1747/03/14

Stewart, V. William, fl. 1747

Manuscript document signed

Title: "The Privateers, Clinton of New York Tho. Beavans Commdr. & the Defyance . . .

. . . of Rhode Island John Sweet Comdr."

GLC03107.02732

1755/12/16

Livingston, John, 1714-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston, Jr. re: taking French merchant ships into port

John writes that war has not erupted with France, but the English continue to take French merchant men on a regular basis.

GLC03107.02941

1712/04/09

Jamison, David, fl. 1619-1717

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: possibility or war, conflict at sea

Jamison explains how Parliament is currently divided over the issue of going to war, and states that some man of wars have already arrived in Amerca. He also talks describes a violent conflict where a ship was taken for ransom, and some men were left dead, wounded, or missing. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.00912

1706/05/10

Livingston, Robert, 1654-1728

Letter

Title: to Alida Livingston re: legal dispute with Richard Blackham [in Dutch]

Robert's letter to his wife is accompanied by an English translation (see collateral file). In the letter, Robert explains that Richard Blackham has brought charges against him regarding a deal made with Captain Kidd's ship 10 years ago, and he is being held in Gravesend until the matter is settled. Robert describes the situation as disasterous, but writes that he will endure what God puts before him and keep his spirits up. P.3 contains two short letters to Mr. Patience and Mr. Joseph Sticke, in which he directs them to bring some of his things ashore, and also to deliver the letter to…

GLC03107.02186

1711/03/21

Livingston, John

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: journey to Great Britain

John informs his father that the vessel he is to travel on has been fitted with goods sufficient to ransom it should it be taken at some point during the voyage; and he requests that Robert look after his wife (Mary Wintrhop) while he is away. John also mentions some disagreements with his father-in-law and their involvement in a legal dispute. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.00861

1779 - 1780 circa

Lovett, John, 1743-1792

Manuscript

Title: [Pilgrim prize receipt]

Lists men receiving prize money from the privateer vessel, the Pilgrim. Not dated, circa date is inferred from other receipts. Lovett was a privateer ship merchant and captain in Beverly, Massachusetts. He served as the agent for the Pilgrim's prizes.

GLC01450.006.17

1780 circa

Lovett, John, 1743-1792

Manuscript

Title: [The Pilgrim's Prizes]

Lists five ships captured by the Pilgrim, a privateer vessel, the dates captured, their route, and the distribution of prizes from the ships. Mentions the brig Hope, Dutch Snow, brig Margaret, a Spanish ship the Valencio Anno, and the brig William. Document is not signed but is in a collection of receipts of the Lovett family. John Lovett was a privateer ship merchant and captain in Beverly, Massachusetts. He served as the agent for the Pilgrim's prizes.

GLC01450.006.21

Lovett, John, 1743-1792

Manuscript

Title: [Captain Nicholas Thorndike's account with John Lovett]

Details account with Thorndike for goods and monies related to various privateer vessels. Lovett was a privateer ship merchant and captain in Beverly, Massachusetts.

GLC01450.006.33

Header Record

Title: Collection of two items related to Barzilla Smith, a privateer [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01450.014

1808/03

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Book

Title: State papers concerning members of Jefferson's government

Compilation of printed "State papers" concerning principal members of Thomas Jefferson's governments. re: Privateering and shipping interests

GLC05349

1700/03/04

Schuyler, Brandt, 1659-1752

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: [in Dutch]

Typed translation available in collateral file. The letter notes that Capt. William Kidd and some other privateers left for England on a man-of-war. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.05345

1812/06/26

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Printed document signed

Title: An Act concerning Letters of Marque, Prizes & Prize Goods.

Copy of the act along with "Instructions for the Private Armed Vessels of the United States," in this case, issued to privateer Captain George Taylor of the ship Amiable. Issued one week after the declaration of war in the War of 1812. Signed by Monroe as secretary of state.

GLC04616

1776/03/23

Broadside

Title: Rejection of Olive Branch Petition by Congress; lets colonists arm vessels

The document sets regulations for arming vessels for defense and privateering. Printed by John Dunlap.

GLC04771

1796/06/30

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Ellsworth re: asking advice in interpreting treaty on privateering

Discusses the sale of prizes taken from the British by the French which violates the 24th Article of Jay's Treaty (1794) with Britain.

GLC04875

1746/12/15

Milon, Louis, fl. 1746

Manuscript document

Title: Testimony regarding the taking of a privateer

Louis Milon, Francis Honoret, & Joseph le Blanc testified that their French privateer was taken by a British one. Followed by the testimony of John Tinker, who took the deposition of the 3 above-named men.

GLC03107.04947

1778/05/09

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Broadside

Title: A Proclamation.

This document is a proclamation ordering American ships to act according to an honest code and not take up piratical acts while in American waters. It is a printed broadside approved by Henry Laurens and Charles Thomson as President and Secretary respectively.

GLC04804.02

1867/09/05

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: Pardon of former Confederate naval pirate, John N. Maffit

Countersigned by William H. Seward. Accompanied by a Certification of Maffit's oath taking

GLC06737

1794/11/14

Martin, Thomas, fl. 1794-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Langdon re: power of Courts, ambiguity of law

Discussing a "cursed Lusanna cause" of New Hampshire for which the Supreme Court has been requested to issue a Writ of Error. He complains: "[B]oth the [Supreme] Court & Bar could not put a just Construction of the Law, they acknowledged it to be ambiguous.... Cannot Congress explain the meaning or design of their laws." He asks "Cannot & ought not Congress to pass an Act forbidding any matters which were determined & finally settled in the State Courts prior to the Federal Constitution[?]"

GLC06548

February 28, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses the revival of the General Arnold, a ship that wrecked in December 1778. Knox had some investment in the ship, and remarks "it would be worth while to... get as much in her as will be prudent to risque," possibly referring to loading the Arnold with cargo. Reports that the British attempted to surprise General William Maxwell's brigade but were forced to retreat. Relates that his recent business in Philadelphia consisted of improving regulation of the ordnance department. Notes "I undoubtedly might have at first stipulated for some pecuniary advantages for myself, but... I do…

GLC02437.00751