12 June 1819

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Manuscript signed

Title: To the Editors of the National Intelligencer

Defends himself against General James Winchester's attack on his character and conduct in the command of the North Western Army in the War of 1812 Ohio campaign. Concerns who was to blame for sending out a detachment of the army beyond the reach of support. The detachment was almost completely destroyed by the British and Indians. Includes a copy of a letter written to Harrison by Samuel G. Hopkins and dated 24 February 1813 that supports his views. With corrections and an autograph endorsement signed by Harrison on pages 11 and 12.

GLC05565

1814

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Book

Title: Message of the President [war of 1812 re: American defeats on Canada border]

Fuller title: "Message from the President...as may tend to explain the causes of the failure of the arms of the U. States on the northern frontier." Printed by A & G Way. Message no. 54.

GLC05218

04 June 1792 - 10 June 1796

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: [General Anthony Wayne's report of expenditures from June 1792-May 1794]

Records various expenditures incurred during Indian treaty negotiations. A certification of the expenses along with a comment that "the United States will acquire at least Three Millions of Dollars, from the extra cession of territory obtained by that treaty is signed ant dated 2 June 1796. Another note date 10 June 1796 attests to the receipt of some of the monies and discusses other expenses.

GLC05468

1821

Header Record

Title: Northwest Boundary: with 4 letters, printed report and folding map

Fixing the Northwest boundary between the U.S. and Canada, as far as Oregon Territory. Including complete record of American and British exploration parties. Manuscript book accompanied by map (#8) and 7 other items,starting with early preliminaries.

GLC05634

1834

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Book signed

Title: House Executive Documents, 23rd Congress, 1st Session. [nos. 204-349]

Very thick (24 x 15 x 7 cm.). Various paginations. Includes Bank of US, report of Lt. Allen and H.B. Schoolcraft on their exploratory expedition to the Northwest Indians in 1832 (with map). With 43 p. index. Vol. 4, Ser. No. 257. 3/24/1834 - 4/14/1843.

GLC05324

9 March 1792

Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825

Manuscript letter

Title: to David Zeigler

Marked copy; titled "Copy of a letter from Lt. Col. Commandt. Wilkinson to Major Zeigler." Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Writes, "I yesterday received Advice from the Secretary of War, which Obliges me to retract the permission granted to you to pay a short visit to Philadelphia. The Season requires your Person, and therefore I do not feel myself Authorized to permit your Absence, but must require that you hold yourself in readiness for Command on the 12th Inst."

GLC02437.05340

11 March 1792

Zeigler, David, 1748-1811

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Marked copy; titled "Copy of Major Zeigler's letter to Lt. Col. Commandant. Wilkinson." Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Refers him to earlier letters Zeigler wrote to Wilkinson and to Henry Knox, which outline his reasons for quitting and for not obeying Wilkinson's orders. Writes, "when I found I could not serve with that Respect a Commanding Officer is entitled to, I then determined to Resign." Delivers his commission to Wilkinson and believes Wilkinson will be able to "Adopt the most spirited Measures for Advancing the Dignity & Welfare of the Troops…

GLC02437.05346

17 June 1791

Comstock, Oliver, fl. 1791

Printed document

Title: [Enlistment paper for Oliver Comstock]

Enlistment paper for Oliver Comstock who voluntarily joined the army as a private. He signed up for six months with the First Regiment of Levies at Fort Washington near Cincinnati, Ohio. His unit was raised under an act signed by President Washington on 3 March 1791 to protect the frontier. Also contains an oath of allegiance. Contains Comstock's clerical signature as well as the clerical signature of George Woods, who acts as a witness. Marked as "No 8."

GLC02437.05004

February 12, 1794

Colden, Henrietta Maria, fl. 1792-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a letter for Major Sargent. Asks Knox to deliver it. The letter asks Sargent to convey to her a deed for the lands she purchased through the Ohio Company. Sargent was holding her land in trust, which the company's directors did for "all the Lands belonging to Persons under his Agency." Believes it is proper for Sargent to re-convey the lands before he departs for the Western Territory, as soldiers often are exposed to "Accidents." Goes into the details of what she needs. Postscript says her eldest son sends his regards.

