June 9, 1811

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Williams

Burr writes about his trial for conspiracy against the United States. States that the vindictive temper and conduct of Judge Thomas Rodney have induced him to withdraw from public view. Remarks that he will continue to submit to civil authority as long as he is assured he will be treated with the same rights as other citizens. Wants to be informed of the arrest charges and bail. Requests assurance that he will not be sent out of the territory or subjected to any military authority. Note on address leaf signed by Caesar A. Rodney and dated June 9, 1811 reads, "a base calumny by a traitor to…

GLC01524

August 27, 1916

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Treadwell

On his Sagamore Hill letterhead, Roosevelt thanks Treadwell for her letter to him and his wife. Written from, or just after a trip to France during World War I: "your letter brings vividly before my eyes the terrible suffering and high heroism of France, and the joy in service felt by you and the men and women like you. This war has shown that the right type of woman can do her full share of the work of war just as the right kind of man does his." He closes by condemning all pacifists as German collaborationists, and adds, "if I had my way I would disenfranchise all the pacifists of both…

GLC01518

July 8, 1780

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Titus Homer

Encloses a certificate from the Board of War (not included), needed to settle his pay. Arnold informs Homer that he will accept the command of West Point. Although Homer was a friend of Arnold, he probably was unaware of his treasonous plans. Possibly a retained draft, with several deletions in the text by Arnold.

GLC01542

July 25, 1807

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Rhea

Burr states that he is writing reluctantly to ask his attention to a matter concerning the plans for defense at his treason trial. States that George Morgan and his sons John and Thomas of Princeton, New Jersey have sworn before the grand jury about conversations that did not take place. Discusses plans to discredit their character and mentions three men in Princeton who might be willing to do this; Daniel Agnew, John Hamilton, and William Hight. Implores Rhea to procure men of a higher character to testify on the bad credit of the Morgan's. Conveys that if Rhea is reluctant to do this, he…

GLC01544

April 21, 1865

Park, William E., fl. 1855-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Mr. Newton

Writes to his cousin about the Union soldiers' reaction to the assassination of Lincoln. States that "the boys are in for exterminating the Rebels altogether." He also writes that there are many men who would re-enlist now that would not have done so a week ago. Expresses his hope that President Andrew Johnson is capable of conducting public affairs and doesn't show any mercy to the traitors. Also appends a short note to his cousin Mollie stating that since the death of Lincoln, he feels like re-enlisting and "help exterminate those accursed Rebels".

GLC01545.05

January 10, 1782

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses problems related to the transportation of military stores from Yorktown to Westham or Richmond, Virginia. Comments that he and his associates are bound in their ability to carry out orders because the state government of Virginia refuses to help. Mentions the resignation of Thomas Nelson as governor and the election of Benjamin Harrison. Has managed to set up the stores near Westham, close to the river so as to be able to ship them by boat in case of danger, but fears that in an invasion or attack they still may not be able to protect them. Mentions the arrival of an independent…

GLC02437.01330

25 December 1785

Brooks, John, 1752-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

John Brooks, a member of the Massachusetts General Court, writes to Knox on a wide variety of political subjects. Discusses the Society of the Cincinnati, land grants to common people, redress of grievances of the public, and the passage of a treason act. Also reports the opinion of their mutual friend Putnam [perhaps General Rufus Putnam] on these subjects. Lastly, he and his wife send their regards to Mrs. Lucy Knox. A small piece of the page was torn away but has been retained with the document.

GLC02437.03227

9 September 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Proposes use of prisoners as armorers, discusses trial of Sergeant Spinoza [Spinosa] for treason, requests help organizing the Department of the Commissary of Military Stores and wonders if "it be possible to get the field pieces directed to be presented to the Count de Rochambeau, engraved with the proper inscriptions here - or must the Secretary at War endeavour to have it done in Philadela." Written at "Head Quarters." Washington's signature clipped.

