8 July 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says there has been hot weather lately and that their father is in good health. Says he has not answered whether he would like to take advantage of an investment opportunity in a house in Baltimore for 200 dollars. Their father has rented a nice house until 1 October. Says she is putting off all enjoyments until he gets home. Mentions that there are several cases of cholera in Baltimore. Continues the letter on 17 July 1866 -- Says she read in the Sun that the "Wyoming" (Henry's ship) was involved in a collision in Nagasaki, Japan and she hopes it is…

GLC03523.21.59

16 July 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Rear Admiral Porter as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Lieutenant Command Walker, the former commander of the USS "Baron de Kalb," which sunk on its recent excursion up the Yazoo River. Asks him to call on General Grant 24 hours before he is ready to start up the Yazoo River "for the purpose of raising the De Kalb." Porter wants to save the hull of the "Baron de Kalb" if possible. Tells him to get all the materials necessary to do this. Asks him to save the machinery and everything movable on board if he cannot save the hull. Says the "Champion" will be used for a…

GLC03804.10

31 July 1869

Wainwright, John Howard, 1829-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Writes that he heard the USS "Sabine," under the command of Walker has just arrived at Spithead, England. Wants to know "of the working of the water machine which I put up on board." Asks for a note informing of his experiences with the machine. Trusts he will meet him at some point during his cruise. Wainwright asks that letters to him be sent to Paris.

GLC03804.15

19 August 1882

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Admiral Porter to Captain Walker as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. Marked "Private." It seems Walker was reporting about an experimental ship that was in need of repairs. Porter says repairs should be made and that is important to "find a vessel that will turn on her center, and go astern." Porter is not concerned about the repairs. Complains to Walker about the Board of Inspectors and hopes there are changes. Letter has very illegible handwriting.

GLC03804.19

February 22, 1864

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Speech delivered to the Great Central Fair of Buffalo]

Former President Fillmore notes historic inventions and developments, such as the rail road, steam engine, and telegraph, that have shaped Buffalo since the city's 1832 Centennial Celebration. Refers to the farewell addresses of Presidents George Washington and Andrew Jackson to offer guidance during the tumultuous war era. Declares "much must be forgiven- if not forgotten- on both sides before this Union can ever be restored" (page seven). Expresses his wish to immediately conquer the Confederate army, then to unite North and South by restoring Southerners with their Constitutional rights…

GLC04884.02

circa 27 November 1775

Quincy, Josiah, 1710-1784

Autograph document

Title: [Diagram of a naval weapon]

Seems to describe a naval weapon. Accompanies GLC02437.00213, a letter from Josiah Quincy in which Quincy discusses benefits of establishing an American naval force. Notes indicate that three "tier" of the structure depicted by the diagram "would provided the Timber was large, demolish the biggest Ship in the Navy." Includes further notes on construction of the weapon. Verso contains another diagram of a part of the weapon or a different weapon. Date added later in pencil

GLC02437.10000

20 August 1793

Anderson, John, 1726-1796

Manuscript document signed

Title: to George Washington

Same as GLC02437.10273. Titles the document "The Memorial." Writes discussing inventions. States "[t]hat he has invented a Bronze Guns Metal, which has the advantage of Common Iron Guns, and of Common Brass Guns, without their imperfections. That he has invented a Carriage for Guns; by which the recoil of the Gun is distroyed, without giving motion to the Carriage." Believes that these inventions will be very useful and writes that "because they were brought to the test of experiment by French Armies under the Generals [Marquis de] La Fayette, [Comte de] Rochambeau, [Charles François Du…

GLC02437.10274

20 August 1793

Anderson, John, 1726-1796

Manuscript document signed

Title: A short account of the Field Pieces presented by Mr Anderson Professor of Natural Philosophy, to Mr La Fayette, and the first National Assembly of France; together with two Extracts referred to in the Memorial to General Washington dated August 20th 1793

Originally included as an insert for a memorial to George Washington (GLC02437.10273 & .10274) advertising Anderson's inventions to improve field artillery. Writes he separated the French artillery into three classes, heavy, light, and the Volantes, "or those without wheels ... " States that "none of them [were] above Eight Pounders, and none under Four; because, in the opinion of the inventor, One, Two, and Three Pounders are unfit for throwing Grape Shot, and for wining field defence." Details Anderson's presentation of his Volantes. Describes military tactics in advancing troops,…

GLC02437.10275

19 March 1794

Maunsell, William, fl. 1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Maunsell

Discusses his successful experiment cultivating potatoes from their shoots. Claims, "a greater discovery was never made in agriculture…" and exclaims how the discovery will benefit "the lower orders of the People with food at a very cheap rate." Mentions the Dublin Society made him an honorary member and are presenting him with a gold medal for his discovery. Expresses his delight over the praises and compliments he has received from his discovery. Notes he will be presenting his work before his majesty (King George III) and the Prince of Wales (future King George IV). Describes the…

GLC02437.06066

1 December 1808

Dana, Samuel, 1767-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph B. Varnum

Massachusetts Congressman Samuel Dana introduces William Whittemore to Varnum, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Informs Varnum that Whittemore will be travelling to Washington, D.C. in order to preserve the patent for "the exclusive use of his machines."

GLC03845.07

3 March 1806

Tuttle, John L., fl. 1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Bradley Varnum

Informs Massachusetts Representative Varnum of Charles Hammond's invention of a quadrant used frequently and successfully by Hammond's military company. States that upon the advice of General Henry Knox and others, Hammond applied for a patent. Reports that "Hammond's quadrant imbraces such a combination of mathematical principles, so applyed to practical use, as to merit the attention and patronage of Government." Requests that Varnum examine Hammond's design, and instructs Varnum to inform Secretary of State James Madison that Hammond will promptly send a complete model.

