5 March 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: Act for making farther and more effectual provision for the protection of the frontiers of the United States

Signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Decided at the first session of the second Congress held at the city of Philadelphia on 24 October 1791. Lists the salaries and allowances for officers and recruits. Mentions employing Indians for compensation. Printed with names of Jonathan Trumbull as the Speaker of the House, John Adams as the Vice-President, and George Washington as the President.

GLC02342

1861-1902

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Orville S. Dewey, 33rd regiment, New York, light artillery] [decimalized]

Nicknamed "Tom" by his family and coming from Buffalo, Dewey served in the army of the Potomac, primarily in Washington at an instructional camp. Many of the letters are addressed to his sister Mary "Mollie" McLean. Dewey stayed in the Army after the war and died of yellow fever in New Orleans during an epidemic only 5 months after re-enlisting in 1867. The collection includes mention of the Petersburg campaign (1864), and includes a carte de visite (unsigned) of Colonel J.P. Gould, who led the 54th Mass. (Colored) Regt., and of his commander William Brewster. Partial inventory available…

GLC02161

1818-1852

Clark, William, 1770-1838

Header Record

Title: Collection of documents re: Indian agents, payments to tribes [decimalized .01-.20]

GLC02146

1 March 1829 - 1 June 1829

Graham, Richard, 1786-1858

Autograph document

Title: Abstract of Annuities paid to Indians by R Graham U.S. Indian Agent

A ledger sheet recording 1829 annuities paid to the Delaware, Peoria, Wea, Piankishaw, Haskaskia, and Kickapoo Indians between March 1, 1829 and June 1, 1829. Lists the amount, location of transaction, voucher number, from whom the funds came and to whom they were paid. Richard Graham's signature is found in the body of the ledger.

GLC02146.10

1871-1881

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Header Record

Title: Letters with wife Nancy, to Rev. & Mrs Shiras [decimalized]

Letters by missionaries from north of the Missouri River, 38 miles north of Santee Mission in South Dakota, describing teaching English, arithmetic, and bible to Yankton Sioux Indians. The collection was written to Rev. and Mrs. Alexander Shiras of the Bureau of Education in Washington, D.C., mostly by either Daniel Hemans or his wife, Nancy Hemans, with the greatest concentration of letters in the early 1870s and early 1880s. Both Nancy and Daniel were Santee Sioux Indians. Daniel joined the mission to the Yankton Sioux as an interpreter and a teacher, and eventually became a preacher.…

GLC02429

3 August 1791

Mifflin, Thomas, 1744-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Thanks the recipient for information in a previous letter, about the "hostile disposition of the Indians on the Frontiers." Shares his hope that federal treaties will ease the recipient's apprehensions and "produce a general peace." Introduces Col. Proctor, Mr. Boone and Mr. Linklain, who have brought the present letter on their trip to the "interior counties," and asks the recipient to help and accommodate them if possible.

GLC02207

30 September 1844

Pelham, William, 1803-1879

Map

Title: [Arkansas survey map depicting land claims]

Depicts a map of the Arkansas surveying district "shewing the extent of Public Survey's in said district on the 30th September 1844." Contains boundary lines, including the Cherokee and Choctaw line, the Louisiana Line, the Missouri line, and the Mississippi River. Little Rock appears roughly in the middle of this map.

GLC02210.02

14 December 1884

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Discusses current events, including recent elections. Writes that Hunt may be in a position to aid the army by influencing the Secretary of War to prohibit army appointments made by politicians. Writes "Try to have a rule adopted by which every officer shall have a 'service record' kept in the A.G.O. setting forth every duty he has performed, & the recommendations of the officers under whom he has served." Encourages military advancement by merit. Hopes the new President (Grover Cleveland, to take office in 1885), will make changes in medical programs for veterans. Encourages Hunt to…

GLC02382.054

7 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to George Washington

A draft of a letter to Washington from Secretary of War Knox sketching out elements of a treaty with the Creek Indians. Signed a public treaty with the Creeks, represented by Alexander McGillivray and all the Creek leaders able to attend. Additional, private articles were signed by McGillivray on behalf of the Creek Nation. Reports that since recent negotiations had failed to produce a peace treaty, and since the informal truce had almost expired, the government felt it necessary to take up new negotiations to protect settler families. Discusses the issues at stake in the negotiation,…

GLC02437.04673

10 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Adams

Written by Secretary of War Knox to Vice President Adams. Thanks Adams for his hospitality at Bush Hill. Mentions criticism of Adams's travels in the Connecticut and New York newspapers. Comments on the "political heresy [of the] American edition of [the] payne pamphlet mentioned in the preface." This is a reference to Thomas Jefferson's endorsement of Thomas Paine's "The Rights of Man," in which he conflated the spirit of the American Revolution of 1776 with that of the French Revolution of 1789. Knox says "he has assured me that the note he wrote to the printer never was intended for…

GLC02437.04986

19 June 1791

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Vice President Adams to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's letter of 10 June. Is happy Knox is pleased with his situation at Bush Hill. Hopes to hear soon "of the Birth of a peaceable son of Mars." Says he did not know about the paragraphs in the New York newspapers. Just heard of the "Lyes" from New Haven yesterday. Does not think the criticism originated with Roger Sherman or Ezra Stiles. Says "The Preface to [Thomas] Paines Nonsense has occasioned much Speculation. It is thought rather early for Electioneering. My head I thank God is not easily diverted from its…

GLC02437.05014

14 August 1790

McGillvray, Alexander, 1750-1793

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Oath of allegiance]

Creek chief McGillivray swears an oath of allegiance to the United States government and swears to obey the President of the United States as well as "orders of the officers appointed over me." He further agrees to obey "the true intent and meaning of the secret articles of the treaty of peace" signed between the Creeks and the American government. Sworn before and signed by Supreme Court Justice John Blair, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and chief clerk of the War Office John Stagg.

