September 30, 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Written during the Quasi-War with France. The letter discusses concerns about Democrats infiltrating and subverting the army. Washington remarks that "you could as soon scrub the blackamore white, as to change the principles of a profest Democrat; and that he will leave nothing unattempted to overturn the Government of this country."

GLC00581

22 June 1776

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Warrant for the arrest of the traitor John Campbell]

Cosigned by Gouverneur Morris and Philip Livingston. Authorizing the arrest of the Campbell for "treasonable conspiracies" and the seizure of his papers.

GLC00679

April 26, 1844

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos Kendall

Jackson writes to the former Postmaster General, also Jackson's close friend and biographer. Jackson relates how he learned that nullifiers secretly sent an agent to Great Britain for aid during the Nullification Crisis of 1832. "... the nullifiers of the south having sent a secrite agent to Great Britain to obtain aid in carrying into effect their designs against the Union." He details the source of his information so that it might be enclosed with his papers by Kendall. Without naming his former vice president, John C. Calhoun, Jackson accuses him and other nullifiers of being traitors and…

GLC01025

January 2, 1806

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to John Sevier

Jackson explains that he will soon send a letter concerning the strength of his brigades. He has been delayed in doing so because one of his commanders has been late in filling his returns. He assures Sevier that if he does not receive a response soon, he will arrest the officer responsible, General Isaac Roberts. Also mentions Thomas Johnson and James Winchester, brigade commanders in the Second Division, West Tennessee Militia. The militia was being mobilized to deal with the threat of the Burr conspiracy, but the matter was resolved before military action was necessary. Letter signed by…

GLC01060

24 November 1862

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Civil War Songbook]

Contains lyrics to several martial, sentimental, religious and romantic songs. Titles include "John Brown Song" (usually called "John Brown's Body") "Sung by Fletcher Webster's Regiment in Boston [sic]," "Traitor, Spare That Flag," "Oh, For a Home Amid the Hills," "Jane Feeding the Poor Robin," "Glory for the North (usually called 'Glory Hallelujah'')," "Bonny Eloise," and "Some Twenty Years Ago." The songs are illustrated with hand-drawn watercolors, including a woman (possibly Lady Liberty) holding a lamp and a patriotic shield, a man holding a rifle, a landscape with Indians hunting deer,…

GLC00968

31 August 1787

Mason, George, Sr., 1725-1792

Manuscript document

Title: [Various proposals:] The Council of State...

Large folio sheet. Unidentified handwriting. Also re: import duties, revenues, limiting terms and appointments of elected officials including the President, limits on the executive pardon authority and a rejected clause concerning revenues.

GLC00819.19

6 May 1778

Morrison, James, fl. 1778

Document signed

Title: to the Sheriff of the County of Bristol

Says that the Sheriff is required to apprehend and bring Preserved Pierce before him to answer for all the charges against him (from GLC01450.133, that charge is mutiny). Morrison states that there is enough evidence to say that Pierce is "Enemical to the United States of America and therefore ought to be Examined." Says if he won't take an oath he is to be sent to the "Common Goal." Is initialed "J.M."

GLC01450.134

April 1787

Tupper, Benjamin, 1738-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the outcome of a trial in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, referring to the trial of the insurgents who took part in Shays' Rebellion: "The Supreme Court have proceeded on business with a degree of dignity which does honour to humane nature, Six are already convicted of High Treason, and a number of others of high crimes &c and there is not a dog that dare to move his Tongue." Expresses his views on the proper governmental system for the states. "...I cannot give up the idea that Monarchy in our present situation is become absolutely necessary to save the States from sinking…

GLC02437.03537

22 June 1776

Mason, David, 1726-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lieutenant Colonel Mason relates intelligence from a private in the General's Guard named Lara Fraga, who claims several men in Captain Alexander Hamilton's company have enlisted in the "minesterall troops," meaning the Ministerial or British army. The currently detained private volunteered to identify them. This was part of the Continental Army's successful efforts to foil a Tory plot to capture or assassinate George Washington. The conspiracy was believed to have been organized by New York's governor, William Tryon, and the mayor of New York City, David Matthews. As many as eight of the…

GLC02437.00344

1 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Applauds the detection of a German traitor named Ledwitz, who had been appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army. Discusses various orders for payment Henry made. Discusses the last two letters he received from Lucy Knox. Has heard that Halifax was burned down by 500 Indians led by Frank Shaw. Discusses need for guns for privateers in Boston and for Continental frigates. Discusses the comparative advantages of large versus small ships, because Henry Jackson is going to arrange for a vessel that Henry "shall be concern'd in." Notes that new regiments have been raised but are…

GLC02437.00431

5 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Praises his wife. Discusses the war, claiming it will reveal "cowardice treachery ingratitude." His is optimistic about the Continental Army's position in New York. He is in good spirits. Denounces the Continental Congress for not funding the army properly, arguing that a few minor defeats will benefit the revolution by forcing them to alter their administration of the war. He wants there to be a standing army. Argues that the militia spreads panic. Looks forward to "conjugal bliss" with Lucy at the end of the war.

