October 8, 1781

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter discusses the siege at Yorktown and foreign affairs. Also mentions the French fleet and the British attack on Pigeon Hill (General Nelson's farm near York, Virginia) and difficulties with Spain. Three penciled notes on page 1 (possibly James Madison's): 1. next to line penciled next to lines 8-16: "[illegible] Resolution of 2 Jan 1781", 2. Referring to "x" in line 12: "navigation of the Mississippi" (uses long "s"), and 3. inserted above "Minister to Spain" in line 16, "Mr. Jay."

GLC00099.077

November 19, 1781

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Important letter on Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown. Mentions: American victory at Yorktown, Comte de Grasse, General Greene, Charleston, SC, and military rumors.

GLC00099.079

February 11, 1782

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison re: news of the British at Charleston, S.C.

The letter discusses news of the British at Charleston, S.C.

GLC00099.082

March 11, 1782

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter discusses peace rumors and the military situation in South Carolina, General Greene, and Charleston, SC.

GLC00099.084

December 23, 1776

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph manuscript

Title: To the inhabitants of the State of New York

Delivered at Fishkill, New York, to the state's constitutional convention shortly after the American defeats at Long Island, Manhattan and White Plains, and a few days before Washington surprised the Hessians at Trenton. As such, Jay addressed his fellow Americans disillusioned by British victories and questioning the moral rightness of the American cause. Speech explains why he felt it was necessary to fight against the British in the cause of liberty, even unto death. The unsigned manuscript is written and corrected entirely in Jay's hand. There are many corrections, strike outs as well as…

GLC00006

March 31, 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Printed document signed

Title: [Society of Cincinnati membership certificate for George Ogier]

Countersigned by Henry Knox. Washington as president of the Society of the Cincinnati, attests to the membership of George Ogier. Partially printed. Notations in bottom left and right corners stating artisans of print as Aug. L. Belle, Del. and J.J. LeVeau, Sculp.

GLC00033

September 25, 1780

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter mentions companies engaged in promoting the development of the West, the attack on St. Augustine, Florida, the military draft, and Virginia's claims in Ohio. On the letter there is a penciled quotation in later hand on bottom annotating "Hotspur" in Pendleton's letter (quotation from Shakespeare).

GLC00099.047

January 25, 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: Proclamation [Trenton proclamation]

Signed in type by Washington. The proclamation allowed residents of Trenton and Central New Jersey to reaffirm their loyalty to the United States, after devastating British campaigns.

GLC00070

4 July 1817

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Manuscript signed

Title: [Speech to Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati]

President Monroe acknowledges the passing of the Revolutionary generation and movingly recalls their struggle in the "sacred cause of liberty." A signed transcription of Monroe's Independence Day speech to the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati. The president's original remarks were made on his 1817 reconciliation tour through New England. Date from later docketing.

GLC00069

March 15, 1777

Bartlett, Josiah, 1729-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Written by Bartlett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a colonel in New Hampshire militia to Whipple, also a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a Continental Congressman from New Hampshire. Congress, and therefore Whipple, was in Baltimore due to the occupation of Philadelphia. Signed by Bartlett three times: once at the end of the letter and twice with initials after two extended postscripts. He thanks him for his letter from February 7, 1777. He writes that people are anxious to buy lottery tickets. He says "our 3 Regiments" are to march to "Ti-" - Fort Ticonderoga…

GLC00369

11 October 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Header Record

Title: Orders to George Washington to blockade the Hudson River [Decimalized .01-.02]

Entirely in Hancock's hand except for clerical date. includes mezzo tint of Hancock.

GLC00372

30 April 1781

Huntington, Benjamin, 1736-1800

Document signed

Title: [Oath certifying Cuffee Saunders's purchase to freedom]

One document certifying Cuffee Saunders's emanicipation dated April 30, 1781. States that Saunders, who mustered with the enslaved name, Cuffee Wells, enlisted to the Continental Army in May 1777. The document is composed of two oaths attesting to Saunders's freedom. The first stated by John Nutter and Richard Lamb that the bounty owed to Saunders was paid to his enslaver as payment for his freedom. The second statement by Captain Jedediah Hyde of Norwich, whom was Saunders's former commander confirms that it was "always understood that the money that was given to Wells at his Enlistment…

GLC00318

April 12, 1778

Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799

Letter signed

Title: to County Lieutenant of Berkeley

Printed circular letter signed by Patrick Henry as Governor of Virginia to the County Lieutenant of Berkeley telling him to keep his militia prepared for duty. Says the Continental Army may be forced to retreat and that Virginia might be called on for help. Says "As the volunteer scheme does not promise to succeed, the militia will be our only resource, and from that must we draw so many men as the exigency of things may require." Claims Virginia might be invaded from all sides and that they must be prepared to resist. Says one third of his men need to be ready to march at a "moment's warning…

GLC00370

June 20, 1778

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Barton

Henry Laurens writes as President of Continental Congress to Colonel Barton. He asks him about his wound and his general health. Encloses gazettes (not included). Mentions that the British have abandoned Philadelphia but that 3000 of their troops have gone down the river or camped near Haddonfield and Cooper's Ferry. Notes vertically in a post script on the left side of the page that General Benedict Arnold has been appointed to command in the city of Philadelphia by General George Washington.