GLC02437.04691

16 December 1790

Briggs, Isaac, 1763-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Hawkins

Briggs opens his letter to Senator and Indian agent Hawkins with an allegory of a drunken servant beaten by master; other servants and lower types told the beaten man to commit suicide to escape his situation, others counseled patience, some wanted to take his goods, others to take his position. He was dosed with wormword and in delirium talks on. Briggs quotes his ravings at length. Briggs then shifts to Creek Treaty reception in Georgia: "But excuse the allegorical flight, and I will descend to a more plain, matter-of-fact stile. If, my dear sir, I were detailing the politics or describing…

GLC02437.04798

11 April 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: Memorandum

Memorandum of a meeting of Vice President John Adams, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, and Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Knox's resulting discussion with Lieutenant Colonel [George] Beckwith about Lord Dorchester in Canada and Indian relations, as well as Great Britain's interests in North America. The opening statement of the document reads, " Memorandum of a conversation which passed between the subscriber and Lt. Colonel Beckwith who seems charged with some sort of an informal political commission by Lord Dorchester."

GLC02437.04915

7 August 1791

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he was determined to pursue "the Object relative to the Direction of the Bank which you was so obliging as to advice when I saw you in Philadelphia," but that he has since "abandoned the project & Sold out." Was concerned that if he had a large holding in the bank he would have "to attend its operation," and if he had a small stake he would not accrue "Honor or Proffit." Despite his pull out he claims "I rejoice however at the rising Credit of our Country and expect very soon to see it on a footing, superior to any other whatever." Says that Alexander Hamilton will be gratified…

GLC02437.05109

9 November 1791

Darke, William, 1736-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: to George Washington

Written from Fort Washington, near present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Battle report providing extensive details of the defeat of General [Arthur] St. Clair at the hands of the Miami Indians on the Northwest Frontier. Docketed by George Washington.

GLC02437.05233

22 December 1791

Butler, Maria, fl. 1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by Mrs. Maria Butler, the widow of General Richard Butler, who had been killed that year by Indians in battle in the Ohio Territories. Refers to the death of her husband and the dangerous living conditions surrounding her in the Pittsburgh area. Requests more troops to protect her and her family and the other white settlers in the region, and to hold onto the land that was so dearly fought for by her husband.

GLC02437.05269

January 22, 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Writes that he has not "list[ed] the characters mentioned yesterday to any mortal." Declares that Arthur St. Clair has arrived, and that he has not seen him yet but will this morning.

GLC02437.05296

13 March 1792

Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Received his last letter, which suggests that General [Arthur] St. Clair might not continue in command of the army much longer. This fills him with anxiety. Discusses possible ramifications of the appointment of a new commander. Comments on the difficult situation he has found himself in, between Major [David] Zeigler and Colonel [Samuel] Hodgdon. Explains in some detail the interpersonal conflict among his officers. Comments on the downfall of General [Josiah] Harmar due to his "unfortunate propensity to drink."

GLC02437.05354

January 19, 1792

Barton, Benjamin, fl. 1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Ogden

Lists his location as "Niagara," in Western New York, as he refers to Indians from Geneseo, also in Western New York. Discusses his receipt of reports regarding General [Arthur] St. Clair's defeat at the hands of Indians. Comments on his experiences against various Indian tribes in the North and Northwest.

GLC02437.05294

27 June 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to [Joseph] Brant and Clement Biddle

Contains two sections. The first section is directed to Captain [Joseph] Brant and informs him that he will have fifty guineas to defray his travel expenses to and from Philadelphia. In the second section, Knox asks Clement Biddle to deliver the guineas to Joseph Brant.

GLC02437.05518

24 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Carrington

Informs Carrington that he has received his letters concerning appointments for young officers and that though they generally arrived too late, he will keep them in mind for future consideration. States that there were many more applications than positions. Speaking about the last session of Congress, he writes, "The indian war, and the failure of the last expedition combined with a partial aversion to the government excited much ill humor during the last session. It was thought proper by a party, to levell some shafts at me....Parties will arise in free governments - and party prejudice is…

GLC02437.05558

28 October 1792

Allison, David, fl. 1785-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Mr. Reed brought news from "the falls of the Ohio." On his way to Allison's location, Reed met with Mr. Irwin, who reported that "five or six hundred Indians in the beginning of this month had appeared on the Frontiers of Cumberland and attacked a Station, the event of which I have not learned, that a party of the Militia about seven hundred pursued the Indians, overtook them, and a small skirmish ensued in which it is said about a Dozen Indians were killed the others dispersed in such manner they could not be pursued. I did not learn that any of the Militia were killed…

GLC02437.05671

12 December 1797

Belknap, Jeremy, 1744-1798

Autograph note

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a treaty with the Indians and sends his compliments to him.

GLC02437.07065

14 December 1797

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremy Belknap

Discusses a deed between the Indians and American government.

GLC02437.07069