GLC02437.09358

30 March 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Washington discusses a "character" (possibly Loyalist Henry Van Schaack) present with Knox in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Instructs Knox to guard his colleague (possibly Gouverneur Morris) against freely discussing matters with this person, believing him to be a traitor to America, in pay of the British. Written from "York Hutts," which constituted the headquarters of a New York Regiment near Pompton (now Pompton Lakes, New Jersey). Docketed in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.09400

10 May 1863

Vallandigham, Clement L., 1820-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Brooks

Two notes written in pencil (one beneath docket) indicate that this letter was written to Brooks, a U.S. Representative from New York and fellow Copperhead. Vallandigham, a former United States Senator from Ohio, had recently been arrested for treasonable remarks, and was held in military custody. Writes, "I have just read your speech as reported, (I believe) in the Journal of Commerce, & thank you ten thousand times for it. The whole country responds to you, & indeed, indeed it is time that it should. Not a moment is to be lost. I am still here 'awaiting orders!'- military…

GLC02467.28

13 April 1781

Livingston, Robert, 1708-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Writes to his son-in-law with family news. Discusses being "greatly pestered with a band of robbers." Requests news from the southern front in the American Revolution, specifically if Nathanael Greene was successful against Lord Cornwallis and accounts of Benedict Arnold's activities. Mentions his hopes for aid from the Dutch and that "English pride may be curbed and brought to reason."

GLC02537.03

18 September 1823

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [An account of the execution of Major John Andre]

Details the execution of Major John Andre, accused of being a spy, and expresses his sympathetic feelings toward Andre's unfortunate fate. Describes how Baron Von Steuben could not comply with Andre's wish to suffer a soldier's death by being shot since the only suitable death for a spy is hanging.

GLC02541.02

20 July 1813

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Major Jackson

Written by North in retirement in Major Jackson. Marked at address that the letter is "to be published as a private letter." Sees in the newspaper that General Hull is to be tried on the charge of treason and cowardice during the surrender of Detroit in August 1812. Says he does not believe the charges to be true. In emotional language he attacks the rumors against Hull and defends his Revolutionary War record. Is especially outraged over the rumors of compensation money the British allegedly gave Hull. Says if fear was part of the surrender, then it wasn't a selfish fear, but one based on…

GLC02542.20

circa 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document

Title: [Notes from the Pennsylvania Executive Council regarding pardons, appointments, and appropriations of funds].

Wayne notes that on 6 January 1780, the Executive Council pardoned William Cassidy and Peter Swope, both of whom were "convicted of high treason--on condition that he serve as a soldier during the present war in one of the regiments of this State..." Wayne terms the declaration of the Council "A dangerous president [sic--precedent]...of fatal consequences." Also notes the appointment of a judge who took office while failing to resign as a member of the House of Representatives. Mentions disparagingly the appropriations of scalping rewards and other questionable payments. Concludes with entry…

GLC08497

22 November 1859

Irish, Hugh C., 1832-1862

Newspaper

Title: Paterson Daily Guardian [Vol. VI, no. 934 (November 22, 1859)]

Anticipating increased sectionalism in politics, partly related to Harpers Ferry. "The late elections having demonstrated that the Opposition of the North are abundantly able to elect a President, we may as well prepare for a stormy session of Congress and a prodigious foaming of slaveholders. To be sure, the people of the country are pretty well used to the raw-head-and-bloody-bone tactics of these gentlemen, but we shall be surprised if they do not outdo all they have ever done in this line, between now and next November. We counsel our readers, in advance, to prepare their minds for such…

GLC08725.06

30 November 1782

Dunlap, John, 1747-1812

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania packet or the general advertiser. [Vol. 11, no. 970 (November 30, 1782)]

Prints a proclamation made by the President and Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania concerning keeping Sunday as a holy day, the "Lord's Day." Reports on new regulations for the Quartermaster's department on p. 2 including officers to be appointed, and the pay and supplies given for the different ranks. Also prints "An Act to Prevent any New Independent State within the limits Commonwealth," on p. 3, first column, which states that any attempt to form a new government within the state will be considered treason.

GLC08691

18 April 1865

Letter

Title: [Union soldier's letter]

Has very strong feelings against the South. Writes that all traitors in the North should be burned at the stake. Feels that if it had not been for the traitors of the North, the war would have ended a long time ago. The letter is incomplete.

