10 June 1772 and 13 June 1772

Longman, Thomas, 1731-1797

Autograph document

Title: [Account of books and magazines sent to Henry Knox]

Invoice lists items sent from London and their costs. Beneath it is an autograph note indicating that magazines from May 1772 have been included with this shipment, which was sent aboard the Boscawen under Captain Jackson. Longman was a London bookseller.

GLC02437.00011

28 March 1773

Oliver, Andrew, 1731-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Returns a copy of the Nautical Almanac for 1774 because it is missing pages containing calculations of the eclipses of Jupiter's satellites for the month of May. He wishes to exchange it for a complete one. Oliver one of the founders of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the American Philosophical Society. He published an "Essay on Comets" the previous year.

GLC02437.00046

19 April 1773

Oliver, Andrew, 1731-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written on same sheet as Knox's reply to Oliver's last letter (see GLC02437.00046), in which Oliver requested a new copy of the Nautical Almanac for 1774 because pages were missing. Knox promises to return Oliver's Almanac to him with a fixed page. Oliver acknowledges Knox's response and requests some additional books. Among them are the annual registers for 1771 and 1772, "A Treatise of Artificial Magnets," "Tables of Time," "Pilgrim's Progress," and the 5th volume in "A General Dictionary Historical and Critical," which Oliver lost in a house fire in 1760. Oliver one of the founders of…

GLC02437.00053

20 April 1773

Longman, Thomas, 1731-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

An invoice listing books and magazines shipped to Knox aboard the Dartmouth appears on the top of the page. The bottom of the page discusses the settling of bills and placement of additional book orders. Longman was a London bookseller.

GLC02437.00054

12 August 1773

Longman, Thomas, 1731-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Two letters on a single page. The first part is a copy of Longman's 16 June 1773 letter (see GLC02437.00075), which discusses the settling of a bill, an order for books, and the delay caused by a Captain Lyde, who would not be sailing when he told Troutbeck he would. The second part indicates that he has sent two trunks and a case of books to Boston. Longman was a London bookseller.

GLC02437.00074

18 September 1772

Longman, Thomas, 1731-1797

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that he has enclosed Thomas Boydston's bill for 150 pounds sterling against Champion & Dickason, and an order of books. Also indicates that he has shipped a trunk and case of books to Knox aboard the Lydia, under Captain Hall. Longman was a London bookseller.

GLC02437.00016

5 January 1855

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed letter

Title: Hon. H. C. Goodwin, M.C.

Smith writes, "I am happy to see, in the proceedings of the House of Representatives, the proposition to take up the Bill for the relief of the sufferers by French spoliations... We must remember the condition of our country in 1778, in order to estimate rightly the value to her of the Treaties, which she made with France, in that year..." Henry Charles Goodwin served as a United States Representative from New York 1853-1854 and 1857-1858.

GLC04717.67

15 October 1900

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter

Title: to Owen Horsfall [incomplete]

Writes to his son that he and other men bought a sail boat for $700, and he has made some money by transporting passengers to the U.S. Transport "Lawton," and charging "$1.00 pr head." He found that the currents "are quite a factor in boating business as they run from 4 to 6 miles per hour." Describes "hauling wood up close to the cabin, as they come and take it right from ones door, if not watched." He is a stockholder in the company, but he and Ben would like to go into business by themselves. An Idaho man gave him a nugget of gold which he is sending along with a "little pair of mits,…

GLC05245.03

17 June 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds very late to Knox's two previous letters because he is busy. Briefly outlines his daily routine. Gives an account of the recent plans, activities, and capture of the privateer Hero, captained by James Tracy, while pursuing a prize of transport vessels near Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Continues with discussion of Nathaniel Tracy's efforts to have the prisoners exchanged and the injuries sustained by the forty member crew. Discusses raising a company of soldiers in Boston. He is helping the cause without joining the Continental Army because his parents do not want him to leave. He…

GLC02437.00343

20 September 1839

Grand Jury

Manuscript document

Title: The Grand Jury finds the following fact

Relates details pertaining to the sailing of the Amistad, the mutiny of the captives on board, and the ship's subsequent capture near the coast of New York. Mentions Lieutenant Thomas R. Gedney, commander of the brig Washington and other persons involved in the case.

