circa July 1786

Manuscript document

Title: [Speech of a Chief of the Chipewas]

Discusses finding a way to live peaceably with the settlers. States that they are very poor and asks for clothing, guns, and liquor. Copy, written in the hand of Robert Pemberton, War Department Secretary.

GLC02437.08166

circa 1793

Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813

Autograph document

Title: [Recommendations submitted to the Commissioners regarding the U.S. relations with the Six Nations]

An outline of conduct during the treaty with the Six Nations as recommended by the Commissioners. Promotes and establishes a peaceful relationship between the settlers and Indians. Date previously inferred in pencil.

GLC02437.08196

circa 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Regarding Creek Indians] [incomplete]

Discusses land claims and the conflict and wars this is causing with the Creek Indians. Vigorously argues in favor of a treaty (probably the 1790 Treaty of New York).

GLC02437.08201

1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Vessels and treaties with France]

Lists items regarding treaties between the United States and France, particularly regarding ships and other vessels. Date previously inferred, written in pencil.

GLC02437.08210

January 4 -January 15, 1786

Hawkins, Benjamin, 1754-1816

Manuscript document

Title: [Letters to John Hancock and Joseph Martin]

A set of copied letters to John Hancock and Joseph Martin regarding treaties with the Indians. The first is addressed to Charles Thomson and signed by both Hawkins and Andrew Pickens. The second is addressed to Hancock, dated 4 January 1786 and signed by Hawkins, Pickens and Joseph Martin. The third is dated 14 January of the same year and signed by the same as the previous. The rest are unsigned and dated up to 15 January 1786. Noted as written in Hopewell, a plantation in South Carolina. Evidently relates to one of the three Hopewell Treaties between the U.S. and Cherokee, Choctaw and…

GLC02437.08213

December 1, 1858

Page, Benjamin Price, 1818-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Thanks Marchand for agreeing to deliver her letters to her husband, Thomas J. Page. Worries because "I have seen in the papers most discouraging accounts of the Steamers intended for the Paraguay expedition," but hopes everything goes well. The expedition was a United States Naval operation which sought indemnity for an attack years earlier by Paraguain forces on an American vessel. The showing of superior naval power also allowed the U. S. to secure an advantageous trade treaty with Paraguay. Page captained the U.S.S. Water Witch on a voyage to survey rivers in South America in 1855.…

GLC02680.07

9 June 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Phillips

Written by Heath as American commander in charge of the Convention Army, which consisted of the British prisoners of war from the Saratoga campaign, to General Phillips as the highest ranking officer in captivity with the Convention Army. References Phillips's letter of 8 June 1778 where he complains of restrictions put on the movement of his men. Heath previously gave orders saying the prisoners were not allowed to travel to Watertown anymore. The prisoners were housed in Watertown previously because there were too many to keep them all in Cambridge. Heath says that exchanges have culled the…

GLC04789.01

11 March 1783

Mercer, John F., 1759-1821

Autograph letter

Title: to George Weedon

Discusses waiting for news of a peace treaty to end the American Revolution. Indicates that no major breakdowns in negotiations are anticipated. The British desire "a kind of naturalization for their merchants" and free trade to their islands in the West Indies, which is likely to be conceded. A note on the verso states that he will relay the official communication as soon as it arrives.

GLC06491.01

18 March 1783

Mercer, John F., 1759-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon and William Fitzhugh

Relays information related to the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolution. Discusses a dispatch from Henry Laurens, one the American delegates working on the treaty, that "conveys...the design of the court of London...to disconnect belligerent Powers" and that "the spirit of the Nation is high for the prosecution of the War agt. France." Laurens recommends that the United States "adhere religiously to our engagements with France." Also encloses (not included) and discusses newspapers with pertinent information.

GLC06491.02

1 April 1783

Mercer, John F., 1759-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Relays information related to the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolution. Discusses the possibility of a separate peace being brokered that does not include France. Also discusses the insincerity of some British protestations (revealed in the Robert Livingston - Guy Carleton correspondence) supposedly meant to curb blood shed, "which has disgraced the British Councils thought this war." Comments on the British in New York.

GLC06491.03

11 April 1783

Mercer, John F., 1759-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Relays information related to the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolution. Announces the arrival of an officer in New York with a "Proclamation from the King of Great Britain." Also notes the arrival of vessels from France with dispatches from the American ministers negotiating peace. Indicates that Congress will declare an end to hostilities on the day this letter was written. Discusses opposition and reluctant acceptance of American Independence in Parliament.

GLC06491.04

29 April 1783

Mercer, John F., 1759-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Relays information related to the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolution. Sends a newspaper (not included) with "a very interesting debate in the House of Commons." Also mentions the Robert Livingston-Guy Carleton correspondence, as it relates to executing the provisional peace treaty's call for the British evacuation of New York. Explains the need to be prudent about keeping up American defenses. A post script indicates he misplaced a letter from Weedon from which he was to send an extract from to another person.

