January 24, 1815

Rich, Charles, 1771-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses General Andrew Jackson's New Orleans victory. Mentions a bank bill has been kept by President James Madison for 6 days without a decision. Reports the loss of the frigate U.S.S. President on January 15, 1815.

GLC00496.080

20 April 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph document

Title: [Commendation for service]

Describes a soldier's courage under fire and bravery in the face of the enemy. According to the Monroe Papers, these are remarks made by Monroe during the presentation of a sword to Richard M. Johnson for service during the War of 1812.

GLC00496.069

January 10, 1813

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Governor William Plumer

In the letter, Adams discusses New York State, party, and sectionalism.

GLC00639.02

December 24, 1814

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certification of courier and transmittal of the Treaty of Ghent]

Cosigned by James A. Bayard, Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell, and Albert Gallatin. The Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812. The word "Passport" appears on the verso. Written in Adams' hand.

GLC00639.06

October 10, 1812

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Everett

Discusses their correspondence and Everett's international travel. Comments on Oxford and mentions Shakespeare. Discusses reading Clarke's travels, possibly referring to Edward Clarke's "Travels in various countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Part the first. Russia, Tartary, and Turkey." Also comments on other literary works. Discusses politics, Napoleon's invasion of Russia, and Russian defenses. Adams had been the U.S. minister to St. Petersburg since 1809. Everett had served as his private secretary from 1809 to 1811.

GLC00639.07

December 8, 1812

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Benjamin Rush

"The history of the hobby horse" -page 4 (Adams's humorous name for the story he tells in this letter). Free frank on page 4. The letter also discusses the dream of American glory and early history.

GLC00599

1813-1814, 1860, 1864

Green, Joseph W., fl. 1812-1815

Header Record

Title: Diary and 2 letters re: War of 1812 [decimalized]

GLC00498

1813-1815

Green, Joseph W., fl. 1812-1815

Diary

Title: [Journal of a privateer and of prisoner of war during the War of 1812]

Diary written while aboard the privateer Alfred and as a prisoner of war in Melville Island Prison, Halifax, and Dartmoor Prison. Records many sightings and occasional capturing of ships. Entry on 22 February 1814 records the capture of Green's privateer by the British and being brought to Melville Island Prison at Halifax. Records writing to family and the arrival of new prisoners. Notable entries include mention of a prisoners' petition to General John Mason on 28 April 1814, the reduction of rations on 1 May 1814, the release of 90 prisoners on 23 July 1814. There are also…

GLC00498.01

July 18, 1860

Green, Joseph W., Jr., 1822-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Gregory

Discusses the contributions made by soldiers from Marblehead, Massachusetts in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Emphasizes the War of 1812, commenting on service aboard the ship Constitution by men from Marblehead. Expresses pride in the contributions made by his hometown and seeks to have them recognized. Author possibly Joseph W. Green, Jr. (as listed in the 1850 census) and probably the son of Joseph W. Green, who kept a diary of his time as a privateer and POW during the War of 1812.

GLC00498.02

January 27, 1864

Green, Joseph W., Jr., 1822-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Glover Brughten

Describes a brief genealogy of the Goss and Twisden families. Comments on the contributions of men from Marblehead, Massachusetts, in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Penciled in notes on page 3 reiterate the genealogy described. Author possibly Joseph W. Green, Jr. (as listed in the 1850 census) and probably the son of Joseph W. Green, who kept a diary of his time as a privateer and P.O.W during the War of 1812.

GLC00498.03

January 17, 1810

Revere, Paul, 1735-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Revere

Discusses Nathaniel Macon's anti-tariff bill in Washington, D.C. and its potential consequences for the Embargo Act of 1807. Also discusses business matters and the health of their family. With a diagram drawn on the verso. Joseph was Paul's son.

GLC00782.18

October 24, 1814

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Callender Irvine

The secretary of state informs the commissary general of purchases that an appropriation of $60,000 had been made to him for contingency expenses for the execution of the War of 1812.

GLC00786

June 19, 1812

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to William Plumer

Circular letter notifying the governor of New Hampshire of the declaration of war made against Britain, officially beginning the War of 1812. Letter sent with copies of the act declaring war and a report of the Committee of Foreign Relations (not included). Signed as Secretary of State.

