August 27, 1779

Nourse, Joseph, 1754-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Clarke

Letter signed as Assistant Auditor General. Informs Clarke of a resolution of Congress passed on August 26, 1779 stating that the Board of Treasury must present to Congress on or before September 10, 1779 an account of the monies received by the Continental Loan Offices up to February 28, 1779, as well as the amount received from March 1, 1779 to September 10, 1779, separated by each office. Reports that the Auditor General cannot comply with these directions because of the irregularity of Clarke's returns. Sternly requests that Clarke immediately send in his returns and orders that from now…

GLC01450.008.08

December 10, 1779

Wadsworth, Benjamin, 1750-1826

Autograph letter

Title: to James Lovell

Recipient inferred from content and because the collection is described as letters to or from Lovell, a Continental Congressman from Massachusetts. Wadsworth, pastor of the First Church at Danvers, thanks Lovell for his last letter. Congratulates him on being reelected to his seat in Congress and praises his work. Speaks of two young gentlemen who have been assigned to parishes. Mentions the difficulty of regulating the price of materials. States he was sad to hear of the American defeat at Savannah (September 3 - October 28, 1779) but realizes that disappointments must be expected in war.…

GLC01450.020.03

March 14, 1780

Lovell, James, 1737-1814

Autograph letter

Title: to George Wiat

Docket indicates that this letter is a copy. Author inferred from content and because the collection is described as letters to or from Lovell, a Continental Congressman from Massachusetts. Lovell regrets he could not write sooner. He indicates that the state of the country demands all his attention and he has heard from Congress everyday since he took his seat except a few when he was sick. "I consider myself as acting for a young nation or a new world, and millions yet unborn will be happy or miserable (as to this world) in consequence of the proceedings of Congress ..." He states that if…

GLC01450.020.04

April 6, 1780

Lovell, James, 1737-1814

Autograph letter

Title: to Isaac Foster

Marked as a copy. Author inferred from content and because the collection is described as letters to or from Lovell, a Continental Congressman from Massachusetts. Lovell writes that he received Foster's letter, and discusses a request made for more money to go to the army hospitals. He states that it was recommended to the board that they make a resolution to Congress for $40,000 for Foster's department. He regrets that more cannot be done and cites the embarrassing circumstances concerning money and finances as the cause. He also asks him to document medical expenditures carefully.

GLC01450.020.05

June 30, 1783

Wadsworth, Benjamin, 1750-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Wadsworth begins by expressing thanks for his last letter and for the informative pamphlet on Congress. Mentions that the Continental debt is much lower than people had expected thanks to the "prudence and good economy of Congress." Comments that self interest is of utmost importance to most men and praises extensively the soldiers who fought in the Revolution for the common good. Remarks that Wadsworth's wife said he was taking a journey for his health and gives his wishes that he achieves it. States that his family is healthy, the season is good, and his salary is better than other years.

GLC01450.020.20

July 31, 1777

Hillegas, Michael, 1729-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Clarke

Transmits through the Treasury Board the Continental Loan Office certificates. Hillegas gives amounts of each and instructions on numbering them. The total of all the certificates comes to $354,000. The Continental Loan Offices administered loans to the Continental Treasury to help finance the war effort. Hillegas was the Treasurer of the United States. He signed as Continental Treasurer. Clarke was the Commissioner of the Continental Loan Office in Rhode Island.

GLC01450.008.02

September 10, 1777, December 29, 1777

Gibson, John, 1729-1782

Autograph document

Title: [Interest on Loan Office Certificates]

Clerical copy made by Charles Thomson, Secretary. Resolution of Congress stating that the interest accrued after the date of this document on Loan Office Certificates already issued or issued before 1 March 1778, shall be paid annually at the respective offices in Bills of Exchange on the Commissioners of the United States in Paris, at the rate of five livres (currency of France) for every Spanish milled dollar, or in Continental Bills of Credit, at the option of the lenders. Second resolution dated 29 December 1777 directs the Commissioners of the Continental Loan Offices of the United…

GLC01450.008.03

November 12, 1777

Govett, William, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Clarke

Letter signed as Auditor General. Govett reports that the Committee on the Treasury has requested Clarke to pay strict attention to making monthly returns to the Treasury Board for monies received from the Continental Loan Office certificates. He states that several commissioners have neglected to do this and it has caused many inconveniences. The Continental Loan Offices administered loans to the Continental Treasury to help finance the war effort. Clarke was the Commissioner of the Continental Loan Office in Rhode Island.

