1779

Book

Title: The Gentleman's magazine and historical chronicle

GLC03364.05

1780

Book

Title: The Gentleman's magazine and historical chronicle

GLC03364.06

30 November 1804

Eaton, William, 1764-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hamet Karamanli

Eaton, United States Naval Agent to the Barbary States, informs Hamet Karamanli, deposed Bashaw of Tripoli, that the United States officially supports Eaton's previous promise of assistance to reinstate Hamet to the throne. Declares that "America is at peace with all the world except your brother Joseph," who had deposed Hamet.

GLC03367

22 December 1779

Lane, Joseph, fl. 1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Major Lane, having offered to carry General Benjamin Lincoln's dispatches to Congress, says he is ready to depart. Says it is his intention to return to Charlestown as soon as possible. Says he has no business in the north and will return quickly. Appears there was an issue with Lane's servants. Says the ship "Betsy" was captured by American privateers and brought to Philadelphia. Since his servant papers were on that ship he hopes to clear up this situation. Says he was thankful that Lincoln brought it up privately. Written one week before the fall of Savannah, Georgia.

GLC03369

03 September 1814

Miller, James, ?-1851

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ruth Miller

Discusses the current British attack on Fort Erie during the War of 1812: "We have from fifty to two hundred cannon shot and shells thrown into our camp every twenty four hours." Speculates on rumors of American reinforcements and the possibility of fighting their way out. Mentions that he sent money home. The British siege of Fort Erie failed two weeks later. Written at Fort Erie

GLC03370

8 April 1779

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Heath as Major General in Continental Army from his hometown of Roxbury to an unknown council. Heath was in charge of the Convention Army, which consisted of the British prisoners of war from the Saratoga campaign. After surrendering in October 1777, they were marched through Albany to Boston, where they remained until February 1779, when they were marched to Virginia. This letter deals with barracks for those prisoners of war at Rutland, Massachusetts. Says Colonel Joshua Davis is now ready to settle his accounts for the expenditures that were used to build the barracks to…

GLC03376

January 21,1805 - December 30, 1805

Russell, John, 1764-1831

Newspaper

Title: Boston gazette. [Vol. 17, no. 42 (Jan. 21, 1805) - v. 19, no. 35 (Dec. 30 1805)]

In addition to regular news items like reports from the American states, the Massachusetts legislature, the Congress of the United States, and foreign intelligence, the newspaper features articles on the nomination and re-election of Governor Caleb Strong, the trial of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase, the valedictory address of Aaron Burr who was not re-nominated for vice president, peace with Tripoli, the annual message of President Jefferson, and the death of Lord Nelson. Ninety three issues are bound in all. The following issues are missing: 14 March, 6 June, 13 June, 11 July, 26…

GLC03379

09 July 1829

Kendall, Amos, 1789-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Reports on an upcoming duel between Sanders and Hawkins, begun when Hawkins was insulted that Sanders fired him, despite his mediocre performance. Hopes that Hawkins "gets a little hurt" in the duel, since he has acted so inappropriately. Says that Clay is "making himself ridiculous," and is weakly supported, while Jackson, "the old hero," is doing well.

GLC03209.10

31 July 1800

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter

Title: to Charles C. Pinckney re: (retained draft) Federalist party factionalism

Written two months after President Adams demanded his resignation as Secretary of War. Curiously, McHenry writes his belief that (due to Adams' refusal to go to war with France) he had formed a coaltion with Jefferson.

GLC03254

23 March 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Written by General Burgoyne while an American prisoner after his defeat at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 to Major General William Heath as commander of the Convention Army (prisoners of war from the battle of Saratoga) around Boston. Apologizes for sending another dispatch so quickly after his previous one, but asks him to send along the enclosed letters (not included here) without any loss of time. Also asks Heath to send him along a good sailing boat to go to Cape Cod and that he will pay any expenses associated with the trip. Burgoyne left Boston for Britain on 5 April 1778. He…

GLC03231

23 August 1778

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Expresses surprise at the news that "Count D'Estaing has abandoned us in the present Enterprise." At Sullivan's request gives his opinion on the situation, saying he feels the siege of Newport is not worth continuing without the French fleet, since he expects British reinforcements soon. Instead suggests an immediate attack, for which he details his strategy. Opposes a retreat but in case "the General Council be of a different opinion" he lays out a plan for retreat as well. General Sullivan posed this question to a number of officers. In GLC04845 he writes William Whipple and asks his…

GLC03232

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

16 June 1812

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Cutts

Near the beginning of the outbreak of the War of 1812, Gerry describes and criticizes Federalist politics as an attempt "to place in the executive departments of the Nation & States, men devoted to the interest & Government of Great Britain." Written the day after he was notified of his nomination for Vice President. Cutts was a New Hampshire senator.

