10 June 1791

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Massachusetts Congressman Gerry to Secretary of War Knox. Says he requested 26 shares in the Bank of the United States from Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Cox. Enclosed a $650 bank note "to make the first specie payment." Asks Knox to take care of the payment if something prevents Cox. Says "we are in daily expectation of the Secretary of the Treasury[,] Mr Jefferson &c, but I hear nothing of your intentions to visit Massachusetts." Postscript gives Knox permission to open his letter to Cox if he is absent.

GLC02437.04983

circa 1861-1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Photograph

Title: Political cartoon: "Uncle Abes Last Joke."

Drawing shows a bust portrait of Abraham Lincoln surrounded by a collage of currency bills of different denominations. Three of the bills have George Washington's image on them, which is circled in each case. Imprint on image "Uncle Abes Last Joke. 'A Big Thing on Currency. For Further Particulars see small Bills.'"

GLC05111.02.1375

13 November 1861

Elmore, Edward Carrington, fl. 1861-1865

Manuscript document

Title: [Signatures of persons authorized to sign Confederate Treasury notes]

Confederate Treasurer Elmore sends a list of 19 signatures that appear on Confederate Treasury notes. Clerically signed by "Taylor" on behalf of Elmore; with actual signatures of R. L. Delaney, C. C. Thayer, E. L. Massie, R. McRae, Thomas J. Miller, R. S. Jones, M. C. Riggs, L. J. Levin, H. Kepler, H. H. Goodloe, R. H. Tighe, R. M. Payne, J. C. Tennent, R. Gilliam, and J. B. Jones. Two additional signatures are illegible. Created to detect counterfeit bills. Written on Confederate States of America Treasurer's Office stationery..

GLC07332

1793

Document

Title: A Table of Gold Coins Agreeable to a Law...

Illustrates 24 foreign legal tender coins (possibly a foldout removed from a book).

GLC07412

1870s-1880s ca.

Broadside

Title: Greenbacks for Bonds; One Currency

Verso contains text of law authorizing the first issue of greenbacks and 5.20 bonds. Printed with black and green ink.

GLC07785

16 May 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Acknowledges receipt of Knox's last letter. Mentions current issues facing the military establishment, particularly regarding enlistment and pay. Also touches on military inspections, and tells Knox to expect a letter from Captain C[onstant] Freeman on the subject. Briefly mentions the "price of State notes." Discusses the travel plans of Mrs. Swan, who will be meeting her husband in Paris. Hopes she will travel with some letters of introduction in case Mr. [James] Swan cannot meet her when she arrives.

GLC02437.04610

17 June 1792

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Knox's decision to relinquish to William Duer all claims to land in the "Eastern purchase." Writes, "I am at a loss to determine the reasons that governed you in this business, as they are so far different from those we had in contemplation at the time we parted." States that although 15,000 New York currency is a large sum, it is far less than the sum that was paid for the first purchase. Hopes to gain one fifth of the profit for helping Knox with the dealings. Also asks about land that he expected to receive. Inquires about the balance owed by the Society of the Cincinnati…

GLC02437.05508

5 January 1795

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox to inquire about coining four tons of silver that Jackson has in ingots. States he is also curious if the Treasuring Department would be willing to purchase the silver from him for the same rate they pay per ounce. Notes he would prefer selling the silver to the Treasury Department rather than having it coined. Says if Knox cannot do this to pass the letter to [David] Cobb. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.06293

February 14, 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses an excise and valuation bill in the House. Writes, "The state notes hold their ground much better than the continentals, the moment they are at your marker, I will strike, and with the greatest secrecy as it respects you." Comments that at present he cannot determine how Knox's plan for the militia will be received, as he has heard many different opinions about it. Informs Knox that they celebrated Washington's birthday in Boston.

GLC02437.04510

27 December 1789

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses issues with the eastern lands and the need for Knox to act quickly. Mentions that the price of state paper has gone up since Jackson last wrote to Knox and that "Continental Certificates" are going backwards. Says he will not purchase any notes until he hears back from Knox. Also mentions fishing, saying "let me know what you are after - possibly some fish may come to my hook - I should like to be baited & ready for them - you know I like Salmon -" Wishes Knox and his family a merry Christmas.

GLC02437.04452

29 July 1787

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Knox's upcoming visit this fall and business with "young Isaac," (possibly referring to Isaac Winslow) as well as Knox's letter regarding Robert Morris's affairs. Also mentions Knox's other business dealings including a copper contract. Says Knox needs to make sure he gets his "cut of the Cake before it is eat up..." GLC02437.03622 was originally enclosed.

