12 July 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for sending him the trunk of food and writes that it came at a good time because rations have been meager. Jokes that he will take his trunk with him now that he knows it can be carried and will give it furlough when it needs to return home. Writes that he wishes General John Hunt Morgan would massacre all the Copperheads in Indiana and "get massacred himself and all his crew". Also writes that the war would end more quickly if the Rebels "penetrated all the way up to Chicago" as the Northern Copperheads would "get sacked up". Praises Rosecrans and the fall of Vicksburg…

GLC07460.039

circa 1880-1890

Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912

Print

Title: Vicksburg canal

In a lush swamp, two men spy on something unseen, probably the canal. One of the men appears to be a scout, dressed in animal skins and wearing a fur hat. The other man wears a Confederate uniform and peers through a telescope. Both men are armed with rifles, the latter is also equipped with a pistol. Size in extent is for the mount. The actual size of the etching is 20.6 x 26.7 cm. Title in pencil on verso.

GLC00493.29

1795/12/02

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear re: recommending a man to work on canal locks

President Washington recommends an Englishman named Myers, whom he had interviewed.

GLC02794.040

1795/02/15

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Jameson re: the Dismal Swamp Land Co. and profits from slave labor

Responding to Jameson's call for $80 (on behalf of his deceased uncle), Washington writes that he had hoped to see profits from the company since the elder Jameson had the money in his own hands. He notes in passing that the profits would have been "expected to arise from the labor of the slaves...." Washington also mentions the Potomac Canal Company and the timber owned by the Dismal Swamp Company.

GLC02793.003

1813/07/23

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Dev[ereux] DeLacy re: inland navigation, defending Chesapeake Bay

Incomplete. Lined verso. The third line up from the end lacks the line "power. There is a proposition now pending in Congress for an amendment" supplied by the polygraph copy at the Library of Congress. De Lacy came from Charleston, S.C. Most of Jefferson's letter concerns the possibility of stationing warships at Lynnhaven ("Lynhaven") Bay at the mouth of the Chesapeake. Jefferson says that he suggested a canal between Lynhaven River to East River, to allow communication between the Chesapeake and its inner waters near Norfolk. (President Madison rejected the suggestion.) Jefferson…

GLC03084

1864/12

Photograph

Title: Dutch Gap Canal

John C. Taylor, Hartford Conn. Caption: "Dutch Gap Canal. Soldiers at work inside the dam. The mist rising against the bank is caused by a rebel shell, which exploded just as this view was being photographed, December, 1864. These are the original views taken by 'Brady,' the Government Artist, during 1861-2-3-4-5." Shows men working on the canal.

GLC05137.184

1798/04/14

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Earl of Stanhope

Fulton Writes to Stanhope to tell him about how well received his own ideas about canals have been in France, and to convince Stanhope that the British need to adopt his plans as well. Claims that his "small system of canals" will make fortunes for countries that use them, prove vital to trade, and simplify taxation and systems of government. Says he has enclosed two long letters explaining his new system of canals (GLC04661.02 and GLC04661.03). Asks Stanhope to see that the letters are published, so that his ideas can become popular in England.

GLC04661.01

1798/04/10

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter

Title: to Earl of Stanhope

Explains to Stanhope the various reasons that his canal system will be so profitable. Argues that it will speed transportation and increase commerce. Says that it will earn an extra 84 million sterling per year for France if they replace their roads with his canals and that the country will need only to tax shipping to make money. Also argues for the freedom of trade, claiming that if each country produces only what it does best this will force them all to trade freely and fairly and even bring an end to all wars. He closes by saying "superior riches is only to be found in home…

GLC04661.02

1798/04/14

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Earl of Stanhope

Writes that all wars are a waste of money and labor. Improving a country's infrastructure is the best use of these funds and energy, through projects such as his canals. He estimates just how much the canals would save England. Fulton comments: "Manual labor is true riches...There is not true policy but that which tends to multiply the produce of labor and increase the conveniences of life."

GLC04661.03

February 19, 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is annoyed at Knox for not having written in a month and says, "It appears you are done writing me...but I was in hopes we should part friends at least, whenever you found it necessary to shake off your old friend give him a hearing before you adopted such violent measures." Provides Knox with an update regarding the Massachusetts legislature and it is plans to sell lands. Believes they need to do what they must to secure those lands, even if it means paying a little more. Says they "have leave to bring in a bill" for Knox's planned canal and that "it will pass without any difficulty."…

GLC02437.04861

1863/12/5

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is visiting Hilton Head. The quartermasters in this town all "own" houses there. He has received a package, but hasn't had time to open it yet. He has orders to oversee the construction of a canal [the Dutch Gap Canal].

GLC04662.050

1865/1/2

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Notes he is glad to hear his mother liked the tea service, but worries that she has not acknowledge the money he sent. An explosion finished construction on the Dutch Gap Canal.

GLC04662.089

1864 ca.

Roche, Thomas C., fl. 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: View of Linchburg Canal near Rocketts [Richmond, VA]. [1864 ca.]

Canal runs through the center of the image. On the right hand sign, small boats are docked at the landing. A group of men sit in the first boat. In the right center of the image, further off in the background, burnt out buildings are visible. The Capitol building and a church spire can also be seen in the distance. On the left, a barge rests in dry dock.

GLC05111.01.0287