31 August 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

Apologizes for his parents not having received his recent letters, but again requests $50, preferably not in state money because it is not good there. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.15

13 September 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

Has received the money. Although $20 was in state money and is not worth anything there, it worked out because he owed a friend $20 who sent it home to Rhode Island, where it had full value. Is anxious to start a tug boat business after the war. Gives news of friends James Canty, James Kerns, and Major McMahorn. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.16

17 September 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

Thanks them for the final $10 they sent. Though it was state money, he manages to use it by trading it to another soldier who sent it home. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.17

January 13, 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

His regiment has been transferred from Cochrane's Brigade to Pratt's Light Division, assigned to skirmish, reconnaissance, and the prevention of guerrilla raids. Their camp is much more comfortable. Wonders how greenbacks are functioning with several rumors abounding.

GLC03523.23.06

circa 1785-1788

Walden, Frederick H., fl. 1785-1788

Autograph document signed

Title: [Plan of contract]

Plan of a contract proposed to the "United States of America in Congress assembled or any of them separately" for the minting and import from Sweden of copper coins, and the import of cooper sheeting for roofing.

GLC02437.08126

circa 1787

Manuscript document signed

Title: [A proposal on a principle of finance & oeconomy]

Discusses a transaction involving large quantities of wood, and another involving a "contract for copper coin." Reference to contract with [James] Jarvis used to establish circa date.

GLC02437.08158

24 September 1787

Hornblower, John, fl. 1787

Autograph document signed

Title: [Directions for mining]

Discusses the necessary measures for proper mining.

GLC02437.08191

10 July 1864

Owens, R.D., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wortham

Accuses men belonging to Sharlington's Company of stealing from him. Says he watched as a few men from "Sharlington's Co went and broke open my trunk and stole all of my clothes and about $1500 in NC bank money." Has confronted Sharlington about this and says his company is full of scoundrels. "They have done more harm than they have good ever since they have been in this country. Whenever the Yankees come they leave. I do not believe there is a man in the County but what had rather have them out of it. Col everytime I think of their robbing me it makes my blood bad boil within me." Offers to…

GLC02233.47

17 March 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William H. McParlin

Discusses the need for medical supplies, commenting that "The sickness at Camp Douglas is on the decline - but the prisoners of war at Camp Butler near Springfield are reported as having much sickness among them." Comments on his impression of Chicago and the traffic on the river running through the city. Notes his plans to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Discusses financial matters including Congressional plans to cut his salary. Notes "Treasury notes is the best currency here except of course gold & silver. Bank notes are brought from Connecticut, N.Y., Massachusetts, Vermont & New…

GLC02649.13

circa 1863

Pond, William, 1824-1885

Printed document

Title: How are you green-backs?

Published in New York City by Charles Magnus. Pond wrote the lyrics for this seven-verse song. Includes a color print depicting a printing press.

GLC03619.01.11

12 April 1864

Gibson, John McKinley, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Tobias Gibson]

He discusses a recent letter from home and the Currency Bill passed by the Confederate Congress which discounts notes at approximately 83 %. He also writes his views on slavery, "There is no such thing as satisfying a negro without slavery. They do not know their own wants and unless there is some one to teach them, they are but as little children I hope they may in some way be made to feel that they are not the superiors of the whites." Reports that his brother Hart is in a prison camp in Ohio. Written near Dalton, Georgia. In part: "Have you seen the "Currency Bill" passed by the C[…

GLC04501.094

1735

Zenger, John P., 1697-1746

Newspaper

Title: New-York weekly journal. [Vol. 933, no. 98 (September 22, 1735)]

Bitterly denounces the government of William Cosby, although the writer never uses the Governor's name in the essay. Particularly focuses on the corruption of the counselors and ministers who surround the governor and prevent the voice of the people from reaching Cosby. Includes an update on the War of the Polish Succession. Reports the capture of a suspect carrying counterfeit bills from Connecticut. The suspect was imprisoned and found to be carrying a total of one hundred pounds. Advertises the soon-to-be-published "A Brief Narrative of the Case and Tryal of John Peter Zenger,…

GLC06108.05

9 October 1853

Autograph endorsement

Title: to unknown

Confidential endorsement has original author's name struck. Discusses the sin of writing letters on a Sunday and includes a funny anecdote. Writes about a possible lapse in the U.S.-Mexican treaty regarding the taxing of items left behind by American servicemen. Mentions the coinage Mexico has received from Americans living in that country and its prohibited circulation. Discusses rendering it valueless, then imposing a duty on coins carried out of the country. Discusses his knowledge of what conspires within the President's Palace and mentions the Mexicans' plan to trade with the United…

GLC03587.04

December 2, 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 362

Signed by H.L. Scott. Forbids the export of silver or gold from occupied areas of Mexico. Imprint reading "Bet Field Message" in upper left corner.