GLC02437.06044

24 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Knox signs with his initials. References receiving several letters from William since 7 April. Has no excuses for why he has not written more often. Says this letter will not be long because there is a ship in port that is just about to leave for Liverpool and this note needs to be on it. Says they are all well and situated comfortably near the city at Bush Hill, Vice President John Adams's house. Adams was away at Braintree, Massachusetts, so the house was available. Reports he is going into a good house in Philadelphia in the autumn. Is surprised that William is living "in a strange…

GLC02437.05027

16 November 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses routine War Office affairs and preparations for John Pratt's march to Fort Pitt. Comments on Ebenezer Hazard's assurances that a contract would be renewed to guarantee regular postal service. Forwarded some letters from Henry to Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the Northwest Territory. Discusses the coordination of supplies, namely cartouch boxes, for the trip. Mentions Pratt, John Stagg, and [Samuel] Hodgdon. Covers other military matters, referring to Captains Savage and [Henry] Burbeck. Remarks on a visit of the Count de Moustier, French minister to the United States, and his…

GLC02437.04030

3 August 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References his letters of 27 June and 19 July that he sent to Henry. Has not received any letters from Henry since the one marked 6 April. States he has not met with any success in selling Henry's lands, not even a single serious offer. Says his feelers in Paris have not met with any more success, noting "The Scioto business has left unfavorable impressions at Paris relative to purchases of land in America." Wants to go to Ireland next week, but needs to secure a loan to settle his debts there first. Claims his prospects are bleak. Reports "I cannot tell what will be my fate," unless…

GLC02437.05099

10 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the organization of troops in Pennsylvania. Mentions General [William] Irvine and troop movement and reorganization. Refers to an attack on a party carrying goods to negotiate a treaty on the Muskingum River, noting that Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, intends "to send a high toned Message to the Indians" and to postpone the treaty. Mentions a business transaction involving Samuel Shaw, Samuel Parkman, and Samuel Ogden. Reports that letters sent from Colonel Joseph Martin related to the Indians will be forwarded on to Congress. Encloses a letter from […

GLC02437.03958

12 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on military matters regarding troop movements in Pennsylvania and at West Point. Describes an incident regarding a deserter from Lieutenant Kersey's troops, and payment of a reward for capturing and imprisoning the deserter. Relates that shoes and shirts were sent to West Point. Also mentions the formation of a congressional committee.

GLC02437.03960

21 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on business in New York during Henry's absence. Forwards letters that arrived in the morning by packet. Two are to Lucy Knox from her sister. Another letter, apparently a duplicate of previous correspondence, is addressed to Knox from Samuel Shaw. In this letter, Shaw "seems offended with R[obert] Morris..." Also received correspondence from his friend James Webber asserting that William owes Webber money. Sent Arthur St. Clair, General Josiah Harmar, and others recent resolves of Congress. Encloses letters from Delaware Works (possibly from Samuel Ogden) for Knox. Reports…

GLC02437.03970

4 September 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, attending to business in Henry's absence, reports on white settlers' infringement on Cherokee lands in the western territories. Congress recently directed Knox to prepare troops to protect the Cherokees (the troops are to march from Ohio to Chota, a Cherokee town in present-day Tennessee). The troops are to disperse Congress's proclamation among white settlers "in the vicinity of the hunting grounds secured to the Cherokees by the treaty concluded between them and the United States Nov. 28th 1785..." William has sent copies of the proclamations to the Northwest Territory via Mr.…

GLC02437.03982

14 September 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William attests to his endeavors to keep affairs in order at the War Office while Henry is away on business. Reports that a Mr. [Joseph] Martin has been appointed by a board of officers "to command an Expedition against Chickamaga [sic] with 1000 men..." Martin noted that "the middle settlements and the Indians of the valley are disposed to Treat..." (refer to GLC02437.03982). Notes that Martin received a friendly message from "the Hangingman who succeeds the old Com Tassell." Announces that Congress voted New York to be the permanent seat of the United States Government. Relates other…

