1850

United States. Congress

Pamphlet

Title: Proceedings of the United States Senate on the Fugitive Slave Bill,- the abolition of the slavetrade in the District of Columbia, - and the imprisonment of free colored seamen in the Southern ports ...

Includes speeches of Senators John Davis, Grenville Winthrop, and others. Printed by T. R. Marvin.

GLC00267.066

1880

Bearse, Austin, fl. 1880

Pamphlet

Title: Reminiscences of fugitive-slave days in Boston.

Bearse, a Massachusetts native, served as a mate on many ships transporting enslaved people up and down the coast between 1818 and 1830. He shares his experiences from these days, showing great empathy for the enslaved people with whom he came into contact. Expresses his contempt for the institution of slavery and regrets that in his day, it was not discussed or interfered with. He now desires to tell his stories. Printed by Warren Richardson, Boston.

GLC00267.154

16 March 1778

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Printed document signed

Title: [Partially printed document authorizing the forcible capture of British vessels]

This document serves as a form by which Continental Congress authorizes the seizure of British ships and crew members in a warlike manner. Originally signed by Hancock during his term as President of the Congress (24 May 1775- 31 October 1777). This particular document authorizes Ebenezer Williams, Commander of the Polly, to seize British vessels. States that the Polly is owned by Andrew Caldwell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Signed at the bottom by William Mumford, a Secretary, and Rhode Island Governor Nicholas Cooke. Williams' name and other information appear to have been filled…

GLC00231

March 12, 1823

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen R. Bradley

John Quincy Adams explains his 1804 opposition to a bill supported by General Samuel Smith that would further protect U.S. sailors from British impressment. Refutes Smith's suggestion that Adams' position justifies British impressment. Argues that the legislation did not discriminate between U.S. and British sailors on American vessels and would strain the relationship between the two nations. Claims that the bill's passing would cause the question of war to arise immediately.

GLC00496.003

February 19, 1813

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Secretary of the Navy William Jones; Report of the Officers of the U.S. Frigate Constitution

Addressed to Secretary of the Navy William Jones. Written on board the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) in Boston Harbor. Evaluates the qualities and misgivings of the ship's officers and civilian crew during the War of 1812.

GLC00496.006

January 13, 1813

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jones

Written on board the homeward bound USS Constitution to Secretary of the Navy Jones regarding damages incurred during battle with the HMS Java as well as Bainbridge's own injuries. It was after this battle that the Constitution got the name "Old Ironsides."

GLC00496.007

June 3, 1802

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos Binny

Discusses the questionable abilities of Joshua Humphreys, designer of the frigates Constitution and United States, and the shortcomings of these ships. It was on the USS Constitution that Bainbridge defeated the HMS Java and returned victorious to Boston Harbor in 1813, earning the ship its name "Old Ironsides." Binny was a Navy agent.

GLC00496.008

December 29, 1812

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Manuscript

Title: Extracts from Commodore William Bainbridge's Journal

Transcribed journal entry written aboard the USS Constitution (later transcribed, not in Bainbridge's hand) recounting the ship's battle with HMS Java off the coast of Brazil. The account is recorded as the fighting occurs. Includes a casualty and injury count as well as the names of British officers taken aboard.

GLC00496.009

February 14, 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [Ship's passport for Brigantine Mary of Newburyport]

Partially printed document countersigned by James Madison as Secretary of State and by the Collector of the port of New York, David Gelston. Includes official seal. One of the Collection's largest ship passports.

GLC00496.257

July 16, 1841

S., Edward, fl. 1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caroline Voigt

Writes to his fiancé about his job as an accountant in a shipyard. Discusses seeing her father in Philadelphia and inquires about family and friends. He proposes they marry and expresses his love for her. Author's last name not provided.

GLC00496.216

January 7, 1673

Pepys, Samuel, 1633-1703

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Replies to a letter from an unknown Lord and other gentlemen. He states "I will by the first opportunity informe his Majty of what you write concerning the Soldiers, both in the Downs and at Harwick, and shall speedily send you his Resolution thereupon." He writes that George I, King of Great Britain, intends "the Augustine shall goe out with Sr John Narbrough, and to that purpose I have sent you his Majty Orders for Victualling her in which I advise you will cause all possible dispatch to be used... " Discusses the refitting of two other ships. Written at Darby House.

