26 September 1789

Fenno, John, 1751-1798

Newspaper

Title: Gazette of the United States. [No. XLVIII (September 26, 1789)]

[French Revolution, fall of Bastille]

GLC03174.01

6 June 1862

Newspaper

Title: The New-York times. [Vol. 11, no. 3340 (June 6, 1862)]

Main article titled, "The Approaches of Charleston: Map Showing the Position of Stone Inlet, through which the Union Forces are Moving; the Location of the New Fortifications In the Harbor, and the Places of the Blockading Squadron at the Latest Advices." Features map by H.L. Penfield & Co. Reports throughout describe the attempted attack on Charleston, the French intervention in Mexico as well as various other military news. Other articles detail local, international, political, court, and ship news, advertisements, and public announcements.

GLC03176

20 May 1797

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Broadside

Title: Centinel extraordinary.

Prints a speech given to Congress by President John Adams on Tuesday, March 16, 1797. Speech discusses suspending relations with France and the XYZ Affair. Printed in four columns.

GLC03180

27 September 1782

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin

Informs Franklin that Congress has instructed him to try to borrow four million dollars from the French King, and discusses how Franklin might attain it. Says Congress wishes Franklin to assure the King that Americans once shared the "English Prejudice against all things french" but that "by degrees almost every Trace of it has been effaced." Worries the French may reply "the nation which will not help itself does not merit the Aid of others." Tells Franklin to remind them it would be foolish to invest so much in the colonies only to abandon them so close to being successful. Relates how…

GLC03333

January 21, 1781

Deane, Silas, 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Searle

Apprises Searle, then a commissioner to France to negotiate a loan for the State of Pennsylvania, of his upcoming journey to America. Hopes to see Searle in Passy (in Paris) the following day, where Deane indicates he will dine and take leave of Benjamin Franklin. Deane and Franklin were on a diplomatic mission in France during the American Revolution.

GLC03359

31 July 1800

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter

Title: to Charles C. Pinckney re: (retained draft) Federalist party factionalism

Written two months after President Adams demanded his resignation as Secretary of War. Curiously, McHenry writes his belief that (due to Adams' refusal to go to war with France) he had formed a coaltion with Jefferson.

GLC03254

23 August 1778

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Expresses surprise at the news that "Count D'Estaing has abandoned us in the present Enterprise." At Sullivan's request gives his opinion on the situation, saying he feels the siege of Newport is not worth continuing without the French fleet, since he expects British reinforcements soon. Instead suggests an immediate attack, for which he details his strategy. Opposes a retreat but in case "the General Council be of a different opinion" he lays out a plan for retreat as well. General Sullivan posed this question to a number of officers. In GLC04845 he writes William Whipple and asks his…

GLC03232

August 29, 1778

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Reports that his son left the recipient's horse at Daggets instead of at Sanfords in Bristol, where William Ellery had promised to deliver it in his last letter as his part in the "Newport Expedition." Comments on General John Sullivan and the withdrawal of Charles, Count d'Estaing, from the siege of Newport. Tells him he has heard from Philadelphia that the French Ambassador has met with an audience of Congress. Asks for any news he can be given and indicates that he has heard New York is to be evacuated by the British. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William…

GLC03236

June 3, 1781

Mason, George, Sr., 1725-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Mason Jr.

Discusses George Jr.'s brothers' roles in the war. Says the Americans under Nathaniel Greene are fighting bravely, but are overmatched by the British, who seem intent on taking Virginia. Cornwallis and his men have just arrived in Virginia to support Benedict Arnold's troops. Discusses the forces of Lafayette and Wayne in Pennsylvania. Hopes that a French fleet will soon arrive, but doubts this will happen. Says that most Virginians support the revolution and the alliance with the French. Many Virginians "grow uneasy, & restless, & begin to think that our Allies are spinning out the…

GLC03256

26 March 1807

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to James Monroe

Secretary of State Madison informs, Monroe, then the American minister to Great Britain, that David Erskine, the British minister to the United States, communicated "the late British order against the trade between the ports of France and others..." Includes a copy (see GLC03490.03) and a copy of Madison's response to Erskine (see GLC03490.02). That order precipitated the passage of the Embargo Act later that year.