GLC00911.40

5 January 1848

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 8

Signed by H.L. Scott. Prevention of fraud in paying duties on precious metals includes better record- keeping and soldier escorts.

GLC00911.51

January 27, 1848

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 31

Signed by H.L. Scott. Continues General Orders No. 376 and 395 of 1847 regarding gold and silver bullion.

GLC00911.60

27 April 1848

Butler, William Orlando, 1791-1880

Document

Title: Orders No. 78

Signed by L. Thomas. Docket reads "No. 78." Discusses exportation duties on gold and silver.

GLC00911.82

15 June 1787

Stevens, John, 1749-1838

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests a payment of £180 from Henry Knox in New York currency payable to Thomas Smith to pay the rent of Knox's house. At bottom is a July 20 autograph endorsement signed by Smith to confirm receipt of the payment.

GLC02437.03582

5 April 1883

Gorringe, Henry Honeychurch, 1841-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan William Poillon

Writes to say he has received no answer in relation to the note he sent about the return of coins he lent to the numismatic society. Wants to make sure they will be returned and to know when to expect them. Written on Gorringe's personal stationary which has his address at 32 Waverly Place printed at the top.

GLC03479.49

26 July 1787

Morris, John, fl. 1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Morris

Writes a very long and detail letter to his wife about the news from the area and his application for half pay. Reports that "Doctor [Mr. Pendergass] had been playing the fool with one of his mades, the consiquances [sic] of which is by the help of malesious [sic] people he and his family is oblidged to leave the country." Mentions the doctor's wife could use a friendly face and asks his wife to call upon her. Says there has been no further news regarding the commissioners. Appears to be discussing a claim for payment he sent to the commissioners. States that if he does not receive…

GLC02437.03623

January 27, 1788

Schuyler, Arent J., 1746-1803

Manuscript letter

Title: to Nicholas Hoffman

Copy of a letter from Schuyler to Hoffman, written in Henry Knox's hand. First three pages consist of Schuyler's letter; final three pages contain Knox's remarks concerning this letter. Schuyler's original was written at Barbados Neck. He lists stipulations for leasing his copper mines to Hoffman. Provides details on the length of the lease (21 years). Limits locations in which Hoffman can dig for ore. Requires eight men to work in the mines for at least eight months per year. Indicates that these terms are taken from the lease formerly granted to Mr. Hornblower. It is unclear whether…

GLC02437.03775

27 June 1781

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs his brother, Brigadier General Henry Knox, he has received a sum of money [for Henry] from Colonel Henry Jackson. Discusses currency and depreciation. Reports that Colonel Sears will likely not be able to join Knox in attempting to regain New York from the British . Reports on recent problems with digestion, headaches, and "weakness of Nerves." Sends his regards to his sister -in-law.

GLC02437.00985

07 December 1822

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Dr. Cutting.

Conveying views on paper currency as inflationary "Fictious Money."

GLC08065

20 May 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Recently arrived in Wethersfield with Generals George Washington and Duportail to meet General Rochambeau and Admiral Louis Jacques comte de Barras de Saint-Laurant to discuss "matters of great consequence." Expresses relief regarding William's management of an unspecified debt. Hopes for the safety of the Amsterdam, a ship. Comments on his distress regarding the depreciation of paper currency, asking William to procure "hard money" if he can. Adds that he will be paid as a Brigadier of Infantry, and asks William to look into the matter of his pay and "send a copy of the award." In a…

GLC02437.00953

5 May 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Brigadier General Knox writes to his brother: "We have no news, but are alarm'd at the rapid depreciation of the paper currency... the State of Pennsylvania, has pass'd an act to strike old and new out of circulation after the first of next month, and in lieu thereof to emit 500,000 currency of that state upon some certain funds." Instructs William, who handled many of his business affairs: "This state of the money will point out to you most forcibly the necessity of obtaining the sums due to me..."

GLC02437.00945