24 September 1780

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Huntington

Brigadier General Parsons complains about insufficient provisions and decreasing numbers of troops, in which he did not see "in the present Temper of the Country a possibility of recruiting them again. Rails against Congress and the promotion of General Smallwood (to Major General after the Battle of Camden), which he took as a personal offense because his own service was overlooked.

GLC03413

02 June 1776

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Landon Carter re: calling for America's independence, troubles with Britain

Written as delegate to Congress from Virginia. Docketed with comments by Carter, the recipient.

GLC03421

1779

Hamilton, A. Jr., fl. 1769-1785

Magazine

Title: Town and Country Magazine or Universal Repository of Knowledge, Instruction and Entertainment for the Year 1779. [Vol. 11, (1779)]

Eleventh annual volume of a periodical journal that resembles the Gentleman's Magazine and London Magazine in format and style. 12 monthly issues bound. Includes many engraved plates. Indexed at the end of the volume. Printed for A. Hamilton, Jr. Book is boxed. Contains much on the American Revolution, including this magazine's first printing of the Declaration of Independence on page 148.

GLC03459

January 29, 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Apollos Morris

Politely refuses to forward a letter offering peace intermediation by Morris because British General William Howe still refuses to negotiate with Congress, "the only great representative Body of this Continent." With two drafts of Morris's reply, defending himself and explaining his intentions, on the verso and blank areas of the address leaf.

GLC03155

18 May 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by New Hampshire Continental Congressman Whipple to New Hampshire Continental Congressman Langdon. Whipple signed the Declaration of Independence, but Langdon resigned his position in Congress in June 1776 to become agent for Continental prizes and superintendent of the construction of several ships of war. Says Colonel Josiah Bartlett, another New Hampshire Congressman, arrived yesterday. Encloses a resolution Whipple claims Langdon will like (not included here). Speaks of "a Confederation permanent and lasting [that] ought in my opinion to be the next thing, & I hope not…

GLC03185

15 December 1777

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Written by Laurens as President of Continental Congress to Brigadier General Whipple. Whipple was a Declaration of Independence signer. Says Congress is undertaking a full inquiry into the American defeat at Rhode Island under Major General Joseph Spencer. Says that Congress has appointed five commissioners, and that Whipple has been selected as one because of his "continued Zeal in the public service." For more information says to look at the enclosed certified copy of the Act of Congress from 12 December 1777 (the act is not included here). Written from York, Pennsylvania while the British…

GLC03187

27 September 1782

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin

Informs Franklin that Congress has instructed him to try to borrow four million dollars from the French King, and discusses how Franklin might attain it. Says Congress wishes Franklin to assure the King that Americans once shared the "English Prejudice against all things french" but that "by degrees almost every Trace of it has been effaced." Worries the French may reply "the nation which will not help itself does not merit the Aid of others." Tells Franklin to remind them it would be foolish to invest so much in the colonies only to abandon them so close to being successful. Relates how…

GLC03333

August 29, 1778

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Reports that his son left the recipient's horse at Daggets instead of at Sanfords in Bristol, where William Ellery had promised to deliver it in his last letter as his part in the "Newport Expedition." Comments on General John Sullivan and the withdrawal of Charles, Count d'Estaing, from the siege of Newport. Tells him he has heard from Philadelphia that the French Ambassador has met with an audience of Congress. Asks for any news he can be given and indicates that he has heard New York is to be evacuated by the British. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William…

GLC03236

13 November 1777

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Warren

Written by Gerry as delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress to Warren as a member of the Continental Navy Board. References Warren's letter of 23 October 1777, in which he found news of General John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga earlier that month. In that letter Warren expressed misgivings about the terms of surrender that General Horatio Gates gave to Burgoyne, known as the Articles of Convention. Gerry says he had the same misgivings, but says Gates was justified in giving generous terms because Sir Henry Clinton was making moves to reinforce Burgoyne. Says that they…

GLC03239

January 3, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: Commission of Thomas W. Forster, Capt. in Artillery Regt. commanded by Knox

Printed sheet countersigned by Charles Thomson.

GLC03242

17 June 1781

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Writes to Jay, then Minister to Spain, about Jays appointment as one of five commissioners to negotiate peace during the American Revolution (which eventually resulted in the Treaty of Paris). Gives advice on how to deal with Spain, asking him to reiterate their commitment to winning the war and to "Hint a private Treaty to comprehend the Cession of the Floridas and even of Jamaica as an Ultimatum of Peace." Praises the appointment of Thomas McKean as President of Congress. The letter was continued on 10 July and 17 July 1781. Signed twice.

GLC03257

24 December 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by New Hampshire Continental Congressman Whipple, a Declaration of Independence signer, to Langdon agent for Continental prizes and superintendent of the construction of several ships of war. Langdon had resigned his Congressional seat in June 1776. Wrote last letter to Langdon a day or two before Congress adjourned on 11 December 1776. Says they started meeting in Baltimore on 20 December 1776. Claims the British approach sparked a panic except for the Tories "of which you know there are not a small number." Heard that enemy troops have made it to Burlington, New Jersey. Because…

GLC03269

12 June 1776 - 21 June 1776

United States. Continental Congress.

Letter signed

Title: Resolution appointing Congressional "Board of War and Ordinance"

Signed by Charles Thomson as secretary. Includes attached circular letter addressed to Artemas Ward re: founding of War Office and instructions for monthly reporting; signed by John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Harrison, James Wilson, and Edward Rutledge. Written in the hand of Richard Peters; docketed by Artemas Ward on address leaf. (Formerly cataloged as GLC 3295.01 (p. 3) and .02 (p. 1-2).)

