February 10, 1776

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on a safe return from Fort Ticonderoga, where he was retrieving artillery pieces for the Continental Army in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Has had trouble obtaining books on military fortification and asks Knox, who had been a bookseller in Boston, if he could find some. Asks Knox to inform him of what maneuvers are being planned against the British, and promises it will "be most sacredly kept." Mentions that the saltpeter (a compound used in gunpowder) works are proceeding rapidly.

GLC02437.00249

March 2, 1782

Barnes, Richard, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Discusses desertion and black recruits. Is unable to submit a list for men drafted for three years service because so many have left for Annapolis "without my knowledge." Due to these desertions the three year draft has been suspended. Names the only three men drafted "that did not march and were not discharged." These were "William Wakely, Negroe Jess, Joseph Procter (Mulatter)." Docket on verso reads "From Colo. Barnes July 30, 1782." The letter is dated February 30, 1782.

GLC06508.03

31 [August] 1786

Mifflin, Warner, 1745-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Dated as "the 31st of 8 mo." Written by Mifflin as a Quaker abolitionist to Smallwood as Governor of Maryland. Says he remembers Smallwood's treatment toward him during the Revolution with esteem. Extensively explains his Christian anti-war stance, especially denigrating the idea that war in self-defense is sanctioned by Christianity. Says that United States was given its independence by God in displeasure, because of the sin the nation lives in. Condemns the practice of enslavers in Maryland separating families when they sell enslaved people. Wonders what the fate of the United States will…

GLC06508.09

1862/03/07

Moms, Joseph W., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: George M. Morris.

Joseph's division is close to the Confederate forts which have fired at the camp but have not hit anyone yet. The soldiers "holler[e]d over to them if they co[ul]d not dew any better than that they had better quit." They are two miles of Yorktown where "Cornwallis gave oup [up] his sword to Washington." General McClellan, who "was dressed verry common," is with the division and "has sent a flag of truse to General McGruder." Joseph assumes "the ball will be opened this afternoon if they dew not surrender." He was on picket 300 yards from the forts while the Confederates, "belching and…

GLC06451.027

1862/05/01

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "Much Esteemed Friend."

Wilmor reports that "Niggerdom is a question that is talked over in camp verry much." The men think Congress had better find a way to pay the soldiers at the appointed times. He describes their line of defense, which is within a mile of the Confederates, on "the same ground that Washington had his armey on before the sur[r]ender of Cornwallis." He thinks the Confederates will be surprised when the Union cannons "open the[i]r mouthes an[d] begin to bark at them think of 2000 ball[s] an[d] shells per minut[e]" flying through the air. Written at Camp Winfield Scott.

GLC06451.047

March 31, 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Loves her and thinks of her constantly. Thinks America will soon rise and Britain fall. Sees the recent arrival of arms as a positive sign from above. Feels the war has lost all virtue. If not for her he think he would not have the will to live. Decides to sell his horses to help William Knox raise money. Thinks Colonel Jackson can help with this, feels they are worth one hundred pounds, and hopes to sell them to a jockey named Cook.

GLC02437.00560

9 Feburary 1783

Niven, Daniel, 1742-1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Edward McAuley]

Captain Niven recommends McAuley for a twelve day leave of absence. Directs his recommendation to Major General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.09633

February 20, 1783

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Captain Jackson]

Colonel Crane recommends Jackson for a leave of absence until 1 May 1783. In a post script, recommends Jackson for furlough until 15 April if 1 May is unacceptable. Directs his recommendation to Major General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.09651

February 20, 1783

Beatty, Reading, 1757-1831

Manuscript document

Title: [Documentation of Captain McElhattan's injury]

Beatty, surgeon for the Pennsylvania Artillery, attests that McElhattan "received a hurt on his lame shoulder some time ago, & has not been able to join his regiment before this time." Written at the barracks of Philadelphia.

GLC02437.09652

February 20, 1783

Andrews, Asa, fl. 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Return for army prisoners]

Lists men by regiment with rations issued. Countersigned by an E. Hopkins and John Doughty with a note from Samuel Ackley. Place writ from note.

GLC02437.01936

March 31, 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Document

Title: [Certification concerning Ephraim Dayton]

Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp, certifies that Dayton, from Fairfield, New Jersey, has served in the artillery since 8 February 1777. On verso, paymaster J. Hubbell certifies that Dayton has been paid up to 1 March 1780. Lists clothing Dayton received 1777-1780.

