25 August 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph manuscript

Title: But no regulation of Commerce or Revenue...

Quarter sheet related to #819.15. Denies the federal government the right to give favor to the ports of one state over another. Note that this contradicts #819.15. Date from Hutson.

GLC00819.16

30 August 1787

Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813

Manuscript

Title: Objections to the Constitution as far as it has advanced...

Lists eleven objections to the Constitution (the 12th has been struck). Docket reads "Objections to the Constitution / by Mr. Randal."

GLC00819.18

31 August 1787

Mason, George, Sr., 1725-1792

Manuscript document

Title: [Various proposals:] The Council of State...

Large folio sheet. Unidentified handwriting. Also re: import duties, revenues, limiting terms and appointments of elected officials including the President, limits on the executive pardon authority and a rejected clause concerning revenues.

GLC00819.19

31 August - 04 September 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph manuscript

Title: Money Bills [and] Trade [with Pinckney anecdote]

Mentions the rejection of a clause rejecting the origination of money bills; also, additions concerning debts for the common defense, rejecting taxes of limited duration, trade, age and birth requirements for President. With a Charles Pinckney story on the verso of second leaf, entitled "to be acquainted with the Talents of the person Elected."

GLC00819.21

August 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph manuscript

Title: In all Cases of Capture from an Enemy...

Folded small folio. Fragments concerning trade and limitations on the judiciary's office, with an unfinished resolve. (J. Whatman countermark in paper)

GLC00819.25

June 4, 1821

Pinckney, Charles, 1757-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Gales, Jr.

Written by Pinckney, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, as a Congressman from South Carolina to Gales, an editor of the National Intelligencer newspaper. Letter marked "Confidential." Sending along a copy of his speech against the prohibition of slavery in Missouri. He regrets that it has taken so long because he has been travelling. He wants his speech to appear in one issue of the paper and gives directions so that it will be as mistake-free as possible when it is printed. He hopes they like it and that they will notice "some observations as to the dependence of the Eastern & Northern…

GLC00852

August 22, 1872

Rosecrans, William S. (William Starke), 1819-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William F. Smith

William S. Rosecrans writes to General Smith to discuss commercial opportunities for trade with Mexico. He mentions possible steam and rail connections and comments on cattle raising opportunities. Closes the letter by asking about President Grant's re-election prospects.

GLC00858

May 1, 1822

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to House of Representatives

Recommends Congress grant a request by the government of Norway that the United States provide reciprocity of a policy reducing port duties and cargo unlading fees for U.S. vessels using Norwegian harbors. Letter written a year before the Monroe Doctrine.

GLC01107

5 July 1854

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Authority to affix the seal to Power for James A. Peden

Authorizing Emissary James A. Pedden to negotiate a commercial treaty with "Buenos Ayres."

GLC01109

April 30, 1864

Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864

Letter signed

Title: to Henry T. Clark

Polk writes to North Carolina Governor Clark about the recent act passed by the Confederate Congress authorizing the exportation of cotton across enemy lines in exchange for supplies.

GLC01078

March 1807

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Header Record

Title: [Collection of two James Madison letters]

GLC01096

February 10, 1777

Sullivan, James, 1744-1808

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Meschech Weare

Letter written by Sullivan as a Justice of the Superior Court of Massachusetts and a member of the Massachusetts legislature to Weare as Chief Justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire and a member of the Council, the upper house of the legislature. Sullivan writes to smooth over problems he foresees with a new Massachusetts law. Says he was the chairman of the committee that proposed the law to prohibit the export of certain articles therein mentioned. Says it was not passed to anger neighboring states, but to clothe the troops. Says the Southern states have not regulated the articles…

GLC01450.145

November 23, 1779

Paine, Samuel, 1754-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amasa Davis & Co.

Letter describes trading conditions in the South. Encloses account of sale of the cargo of the ship "Dove," which amounted to over 20,800 pounds (the account is not included here). Knows recipient will be disappointed with the small cargo being sent to Boston, but says the war has made shipping a precarious business. Complains of high prices after the failed attempt to take Savannah and the increased local demand after the harvest. Apologizes for not finding any light articles or valuable produce to ship and says prices will not drop until after Christmas. Recommends against shipping indigo…

GLC01450.158

January 29, 1776

Brown, James, fl. 1776

Document signed

Title: [Legal document outlining sale of shares in a ship]

James Brown is selling and conveying his shares in the captured ship "Ginney" (probably a prize of privateers) to Captain Ephrem Perkins. Document says "Ginney" was taken by the schooners "Boston Revenge" and "Generell Warde." Brown received 12 pounds, 12 shillings. Brown signed his mark with an "X." Witnessed by Adam Wellman, Samuel Stevens, and Benjamin Pinden. On verso, the shares are sold again. James Perkins, presumably a relative of Ephrem Perkins, is selling Ephrem's shares in the ship "Jenny" to Ebenezer Parsons for 13 pounds, 6 shillings, 8 pence. The Perkins sale is dated 27…