GLC05636.06

November 1839

Manuscript document

Title: [Testimonies regarding the capture of the Amistad]

Possibly given at Connecticut District Court in November 1839. Marked "U.S." at the top. Begins with the testimony of Lieutenant Richard W. Meade, who led an armed party that initially boarded the Amistad, requesting the ship's papers. Includes the testimony of Baldwin, Dart Sharp (on board the USS Washington when it came in contact with the Amistad), and Captain Mather (who "went with Mead made soundings & c.").

GLC05636.11

January 1840

Manuscript document

Title: [Testimonies regarding the capture of the Amistad; includes Cinque's testimony]

Created at Connecticut District Court in 7-9 January 1840 by or for William S. Holabird. Serves as notes of the testimony of Richard Robert Madden (head of the British Anti-Slavery [Mixed] Commission in Havana), Sullivan Haley (on board the USS Washington when it met the Amistad; discusses the statements of Jose Ruiz and Pedro Montes, two Spanish men found aboard the Amistad) , Dwight P. Janes (abolitionist), James Covey (a Mende native and translator for the Africans aboard the Amistad), Professor Josiah Gibbs (who claimed based on the Amistad Africans' language, they were recently arrived…

GLC05636.13

9 January 1840

Manuscript document

Title: [Testimonies regarding the capture of the Amistad; includes Cinque's testimony]

Marked "&c Cinqué" at top. Appears to be a continuation of GLC 5636.13. Testimony of Cinqué, leader of the Africans aboard the Amistad, continues. Contains the testimonies of Grabbo and Foolaqua, Amistad mutineers. Includes the testimony of Norris Wilcox (United States Marshal for the District of Connecticut), Captain Mather (on board the USS Washington when it came in contact with the Amistad), Professor Josiah Gibbs (who claimed based on the Amistad Africans' language, they were recently arrived from Africa and had not resided in Cuba), Reverend George Day (employed to supervise the…

GLC05636.14

23 September 1839

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

Letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Forsyth states: "It is necessary to a just decision on the various points presenting themselves for the President's consideration in the case of the Spanish Schooner 'Amistad,' that the Department should be furnished, with a copy of the ships' papers, together with a transcript of the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry held by the District Judge, on board that vessel, to which you refer in your letter of the 5th instant, and on which the Blacks were imprisoned for the alleged murder of the Captain and Mate..."

GLC05636.17

4 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses his introduction to Mr. Livingston and Mr. King and their activities in the area. Comments on a rude letter from his brother, Henry Knox (see GLC02437.00398) and how he should respond. Notes that he will talk to the doctor about Lucy coming to Boston for a smallpox inoculation. Wants to set up a regular correspondence. Gives news about a privateer and confirms earlier news about Lucy's family (see GLC02437.00396). Notes that he will send money and Henry Jackson will soon write. Give compliments from various acquaintances.

GLC02437.00410

5 August 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Rebukes Knox for calling him a lazy scoundrel for not writing at every post. Discusses privateering news from a man named Captain White in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and provides an account of ships and cargo seized. Notes that the privateering has affected the price of sugar. Responds to Knox's suggestion of raising a regiment of artillery, but plans to write more on it in the future.

GLC02437.00412

19 August 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Fears potential British successes in New York and the consequences it would have on morale. Wants all available men in New England sent to defend New York so it is not lost for want of soldiers, as was the case with the invasion of Canada. Believes that the British value New York very highly and if the Americans lose it will be disastrous. Discusses a ship from St. Augustine, Florida, that was seized and the intelligence gathered from it. Would like Knox to get him some artillery pieces.

GLC02437.00420

10 November 1839

Judson, Andrew T., 1784-1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Judson, who presided over the district (and circuit) court proceedings of the Amistad, informs Holabird that he has not yet heard from President Martin Van Buren or Secretary of State John Forsyth regarding the case. Suggests Holabird review a similar case, "10th Wheaten 133. The Plattsburgh." Writes "That is a Late case, long since the Spanish Decree of 1817, and yet it turns wholly on the question of fitting out in the U. S. or Cuba. If in the U. S. she was rightfully condemned but if in Spain a restoration is the admitted course. Such seems to me to be the argument in that case..."

