January 20, 1812

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George G. Channing

In the letter, William Ellery thanks his grandson for his letter and for the wine he sent. He apologizes for the delay in responding due to outfitting a revenue cutter to cruise against violators of the Non-Intercourse Act. He reports that he has received a letter from R.H. Dana of Provincetown. In the letter, he praises education, and includes local news intended for Channing's mother and mentions a letter of recommendation for R.H. Dana. He asks that the letter be forwarded to M.R. Dana. A poetic note is written on the envelope leaf.

GLC00108.01

May 14, 1814

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George G. Channing

In his letter, William Ellery agrees with his grandson that evils have resulted from commercial regulations brought on by the War of 1812. He does not think Congress will enact an embargo and believes the British have a right to blockade their enemy's ports. He advises moderation in expenses and pleasures when he marries. He refers to the Book of Ruth in a discussion of marriage customs as they relate to the impending nuptials between Channing's mother and William. He discusses a possible visit and family news, and mentions the good character of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. Writing one…

GLC00108.07

July 18, 1814

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George G. Channing

William Ellery writes to his grandson discussing his daily routine. He hopes Channing will have enough business so he can marry soon. He declines the offer to add to his stock of wine because he wants to reserve his money during the uncertain times of the War of 1812. In the letter: he comments on several orations, discusses the British blockade, and President Madison's call to raise troops.

GLC00108.08

December 13, 1790

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter signed

Title: to William Ellery

Writes that he learned from the Collector of Customs at Providence that the ship Warren embarked without a coasting license or a register indicating her destination. Asks if she arrived in Newport without a license and if Ellery charged her with foreign tonnage. If she did not make a regular entry with Ellery, he is to proceed against her for the penalty. Rebukes Ellery for leaving his post without informing the deputy of his duties and requests that Ellery do so in the future.

GLC00109

September 28, 1776

Penn, John, 1741-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Johnson

Penn writes of his wish that France and Spain would join in fighting Britain and mentions French and Spanish warships. He concludes that "we have too many officers who are not fit even to act as common soldiers in that they have not one spark of honour."

GLC00184.38

April 21, 1777

Bartlett, Josiah, 1729-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Discusses various Tory conspiracies, such as counterfeiting currency (to cause inflation) and spreading smallpox. Describes the difficulties of recruiting sufficient men for the army. Notes that many men have marched to Ticonderoga. Postscript dated April 22, 1777 mentions the arrival of a French ship. Bartlett represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress.

GLC00193

April 29, 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

William Whipple, a Continental Congressman, discusses the newly established Continental Navy with fellow Congressman Langdon. Refers to supplying guns to soldiers, and mentions a United States flag with "thirteen stripes red & white for the field, & a Union." Advises Langdon not to resign his Congressional seat in order to accept an appointment as a Continental Naval Agent, stating "such a step would have an avaricious appearance, & on the other hand there can not be a greater evidence of Patriotism than preferring the public good, to ones private interest ... I by no means can…

GLC00194

February 15, 1777

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nicholas Cooke

William Ellery voices concern about the financing of the national debt and the issuance of paper money. He has found in Congress some interest in naval defense. The American army is at Morristown and the British army is at Brunswick. There have been skirmishes. In one, the Americans would have defeated the enemy if not for the cowardice of Colonel Buckner, possibly Mordecai Buckner of Virginia. In another, the Colonial Commandant of the British was killed. Comments that their army on the east side of the Hudson has had to retire to White Plains because of the inclement weather. Comments on a…

GLC00202

1781

Paca, William, 1740-1799

Header Record

Title: [Subscription for the barge experiment] [Decimalized .01- .02]

GLC00218

1776

Sayer, Robert, 1725-1794

Map

Title: The American military pocket atlas; being an approved collection of correct maps

First issue in original boards, rebacked. Bookplate of Arthur Haynsworth Masten; ticket of T. Connolly, Bookseller, Dublin. Also with bookplate of Arthur Haynsworth Masten and inscription of "Jimmy [?] Browne / Augt. 1843" on titlepage. Full title: The American military Pocket Atlas; being an approved collection of correct maps, both general and particular, of the British colonies, Especially those which now are, or probably may be the Theatre of War; taken principally from the actual survey and judicious observation of engineers De Brahm and Roman; Cook, Jackson, and Collet, Maj. Holland…

GLC00257

December 7, 1824

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Pamphlet

Title: Message from the President of the United States, to both houses of Congress, at the Commencement of the Second Session of the Eighteenth Congress.

Describes the joint efforts of the U.S. and Britain to suppress the slave trade, which the Monroe administration proposed to define as piracy. Also discusses the rights of U.S. vessels during recent wars. Document no. 2. Printed by Gales & Seaton. Stitched.

GLC00267.033

December 27, 1825

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Pamphlet

Title: Slave Trade. Message from the President of the United States, communicating correspondence with Great Britain in relation to the Convention for suppressing the slave trade.

Relating to the convention for the suppression of the slave trade. House Executive Document 16, 19th Congress, 1st session, Document no. 16. Secretary of State Clay advises the British that the Senate will not agree to British right of search along American coastal waters. Printed by Gales & Seaton.

GLC00267.034

May 1858

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Pamphlet

Title: Message of the President of the United States, communicating in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, papers in regard to the seizure of the American barque Panchita on the coast of Africa.

