5 September 1780

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Livingston Jay

Written by Jay as Minister to Spain to his wife, who he refers to as Sally, in Madrid. Mentions he received her letter of 1 September 1780, as well as the bundle of letters she sent along. Says she did well in opening the bundle of letters. Also mentions "poor Morris" - referring to Gouverneur Morris, who had recently been criticized by his localist opponents in the New York Assembly for his inattention to New York land claims in what would eventually become Vermont. He was removed from Congress on 1 October 1779. Refers to the British capture of Charlestown, South Carolina and says Generals…

GLC02312

23 March 1798

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Breckinridge

Writes to Breckinridge, a former neighbor of Monroe in Albemarle County, Virginia who moved to Kentucky in 1793. Was a member of Kentucky House of Representatives when he received this letter. Monroe had recently returned from France, burdened with debts and writes that he wants to sell his Revolutionary War land bonus in Kentucky. Writes of problems with the sale. Says he is returning to practice of law in Richmond. He mentions early news of XYZ affair from Pinckney, Gerry and Marshall in Paris and rumors of Napoleon invading England.

GLC02323

30 July 1799

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Marked duplicate. Written by Pickering as Secretary of State to Bourne, a merchant and Counsel General of the United States to the Netherlands. Acknowledges letter of 10 May 1799. Pickering says he can return to America, despite the United States Minister to the Netherlands William Vans Murray's mission to Paris. Murray went to Paris as part of the a final peace mission to end the Quasi War, along with Patrick Henry and Oliver Ellsworth. He states there is no answer from the French government, but says the mission "will not remain in Paris to be neglected or trifled with: We shall not submit…

GLC02326

25 August 1796

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Van Rensselaer

Writing to his brother-in-law, New York State Senator Stephen Van Rensselaer (1791-1796), Hamilton introduces Minister of the French Republic Pierre Auguste Adet (1795-1797), who is visiting Albany, New York.

GLC02356

1818-1852

Clark, William, 1770-1838

Header Record

Title: Collection of documents re: Indian agents, payments to tribes [decimalized .01-.20]

GLC02146

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

22 April 1818

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: to Louis De Onis

Adams, Secretary of State, informs Onis, Minister Plenipotentiary from Spain, of the troubled travels of American William Davis Robinson in Mexico. States that Robinson was imprisoned after surrendering to Spanish authorities in Playa Vincente; following his surrender, the United States appealed to Spain to release him. Requests Robinson's immediate release. This document is fragile and slightly torn in the creases in page two.

GLC02403

6 April 1861

Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: [General Bragg discusses military matters in the Pensacola area]

Bragg (Confederate) states "Our truce remains in force, 'They are not to reinforce, We are not to attack.' It is being carried out by both parties so far. All kinds of supplies ... were being furnished the enemy when I got here. I have stopped that process after much trouble, and now only allow officers stores." Reports that Andrew Barry Moore, the Governor of Alabama, and Colonel Hardee (possibly William Joseph Hardee) "have given permission for a continuance of this trade from Mobile, but my orders are to scuttle all vessels captured in it, and my volunteers will do it. There is no law…

GLC02409

3 August 1791

Mifflin, Thomas, 1744-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Thanks the recipient for information in a previous letter, about the "hostile disposition of the Indians on the Frontiers." Shares his hope that federal treaties will ease the recipient's apprehensions and "produce a general peace." Introduces Col. Proctor, Mr. Boone and Mr. Linklain, who have brought the present letter on their trip to the "interior counties," and asks the recipient to help and accommodate them if possible.

GLC02207

23 December 1862

Maury, Dabney Herndon, 1822-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Walker

Remarks that he has been unable to fight any battles in his home state (Virginia), but has instead served in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Wishes that the French Emperor, Napoleon III, would speed mediation. Notes that his promotion has not altered him, as he still wears the same corduroy jacket, keeps his hair cut the same way, and shares the same feelings as before. Discusses his promotion, the Confederacy and fellow generals (including Earl Van Dorn, John Clifford Pemberton, William Loring, Franklin Gardner, Lloyd Tilghman, William Montague Browne, and Albert Rust). Says "...My…

GLC02215

3 September 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall and and Henry Knox

Written jointly to General McDougall and General Henry Knox. Washington names them commissioners to meet with the commissioners of Sir Guy Carleton, the commander of British forces in America, to settle issues with prisoners of war. Mentions enclosed resolutions of Congress, which are not included here. Asks them to make their preparations early. Is waiting for letters from Congress before he gives them instructions and sets up a meeting place. Sends along report of previous commissioners to help them prepare, which are not included here. Partial tears in document where folds are. Folio pages…

GLC02380

7 March 1799

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Pitcairn

Written by Pickering as Secretary of State to Pitcairn as American Consul in Hamburg. Based on previous information from Pitcairn, Pickering says dispatches sealed in false bottoms of tubs owned by three mulattoes, one white man, and one white woman have been seized. Pickering forwarded the information to South Carolina Governor Edward Rutledge, who had the dispatches seized from the ship Minerva in Charleston. They are being examined by General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Encloses a report and two copies of Elbridge Gerry's correspondence, which are not included.

