23 October 1778

Huntington, Jedediah, 1743-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Eldridge

Written by Brigadier General Huntington to Captain Eldridge. Sends Eldridge an account of the money advanced by him for Eldridge's recruiting services. Begins 3 January 1777 and ends 17 June 1777 for a total of slightly over 649 pounds. Says he cannot send a receipt since they are at camp. Postscript says Eldridge has been moving around so much that the auditors have not been able to go over all his paperwork and as soon as they are done he will send the receipts to him.

GLC02499.09

25 November 1777

Ko´sciuszko, Tadeusz, 1746-1817

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt to Jonathan Trumbull]

Colonel Kosciuszko, the famous Polish patriot, says he received two hundred dollars to Colonel Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., paymaster of the New York Department, for work in the engineering department. The payment was agreeable to Major General Horatio Gates. This payment could be for work done at the Battle of Saratoga. Kosciuszko fortified Bemis Heights overlooking the Hudson and his ingenious design contributed to the surrender of 6,000 troops under General John Burgoyne. On verso is another partial receipt for twelve dollars from Trumbull to a Frances Payne.

GLC02499.10

23 May 1775

Ward, Artemas, 1727-1800

Letter signed

Title: to Jedediah Foster

Written by General Ward as commander-in-chief of the army outside Boston to Colonel Foster. Says the bearer of this, Mr. Wood, was lately at Worcester and learned that the selectmen of the town are "binding out" people that can be called friends of the government if they will not join the army. Says it is extraordinary and unjustifiable conduct if it is true. Hopes he will take Wood's information and investigate the situation, claiming "I doubt not you will consult the Safety of the Individuals as well as of the Community."

GLC02499.17

26 July 1783

Bryan, George, 1731-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Armstrong

Reports the appointment of Nicholas Fitzsimons as the keeper of the hospital on Province Island (also called State Island). Bryan had been a member of the Stamp Act Congress. Armstrong was secretary of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania.

GLC02503.05

14 December 1779

Lawrence, John, ?-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Complains of his "situation" in the army, and hopes Wadsworth can help him resolve it. Does not specify his exact complaint, but knows Wadsworth has friends in Congress, and hopes they can assist him in rectifying his problem. Lawrence is possibly seeking congressional confirmation of his rank in office.

GLC02504.25

16 April 1776

Hawley, Joseph, 1723–1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Criticizes the use of prohibited tea. Mentions sending Gerry a memento. Comments that regiments are ineffective without "a man of Judgment and Spirit" leading them. A long postscript discusses Artemas Ward's resignation (because of poor health) from his position as the commanding major general in the Continental Army in April, 1776, and his sensitivity to issues relating to liberty and property. Also mentions quartering soldiers.

GLC02505.23

27 November 1776

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Written by Major General Schuyler to Duane as a New York delegate to the Continental Congress. References Duane's letter that was delivered 26 November. Says he had to abandon the fortress on York Island because the enemy's strength was overwhelming. Defends his actions as the best he could have done in the situation confronting him. Compares himself favorably to Washington's defeat in New York in August 1776 saying "I wish Gen: Washington had adhered to his own opinion and rejected the Intemporate advice of people of more prowess than Wisdom. In such a situation of ours It is now Eligible…

GLC02544

10 May 1777

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Captain's commission for William North]

Partly printed document signed by Hancock as President of Continental Congress and co-signed by Charles Thomson as Secretary of Congress. This commission gives William North the rank of captain. A later note at the top of the document, by North's son, says "This Commission went with my father in his bosom through the War of the Revolution." The condition of the document attests to this note. It's been folded many times and has been repaired. The docket on verso is faded and hard to read.

GLC02524

3 September 1776

Nelson, Thomas Jr., 1738-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Page

Discusses the American defeat at the Battle of Long Island and their retreat. Thinks the British will quit New York City very shortly. Reports that Brigadier General Lord Sterling and General Sullivan have been taken prisoner along with other valuable field officers. Adds that the Americans' 2400 troops bravely and successfully forced their way through enemy lines and kept the enemy's 10,000 soldiers at bay. Feels that the Americans must give up their islands until they build a marine power strong enough to defend them.

