July 9, 1803

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles James Fox [in French]

Lafayette writes to English politician and friend, Charles Fox, regarding his own health. Lafayette had recently broken several bones and torn tendons in a fall, but reports that he is on that mend and will soon be back at La Grange, his country estate outside of Paris. He commends Fox on his attempts to forge peaceful relations with France. He also believes that all will soon agree that the acquisition of the Louisiana territory from the French by the United States is for the best. He notes that the letter will be brought to Fox by James Monroe, then American Ambassador to England. He asks…

GLC04800

November 10, 1828

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremy Bentham

Lafayette confirms that he has settled on his farm at La Grange and indicates that he is studying Bentham's philosophy. He discusses standing armies and the role of the militia in defending the United States. Also discusses "the impeachment of ministers" and labels himself "a disciple of the American School," and includes commentary on the French Revolution.

GLC04801

September 27, 1830

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wiliam Wilberforce [in French]

Lafayette inquiries on the slave trade in France & America. He alludes to Wilberforce's attempts to have Lafayette freed from prison. Docket is in English, in Wilberforce's hand. Letter has been transcribed in English. Wilberforce as the recipient is confirmed by the content of the letter and the handwriting of the docket.

GLC04802

23 June 1782

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Livingston, then Secretary of Foreign Affairs, notes on the benefits of the British surrender at Fort St. Phillips. Comments on the "distrusts and jealousies between Spain and the People of the Country," discussing disruptions to the Havana trade and the surrender of the Bahamas to Spain. Suggests that it is strange that the Dutch United Provinces acknowledged American sovereignty before Spain. In regard to military activities, mentions the rejection of British General Alexander Leslie's proposal to General Nathanael Greene for a cessation of hostilities. Comments on the strengthening of…

GLC04814

1803

Brown, Charles B., fl. 1803

Pamphlet

Title: An Address... on the cession of Louisiana to the French...

Manifest destiny and the Louisiana territory. Printed by H. Maxwell. Howes B831, Thompson 974, S&S 33881. Stamps on titlepage. Signature of Elihu Chauncey.

GLC04959.01

1825

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

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Notes for speech]

Expresses his gratitude to members of "both houses" of the Pennsylvania legislature for their "kind welcome." Undated notes for a speech possibly given in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on 31 January or 1 February 1825.

GLC04999

August 12, 1776

Williams, William, 1731-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jabez Huntington

Summarizes affairs in first weeks of independence. Opens by commenting on his arduous journey to Philadelphia to join the Continental Congress. Informs that Silas Deane has arrived from France with the report of the French court's unfavorable reception of the American request for aid. Discusses the Declaration and comments that it has spurred the colonies to form governments. Informs that South Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey have established them and indicates who these colonies have chosen or might choose for governors. Mentions John Alsop, a Continental Congress member from New…

GLC04867

Blois, A.J.E.R. de, fl. 1789

Header Record

Title: [Three documents related to a French Primer on American Democracy][Decimilized .01-.03]

GLC07688

1765

Rogers, Robert, 1731-1795

Book

Title: Journals of ... several excursions ... during the late war

[Complete title] "Journal of Major Robert Rogers containing an account of the several excursions he made under the generals who commanded upon the continent of North America, during the late war." Printed for the author. With 3 pages of advertisements. With manuscript bill of account pasted on front pastedown signed by Noah Smith and countersigned by Elijah Williams.

GLC06260

February 23, 1781

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Howley

General Gates encloses a letter from Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson (not included). Discusses Lord Cornwallis's advance into Virginia, arguing against those who think the action rash because of the support Cornwallis may have from General William Phillips in North Carolina and Benedict Arnold "in his front." Asserts the possibility of Cornwallis defeating General Nathanael Greene and making a cooperative maneuver with General Henry Clinton before the Continental Army is recruited and equipped. Comments on his desire for additional news and to travel to Philadelphia. Also discusses the…

GLC06278

August 1794

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Draft introductory letter to French government]

Written by Monroe as American Minister to France, shortly after his arrival in the republic in August 1794. He replaced Gouverneur Morris. A draft of his introductory letter presenting his credentials and affirming his "profound interest which the government and people of America take in the success and prosperity of the French Republic." Expresses extreme pleasure with his assignment and expects relations between the two nations to improve.

GLC06326

1830

Andrews, Charles C., fl. 1830

Book

Title: The history of the New-York African free-school, from their establishment in 1787, to the present time; embracing a period of more than forty years: also a brief account of the succesful labors of the New-York Manumission Society

Written by Andrews as the principal of the African Free School. Printed by Mahlon Day at 376 Pearl Street in New York. First edition copy. Includes engraving of the school building, from a drawing by a student, opposite the title page. Provides a history of the institution and how the manumission society attempted to provide for the future of free blacks. Andrews is overflowing with praise for the activities of the school, its students, and the famous political leaders who were members of the manumission society. Page 123 provides a list of the school's top five students: Peter Williams the…

GLC06084

1797

Irvine, William, 1741-1804

Book signed

Title: View of the conduct of the Executive, in foreign affairs....

