18 April 1794

United States. Congress

Broadside

Title: Resolution: "That the present Embargo be continued"

Signed by Edmund Randolph as Secretary of State. Concerning the Quasi-War with France. States that the present Enbargo be continued until "the twenty fifth day of May next."

GLC00265.01

26 March 1798

United States. Congress

Broadside

Title: A Motion: establishing embargo, fortifying ports and raising an army

The motion was a result of the Quasi-War with France. Document is slashed on lower right corner. Formerly pencilled "Duplicate."

GLC00265.02

04 May 1798

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Pamphlet

Title: Message of the President of the United States, to both houses

Dated May 4, 1798. Stab-stitched as issued. Regarding negotiations with France to end the Quasi-War, and report from Ambassadors

GLC00265.03

25 July 1780

Reed, Joseph, 1741-1785

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Orders for John Moore, Wagon Master of Pennsylvania

Signed as President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Explains that the arrival of the French fleet has induced General George Washington and the Continental Congress to "call for a number of Teams and Horses." Seeks wagons and horses from Moore. Discusses how to obtain the horses and wagons and branding them. Explains that impressment is permitted. A post script asks for frequent updates on his progess. Written in the hand of Timothy Matlack, Secretary of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania.

GLC00490

March 25, 1793

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Discusses his non-involvement in foreign affairs. The death that called Washington to Mount Vernon was that of his nephew, George Augustus Washington, who died of tuberculosis.

GLC00494

circa May 1777

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Signed by Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. Reports on their activities in France including getting Mr. Hodges released from the Bastille for lying about outfitting a privateer. Mentions receipt of commissions for Ralph Izard and William Lee (both appointed May 1777) but cites a lack of salary. Also mentions loans and subsidies requested from Europe. The lack of salary for Izard and Lee caused problems between them and Franklin. Date inferred from the commissions. The last three lines are in Franklin's hand. Last page only, so letter is incomplete.

GLC00496.025

December 23, 1800

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harrison Gray Otis

Hamilton suggests that the Federalists should support Thomas Jefferson for President rather than Aaron Burr when the tied election goes to the House of Representatives. Hamilton's response is an extended comparison of the two men concluding with the statement: "In a choice of Evils, let them take the least - Jefferson is in my view less dangerous than Burr." Hamilton concludes with comments about relations with France and Britain which responds to Gray's short discussion of the Convention of 1800 with France. Harrison Gray Otis, a leading Boston Federalist, had written to Hamilton on December…

GLC00496.028

December 27, 1798

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harrison Gray Otis

Reply to Massachusetts Congressman Otis' letter dated December 20, 1798 regarding his thoughts on the organization of the United States Army. Enclosed was a copy of a letter on this subject (GLC00496.030.02) which Hamilton wrote to James Gunn during the Quasi-War with France.

GLC00496.030.01

December 22, 1798

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter

Title: to James Gunn

Transcribed excerpt of letter to Senator James Gunn written during the Quasi-War with France. Discusses military tactics and provisions. Enclosed with a December 27, 1798 letter (GLC00496.030.01) from Hamilton to Massachusetts Congressman Harrison Gray Otis regarding the organization of the U.S. army.

GLC00496.030.02

June 12, 1781

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carter Page

Reply from headquarters indicating regret at learning Captain Page's corps will return home. Carter Page served as a captain in the New Jersey and Virginia cavalries during the American Revolution.

GLC00496.043

May 5, 1794

Madison, William, 1762-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Writes to his brother, then a Virginia congressman, about advocating for Madison's resolutions (in favor of a policy of commercial retaliation against European powers) in an election. The comment that the resolutions, which Madison submitted to Congress in December 1793, were "attached to the British nation" alludes to Madison's position that President Washington's 1793 proclamation of neutrality in the conflict between Britain and France unwisely showed indifference to the French movement toward republicanism. Also discusses the growing unpopularity of the excise tax and urges its repeal.…

GLC00496.267

1763-1783

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph note

Title: Regarding affidavits in Paris

Contains list of names concerning some issue in Paris, including Peyton Skipwith, Gouverneur Morris, William Lee, General William Hull, and Benjamin Hichborn. Seems to be written on the back of an old letter. Unrelated address leaf on verso. Note is a fragment.

