February 15, 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked private. Washington as President to Knox as Secretary of War. John Jay, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Rufus King, a Senator from New York, wrote a newspaper article they uncharacteristically signed with their own names decrying the actions of Edmond Charles Genet, the French Minister to America. Genet was trying to outfit privateers to support the French revolutionary government, and Washington refused to support this breach of neutrality. Genet threatened to go over Washington's head to the American public, which had given Genet a warm welcome. Jay and King published…

GLC02862

21 November 1846

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Letter signed

Title: to John Serretta

Denies three Mexican priests serving in the United States permission to aid their colleagues in Mexico. Suggests that the priests try traveling with a neutral ship. Signed as Secretary of State during the Mexican War. Impression in upper left corner reads "Bath Superfine."

GLC02776

09 December 1808

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Isaiah L. Green.

Written after retirement to Congressman Isaiah L. Green concerning repeal of Embargo Act and arming of ships.

GLC03511

16 August 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Knox, Secretary of War, discusses President George Washington's orders regarding captured naval prizes. Requests that Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts, restore any naval prizes brought into the harbors and ports of Massachusetts to the master or owner at the time of capture. Orders that if it is impossible to discern the identity of the vessel's former master, it should be delivered to the person "to which the prize belonged at the time of its capture."

GLC04109

8 June 1798

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frederick Jacob Wichelhausen

Letter forwarded to Wichelhausen, American Consul in Bremen, by Rufus King, American Ambassador to Britain. King's signature appears on the address. Secretary of State Pickering says he received Wichelhausen's letter of 16 January 1798 as well as several other letters and states he is providing diligent service. Comments on Wichelhausen's idea of issuing certificates to American merchant ships that state no British goods are being carried in order to counter a French decree of seizures. Says the French decrees are contrary to international law and will only be countered with force and…

GLC04439

14 August 1936

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Typed document signed

Title: Address of the President at Chautauqua, N.Y.

Speech focuses on peace, America as a good neighbor to other nations, and preventing war internationally. Discusses the causes that produce war such as fanaticism, racial hatreds, and religious intolerance. Finishes with, "We believe in democracy; we believe in freedom; we believe in peace. We offer to every nation of the world the handclasp of the good neighbor. Let those who wish our friendship look us in the eye and take our hand." Same speech as GLC05193.

GLC04599

4 March 1777

Troup, Robert, 1757-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Written by Troup as aide-de-camp to General Horatio Gates. In 1777 Jay was a legislator in New York, between appointments to the Continental Congress. Troup had been a law student under Jay. Provides a very blunt assessment of the situation in the Northern Department and gives his critical opinions on the now defunct Canadian expedition. References his last letter to Jay where he predicted the Canadian expedition would fail. He now says his prediction was correct, "for the Want of Men, and every necessary Article, has determined the General Officers to lay aside all thoughts of prosecuting it…

GLC04854

15 May 1861

Peyton, William M., 1805-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: A written and printed version of a letter from William M. Peyton to William Cabell Rives discussing Virginia's secession [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC05021

1801

Schlegel, J.F.W., fl. 1801

Pamphlet

Title: Neutral right... [searching neutral vessels]

Title continued: "Or, an impartial Examination of the right of search of neutral vessels under convoy and of a judgment pronounced by the English court of admiralty... in the case of the Swedish Colony." Printed at Aurora office. (Bound with: Selected pamplets, GLC 5945.)

GLC05945.05

19 October 1793

Hichborn, Benjamin, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he sent several letters to Knox since arriving in Europe. Tells Knox he is leaving Europe sometime in the spring when his affairs are wrapped up. Mentions "there are various expectations about the part America will take in the present War, but I am fully persuaded that she will - that she must remain quite neutral." Is surprised to hear the government is quibbling on the terms of the treaty respecting the admission of prizes. Comments he is "astonished & mortified" to hear that the courts have adopted the President's Proclamation as the law of the land and have prosecuted certain…

GLC02437.05948

14 November 1793

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Adams as vice president to Lincoln after his unsuccessful mission to make peace with the Northwest Indians. Says he read with interest Lincoln's report on why peace was not achieved. Says the report fits with the facts he learned while in Europe and that he has not "the least difficulty in believing that you have develloped the true Causes of the Continuance of the Indian War." Praises America's policy of neutrality toward the European powers and says "while they are exhausted I hope we are safe." Says he is jealous of the English-Spanish alliance and would like to be able to work with France…

GLC07101

5 May 1790

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes an incident that took place between England and Spain and the possibility of the two countries going to war. Says yesterday this country was "surprised by a hot press, which like an explosion swept between 3 & 4000 seamen, and to day we find the course in a Message sent by the King to the House of commons." Evidently, two Spanish ships of war seized two British ships that were trading off the northern coast of America. All of the men who were aboard were sent to a Spanish port as prisoners. The justification of the seizure was that Spain had the "exclusive rights of soverignty […

GLC02437.04594

18 August 1854

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to John E. Wool

Written by Davis as Secretary of War to General Wool as Commander of the Department of the Pacific. References Wool's letter of 30 May 1854 and his own letters to Wool on 12 January 1854 and 14 April 1854. Expresses surprise and indignation at Wool's complaining tone toward the Department of War in regard to his authority to suppress illegal expeditions against the Mexican territory. He reminds Wool "that while you choose to hold the high commission of General in the Army, you assume an obligation to render due respect and cheerful obedience to the authority and orders of this Department…

GLC05518

circa 1940

Smith, Alfred Edgar, 1903-1986

Typed quotation signed

Title: [American Liberty]

Smith states his belief in a parent's right to choose between public and religious schools for their children, the principle of non interference in the internal affairs of other nations, and common brotherhood of man under common fatherhood of God. He allies himself with Americans who are against challenging public officials for their faith in God. Possibly a fragment of a longer document.

