29 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Discusses the winter quarters for various regiments located in and around the area of West Point. Mentions the British evacuation of New York City which may or may not happen soon. Knox also offers to host Washington if he travels to New York City or Boston. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.02724

27 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Reverend Doctor Cooper

Discusses Count Wengierski, "a polish gentleman on his travels through America" and how foreigners view Boston. Mentions the likelihood of a British evacuation of New York City.

GLC02437.02714

3 December 1861

Loring, Joshua, 1744-1789

Autograph note signed

Title: [Loring allows public funds to pay for Dr. Quintard's journey to Richmond]

Possibly served as a military pass. Loring, commander of the Army of the Northwest, writes: "Dr. Quintard is going to Richmond on business, he will be permitted to go & return at the public charge" (possibly refers to Dr. Charles Todd Quintard).

GLC02459.23

14 November 1853

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lorenzo Thomas

Then Lieutenant Jefferson Davis writes to Assistant Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas to request permission to rejoin his company in Virginia instead of Florida. The first artillery had been transferred from Fort Myers, Florida, to Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia, and would leave Florida before he could rejoin it.

GLC02455.03

20 April 1866

Hood, John Bell, 1831-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philip Henry Sheridan

Former Confederate General John B. Hood writes to Commander of the Military Division of the Gulf, General Philip Sheridan (1865-1867). Requests permission for Colonel Harding to visit Mexico on business. Includes initials after post script that relates: "Sorry I missed you & Kautz" (possibly referring to General Augustine Valentine Kautz).

GLC02455.06

19 September 1775

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Trumbull

Written by General Arnold as commander of one of the two columns marching on Canada (General Philip Schuyler's forces in New York being the other) to Trumbull as Commissary General of Purchases to George Washington's army at Cambridge. In August 1775 Arnold had convinced Washington to give him a command to march through the Maine wilderness to Quebec. This letter references the good weather at the start of his journey northward, by ship, from the coastal town of Newburyport to Maine. Thanks him for his letter he sent by Mr. Thomas. Says he has added to his army's provisions. Wishes him…

GLC02451

January 5, 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Washington complains of applications, letters of compliment, and enquiries which occupy his time and deprive him of exercise. He plans to hire someone to deal with the drudgery of this troublesome correspondence. Assures Knox that his letters are valued, as Washington enjoys corresponding with those he loves. Discusses the extended navigation of United States rivers, hoping that the legislatures will agree. Proposes to employ adventurers to first navigate the rivers, and later to impose tolls as river traffic increases, noting that the enterprise will not begin at the expense of the public.…

GLC02437.09406

18 June 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his appointment (on March 8, 1785) to the post of Secretary at War. Encloses a certificate of service for Major Sergeant (not included). Hopes to receive limestone for use in construction. Discusses the Virginia Assembly's appropriation of shares intended for him (Washington) in navigation of the Potomac and James Rivers. Referring to Knox's new position as Secretary at War, mentions the Western Territory, Great Britain, and military posts near Detroit. Suggests Fort Pitt or Fort McIntosh as posts of deposits from which other forts may draw supplies. Discusses…

GLC02437.09407

January 10, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses which states are ratifying the Constitution, and predicts its success. Notes "The determination of New York, of all others, seems most problematical; and yet, I can hardly entertain an idea that she will be disposed to stand alone..." Wonders whether a dispute between France and England will result in war. Predicts that if war does erupt, the United States will participate, since the current government does not have the power to restrain the people. Sends his and Martha's congratulations to Henry and his wife Lucy on the birth of a son, whom they have named George. In a post…

GLC02437.09415

February 5, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses regret that "the important question" Massachusetts is deliberating "stands on such precarious ground" (referring to ratification of the Constitution; Massachusetts ratified 6 February 1788). Predicts that Virginia will choose to ratify, but admits he does not have the most recent or accurate information (Virginia ratified 26 June 1788). Declares Holland's case pitiable (possibly referring to the Triple Alliance of 1788). Notes that navigation of the Potomac has been stopped for five weeks. Sends his and Martha's good wishes to Knox and his wife Lucy. In a postscript, asks the…

GLC02437.09416

24 September 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for information he previously sent within his private letters. Mentions Mr. [George] Hammond (the first British envoy to the United States), Mr. [John] Penn (former colonial governor), and Andrew Allen (former colonial attorney general; Washington mistakenly writes Andrew Hamilton). Asks how Allen is being treated "by the Officers of the state Government (particularly the Govr) _ Mr. Morris &ca?" (likely referring to Governor Thomas Mifflin and U.S. Senator Robert Morris), noting that Allen is one of the obnoxious characters in Pennsylvania. Relates that his nephew is…

GLC02437.09426

1803-1804

Breck, Anna, fl. 1803-1804

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy [incomplete]

Breck writes to her friend Lucy, likely Lucy Flucker Knox, daughter of Henry Knox. Discusses the marriage of Lucy's brother (possibly Henry Jackson Knox, who married in May 1803). Mentions the engagements of other friends, noting, "...all my friends are taking leave of the single state and I shall soon be quite a solitary member of it-" Continues writing 24 June. Expresses boredom regarding life in the country and living with her parents. Daydreams of distant lands and travel to exotic locales. Mentions memories of Boston, promising not to go to Boston without traveling to Maine to…

GLC02437.09445

16 November 1775

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Washington, Commander in Chief of Continental forces, orders Knox to examine the state of Continental artillery. Instructs Knox to travel to New York City and Ticonderoga, and even to Quebec if necessary, to procure necessary artillery articles. Allows $1000 for Knox's expenses. Postscript, "Endeavour to procure what Flints you can" is in Washington's hand.