GLC03490.01

20 March 1807

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter

Title: to James Monroe [copy]

Secretary of State Madison's response to British minister to the United States Erskine's letter informing him that Parliament had issued an order denying trade among the ports of France, in retaliation for France's Berlin Decree (see GLC03490.03). Explains that he has relayed the news to President Jefferson and describes Jefferson's position, which questions the legality of the measure in detail. That order precipitated the passage of the Embargo Act later that year. Copy sent to James Monroe, then the American minister to Great Britain, along with GLC03490.01 and GLC03490.03. Docketed by…

GLC03490.02

12 March 1807

Erskine, David Montagu, 1776-1855

Letter

Title: to James Madison [copy]

Erskine, the British minister to the United States, informs Secretary of State Madison that Parliament has issued an order denying trade among the ports of France, in retaliation for France's Berlin Decree. That order precipitated the passage of the Embargo Act later that year. Copy sent to James Monroe, then the American minister to Great Britain, along with GLC03490.01 and GLC03490.02.

GLC03490.03

September 24, 1780

Varick, Richard, 1753-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dirck Romeyn

Varick says his he spent all of the previous night on "public letters" which now occupy all his time, and must be brief. He says Luzerne stopped with them on his way to meet Rochambeau, Ternay, and Lafayette. This would be the Frenchmen's first meeting with George Washington, who is not mentioned in the letter. Relates the events of the Battle of Camden, as told to him by Luzerne. Says the Maryland troops fought bravely, and if General Horatio Gates had not fled the Americans might have won. Says General William Smallwood served bravely but eventually had to withdraw. Despite the loss,…

GLC03265

24 December 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by New Hampshire Continental Congressman Whipple, a Declaration of Independence signer, to Langdon agent for Continental prizes and superintendent of the construction of several ships of war. Langdon had resigned his Congressional seat in June 1776. Wrote last letter to Langdon a day or two before Congress adjourned on 11 December 1776. Says they started meeting in Baltimore on 20 December 1776. Claims the British approach sparked a panic except for the Tories "of which you know there are not a small number." Heard that enemy troops have made it to Burlington, New Jersey. Because…

GLC03269

17 August 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: possibilities of increased trade with France

Discusses tobacco, wool, etc. Washington comments on the good sense of trading with France, the "Maritime Genius of this Country", and his hope that the new national government may strengthen America's ties to France. Published in: Fitzpatrick, Writings of GW, 30: 43-47.

GLC03273

25 May 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: rejecting his claim to deal directly with Washington

Written as President, to the French Minister to the US. Moustier wished to bypass the cabinet in negotiating a commercial treaty. Published in: Fitzpatrick, Writings of GW, 30: 333-35.

GLC03278

01 November 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: progress of US under constitution & hopes for France

Written as President. Published in: Fitzgerald, Writings of GW, 31: 141-42.

GLC03279

October 7, 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier [in French]

A rather formal letter of thanks which mentions Washington's hospitality at Mount Vernon towards the end. Signed in the text by Lafayette.

GLC03281.01

circa October 10, 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier [in French]

A rather formal letter mentioning the voyage. Letter also mentions the letter of introduction to Washington. No year, but inferred from content. Signed in the text by Lafayette.

GLC03281.02

25 July 1778

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Mentions that business and ill health have kept him from writing. Congratulates him on the arrival of the French fleet and the minister. Informs that the fleet has gone to Rhode Island. Addressed to "Dear General." Washington is suggested as a possible recipient based upon Arnold's comments about the French fleet. The letter has suffered severe damage and lacks its address leaf.

GLC03302

09 October 1787

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: inability to see him before departure

Written as American Minister to France, to Moustier as French minister to the US. Also mentions relations between France and America, and Britain and America. Published: Boyd, Papers of TJ, 12:224-25.

GLC03270

17 May 1788

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: etiquette, new US Constitution, the Estates General

Written as American Minister to France, to Moustier, the French Minister to the U.S. Slight ink bleedthrough. Published in: Boyd, Papers of TJ, 13: 173-76.

GLC03271

09 August 1788

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: political changes in France & calling of the Estates

Written as American Minister to France, to Moustier, the French Minister to the U.S. Published in: Boyd, Papers of TJ, 13: 491-92.

GLC03272

03 December 1788

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: thanks for information on France, American manners

Written by Morris as American Minister to France. Morris also writes that he "cannot flatter myself that my Country men and above all my Country Women will shew so much good Sense and such Sensibility as daily to render your Situation more and more agreable [sic]." He notes that American manners may not be "sufficiently advanced to have got around to what is quite natural."

GLC03274

February 23, 1789

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: thanking for letter of introduction, praise for service

Written by Morris as American Minister to France. Morris also talks about the elections for the Estates General and the optimism which pervaded France at this time.

GLC03275