December 5, 1780

Lovell, James, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Recipient inferred from content (also, handwriting on the docket matches that on other letters). Signed with initials. Lovell states that he received his letter. Remarks that he will not send him all the bad news that has come to him since the recipient suffers in mind and body. He prompts him to read the Epistle of Bush to Shippen because the writer criticizes Lovell in it. States that Mr. Adams (John Adams) has defended the resolution of March 18 against the opinions of the Count de Vergennes (Charles Gravier) of France. On March 18, 1780 the Continental Congress had passed a resolution…

GLC01450.020.08

March 27, 1781

Lovell, James, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Recipient is inferred from content and from other items in the 1450.020 collection. The handwriting on the docket matches the others addressed to Holton. States he has received letters from Holten and James Carmichael, but not from John Jay. Remarks that he is glad the spirit of the state (Massachusetts) is so high. Reports that Nathaniel Greene has lost a battle. Discusses the action of the French fleet off the Cape of Virginia. Says Holten will have his wish as per Bermuda and mentions the repeal of a former resolve involving imports and exports from the island. Indicates that the dire…

GLC01450.020.13

June 25, 1778

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Mentions that they have accepted their drafts and will pay them in due course. States that they dined with Mr. Brown and his sisters who sailed for England on the 16th on the Duke of York Packet. Informs on the news brought from England by the packet boat. States that British Admiral John Byron and Sir Peter Parker have sailed in quest of French Admiral d'Estaing who passed the straights of Gilbrator on the 7th. Reports on the status of their fleet. Explains that a packet from Philadelphia brought news that the British have rejected the conciliatory plan of the commission (possibly Congress…

GLC01450.022.01

July 7, 1778

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

First page contains a copy of his last letter dated June 25, 1778 (see GLC01450.022.01 for letter). States he has included a copy of the last letter. Advises on the status of accounts and drafts (possibly involving wine trade with Portugal). Explains that a convoy from England has informed them that British Admiral Augustus Keppel's fleet had taken into possession two French frigates and an armed schooner of the Arethusa near the island of Ushant. The fleet also had an engagement with another French frigate and refers him to the Gazzette News for details. This engagement near Ushant was…

GLC01450.022.02

January 15, 1779

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Letter co-signed by R. Sealy and Daniel Parminter. First page contains a copy of his last letter. The copied letter is dated November 24, 1778 and deals with a shipment of wine, brandy, barley, cork, and sundries to India. Informs them that they have taken on partners and will now be known as Montgomery, Sealey, and Co. Reports that he can only give disappointing political news. British Admiral John Byron's fleet has suffered damage and the Somerset has been lost near Cape Cod. The French Admiral d'Estaing has escaped and has probably gone to the West Indies. He requests them to send one pipe…

GLC01450.022.03

March 7, 1779

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Mr. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Letter signed as Montgomery, Sealy, and Co. Discusses their business accounts dealing with wine and brandy shipments to and from Portugal in the first part of the letter. States that they will only send letters by packet boat as other ships are not safe. He describes what has occurred in the Revolutionary War recently, and informs that the British under Admiral Samuel Barrington and General James Grant have captured the island of St. Lucia (December 12-28, 1778), which French Admiral Valerie d'Estaing failed to counteract. The French troops suffered heavy losses. He states that there is great…

GLC01450.022.04

July 24, 1779

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Letter signed as Montgomery, Sealy, and Co. Reports that Spain has finally joined forces with France against England. The Spanish fleet sailed from Cadiz on June 24, 1779 and will join the French fleet. States that they are threatening an invasion in Ireland or England but remarks that British spirits are high. ". . . John Bull's Spirit seems to be roused, and they begin to be unanimous at home, and don't seem to dread them, which looks well." Mentions that the Spanish have already begun to lay siege to Gibraltar but he thinks their attempt will be fruitless as it was at Algiers because the…

GLC01450.022.05

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

October 13, 1779

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Mr. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Letter signed as Montgomery, Sealy, and Co. Details accounts of shipments of wine and sundries. Discusses insurance and safety of the convoys and states that there are 4 or 5 Spanish ships off the coast. Reports that the British fleet is guarding the Channel and a small squadron has gone to Ireland. Remarks that there is talk of peace due to the mediation of the Empress of Russia (Catherine) and the States of Holland who he believes would otherwise be in favor of the British. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston were merchants from Madeira.

GLC01450.022.07

December 7, 1781

Butlers and Matthew (merchants)

Autograph letter

Title: to Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Comments that the war has been obstructing trade and depriving them of writing as often as desired. States they have sent the enclosed via Ostend to ensure it arrives. Comments upon the plentiful harvest of olive trees in the area of Cadiz, Spain but fears that the lack of rain will hurt the crops. Mentions that the convoy from Vera Cruz and Havana has come in with gold and silver, indigo, sugar, and tobacco, but only a bit of cacao, which is likely to be in great demand during the war. Wishes that they will soon see an end to it. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston were merchants from Madeira.