GLC00496.266

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

December 20, 1785

Wedgwood, Josiah, 1730-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eden

Recipient inferred from seller's note at top of page 1. Thanks recipient for support regarding business concerns. Applauds progress of commerce treaty with France. Wedgwood was Queen's Potter and a Royal Society Fellow. William Eden, Baron Auckland, was a British spymaster during the American Revolution whose surveillance revealed an alliance between France and the patriots.

GLC00496.110

November 21, 1793

Carroll, Charles, 1737-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Pinckney

Mentions the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. Fears that the political climate in France will hinder mail delivery.

GLC00496.140

March 1, 1777

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Manuscript document

Title: to unknown

This manuscript is a copy (possibly a draft) of part of an 01 March 1777 memorandum from American commissioners Benjamin Franklin and to Silas Deane to French foreign minister Vergennes, as they negotiated a contract with the Farmers General of France. [An autograph copy of the full memo is in the Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères of France, according to the Franklin Papers at the American Philosophical Society.]

GLC00496.159

July 21, 1814

Humboldt, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von, 1769-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Mentions David Bailie Warden, American consul general in Paris. Also mentions Mr. de Lafayette (possibly the Marquis de Lafayette), and Berthollet (possibly Claude de Berthollet, a French chemist). Contains a cardboard strip attached to the end of the letter, possibly to keep the pages from separating. Docketed by Madison.

GLC00496.173

circa January 1825

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Report defending actions as Minister to France]

Draft. Defense of actions taken and request for reimbursement of debts incurred while Minister to France. Monroe was Minister to France from 1794-1796. Proof of innocence regarding government-subsidized housing is found in GLC00496.065.02.

GLC00496.065.01

November 7, 1794

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses a meeting with French diplomats regarding Treaty of Amity and adoption of a national free market. Reports on Mr. Paine's and Mme. Lafayette's imprisonment. Transcribed duplicate letter signed with a closing note.

GLC00496.060

1825-1829

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph note

Title: Mr. Monroe's claims

Written by Monroe in retirement after his presidency. Starting in 1825, in order to pull himself out of $75,000 of debt and save his Oak Hill estate, he requested reimbursement of back salary and expenses from his diplomatic missions and governmental work in the 1790s and the first two decades of the 19th century. He also attempted to sell other property he owned, but when that failed he put his full force behind getting reimbursed from the government. In order to prove his claims he had to submit many documents from his time abroad and this undated draft is part of the paperwork he would…

GLC00496.062

circa 1830

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph note

Title: Major Mountflorence

Note to himself about Mountflorence's information-gathering. Mountflorence was a prize agent and former secretary under Minister to France Robert Livingston.

GLC00496.063

22 August 1794

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph document

Title: The Commissary of Foreign Affairs to the Minister Planipotentiary of the United States of America

Transcribed letter, with response, declining government-subsidized housing as it contradicts the Constitution. Philibert Buchot was Commissary of Foreign Affairs for the French Republic in 1794. Monroe was Minister to France from 1794-1796. Serves as supplementary material to GLC00496.065.02.

GLC00496.065.02

October 23, 1779

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Mumford

Written by General Parsons to Mumford, a Groton, Connecticut merchant. Thanks him for his letter on October 17, 1779. Thanks him for procuring a place for his son, but is against him going on the ship "Trumbull" with Captain Nicholson. Would rather him go on a privateer or a merchant ship with Captain Henman. Says British have abandoned their posts at Verplank's and Stony Point for New York. Says Newport, Rhode Island is not evacuated, but that he hopes that will happen soon. Says if it happens they will have a formidable force to reduce New York. Conjectures on what British might do.…

GLC00496.075.06

02 October 1801

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: Appointing Robert R. Livingston Minister to France

Countersigned by Madison as Secretary of State. Livingston was appointed to gain secured access to New Orleans, by purchase if necessary. However, Livingston exceeded his instructions by buying the Louisiana Territory.

GLC00639.17

March 4, 1809

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

In his letter, Adams discusses Madison taking office, politics, and national divisions.

GLC00639.01