4 November 1827

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Creighton, Jr.

Provides a copy of a statement "which took place in the Senate," discussing allegations of a deal between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay to win Adams the presidency in 1824, in which an investigation into the matter was refused. Asks that it be published.

GLC05462

28 December 1830

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Chase

Writes a long letter to his brother, a lawyer in Lockport, New York, joking about his own poor handwriting and offering advice and admonitions. Discusses politics, "You ask me if I think that Kentucky and Ohio will go for [Henry] Clay. You may depend upon it that every state in the West, except Tennessee, and possibly Illinois, will go for him." States "the Jackson Party is defeated here and can never rally again," but says that he has seen this misrepresented in the newspapers. Writes of Andrew Jackson, "The late message exhibits the President in an attitude of unequivocal hostility to…

GLC05494.02

1784

Zenger, John P., 1697-1746

Book

Title: The Trial of John Peter Zenger...for libel against the government

Howes 26 (related). Printed for Flexney, Holborn; Davies, Russel-Street; Merril, Cambridge; and Eddowes, Shrewsbury. Lord Erskine's copy with publisher's printed dedication. Thomas Erskine, 1750-1823, brother of David Steuart Erskine (11th Earl of Buchan, who corresponded with Lady Catharine Macaulay) contributed to passing Fox's Libel Act in 1792 which helped to blunt the use of libel prosecutions by the Pitt ministry. With bookplate of Gertrude Hamilton on front pastedown.

GLC05652

circa 23 August 1876

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to T. R. H. Johnson

No year cited, but preliminary research suggests the year of publication. Thanks Johnson, editor of The Monthly Elevator, for a bound volume recently sent. Remarks that the Elevator, an African American journal, is "laying the foundation of a literature which will in time reflect credit upon our long oppressed and benighted people." A pencil note at the top states, "An Encouraging word from Hon. Frederick Douglass." Enveloped addressed to Johnson in Washington, Pennsylvania. Includes a three cent stamp.

GLC05312

19 October 1835

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tristam Burges

Denies he is the source of political rumor that Burges "complained of the Treachery of the Whig Party...The party [whom] I had heard that they had dealt treacherously with you in the Senatorial Election." Explains how he heard about the "Treachery" in the election from the newspaper and "public notoriety."

GLC05290

17 July 1862

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

To an unknown recipient (name is illegible), apparently a journalist. Wants the recipient to reply to the enclosed letter (not included) and tell his friends that he has no manual to spare. Says to tell that "You can say that I will furnish you with materials for an article on the great revolution in naval warfare resulting from the Monitors and the inevitable downfall of England as a great naval power which means: as a great power at all!" due to his invention.

GLC05294

10 October 1864

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Letter signed

Title: to William P. Fessenden

Countersigned by E. D. Morgan, Joseph Hoxie, L. Draper, George Opdyke, Shepherd Knapp, Waldo Hutchins, and C.A. Marshall. Recommends to Secretary of the Treasury Fessenden that Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr., be appointed a government agent "for the purchase and sale of cotton and other commodities in the States that have been and are, in rebellion." Greeley was the founder of the New York Tribune and an influential political activist. Opdyke had served as mayor of New York during the city's 1863 draft riots. Hutchins was a prominent New York attorney and future U.S. Congressman. Morgan, former…

GLC05316

4 October 1864

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William P. Fessenden

Recommends to Secretary of the Treasury Fessenden that Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr., be appointed agent for purchase and sale of cotton and other commodities from the Confederate states. Written on "Office of the Tribune" stationery.

GLC05317.01

December 1, 1864

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William P. Fessenden

Recommends to Secretary of the Treasury Fessenden that Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr., be appointed agent for purchase and sale of cotton and other commodities from the Confederate states. With a supporting autograph note signed and dated 7 December 1864 by James Dixon on page two. Written on "Office of the Tribune" stationery.

GLC05317.02

2 January 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Informs Greene of the size of a British expeditionary force of 1600 men under the command of traitor Benedict Arnold. Also mentions conflicting reports of the battle at Blackstock Plantation in South Carolina between Continental General Thomas Sumter and British Colonel Banastre Tarleton, 20 November 1780. He states, "The printers on both sides make it a victory." Wishes him a happy New Year. Postscript in Washington's hand comments that he heard word that Mrs. Greene and the children were well.

GLC07675

20 March 1791

Coxe, Tench, 1755-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Tells Knox he is inclosing "brief remarks upon a subject of public importance." He further asks Knox, "I beg leave to remark that I do not appear to be the writer except to such public Characters as from a sense of duty & from respect I deem it necessary to communicate a copy." The letter does not specify what his remarks actually were.

GLC02437.04884

1 November 1789

Crocker, Joseph, 1749-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates details of George Washington's visit to Boston in October 1789, and praises the Triumphal Arch that was erected to honor the occasion: "The Reception of the President in this Town, was beyond discription [sic] superb: you will see Accounts of it in our Papers but they are vastly short of the real pomp & parade. The Assemblee at Concert Hall, I am enformed by several Gentlemen, was superb beyond description. The Triumphal Arch adjoining the State House is yet standing, & does [g]reat Honor to the Inventors." Mentions an illness sweeping town, noting that it is called the "…

GLC02437.04401

17 July 1782

Dalrymple, William, 1736-1807

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Dalrymple, Quartermaster General of the British Army, to Major General Knox. Sends this letter by Mr. Loring, who was going to Dobbs Ferry. Thanks him for his help in the case of Captain Snow. Sends along the latest newspaper (not included here). Says his departure for Europe may be soon at hand. Gives regards to Mrs. Knox, Colonel Smith and Major Greene.

