23 April 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Myers

Discusses the artillery of the army and corrects a mistake regarding the placement of the dolphins for the guns. Also discusses placement of the "Arms of the United States" on artillery. Closes by saying that "Although peace has taken place" he still wishes to have six of the howitzers cast "as soon as possible." Signature is partially torn off.

GLC02437.02111

circa June 19, 1783

Society of the Cincinnati, 1783-?

Manuscript document

Title: [Constitution of the Society of Cincinnati]

Knox's copy of the Constitution of the Society of the Cincinnati. Knox has docketed on the first page saying "Cincinnati Constitution of &c." This document consists of the minutes of the 10 May 1783 meeting regarding proposals to establish the Society of the Cincinnati (p.1), minutes of the meeting of 13 May 1783, during which the constitution was accepted (p.1), the constitution (titled "The Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati) (pp. 2-9) which is clerically signed for Baron von Steuben, and the minutes of the 19 June 1783 meeting. Also includes a transcript of a 3 June 1783…

GLC02437.02122

28 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Billings

Written by Major General Knox to Captain Major Billings. Says that General Washington directed him to forward two cannons to Billings to be engraved in a similar fashion to the cannon done for Count De Rochambeau (see GLC02437.02198). These cannons are for Count De Grasse and reports that the inscription to be engraved will be sent from headquarters. Would like to know how long it will take. Hastily written postscript asks that the design for Rochambeau's cannons be sent if he still has them as it will be necessary to make some alterations to the emblems and coat of arms.

GLC02437.02199

28 June 1783

Billings, Andrew, 1743-1808

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for cannon]

Receipt of two brass cannons from General Knox by the hand of Captain Buchanan for engraving.

GLC02437.02196

28 June 1783

Billings, Andrew, 1743-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Captain Major Billings to Major General Knox. References a previous letter from Knox that arrived with 2 brass cannons -- says he will "set about them as soon as the directions arrive, and will finish them as soon as possible." Billings is engraving the cannon for Count De Rocheambeau (see GLC02437.02199) also has designs relating to the Society of Cincinnati but he claims the "design [is] ... so defased and torn that they are unfit to be seen, if that is wanted I will draw it over and send down, I have a design now drawn which if aproved off may suit for those cannon for sake of…

GLC02437.02198

23 November 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bowdoin

Written in the thrid person and signed in text. Informs Bowdoin that he will depart for New York on 24 November, and offers to transmit letters to Lady Temple. Notes that the "Marquis de Santa Cruz, and Duque de Almodovar are the [Grandees] of Spain who would be highly flattered by being admitted to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences."

GLC02437.04033

24 November 1788

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Agrees to propose the admission of two Spanish noblemen to the Academy of Arts and Sciences based on Knox's request (GLC02437.04033). Asks Knox to inform him of their titles and "literary character." The Spanish noblemen are the Marquis de Santa Cruz and the Duque de Almondovar (the VII Marqués de Almodóvar del Río, Pedro Francisco Ximénez de Góngora y Luján).

GLC02437.04034

16 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Breck

Writes that this letter will be handed to Breck by Mr. John Henry, who works for the American Theatre. Since Pennsylvania has repealed laws against dramatic performance, Mr. Henry wants to expand his theatre into that state. Contends that the theatre under the direction of Mr. Henry and a Miss Hallan is conducted with the greatest propriety.

GLC02437.04292

December 1783

Manuscript document

Title: [Abstract of extra issues for December 1783]

Lists extra issues for barge men, musicians, New York levies, Rhode Island line, garrison and artillery artificers, German deserters, police officer garrisons, and express riders.

GLC02437.02892

17 September 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes, "I cannot refrain from communicating the joy I feel, and the pleasure manifested by the officers in general, upon the noble testimony of gratitude exhibited by Congress in their resolve concerning the equestrian statue..." Requests information regarding an officers' petition to Congress in which officers would be granted lands in place of their back pay. Assures Washington, "Were the prayer of the petition to be granted, the officers in a very few years would make the swift settlement on the frontiers, and form a strong barrier against the barbarians…

GLC02437.10138

4 September 1846

Thomas, Lorenzo, 1804-1875

Autograph document signed

Title: to John Anthony Quitman

Written from camp near Camargo. Thomas transmits orders prohibiting the discharge of firearms near camp and restricting non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates from leaving camp, among other details. One bust engraving of Thomas included as collateral.

GLC02456.30

circa 1890-1899

Randall, James Ryder, 1839-1908

Autograph quotation signed

Title: Verse one of poem "Maryland, my Maryland"

On stationary printed "United States Senate, Washington, D.C." Date is also printed "189_" but exact year is not filled in.