GLC03845.06

24 September 1861

McKenzie, Duncan, fl. 1861

Document signed

Title: Patent, Camp Cooking Apparatus

Patent, Camp Cooking Apparatus. An early "portable and convenient device" for Union soliders cooking in the field.

GLC08303

1783-1815

Livingston, Robert, 1654-1728

Document signed

Title: [Check written out to Robert Fulton].

$500 check from Robert Livingston to Robert Fulton, possibly for steamboat work. Countersigned by Robert Fulton.

GLC08280

July 16, 1859

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward P. Fry

Replies to Fry's letter stating that he will inform him of his partners' decisions as soon as he hears from them. Comments that he is convalescent and will probably pass through Philadelphia to New York soon. Advises that if a satisfactory arrangement is made with a company for a telegraphic line from Philadelphia to New York, he will do what he can to secure Fry his desired situation.

GLC04503.02

10 July 1844

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward P. Fry

Writes that he has just received word from his partners that a proprietor will contract to complete a telegraph line from Philadelphia to New York for $60,000 to be finished by 1 January 1845. Includes technical details about the line and how the payments will be made. Informs that he will attend to procuring and training young men to use the system if compensated. Gives Fry 20 days to accept the offered terms. Addressed to Fry in Philadelphia.

GLC04503.03

14 September 1849

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. F. Frazer

Asks if he can use Frazer's copy of Moigno's "Traite de Telegraphic," and replace it at a later date so that he may have it on hand during the trial next month. Reports that he tried to purchase the book but the bookstore was out of it. He has ordered one from France with which he will replace Frazer's copy. Addresses Frazer as Professor. Written from Jones Hotel, no city or state.

GLC04480.01

July 1844

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward P. Fry

Writes that he has seen Mr. Smith who will be at his office tomorrow morning. States that Mr. Burbank, the man who is in charge of negotiations for Morse, is at Lovejoy's Hotel and advises Fry to bring this letter as an introduction. Dated Wednesday morning.

GLC04503.01

22 August 1844

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward P. Fry

Regrets that he cannot yet give Fry an answer to his request because he cannot get in touch with all the other proprietors. Sends a paper Fry requested (not present), and states he has made an improvement in the telegraph machinery which will allow him to write at least 25 characters a minute. Informs that he has just completed experiments on running telegraph lines across rivers. Addressed to Fry in Philadelphia.

GLC04503.04

1 January 1869

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward P. Fry

Replies to Fry's request for his memories of events occurring in 1844. Morse states that " ... with my feeble memory in regard to the details, I fear I can give you but little satisfaction." Remembers negotiating with Amos Kendall to have him put in control of the business aspects of the telegraph. Believes that Fry is correct in saying that Fry was the first to attempt to form a company to extend the telegraph line from Philadelphia to New York. Concurs that he was obstructed from doing this by those ruling Wall Street at the time. Comments that he does not remember the details of their…

GLC04503.05

11 March 1870

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward P. Fry

Thanks Fry for sending a memorandum that proves that Morse was interested in having the government own the telegraph invention back in 1844. States that he made concessions to make it easier and less costly for the government but that they did not take advantage before the offer expired. Believes that this is now to his advantage and that it would not have been a good idea to have the government control the telegraph.

GLC04503.06

14 March 1870

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward P. Fry

Complains about mail he has sent that has failed to reach its destination, including a recent letter to Fry. Includes a transcript of the earlier note that was never received in which he thanks Fry for information sent to him proving that Morse was interested in having the government purchase the telegraph invention back in 1844 (see GLC04503.06 for original letter).

GLC04503.07

March 14, 1870

Fry, Edward P., fl. 1844-1870

Autograph note signed

Title: [List of letters sent from Samuel F. B. Morse to Edward P. Fry]

Lists dates and places written of five letters sent from Morse to Fry concerning the formation of a telegraph line from New York to Philadelphia in 1844. Note at bottom states that other letters from 1870 were included in order to make a book of autographs. Signed with initials, E. P. F. Letters referred to are GLC04503.01 - .07.

GLC04503.08

18 August 1865

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. M. Stuart

Gives the address of William Goodrich in Paris. Also encloses his photograph (not present). Replies to her request for his opinion on the Atlantic telegraph by saying "I have always had full faith in its final accomplishment; It is practicable, and therefore the demands of the world will eventually accomplish it." He has faith that it will be completed despite the current gloomy prospects. Addressed to Stuart in Abington, Pennsylvania.

GLC06329.01

9 March 1857

Jones, William E., 1824-1864

Autograph document signed

Title: Contract with Henry H. Sibley, witnessed by H. P. Brewster.

Henry H. Sibley and William E. Jones agree that Jones will be the sole agent in the manufacture and sale of Sibley's patented "Improved Conical Tent." Contract states agreement.

GLC02711.23

1786/05/04

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Page re: insights on England after visit: "that nation hates us"

Written while serving as U.S. Minister to France. Jefferson encloses a pamphlet (apparently Notes on the State of Virginia; not included), thanks Page for a steady stream of political news from America and records his observations upon returning from a visit to England. Jefferson comments that Notes on the State of Virginia "were written in haste & for his [i.e., Francois Barbe-Marbois] private inspection." based on his visit to England, Jefferson makes general observations on English farming, gardening, architecture and manufacture. Jefferson finds most disturbing the hatred of…

GLC02529