GLC02437.00437

30 March 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy advising Knox to speak to his colleague about his association and manner of speaking with another person. Writes that "I have every reason short of positive proof to believe the person here meant, is a Traitor to this Country, that he is in the pay of the Enemy..." Noted as written at the York Hutts and as a copy, "Copied and composed with the original Feb 8th 1854."

GLC02437.09324

23 March 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox [incomplete]

The first page or pages of the letter are missing. Feels it is wrong that other officers were promoted over the more senior Benedict Arnold. Worries this action will push Arnold out of the service, and hopes it is remedied. The lack of a promotion would offend Arnold, and was one of the many slights that contributed to his defection years later to the British side. Requests various articles of clothing and expresses his love for her. Asks her to number her letters, as he has begun doing, so they can easily be referenced in the future.

GLC02437.00557

13 September 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Received his first letter from them in over two weeks. "I think this department is the worst we have ever been in for mail arrangements." Has started to drill twice a day. "The weather is variable." It often rains without warning, and nights can be very cold. Has gotten much better at carrying heavy loads on marches. Will not have to spend any extra money on clothing this fall and winter. Will not write a letter to Johnny Banks' mother. "I am not capable of writing such a letter as I should wish to send to her under the existing circumstances, and again E.P.B. wrote immediately to her."…

GLC09355.090

27 September 1862

Thomas, Lorenzo, 1804-1875

Printed document signed

Title: General Orders No. 144

Copy of General Orders No. 144 of September 27, 1862, signed by the Assistant Adjutant General, dismissing Key from the service for uttering disloyal sentiments.

GLC00228.02

September 26, 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John J. Key

The letter is accompanied by a copy of General Orders No. 144 from September 27, 1862, signed by the Assistant Adjutant General, dismissing Key from the service for uttering disloyal sentiments. The note describes meeting on September 27 with Key and Major Turner, the witness. The endorsement dismisses Key from the service.

GLC00228.01

12 May 1862

Dodge, Nelson E., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge admits that he has had dysentery and has "felt not fit to crall." He also writes about the attack on the retreating Confederates, specifically at Williamsburg. He is also suspicious of the rumored attack on Richmond, writing "I think treason is goin down."

GLC02162.03

31 May 1862

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

to mother [Ann Smith] He is feeling better now and his shakes are gone. The "mounted rifles" [cavalry] have arrived, and brought a "secesh" with them. Another squad of cavalry had a skirmish with 150 rebels and was overpowered. Eventually the Confederates retreated and the next day they found 7 dead horses in a pit on the road. The Union does not have sufficient forces at this place. He tells the story of a traitorous preacher. Numbered in pencil "79."

GLC03696.12

1861-1877

Envelope

Title: Death to Traitors!

features the American flag.

GLC08413.07

2 July 1862

Envelope

Title: Our Only Argument with Traitors

features picture of cannon and flag

GLC08414.2

15 September 1862

Envelope

Title: Down with the traitors' serpent flag!

features picture of American flag and a picture of the flag with a tree and a serpent across from it.

GLC08414.5

15 July 1861

Envelope

Title: Fate of Traitors

features picture of Jefferson Davis being hung

GLC08482.3

31 May 1863

Parrott, Henry C., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

General Rosecrans is "still entrenching very strongly." Henry saw "one of the greatest traitors of our land," Vallandigham, as he passed through the Union lines to join the Rebel Army. John is not well. Signed with the rank of Lieutenant. Two poems follow in another hand, possibly Margaret's as her name appears below them.

GLC03858.02.11

24 August 1862

Foglesong, John C., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to cousin [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Foglesong received Bishoff's letter on the 22nd, and currently has orders to take transports somewhere at a moment's warning (some think to North Carolina, others believe to New Orleans). Foglesong's Brigade is an Independent Brigade, and consists of the 4th Ohio Regiment, the 7th Virginia Regiment, the 14th Indiana Regiment, and the 8th Ohio Regiment, which has fallen back 80 miles. McClellan's Army has nearly all left but he knows "not whare." Foglesong recently had a terrible time of marching through sand that was shoe-top deep. He has had no water except that taken out of creeks "the…

GLC03523.40.12

February 16, 1782

Ridley, Matthew, 1749-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Comments on the arrival of Benedict Arnold in England. Claims that "England is not disposed to Peace." Contains some personal discussion, including comments about their correspondence, his sons, and French women.

GLC05992