GLC08618

February 3, 1781

Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, 1730-1794

Letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Written by Von Steuben as the senior Continental officer in Virginia to General Greene as commander in the Southern Department. References Greene's letter of January 24, 1781. Congratulates Greene on his army's recent victory at Cowpens and in the race to the Dan River. Says the traitorous General Benedict Arnold's incursions in Virginia were causing him problems and keeping him from reinforcing Greene's army. Says the troops he wanted to send off on January 15, 1781 will not be ready until February 20, 1781. Mentions changes in his command and says General Robert Lawson will relieve General…

GLC00140

May 12, 1866

Cooper, Peter, 1791-1883

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Sherman

Cooper, an inventor and philanthropist, discusses disagreement between President Andrew Johnson and Congress regarding reconstruction. Suggests to Sherman, a Senator from Ohio, that Johnson and Congress require Southern Congressional members to take an Oath binding them to maintain the Constitution of the United States. Also recommends "that all persons who may at any time on the floor of Congress either advocate the right to secede from the Union, or the repudiation of the National debt, or propose any unrepublican laws ... shall be declared guilty of treason, and the party so offending,…

GLC00150

March 14, 1868

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J.C. Underwood

Writes to Judge Underwood of the U.S. Circuit Court to confirm his receipt of a summons to testify in the treason trial, '"The United States vs: Jefferson Davis," and agrees to report on the postponed day of the case, April 14, 1868. Lee did not actually appear in court until November 27, 1868. Written while Lee was president of Washington College (later Washington and Lee). The circuit court at Richmond was not able to reach a consensus on the trial and registered their disagreement with the U.S. Supreme Court. On December 25, 1868, President Johnson issued a proclamation of unconditional…

GLC00199

October 3, 1780

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Kitty Hand

Writes to his wife that he hopes he can alleviate her distressing situation soon. Informs her of the treason of Benedict Arnold and the hanging of the British spy, John Andre. "A few days ago Gen Arnold detected in his views of Betraying the Garrison of West Point & its dependencies into the hands of the Enemy, deserted to them leaving Major Andre Adjt. Genl. to the British Army to pay the forfeiture that should have falen on the traitor--Andre was yesterday Hanged as a Spy." Mentions the weather being warm in July and August and states that the army is still remarkably healthy. Talks…

GLC00189

1862

Header Record

Title: [Letter and copy of General Orders No. 144] [Decimalized .01- .02]

GLC00228

September 20, 1779

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sydney Lee

Marked No. 31 in a different hand. Written by the discredited Continental General in retirement on his farm in Virginia to "my dear Sister." Recipient inferred as Sydney Lee, his only sister. Mentions his experiences during the Revolution and defends his honor. Says "I feel for the horrid ravages & desolation I have been witness of, on this Continent" and expressing Tory sympathies claims "I feel for the Empire of G. Britain, for its glory[,] We[l]fare & existence; I feel for the fortunes of my Friends and relations." Claims he cannot talk about politics because the letter will be…

GLC00251

circa June 1863

Donopley, D.W., fl. 1863

Broadside

Title: Men of the Keystone State, rally for its defence!

Recruitment broadside in Pennsylvania published during Lee's invasion of the North in 1863, seemingly before the Battle of Gettysburg. Created by Captain D.W. Donopley of Company L of the First Regiment of the Washington Guard under Colonel William F. Small. Printed by King & Baird of 607 Sansom Street in Philadelphia. References Pennsylvania's role as the site of the creation of the Declaration of Independence and claims it is imperative that recruits join because it was the place where "'Liberty' was first proclaimed 'throughout the land, and to all the inhabitants thereof,' must not…

GLC00492

8 June 1782

Marion, Francis, 1732-1795

Manuscript document

Title: Articles of Treaty between General Marion in behalf of the State of So. Carolina and Major Gainey & the Inhabitants under his Command which were Included in the Treaty made under the 17th day of June 1781

Clerical copy of treaty made between loyalist Major Micajah Gainey and American General Francis Marion. Gainey promises to disarm and swear allegiance to America. The second article notes that Gainey "will deliver up all Negroes, Cattle and other property." They loyalists will also give up all who do not agree to the terms and all their prisoners. In return, Gainey's men will be pardoned from treason charges. Those who do not accede "shall have leave to go within the British Lines." Written at Burches Mill on Peedee.

GLC00496.270