GLC00302

circa 1763-1783

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Wayne, a general in the Continental Army who fought in many of the major battles with Washington and was later sent to the Southern Theatre when activity shifted to there. This document is undated and could be a retained draft or a copy of a letter. Says the situation of the enemy could not discovered. Says they appear to be planning for a bold strike because the last scouting parties were driven in from Gillalands Creek (this waterway could not be found in any reference guide) by a superior force. Says he laid the recipients letter of "20th Instant" before a general council of…

GLC00307.02

September 27, 1777

Mifflin, Thomas, 1744-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Thomas Mifflin informs Hancock that he has appointed "Francis Huger of Charleston South Carolina Deputy Quarter Master General for that State." He asks for a commission for Huger.

GLC00307.01

March 12, 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

This letter uses oblique language (apparently chosen to avoid its detection by Newburgh conspirators) to call for a meeting of Generals Henry Knox and Jedediah Huntington: "I should be glad to see you & General Huntington at Dinner but be here earlier. The General Orders of yesterday will shew you upon what footing the meeting stands; & when I see you I will assign the reasons for it." That meeting was to discuss an anonymous address to the officers, calling upon them to attend a meeting and to threaten Congress. Washington's "General Orders of yesterday" asked his officers not to…

GLC00390

1782

Header Record

Title: [Collection of 4 letters to William Richardson] [Decimalized .01-.04]

GLC01450.009

October 20, 1781-December 19, 1781

Autograph manuscript

Title: [1781 military orderly book]

Mentions regiments from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Entries relate to daily orders, court martials, troop duties and movement, equipment and supplies, arms, and clothing. Assigns the officers for each day. Entry on 29 October 1781 discusses British General Charles Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown which occurred 19 October 1781. Entry on 9 November 1781 reports on a raid launched by British, Loyalist, and Indian forces in the Mohawk Valley, New York, led by Major John Ross, who was met by American Colonel Marinus Willett and defeated. This occurred 20-30…

GLC01450.015

23 August 1778

Wheelock, Eleazor, 1711-1779

Autograph document signed

Title: [Fine for refusing to enter the Continental Service]

Signed "By order of the Select Men." Receipt for ten pounds received of Asa Hamant as a fine for refusing the enter Continental service after being notified.

GLC01450.029

April 1777

Header Record

Title: Collection of two documents pertaining to forged permission to marry [Decimalized .01-.02]

Dated April 23, 1777 - April 24, 1777.

GLC01450.034

1 May 1781

Buell, Nathan, fl. 1781

Autograph document signed

Title: [Account of cash paid for sundries delivered to families of officers and soldiers of the Connecticut Line]

Countersigned by Eleazer Waters at the Pay Table Office. List of accounts dated 16 March 1781 through 11 April 1781 listing officers or soldiers and the goods sent to them. Sundries include potatoes, beef, pork, wheat, and flour. Buell was Lieutenant Commander in the Continental Army.

GLC01450.035

30 June 1778

Sewell, Edward B., fl. 1778

Document signed

Title: [Account of men raised for the Continental Army to reinforce militia in Fishkill and Peekskill, New York]

Signed by nine other men, the Commission officers, the selectmen, and the Committee of Safety of the town. States that eight men were hired to go to Fishkill for 110 pounds each, three men were hired to go to Peekskill for 80 pounds each, and three men hired for Peekskill at 11 pounds per month until the company is discharged.

GLC01450.048

11 March 1779

Document

Title: [Artillery register]

List of ranks in the artillery of Captain Buckland and Captain Wells and number of each rank. Includes captain, sergeants, corps, bombardiers, and gunners, among other positions.

GLC01450.053

22 June 1778

Pettingill, Benjamin, fl. 1778

Document signed

Title: [Council orders for the town of Easton, Massachusetts]

Cosigned by Jacob Leonard, Seth Pratt, and Benjamin Fobes as the Selectmen of Easton. Orders to the constables of the town of Easton. Directs them to notify the townspeople that are qualified to act in town affairs to assemble at the public meeting house on 8 July 1778 at 1PM. Lists the articles to be addressed at the meeting including raising money to pay the soldiers and companies of the Continental army. Note dated 8 July 1778 and signed by Abial Mitchel, Constable certifying that he has notified the townspeople of the meeting.

GLC01450.057