8 June 1778

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Hartley

Written by Franklin as a diplomat in France to Hartley as a member of the British Parliament. The two were friends since the 1760s. References a letter he wrote to Hartley on 25 May 1778 concerning 200 British prisoners of war. Franklin says "We are oblig'd to keep the Prisoners on shipboard where I doubt they can be comfortably accommodated" and hopes they can be exchanged. Hartley and Franklin would later work together in Paris to sign the peace treaty ending the war. Docketing appears to be in Hartley's hand.

GLC04449

6 May 1861

Confederate States of America. Congress

Broadside

Title: An Act recognizing the existence of War between the United States and the Confederate States; and concerning letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods.

Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, approved this act 6 May 1861. States "Whereas the earnest efforts made by this Government to establish friendly relations between the Government of the United States and the Confederate States, and to settle all questions of disagreement between the two Governments upon principles of right, justice, equity and good faith, have proved unavailing by reason of the refusal of the Government of the United States to hold any intercourse with the Commissioners appointed by this Government for the purposes aforesaid... and whereas, by the acts and means…

GLC04284

23 October 1824

Savage, Ezekiel, fl. 1824

Document signed

Title: [Certificate confirming the citizenship of John Harris, an African American]

Partially printed. Savage signs as notary public, confirming Harris's status as a citizen of the United States. Harris, born in Alexandria, Virginia, "is a free coloured man, now residing in said Salem and never has been under allegiance to any foreign Prince or States." Notes physical characteristics of Harris, including that he is five feet, six inches tall and 32 years old. Printed text indicates this document was implemented because "the Act of the Congress of the United States, 'for the relief and protection of American Seamen'" did not make provision for African Americans to obtain…

GLC04289

1840

Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885

Broadside

Title: A History of the Amistad captives...

title continues: "...Being a circumstantial account of the capture of the Spanish Schooner Amistad, by the Africans on board; their Voyage and Capture near Long Island, New York; with Biographical Sketches of each of the surviving Africans. Also, and account of the Trials had on their case, before the District and Circuit Courts of the United States, for the District of Connecticut, &c." Depicts the death of Captain Ramon Ferrer of the Amistad in July of 1839, on a slave trade route from Havana to Principe. A version of this image serves as an inset fold-out for Barber's pamphlet (refer…

GLC04295

20 September 1680

Culpeper, Thomas, 1635-1689

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia Culpepper mentions his arrival in Boston, his impressions, and a near shipwreck. Claims success in governing Virginia. An addendum is dated 5 October 1680.

GLC04298

May 1835

Knapp, Alfred, fl. 1835

Broadside

Title: An Act for the Government and regulation of seamen [for "Lady Washington"]

Printed official act by the United States Congress outlining restrictions and regulations which will apply to Seamen in the Merchants' Service. Authored by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice President of the U.S. and President of the Senate, George Washington as President, and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Enacted January 4, 1790 and printed by Joseph H. Buckingham, sold by John G. Tilton in Newburyport. On verso, printed and handwritten agreement between Alfred Knapp, master of the brig "Lady Washington" of Newburyport, and…

GLC04543

1812

Seymour, Samuel, fl. 1812

Print

Title: Brilliant Naval Victory [engraving of the USS Constitution]

title continues: "With the U. States Frigate Constitution of 44 Guns, Cap'n. Hull, & the English Frigate Guerriere of 38 Guns, Cap'n. L'acres, in which action Cap'n. Hull lost 7 men killed, & 7 wounded, & his B. M.'s ship was sunk; besides her loss of 15 men killed, 62 wounded, & 24 missing; August 20, 1812. After closing the action was 30 minu[te]s." Depicts one ship flying 4 American flags, surrounded by smaller boats filled with soldiers, and another ship engulfed in flame, smoke billowing above it. Hand colored. Published by J. Pierre & F. Kearney in Philadelphia,…

GLC04523

25 March 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Written by General Halleck as commander of the Department of the Mississippi to Stanton as Secretary of War. Has heard that the rebels are building one or more riverboats "clad in rail road iron like the Merrimac." Says if it is true they can wreak havoc on Union forces on the river. Wants any heavy guns at Pittsburgh sent down the Ohio River to Cairo or Columbus. Reports he has written to ask if Commander Foote can convert his ships to ironclads. Says authority to construct a river "Monitor" should be given. Expresses that delay could be fatal. Marked "in cipher."

