January 10, 1813

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Governor William Plumer

In the letter, Adams discusses New York State, party, and sectionalism.

GLC00639.02

September 8, 1783

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Nathanael Greene

The letter discusses the peace treaty and European affairs. Notes the difference between preliminary and definitive treaties.

GLC00639.19

September 30, 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Written during the Quasi-War with France. The letter discusses concerns about Democrats infiltrating and subverting the army. Washington remarks that "you could as soon scrub the blackamore white, as to change the principles of a profest Democrat; and that he will leave nothing unattempted to overturn the Government of this country."

GLC00581

August 25, 1795

Glenn, John, fl. 1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Glen, Schenectady [sic]

John Glen was a NY Congressman. Also discusses domestic reaction, Washington signing Jay's treaty, resignation of Randolph as Secretary of State, and suicide of the French consul in Pennsylvania. Henry Glen was from Schenectady.

GLC00586

August 11, 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

McHenry served as Secretary of War. Mentions appointment of ambassadors to France during Quasi-war and newspaper accusations by William Duane against federalist officials (in a July editorial) for supposedly accepting bribes. Humorous letter (on bribery) with hinted approval of Sedition Act. Marked "Confidential" in the text.

GLC00604.01

April 24, 1790

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Benjamin Rush sends James Madison a pamphlet and requests that he protect against it being published in a newspaper. He notes that he will send copies of the pamphlet to Thomas Jefferson in the upcoming week. Also sends a sermon by Richard Price. Describes the sermon as "pregnant with noble sentiments" and credits it with inspiring the idea of "your [Madison's] house addressing the national assembly & king of France" concerning the French Revolution. Discusses that he hoped for effects of such an address. Concludes: "The United States kindled the flame of liberty in Europe. It is highly…

GLC00580

1815-1860

Pringle, Thomas, 1789-1834

Note

Title: Transmission of two cards for the Institute of France's annual assembly

Attributed to Pringle, the Scottish poet and abolitionist, circa 1820. Pringle relates that Athanase Coquerel sends compliments to [Ch. N. N.] Richard and Elihu Burritt. Transmits two cards (not included) for the annual assembly of one of the Academies of the Institute of France. Written on stationery of the Eglise Reformee de Paris.

GLC00496.276

December 18, 1782

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Testimonial in defense of Silas Deane]

Franklin, as Ambassador to France, asserts that the accusations of fraud against Deane are false. British newspapers had accused Deane of making fraudulent purchases of munitions in France.

GLC00782.02

August 18, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Marquis de Lotbiniere

A kind letter in which Washington thanks the Marquis for his friendly sentiments. New York's ratification of the Constitution had been uncertain. Docketed on verso of second leaf. Lotbiniere's letter is in Library of Congress's Washington Papers. Noted but not published in Fitzpatrick 30:56n.

GLC00639.29

December 4, 1805

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

John Adams writes concerning his and George Washington's administrations by referring to those "melancholly books" such as "Tully's Memoirs" and "Cicero's Life" from which he compares the first and second triumvirates to Hamilton's "Schemes, to get rid of Washington, Adams, Jay and Jefferson, and monopolise all power to him Self."

GLC00747

March 1859

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

To his wife, discussing his dislike of the British, the death of a United States Consul in Sierra Leone by "homicide," and the island of Goree, a former center of the African slave trade. He states he is "Anti-Anglais," calling the British "National Pirates" on the African coast. He discusses his dinner with a French captain, commenting on their culture and the bad food. Also mentions the foolishness of the Liberian Secretary of State and complains about Navy food. He closes in expectation of orders to return home, which would soon arrive. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" off Goree,…

GLC00722.65

1857

James, William, ?-1827

Manuscript document

Title: English account of the capture of the H. M. Brig Alacrity

A handwritten excerpt from William James' "Naval History of Great Britain, Volume V," giving an account of the capture of the British brig "Alacrity" by the French brig "Abeille," which occurred on 26 May 1811 near Corsica. James describes the capture of the British ship by the French vessel of similar size, explains the reasons for the British defeat, pointing out the failures of the captain and the British naval system that allowed this to happen. Recommends revealing the full details of all British naval losses, saying the honor revealed in the details of even a defeat will outweigh the…

GLC00722.66

September 19, 1779

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

Adams had returned from France, and comments upon the importance of having an American in Paris "who knows somewhat of the affairs of America, as well as Europe...." Letter also mentions the fight for independence and French negotiations.

GLC00748

June 30, 1805

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Lee

Written to William Lee, who was serving as American consul at Bordeaux, France. Mentions that he arrived in Paris on June 20, 1805 after a 25 day trip and that he will soon proceed to London. He mentions the unsuccessful mission to Spain. In the autumn of 1804 he went to Madrid to assist Charles Cotesworth Pinckney in his efforts to secure the definition of the Louisiana boundaries and the acquisition of the Floridas. They negotiated with Don Pedro de Cevallos, the Spanish minister of foreign affairs, from January to May 1805, without success. This letter finds Monroe between missions. On his…

GLC00655.02

1778

United States. Treaties, etc.