GLC02437.09369

21 April 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Due to an announcement of the cessation of hostilities (between the United States and Great Britain) Washington instructs Knox to permit any citizens of New York or the United States to pass and repass his post (West Point) with vessels, boats, or water craft.

GLC02437.09385

4 April 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: to Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Alexander Hamilton

Washington provides instructions for his ministers to follow in his absence from the seat of government. Plans to travel to Savannah, Georgia. Presents an itinerary for his travels, noting the days he plans to pass through specific cities. Asserts that if any important cases arise in his absence, the Secretaries of War (Henry Knox), Treasury (Alexander Hamilton), and State (Thomas Jefferson) will hold consultations to determine if the case demands his personal attendance. Notes that the Vice President will be in Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.09311

14 October 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, informing Knox that he will arrive later than he expected to or had hoped for in Philedelphia. States that his later than expected arrival means he will have very little time to prepare for his meetings with other officials. Asks Knox to be ready for his arrival. Copied from original 1 February 1854 according to note at top of first page.

GLC02437.09319

19 June 1805

Cheves, Langdon, 1776-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Pickens

Introduces a friend, John Parker, Esquire who is visiting South Carolina for health reasons. Asks Pickens to please extend a welcome to Parker. With floral doodle in pencil on page three.

GLC02504.08

7 November 1796

Ames, Fisher, 1758-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dwight Foster

Both Ames and Foster were U.S. Congressmen from Massachusetts. Mentions details of taking his family to Springfield and then to New York. Says Connecticut Congressman Chauncey Goodrich and his wife might join them and that they would "make a company that, for the number, would be inferior to no tea set in Philade." Asks if he wants to join them. Says he is leaving on Thursday and will be in Springfield on Saturday.

GLC02505.02

23 September 1734

Belcher, Jonathan, 1682-1757

Letter signed

Title: to Richard Waldron

A personal letter from the Royal Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Has received his letter. Hopes to go to Derry. In spite of the bad road, plans to go to Haverhill on Friday and "shall order Gilman to meet me on the line with one good troop." Asks Waldron to let him know by return post if the he can let the warrant be printed "in next Gazette." Is sure that Waldron will give him the details in the news about "Gerrald."

GLC02468.02

2 September 1852

Foote, Henry S. (Henry Stuart), 1804-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to F. N. Beard, Esq.

Mississippi governor Foote, writes to [Beard?] in Lexington, Kentucky. Thanks Beard for the "kind and complimentary letter of August" and notes that he recently declined a visit to Lexington, for causes he previously explained. Mentions [C.S. Norrison?], also of Lexington. Accompanied by an envelope fragment.

GLC02469.06

5 December 1816

Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

A friendly letter of introduction, revealing the intimacy between the Adams and Rush families. Adams was introducing Reverend Coleman, who was going to Washington to carry the presidential electoral votes from Massachusetts and to vacation as well. She believes they will get along well. Quotes William Cowper to describe him. Writes that her husband's hands hurt from the cold and from previous letter writing and that he sends his greetings. In GLC02852, John Adams uses "Colman" instead of "Coleman."

GLC02515

27 November 1776

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Written by Major General Schuyler to Duane as a New York delegate to the Continental Congress. References Duane's letter that was delivered 26 November. Says he had to abandon the fortress on York Island because the enemy's strength was overwhelming. Defends his actions as the best he could have done in the situation confronting him. Compares himself favorably to Washington's defeat in New York in August 1776 saying "I wish Gen: Washington had adhered to his own opinion and rejected the Intemporate advice of people of more prowess than Wisdom. In such a situation of ours It is now Eligible…

GLC02544

22 June 1774-25 July 1774

Lott, Abraham, fl. 1785-1789

Manuscript

Title: [Journal of trip to Albany, New York]

Leather bound journal of Abraham Lott. Journal describes his journey from New York to Albany. Travelled by ship from Boston to the Hudson River. Mentions meeting Philip Schuyler and Philip Livingston, among other noteable New Yorkers. Tells of his business and social interactions with prominent people in Albany. In last entry says he leaves Albany. End of journal has a separate list of his travel expenses.

GLC02542.06

11 May 1855

Bryan, Francis Theodore, 1823-1917

Letter signed

Title: to Mary Williams Shepard

Lieutenant Bryan, a topographical engineer, writes to his mother from the steamer Australia on the Missouri River. Relates visiting Washington, D. C., St. Louis, Missouri, and Indianapolis, among other locations. States that "the people all appear to be very busy in this part of the country ... They are the most active, busy, go-a-head people I ever saw." Comments on the land in Illinois and Indiana, and the rapid settlement of the west. Relates his plans to join Generals Churchill (possibly Sylvester Churchill) and Clarke to inspect Fort Riley, Kansas. Relates his plans for the rest of…

GLC08506

10 April 1779

Dunlap, John, 1747-1812

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania packet.

Proclamation by George Washington issuing a full pardon to all deserters who return to their corps by 1 May 1779, and warning those who do not return of punishment. Proclamation dated 10 March 1779 from Middle-Brook, New Jersey. Act made law by the Pennsylvania legislature to raise $1, 900,000 from taxes in the state. Reaction in the House of Commons dated 5 December 1778 to a proclamation issued by commissioners in New York. Tolls for bridge over Schuylkill River. Advertisements for sales, statements regarding lost horses, and other advertisements.

GLC08715.01