GLC02453.03

May 1914

Header Record

Title: American literary figures: 36 letters, quotes and documents [decimalized .01-.37]

Hopkinson was a congressman, jurist and author of the lyrics to "Hail Columbia!"

GLC02453

8 June 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Washington answers a question from Knox. States that under a resolution of Congress of 23 April 1783, musicians are not entitled to take firearms home with them on furlough or disbandment. Notes that they should be allowed to take their drums & fife. Docketed by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide.

GLC02437.09387

23 September 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses gratitude for Knox's praise of Washington in the context of Congress's resolution "That an equestrian statue of General Washington, be erected at the place where the residence of Congress shall be established," passed on 7 August 1783 (and later completed by sculptor Thomas Crawford in the nineteenth century). Informs Knox that he has continued to lobby in support of the Officers' Petition for a large land grant in the Ohio Valley in lieu of back pay, but that the petition is being held up by continued negotiations between Congress and the state of Virginia (in whose territory the…

GLC02437.09401

circa 1910

Jenkins, James H., 1841-?

Header Record

Title: [Decimalized .01-.03]

GLC02484

27 March 1872

Hay, John, 1838-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Nast

Hay writes, "I was no less surprised than delighted at receiving your precious gift. I never expect men of genius to keep their promises any more than women of beauty. But I am all the more grateful, and shall leave this picture with especial pride to my brother's grand children." Possibly to Thomas Nast, the famous caricature artist.

GLC02490.08

28 March 1850

Quitman, John Anthony, 1798-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Cancels an appointment to sit for his picture. Impression in upper left corner reads "P & H" within a filigree emblem.

GLC02494.08

28 November 1826

Trumbull, John, 1756-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Bulfinch

Listing titles for Trumbull's four existing Revolutionary War paintings in the rotunda of the Capitol and four he proposed to create for the rotunda's empty recesses. The extant paintings depicted Independence Day, Saratoga, York Town, and Annapolis. Trumbull was not commissioned for the proposed paintings of Bunker Hill, Quebec, Trenton, and Princeton. He hoped these paintings would create a "series of the History of the Revolution." He also suggests engraving keys (to the people in the paintings) in the printed guide to the Capitol, rather than placing them directly under the paintings.…

GLC02510

11 April 1882

Brooks, Phillips, 1835-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Holbrook

Brooks, an influential American Episcopal bishop, informs Holbrook "I have received your note of kind appreciation & acknowledgement of my small help at St. Paul's during Lent. I am sure you will believe that it was a great pleasure to come & that I enjoyed my visits very much." Written on stationery with "233 Clarendon Street. Boston" printed in top right corner. Brooks is author of the song "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

GLC02504.03

1834-1902

Header Record

Title: Theater and Entertainment: 8 Letters and Documents [decimalized]

GLC02508

January 14, 1865

Booth, Edwin, 1833-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Adam Badeau

Writes that the only spare room he has is for the Clarkes and the spare bed for John Wilkes. Remarks that Badeau is a bit sensitive. States that he will go downtown to visit Badeau soon. Includes a card with Edwin Booth's signature and is dated February 1884.

GLC02508.01

7 June 1895

Root, George F. (George Frederick), 1820-1895

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Letter and lyrics of Root's song "Tramp, tramp, tramp the boys are marching"]

Root, an American songwriter, thanks Mr. Massett for poems, and transmits the lyrics of "Tramp," a song that became popular during the Civil War.

GLC02467.22

1865

Kimmel, & Forster, fl. 1864-1865

Print

Title: Columbia's noblest sons

Print of Columbia crowning an image of George Washington and an image of Abraham Lincoln with laurel leaves. To the left of Washington are images from his presidency and the American Revolution, and on the right of Lincoln are images from his presidency and the Civil War. At Columbia's feet are broken shackles, an eagle, and cannons. She is stepping on a lion, which might represent the British Empire. Marked "Lithog. & print by Chr. Kimmel & Forster 254 & 256 Canal St., N.Y." Copyrighted by Henry & William Voight and published by "Manson Lang, 512 Broadway, New York."

GLC02597

1837-1908

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Header Record

Title: Robert H. Stafford Collection [Decimalized .01- .98]

Stafford enlisted as a sergeant in the 12th Alabama infantry. Contains letters and newsclippings about the Peninsula Campaign, advance into Maryland, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Early's raid on Washington, D.C. Preliminary inventory included.

GLC02618