35th Congress, 1st session, Senate Executive Document 61. The Panchita was an American slave ship seized by British vessels off the coast of Africa. Although the British admitted seizure violated U.S.-British accords, they argued it was in good faith.

GLC00267.040

May 1858

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Pamphlet

Title: Message of the President of the United States, communicating, in answer to a resolution of the Senate, information concerning the recent search or seizure of American vessels by foreign armed cruisers in the Gulf of Mexico.

35th Congress, 1st session, Senate Executive Document 59. Describes ships stopped in the Gulf of Mexico by British vessels searching for boats engaged in the slave trade. Includes narratives and American reactions, including a response of Secretary of State Lewis Cass.

GLC00267.041

March 1862

Smith, Caleb B. (Caleb Blood), 1808-1864

Pamphlet

Title: Letter of the Secretary of the Interior, in answer to a resolution of the Senate of 27th day of March, 1862, in relation to the slave vessel the "Bark Augusta."

37th Congress, 2d session, Senate Executive Document 40. Tells the story of the "Augusta," ostensibly a whaler but suspected of being a slaver. It was confiscated by the New York federal courts. The U.S. Marshall charged that federal officials had colluded with the slavetraders when the "Augusta slipped out of port under suspicious circumstances."

GLC00267.042

1816

Urquhart, Thomas, fl. 1816

Pamphlet

Title: A letter to Wm Wilberforce, Esq. M.P. on the subject of Impressment; calling on him and the philanthropists of this country ...

Title continues "... to prove those feelings of sensibility they expressed in the cause of humanity on negro slavery, by acting with the same ardor and zeal in the cause of British seamen." First edition. Published for the benefit of the Maritime Society. Printed by J. Gillet, London. Published by R. S. Kirby, London.

GLC00267.029

February 22, 1843

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Pamphlet

Title: [Taking possession of Monterey: Message from the President of the United States]

Message confirming the unauthorized invasion and possession of Monterey, California, by Captain Thomas ap Catesby Jones. Announces Jones' recall and asks that all correspondence relating to his tour in the Mexican territories be investigated. Those related papers are included in this pamphlet. Pamphlet lacks a proper cover.

GLC00267.108

1847-1848

Mason, John Y., 1799-1859

Book

Title: Report of the Secretary of the Navy

Autograph of R.S. Baker inside front cover. Report of Secretary of the Navy Mason discussing naval coverage throughout the world. Appendix from Executive Document. No. 1 includes military reports from army commanders in Mexico to Mason. Report includes Executive Document. No. 1 and No. 6. Back cover lined with flyer for an illustrated natural history book by Dr. A.B. Strong.

GLC00267.115

16 March 1778

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Printed document signed

Title: [Partially printed document authorizing the forcible capture of British vessels]

This document serves as a form by which Continental Congress authorizes the seizure of British ships and crew members in a warlike manner. Originally signed by Hancock during his term as President of the Congress (24 May 1775- 31 October 1777). This particular document authorizes Ebenezer Williams, Commander of the Polly, to seize British vessels. States that the Polly is owned by Andrew Caldwell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Signed at the bottom by William Mumford, a Secretary, and Rhode Island Governor Nicholas Cooke. Williams' name and other information appear to have been filled…

GLC00231

1865

Photograph

Title: Brooklyn Navy Yard. [New York] Stereoscopic gems. [stereocard]

Published by Anthony from a Barnard & Bostwick photograph. War Views series.

GLC00242.07

February 15, 1872

Woodruff, George B., fl. 1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Singer Manufacturing Company

Written to The New York Singer Office, enclosing an invoice of the "Pearl" amounting to slightly over 136 pounds (not included). Says he has been busy "flying" all over the United Kingdom completing business. Is pleased that their offices are being organized efficiently. Says business is good except for "those bug-bear Alabama claims." American claims against Great Britain for outfitting the CSS "Alabama" privateer had gone to an international arbiter, which will hurt their bottom line and might lead to war between American and Britain.

GLC08682

March 12, 1823

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen R. Bradley

John Quincy Adams explains his 1804 opposition to a bill supported by General Samuel Smith that would further protect U.S. sailors from British impressment. Refutes Smith's suggestion that Adams' position justifies British impressment. Argues that the legislation did not discriminate between U.S. and British sailors on American vessels and would strain the relationship between the two nations. Claims that the bill's passing would cause the question of war to arise immediately.

GLC00496.003

February 19, 1813

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Secretary of the Navy William Jones; Report of the Officers of the U.S. Frigate Constitution

Addressed to Secretary of the Navy William Jones. Written on board the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) in Boston Harbor. Evaluates the qualities and misgivings of the ship's officers and civilian crew during the War of 1812.

GLC00496.006

January 13, 1813

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jones

Written on board the homeward bound USS Constitution to Secretary of the Navy Jones regarding damages incurred during battle with the HMS Java as well as Bainbridge's own injuries. It was after this battle that the Constitution got the name "Old Ironsides."

GLC00496.007

June 3, 1802

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos Binny

Discusses the questionable abilities of Joshua Humphreys, designer of the frigates Constitution and United States, and the shortcomings of these ships. It was on the USS Constitution that Bainbridge defeated the HMS Java and returned victorious to Boston Harbor in 1813, earning the ship its name "Old Ironsides." Binny was a Navy agent.

GLC00496.008