February 27, 1872

Lanman, Joseph, 1811-1874

Letter signed

Title: to J. W. A. Nicholson

Written in secretarial hand and signed by Rear Admiral Lanman to Captain Nicholson of the USS "Lancaster." Orders Nicholson to release John Carroll who was confined for smuggling liquor. He also directs that Carroll be taken from the crew of the barge. Stamp in blue ink says: "U.S. Flag Ship / Lancaster / Feb 27 1872." Written while aboard the USS "Lancaster"

GLC03479.42

27 March 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Relates the story of the bureaucratic infighting involving his resignation. A man named Horowitz wanted to take Henry's place, but Admiral Lee intervened to keep the resignation open. There were accusations of Henry smuggling liquor on board and that he was "a drinking man." His honor was defended though and says "no one will ever say one word against you if I can help it." Creator inferred from content.

GLC03523.21.53

22 October 1864

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Harriet Moore [incomplete]

References receiving her letter of 22 September. Talks about the latest accounts of the elections. Says he is sorry to hear Pennsylvania has probably gone copperhead and that "If she goes for McClellan all I have to say is that I hope the rebels may desolate the state from end to end." Claims that "The men who vote in favor of slavery after the experience of the last few years, are only fit to be slaves themselves, and the sooner they become so, the better." Says New York is the only state to make provisions for sailors to vote and that they received their blank ballots recently. Says 7 on…

GLC03836.76

19 August 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Anna

Writes that there will be no mail going north for the next week, so he is taking the opportunity to write before the last ship leaves so as to relieve his family of any worries regarding his welfare. Reports that many of the men in the company are sick with malaria, including Lieutenant Birmingham and Captain Jackson. Also reports that Major General Peck is now in command of the department. Discusses the change in weather. The department has been relatively quiet except for the capture of five cavalrymen across the river from camp. There was another attempt to capture some soldiers in…

GLC02016.036

19 August 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Rebecca Frick]

Updates his aunt on the letters he's written home. Writes that the weather is changing and becoming cooler. Reports the same news to his aunt as he does to his sister Anna in the previous letter. States that he could really use some gentian bitters, which would help during the current climate and season.

GLC02016.037

21 August 1861

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Lile Miller [incomplete]

Complains about his brother-in-law (Lile's brother). Writes, "...if we leave here for washington i do not think we will Return without fighting they are gathering an immence army there for that purpose but whether we will be engaged in the first Battle or not I cannot tell... i do not think we are in much danger of course we are liable to picked off [sic] by cecessionists for they have every chance while we are on picket... our picket has taken about between five and six thousand dols worth of contraband goods since we have been here..."

GLC02155.005

circa 1880-1890

Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912

Print

Title: Smuggling medicine into the South

Depicts a boat laden with medical supplies being unloaded quickly by a group of men, both civilian and military. A gentleman, perhaps a doctor, climbs down from his perch in a tree, presumably from whence he has been waiting for the shipment to arrive. An ardent Confederate sympathizer, Volck was active in smuggling medicines into the South across the Potomac River. Size in extent is for the mount. The actual size of the etching is 20.4 x 26.6 cm. Title in pencil on verso.

GLC00493.18

7 December 1759

Ellis, Henry, 1721-1806

Letter signed

Title: to William H. Lyttelton (marked "copy")

Georgia Governor Ellis responds to South Carolina Governor Lyttelton's letter about illicit trade with the Cherokee Indians occurring in Georgia. Expresses his desire to discipline those involved with selling arms and ammunition to the Cherokee. Mentions John Williams as one of the people who they have information on; Ellis indicates that he is "determined to treat him with Severity." Also notes that he has sent a circular letter to the merchants supplying the traders (see GLC05228.02) which he hopes will deter them. Discusses the possibility of enlisting the aid of the Creeks in…

GLC05228.01

7 December 1759

Ellis, Henry, 1721-1806

Letter signed

Title: to John Rae, Lachlan McGillivray, Francis McCartan, and others

Circular letter from Georgia Governor Ellis to the merchants and storekeepers in Augusta, Georgia. Informs the merchants that he has learned from South Carolina Governor William H. Lyttelton of their involvement in "a clandestine and most pernicious traffick with the Indians especially the Cherokees." Forbids them from supplying traders with arms, ammunition, and other goods for the Cherokee, "who must be considered in a state of actual War with us." Threatens prosecution and the loss of future Indian trade licenses. Copy sent with a letter to Governor Lyttelton (see GLC05228.01)

GLC05228.02

January 1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The morning paper has brought news of "a peace movement…you cant think how the word peace sounds to us we at once begin to build castles in the air." Writes that Jefferson Davis probably "sees no hopes of ever getting his independance [sic]." It is warm in Louisiana and Damuth writes that he can watch "lots of negro men and women at work on the land…fitting it fer a sugar or cotton crop." Many peddler women come to the army camp with liquor hidden under their clothes and attempt to sell it to the soldiers. Damuth suggests that his family subscribe to the Chicago…

GLC03523.14.80

1802/06/09

Dodge, Amite, fl. 1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear re: rumors of a covert deal for gun powder

Dodge expresses concern that Americans were making covert deals for powder. "[A] letter has been intercepted from [illegible] to some of his friends here in which he says, By all means comply with the agreemt. with the Americans for Powder . . . . This is in every body's mouth." Docketed on address leaf.

GLC02794.049

1701/11/24

Jamison, David, fl. 1619-1717

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: news from New York

Jamison sends word of Lord Cornbury's ill-fated first voyage to the colonies (the ship being forced to return to Plymouth, England when it lost its masts), as well as of a war in Europe in which Germany is fighting France and Sweden is fighting both Denmark and Russia ("the Saxons & Muscovites"). He also writes of a great offense to the Chief Justice of the province, and of legal machinations occuring over John Livingston's importation of (illegal) wine & brandy. Docketed on verso.

GLC03107.00654

1701/11/26

Watts, Robert, fl. 1701

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: discovery of Samuel Vetch's abandoned ship

Watts writes of the suppositions surrounding Samuel Vetch's ship, still laden with its cargo of spirits and furs. Capt. Vetch's journal of the excursion, along with his papers (receipts for the illicit goods and the like), were discovered aboard the abandoned ship, and it is presumed that some of the cargo had been previously off-loaded (adding to hopes of Vetch's survival). Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.00657

1701/11/27

Campbell, Duncan, fl. 1694-1701

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: discovery of Vetch's abandoned ship

Campbell sends the account of Lt. Governor Nanfan pertaining to Samuel Vetch's abandoned ship, in which it claimed contraband items (18 casks of brands, beaver skins, scarlet cloth) were found on board. He says "wee all Long to heare what is become of Capt. Vetch," adding to the mystery of the ship's grounding.

GLC03107.00658

[1763]

Manuscript

Title: Observations on the trade and revenue of North America

The manuscript discusses smuggling and illegal commerce in North America, and how it has become such a chronic problem. It also contains a plan of guard stations on the coast of North America.

GLC03107.04961