10 October 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Expresses disappointment with not receiving a letter from William, but writes this letter for both William and Henry Jackson. Discusses being recalled from New Jersey in response to sightings of British ships. Tells William to not give credit to reports that an American garrison has been taken, because it has not be verified. Comments on cannons he is getting for Henry Jackson to be mounted on a privateer. Mentions that Lucy Knox and their daughter visited briefly. Composed at Mount Washington.

GLC02437.00472

10 October 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Laments the loss of Bergen Point, New Jersey, as well as any other easy victory by the British because it lifts their spirits and emboldens them. It also discourages the Americans. Wants there to be no more works built that cannot be properly defended. Discusses several prizes taken by privateers and the supplies seized. Also relates news from London papers that were aboard one of the ships. Discusses a ship his is outfitting and inquires again about the guns he requested from Knox. Mentions the marriage of Ebenezer Oliver to Sucky (Susanna) Johonnet.

GLC02437.00474

7 November 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Knox infrequent correspondence and attributes it to him being "in one of the most active Situations in the whole army." Is happy to hear Knox is getting over an illness. Mentions Knox becoming increasingly fat. Discusses the scarcity and inconsistency of news reaching Boston. He is especially disturbed by the effects of false, positive news. Fears that the British might attack when the current army's enlistment ends. Laments not enlisting last year and hopes for a solution to the manpower problem. Notes that a privateer has taken a prize bound for Halifax from London.

GLC02437.00482

13 November 1776

Hastings, Jonathan, 1738-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Agrees that Boston men show "indifference" to joining the army. States his willingness to "resign my commission to the Post Master General" as long as he can join Knox as an "aid de Camp." Tells Knox "to be with you & share your Dangers is my sincere Desire." Congratulates Knox "on the capture of many prizes," especially the capture of a ship from Scotland to New York carrying "7,000 shirts ready made, 11,000 hair stockings, & 17,000 pairs shoes, besides many other articles in great demand for the army." The invoice on board the ship states the goods are worth "25,000 sterling."

GLC02437.00486

29 April 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Writes to his brother, asking why William has not recently written. Mentions a recovered debt and an unspecified petition to be presented to Continental Congress. Inquires as to the fitting out of The General Arnold, a ship, and mentions the loss of The Hero. Expresses disappointment that his friend Harry, possibly Colonel Henry Jackson, has not arrived at Valley Forge. Regarding Jackson, remarks, "...I suppose his fat sides are so sore that he is unable to travel with any rapidity." Writes, "Our army is improving discipline and increasing in numbers every day, but this ought by no means…

GLC02437.00698

29 May 1863

McIntire, Frank T., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary and Bill Mayberry

References Mary's letter of 29 April. Also writes to Mary's husband Bill. Returned to Key West after a cruise of 43 days, in which they captured 8 sailing vessels and destroyed one steamer, the "Cuba." Says the loss of the "Cuba" was bad as they were set to receive good prize money for her. Says it is a severe blow to hear of Mather's death "but I have become reconciled to it and believe it all for the best." Tells Bill he likes Philadelphia as well as him, but that it will not be his home again. Is anxious to get home to settle his affairs and be off again. Says he is rushed with 50 letters…

GLC02829.10

6 September 1863

McIntire, Frank T., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bill Mayberry

Very informal letter. Says he has no doubt she has seen in the papers that his ship has taken several prizes. Says he is "getting rich damn it. [I] got more money than a horse could haul in a year. Without joking I suppose my share will amount to about fifteen thousand dollars at least." Does not know when he will get home. Says "By the way Bill in your last you told me you was going to give that d__d old fool Dupree a thrashing..." Written while aboard the U.S.S "Delaware"

GLC02829.12

23 March 1863

Tittle, George A., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

References his sister's letters of 25 July and 5 September 1862, which he received on 15 March 1863. Also received her letters from 5 & 7 January as well as 5 February. Tells her not send letter by the Naval Lyceum as letters are allowed to sit there too long before being sent on. Obliged for the photographs, "although I do not consider them well executed." Leaving on 25 March to go to Fayal Island, Azores to pick up their new captain, Winslow. Does not know where they are going afterward, but assumes they will go after privateers. Written while aboard the USS "Kearsarge"