GLC02437.01491

January 1795

Dandridge, Bartholomew, 1737-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a letter Knox had requested and says the president has no objection to his letter of the 30th being published. Dated "Thursday." Written in the third person and signed in the text.

GLC02437.08120

16 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Later copy of letter written by Knox to Lafayette at GLC02437.03276. Thanks Lafayette for the kind treatment given to his brother William. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase jeweled eagle badges for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati. L'Enfant returned to America in 1784 and brought back many badges purchased on credit. The price proved too high for some officers, which left L'Enfant in a bind. Goes on to say that the Society approved of L'Enfant's conduct and owed 630 dollars to him for his services in France…

GLC02437.03275

October 24, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Says he has probably already heard of the results of the Constitutional Convention. Says "The propositions being essentially different, in many respects from the existing Confederation, and which will probably produce different national effects, are contemplated by the public at large with an anxious attention. The discussions are commenced in the news papers & in Pamphlets, with all the freedom & liberality which challenge a people who are searching by their own experience after a form of government most productive of happiness." Expresses his affinity for a stronger national…

GLC02437.03680

3 January 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written by Brigadier General Henry Knox to his brother William Knox. References receiving several letters from William before he left Boston, but that they took a long time in arriving. Reports on several merchant ships that have been captured. Mentions the birth of another son: "I am happy to inform you that our domestic happiness encreases. Mrs Knox has presented me with another fine boy who was born on the 20th ultimo. he is almost the image of Harry, except that his limbs are rather longer. We name him Marcus Camillus, after a roman republic character to which I early became attached."…

GLC02437.01323

June 12, 1785

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Previously thought Knox's brother William had returned to America, but he recently received news that he had been confined in a house in London since January because he was "disordered in His Head." Reports William is better and "in a few weeks will be able to go out, which he very much desires." Says he wanted to go to London upon hearing the news, but thought better of it as his travels would no doubt be noticed by many and might cause unseemly news about William to get in the newspapers. He sent a trusted family member instead, who has made sure William received proper care. He hopes that…

GLC02437.03155

May 5, 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter provides a detailed update on French politics during the build-up to the French Revolution. Says he is busy in the Assembly of the Notables and has had little time to write. Says his recent letter to Alexander Hamilton will inform Knox of circumstances in the Assembly up until Easter. Wants Knox to inform Hamilton that he does not need to keep a motion he sent to him secret as the newspapers have published it in France. Says Michel Bouvard de Fourqueux, who succeeded Charles Alexandre de Calonne, could not last long (de Calonne had been ousted as minister of finance after suggesting…

GLC02437.03542

19 April 1791

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Lamb has sent Knox two barrels of apples, "best Newtown Pippins" and a bundle of English newspapers for Knox's culinary and reading pleasure.

GLC02437.04919

18 July 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References the letter he sent Henry on 27 June. Updates Henry on his endeavors in London. Says he is still trying to sell Henry's lands even though Gouverneur Morris has been empowered by Mr. [Alexander] McComb to sell the lands. Will proceed as if Morris was not given this power until he hears otherwise from Henry. Has advertised in the Times and the Morning Herald. Will wait another fortnight to see if things develop. Declares that he is concerned about mounting debts and believes the United States government should support its consuls better. Notes Nathaniel Barrett, consul at Rouen…

GLC02437.05071

3 August 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References his letters of 27 June and 19 July that he sent to Henry. Has not received any letters from Henry since the one marked 6 April. States he has not met with any success in selling Henry's lands, not even a single serious offer. Says his feelers in Paris have not met with any more success, noting "The Scioto business has left unfavorable impressions at Paris relative to purchases of land in America." Wants to go to Ireland next week, but needs to secure a loan to settle his debts there first. Claims his prospects are bleak. Reports "I cannot tell what will be my fate," unless…

GLC02437.05099

January 15, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy. Describes the various transportation obstacles that prevented his letters from arriving earlier. Says the St. Lawrence lands are being advertised in two prominent Irish newspapers. Discusses the meeting he had with "the Earl of Westmoreland, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland" (John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland). Says they discussed trade between Ireland and America, and that he will write more about his encounter with the Earl and on the English administration of Ireland at a later time. Asks Knox to thank Mrs. John Jay for introducing him to the "Viscountess Stronghold," whose husband…

GLC02437.04828

7 April 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William had previously sent a packet to Knox that included "Paynes [Thomas Paine] pamphlet in answer to Burke on the french revolution." William tells his brother, "therefore the present is only to enclose you the papers since then, by which you will see from the debates in the English House of Lords and Commons and the preparations making, that Great Britain is about incurring a few more millions of debt, and (if the Empress should prove inflexible which in all probability she will) plunging the greater part of Europe into a War by sea and land - However distressing to humanity such an event…

GLC02437.04907

February 22, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Henry's letter of 19 February. Notes he delivered the letter that Henry enclosed for William Duer. States the January packet from Europe arrived yesterday and he saw a letter from Mr. Brett to General Maunsell. The letter stated "every preparation was making for War by England, although hopes were entertained it would not take place." Goes on to say the letter reported that William Pitt "stood on high ground by being strongly supported by Parliament and the people in general." Says Mr. Fox's supporters left him because of his stance on France. Believes Thomas Paine is going to…

GLC02437.05830