GLC02540

8 July 1779

Cushing, Charles, fl. 1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph North

Written by Brigadier General Cushing to Colonel North. Reports that he received an express letter from General Lovell asking him to have his men ready to march immediately to Townsend, where they will rendevous with the fleet. Wants North to get his quota of men there as soon as possible. Says if he can engage the services of a doctor for the campaign to do it. Place written is included, but it is illegible.

GLC02542.07

16 September 1782

Hanson, John, 1715-1783

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of William North as captain of 9th Massachusetts]

Signed by Hanson as President of Congress and countersigned by Benjamin Lincoln as Secretary of War. Document is official notification of William North's appointment as captain in the 9th Massachusetts Regiment. Says he is accorded the rank from the 10 May 1777. Includes embossed paper seal at top corner.

GLC02542.09

15 April 1784

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Major William North as Inspector of Troops under General Knox]

Document written in a secretarial hand and signed by Thomson as Secretary of Congress. Based on Baron Friedrich Von Steuben's recommendation to Congress in a 19 March 1784 letter, Congress has resolved to approve and confirm Major William North as Inspector to the Troops under the command of General Henry Knox. Only dated "15 April" but note in an unknown hand at bottom says "It appears by the Barons appointment to the above office to W North that this was done in the year 1784."

GLC02542.10

January 12, 1785

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major North as Inspector to the Troops under the command of General Henry Knox. At this time Knox was the Secretary of War. An extremely detailed letter describing the types of uniforms U.S. troops should wear in various situations. Says "The formation of America in General, & especially that part of it, where, probably our future scene of action will lay, requires that our military dress should be as compact, comfortable & easy as possible."

GLC02542.23

9 May 1776

Massachusetts Bay Council

Document signed

Title: [Commission of William North as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Massachusetts artillery]

Partially printed document signed by John Avery as deputy secretary of the council. Also signed by members of the Massachusetts Bay Council, including: Jer. Powell, Artemas Ward, B. Greenleaf, Richard Derby, John Whitcomb, Moses Gill, John Taylor, B. White, Ben Austin, H. Gardner, E. Thayersir, D. Hopkins, Jabez Fisher, and Dr. Samuel Holten. North was appointed a lieutenant in the 6th company, 1st regiment under Captain John Gill in the Regiment Train of Artillery commanded by Colonel Thomas Crafts. Features paper seal of the state of Massachusetts.

GLC02542.26

February 21, 1781

Painter, L., fl. 1781

Document signed

Title: [Enlistment document for volunteers in company of William Van Dueser]

Signed by 23 men to show they have voluntarily enlisted in the company of artillery under the command of William Van Dueser to serve as a guard for the town of New Haven, Connecticut until the first day of 1782. Several people signed their name, but were scratched off the list later. It appears that the document was created by Lieutenant Painter since his signature is below a note that states "those Inlisted the First of January together with myself Jany 1 1781." Related to GLC02542.30.

GLC02542.28

1 June 1781

Hunt, John, fl. 1782

Document signed

Title: [Enlistment document for volunteers in company of William Van Dueser]

Signed by 8 men to show they have voluntarily enlisted in the company of artillery under the command of William Van Dueser to serve as a guard for the town of New Haven, Connecticut until the first day of 1782. Related to GLC02542.28.

GLC02542.30

4 April 1779

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Major General Schuyler to an unknown recipient, but seller's description says it is probably to Continental Congressman James Duane. References recipients letter of 20 March and another undated letter. Says the president, probably Continental Congress President John Jay, sent him the resolution rejecting his resignation. Schuyler had put in his resignation after an October 1778 court martial, which he requested, acquitted him of incompetence over the loss of Fort Ticonderoga in 1777. Says he wants to resign because Congress deprived him of the command of his army when they selected…

GLC02545

circa 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document

Title: [Notes from the Pennsylvania Executive Council regarding pardons, appointments, and appropriations of funds].