GLC02828.08

February 21, 1864

Tittle, George A., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Tells her he is now steaming up the English Channel and that he will send this letter by the first port they land in, either Calais or Dover. Left the waters around Brest on 17 January to go to Cadiz in order to reprovision, get coal, and have the ship repaired. Arrived in Cadiz on 23 January. Having taken care of the ship, they left Cadiz on 13 February and arrived at Brest again on 18 February. Reports the CSS "Florida" left Brest while they were away. Also, on 16 February, the CSS "Georgia" left Cherbourg. Says the "rebel Pirates" are probably sailing together. Will not be surprised if…

GLC02828.13

13 June 1861

Manigault, Gabriel E., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

Suggests furnishing privateers with captured guns. "Frequent applications are made at the Ordnance Office by persons wishing to fit out privateers, for guns to arm their vessels...this is one of the most economical and effectual modes of carrying on the war and distressing the enemy. With autograph endorsement of Pickens.

GLC09204

11 July 1745

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania gazette. [No. 865 (July 11, 1745)]

Includes international news from various overseas newspapers. Domestic news and classified ads inhabit pages 2 through 4. A Connecticut ship being chased by French privateers ran ashore on St. Bartholomew. Adds that the crew escaped but the ship was carried off by the aggressors. Section reserved for announcing the indentured servitude of residents, the return of runaway slaves, and departing ships.

GLC06670.066

10 July 1779

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Letter

Title: [Knox's copy of a letter from Horatio Gates to Silas Talbot]

General Gates declares, "The Glory you and all under your Commd. have gained will be a lasting honour to you & them. I desire you will present my thanks to the Officers & seamen, and acquaint them how Sensible I am of the good service they have done their Country."

GLC02437.00775

18 September 1779

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Letter

Title: [Knox's retained copy of a letter from John Jay to Lieutenant Colonel Silas Talbot]

Jay, President of Congress, writes "The Bravery & Spirit of enterprize you have on frequent occasions displayed in the service of your Country justly entitle you to the honour done you by the enclosed Act of Congress of the 17th Inst."

GLC02437.00782

circa 1783

Manuscript document

Title: [Information pertaining to commissaries and military clothiers]

Appears to be collected information about clothiers and commissaries. Mentions James Wilkinson, Clothier General at Philadelphia in 1779 and Otis and Henley, clothiers in Boston. Notes, "About this time- shoes were provided for the army by Exchanging hides with shoe makers all over the Country- for what purpose Commissaries of hides were appointed- this business was extensive, and irregularly preformed some returns are here, of the Commissaries but very little information can be collected from them. Relates that D. Brooks was Deputy Clothier at Newburgh, New York 1779-1783. Another note…

GLC02437.00793

July 19, 1780-December 9, 1781

Vernon, Thomas, fl. 1778-1780

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Thomas Vernon account book]

Details Vernon's accounts paid and received. Some mentions of privateer ships and cargo brought in and out of Newport. Describes his activities as naval officer as well as his commercial interests. Vernon was the postmaster and Continental naval officer for the state of Rhode Island.

GLC01450.017.01

1777-1783

Vernon, Thomas, fl. 1778-1780

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Thomas Vernon account book]

Details Vernon's accounts paid and received. Some mentions of privateer ships and cargo brought in and out of Newport. Describes his activities as naval officer and well as his commercial interests. Vernon was the postmaster and Continental naval officer for the state of Rhode Island. Dated May 1777-June 26, 1783.

GLC01450.017.02

September 18, 1779

Montgomery, Sealy, & Co., fl. 1779

Autograph letter

Title: to Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Details accounts for the shipping of sundry goods, wine, and brandy. Then discusses placing insurance on the shipments and states that he has given the insurance agents the necessary information about the ships, the captains' names, where the shipment is going, etc. Mentions that British Admiral Charles Hardy has sailed with 53 ships to attack the enemy. Lists men returned safely from East India to Limerick. Reports that they took two French privateers on their way to Limerick. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston were merchants from Madeira.

