagle off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, is from Admiral Richard Howe to Benjamin Franklin. Encloses official dispatches (not present) outlining his mission of peace with the colonies. Mentions in his postscript that his brother, General William Howe, will act as a fellow peace commissioner. Franklin replies on 30 July 1776 from Philadelphia. Refuses the offers of a pardon in the case of the colonies' surrender, as outlined in the official documents referred to by Howe. Rejects the idea of surrender and excoriates the British Empire for what…

GLC01670

March 29, 1808

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

This document refers to the Monroe-Pinkney treaty of 1806 (per Monroe Papers). The discusses sending the text of the treaty.

GLC01575

26 September 1864

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Autograph document signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

In this telegram Stanton, Secretary of War, writes "The Richmond Enquirer of Saturday rejoices that 'Beauregard has been assigned to the Command of the Army in Georgia, that his star ever led to victory and his very name inspires confidence of success.' A report comes to the Navy Department via Memphis and Cairo that Mobile has surrendered. I do not credit it." Mentions Union General Philip Henry Sheridan's Campaign in the Shenandoah Valley.

GLC01583

July 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin

A cryptic but important letter written in the same month as the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, as commander in chief, in response to Franklin's letters. Possibly a draft since Washington has left the day and a name blank, but soon or shortly after July 30, when Franklin's response to Howe was delivered. Letter discusses belated peace initiatives of the Howe brothers. This letter responds to two letters from Franklin, one commended Washington for his work with the inventor Joseph Belton to construct a submarine, while the other (now lost) was a copy of his response on behalf of…

GLC01588

April 20, 1908

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to Victor Howard Metcalf

Roosevelt writes as President to Secretary of Navy Metcalf regarding a meeting designed to take stock of America's natural resources. Also invited were the justices of the Supreme Court, both houses of Congress, and his cabinet. Includes a stamp of receipt from the Navy Department dated April 23. Letter written on White House letterhead.

GLC01619

June 11, 1844

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Tingey Craven

Perry writes from U.S. Frigate Macedonian to Craven, Commander of the U.S. Brig Porpoise. He instructs Craven that upon arriving in Liberia, he should go directly to the Galenas River. Discusses procedure for cruising and for display of the American Flag, noting, "...in the neighborhood of the Galenas at least you may be able to prevent the desecration of the American Flag to the vile purposes of the foreign slave Dealer." Requests Craven's observations on the land, currents, and other features of the Galenas River. Craven and Perry were engaged in suppressing the slave trade along the West…

GLC01617

January 19, 1870

Dahlgren, John Adolphus Bernard, 1809-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to T. Apoleon Cheney

Letter written by Dahlgren as commander of the Washington Navy Yard. References Cheney's notes from January 6 and 10. Has not responded because of the "many demands on my time." Says some of the books he has requested are procurable and will be forwarded, although a copy of his own book, "Shells and Shell-Guns," is not available. Says the war kept him from literary pursuits and that he only has one copy of the book left "and cannot buy another at any price." Regrets that he cannot send a copy because "it is my principal work and exposes the principles on which I concerted the present Armament…

GLC01545.09

January 24, 1865

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph document signed

Title: to Gustavus Vasa Fox

A telegram in which Grant asks Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox if he would like to accompany him from Fort Monroe to Fort Fisher. Grant suggests the use of a "Naval Vessel" for the journey. Marked "Cipher." Fort Fisher had been captured on 15 January.

GLC01554

August 4, 1812

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Joy

Discusses some political pamphlets that dealt with the 1807 British naval attack by the ship Leopold against the Chesapeake, an American ship, and its consequences for the War of 1812. Adams was then the United States Ambassador to Russia. Joy, who lived in London, was an advocate for the Americans during the War of 1812.

GLC01540

October 15, 1864

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to J.H. Spotts

Letter written in clerical hand, but signed by Rear Admiral Porter as commander of the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron to Commander Spotts as commander of the USS "Pawtuxet." Says a steamship belonging to the navy left Point Lookout for Hampton Roads on October 8, 1864 in the midst of a gale from the northwest. It is assumed she was driven ashore on the Eastern shore of the Chesapeake or has foundered. Orders Spotts to search for her and to make inquiries with other vessels along the way. Wants to see him before he starts the mission. Commissioned in February 1864 as USS Malvern, she was…

GLC01545.03

September 17, 1864

Drayton, Percival, 1812-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. C. Palmer