GLC03240

21 May 1782

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Letter signed

Title: to Richard Harrison

Livingston, writing as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, discusses the capture and parole of Henry Brockholst Livingston and the general lack of faith of the populace in Britain's professed good will, as communicated by Sir Guy Carleton.

GLC03253

25 July 1776

McIntosh, Lachlan, 1725-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Lee

Also addressed to Lieutenant Seixas (possibly Abraham Mendez Seixas). Colonel McIntosh, commander of American forces in Georgia, replies to a letter from General Lee, Southern Department Commander. Mentions Colonel Samuel Elbert, also active in Georgia. States that an informant "saw a Fifty Gun Ship yesterday afternoon sailing on our Barr into the River, where four other Ships lay at anchor ... I imagine those Gentry will not be guilty a second time of the same delay as in Carolina ... " Relates that in his opinion, this is the fleet from Charleston, South Carolina. In a post script,…

GLC03255

June 3, 1781

Mason, George, Sr., 1725-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Mason Jr.

Discusses George Jr.'s brothers' roles in the war. Says the Americans under Nathaniel Greene are fighting bravely, but are overmatched by the British, who seem intent on taking Virginia. Cornwallis and his men have just arrived in Virginia to support Benedict Arnold's troops. Discusses the forces of Lafayette and Wayne in Pennsylvania. Hopes that a French fleet will soon arrive, but doubts this will happen. Says that most Virginians support the revolution and the alliance with the French. Many Virginians "grow uneasy, & restless, & begin to think that our Allies are spinning out the…

GLC03256

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

22 May 1810

Revere, Paul, 1735-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Revere

Revere writes to his son that the non-intercourse policy against Great Britain has ended, creating more opportunities to write. Also mentions a debilitating infirmity and provides family news. The second and third pages contain a letter dated July 1810 from John to his brother Joseph Revere which transmits their father's letter, discusses Joseph's impending return, and provides other news.

GLC03258

26 March 1807

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to James Monroe

Secretary of State Madison informs, Monroe, then the American minister to Great Britain, that David Erskine, the British minister to the United States, communicated "the late British order against the trade between the ports of France and others..." Includes a copy (see GLC03490.03) and a copy of Madison's response to Erskine (see GLC03490.02). That order precipitated the passage of the Embargo Act later that year.

GLC03490.01

20 March 1807

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter

Title: to James Monroe [copy]

Secretary of State Madison's response to British minister to the United States Erskine's letter informing him that Parliament had issued an order denying trade among the ports of France, in retaliation for France's Berlin Decree (see GLC03490.03). Explains that he has relayed the news to President Jefferson and describes Jefferson's position, which questions the legality of the measure in detail. That order precipitated the passage of the Embargo Act later that year. Copy sent to James Monroe, then the American minister to Great Britain, along with GLC03490.01 and GLC03490.03. Docketed by…

GLC03490.02

12 March 1807

Erskine, David Montagu, 1776-1855

Letter

Title: to James Madison [copy]

Erskine, the British minister to the United States, informs Secretary of State Madison that Parliament has issued an order denying trade among the ports of France, in retaliation for France's Berlin Decree. That order precipitated the passage of the Embargo Act later that year. Copy sent to James Monroe, then the American minister to Great Britain, along with GLC03490.01 and GLC03490.02.

GLC03490.03

8 July 1801

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to port collectors

Circular letter informing port collectors that lists of Americans being detained on British ships are being sent to them. Signed as Secretary of State.

GLC03492

1 October 1803

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed letter signed

Title: to Collectors of the Customs of the United States

Circular letter discussing certificates issued to protect American seamen from impressment. Also asking for reports on the other "outrages committed by the cruisers of the belligerent powers." Signed as Secretary of State.

GLC03494

24 December 1781

Johnson, J., fl. 1782

Newspaper

Title: The Salisbury and Winchester Journal [Monday, December 24, 1781]

Includes news related to the Battle of Yorktown. Publishes a letter from Lord Cornwallis to Henry Clinton dated 20 October 1781, in which Cornwallis announced his defeat. Prints several items of correspondence between Cornwallis and George Washington (related to the British captiulation at Yorktown) from October 1781. Also includes news from the House of Commons and various announcements and advertisments.

GLC03517