GLC01450.022.06

3 March 1743

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania gazette. [No. 742 (March 3, 1743)]

Includes international news from various overseas newspapers. Letter from the Cardinal de Fleury to the Marshal Count Koningsegg of the Hague regarding the latter's distributing of a private letter from the Cardinal. Includes King George II's speech to Parliament on 16 November 1742 and an account of the abduction of Joseph Guy by a Spanish privateer. Also, an obituary of Francis Pardigo, aged 114 years old. Domestic news and classified ads inhabit pages 2 through 4. Section reserved for announcing the indentured servitude of residents and the return of runaway slaves.

GLC06670.007

June 24, 1775

Caldwell, Noble, fl. 1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Caldwell

Caldwell remarks that he hopes Andrew had a pleasant trip to New York with General George Washington. Also hopes that the war between Great Britain and [the colonies] comes to an end. He would like to see him in the fall and sends complements to his family. Letter addressed to Mr. Andrew Caldwell, Philadelphia merchant and Commander in Chief of the armed boats of Philadelphia. Docket states letter is from Captain Noble Caldwell. Letter possibly written in Cape Henlopen, Delaware; Caldwell indicates his location as "Capenlopen."

GLC01450.011.01

February 6, 1776

Rice, John, fl. 1776

Letter signed

Title: to Andrew Caldwell

Petition cosigned by Charles Alexander, John Hamilton, James Montgomery, Richard Eyres, Alexander Henderson, James Blair, Gibbs Jones, Benjamin Thompson, and John Chutham. Signers notify Caldwell that William Duncan, gunner of the Washington (a ship) broke from his office to do duty as a private by sentence of a court martial. Some unknown authority then restored Duncan to his former station in violation of the court. Caldwell was Commander in Chief of the armed boats of Philadelphia.

GLC01450.011.03

April 23, 1776

Dougherty, H., fl. 1776

Letter signed

Title: to Andrew Caldwell

Petition cosigned by John Hamilton, James Montgomery, James Davison, Alex Henderson, Hugh Montgomery, Thomas Houston, and Richard Eyres. Signers inform Caldwell that promotions of men from lieutenant to captain are being given by order of seniority. The signers are worried that a William Allen, who is a senior Lieutenant, will be appointed to a command post in the fleet. They do not wish to serve under him and will give reasons why if necessary. Numbered list on p. 2 possibly documenting concepts or people they feel loyalty toward. Starts with Congress, then George Washington and the army,…

GLC01450.011.04

January 30, 1776

Hackett, John, fl. 1776

Document signed

Title: to Andrew Caldwell

Explains a dispute over the demotion of a steward, Benjamin Davis, of the armed boat Dickenson. Argues that due to a trivial difference with Lieutenant Christie, Davis was unfairly and severely punished by being demoted to serve as a private on another boat. Reports that the salary of a private is not enough for Davis to support his family so he refused to serve. As a punishment, he was confined in the guard house. Requests that Caldwell reconsider his decision and reinstate Davis to his former post. Caldwell was the Commander in Chief of the armed boats of Philadelphia.

GLC01450.011.02

8 October 1776

Caldwell, Andrew, 1722-1788

Document signed

Title: [Captain William Greenway's Orders on board the Sloop Congress]

Copy of original orders. States the privateer sloop Congress is ready for sea. Orders Greenway to make prizes of any British ships except those from the islands of Bermuda and Providence. Supplies information on where to cruise and advises Greenway to use his own judgment. Specifies that any captured vessels should be brought to port and gives details on where to bring them according to size and value of the captured ship. Advises to treat prisoners humanely and not to plunder goods aboard captured ships but rather take an inventory. Anyone convicted of plundering will forfeit their…

GLC01450.011.05

February 26, 1783

Lovett, John, 1743-1792

Manuscript

Title: [Lovett family receipt]

Details prize monies and other goods given by Lovett to various ship captains and sailors. Lovett was a privateer ship merchant and captain in Beverly, Massachusetts.

GLC01450.006.15

22 August 1783 - 3 November 1783

Lovett, John, 1743-1792

Manuscript

Title: [Lovett family receipt]

Details prize monies and other goods given by Lovett to various ship captains and sailors. Lovett was a privateer ship merchant and captain in Beverly, Massachusetts.

GLC01450.006.16