GLC02381

January 27, 1847

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam

Encloses a passport and a letter for General Campbell. Gazzam was to depart on a voyage to Havana soon and apparently asked Buchanan if there were any dispatches needing posting. Buchanan politely replies that dispatches post to Havana by mail very quickly and that couriers are not usually paid to carry them so he cannot comply with his request.

GLC02103

9 April 1865

Object

Title: [Appomattox ink well]

Small, ceramic, bell-shaped, brown bottle, glazed, with cork. Label affixed to the bottom, inscribed by Hempstead Washburne: "This is the ink bottle used in signing the Treaty [underscored] at Appomattox by Gen. Lee & Gen. Grant. It was presented to E. B. Washburne by Gen. Grant & comes to me from my father E. B. Washburne. Hempstead Washburne [added in another hand:] 1938-126." This ink well was used by Ulysses S. Grant to sign the surrender treaty at Appomattox and was given to Elihu Washburne on 10 April 1865 along with the note announcing Robert E. Lee's surrender (GLC02084.01).

GLC02084.02

16 September 1797

Bradford, William, 1729-1808

Document signed

Title: [Instrument of protest]

Signed by Bradford as notary public. James Bowers, Master of the Brigantine Flora from New York, had been seized and all his goods confiscated by a Royal Navy Schooner of War, the George and Ophelia. The protest notes that "perfect Peace and Amity existed between Great Britain and the... United States" at that time.

GLC02108

May 26, 1863

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Villere

Beauregard, in charge of the defense of the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina, replies to previous correspondence from his brother-in-law Villere. He writes "I am happy to hear of the confidence in me expressed every where, but I am always fearful not to justify it, for, besides my limited capacity, there are so many other causes of failure... I feel less confident in myself now than I did two years ago! For I Know that if I succeed I only increase the irritation of certain Persons against me- & if I fail, of their satisfaction & ire!" He offers his opinion on how the North should…

GLC02129

17 April 1790

Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed in text. Note left for Knox as he was not home when Bourne came to call. States that he wanted to discuss with Knox about "when the foreign arrangments [sic] will take place..." Asks Knox to speak to the President, George Washington, on his behalf regarding his candidacy for a position abroad in the public agency. Date previously inferred, added later in pencil. See GLC02437.04587 for Knox's response to Bourne's letter.

GLC02437.04585

17 April 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Replies to Bourne's letter (GLC02437.04585) that he received earlier that morning. Says that he will assist Bourne with his pursuits (an appointment abroad in the public agency) and gives him advice on how to best handle the business. Recommends Bourne expresses his desires on paper before seeking assistance from the President, George Washington, or the Secretary of Treasurer, Alexander Hamilton. Mentions his wish to have the Flucker estate settled as soon as possible.

GLC02437.04587

7 August 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to George Washington

A draft of a letter to Washington from Secretary of War Knox sketching out elements of a treaty with the Creek Indians. Signed a public treaty with the Creeks, represented by Alexander McGillivray and all the Creek leaders able to attend. Additional, private articles were signed by McGillivray on behalf of the Creek Nation. Reports that since recent negotiations had failed to produce a peace treaty, and since the informal truce had almost expired, the government felt it necessary to take up new negotiations to protect settler families. Discusses the issues at stake in the negotiation,…

GLC02437.04673

23 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Secretary of War Knox informs President Washington that "the differences between England and Spain have been accommodated." Signed "HK." Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.04732

22 December 1790

Barrett, Samuel, 1739-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Barrett wants to know "(in confidence)" from Knox whose idea was behind a recent speech President Washington made in which he "introduces the Subject of the Consular Convention to the Consideration of Congress." Barrett asks for advice about when he should resubmit an application to the President.

GLC02437.04805

16 September 1789

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that their friend Mr. [Nathaniel] Barrett, the bearer of the letter, is applying to the President for the position in the Consulate of France. Relates that Mr. Barrett lived in France as a merchant and would be well-suited for the position. Hopes that if Knox agrees that Mr. Barrett is a good match for the position, he will second the nomination.

GLC02437.04359

22 November 1789

Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Replies to Knox's letter of 27 September (GLC02437.04368). Plans to present his wishes to obtain a foreign appointment. Urges Knox to forward his proposals to the Flucker estate's creditors so Bourne can attend to the matter before the next session of Congress.

GLC02437.04419

4 July 1790

Brett, Piercy, fl. 1788-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses politics in regards to the possible war with Spain. Writes, "Our political situation at present is so enveloped in clouds of doubt and uncertainty, that the keenest and clearest eyes can see nothing through them ... we have as formidable a fleet ready to sail as ever was fitted out in this country, in so short a space of time, well-manned and in high spirits, eager to engage the enemy, yet it is by no means certain that they will face us, or that a war will take place." Notes that the high-level diplomatic negotiations are kept secret. Possible terms of agreement between England and…

GLC02437.04643

14 August 1790

McGillvray, Alexander, 1750-1793

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Oath of allegiance]

Creek chief McGillivray swears an oath of allegiance to the United States government and swears to obey the President of the United States as well as "orders of the officers appointed over me." He further agrees to obey "the true intent and meaning of the secret articles of the treaty of peace" signed between the Creeks and the American government. Sworn before and signed by Supreme Court Justice John Blair, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and chief clerk of the War Office John Stagg.

GLC02437.04691