14 June 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter

Title: to John Langdon & Meshech Weare

Written by Whipple, who would later signed the Declaration of Independence, as a New Hampshire Congressman to Langdon and Weare as prominent politicians in New Hampshire (Landgon resigned from his seat in Congress on 25 June 1776 to become agent for Continental prizes in New Hampshire). This document is actually two drafts of letters on different sides of one sheet of paper. The letters are unsigned. Langdon draft: Says this accompanies the 10,000 dollars for the naval service mentioned in a former letter. Says he has put it in a box with other money sent to Colonel Weare. Mentions that…

GLC06517

February 1, 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, discusses various military and business matters with Langdon, a agent for the Continental Navy. Mentions Miss Wharton. Discusses money submitted to Langdon by the Marine Committee, including a sum transmitted to Langdon by Colonel Bartlett (possibly Continental Congressman Josiah Bartlett). Refers to Mr. Henderson and Mr. [Betten?], who delivered money from Whipple to Langdon. Mentions a ship Langdon was fitting as a result of Mr. Livingston's orders (possibly referring to Continental Congressman Robert Livingston…

GLC06520

22 July 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certification of John Wheelwright's appointment to Second Lieutenant of the Continental Frigate Raleigh at New Hampshire].

Issued by President of the Continental Congress John Hancock.

GLC06525

July 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Printed document signed

Title: [Blank form created for Marine Committee appointments]

Contains blank spaces reserved for the name, office, and vessel to which the appointee is assigned. Date previously inferred.

GLC06526

6 July 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, informs Langdon that despite the efforts of Captain Dudley Saltonstall, the ship Trumbull remains grounded in a Connecticut river. Discusses the cost of moving the ship versus building new vessels. States that while in New London, Connecticut, he saw the vessel intended for Captain Chew (possibly Samuel Chew). Relates information pertaining to Mr. Shaw (possibly Nathaniel Shaw, a Connecticut shipowner, merchant, and Continental agent). Reports that the vessels Warren, Providence, and Camden are in the Providence River…

GLC06531

5 August 1777

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Morris, a Continental Congressman, discusses naval affairs with Whipple, chairman of the Congressional Marine Committee. Refers to a recent motion in Congress authorizing the Marine Committee to halt the construction of several ships of war. Since the motion was carried, relates that a stop will be put on the construction of a ship in the Connecticut River. Refers to Mr. Shaw (possibly Nathaniel Shaw, a Connecticut shipowner, merchant, and Continental agent) and Captain Chew (possibly Samuel Chew). Mentions the ships Alfred, Ranger (Captained by John Paul Jones), and Raleigh (Captained by…

GLC06532

23 July 1783

Lee, Arthur, 1740-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Lee as a Continental Congressman from Virginia to an unknown recipient, possibly William Whipple. Shows Lee's distrustful, suspicious, and hostile personality. Wishes he would have been in Philadelphia when recipient was there. In reference to the treaty of Paris, which wouldn't be signed until 3 September 1783, "We have happily reached the goal of a great & doubtful contest; & our efforts have been crowned with liberty & glory." Writes that he is glad Congress has moved from Philadelphia to get away from the "crafty, corrupting, & rapacious man" - a reference to…

GLC06539

7 November 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Docketed by Langdon on verso. Reporting on the difficulties supplying the army and navy, military plans, and the mood in Congress. Mentions a shipment of guns with defects. Comments on officer promotions. Mentions the Marine Committee's answer to a letter from the Committee of Providence. Mentions the petition of an officer to be "Releavd," which he describes as a "Petition for a Public Body to break their own Genl: Rules." He doubts it will pass but states that he will render assistance. Discusses clothing the troops, who he finds "in good spirit" though "almost naked." Doubts the…

GLC06692

16 August 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Doughty

Discusses Doughty's treatment of a specific store of powder. Notes that Doughty should care for the arsenal under his watch to the best of his ability until further instructions are received from Congress. Reports that Frederick Haldimand, Governor of the Province of Quebec, "will not probably deliver the upper posts this summer..." Written in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.03041

9 October 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Doughty, commander at West Point, gives a detailed report on matters at that post. Writes, "I intend with your permission to go to Congress about the first of next month upon the concern of my small Corps, to settle their account & procure them if possible some Money, for want of this very essential article, our situation is become so very necessitous as to border upon Wretchedness..." Asks for a letter from Knox introducing him to a Congressman from Massachusetts and to the President of Continental Congress (Thomas Mifflin).

GLC02437.03057

12 March 1785

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Major Doughty, commander at West Point, transmits returns of troops and stores (returns not included). Doughty is extremely upset because he hopes to remain in the military as an artillerist, but recently heard that Congress plans to discharge the troops presently in service. Writes, "If this measure takes place, which it is probable will be the case, instead of continuing my military pursuits, I am fearful I shall be thrown upon the wide world without a profession, or a capital to create one..." Asks Knox, who was recently offered the position of Secretary at War, to procure him an office…

GLC02437.03108

27 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Doughty

Informs Doughty that he will help with procuring subsistence for the troops. Does not believe recruiting service will begin in New York as its quota numbers are deficient. The contracts of Morris and Wadsworth are ending as Congress is not happy with the proposals. Agrees with Doughty, who is in favor of a "national force," as he expects "every evil that can be produced from Anarchy." Also notes that "Congress have had but for a very little time nine States. Therefore nothing has been concluded on respecting higher pay for the Artillery than the Infantry." Mentions supplying artillery…