GLC01450.008.04

December 29, 1777

Gibson, John, 1729-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Clarke

Letter signed as Auditor General. Gibson informs Clarke of the Resolutions of Congress from December 29, 1777 and September 10, 1777 instructing how to correctly pay the interest accrued on Continental Loan Office certificates. States that interest on certificates dated on or before September 10, 1777 must be paid in Continental Bills of Credit. Interest after that time can be paid in Continental Bills or Bills of Exchange at the option of the lender. Requests that Clarke inform the Treasury Board of the state of his office immediately. The Continental Loan Offices administered loans to the…

GLC01450.008.05

March 24, 1778

Hillegas, Michael, 1729-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Clarke

Hillegas states that he is transmitting from the Treasury Board to Clarke Continental Loan Office certificates amounting to $521,000 escorted by Mr. Norton Brailsford and William Dodd. He reports that he sent $21,000 in certificates from Baltimore last summer when the Treasury Board was in Philadelphia, but they were returned so he is sending them again. He asks Clarke to give bearers duplicate receipts to bring back, and details amounts of each certificate and how they should be numbered. Docketed received April 7, 1778. The Continental Loan Offices administered loans to the Continental…

GLC01450.008.06

24 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Alexander Hamilton

Later copy. Knox sent Hamilton the latest information on what is now known as the Huddy-Asgill Affair.

GLC02437.01499

July 1782

Officers of the Massachusetts Line

Manuscript document

Title: to the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court Assembled

In the hand of Samuel Shaw. Writes on behalf of the officers of the Massachusetts line that the Massachusetts state legislature has, following the direction of Congress, settled payment with the officers for the years 1779 and 1780, but have not yet made payments for the year 1781. The officers request that the legislature send a committee to camp to settle payment with the officers, because officers need to be in camp in case a campaign happens at a moment's notice. Also informs the legislature that the officers are owed for unpaid food and clothing rations for several years past, which,…

GLC02437.01514

16 November 1782

Greaton, John, 1741-1783

Manuscript document

Title: [Vote and proceedings at Newburgh regarding the grievances of the Massachusetts Line]

Marked "copy" and signed by the transcriber, Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "The grievances of the Massachusetts Line having involved them to desire a general conference, to consult and determine on the measures to be pursued for obtaining redress in a proper way - the several regiments composing that Line, together with such of the Hospital Department as belong to the State," chose three officers from each regiment (except for the 2nd Regiment; however, for their response, see GLC02437.01718), as well as three from the Light Infantry, one from the Hospital, and two from the…

GLC02437.01714

19 November 1782

Whiting, John, 1760-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: [To the honorable the committee from the Grievances of the Second Massachusetts line of the army]

Captain Ja. Alden, Lieutenant Whiting, and Lieutenant Joshua Danforth, writing as the Committee in behalf of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment, list several grievances suffered by their regiment. These include "want of pay," to which they add "The old soldiers to have preference, because an act of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, at the commencement of the present year, deprives their families of the relief which they before received from their respective Towns"; and "A delay of the liquidation of all accounts previous to the fifth of this year. The risk of loosing papers in the Army, and a…

GLC02437.01718

circa 8 December 1782

Van Cortlandt, Philip, 1749-1831

Autograph document signed

Title: [Report of committee altering petition to Congress]

Report of committee work to alter a petition being sent to Congress in relation to half-pay pensions for officers. The first committee meeting took place on 5 December 1782 at Horton's Tavern. The committee of 3 was made up of General McDougall and Colonels Ogden and Brooks. They offered 3 changes to the petition. A General Committee meeting was held 7-8 December 1782, also at Horton's Tavern, with Major General Knox presiding as chairman. The final copy was signed then. The document was signed "P. Cortlandt," which seems to the signature of Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt, but it might be…

GLC02437.01731

15 December 1782

Noailles, Louis Marie, vicomte de, 1756-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to tell Knox he is sailing for France in a few days. Writes, "the last sentiments of a person near to death are sometimes precious nothing looks more like it than the imense separation of the sea." Comments that though he "will be soon forgotten in America" he would like to leave Knox with "esteems and friendship" which he permitted Noailles to speak so often in the Army. References Knox's appointment to Major General, and declares that while he will not pay him a compliment, if he were in Congress he would tell them they had done their duty in giving Knox the promotion. Hopes to…

