28 October 1778

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Williamson

A retained working draft (see strikeouts and docket). Written by McHenry as an aide-de-camp to General Washington to Dr. Williamson as a merchant importing medicines in Edenton, North Carolina. Williamson began a partnership with his brother to import medicines through the British blockade from the West Indies. Claims to have poor intelligence on the enemy in New York, but proceeds to give some details of their situation. Says 150 vessels, including 15 ships of the line, sailed from Sandy Hook on the 19 and 20 October 1778. Says they appear to be bound for Britain. Was only carrying home…

GLC04701

1856

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Header Record

Title: Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, Performed in the Years 1852, 1853, and 1854...

Title continues: "Under the Command of Commodore M.C. Perry, United States Navy, by order of the Government of the Unites States. Compiled from the original notes and journals of Commodore Perry and his officers, at his request, and under his supervision, by Francis L. Hawks, D.D.L.L.D. With numerous illustrations." Volume II has same title. Volume III titled: "Unites States Japan Expedition. Observations on the Zodiacal Light, from April 2, 1853, to April 22, 1855, made chiefly on board the United states Steam-Frigate Mississippi, during her late cruise in eastern seas, and her voyage…

GLC04720.02

28 March 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Thomas Ap Catesby Jones to Master Commandant in U.S. Navy]

This document is a record of the appointment of Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, signed by James Monroe as President and countersigned by Smith Thompson as Secretary of the Navy and John H. Sherburne as "Registered." Document says President Monroe has nominated and the Senate has consented to the appointment of Thomas Ap Catesby Jones to Master Commandant in the United States Navy. Paper seal of the United States Navy at bottom of recto.

GLC04739

21 April 1781

Arbuthnot, Marriot, 1711-1794

Letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by Admiral Arbuthnot as commander of British naval forces in America to Washington as commander of the Continental Army. References Washington's letter of 25 January 1781 where he expressed anger over the treatment of American naval prisoners of war. Arbuthnot claims an inquiry was held that vindicated their treatment and feeding, which he validates on "my honor." Claims Washington "must have seen" the testimonies of the inquiry. Retorts with accusations against British naval prisoners in Philadelphia by Commissary General of Prisoners Thomas Bradford. Claims prisoners are…

GLC04758

1902

Sherman, Edwin A. (Edwin Allen), 1829-1914

Book signed

Title: The life of the late Rear-Admiral John Drake Sloat, of the United States navy, who took possession of California and raised the American flag at Monterey on July 7th, 1846

Signed by Sherman and inscribed to Bryant D. Campbell. Enlarged monumental edition. Includes supplemental pamphlet.

GLC04712

circa 1852

Maury, William Lewis, 1813-1878

Object

Title: [Naval uniform worn during Perry expedition to Japan].

One navy blue dress uniform jacket with brass buttons and old braid. Possibly blue cotton.

GLC04720.01

1812

Object

Title: [War of 1812 lacquer snuffbox showing victory of United States over Macedonian]

Cylindrical, varnished snuff box from the War of 1812. Lid commemorates the 25 October 1812 capture of the British ship Macedonia by the USS United States, commanded by Stephen Decatur. Bottom depicts the bald eagle seal of the United States surrounded by patriotic sentiments such as "United We Stand. Divided We Fall." Probably made after December 1812, when knowledge of the fight became better known (per Henry Adams, Administration of James Monroe). Image on lid is damaged at center.

GLC04750

11 August 1777

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roger Sherman

Written by Adams as a Contiental Congressman from Massachusetts to Sherman as a Contiental Congressman from Connecticut. References Sherman's letter of 11 July 1777. Says Sherman's rumor has turned into a fact as Fort Ticonderoga has fallen "shamefully." Adams castigates Schuyler for not properly defending the fort and for having no confidence in his troops. Adams is especially outraged by the general's report "a very great part of the army naked -- without blankets -- ill armed." Says General Horatio Gates has taken command of the North and says "I trust our Affairs in that Quarter will…

GLC04757

23 March 1778

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Patrick Henry

Co-signed by Banister and free franked in his name. Requests that Congress send new troops to camp without delay. Warns that the Continental army is weak and that it is likely the British will attempt an attack before reinforcements come. Also urgently requests supplies. Writes that he has heard that the British troops in Rhode Island have set out to join General William Howe. States that if this is true, " ... the Enemy will open the Campaign with great advantage over us." Post script advises that General George Washington has been notified by General William Smallwood that a fleet of…

GLC04807

9 October 1777

Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795

Manuscript

Title: [Clerical copy of report on battle of Fort Montgomery]

Report on General Clinton's feint northward up the Hudson in support of General John Burgoyne's southward thrust. But in the late summer and early fall of 1777 Clinton, who was given vague orders, decided not to move his forces against Albany, which was Burgoyne's destination, but to only create a diversion that extended little further than Kingston, about 40 miles south of Albany. In October, he moved up the east side of the Hudson and crossed to the west side at Stony Point. With a force of about 3,000, he moved north against the combined forces of about 600 Americans led by General George…

GLC04768

7 October 1775

Sackville, George Germain, Viscount, 1716-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eden

Written a month before Germain became Secretary of State for the Colonies to Eden as Deputy Secretary of State for the Northern Department. Recipeint was a inferred by Donald Londahl-Smidt. See collateral file for full explanation. References Eden's letter (collateral file says it was 3 October 1775). Says he is happy with the draft of a speech Eden has prepared. Says New York might have been kept as Loyalist if it was attended to properly. States "I always wish'd that the whole power of the State should be Exerted, that one campaign might decide whether the American provinces were to be…