Wayne notes that on 6 January 1780, the Executive Council pardoned William Cassidy and Peter Swope, both of whom were "convicted of high treason--on condition that he serve as a soldier during the present war in one of the regiments of this State..." Wayne terms the declaration of the Council "A dangerous president [sic--precedent]...of fatal consequences." Also notes the appointment of a judge who took office while failing to resign as a member of the House of Representatives. Mentions disparagingly the appropriations of scalping rewards and other questionable payments. Concludes with entry…

GLC08497

21 March 1780

Dunlap, John, 1747-1812

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania packet or the general advertiser. [March 21, 1780]

Contains dispatches of General George Washington and Congress. Includes reports on various ships, and war news from Georgia. Contains a report from the House of Commons pertaining to a bill for the encouragement of Irish trade. Includes a report on Continental troops taking a British officer (Captain Ogden) hostage near Tarrytown, New York. Refers to an investigation conducted by General Philip Schuyler related to events in Canada. Contains an extract of minutes of the General Assembly, authorized by Assembly Clerk Thomas Paine, related to "An Act for striking the sum of One hundred…

GLC08748.05

10 April 1779

Dunlap, John, 1747-1812

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania packet.

Proclamation by George Washington issuing a full pardon to all deserters who return to their corps by 1 May 1779, and warning those who do not return of punishment. Proclamation dated 10 March 1779 from Middle-Brook, New Jersey. Act made law by the Pennsylvania legislature to raise $1, 900,000 from taxes in the state. Reaction in the House of Commons dated 5 December 1778 to a proclamation issued by commissioners in New York. Tolls for bridge over Schuylkill River. Advertisements for sales, statements regarding lost horses, and other advertisements.

GLC08715.01

25 May 1779

Dunlap, John, 1747-1812

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania packet.

Proclamation by George Washington extending the deadline from 1 May 1779 to 5 July 1779 for deserters to receive a full pardon by returning to their corps. Proclamation dated 22 April 1779 from Middle-Brook, New Jersey. Original pardon proclamation in 10 April 1779 issue of the Pennsylvania Packet (GLB00317.01). Supplement passed by the Pennsylvania legislature to an act funding the state's defense. Supplement passed by the Pennsylvania legislature to an act settling the accounts of the Committee and Council of Safety. News from various cities about the Revolutionary War. Public notices…

GLC08715.02

7 March 1782

Claypoole, David C., fl. 1757-1849

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania packet. [Vol. 41, no. 855 (May 7, 1782)]

Proclamation by George Washington issuing a full pardon to all deserters who return to their corps by 1 June 1782, and warning those who do not return of punishment. Proclamation dated 8 February 1782 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Article titled "Common Sense, To the People of America. On the Expenses, Arrangements and Disbursements for carrying on the War, and finishing it with Honour and Advantage." Reports on debates in British Parliament. Advertisements for various sales.

GLC08715.03

January 7, 1781

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Walter Stewart

Writes to Colonel Stewart to ask how he is addressing a recent mutiny in the Continental Army, referred to as "the unhappy and disgraceful dispute." Also notes the expected arrival of General George Washington. On January 1, 1781, soldiers under General Anthony Wayne deserted their camp at Morristown for want of adequate food, clothing, and pay. The mutiny was later suppressed by General Arthur St. Clair; Lafayette indicates he spoke to St. Clair about the matter and is in disbelief. The letter is dated 1781 but incorrectly docketed 1780.

GLC00139

October 28, 1779

Paca, William, 1740-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Homsley

Written by Paca as a state senator in Maryland to Homsley, a resident of Queen Anne County, Maryland. Discusses the market for barley and tries to negotiate a sale with Homsley. Mentions that the enemy's light horse have made an excursion into New Jersey. They have caused mischief with the principle damage being the burning of a courthouse (the town's name is illegible). Says he received a letter from a colonel of militia that says he captured a British colonel and three privates after they had their horses shot from under them.

GLC00138

circa 1776-1777

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Journal of William Ellery's journey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Dighton, Massachusetts]

Signed "W.E." Discusses his travels and expenses through eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, southern New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Contains descriptions of Moravian settlements near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; imprisoned Tories at Newton, New Jersey; room and board at Fishkill, New York; and news of General William Howe's evacuation of New York. William Whipple accompanied him on his trip.

GLC00107.01