GLC05636.04

4 May 1840

Holabird, William S., 1794-1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry D. Gilpin

Holabird, United States District Attorney of Connecticut, writes to Gilpin, Attorney General. Relates that the Amistad case did not spend much time at the circuit court level, because "the counsel for the negroes [interposed?] a plea in abatement of the appeal from the decree of the district court, they contended that the U. S. had no interest in the matter, & could not appeal, that by the Treaty with Spain our courts were open to the claimants of the property, or to the representatives of the Spanish Government, that they should appear in person, & not through our Govt. upon this…

GLC05636.05

January 1840

Manuscript document

Title: [Fragment of Antonio G. Vega's deposition given to United States District Attorney William S. Holabird] [incomplete]

Date inferred based on the relation of this document to GLC 5636.08 and .09. States "That he is a Spanish subject, that he resided in the Island of Cuba several years, that he knows the law of [struck: Cuba] that island on the subject of Slavery." Possibly created in Connecticut, where the District Court heard the case.

GLC05636.07

January 1840

Manuscript document

Title: [Antonio G. Vega's deposition given to United States District Attorney William S. Holabird]

States "that the Spanish edict prohibiting the importation of slaves from Africa, was not considered as applicable to that Island and was [inserted: then] wholly disregarded after slaves were landed... that the slaves on the plantations kept their native languages for years... that the ships papers, of the Amistad are... in the usual form, & not necessary to practice any fraud to obtain such papers from the proper officers... that the Barracoons are public markets where all description of slaves are bought and sold-" Mentions the deposition of Richard Robert Madden, British…

GLC05636.08

January 10, 1840

Holabird, William S., 1794-1855

Document signed

Title: [Antonio G. Vega's deposition given to United States District Attorney William S. Holabird]

Signed deposition read before the court stating "that the court of mixed commissions had no jurisdiction except in cases of capture... that newly imported African Negroes were constantly brought to the Island, & after landed, were bona fide transferred from one owner to an other without any interference by the local authority, or the mixed commission, and were held by the owners, and recognized, as lawful property, that slavery was recognized in Cuba by all the Laws that was considered in force there... " Appears to be a complete version of GLC 5636.07 and an edited version of GLC 5636.…

GLC05636.09

January 1840

Holabird, William S., 1794-1855

Manuscript document

Title: [Notes of Holabird, United States District Attorney for Connecticut]

Contains testimony of Dwight G. James (an abolitionist), Captain Green (who came into contact with Amistad Africans on shore, prior to their capture), N. Wilcox (Norris Wilcox, United States Marshal for the District of Connecticut), and E. Osborne (who notes the value of the cargo). Wilcox notes the cargo on board the Amistad, and Green identifies persons in the courtroom who he had seen on shore. Possibly created in Connecticut, where the District Court heard the case.

GLC05636.10

November 1839

Manuscript document

Title: [Testimonies regarding the capture of the Amistad]

Created at Connecticut District Court in November 1839. At the top, states: "Schooner Amistad plea to jurisdictions & matter of it- Baldwin says most extraordinary objections & c Circuit Court said only that so long as the matter was pending before the District Ct that Court should not dismiss & c..." Relates events that took place 26 August 1839, when Captains Henry Green and Peletiah Fordham, [Fithy?], Sherman, Conklin met the Africans from the Amistad on the shore near Culloden Point, New York. Green would later enter a salvage claim for the ship and its contents. A faint…

GLC05636.12

1839-1840

Manuscript document

Title: U. States v. Cinqué & others...

... (title continues) Charged with murder & robbery (piracy) on board the Spanish Schooner 'Amistad'- The offense committed by foreigners, on the high seas, & on board a vessel belonging exclusively to subjects of foreign states... Have the Courts of the U.S. jurisdiction of the offense?" Contains a summary of the results of several cases, and how their verdicts affect the Amistad case. Cases include: U.S. v. Palmer et al. 3 Wheat 610, U.S. v. Pirates 5. Wheat 195, U.S. v. Keesler 91 Baldwin's Rep, U.S. v. Davis 2 Sumner's Rep 482, and 5 Halls Am Law Journal 459 case of the Almeda…

GLC05636.15