GLC06491.05

20 September 1783

Mercer, John F., 1759-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Relays information related to the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolution. Discusses a letter he sent to William Fitzhugh, which was "to be considered in a great measure a joint one." Notes that France has assured the United States that the definitive treaty will not be signed without the Americans, in addition to hinting that "our own facility is running with the British Commerce." Alleges that "we have reason to apprehend that not only great Britain but all the other European Powers, even our friends will pursue the object of deriving advantages from our commerce…

GLC06491.06

9 March 1854

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Scolds his Secretary for not writing by the last mail. Expresses disappointment over the Committee on Foreign Affairs' slowness in passing the treaty due to the "absorbing" Nebraska debate. Feels that the President's amendments will return an unfavorable vote from the committee, which he will not take lying down. Continues in this vein and links this possible outcome to Ward, who he feels is continuing to betray him. Postmarked 8 March (differs from Gadsden's dating), Washington, DC. Imprint in upper left corner depicts a capitol building surrounded by "Congress, Platmer & Smith."

GLC03587.10

22 March 1854

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Tells his Secretary that the treaty is still being decided upon by the Committee on Foreign Relations and hopes for a speedy decision. Rants about politics and opines as to the way things should be done. Discusses personal news. Postmarked 22 March, Washington, DC., and 5 April, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Imprint in upper left corner depicts a capitol building surrounded by "Congress, Platmer & Smith."

GLC03587.11

7 May 1856

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes about his voyage back to Charleston and how the sea air reminds him of home. Reports having received a letter from Washington discussing "angry correspondence on both sides-this must either be Marcy or Pickett." Asks Cripps to store his belongings. Encloses letters for Mrs. Monk (Cripps' mother) and Mr. Cavallier (not included). Imprint in upper left corner reads "G&F, Vera Cruz."

GLC03587.16

23 May 1856

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary about his longer-than-expected journey from Vera Cruz. Discusses his family and personal news. Mentions an upcoming lecture given by Dr. Lynch on the Toleration of Catholicism. Mentions the possibility, and fear, of a war with Great Britain. Talks about politics and the most current issues in Washington: Nicaragua, Mexico, and the Democratic National Convention of which President Pierce should be watchful. Imprint in upper left corner depicts a coat of arms surrounded by laurels, above "Paris."

GLC03587.17

22 June 1856

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Gadsden writes to his Secretary about an upcoming meeting with President Pierce where Secretary of State Marcy "may find himself impeached." Discusses the deception in Washington and is wary of nearly everyone. Imprint in upper left corner is illegible.

GLC03587.18

23 June 1856

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Letter

Title: to John Cripps

Written in the hand of John T. Pickett. Gadsden writes to his Secretary to promptly fix what will become Gadsden's recall. He writes that his recall is wanted by Hargous, Aspinwall, and Marcy so they may plunder Mexico without being watched. Postscript discusses a letter from ex-consul Forbes to Secretary of State Marcy that was printed in the New Orleans Picayune regarding the "lawless enterprises" lead by Gadsden. Imprint in upper left corner from Willard's Washington, D.C. Hotel.

GLC03587.19

30 June 1856

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Scolds his Secretary for not sending a letter in several weeks. Mentions a meeting with Secretary of State Marcy who was "as gruff as a bare, and as inflated with its growlings when pricked." Claims Marcy bullied him and ended the conversation by reminding Gadsden that all evidence pointing to a recall was before President Pierce. Imprint in upper left corner from Willard's Washington, D.C. Hotel.

GLC03587.20

24 October 1858

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary about his lack of correspondence. Has had to rely on newspapers for information about the state of affairs in Mexico. Mentions that the possession of Cuba takes precedence over Mexican diplomacy and that Spain and Great Britain will be placated with payments on their claims in Mexico. Discusses the dirty politics that have claimed Washington. Mentions that all the cities that have been claimed by the United States were once missions and wonders if those lands are transferable to him for colonization purposes. Imprint illegible.

GLC03587.37

February 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: to unknown

Circular letter in which President Jefferson urges the state governments to "carry into effect the militia system adopted by the national legislature." Explains that "None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. to keep ours armed and disciplined, is therefore at all times important," which is particularly important since there had been "an infraction of treaty committed without colour or pretext." Asks for a report on Maryland's military supplies and readiness. The broken treaty Jefferson referred to was the Spanish closing of the port of New Orleans to U.S. shipping in…

GLC08925

3 April 1854

Pickett, John Thomas, 1822-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

U.S. Consul writes that Cripps' friends, Mr. Marquardt (possibly J.B.M. from GLC03587.03 and .06) and Mr. Brunner, have arrived and finds them to be very enterprising. Mentions that Brunner may be deported but reassures him that he will see Brunner through. Has mentioned to Secretary of State Marcy that a military man should be sent to instill law and order south of the border. Discusses the need to reform "consular evils" and will see to it that Marcy is held responsible before the next Democratic National Convention. Calls fellow consul Pleasants "an ass" and says he should not have…

GLC03587.12

8 May 1854

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Expresses disappointment with his Secretary's ambiguous reports from Mexico, especially since the President and Senate look to Gadsden for information. Has had to rely on the "published speculations of fillibusters." Is surprised to hear that Cripps has begun to rely on Doyle, a person who hopes to maintain poor relations between Mexican and U.S. officials. States that the treaty was dismissed but it is rumored that the Senate will create a new one. Discusses politics and news. Imprint in upper left corner depicts a galleon below "Paris."

GLC03587.13

30 May 1854

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary after arriving in Vera Cruz with Mrs. Monk (Cripps' mother), Mrs. Gadsden and two family friends. Asks for news regarding acceptance or rejection of the treaty.

GLC03587.14