June 22, 1779

Deane, Silas, 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Barnabas Deane

Writing to his brother in reference to accusations of fraud against him in relation to foreign procurement of supplies, Deane finds "our Situation,...without a Parallel either in Ancient or Modern Story." Also describes the plight of American money, her people and her army.

GLC01759

December 31, 1843

Reily, James, fl. 1841-1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Thomas William Ward

Reily writes to Ward discussing that his is not expecting the annexation of Texas to the U.S. Marked "Private."

GLC01779

August 1, 1801

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed letter signed

Title: to Consuls and Commercial Agents of the United States

Circular letter instructing the recipients to issue only the enclosed sample Sea-letter (not included) to vessels so that ships owned by American citizens could be identified (and property protected) and fraud from forged seals and sea-letters could be prevented. Also discusses issuing certificates of health to avoid unnecessary quarantines and the consuls' duties relating to the relief of seamen. Letter signed as Secretary of State.

GLC01470

April 7, 1853

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lizzie Ellicott

Jocular letter where he talks of mutual acquaintances, taking a trip east in June, and other trivial matters. Promises her that when he becomes President, Mr. Pike will receive a diplomatic appointment "and you shall enjoy old world sights for me."

GLC01473

14 July 1832

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Samuel J. Bayard to as Clerk of the Commission]

Appointing Bayard as Clerk of the Commission for "carrying into effect the Treaty of limits between the Untied States and the United Mexican States," a treaty establishing the border. Countersigned by Secretary of State Edward Livingston. Affixed with paper seal of the United States.

GLC01475

April 20, 1813

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Monroe

Letter written in his neatest hand. Adams thanks Secretary of State Monroe for a favorable report concerning his son's diplomatic service, at St. Petersburg, and alluding to the appointment of his son to peace commissioner. John Quincy had been appointed peace commissioner on April 17, with Russia as mediator between the U.S. and Britain, but the attempt proved abortive. However, young Adams remained and was eventually part of the peace commission the negotiated at Ghent. John Adams seems to be recalling his own diplomatic service during the Revolution as a peace commissioner and how it…

GLC01481

April 16, 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Letter written as President to Secretary of War McHenry. Concerning Adams' interpretation of the Constitution concerning military appointments. Adams remarks "I never understood the Constitution. To suppose that the President has power to appoint Judges and Ambassadors... and not officers in the Army... is... very embarassing to the public service." Remnants of wax seal on address leaf. Docketed by McHenry.

GLC01477

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

July 14, 1902

Root, Elihu, 1845-1937

Telegram

Title: to William Howard Taft

Copy of a telegram from Secretary of War Root to William Howard Taft. Root thanks him for the successful result of his negotiations with the Vatican about the Friar Lands in the Philippines. He explains the position of the United States government toward these lands. He is to represent this position to the Philippine government and to church authorities in the Philippines.

GLC01625.03

9 May 1902

Root, Elihu, 1845-1937

Document

Title: Instructions of the Secretary of War to Governor William H. Taft in the matter of the purchase of the Friar Lands in the Philippines.

Because Congress has not yet acted on recommendations of the commission in regards to the Friar Lands of the Philippines and Taft cannot delay his return there, the President authorizes Taft to travel to Rome to determine which authorities of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines have the right to sell the lands. His errand is not diplomatic, but official assistance will be rendered to him.

GLC01625.04

February 1, 1815

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Levett Harris

Adams thanks Harris, the United States Charge d'Affaires in Russia, for obtaining and sending Adams' passport while Adams attended peace negotiations in Ghent. He refers to European peace proceedings in Vienna, stating that "The late symptoms of a coalition between France and England are the strongest guaranty of the continuance of Peace." He informs Harris that his wife, Louisa Catherine Adams, is in charge of several financial transactions in Adams' absence.

GLC01644

20 June 1776

Howe, Richard Howe, Earl, 1726-1799

Manuscript document

Title: Official French copy of Benjamin Franklin-Richard Howe letters [in French]

First letter dated 20 June 1776, written aboard the Eagle off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, is from Admiral Richard Howe to Benjamin Franklin. Encloses official dispatches (not present) outlining his mission of peace with the colonies. Mentions in his postscript that his brother, General William Howe, will act as a fellow peace commissioner. Franklin replies on 30 July 1776 from Philadelphia. Refuses the offers of a pardon in the case of the colonies' surrender, as outlined in the official documents referred to by Howe. Rejects the idea of surrender and excoriates the British Empire for what…

GLC01670

October 17, 1785

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bowdoin

King and Gerry, members of the Continental Congress, transmit information concerning two acts of Congress to Bowdoin, Governor of Massachusetts. States that these acts (not included) contain instructions to an unspecified foreign minister. Requests Bowdoin's secrecy regarding the transmitted information. Instructs Bowdoin to forward the information to John Adams, Minister to England. Slightly torn on the top of the second page.