GLC04536

28 August 1812

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: Additional Instruction to the public and private armed vessels of the United States

Printed letter signed by Secretary of State James Monroe. Orders that public and private armed vessels are not to stop American merchant ships coming from British ports with British goods because of the "alledged" repeal of the British Orders in Council. Asks that merchant ships be assisted and says that cargoes can be dealt with on arrival. The Orders in Council were repealed on 16 June 1812, two days before Congress declared war. The news arrived too late to influence events.

GLC04675.03

21 July 1823

Yates, Joseph Christopher, 1768-1837

Autograph endorsement

Title: to James Monroe

Letter from Yates as Governor of New York to Monroe as President. The letter seems to be in a secretarial hand and signed by Yates. Docketed by Monroe on verso. Forwarded to Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, who also docketed the letter. Neither Monroe's nor Adams's signature is on the document. Yates wrote to express outrage over a British law passed on 5 August 1822, which restricted American free trade down the St. Lawrence River at Quebec. Asks that negotiations be entered with Britain and if they are unsuccessful to retaliate by creating additional duties on British bottoms. Repairs…

GLC04682

5 July 1842

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Document signed

Title: [Remitting penalties for the British barque Redwing]

This document remits penalties for a British barque and is countersigned by Daniel Webster as Secretary of State. Tyler remits penalties incurred by the British barque Redwing, which had arrived at New York with excess passengers. Dudley Persse, the consignee of the Redwing, and James Evans, the Master, petitioned for a remission of the penalties incurred based on the fact that when the ship first sailed it was in compliance with United States laws. Document is tipped to a larger backing page that may have been removed from a bound volume. The verso of the backing page is printed with "James…

GLC04619.02

February 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to state governors

Circular letter urging state governments to maintain strong militias in accordance with the militia system adopted by Congress through an act in 1792 (GLC01959). He comments that having the nation armed is especially important because rights "most essential to our welfare have been violated, and an infraction of treaty committed," referring to French maritime infractions. The letter is accompanied by a pamphlet concerning the militia system (GLC04626.02).

GLC04626.01

1840

Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885

Pamphlet

Title: A history of the Amistad captives: being a circumstantial account of the capture of the Spanish schooner Amistad, by the Africans on board...

(title continues)... their voyage, and capture near Long Island, New York; with biographical sketches of each of the surviving Africans; also, an account of the trials had on their case, before the district and circuit courts of the United States, for the district of Connecticut. Published by E. L. & J. W. Barber. Compiled by Barber, member of the Connecticut Historical Society. Contains a fold-out wood cut depicting the death of Captain Ramon Ferrer on board the Amistad (refer to GLC04295 for the individual wood-cut). This book was reprinted in 1969 by Arno Press and is also…

GLC04574

20 October 1708

Oliver, Thomas, fl. 1708

Manuscript document signed

Title: [A Memorial of the State of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England to Queene Anne during Queen Anne's War]

A petition from the Massachusetts colonists requesting help in quelling the hostile Indians allied with the French during Queen Anne's War. Gives insight into the conflict's costs upon New England. Discusses the Indians' barbarity and the French setting prices for scalps. Describes their need of aid and the ineffectiveness of regular troops against the Indians. Asks Queen Anne to enlist the help of Mohawks and other friendly Indian nations. Comments on trade, French holdings, and the supply of masts for ships. Signed by Oliver as clerk of the House of Representatives.

GLC04891

28 October 1778

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Williamson

A retained working draft (see strikeouts and docket). Written by McHenry as an aide-de-camp to General Washington to Dr. Williamson as a merchant importing medicines in Edenton, North Carolina. Williamson began a partnership with his brother to import medicines through the British blockade from the West Indies. Claims to have poor intelligence on the enemy in New York, but proceeds to give some details of their situation. Says 150 vessels, including 15 ships of the line, sailed from Sandy Hook on the 19 and 20 October 1778. Says they appear to be bound for Britain. Was only carrying home…