GLC00496.258.01

October 23, 1776

Andre, fl. 1776

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer

Requesting permission to ship twenty-five barrels of flour. Written to Jenifer while president of the Maryland Council of Safety. Andre was most likely a French merchant.

GLC00496.269

August 24, 1790

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter

Title: to John Hancock

Thomas Jefferson asks Governor Hancock to collect data on the cod and whale fisheries. Seller's note reads: "an incomplete press copy of a contemporary transcript." First pages missing. Written while Jefferson was Secretary of State. Letter is incomplete.

GLC00496.175

9 April 1803

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Circular letter about an act to protect U.S. seamen]

Printed circular letter, labeled "Duplicate" at top, regarding an act to further protect American seamen. Mentions the slave trade. Addressed to Thomas Aborn, Commercial Agent of the U.S. at Cayenne. Signed in type by Thomas Jefferson as president and Aaron Burr as vice president.

GLC00515

November 3, 1781

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Davies

Written by Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a legislator in the Virginia Assembly to Davies as Commissioner of the Virginia War Office in Richmond. Asks Davies to see that arms taken from militiamen at Gloucester, probably used at the battle of Yorktown, be returned to them. Says near 200 arms were taken from the militia and they have returned home unarmed. Says the situation leaves 40 miles along the shores of his county "exposed to the ravage of piratical vessels." Says General George Weedon told him that the government detained the arms to furnish militia rotations, but…

GLC00513

December 1, 1809

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Chew as midshipman]

Countersigned by Navy Secretary Paul Hamilton and registered by Nathaniel Maxwell.

GLC00496.052

13 August 1813

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of George D. LaRoche as sailing master]

Countersigned by Navy Secretary William Jones and registered by Nathaniel Maxwell.

GLC00496.053

February 1, 1814

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Crean as midshipman]

Countersigned by Navy Secretary William Jones and registered by Nathaniel Maxwell.

GLC00496.054

8 March 1814

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Branch W. Miller as midshipman]

Countersigned by Navy Secretary William Jones and registered by E.W. DuVal.

GLC00496.055

17 August 1814

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of George Craft as sailing master]

Countersigned by Navy Secretary William Jones and registered by E.W. DuVal.

GLC00496.056

21 April 1812

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Joshua Potts as Navy Agent]

Countersigned by Secretary of Navy Paul Hamilton. Appoints Potts as Navy Agent for Wilmington, North Carolina. Includes Navy Department seal.

GLC00496.058

28 March 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Robert S. Falconer to Surgeon's Mate in the U.S. Navy]

Countersigned by Secretary of Navy Smith Thompson. Registered by John H. Sherburne. Document says President Monroe has nominated, and the Senate has consented to, the appointment of Robert S. Falconer to Surgeon's's Mate in the U.S. Navy. Includes Navy Department paper seal.

GLC00496.068

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

July 31, 1776

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Varick

Written by General Schuyler as commander of Northern Department to Captain Varick as deputy muster master general of the Northern army. Schuyler says he only received Varick's letter on July 27, 1776 yesterday afternoon. If cannot get certain articles for Washington in Albany, he must look elsewhere. The same goes for articles for General Arnold. Tells Varick to rely on expresses, not personal messengers. Says this is an emergency and needs Varick to assist in everyway he can. Wants Varick to write to the commander of Fort George and have him send supplies to General Gates. Says he is…

GLC00496.082

April 14, 1780

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Mumford

Written by Parsons as a Major General in the Continental Army to Thomas Mumford, a merchant from Groton, Connecticut. Mumford was also the brother-in-law of Parsons's staff officer Silas Deane. Tells Mumford that he asked Mr. Lawrence (possibly John Lawrence, Treasurer of Connecticut) to go to the British lines to inquire about his captured son. Because of Lawrence's efforts, Joseph Chew, a loyalist from New London, Connecticut, will bring Parsons's son on a ship he is taking from New York to New London, where he will be exchanged for a British prisoner. Asks Mumford if he can give an…

GLC00496.075.07