GLC00639.22

December 24, 1814

Gambier, James Gambier, Baron, 1756-1833

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certification of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent]

Cosigned by Henry Goulburn and William Adams. Certification made by the British signers of the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812. Indicates that Secretary of Legation Christopher Hughes will deliver the treaty to the United States. Gambier was an admiral in the British Navy, Goulburn was undersecretary of the colonial office, and Adams was an admiralty lawyer.

GLC00639.32

June 18, 1812

Hamilton, Paul, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Rodgers

The Secretary of the Navy informs Commodore Rodgers that war has been declared against Great Britain, officially starting the War of 1812. Indicates that Rodgers is entitled to use his four vessels for attack and defense. Asks him to await further instructions from New York, but permits him to attack British cruisers near Sandy Hook, if the opportunity arises, after which he should return to port. Instructs him to relay these orders to Commodore Stephen Decatur.

GLC00758

July 2, 1813

Wood, B.G., fl. 1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Wood

He writes to his sister about his activities in Canada at Fort George and elsewhere in the northern campaign during the War of 1812. Also discusses the heroism of their brother, Eleazor D. Wood, at Fort Meigs, as recounted by General William Henry Harrison. Notes that congress will be putting a heavy duty on all spirits, and mentions the naval fight on Lake Champlain.

GLC01043.02

August 19, 1814

Armstrong, John, 1755-1816

Letter signed

Title: to Eleazor D. Wood

Transmits a brevet commission to the position of lieutenant colonel for Wood's service in the Battle of Lundy's Lane near Niagara Falls on July 25, 1814. One black and white bust engraving of John Armstrong included.

GLC01043.05

August 2, 1830

Jones, R., fl. 1830

Printed letter signed

Title: to nearest relatives of Eleazor D. Wood

Circular letter from the Adjutant General's Office signed by Jones as aide-de-camp. Requests a copy of the brevet commissions conferred by President Madison during the War of 1812. Wood had been brevetted lieutenant colonel on August 19, 1814 (see GLC01043.05). Handwritten note at the bottom of the letter indicates the intended recipients.

GLC01043.06

2 August 1813

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Eleazor D. Wood to major in the corps of engineers]

Madison signed as President and countersigned by John Armstrong as Secretary of War. The commission was a brevet for Battle of Lundy's lane near Niagara Falls.

GLC01043.07

November 30, 1812

Wood, Eleazor D., 1783-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Wood

He writes to his sister about his orders to see General William Henry Harrison at Detroit. He urges her to take an educational opportunity and discusses the benefits education would bring her. Notes that the time has come for him to be tested as a soldier (in the War of 1812).

GLC01043.01

January 24, 1814

Wood, Eleazor D., 1783-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Wood

He discusses his desire to visit home that winter, which could not be fulfilled because he is fighting in the War of 1812. Discusses the perils of his activities in the west (in Ohio), being surrounded by Indians, and fearing he would not see his family again. He comments on various other personal news and plans to come home in the spring.

GLC01043.03

August 16, 1814

Wood, Eleazor D., 1783-1814

Letter

Title: to unknown

Draft of a detailed report of the attack on Fort Erie that had been repelled on August 14, 1814. Wood commanded forces in the battle. Letter written at Fort Erie to a superior officer.

GLC01043.04

March 8, 1814

Boggs, Francis, fl. 1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Fisher

Boggs wrote this letter as a United States seaman being held as a prisoner of war on a British ship during the War of 1812. He comments on the war and asks for assistance in getting released. He discusses the miseries of the prisoners' situation over the last fifteen months, being forced to work with enslaved individuals in service of the British government and having to impress men for service in the British armed forces. He asks for aid for their families, and notes that the two prisoners with him are named Parker Wilcox and William Fox. Fisher is identified as a major.

GLC00890

September 3, 1813

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Jarvis

Morse complains of problems with the mail. He lists books (and their prices) he obtained for Jarvis. Comments on politics in Europe and his hopes for peace in the War of 1812. Jarvis was rector of St. Michael's school in Bloomingdale, New York.

GLC01092

March 1807

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Header Record

Title: [Collection of two James Madison letters]

GLC01096