20 June 1789

Allen, Jeremiah, fl. 1774-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions that his friend Captain Josiah Roberts asked him whether Mr. [Samuel] Shaw has a captain for his ship yet for his next voyage. Allen promised to write and ask, as well as to recommend Roberts for the post, declaring that he himself took a voyage with Roberts and never knew a "more compleat sailor."

GLC02437.04250

23 August 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Joseph Barrell

Hopes Barrell has a successful voyage to China. Asks Barrell to consign his vessel or vessels in Canton (Guangzhou) to Messrs [Samuel] Shaw and [Thomas] Randall. Writes, "one or the other of those adventurous Americans will be there - and more honestt and punctuality cannot be found in any two mortals..." See GLC02437.03652 for Barrell's reply. See GLC02437.03637, .03638, and.03647 for related documents.

GLC02437.03644

2 September 1787

Barrell, Joseph, 1739-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his good wishes "respecting the Enterprize I am engaged in for the Northwest Coaste of America & China..." Knox had recommended Samuel Shaw to assist Barrell's venture in China (see GLC02437.03644). Stamped "Boston" on the address leaf. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature. See GLC02437.03637, .03638, and .03647 for related documents.

GLC02437.03652

29 November 1785

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his recent correspondence and for the "western" contract Samuel Shaw sent him. Will be glad to know when a new contract is ready. Thanks him for attending to his accounts of rations that he furnished Captain [likely David] Zeigler, as well as for procuring him money for the rations. Mentions that his "commercial friends" wanted him to ask Knox about problems with the "Algerines," or pirates. Wishes to know whether Congress has passed any measures regarding the pirates. Mentions that some friends of his own a frigate which they would be willing to donate to Congress for use…

GLC02437.03221

6 December 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Writes in response to Biddle's letter of 29 November (see GLC02437.03221). Comments that he feels Congress has done everything in its power to handle the Algerine [pirate] situation, so he does not think it necessary for them to obtain any frigates to send out on the sea. Also discusses the places at which provisions will be issued on the Ohio [likely the Ohio River]. Hopes Biddle will attempt to win the contract to issue the rations, and will contact him again when he has more information.

GLC02437.03223

8 January 1786

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "My present engagements prevented my going to the westward to direct the business of supplies therefore I could not interest myself in the late proposals for victualing the troops as I wanted the means to [carry?] it on. I shall be much obliged by your orders to furnish the troops here when the recruiting service is again enter'd on." Also, in reference to an earlier letter, mentions that his friend Colonel [Eyres?] along with Charles Biddle remain very interested in donating ships to Congress for use in the conflict against pirates (see GLC02437.03221 and GLC02437.03223). Writes…

GLC02437.03234

4 September 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: Extract of a letter from General Washington to Timothy Pickering Quarter Master General, dated Rocky Hill, Sepr 4th 1783

Written in Timothy Pickering's hand. Signed in text by Pickering in the body of the document. Docket on verso is in Knox's hand. The extract says: "If it is well ascertained that the Chain can be preserved in perfect order for future use, I should advise it to be housed in the manner you mentioned, but if the fact is otherwise or even very doubtful, of which I wish General Knox to be consulted, I would recommend that it should be sold without delay."

GLC02437.02467

18 August 1836

Tattnall, Josiah, 1795-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Commanding Officer of the Boston recruiting station

Discusses Benjamin Harris' appointment as a "Seaman for the South Sea Surveying and exploring expedition." Requests that Harris be paid for "three months ... when he appears on board the receiving ship." States that he received orders regarding Harris from Captain Catesby Jones.

GLC02460.15

January 27, 1862

Halleck, H.W. (Henry Wager), 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Major General Halleck transmits orders to Brigadier General Grant permitting the discharge of volunteers who desire to be recruited by the Navy for work on gun boats. The discharges must be distributed so they do not disrupt the efficiency of any single company. Asks Grant to have Commodore Andrew H. Foote send a recruiting officer to St. Louis. Written on stationery marked "Head Quarters, Department of the Missouri."

GLC02455.05

5 July 1862

Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred F. Sears

Informs Sears that his "company and effects will be embarked on the Holmes." Two weeks after the Union defeat at the battle of Seccesionville they began evacuating James Island, just off the coast from Charleston. Sears company was sent out on the ship Holmes. Sears is addressed as a colonel, when in fact he was a captain.

GLC02455.11

19 September 1775

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Trumbull

Written by General Arnold as commander of one of the two columns marching on Canada (General Philip Schuyler's forces in New York being the other) to Trumbull as Commissary General of Purchases to George Washington's army at Cambridge. In August 1775 Arnold had convinced Washington to give him a command to march through the Maine wilderness to Quebec. This letter references the good weather at the start of his journey northward, by ship, from the coastal town of Newburyport to Maine. Thanks him for his letter he sent by Mr. Thomas. Says he has added to his army's provisions. Wishes him…

GLC02451

circa 1794-1798

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Examination of a disagreement between Captain Nicholson and Colonel Claghorn]

Discussion of a disagreement between Captain Samuel Nicholson and Colonel George Claghorn. The creator notes, "It appears pretty evident that the secret and real cause of the difference has been a jealousy of power." Apparently Nicholson opposed the admittance of two gentleman and ladies to an unspecified location (possibly the ship). The group Nicholson refused was associated with Claghorn.

GLC02437.09455

28 October 1776

Stringer, Samuel, 1725-?