Written by James Monroe. Printed by Benjamin Franklin Bache. "View of the conduct of the Executive, in foreign affairs, of the United States, connected with the mission to the French Republic... 1794, 5 & 6." In original paper boards with contemporary inscription "Monroe" on spine. Signed by Irvine on p.iii.

GLC06085

1788

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document

Title: Convention between his most Christian majesty and the United States of America

[Title continued] "For the Purpose of Defining and Establishing the Functions and Privileges of their Respective Consuls and Vice Consuls." Agreement between France and the U.S. With stamp of New Jersey Historical Society. Printed the convention in two columns. Docket on blank. Said to have been printed by Des Pierres.

GLC06093

10 September 1799

Stoddert, Benjamin, 1751-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smith

Written as Sec. of Navy during the Quasi-War regarding the capture of American ships by the French and British.

GLC05989

17 July 1862

Boyce, William Waters, 1818-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Judah P. Benjamin

Offers Benjamin a number of suggestions for Confederate foreign policy. Suggests that the Confederacy should "propose a peace to the Lincoln Government the terms of which should be peculiarly favourable to the North West and Pennsylvania." Expects "Lincoln would reject this tender, but the offer I think would do us good." Expects that "The tendency of this offer is to divide the North West and Pennsylvania from the rest of the North." If the peace offers "free navigation of the Mississippi" and other such concessions favoring the North West, this may help convince these areas that…

GLC06003

26 April 1887

Pamphlet

Title: A sketch of Henry Franklin and family

Date written as "4 mo., 26th, 1887." Contains an extract from the Philadelphia Inquirer regarding the death of Henry Franklin's son. The extract is included as a reflection of the lack of racial prejudice in France, where Franklin's son died. Includes a biographical description of Franklin, described as "the venerable colored janitor of the Academy of Fine Arts." Reports that Franklin's slave name was Bill Budd. States that Franklin serves as Treasurer of the Colored Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Also mentions his activism on behalf of fugitive slaves and his special invitation to…

GLC06120

1748-1750

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Act of a French society concerning the slave trade] [In French]

"Acte de Societe concernant l'Etablissement d'un commerce suivi de la Traite des Negres a la Cote D'Angole" (pertains to Senegal). Organization of French slave trade company. Has numerous addenda for 1748, 1749 and 1750, all dated and signed at Paris.

GLC06136

January 14, 1862

Newspaper

Title: Tri-weekly South Carolinian. [Vol. 25, no. 6 (January 14, 1862)]

French Vessel Fired Into by Federals, From the Upper Potomac, Surrender of Vera Cruz.

GLC05959.46

1798

Book

Title: A Selection of patriotic addresses, to the President of the United States

Title continued: "Together with the President's answers." Petitions from towns regarding the Quasi-war with France. Printed by John W. Folsom.

GLC05944

February 21, 1806

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Madison regrets informing Lafayette that he cannot give him an answer on the loan he requested. He remarks "There is no country where money exists at all that is so unproductive of lenders as this is." States that he hopes Lafayette will have more luck in Europe. Discusses some issues involving the location of Lafayette's land. Letter addressed to General Fayette.

GLC05810

17 March 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Josiah Bartlett

Discusses Continental troop movements, specifically regarding Fort Ticonderoga and New Jersey. Also, rising cost of living and collapsing currency, taxation, Franklin's reception at Versailles, and New Hampshire politics.

GLC05878

May 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a very detailed letter to her husband in Morristown, New Jersey during the American Revolution. Discusses the arrival in Boston of General Charles Tronson du Coudray, a French military engineer "who stiles himself Commander in Chief of the Continental Artillery" (Knox's current position) and claimed the appointment was from Silas Deane. Discusses the illness of Henry's brother William ("Billy") and her "fear we shall lose him, or at least that the humour in the blood has taken such deep root, as to embitter his future days." Also comments on various items she sent to Knox.…

GLC05895

February 14, 1787

Fleury, François-Louis Teissèdre, vicomte de, 1749-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Port Louis, Isle of France," present-day Port Louis, Mauritius. Relates that Mr. Sears stopped at the Isle of France on his way to and from Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China), and brought him a letter from Major Samuel Shaw. Fears that Shaw's trip has not been very profitable. Discusses problems with international trade, especially with China and India. Mentions that Lord Cornwallis, "our York's acquaintance," is in command in all the British possessions, and is presently at Calcutta. Asks to be remembered to Generals [George] Washington and [Nathanael] Greene, as well…

GLC02437.03454

26 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to François-Louis Teissèdre de Fleury

Mentions that Samuel Shaw is probably in Canton, China and was in India the last year. Updates Fleury on the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia and the progress of ratifying the constitution in each state. "A convention or representation of all the States excepting Rhode Island met in Philadelphia in the month of May last and after four months deliberation agreed on the Constitution herein enclosed (not present)." Goes on to state, "This constitution is to be submitted to a convention chosen by the people of each state," and adds that Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey have…

GLC02437.03740