GLC02437.03502

24 December 1781

Freeman, James, fl. 1781-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions he is aware that Congress has decided to "make good the depreciation of pay, to such officers as have not been under the patronage of any particular State, and have diverted the auditors to Liquidate their accounts, and give them a certificate of the amount of pay due." Has applied to the auditors, but they inform him they have no business with him. Asks if Knox has any advice as to how to receive some or all of his pay: he is "entirely dependent upon Strangers for even the common necessaries of life," and hopes this will induce Knox to reply as early as is convenient, "without…

GLC02437.01310

20 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eustis

Signed "H.K." Replies to a letter from Eustis pertaining to two sons of the "late amiable and gallant Genl [Joseph] Warren," noting he will attempt to persuade some of the members of Congress to extend the public bounty to Warren's youngest son.

GLC02437.03853

10 April 1787

Williams, Henry Howell, fl. 1775-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox's help in getting Congress to compensate him for the loss of his property during the Revolution. Mentions that many articles were taken from Noddles Island either for use of the American army or to keep them out of the hands of the enemy. He has received no compensation and has been reduced to beggary. Noddle's Island is now a part of East Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.03516

29 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Captain Cogswell

Written, signed, and docketed for General Henry Knox by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Commands Cogswell to join the brigade on its march to Philadelphia. Instructs him to move expeditiously and take the route via Kingwood, Pompton, Morristown, Somerset Court House, Princeton, Trenton, and Bristol. Provides further marching instructions including where to draw provisions.

GLC02437.02201

2 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Brooks

Gives Brooks, assistant clothier general, instructions regarding the reduction in troops and the corresponding issue of clothing. Instructs Brooks to reduce the size of his department.

GLC02437.02900

24 May 1787

Willcox, Joseph, fl. 1775-1787

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt of payment]

Receipt for $3,000. "Drawn by the Board of Treasury on Will Imlay Esqr receiver of Continental Taxes for the State of Connecticut in account of pay due to the Troops of the Quota of Connecticutt." The troops were raised to quell Shays's Rebellion.

GLC02437.03552

February 3, 1785

Eustis, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Supports the establishment of an association based on military service, writing "In short there arise so many sources of mutual benefit in an association that I hope for it earnestly." Further details his interest in creating such an association: "...if a meeting should be called, and there appears no better object, where is the impropriety of a proposal to write the officers of the other states solliciting [sic] them to join in a memorial to Congress praying to be paid the interest due on our notes for pay, particularly those on which four years interest are due. If in objection to this it…

GLC02437.03091

3 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Congress

Written by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Knox gives a report on the state of West Point soon before his intended departure for Boston. Notes the dissolution of several companies/corps. Gives status of hospital, cannon, ammunition and supplies, and ordnance. Writes, "I hope it may not be thought presumptuous or impertinent to indulge the rapture which fills my mind upon so interesting a contrast, so honorable and so highly flattering to my country- especially when so great a part of the cannon are trophies, wrested by the hand of virtue from the arm outstretched to oppress it."…

GLC02437.02903

12 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Orders regarding the Act of Congress to reduce the infantry]

Discusses arrangements made in light of the Congressional resolve to discharge most of the Continental troops. Writes, "General Knox cannot take leave of this remnant of the Continental Army without expressing his ardent wishes for their future prosperity, and his firm confidence that their conduct as citizens, will be as good and amiable as their characters as soldiers have been illustrious and honorable." Location inferred.

GLC02437.03016

25 July 1786

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox if he will help him request a settlement of his accounts. So far he has been unsuccessful, and the Paymaster General's office, headed by Mr. [John] Pierce, has not been authorized by Congress to perform the necessary actions.

GLC02437.03284

19 September 1775

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

Written by Major General Lee during the Siege of Boston to Rush as a doctor in private practice and a chemistry professor at Philadelphia Medical College. References Battle of Bunker Hill. Gives his sentiments on the situation of the siege. Says "I think We might have attack'd 'em long before this and with success, were our Troops differently constituted." Would like a more pro-active campaign on the part of the Americans. Fears Rush's report of divisions in Congress. Says he agrees with Rush's opinion of the "barbarous dangerous custom of loading the servants of the people with the…

GLC05546

1776

Book

Title: Journal of... Congress...1775 [with 4 other works on British view of Revolution]

London printing of the journals of Congress, bound with four more political works on the Revolution. Pagination: 200, 8, 256, 143, 71, 2 pp. (1) Journal of the proceedings of the Congress held at Philadelphia, May 10, 1775. Published by order of the Congress. Philadelphia, Printed; London: Re-printed for J. Almon..., 1776. [2], 200 pp. plus 8pp. ads. Lacks half-title. Contemporary half calf and marbled boards, leather label. Armorial bookplate. This journal records the transactions of Congress for the period from May 10 to August 1, 1775. Includes draft of the address of the Congress to…

GLC05704

9 January 1776

Van Cortlandt, Pierre, 1721-1814

Printed document signed

Title: to Abraham Yates, Jr.

Signed as member of the New York Committee of Safety, asking members of Congress to arrive punctually on the day the Session adjourns. Launches into a discourse on what it means to have a senate and to be a senator.

GLC05199