24 November 1777

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roger Sherman

Discusses the surrender of John Burgoyne, Cornwallis' movements, and the loss of Red Bank, among other activities in the Revolutionary War. Also mentions international relations and naval activities. Supports the Articles of Confederation, comments on the need for the states to compromise with each other, and discusses other issues pertaining to the formation of the United States. With a long signed postscript that updates his comments on the war.

GLC04808

1775

Russell, Ezekiel, 1743-1796

Broadside

Title: Bloody Butchery by the British Troops [First printing]

Printed and sold by Ezekial Russell. Printed broadside in three columns with woodcut mourning borders and two rows of forty woodcut coffins (each captioned with the name of an American casualty). Detailed narrative of battles at Lexington and Concord. References: Evans 13898; Ford, Massachusetts Broadsides 1792; Streeter, American Beginnings 41; Winslow, American Broadside Verse 28.

GLC04810

23 June 1782

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Livingston, then Secretary of Foreign Affairs, notes on the benefits of the British surrender at Fort St. Phillips. Comments on the "distrusts and jealousies between Spain and the People of the Country," discussing disruptions to the Havana trade and the surrender of the Bahamas to Spain. Suggests that it is strange that the Dutch United Provinces acknowledged American sovereignty before Spain. In regard to military activities, mentions the rejection of British General Alexander Leslie's proposal to General Nathanael Greene for a cessation of hostilities. Comments on the strengthening of…

GLC04814

October 31 1774

Dawe, Philip, fl. 1750-1785

Print

Title: The Bostonian's Paying the Excise-man, or Tarring & Feathering

Engraving attributed to Philip Dawe, with hand-coloring. Shows the Boston Tea Party in the background, a "Liberty Tree" with a paper "Stamp Act" affixed upside-down, with five unsavory Bostonians forcibly pouring a pot of tea into the mouth of a tarred and feathered tea excise collector. Printed for Robert Sayer and J. Bennett, October 24, 1774. Dawe was a British mezzotint engraver.

GLC04961.01

4 July 1833

Everett, Edward, 1794-1865

Pamphlet signed

Title: An address delivered before the citizens of Worcester.

Discusses the consequences of dissolution of the Union in the immediate aftermath of the Nullification crisis. Written during the Nullification crisis. "I know, indeed, that the dissolution of the Union would be the source of incalculable injury to every part of it; as it would, in great likelihood, lead to border and civil war, and eventually to military despotism" (page 9). Describes the Union as a pillar of American independence. Speaks of celebrating the Fourth of July and remembering the founding fathers and the Revolutionary War. Details the history of the United States from…

GLC04972

25 December 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Expresses frustration with contradictory accounts from New York. Updates Washington on the movements of the British fleet and states that Benedict Arnold boarded one of the vessels. Reports that he does not know if they have sailed yet. Gives information on Arnold's activities and says he was definitely in New York on Saturday 23 December because he was seen by someone. Remarks that he is attempting to form an intelligence network, "I am endeavouring to form a Chain of Intelligence & will succeed if practicable - should any thing material turn up you may be assured of being Informed…

GLC04863

2 April 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Whipple to Langdon. Both were members of the Continental Congress from New Hampshire. Whipple would sign the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, while Langdon would leave Congress in June 1776. References Langdon's letter of 19 March 1776. Rejoices over arrival of two powder vessels. Asks "what think you of the Retreat of the Barbarians from Boston, it will be a pretty story to tell their Master"? Says Admiral Hopkins was at New Providence, North Carolina where he found 200 cannons and many cannonballs, but no powder. Says the people of North Carolina took 1800 stands of…

GLC04866

August 12, 1776

Williams, William, 1731-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jabez Huntington

Summarizes affairs in first weeks of independence. Opens by commenting on his arduous journey to Philadelphia to join the Continental Congress. Informs that Silas Deane has arrived from France with the report of the French court's unfavorable reception of the American request for aid. Discusses the Declaration and comments that it has spurred the colonies to form governments. Informs that South Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey have established them and indicates who these colonies have chosen or might choose for governors. Mentions John Alsop, a Continental Congress member from New…

