1 August 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter

Title: to William Phillips

Written by Heath as commander of the Convention Army, which consisted of British prisoners of war from the Saratoga campaign, to British General Phillips as the highest ranking officer with the Convention Army. References Phillips's letter from 29 July 1778. Hopes no accident has befallen Captain Willow. Says he needs to get General George Washington's permission to allow Phillips to take a journey to Canada. Tells Phillips that a recruiting party that visited British prisoners was from the navy and that he has asked them to desist in such activities. Has given Captain Williams permission to…

GLC04789.02

22 December 1860

Gibson, William P., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his sister Sarah Gibson Humphreys]

Apologizes for not being able to return home for the holidays. Writes that his familiy's financial circumstances prevent them from travelling. In favor of secession he writes, "political excitement was never so high--every body is rampant in favor of disunion. We had an election on this question one day before yesterday [December 20th] and it is predicted by the knowing ones that the State will go 30,000 votes majority for the secession ticket. I say hurrah for the biggest party."

GLC04501.092

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

3 April 1857

M.B., fl. 1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Expresses his disappointment at Cripps canceling his plans to visit. Describes what the two of them would have done if Cripps came to visit. Written on personal stationery with a "B" imprinted at the top center of page one and on the envelope. Includes a 3 cent stamp depicting George Washington. Postmarked by hand in Rippon, Virginia, 4 April. Possibly written by Mr. Benedict of GLC03587.32 and .34.

GLC03587.24

December 11, 1857

Maugrita, fl. 1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Esthur Monk

Writes to Cripps' mother in Greenwich, Connecticut, in the care of Mr. Benedict. Relays a message for Monk to send curtains to a family friend. Mentions having received a letter from Tousey, an acquaintance, who promises to return from Mexico soon, but she doubts it. Wonders about their trip to "the Metropolis." Discusses sending a care package and hopes it will arrive before Christmas. Written on scallop-edged stationery. Envelope hand-postmarked 14, December, Rippon, Virginia. Includes one three-cent stamp depicting George Washington. Date inferred from Mrs. Monk's trip to Greenwich.

GLC03587.33

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

31 May 1854

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary more fully after yesterday's hasty note (GLC03587.14). Discusses the toll the trip to Mexico has taken on Mrs. Gadsden but hopes the rest of their journey will be smooth. Reminds him to set up a bed for himself, Mrs. Gadsden, and Mrs. Monk (Cripps' mother). Mentions the possibility of more guests so Cripps may be prepared. Imprint in upper left corner depicts a galleon under "Paris."

GLC03587.15

21 September 1857

Monk, Esthur, fl. 1853-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to her son about his lack of correspondence. Has worried herself sick thinking about his illness and death. Reports that Miss Lucy has turned down a suitor and discusses the importance of marrying well. Tells Cripps to be careful what he says even in Mexico, as gossip makes its way back home. Mentions a professorship at South Carolina College (now University of South Carolina). Discusses local news. Describes her future travel plans. Imprint in upper left corner reads "Extra Superfine Highly Finished." Envelope hand postmarked 22 September, Rippon, Virginia via New Orleans per…

GLC03587.30

2 October 1857

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Esthur Monk

Writes to John Cripps' mother about his trip in the French Broad and describes the beauty of the land and the kindness of the people. Discusses the deaths of a friend and his wife. Includes news.

GLC03587.31

29 April to 24 July 1849

Laning, John C., fl. 1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Em Laning

Writes from the Coast of Chile to his sister. Diary letter concerning traveling by ship around Cape Horn, stormy weather, the flora of the Andes, other passengers, and final arrival in San Francisco where he captained an expedition upriver. Discusses gambling and gold.

GLC05527.01

3 May 1849

Caspar, fl. 1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Describes his overland route through Mexico and how he was swindled by Captain Innes, the expedition leader who ran out of money and had his charges pay his way. Relays the entire story of Innes' desertion and return to the travelers. Reports that he was elected the guide after Innes left permanently. Discusses the food and customs of the common people.

GLC05527.02

6 December 1849

Peyton, Balie, 1803-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to S.A. Hall

Describes his crossing at the Isthmus of Panama and reaching the Pacific in time for the steamer to Valparaiso. Reports difficulties crossing and dealing with the American consul, who Peyton feels is un-American, rude, and greedy. Writes about the newly-vacant consul position and the ideal characteristics of the appointee. Discusses the health of his daughter.

GLC05527.03

16 December to 17 December 1850

Johnson, James E., fl. 1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charry Johnson

Written on board the Antelope. Writes to his wife describing the ships in the bay and traveling up the Chagres River but changes tone to discuss gold. Mentions overloaded boats capsizing and men drowning. Encloses an account for publication, or intends for Charry to publish this letter, as per postscript.