GLC01674

21 July 1815

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph document signed

Title: [Passeport N.5: Passport introducing American Joel Post as Envoy Extraordinary to England]

In French. Introduces Joel Post as Envoy Extroadinary to England and certifies that he is an American citizen. Also provides physical description of Post: his age (46), height (5' 9.5"), brow (high), eyes (grey), nose (straight), mouth (average), chin (round), hair color (blond) and face (oval). Document signed by John Quincy Adams, and signed and sealed in red by Post. Information on verso, also in French, listing the date of July, 1815, with two stamps reading "Legation de France a Londres."

GLC01676

April 14, 1825

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Letter signed

Title: to William C. Somerville

Secretary of State Clay informs Somerville of Somerville's appointment as Charge d'Affaires of the United States in Sweden. States that Somerville will replace Christopher Hughes, who will assume the post of Charge d'Affaires of the United States in the Netherlands. Refers to the inclusion of a letter of introduction addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Sweden, a copy of this letter, and of Somerville's Commission (not included). Offers instructions regarding the duties Somerville will assume at his new post. Informs that Somerville will receive more papers…

GLC01574.03

March 29, 1808

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

This document refers to the Monroe-Pinkney treaty of 1806 (per Monroe Papers). The discusses sending the text of the treaty.

GLC01575

July 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin

A cryptic but important letter written in the same month as the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, as commander in chief, in response to Franklin's letters. Possibly a draft since Washington has left the day and a name blank, but soon or shortly after July 30, when Franklin's response to Howe was delivered. Letter discusses belated peace initiatives of the Howe brothers. This letter responds to two letters from Franklin, one commended Washington for his work with the inventor Joseph Belton to construct a submarine, while the other (now lost) was a copy of his response on behalf of…

GLC01588

14 May 1813

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Broadside

Title: Cartel for the exchange of prisoners of war, between Great Britain and the United States of America

Broadside reprinting terms of prisoner exchange agreed to by the American and British governments. Includes notations on the right and left margins of the document. Signed by Secretary of State James Monroe and Tho. Barclay.

GLC01621

September 21, 1798

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Serving as Secretary of State, Pickering informs an unknown recipient of a letter received from Colonel David Humphreys regarding a claim presented to the Spanish Government. Expects that "if we avoid a war with Spain, the claim will finally be paid." Letter discusses a Concerning payment of a claim to the Spanish Government.

GLC01579.02

August 26, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to President and Directors of the Bank of New York

Secretary of War Knox transfers a letter from President Washington (not included). He requests a $10,000 loan and additional monies when needed for the commissioners negotiating treaties with Indians. Letter written from the "War Office."

GLC01561

November 22, 1801

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

A long letter, in which Lafayette discusses revolutionary France, his personal affairs and associations, and the light his personal correspondence with George Washington will cast on the memoirs of General Washington being written by Bushrod Washington. On revolutionary France and the war being waged by Napoleon, he writes: "I am among the few who persist to profess that the Liberal seeds which among so much weed have been sown upon European[,] and particularly upon French, ground cannot and shall not be ultimately lost." He discusses personal relationships with Lord Cornwallis and Napoleon.…

GLC01562

June 2, 1785

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Marked "Duplicate" by Adams, and possibly used for en-cyphering because of the marks and lines above letters, words and sentences. Describes in great detail Adams's reception by King George III as America's first ambassador to Great Britain. He quotes his speech to the king, and the king's response. He also describes an awkward moment when the king tactlessly remarked "There is an opinion, among some People, that you are not the most attracted of all your Countrymen, to the manners of France." Adams writes "I was a little embarassed, but determined not to deny the Truth on one hand, nor leave…

GLC01538

December 2, 1794

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Letter written as United States consul to the Hague, to the American Vice Consul in Amsterdam. Adams quotes portions of the treaty and asks that the extract not be published. Also mentions news of the Jay Treaty, which was just signed. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC01539

August 4, 1812

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Joy

Discusses some political pamphlets that dealt with the 1807 British naval attack by the ship Leopold against the Chesapeake, an American ship, and its consequences for the War of 1812. Adams was then the United States Ambassador to Russia. Joy, who lived in London, was an advocate for the Americans during the War of 1812.

GLC01540

23 September 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Queen Victoria

Presenting James M. Mason as the "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary" from the Confederate States of America to Great Britain. Mason and John Slidell were captured by Union ships during their voyage to Europe, beginning the Trent Affair.

GLC01546