GLC05508.229

December 1, 1798

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

References Bourne's letter of 23 November 1798. Writes to Bourne, American Consul in Amsterdam. Says he does not have any recent information from America. Says stories on the yellow fever in the American newspapers are distressing, but otherwise the news is good. Says Congress adjourned on 1 December 1798, but he does not know what Elbridge Gerry told them after he returned from France after the XYZ affair in October 1798. Believes that no matter what Gerry said, it will not change American-French relations. Says "As long as they continue to treat neutrals much worse than their Enemies, it…

GLC05656

1806

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Pamphlet

Title: Message from the President... respecting new principles [neutrality]

Disbound. Printed by Duane & Son. Report on neutral rights, reprinting the decree of Gen. Louis Ferraud.

GLC08858

October 29, 1827

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Letter signed

Title: to Don Francisco Tacon

Clay, Secretary of State, replies to a note from Spanish Minister Tacon concerning the presence of Commodore Porter (possibly David Porter, Commander in Chief of the Mexican Navy) and his actions in Key West, Florida. Claims that Porter did not perform any act forbidden by the laws of neutrality. Confirms that President John Quincy Adams has ordered an inquiry into Porter's actions. Refers to a statement issued (not included) by Porter concerning his conduct in Key West.

GLC01419

August 7, 1836

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Manuscript letter

Title: to Charles Lynch

Letter in the hand of Andrew Jackson Donelson, President Jackson' s nephew and amanuensis. He penned the entire letter and signature. Jackson denies Texas U.S. aid because of neutrality. In the letter, he mentions countermanding order for troops to help Texans. He also notes sufficiency of men to defeat the Creeks and Seminoles. Letter written to Gov. Charles Lynch of Mississippi. Per Papers of Jackson, 5/27/97, the President wrote a similar letter to the governors of Kentucky and Louisiana the same day.

GLC01165

December 24, 1864

Peixoto, Augustus, fl. 1864

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Consular note of protest against the Confederate privateer "Shenandoah"]

Consular documents from Bahia, Brazil: 2-page "Marine Note of protest" and 10-page "Public Instrument of Declaration and protest." Clerical signature of Henry Libbey, master of the ship "Kate Prince" on page 2. Two clerical signatures for Peixoto on pages 2 and 11. Peixoto's signature is also on page 2 and 12. Document says Libbey was in command of the "Kate Prince," a ship based out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, that was captured by the Confederate privateer "Shenandoah" on 12 November 1864. He was released after signing a $40,000 bond. This document is a copy of the protest of that bond.…

GLC01843

May 2, 1793

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: A Proclamation [printer's proof of neutrality proclamation]

Printer's broadside proof of Washington's neutrality proclamation printed at the Columbian Centinel (Boston). The date is inferred.

GLC02391

25 March 1799

Bingham, William, 1752-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Bingham has anxiously awaited a reply from Knox. Bingham is happy to learn that Knox "arrangements with most of your Creditors and that you are likely to be relieved from your temporary Embarassments." Bingham asks Knox if he would consult with attorney Mr. Davis regarding a lawsuit involving Bingham and confiscation of cargo on neutral vessel "in the last War." Bingham's feeling are terribly hurt by this matter and points out that there have not been any documents shown to the court to prove the plaintiff's claims. "The interests of the United States are very much implicated in the…

GLC02437.07248

March 10, 1794

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Seymour

Letter written as Vice President. The letters discusses preserving neutrality between England and France.

GLC01482

27 July 1861

Rousseau, Lovell Harrison, 1818-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Colonel Rousseau recommends the appointment of Bland Ballard as Judge of the United States for the District of Kentucky. Of Ballard, Rousseau writes, "Mr. Ballard is, in my Judgment, in every way, fitted for that Place. He is a fine lawyer- we have no better in Kentucky. His standing is in every respect throughout the state, good. He is honest & capable- and he is, besides, a true, inflinching, fearless, Union Man without 'ifs or Conditions.' He has been this at all times, even when many men, accounted good, contended for the infamous neutrality." Two bust engravings of Rousseau…

GLC02456.24

10 August 1849

Clayton, John Middleton, 1796-1856

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Zachary Taylor

Secretary of State Clayton writes to the out-of-town Taylor that armed ships are heading towards Cuba. The Cabinet has drawn up a proclamation and he advises Taylor to expedite the signing of the document. Adds that Captain Hunter should be sent to the Chesapeake to monitor the movement against Cuba from Baltimore. Postscript says that the proclamation is enclosed (not included). Imprint on back reads "Satin."

GLC02505.08

1861

Holt, Joseph, 1807-1894

Pamphlet

Title: Letter from the Hon. Joseph Holt

Full title is: "Letter from the Hon. Joseph Holt, Upon the Policy of the General Government, the Pending Revolution, Its Objects, and the Duty of Kentucky in the Crisis." Printed by Henry Polkinhorn in Washington, D.C. Printed copy of a letter Holt wrote to Kentucky Judge Joshua Speed on 31 May 1861. Is glad that Kentucky has not joined the Confederacy, but says it is disappointing they have chosen a neutral course and have denied the right of all to march on their soil. Goes on to say the South is at fault for the course of events. Says origins of conflict go back to the 1830s "When General…

GLC08694