Drayton served as captain of Admiral David Farragut's flagship, the sloop of war "Hartford," and also as fleet captain of the West Gulf Blockade Squadron. Tells Palmer, the fleet surgeon on board the "Pensacola," that he sent a box and small package by the "Sebago" for Confederate Admiral Franklin Buchanan. Wants Palmer to ask Buchanan when the 15 inch shot that almost penetrated the port side of the CSS "Tennessee" during the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864 was delivered. Both Buchanan and the "Tennessee" were captured during the battle -- Buchanan was wounded. Wants to know if anything…

GLC01545.07

April 1862

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Battle plan and ship register for assault on New Orleans]

Document created during the battle for Forts Jackson and St. Philip, which took place 16-23 April 1862. One side has a list of ships involved in the attack -- the first and second divisions of ships and their captains as well as the first and second divisions of gunboats and their captains. Verso has a hand drawn map of the battle plan to attack Forts Jackson and St. Philip along the Mississippi River. Note below the map says most of the squadron is anchored on the left bank of the river and gives plan of attack after barricades in the river are breached. Farragut noted the breaching of the…

GLC01550

January 10, 1782

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses problems related to the transportation of military stores from Yorktown to Westham or Richmond, Virginia. Comments that he and his associates are bound in their ability to carry out orders because the state government of Virginia refuses to help. Mentions the resignation of Thomas Nelson as governor and the election of Benjamin Harrison. Has managed to set up the stores near Westham, close to the river so as to be able to ship them by boat in case of danger, but fears that in an invasion or attack they still may not be able to protect them. Mentions the arrival of an independent…

GLC02437.01330

24 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Billings

Asks Billings to engrave inscriptions on certain cannon as directed by Congress to be presented to the Count de Rochambeau. "As this is a matter in which the Reputation for Arts in the United States is in some degree concerned," instructs Billings to make the engravings as perfect as possible. Suggests Billings engrave the emblems of Justice and Liberty on some cannons, and representations of naval combat on others. Also suggests engraving "a bald head eagle the lately adopted Arms of the United States."

GLC02437.10046

8 January 1783

Chastellux, François Jean, marquis de, 1734-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Bids a warm adieu to Knox, as Count Rochambeau is ready to sail.

GLC02437.01813

February 26, 1783

Brewster, Caleb, 1747-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Recounts and describes a gunboat fight with an enemy ship, which they boarded.

GLC02437.01954

1 November 1781

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Kingsley

Communicates orders from General George Washington to expeditiously load all the stores that are being transported to Head Of Elk, Maryland onto vessels. Anything that cannot fit should be loaded onto French ships. The ordnance being transported had been used in the siege of Yorktown. Probably intended for Henry Knox. Docket written in Henry Knox's hand. Cobb was an aide-de-camp to Washington.

GLC02437.01279

4 January 1782

Davies, William, fl. 1781-1782

Manuscript letter

Title: to Edward Carrington

Marked "copy." Writes to Colonel Edward Carrington regarding movement of military stores to Richmond or Westham, Virginia. Advises that "Westham is a very unsafe place & Richmond much worse. An Easterly wind is a fair wind for the Enemy's shipping to run up the river, it generally brings rain which prevents the militia from turning out so readily, and of course [lessens?] the opposition; besides it swells the River in such a manner that there is no moving against it: and if you have your stores at Richmond or Manchester, the same objections apply, with the additional risk from the want…

GLC02437.01325

2 October 1781

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Assures Knox that he will not publish his correspondence and asks him to write often about the operation in Virginia. Reports that the British "suffered much more severely in the Action off Cape Henry than you seem to have expected," referring to the Second Battle of the Virginia Capes. Mentions the actions of several naval vessels. Reports that British troops have landed on Staten Island and impressed many wagons. There are rumors of the British coming to burn Philadelphia and the militia is preparing. The remainder of the Pennsylvania line is in Philadelphia and plans to march 600 men…

GLC02437.01205

22 March 1783

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Written in the hand of Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., Washington's Secretary. Marked as a copy of a letter from Secretary of Foreign Affairs Livingston to General Washington. Docket in Knox's hand. Sends "the agreeable Intelligence of Peace, upon which I most sincerely congratulate you and the Army - Harmony, a Regard for Justice, & Fidelity to our Engagements, are all that now remains to render us a happy people." Says the vessel with the news was sent by Comte d'Estaing, who was recalling French cruisers from America waters. Says this news should be immediately sent to British commander Sir…

GLC02437.02018