GLC01450.022.08

October 25, 1775

Stanley, Edward H., fl. 1765-1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jelly and Stephen Watson

Recipients inferred from contents of the letter. Countersigned by William Goodwin, Mr. Norris, Henry Jelly, and Stephen Watson. Stanley orders an account of every ship and vessel that has arrived at the port in Dover, England, from North America. He further orders the accounts to include the port from which the vessel has come, names of the master and owner(s), and any intelligence gathered. Also requests that an account be given for every vessel that is equipped from Dover to any part of North America. Letter written at the London Customs House.

GLC01412.63.03

15 June 1775

Goldthwaite, Thomas, 1717-1799

Printed document signed

Title: [Custom's document]

Partially printed document signed by Colonel Goldthwait, who was the commanding officer at Fort Pownall in Maine, and countersigned by his future son-in-law, Francis Archbald, Jr., the clerk at Fort Pownall. Certifies Nathan Pendleton of the sloop Seaflower, clearance to the custom's house of Penobscot Port. Specifies that the sloop was bound for New London, Connecticut, and that there were thirty thousand pine boards and fifteen thousand shingles on board.

GLC01412.63.05

1770-1790 circa

Header Record

Title: [Collection of items related to Jonathan Clarke] [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01450.032

March 31, 1807

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to James Monroe

Madison opposes a British order made in Council on January 7, 1807 prohibiting neutral nations from trading with France, which Madison deems a retaliatory "violation of those rules of law and of justice which are binding on all nations." Discusses the scope and injustice of this order at length. Madison claims this letter, along with other materials provided to Monroe, who was serving as minister plenipotentiary of the United States, contained the information necessary for Monroe to make "representations to the British Government...in order to produce a proper revision of the order."…

GLC01096.01

March 29, 1807

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Manuscript letter

Title: to David Erskine

Clerical copy of a letter written by Madison to Erskine, the British minister plenipotentiary. The letter was sent to James Monroe, the American minister plenipotentiary, along with GLC01096.01. Secretary of State Madison criticizes tactfully and at length the British order made in Council on January 7, 1807 prohibiting neutral nations from trading with France. Considers the measure too extreme and discusses its consequences for trade and international relations. He stresses that President Jefferson seeks to "cultivate harmony, and beneficial intercourse." The British order was a response to…

GLC01096.02

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 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

December 23, 1782 - December 26, 1783

Lovett, John, 1743-1792

Manuscript

Title: [Lovett family receipt]

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

GLC01450.006.18

6 April 1780

Hobby, Wensley, fl. 1780

Manuscript signed

Title: [Lovett family receipt]

Countersigned as a witness by Rebeckah Lovet. Certifying that he promises to sell John Lovett 5/8ths of a full share of his prize from the first cruise of the privateer ship, the Pilgrim, Hugh Hill Commander. Confirms that Lovett paid him $1,100 upon delivery. Lovett was a privateer ship merchant and captain in Beverly, Massachusetts. He served as the agent for the Pilgrim's prizes.

GLC01450.006.19

May 7, 1817

Hill, Hugh, fl. 1780-1817

Manuscript signed

Title: [To all whom it may concern]

Somewhat illegible. Relates to the privateer ship the Pilgrim. Year is illegible but possibly 1817. Hill was the captain of the Pilgrim. Part of a collection of receipts from 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.

GLC01450.006.20

December 7, 1779

Baron, Thomas, fl. 1779

Manuscript signed

Title: [Lovett family receipt]

Certifies that he promises to sell John Lovett half a full share of the prizes from the first cruise of the privateer ship, the Pilgrim, Hugh Hill Commander. Confirms that Lovett paid him $457 upon delivery. Lovett was a privateer ship merchant and captain in Beverly, Massachusetts. He served as the agent for the Pilgrim's prizes.

GLC01450.006.22

April 1780

Murphy, John, fl. 1780

Manuscript signed

Title: [Lovett family receipt]

Front side dated 6 April 1780 confirms receipt from John Lovett of $800 for a share of the prizes of the first cruise of the privateer ship, the Pilgrim, Hugh Hill Commander. Other side details two accounts for prize monies signed by John Lovett. Lovett was a privateer ship merchant and captain in Beverly, Massachusetts. He served as the agent for the Pilgrim's prizes. Dated April 6, 1780 - April 13, 1780.

GLC01450.006.23

February 23, 1779

Johnston, Lawrance, fl. 1779

Manuscript signed

Title: [Lovett family receipt]

Countersigned as a witness by George Raymond. Certifies that he agrees to sell John Lovett half a share of the prizes from the privateer ship the Pilgrim, commanded by Hugh Hill. Confirms that Lovett paid to him $300 upon delivery. Reverse has a note about the account signed by Lovett. Lovett was a privateer ship merchant and captain in Beverly, Massachusetts. He served as the agent for the Pilgrim's prizes.

GLC01450.006.24

December 29, 1806

Hummon, Hannah, fl. 1806

Manuscript

Title: [Lovett family receipt]

Certifies that he received from William Leach $18 for 1/8th of a share of the prize money from the privateer ship, the Pilgrim, commanded by Hugh Hill. Part of 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. He was deceased by 1806. Leach was represented his estate.

GLC01450.006.25