GLC03295

1 August 1783

Carleton, Guy, 1724-1808

Letter signed

Title: to Lord Frederick North

Transmits extracts of letters (not included) written by an unknown member of Congress to a friend which have come into his possession. Advises that the letters, " ... contain so much information, and appear to be written with so much judgment, that I cannot delay transmitting them to your Lordship." This letter is Carleton's retained copy, noted as duplicate no. 97. Written as Governor of Quebec to North as the British Secretary of State. One black and white bust engraving of Guy Carleton included.

GLC03305

9 January 1777

Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Henry Lee

Written by Henry as Governor of Virginia to Lee as a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress. Sends congratulations about Washington's victory at Trenton on 25 December 1776. Observes that the people of Virginia are firm. Believes a great number of volunteers can still be found. Hopes enlistments may be filled, but doubts it will happen quickly. Says the Cherokees are humbled, but fears hostilities will break out around Pittsburgh, and he has prepared accordingly. Says arms and woolens are needed. Says "I do indeed pity your situation ... Let me tell you that altho yr Fatigue is…

GLC03869

22 June 1786

Osgood, Samuel, 1748-1813

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Harwood

Circular letter cosigned by Walter Livingston and Arthur Lee, all as members of the Board of Treasury. Discusses payments made to the state of Maryland and a warrant drawing $10,000 back to the federal government. Harwood was commissioner of loans at Annapolis, Maryland.

GLC03541

May 14, 1780

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Hamilton, serving as General George Washington's aide, asks Duane, a member of the Continental Congress, to help expedite a congressional action supplying Washington's army in anticipation of the arrival of a French fleet in June, 1780. Indicates that Washington will gladly consult with the Committee, but the Committee's powers should be framed so that such consultations will be infrequent and the military operations "trusted to as few as possible." Also notes the whims of Lafayette, who "wishes Congress to pass some resolution of thanks" for the captain of the frigate which carried him to…

GLC03636

December 29, 1780

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard K. Meade

Lafayette discusses selection of an American envoy being sent to France. Congress had decided to send an envoy extraordinary to France to secure a loan and improve supply shipments. Lafayette tried to help Alexander Hamilton attain this post, but failed. Says that all admitted Hamilton was the "best calculated for this mission," but "he is not very popular" and not a "Southern Man" so he was not chosen by the Congress. Instead John Laurens was selected. Inform his "very good friend" that a French officer will soon be arriving to meet Meade. He is happy to hear from Martha Bland that Meade…

GLC03647

9 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Writes to Osgood, then a member of the Continental Congress and the treasury board, to request that Congress pay Baron von Steuben. States that "it has been owing to [von Steuben] that a substantial discipline has been established in the American Army," that he "is particularly attached to the cause of America," but "can no longer live without pay." (See GLC02437.01480 for the retained copy of this letter)

GLC03646

June 14, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph document signed

Title: [Resolution of the Continental Congress advising New York to make provisions for detecting, restraining and punishing Tories].

Issued by Hancock less than three weeks before the Declaration of Independence, this resolution calls for the suppression of contact with the British among Tories in the colony of New York. It also claims that General George Washington will aid in carrying out these measures.

GLC03716

14 August 1779

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Signed by Jay as President of Congress to Clinton as the Governor of New York. Closing in Jay's hand. Circular letter. Congress is informing the country that the British are reinforcing themselves. Says 7,000 troops are coming from Europe and another 3,000 from the West Indies. Claims America's allies - mainly the French - are concerned that better preparations were not made for a vigorous campaign. Says America needs to exert itself more. Wants Clinton to comply with Congress's wish to have battalions filled and militia ready. Says forces might be called forth to operate offensively.

GLC03709

26 March 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Barry

Hancock, Thomas McKean, Richard Henry Lee, John Alsop, Joseph Hewes, Robert Morris, and Edward Rutledge sign as members of the Marine Committee (all but Alsop went on to sign the Declaration of Independence). Hancock et al. inform Captain Barry that the Committee of Safety has ordered four provincial armed boats to assist Barry in "taking, sinking, destroying, or driving off" a British man of war. Instructs Barry, Captain of the Lexington, to coordinate signals with the vessels sent to assist him.

GLC03714

April 11, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Barry

Signed by members Hancock, Robert Morris, John Alsop, Richard Henry Lee, Joseph Hewes, George Read, William Whipple, and Stephen Hopkins as members of the Congressional Marine Committee (all but Alsop went on to sign the Declaration of Independence). The Committee praises Barry's capture of the prize sloop Edward. Mentions sending the prize to Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Reports on the presence of Captain Boys and four or five marines at Cape May, New Jersey. States "As the Men of Warr in Virginia, Delaware and New York will undoubtedly hear of you they will probably lay some plans to…

GLC03715

6 June 1780

De Kalb, Johann, 1721-1780

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by General De Kalb, known as Baron De Kalb, as second in command of the Carolina campaign. Written to General Washington. Encloses a copy of a letter he sent to the Board of War so Washington would know his route of march (that letter is not included). Says he put the Second Brigade on their march and claims he is setting out at this moment to come up with the troops in front. De Kalb died from wounds he received at the Battle of Camden on 19 August 1780. Some staining on verso, from what appears to be a mat border.

GLC03758

26 May 1774

Read, George, 1733-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Virginia Committee of Correspondence

Countersigned by Thomas McKean and John McKinley. Read, McKean, and McKinley were members of the Delaware Committee of Correspondence. Discusses the Boston Port Bill, nonimportation, and the formation of a continental congress.

GLC03718