Autograph document

Title: [Listing of American and British vessels engaged in the Battle of Valcour]

A list of the "Fleet of the United States that were engaged…" followed by a list of "The Enemies Fleet engaged…." The lists include number and type of vessels, and their number and type of guns. The American list includes the names of the two schooners: "Royal Savage" and "Liberty, taken from Skene" [a reference to Philip Skene, a Tory from whom the Liberty had earlier been taken]. Originally enclosed with GLC02437.00477.

GLC02437.09538

28 October 1779

Laurens, John, 1754-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Discusses troubles in bringing Washington's dispatches to Congress. Since the Iphigenie will not be sailing, he will take a pilot boat to the fleet. Assures him that "Nothing on my part shall be wanting to deliver your dispatches to Congress." Written "On board of the Iphigenie."

GLC02499.12

4 March 1843

Stockton, Robert Field, 1795-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ericsson

Discusses moving the boilers on the Princeton a few feet from the aft to make more room for the engines. Mentions being held in Philadelphia because a friend has been ill for weeks. Impression in upper left corner reads "Jessup & Brothers."

GLC02494.10

6 October 1788

Irvine, William, 1741-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Navigation of Pennsylvania Rivers] [Incomplete]

Irvine, a member of the Continental Congress and former Brigadier General in the Revolutionary War, writes to an unknown recipient. Refers to an enclosed sketch of the Allegheny River (not included with this document). Discusses navigation of the Allegheny, Susquehanna, and Tioga Rivers in Pennsylvania. Addresses possibilities for navigating French Creek and (Conewango?) Creek. Only the last page of this document survives.

GLC02497.08

14 May 1775

Thomas, John, 1724-1776

Autograph document signed

Title: to the Committee of Safety of Massachusetts

Says agreeable to the resolves put forth by the Committee that he gave directions for Captain Davis to travel southward. Wants them to send whaling ships to Plymouth to help with its defenses. Thomas, who was eventually named a Major General, died on 2 June 1776 of Smallpox after leading his troops on the retreat from Montreal. Hard to read.

GLC02498.15

27 May 1799

Barron, James, 1769-1851

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Barry

Captain Barron informs Commodore Barry that he will leave for Philadelphia the following Sunday and will meet Barry thereafter. Reports that Commodore Thomas Truxtun, noted for his success during the Quasi War, "has been Received in this Place with every marke of respect and attention ... " Mentions Hampton Roads, Virginia, a naval port. States "The Bow pnt will be attended to but the dimintions are wanted."

GLC02500.01

26 May 1777

Hinman, Elisha, 1734-1807

Document signed

Title: to Dudley Saltonstall [Receipt for copper nails and blue cloth]

Signed twice by Captain Elisha Hinman, who served in the Continental Navy. Indicates that Captain Dudley Saltonstall was involved in the transaction. Guy Richards, (possibly a merchant in New London, Connecticut) signs on verso, acknowledging receipt of "the within Ten pounds Ten Shillings."

GLC02500.06

10 August 1849

Clayton, John Middleton, 1796-1856

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Zachary Taylor

Secretary of State Clayton writes to the out-of-town Taylor that armed ships are heading towards Cuba. The Cabinet has drawn up a proclamation and he advises Taylor to expedite the signing of the document. Adds that Captain Hunter should be sent to the Chesapeake to monitor the movement against Cuba from Baltimore. Postscript says that the proclamation is enclosed (not included). Imprint on back reads "Satin."

GLC02505.08

October 28, 1810

Dallas, Alexander James, 1759-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander James Dallas, Jr.

Written by Dallas as U.S. District Attorney for eastern Pennsylvania to his 19-year-old son Alexander James Dallas, Jr. The father wanted his son to pass this letter along to the Port Collector. In reference to the slave trading ship "Eugenia." It appears the ship was captured for violating the 1808 law against the international slave trade. Dallas does not believe proceedings can be taken against Captain Calderon unless he is a citizen or resident of the United States. Dallas mentions that Mr. Newton, who appears to be Calderon's attorney, has filed suit and has gotten Calderon discharged…

GLC02505.14

26 April 1809

Wolcott, Oliver, Jr., 1760-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Willings & Francis

Insurance premium for voyage to China.

GLC02505.45

19 December 1765

Bernard, Francis, 1712-1779

Document signed

Title: [Warrant ordering John Winslow to pay a debt for an anchor and stock for the boat at Rainsfords Island].

Also signed by Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay John Cotton. John Winslow signs on verso. Sir Francis Bernard was Royal Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay from 1760 to 1769.

GLC02468.06

20 July 1691

Dongan, Thomas, 1634-1715

Document signed

Title: [Bill of sale for the brig Mary, formerly called the Port Royal, from Thomas Dongan to Samuel Shrimpton]

Witnessed by E. Shrimpton and Nathaniel Myles. Dongan was Royal Governor of the Colony of New York from 1683 to 1688.

GLC02468.11

1 December 1744

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Document signed

Title: [The Province of Massachusetts Bay v. James Cattee, et al.].

Summons Lieutenant Governor of the Province of New Hampshire David Dunbar to appear "at the Court House in Boston upon Wednesday the Twelfth day of December instant at ten o'clock in the forenoon at a Court of Admiralty." James Cattee, Morgan Williams, John Regan, Daniel Harrington, Mathew Ryan, Roger Ryan, Thomas Rigby, Morris Kirby, and Peter Terry, "His Majesty's natural born subjects," are accused of committing diverse acts of hostility "upon the high seas under colour of a commission from the French king." Signed as Royal Governor of the Province of Massachusetts. One black and white…

GLC02468.21