GLC04867

circa 1781-1782

Hanson, John, 1715-1783

Printed document signed

Title: [Congressional certificate authorizing vessels to engage in military activity]

Signed below seal by John Hanson. Countersigned by Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. Contains blank spaces designated for the name of commander and vessel, the vessel's weight and type, and the number of men on board. Created to authorize vessels (possibly privateers) to "set forth ... in a warlike manner ... to attack, subdue, seize, and take all ships and other vessels, goods, wares and merchandizes, belonging to the King or Crown of Great Britain ..." Features paper seal.

GLC04870

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Augustine Moore house in disrepair, Yorktown, Va. [1861-1865 ca.]

The house, in which Lord Cornwallis signed the capitulation of 1781, is in poor condition, with planks missing from the sides and roof. A group of soldiers are on the left looking at the house and one of them is pointing directly at it.

GLC05111.01.0539

15 May 1861

Peyton, William M., 1805-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: A written and printed version of a letter from William M. Peyton to William Cabell Rives discussing Virginia's secession [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC05021

1882

Smith, William Henry, 1833-1896

Book signed

Title: The St. Clair papers: The life and public service of Arthur St. Clair: Soldier of the Revolutionary War; President of the Continental Congress; and Governor of the North-Western Territory with his correspondence and other papers

Published by Robert Clarke & Co., 1882. Signed by former President Rutherford B. Hayes on 11 February 1882. Includes some of St. Clair's addresses and correspondence. Contains ordinances and treaties related to the Northwest Territory. This is the second of two volumes.

GLC05106

6 October 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to William Alexander

Remarks upon the importance of information received from spies. "Every minutiae should have a place in our collection: for things of a seemingly triffling nature when conjoined with others of a more serious cast may lead to very valuable conclusions." States that what the British are foraging and amassing in New Jersey may tell them something about their plans. Asks him to collect information about this and other circumstances that may help ascertain the British movements.

GLC06193

1888

Wilson, Joseph T., 1826-1891

Book

Title: The black phalanx; a history of the negro soldiers of the United States in the wars of 1775-1812, 1861-1865.

Published by the American Publishing Company. States that Wilson, an African American, served in the 2nd Regiment, Louisiana Native Guard Volunteers, and in the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteers. Includes text and illustrations related to the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Contains a photo of Wilson, located opposite to the title page. Wilson dedicates the book to commanders of African American troops, stating "If what I have written shall call to your minds, and present justly to the patriotic public, the indescribably hardships which you endured on the march…

GLC06192

26 November 1778

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Letter signed

Title: to William Alexander

Laurens, a Continental Congressman, informs General Alexander, Earl of Stirling, of a "packet" from Admiral Gambier (possibly James Gambier). States that the packet pertains to "Lieut. Hale & others who were Shipwrecked in a Vessel on the Jersey Shore said to have carried a flag in order to dispense Manifestos." Relates that though Gambier does not think the persons involved in the shipwreck should be detained, Congress has "a twofold reason for differing with him- These people have not only called, but, in every Instance where it might de done as they thought with impunity, treated us…

GLC06194

1859

Chappel, Alonzo, 1828-1887

Print

Title: Lord Stirling at the Battle of Long Island

This hand colored steel engraving is printed by Virtue, Emmins and Co. of New York. Original painting by Alonzo Chappel, engraving by W. Ridgeway. Rich color probably not contemporary. Mounted on acidic card stock. Overall measure is 27.6 x 30.1 cm.

GLC06195

8 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Attesting the deceased Jonathan Horton served in the army]

Attests that doctor Jonathan Horton served in as a surgeon in the military, even though his name does not appear in hospital books or on rolls. States that his widow is therefore entitled to his pension, since he died of a "putrid fever while Officiating in the public service." Noted as "duplicate." Docket is on a piece of paper separated from the document.

GLC06199

December 1870

Arkansas. Supreme Court.