GLC04783

13 November 1778

Jones, John Paul, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Jones, Captain of the U.S.S. Ranger, informs Morris, a Continental Congressman, of recent events in France. Reports that in June, a highly esteemed gentleman (who Jones does not name) wrote him a secret letter promising him command of a large ship; the gentleman also indicated that the Ranger was to sail to the United States under another captain. Mentions the involvement of the Prince of Nassau (possibly Prince Charles Otton), and Monsieur de Sartine, head of the French Navy, in procuring the ship. Relates that Sartine promised him the command of several French vessels, but Sartine's…

GLC04797

11 May 1778

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caesar Rodney

Written by Laurens as President of the Continental Congress to Rodney as President of Delaware. Says he sent a packet on 9 May 1778 by General William Smallwood. Says it contains 20 copies of an address by Congress on the regulation of armed vessels. Hopes Rodney will distribute them as he sees fit.

GLC04804.01

24 November 1777

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roger Sherman

Discusses the surrender of John Burgoyne, Cornwallis' movements, and the loss of Red Bank, among other activities in the Revolutionary War. Also mentions international relations and naval activities. Supports the Articles of Confederation, comments on the need for the states to compromise with each other, and discusses other issues pertaining to the formation of the United States. With a long signed postscript that updates his comments on the war.

GLC04808

circa 1918

unknown, fl. 1918

Photograph signed

Title: [Photograph of U.S.S. George Washington]

One sepia-tone silver gelatin print of the ship that transported President Woodrow Wilson to Europe to sign the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I. Co-signed by President Wilson, Secretary of Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Captain Edward McCauley. Two other signatures are present and appear to read as "F.M. Perkins," a commander in the U.S. Navy, and "J.K. Peters," a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve Forces. A finely penned ink signature of "Thomas A. White" is on verso.

GLC04993

circa 1869-1870

Bailey, James M., fl. 1869-1870

Book

Title: [Scrapbook of James M. Bailey]

Professionally prepared scrapbook entitled "History Set Right," published in 1869, with 2 pamphlets and 2 maps bound into the book. Also bound in are two colored lithographs of the "Manassas" and the "Louisiana" (original 19th century binding stubs are causing prints and some pages to break at the margins). Book was owned by Bailey, who signed it on a blank preliminary leaf. The first pamphlet is: "History Set Right. Attack on New Orleans and its Defenses. By the Fleet Under Admiral Farragut, April 24, 1862. Correspondence between Admirals Farragut and Bailey." The reference to Bailey in the…

GLC04965

25 December 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Expresses frustration with contradictory accounts from New York. Updates Washington on the movements of the British fleet and states that Benedict Arnold boarded one of the vessels. Reports that he does not know if they have sailed yet. Gives information on Arnold's activities and says he was definitely in New York on Saturday 23 December because he was seen by someone. Remarks that he is attempting to form an intelligence network, "I am endeavouring to form a Chain of Intelligence & will succeed if practicable - should any thing material turn up you may be assured of being Informed…

GLC04863

2 April 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Whipple to Langdon. Both were members of the Continental Congress from New Hampshire. Whipple would sign the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, while Langdon would leave Congress in June 1776. References Langdon's letter of 19 March 1776. Rejoices over arrival of two powder vessels. Asks "what think you of the Retreat of the Barbarians from Boston, it will be a pretty story to tell their Master"? Says Admiral Hopkins was at New Providence, North Carolina where he found 200 cannons and many cannonballs, but no powder. Says the people of North Carolina took 1800 stands of…

GLC04866

circa 1781-1782

Hanson, John, 1715-1783

Printed document signed

Title: [Congressional certificate authorizing vessels to engage in military activity]

Signed below seal by John Hanson. Countersigned by Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. Contains blank spaces designated for the name of commander and vessel, the vessel's weight and type, and the number of men on board. Created to authorize vessels (possibly privateers) to "set forth ... in a warlike manner ... to attack, subdue, seize, and take all ships and other vessels, goods, wares and merchandizes, belonging to the King or Crown of Great Britain ..." Features paper seal.

GLC04870

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Rear Admiral W.B. Shubrick, 1/2 length seated portrait [cabinet card] [1861-1865 ca.]

Inscription on verso: "Rear Admiral W. B. Shubrick."

GLC05111.01.0662

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Group of 7 sailors from the U.S.S. "Viking" [tintype]

The sailors pose with an American flag and another flag. Six of the men wear dark uniforms with white trim and large stars on the collars. The seventh man, standing between the two flags, wears a light shirt with dark pants. His shirt has white trim. His belt buckle reads "V."

GLC05111.01.0499

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Unidentified sailor, 1/2 length portrait [tintype]

The sailor wears the same uniform as the sailors in # 499. His uniform has large stars on the collar and a star above his top button. as paper CDV-style amt

GLC05111.01.0501

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Charles Varraher, Master at Arms [tintype]

Portrait of a sailor with full beard and mustache. Decorative embossed paper border of stars around the image.

GLC05111.01.0502

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Carl Justus, Captain of the Hold [tintype]

Portrait of a sailor. Insignia has been painted gold. The sailor appears to be wearing a rope around his neck. The faint writing on his hat is illegible. Decorative embossed paper border of stars around the image.

GLC05111.01.0503

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: John C. Howard, A. M. Mate, U.S.N. [tintype]

1/2 length portrait of a naval officer in uniform. Decorative blue oval border printed on the mount around the image.

GLC05111.01.0504