GLC02437.03985

16 September 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on personal matters and War Office business. Relates that Colonel [Edward] Carrington will accompany Lucy Knox from Trenton to New York. Discusses reports from Governor Arthur St. Clair and General Josiah Harmar on Indians in the Northwest Territory. Says "many Indians have arrived at Fort Pitt...as yet it is uncertain whether they [sic] will be a great meeting of Indians or not, as many seem inclined to attend the Treaty at Detroit." Both Harmar and St. Clair fear "the worst consequences might be apprehended to the posts in case hostilities should take place, as it would be in the…

GLC02437.03987

7 October 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that the Ogden family arrived 6 October to visit Lucy Knox. Discusses letters from Arthur St. Clair (Governor of the Northwest Territory), General Josiah Harmar, and Majors [John Francis] Hamtramck and [possibly John] Wyllis. Notes that St. Clair's letter to Congress looks hostile, and that Hamtramck reported an Indian attack on a provision escort in the Territory.

GLC02437.03990

21 October 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports War Office business. Discusses Lieutenant Pratt's recruits and his orders to march to Fort Pitt. Refers to matters in the Northwest Territory, clothing inspection and packing, and a [Congressional] committee's inspection of the War Department. Of the inspection and resulting report, writes, "I do not think it looks unfavorably to you- but which with defference [sic] to their great wisdom might I think as well have been left undone, as it acquaints the world with secrets, which should have been less extensively known." Reports that Robert Morris is in town, and the "Old Congress"…

GLC02437.04010

30 October 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, managing the War Office in Henry's absence, discusses military business. Comments on transporting clothing in preparation for a march to Fort Pitt. Transmits news from Generals Josiah Harmar and Arthur St. Clair. Reports on St. Clair's news: "No treaty yet things look doubtful." Also remarks that [John] Sevier "is outlaw'd in N. Carolina." Notes that Mr. Martin (possibly General Joseph Martin), defeated the Chickamaugas in a recent battle. In closing, complains of a cold, writing "I am closely confined physicking fomenting and politicing."

GLC02437.04020

8 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his happiness on hearing about his son Henry's current situation. Sends Lucy news of various acquaintances, which he lists by number. States that he is sorry to hear of Mrs. [Abigail] Adams's "indisposition," noting that the Adams family has ordered their furniture to be shipped to Boston. Vice President John Adams plans to return to New York without his family. Reports that George and Martha Washington will be going to Mount Vernon the following Wednesday, and will not return until 15 October. Mentions the Ogdens, Mrs. Smith, the Izards, the Stewarts, and Count Andreani.…

GLC02437.05528

28 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus King

Knox signs with his initials. References a note King wrote earlier respecting a nephew of Judge [Abraham] Yates "entering into the military Line." Tells King an ensigncy has become vacant in the regular regiment and that he has told President Washington of the appointment. Fears that "you and his other friends may think that he ought to be in a higher grade," but it is not possible. Asks King to find out if the nephew is still interested. Heard from Ralph Izard that he (Izard) gave King a pamphlet on the [Yazoo] Company. Asks King and Doctor William Samuel Johnson to send him documents on the…

GLC02437.05174

January 10, 1849

Hamlin, Hannibal, 1809-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jabez True

Informs that Rufus McIntire has been appointed marshal of Maine and states that President James Polk advised him of this beforehand. Mentions former President John Tyler and Zachary Taylor, who would be inaugurated president two months after this. "We once were Tylerized, I trust we shall not be Taylorized." Discusses what the various sectors of the Whig party think Taylor's course of action in office may be. "Ultra Whigs fear he will be the second edition of Tyler -- and the Taylor Whigs fear he will be ultra -- Northern Whigs are afraid of him on our territory & that he will veto the…

GLC00034

June 30, 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Messrs. Duchesne, de Barth, Thiebaud & Assoc.

Washington responds to French settlers who had invested in the Scioto Company, which had obtained an option on 5 million acres in the Northwest Territory. The company sold the lands to French citizens fleeing the Revolution. Unfortunately the Scioto project began to collapse in 1790 and was defunct by 1792. When the fraud was uncovered, the settlers had already arrived at Alexandria, so they petitioned Washington for redress. Ultimately, land was found for the settlers in Gallipolis, Ohio. The sellers were addressed as Messrs. Duchesne, de Barth, Thiebaud & Assoc. indicating multiple…

GLC00311