GLC02437.09549

March 31, 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Document

Title: [Recommendation for the honorable discharge of Sergeant Ephraim Dayton]

Asserts that Dayton is from Fairfield, New Jersey, and has served the United States since 8 February 1777.

GLC02437.09553

March 31, 1783

Batten, Thomas, fl. 1783

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision return]

Countersigned by John Doughty with a note on verso from John Armstrong. Lists men by company with issued rations.

GLC02437.02045

March 31, 1783

Manuscript document

Title: Provisions issued for Major General Henry Knox and his family in March1783

Lists provisions and amounts.

GLC02437.02051

1778/05/05

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall re: ordering reinforcements to New York area

Writing to McDougall at Fishkill, concerning getting reinforcements for the area about New York, especially in the Hudson Highlands. Washington notes that Americans should not take for granted the help of France in winning independence; he does not want Americans to "relapse into a state of supineness." In the handwriting of Washington's military secretary and aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman.

GLC06767

1781/07/01

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Col. Charles Stewart re: requesting provisions for attack on British

Stewart, Commissary to the Army, is ordered by Washington to provide "four days provisions" to enable a surprise attack on the British. General Benjamin Lincoln led the attack down the Hudson River, but the British were alerted, fortified their positions on the Harlem River, and fended off the attack. In the handwriting of Washington's military secretary and aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman.

GLC06768

1782/08/06

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edmund Pendleton re: waiting foreign dispatches on peace talks; selling slave

Awaiting news of peace talks and personal advice regarding impossibility of selling a slave. Madison notes that while European newspapers "teem with paragraphs relative to pacific negotiations" but past British policy "should always restrain our hopes of peace from circumscribing our preparations for war." In July 1782 the Earl of Sherlburne took over the ministry and in early August he agreed to enter formal negotiations with the Americans. Madison also talks about selling a slave: "Upon recollection, it will be impossible to dispose of the slave in this state[,] there being a legal…

GLC06757

1783 ca.

Norton, John, fl. 1783

Manuscript document

Title: Forwarding a memorial of the Six Nations [Iroquois] to the British

Document requesting compensation from the British for the loss of their lands in the United States during the Revolutionary War. "That in consideration of the loyal attachment and exertions of the Six Nations in his Majesty's service during the American war, and the loss of their lands in consequence thereof...." Seeks confirmation of a land grant. Norton was an adopted Chief of the Iroquois Indian nation.

GLC06763

1778/03/28

South Carolina

Pamphlet

Title: An Act to oblige...to give Assurance of Fidelity and Allegiance...[loyalty oath]

Pamphlet. In part: "any Person refusing or neglecting to take said Oath... shall be adjudged guilty of Treason against this State...." Sabin 87627. Stab-stitched. Large tear on titlepage, not affecting text.

GLC06765

1778/05/09

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Broadside

Title: An Address of the Congress to the Inhabitants of North America

An important statement of the Continental Congress (subscribed by Laurens, as President of Congress), concerning the origins of the Revolutionary War, the cruelty of the British, certainty of Independence, call to Arms, the resources of America; eventually "the full tide of wealth will flow in upon your shores." Printed at Boston by Powars & Willis.

GLC06779

1797/11/08 ca.

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Manuscript

Title: Listing 16 patriotic toasts given at reception in honor of President Adams

The toasts includes those given to the United States, the Constitution, the Vice President, Congress, the Congress of 1776, foreign ministers, George Washington ("we profoundly venerate his virtuous character"), Kosciusko (struck and reinserted), Independence, the Administration, Lafayette, the press, etc.

GLC06928.02

1839/03/06

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anthony Collamore re: pensions for Revolutionary War veterans' widows

Letter of Adams, with conjugate leaf (p. 3) containing clerical "Copy of Mr. Edward's letter to Hon. J.Q. Adams." Docketed p. 4. (Text loss on page 1 to center lower left affecting some words.)

GLC06933

1777/07/15

Trumbull, Jonathon, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ezekiel Williams re: the exchange of prisoners taken on Long Island

Address leaf is damaged. Docketed on back of letter.

GLC06902

1780/05/02

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Hudson & Co. re: the purchase of materials for the war effort

GLC06903

1778/11/10

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Hudson re: his financial situation

"[I] perceive you determine to make hay while the sun shines... I only caution you to keep fairly in view the preservation of punctuality in payments, well knowing that this produces more lasting advantages, than even the possession of wealth with strained credit." With postscript on p. 3.

GLC06904