Pamphlet

Title: Treaties between the United States and France

Printed by John Dunlap. First American printing of the first United States treaty. Contains both the Treaty of Alliance with France and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. The Treaty of Alliance is the first Philadelphia printing and the first appearance anywhere in print.

GLC01040

July 10, 1778

Hosmer, Titus, 1736-1780

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Law

Relays news that the Compte d' Estaing had set sail with a fleet for Delaware or Chesapeake Bay and that a British fleet has set out to intercept them. Today they were informed that d'Estaing arrived near Maryland three days earlier and set off for Sandy Hook. Notes that war had been declared in Paris against England and French troops were in transit toward America. Comments on the recent passage of the Articles of Confederation in Congress.

GLC01069

July 1, 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr.

Secretary of War Knox writes from the War Department to North Carolina's Governor Spaight regarding American regulations restricting the arming of U.S. vessels and those of belligerent nations. Discusses special cases in which American vessels could be armed, as long as they were not colluding to violate neutrality towards the British and French. Notes that such a decision must first be approved by the President of the United States. Marked "Registered" on docket page.

GLC01074

10 March 1762

Hardy, Josiah, 1822-1900

Document signed

Title: An act to Compleat the New Jersey Regiment to Six Hundred and Sixty Six effective volunteers, Officers included.

Document aims to raise additional men for the French & Indian War, with inducements including pardons. Details provisions for recruiting minors, slaves, and Indians. Additionally, allows Quakers to affirm, rather than swear, an oath. Signed by Hardy as British colonial governor, countersigned by R. H. Morris and Samuel Nevill. Pages numbered at top by author, eighteenth page docketed March 8, 1762 on verso by R. Smith, Clerk.

GLC00903

December 10, 1778

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Arthur Lee

Francis Lightfoot Lee warns his brother, then on a diplomatic mission with Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane to obtain aid from France during the American Revolution, about the intrigue surrounding the recently recalled Deane. Indicates that Deane has formed a faction within Congress determined to "remove all the old friends of Liberty & Independence." Comments that he does not know Deane's specific intentions but suggests that he arm himself with "the means necessary, both for attack & defence."

GLC00975

December 5, 1796

Carroll, Charles, 1737-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Senator Carroll informs McHenry, Secretary of War, that Senator Rufus King intends to move resolutions in Congress related to the 1796 United States Presidential election. He reports in detail the number of votes currently held by each Presidential candidate, expressing favor for John Adams and disapproval of Thomas Jefferson. He mentions communications between Secretary of State Timothy Pickering and Charles Pinckney, the Ambassador to France, regarding the strained relationship between the United States and France. Referring to the election and foreign relations, he states "there are no…

GLC00985

25 March 1813

Bonaparte, Napoleon, 1769-1821

Document signed

Title: Maritime license for American ship to trade in Bordeaux (in French)

Maritime license issued in Bourdeaux, France. These types of licenses were dispatched to the French consuls in Charleston, New York, Boston, and Baltimore. They were issued to an American ship to authorize trade directly with France. This one, numbered "No. 368 in order of the series, No. 609 in the general order of the deliverance allowed, and No. 954 [illegible handwriting]." Printed document with seal of the empire on top recto. Signed "Nap" at top verso. Also countersigned by Jean Baptiste Collin, comte de Sussy of the Ministry of Manufactures and Commerce, Hughes-Bernard Maret, duc of…

GLC00814

circa September 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Manuscript document

Title: Committee report on trade and manufacture

Probably unrelated to the Convention and accidentally inserted by Butler into these papers. Consists of a report requested by Jefferson as U.S. Minister to France, while in Paris, and prepared for the Charleston Chamber of Commerce. The report apologizes for its figures, "all the Books of the Custom House being carried away by the British" when they captured Charleston in 1780.

GLC00819.26

8 January 1800

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Document signed

Title: [Commission for privateer "Active."]

Countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Partially printed document. John Adams, as president, gives permission to David Stewart, a Baltimore merchant, to use his ship "Active" as a privateer during the Quasi War with France. The ship has a crew of 20, is armed with 10 guns, and is captained by William Storey. Large embossed paper seal of the United States at the bottom. Docket on verso is illegible because of cardboard backing added at an unknown date.

GLC00838

March 1807

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Header Record

Title: [Collection of two James Madison letters]

GLC01096

February 14, 1779

Montamont, Joseph, le riche de, fl. 1779

Autograph note signed

Title: to Stephen Girard [in French]

Promissory note to Stephen Girard for six pounds fifteen schillings.

GLC01450.140