GLC02437.01745

21 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Jay

Later copy of GLC02437.01253. Indicates that French ships are about to dispatch with official accounts of the Battle of Yorktown. Knox feels he should tell Jay what has occurred because an official account from Congress may not be immediately forthcoming. Although the British had less forces in America than in 1776 or 1777, the Continental Army was compelled to attack Yorktown or consider the southern states lost. The Comte de Grasse was of similar opinion, and plans to attack New York were abandoned in favor of a siege of Yorktown. A detailed, chronological explanation of the Allied…

GLC02437.01254

6 December 1782

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Contract between the U.S. Treasury and Comfort, Richard, and Joshua Sands of New York for acquiring rations for West Point soldiers]

Agreement between Morris, acting as Superintendent of the Finances of the United States (appointed by Congress), and Comfort Sands, Richard Sands and Joshua Sands of New York that the Sandses will "furnish and deliver" to West Point and other nearby posts a number of rations of provisions to be determined weekly by the Secretary of War. Provisions include flour, beef or pork, whiskey or rum, salt, and vinegar. Contemporary clerical copy created for Knox's file. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.01301

22 March 1782

United States. Continental Congress.

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Promotion of Henry Knox to Major General]

Signed by Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress, and labeled an "Extract from the Minutes." Resolution of the United States in Congress assembled to promote Brigadier General Henry Knox to the rank of Major General. See GLC02437.01371 for a related document.

GLC02437.01375

18 August 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Frothingham

Writes, "In the return of persons in the department of military stores in the field which you made on the 6th instant, no mention is made of Mr. Marshall as being in the service. He says that you have discharged him from your books, from the 10th March last, and that yesterday was the first time of his being notified of it. Notwithstanding his having been employed under Mr. [John] Ruddock since that period to the present. The General desires to know the reasons which occasioned the dismissal of Mr. Marshall in this manner, and that you will make inquiry of Mr. Ruddock to know whether he…

GLC02437.01530

23 August 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Giles

Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp; he has also signed for Knox. Certifies that Mr. James Giles was employed as a conductor of military stores from December 1776 until September 1778, when he was offered a position in the corps of artillery. Verifies that his pay as conductor was 30 dollars per month until February 1778, when, by a resolve of Congress, it was raised to 40 dollars per month.

GLC02437.01536

9 September 1782

Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Written from "Head Quarters." Writes, "I would ever wish to pay proper attention to the business of Ladies, but without I am acquainted with the Resolve of the 6 July 1779 in [favor?] of Mrs. [Margaret] Corbin, I cannot tell what it is she wants - We have not the Resolves of that date with us." See GLC02437.01591, GLC02437.01595, and GLC02437.01611 for related information.

GLC02437.01591

10 September 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tench Tilghman

Writes that it is not in his power to send him Congress's resolve of 6 July 1779, concerning Margaret Corbin. Explains that her case is "peculiar": "Her husband and son killed and herself wounded in the services, were misfortunes of so aggravated as justly rendered her worthy of public attention." Congress has provided her with "a complete ration per day, and half pay for life," which Colonel [Lewis] Nicola helped her apply for, but she has received very little of the rations and pay she deserves. Explains that "[h]er present application is in consequence of the rum or whiskey which…

GLC02437.01595

11 September 1782

Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Writes, "It appears clearly to me that the order forbidding the issue of Rum to Women does not extend to Mrs. [Margaret] Corbin - Granting provision at all, to Women who are followers of the Army, is altogether matter of courtesy, and therefore the commanding General may allow them such a Ration as he thinks proper - But Mrs. Corbin is a pensioner of Congress, and therefore, upon procuring the Resolve made in her favor - Genl. [Henry] Knox, as commandant, may direct the Contractor to commute her Retained Rations of liquor - perhaps it would not be prudent to…

GLC02437.01597

September 1778

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Autograph document

Title: to Charles Jenkinson, 1st Earl of Liverpool

Memorial written by Major General Phillips, as commander fo the captured British Convention Army (he took control when John Burgoyne returned to Britain in April 1778) to Jenkinson as Secretary of War in Lord North's ministry in London. States that by a resolution of Congress in August 1778, it appears the Convention Army will not be returning to Britain in the next coming months. Worries about the promotion of the officers in the Convention Army, who are deprived of field service. Hopes the captured troops can count on the protection of the King. Says the troops under him have continued to…

GLC04764.76