GLC02437.03626

15 August 1785

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Henry Jackson writes to his close friend General Henry Knox on a variety of topics. Writes "I have been Lasey it is true, but cool weather is coming on & I shall be more attentive in future." Discusses the sale of some hardware goods Knox had obtained and the price for which they have been selling in England. Mentions matters of local politics, including letters between the governor and Congress and also disparaging remarks against "our friend B." made in the newspaper. Comments on difficulties with new currency at the bank. Discusses a local dinner party. Finally, describes the…

GLC02437.03179

19 September 1785

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has received Knox's last letter. Reports that he has heard from a friend of Henry's brother William Knox, in London, that William should be arriving in America any day. Discusses matters of finance: "As the Bank is now calling in the whole of the monies due to them, the new money has become of equal value to gold & silver." Declares that he feels he must sell Henry's notes in order to pay what they owe to the bank, though he regrets the sacrifice Knox will have to make for this. Reports on the financial trouble of other firms. Mentions that Mrs. Swan has received a…

GLC02437.03197

19 December 1785

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes on several topics. Mentions that [Samuel] Shaw will leave soon for New York and that Jackson has delivered to Shaw all of Henry Knox's brother William's luggage. Mentions that Governor [John] Hancock, his wife and family, and several others will depart the next day for New York, and that while most of them will take other methods of transportation, he intends to "proceed all the way by Land, the season of the year & the roads must be much against him." Discusses financial matters, particularly bank notes of his and Knox's which he has not yet disposed of because of their current…

GLC02437.03226

25 June 1787

Humphreys, David, 1752-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes in full, "It appears by the Resolution of Congress, authorizing the Board of Treasury to enter into a Contract for a Copper Coinage, that a person is to be appointed to superintend the business on the part of the Public. Captn Throop, whose character & services you are fully acquainted with, and who is lately entirely thrown out of all employment by the dissolution of my Regiment, is desirous of obtaining the appointment, if it shall be deemed within his reach of the sphere of his ability to accomplish the duties of it. I beg leave, therefore, to recommend him very earnestly to…

GLC02437.03590

26 May 1777

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Patrick Henry

Gives a detailed refutation of claims that he contributed to the depreciation of paper currency by converting money rents to tobacco. Attests to his love for America and details how he leased out his property to support his family. Discusses the value of paper money and his financial situation. Refutes accusations that he "favored new England to the injury of Virginia" and concealed embezzlement while a member of the Secret Committee. Comments on the importance of sectional accord. Discusses the strength of the Continental Army.

GLC06410

July 1788- December 1788

Carey, Mathew, 1760-1839

Magazine

Title: The American Museum: or repository of ancient and modern fugitive pieces, & c. prose and poetical. Volume IV.

Printed by Carey. Carey dedicates this volume to General George Washington. Includes a printing of Washington's farewell orders to the armies of the United States, issued 2 November 1783 from Rocky Hill, near Princeton, New Jersey (pages 240-242). Also includes a letter observing that in Maryland, "negroes are to be introduced [in Maryland] instead of paper money as a medium of commerce" (page 52). Includes various indications of ownership on inner front and back covers (formerly owned by Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia). Also includes, "Observations on bartering Negroes," "An account…

GLC06565

22 December 1786

Duer, William, 1747-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that Knox's "note becomes due this day" but the man from the Bank has not "called with it, prevented I suppose by the weather- of course I can not send it to you till Monday- I now send you one hundred and Seventy seven Dollars in Bank Paper." Declares that he will send the balance Monday.

GLC02437.03386

16 July 1790

Duer, William, 1747-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses cancelled notes (not included), and discusses financial business in detail. Writes, "My Frenchmen drain me of cash, as I find it impossible to sell bills in France-"

GLC02437.04654

23 December 1791

Pintard, John, 1759-1844

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The first part, at the top, is a note from John Pintard, explaining that he is sending Knox five thousand dollars in gold to Knox, per Duer's request. The note on the bottom is from William Duer, referring to the sum Pintard is sending, and mentioning that he will be sending more money on the following Tuesday. Pencil calculations on verso.

GLC02437.05271

12 July 1787

Fenner, Robert, fl. 1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Outlines his endeavors, as Treasurer of North Carolina's chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati, to obtain funds to "discharge Majr L'Enfant." Reports that the society members agreed wholeheartedly but adds that he has had some trouble acquiring hard money because there is currently a scarcity of it in North Carolina. Also discusses his efforts to increase attendance at society meetings, and mentions the election of delegates to the next general meeting. Mentions "the probability that the Indians have done some mischief" in the area.

GLC02437.03603

27 December 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Manuscript document signed

Title: Resolution in Congress 27th Dec. 1776 investing Genl Washington with certain powers [fragment]

Final page of document conferring extraordinary power on Washington. For six months he is granted the power "to fill up all Vacancies in every other Department in the American Armies; to take wherever he may be, whatever he may want for the Use of the Army...to arrest and confine Persons who refuse to take the Continental Currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American Cause." The lost portion of the document confers on Washington other powers as well. It is possible this document was being sent to Washington himself, then intercepted by the British. Title from docket. Transcript…

GLC05611

circa March 1787

Hopkins, Joseph, fl. 1787

Manuscript document

Title: Proposals for coining copper for the United States

Lists five proposals for the use of copper to mint coins.

GLC02437.08164

circa 1787-1788

Manuscript document

Title: [List regarding copper mining]

Discusses the process and issues to consider when mining for copper.

GLC02437.08190

December 1782

Manuscript document

Title: [Officers' grievances, to be presented to Congress]

"The Officers of the Army, in Behalf of themselves and the Soldiery, beg leave, in plain & respectful language, to lay a State of their Circumstances and Grievances before Congress." The writer claims that the Government has not upheld its end of the bargain in supplying officers with adequate pay and rations. Argues that Continental money at nominal value was "palmed upon the Army," that the quantity of rations doled out to troops was frequently altered (to the disadvantage of soldiers), and that the account for rations has been unsettled for several years. Includes other grievances…

GLC02437.10073