GLC05527.04

June 30, 1858

Thoreau, Henry David, 1817-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Ricketson

Thoreau writes to his good friend, a historian and poet, that he is about to take a trip to the White Mountains. He apologizes for not writing sooner. Muses on the nature of his friendships and refers to his "preaching" in the mode of Walden. " ... is it of any consequence to preach to an audience of men who can fail? - or who can be revived? ... If a man has speculated and failed, he will probably do these things again, in spite of you or me." Mentions his friendship with Channing [William Ellery] and states Channing visited and left a poem called "Near Home." Informs he went on an…

GLC01751.01

May 9, 1869

Thoreau, Sophia E., 1819-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Ricketson

Thoreau thanks him for sending a book of poetry, "The Autumn Sheaf." States that Mr. Emerson [Ralph Waldo] left it with her a week ago. Informs that she has been busy with housekeeping duties and is going to make a trip to Bangor for her health. She writes, "I sympathize with Walton's idea of migrating & as soon as my wings grow I shall be off." The letter is only dated May 9.

GLC01751.02

22 August 1757

Cornell, Benjamin, 1733-?

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Claim for payment of seventy pounds from the Colony of Rhode Island for a ten day journey to Albany, New York]

Order to fulfill Captain Cornell's request signed by First Deputy Francis Brayton on 28 December 1757. A note on the verso singed by Cornell reads: "Tho. Richardson Please to pay the Contents of the within order." Richardson was the General Treasurer for the Colony of Rhode Island.

GLC01450.244.03

1821-1855

Hale, Aurelia, 1798-?

Header Record

Title: Aurelia Hale letters to her sister Sarah, and brother Horatio [Decimalized .01- .52]

52 letters covering New England transplant Aurelia Hale's travels in the South, including her views on slavery. Born in Connecticut, Aurelia moved to Savannah, Georgia in 1821, and later migrated to Washington County, Georgia, and then to Alabama. She wrote sporadic letters to her sister Sarah and her brother, Horatio. She was not disturbed by slavery, remarking on 11 June 1821, that the people of Georgia "differ in every respect from the Northerners; are much more agreeable, polite, attentive, and friendly...When we entered Savannah we were astonished at the number of blacks...We find it no…

GLC08934

January 20, 1865

Pennsylvania State Equal Rights' League

Broadside

Title: Memorial of the Pennsylvania State Equal Rights' League, to the Legislature of Pennsylvania

Asks that the government force companies operating public trolleys to allow black passengers. Public trolleys run by private companies had been routinely barring black passengers from their cars. Signed in text by a number of citizens, including Jonathan C. Gibbs as chairman.

GLC08957

16 December 1777

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by Heath, as American commander of the district where the Convention Army was located. The Convention Army consisted of the British prisoners of war after the Battle of Saratoga. To General Burgoyne, the British commander, in captivity. Passes along information that the Continental Congress has passed a resolution saying the Convention Army can only leave from the port stipulated in the Articles of Convention, which was Boston.

GLC04764.43

4 January 1778-23 March 1778

Autograph document

Title: Collateral Correspondence relative to the Troops of the Convention

List of 15 letters, mostly to or from General John Burgoyne, sent and received involving the Convention Army, which consisted of captured British soldiers after the Battle of Saratoga. First two deal with Continental Congress's refusal to change embarkation port from Boston and others deal with matters of money, provisions, and transport from Boston. Was written near Cambridge, Massachusetts

GLC04764.44

3 January 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Letter in response to GLC04764.45. Written by Heath, the American General in charge of the district where the captured British Convention Army was based, to General Burgoyne, the commander of the British troops in the Convention Army. Gives permission to David Geddes, the acting paymaster, to travel to Rhode Island to procure funds for the army. Says Geddes needs to come to him to get a passport. Says it is improper for Burgoyne to have a man-of-war pick him up to be returned to England. Says a normal transport will work just as well as a man-of-war, which he does not want entering the harbor…

GLC04764.46

January 14, 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army was being held to General Burgoyne as Convention Army commander. Says it appears likely the transports will soon arrive to take the Convention soldiers to Britain. Because of this development Heath says he needs a list of names, former residences, occupations, sizes, ages, and descriptions of every non-commissioned officer and private soldier in Convention Army. Says he has sent Major Massaraw to take down the names, as there were objections to Major Brown before. Marked "No. 48" near docket. Red…

GLC04764.55

1 January 1865-18 June 1865

Phoenix, John W., fl. 1864-1865

Diary

Title: Diary of John W. Phoenix

Early entries mostly detail the weather, regimental duties, and camp life at Little Rock, Arkansas. On 21 January he indicates that the regiment has received marching orders but he is to remain at camp. This marching brigade came back on 4 February and he states that their expedition to Camden, Arkansas was a failure because the roads were impassable and supplies could not get in. Reports leaving for New Orleans on 11 February by steamer and the following entries describe the journey. Reports arriving on 13 February but the regiment soon moves on. Receives word of the capture of…

GLC03956.02

July 20, 1785 - January 28, 1786

Killingley, Green, & Son, fl. 1785

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Consists of two letters. The first, sent 20 July 1785, is marked as a copy. In the letter, Killingley, Green, & Son congratulate William Knox on his restored health and his planned return to America. They express assurance that William will pay the money he owes. They inform William that they would like to supply him in the future if he chooses to keep hosiery among his other merchandise. The second letter, on verso, is written 28 January 1786. In this letter, the firm congratulates William on his safe arrival at Boston, and implores him to settle his account.

GLC02437.03166