GLC01450.185.01

July 16, 1778

Knap, Jabez, 1752-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife Hannah Ball

Marching for White Plains, and hopes to winter in New England. The British are in New York, though they are expected to decamp soon. The French have a great deal of shipping in New York and "tease" the British. Hears the town of Taunton, Massachussets, from where just was, is now offering a fifty pound bounty for Continental soldiers, and asks her to go and collect it for him. Letter is addressed to himself, but was clearly intended for his wife, Hannah Ball. The first line reads "Dear wife."

GLC01450.190.01

April 7, 1781

Pope, Edward, 1740-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Williams

Upon being informed that Nantucket residents were trading with the British on one of the Elizabeth islands Captain Claghorn investigated and took two prisoners. One man, John Walter Fletcher, is being sent to Newport, the other, Job Halsey, was sent to the County Committee for a further investigation. Since Williams is on this committee, explains to him the details of the first examination of the prisoner. Halsey says he lived in Long Island, but left once the British took command there, since he favored independence. Moved to Connecticut and joined the army. Says that while returning home…

GLC01450.198

July 15, 1777

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Bingham

Encloses copies of what he wrote to Bingham on an earlier date concerning the Schooner Hope. Discusses business affairs related to the shipping of goods and medicines. Mentions consignments, accounts, and payments. Letter addressed to Bingham as "American Resident at Martinico."

GLC01450.214

May 19, 1746

Skone, John, fl. 1746

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Vernon

Offering to Sam Vernon, and others in Newport, with tinware, brass, copper, muskets, blunderbusses, and furniture.

GLC01450.251

26 September 1759

Ward, Thomas, 1733-1760

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Protest of the capture of the British ship Helen by the French]

The ship was captured on its way to St. Christopher and forced to land at Port au Prince. Recounts in detail the circumstances that resulted in the Helen's misfortune. Issued by Ward as secretary and public notary of Rhode Island.

GLC01450.286

October 25, 1781

Stone, Michael Jenifer, 1747-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Stone writes a long letter to his brother that includes an announcement that "Cornwallis was taken." Discusses his brother's business in Philadelphia and advises him of the benefits of continuing to cultivate a friendship with a man named Mr. Morrill. Discusses commerce and American affairs: "at present the flourishing State of American affairs gives me warm hopes that Speculation must be succeeded by a Sober and regular Spirit of Commerce." Indicates that the public prints have announced his membership in the Maryland state house of delegates. Also admits his likelihood of joining Congress,…

GLC01450.412.15

December 29, 1774

Potter, Simeon, 1720-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Christopher Whipple

Cosigned by John Read and John Jenckes, who own the ship Liberty with Potter. Whipple, Captain of the Liberty, signs at the bottom of the page, promising to obey the orders contained within the letter and attesting that the text is a true copy of his orders. The Liberty's owners instruct Whipple to sail for the Island of Dominico (present day Haiti and the Dominican Republic), to sell his cargo there, to purchase "Two Hundred & ninety Half Barrels of Good Pistol Powder," and to sail elsewhere in the Caribbean if he can not buy powder at a reasonable price in Dominico. Inform Whipple of…

GLC01450.432

1775-1776

Manuscript document

Title: [Payments to William Tiel]

Lists various expenses from October-November 1775 and February 1776, most related to shipping.

GLC01450.447.05

June 15, 1777

Warren, James, 1726-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Discusses arrival of supplies and trade with Spain. Docketed by Gerry.

GLC01450.527

March 3, 1777

Samuel Barrett & Co., (manufacturers), fl. 1777

Letter

Title: to unknown

Discusses the firm's acquirement of barrels of wines and spirits and the fluctuating price of such goods. Mentions Mr. Hopkins. Reports that in the south ward, these goods "would fetch double the Money as soon as the restraining Bill is repeald (which will be done immediately)." Discusses the importation of rice and flour, and the removal of these goods to the recipient's storehouses (which he calls magazines). In case of an enemy attack on Boston, intends to store goods in ports which may still be free, such as Sherburne, Sudbury, Worcester, or Springfield, Massachusetts. Awaits the…

GLC01450.617

October 26, 1812

Coffin, David, 1788-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Boyd

During the War of 1812, Coffin reports difficulties selling lead and black powder because the market in Boston is glutted and prices are low. He suggests selling at auction. Boyd was a merchant in Portland, Maine.

GLC01450.719.03