GLC04701

28 May 1776

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ludwell Lee

Written by Richard Henry Lee as Continental Congressman from Virginia to his brother Thomas Lee. Says he is busy because he has a committee meeting with Generals Washington, Gates, and Mifflin on "the operations of their Campaign." Says he cannot write to many of his friends at this time and asks to be remembered to Colonel Mason. Mentions that Colonel Nelson has not arrived yet. Says he will leave for home in a day or two, rest up, and then attend the Convention at Williamsburg. Says "the sensible and spirited resolve of my Countrymen on the 15th has gladdened the heart of every friend to…

GLC04809

31 May 1803

Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Winchester

Discussing appropriate division of compensation among sailors who salvaged the French ship "Blaireau." Chase discusses the situation and offers his advice. On subject of a black sailor who helped during the salvage, says if he is free he deserves a share, though less than white sailors, and if a slave, still deserves some small payment for taking risks to assist in the salvage. Chase acknowledges the case may be appealed to him in the Supreme Court, and one year later it was, in the case of "Mason v. Ship Blaireau." Among the rulings of the court was that the compensation for the black…

GLC04765

19 March 1794

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Written by Chancellor Livingston to New York Governor Clinton. Encloses petition at the request of Dr. Robinson (not included). Mentions seeing Clinton's family. Mentions political controversy involving himself and William P. Van Ness. It involves the unpopular removal of someone from office (the name cannot be deciphered - Benthingsen?) Wants Clinton to clarify the situation for him. Says Egbert Benson is going to come forward with the story for the newspapers and wants to be able to meet it. Wants to know if Clinton recollects him ever recommending the person. If he or other members of the…

GLC04772.04

13 November 1778

Jones, John Paul, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Jones, Captain of the U.S.S. Ranger, informs Morris, a Continental Congressman, of recent events in France. Reports that in June, a highly esteemed gentleman (who Jones does not name) wrote him a secret letter promising him command of a large ship; the gentleman also indicated that the Ranger was to sail to the United States under another captain. Mentions the involvement of the Prince of Nassau (possibly Prince Charles Otton), and Monsieur de Sartine, head of the French Navy, in procuring the ship. Relates that Sartine promised him the command of several French vessels, but Sartine's…

GLC04797

circa 1781-1782

Hanson, John, 1715-1783

Printed document signed

Title: [Congressional certificate authorizing vessels to engage in military activity]

Signed below seal by John Hanson. Countersigned by Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. Contains blank spaces designated for the name of commander and vessel, the vessel's weight and type, and the number of men on board. Created to authorize vessels (possibly privateers) to "set forth ... in a warlike manner ... to attack, subdue, seize, and take all ships and other vessels, goods, wares and merchandizes, belonging to the King or Crown of Great Britain ..." Features paper seal.

GLC04870

circa 1861

Black, J.W., 1825-1896

Photograph

Title: The Breakwater

Image of two men standing on a breakwater that leads to a light house. Several sailing vessels are visible in the water. A typed note on the mount indicates that the photograph was taken by "Black," referring to James Wallace Black, a noted Boston photographer. The mount also includes the address of Black's studio in Boston, "163 & 173 Washington Street," which he owned in partnership with fellow photographer John G. Case.

GLC05111.01.0452

1861-1866 ca.

Upson, fl. 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Portrait of Capt. Champlin of Ship "Scorpion" by J.T. Upson, Buffalo [salt print] [1861-1866 ca.]

Title taken from inscription on recto. Commanded the schooner "Scorpion" in the War of 1812, as well.

GLC05111.01.0306

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Lookout Battery on bluff overlooking ocean at Yorktown, Virginia

A view of the batteries facing the ocean at Yorktown. Several ships are seen at sea, and some of the dockyards are visible to the middle right of the image. Inscription on verso: "Water Battery, Yorktown, Va." Numeric notation on verso: "1."

GLC05111.01.0883

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Water Battery in gunports overlooking Yorktown

The twin masts of a ship are visible beyond the gun fortifications overlooking Yorktown. Inscription on verso: "Water Battery Yorktown." Numeric notation on verso: "45."

GLC05111.01.0884

27 December 1847

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Document signed

Title: General Order. No. 14

Written to Lieutenant Comdt. H.J. Hartstone. Orders to collect maritime information to improve charts of the Mexican coast.

GLC05109