Manuscript document

Title: [Gideon Pillow v. Brown & Childress as executor of John Pointer, appeal from Philips Circuit Court]

Supreme Court of Arkansas case. Involves Pointer's sale of 85 slaves to Pillow on 28 December 1860. Discusses the legitimacy of enforcing slavery related cases. Focuses on unpaid debt, and interest on unpaid debt, that might have accrued during the course of the Civil War. Cites an earlier precedent from the 18th century: "This question first arose in the United States shortly after the War of 1776 and it was held that on contracts made before the War, when the parties belong within the opposing forces, that the debt was suspended and that interest did not run (accrue) unless the creditor…

GLC06244

1809

Lamb, Roger, fl. 1809

Book

Title: An original and authentic journal of occurrences during the late American war

Signed by William Steele.

GLC06246

1777

Pemberton, Israel, fl. 1777

Pamphlet

Title: An Address to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, by those freemen, of the city of Philadelphia, who are now confined in the Mason's lodge.

Title continues: "by virtue of a general warrant, signed in council by the Vice President of the council of Pennsylvania." Signed on p. 52 by Pemberton and twenty-one others. Includes copies of orders of the Supreme Executive Council, remonstrances addressed to the Council, and other papers upon the state's arrest of Quakers (including himself) on suspicion of Loyalist sympathies during the Revolutionary War, and their confinement without a hearing or trial. Printed by Robert Bell. Evans 15496.

GLC06258

February 23, 1781

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Howley

General Gates encloses a letter from Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson (not included). Discusses Lord Cornwallis's advance into Virginia, arguing against those who think the action rash because of the support Cornwallis may have from General William Phillips in North Carolina and Benedict Arnold "in his front." Asserts the possibility of Cornwallis defeating General Nathanael Greene and making a cooperative maneuver with General Henry Clinton before the Continental Army is recruited and equipped. Comments on his desire for additional news and to travel to Philadelphia. Also discusses the…

GLC06278

2 November 1781

Anderson, Alex, fl. 1781

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Anderson, a British Naval surgeon during the American Revolution, writes to his wife about naval engagements, his travel to the West Indies, her access to money, their correspondence, and his affection for her. Also discusses news of "the capitulation of Cornwallis" at Yorktown. Expresses his desire that "this winter will bring about a Peace. for it is every ones Opinion here, that America is lost to Great Brittain and must obtain its Independence."

GLC06282

January 1777- June 1778

North, Benjamin, fl. 1777-1778

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Receipt book noting supplies for the Continental Army]

Includes the faint signature of [Robert E. Turner?] on the outer front cover. The first entries are recorded at Peekskill; subsequent locations include White Plains, Fishkill, and Continental Village, New York; Stamford, Connecticut; Morristown and Bound Brook, New Jersey, among others. North, possibly a Quartermaster in General George Washington's army, record amounts paid for supplies. Records the purchase of hay, horses, oxen, carts, and horseshoes, among various other items. Also records payment for services, such as for driving oxen.

GLC06300

14 August 1777

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Mitchell Varnum

Written by Major General Greene to Brigadier General Varnum. Greene was with Washington's's army and Varnum was in Peekskill to defend against a link-up between Burgoyne's offensive and any possible expedition from New York City. References Varnum's letter of 8 July 1777. Mentions that he is confused by the strategic moves of the British toward Philadelphia saying "this Manoeuvre of General Howes is so strange and unaccountable that it exceeds all conjecture. General Burgoyne's rapid marches into the country is a strong proof to me that he expects to be supported from some other quarter…

GLC06320

4 September 1775

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Josiah Bartlett and John Langdon

General Sullivan writes to Bartlett and Langdon, Continental Congressmen from New Hampshire. Discusses a lack of gunpowder, stating "the State of our powder is Shocking we dare not use our Cannon Lest we Should Loose the advantage of our Small Arm before the Last powder arrived... believe me Gentlemen The victory is ours as Soon as we are furnished with ammunition..." Requests that Alexander Scammell is approved by Congress as his Brigade Major and that Quartermasters are appointed to each brigade to serve under Major Mifflin. Requests regulation and improved conditions within military…

GLC06337