February 7, 1783

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Morris as the Assistant Superintendent of Finance to Major General Knox. Wants to give him an update on affairs. Says "It has given me much Pain to see the army looking wildly for a Redress of Grievances" -- a reference to the half-pay pensions the officers desired. Says that "During the War they find you useful and after a Peace they will wish to get rid of you And they will see you starve rather than pay a six Penny Tax.." Says experience has made him take this point of view. Predicts that "the best Legislature on the Continent will do Things which the worst man among them would…

GLC02437.01897

February 27, 1806

Morton, N. Jr., fl. 1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes in response to a letter from Knox. Reports that a Mr. John Borland created a petition to authorize fishing privileges for the town of Nobleborough and its environs, because of the significant presence of salmon, shad, and other fish. Provides further information.

GLC02437.08010

February 27, 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that [Samuel] Ogden is very disappointed that he has not been able to purchase "the western Lands" due to the breakdown in negotiations with the Gentlemen who were supposed to make that happen. Says he is confident that Ogden will ultimately succeed by calling on his powerful friends in the legislature. Informs Knox that "the petition respecting the Waldo patent will be refer'd over to the next Sessions of the Court." Notes the "General Heath resign'd his Commission of Major General of this Division, and on Friday the Senate chose me by a large majority but the House elected…

GLC02437.04868

29 April 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Writes to his brother, asking why William has not recently written. Mentions a recovered debt and an unspecified petition to be presented to Continental Congress. Inquires as to the fitting out of The General Arnold, a ship, and mentions the loss of The Hero. Expresses disappointment that his friend Harry, possibly Colonel Henry Jackson, has not arrived at Valley Forge. Regarding Jackson, remarks, "...I suppose his fat sides are so sore that he is unable to travel with any rapidity." Writes, "Our army is improving discipline and increasing in numbers every day, but this ought by no means…

GLC02437.00698

3 June 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses matters of business William is tending to in Boston, including a debt and a petition. Writes, "The Enemy have not yet evacuated Philadelphia but we are in hourly expectation of that event. The whole army is under marching orders as soon as they leave the City." Expects the British to assemble their force at New York City. Reports that Lucy "and the baby" are both well, referring to his wife, and possibly to their two-year-old daughter, also named Lucy. Relates that he has seen "Harry," possibly Colonel Henry Jackson.

GLC02437.00708

January 20, 1775

Macaulay, Catharine, 1731-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. & Mrs. Northcote

She has news from Boston that Bostonians have appointed their own governor. She expresses regret for the declining state of England. To Mrs. Nortcorte she describes her health and writes about her daughter.

GLC01794.38

30 December 1855

Gibson, Hart, fl. 1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Sarah Gibson

The first letter is written by Hart Gibson. He informs his sister of his progress in school. He writes about the family and his displeasure with President elect Polk. He also reports that Miss Webster, Toby and Claude's old teacher, has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for helping enslaved people seek refuge. Writes, "You recollect the young lady Claudy and Toby went to school to last sumer and (Miss Webster) she has been tried by the Court for carrying off negroes to the free States found guilty and sentenced to the Penitentiary for two years Some of the people tried to get the…

GLC04501.075

22 April 1822

Whitman, Cliab, fl. 1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Writes to Congressman Hobart to oppose a petition to put another post office at Staughton Corner in Staughton, Massachusetts, describing arguments both in favor and against the idea. Suggests re-distributing the two existing post routes to accommodate those seeking an addition office.

GLC06313.04.183

31 May 1822

Gurney, Nathan, 1769-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Discusses the progress of a petition to the governor for an appointment of Dr. Collamore, which did not yet make it through the legislature.

GLC06313.04.187

February 13, 1822

Collamore, Nathaniel, 1787-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Discusses a petition to the government, Hobart's family, and a request by Collamore's brother to have Hobart arrange for him to receive a periodical.

GLC06313.04.152

January 23, 1822

Kirkland, John T., 1770-1840

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Kirkland, writing as President of Harvard University, sends Hobart a memorial to Congress (not included) made by the Harvard Corporation "united with other institutions" related to "the importation of books."

GLC06313.04.144

January 30, 1822

Lincoln, Rufus, 1751-1838

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Writes about his petition to Congress for support due to him for eight years military service and time as a prisoner of war during the American Revolution. Comments on his economic hardship and previous rejections of his petitions.

GLC06313.04.145

1 January 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Lysander recounts how they surrounded and ambushed a suspected secessionist's house during the night, only to find nothing. The secessionist claimed to be a Unionist but admitted his brother is in the Confederate Army and that there were things hidden on the plantation. Reports Lieut. Timothy Wells and Capt. Alexander Warner have been petitioned to resign by all of the officers. Wheeler explains that he signed the petition for Warner because Warner wanted Darius, Wheeler's brother-in-law, to sleep with his negro servant.

GLC07460.010

23 March 1822

Mitchell, Nahum, 1769-1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Writes with alarm and at length about a proposed re-direction of the mail route from New Bedford to Boston, which "arises from the private interest & personal rivalships among the Stage owners." Asks Hobart to get information about a related petition.

GLC06313.04.176

25 March 1822

Warren, C.H., fl. 1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Inquires about a petition "for a bounty upon a fishing vessel" for Leonard Hammond. Indicates that he wrote to the Postmaster General about his late uncle's accounts and his hope to use proceeds from a real estate sale to settle them. Makes a comment about private petitions in a democracy.

GLC06313.04.178

17 September 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports it is quiet in camp. Notes they are still waiting to hear from Washington, D.C. regarding their case. Discusses his fathers offer to take his place in the war. Comments he does not believe his father would be happy here and when he leaves the army he wants it to be permanently. Requests he send his boots by mail.

GLC03523.52.65

2 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father. Informs him he received the memorandum book, paper, envelopes, and stamps. Discusses the hot weather. Notes they have plenty of ice water, lemonade, and a sutler who supplies almost everything. Reports they are preparing for a siege and have received considerable shelling. Describes a cellar he has dug out to protect himself from the shelling. Comments he would like to get out of the army but does not believe his lawyer will succeed. Complains about the lack of respect and mistreatment of soldiers. Writes, "I always thought I was as good as any one of the…

GLC03523.52.57

21 July 1864

Kilbourn, H., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Kessler

Informs him he contacted the Secretary of War and is still waiting for an answer. Promises he will do his best to get him and the rest of the band members discharged. First name is illegible.

GLC03523.52.62

3 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports they lost several men in a skirmish and their lieutenant was wounded and taken prisoner. States they are receiving reinforcements daily and will see more fighting. Believes they will soon take Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses skepticism of getting out of the army since his colonel was taken prisoner. Request they contact Mr. Kilbourn immediately and see if he can urge their case along. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.68

February 14, 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from Camp Douglas. Discusses his and other soldiers' requests for a discharge. Notes they have most of the officers signature on a petition and their lawyer is still waiting to hear from Washington. Comments they should know the outcome within a few weeks. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.37

20 April 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports his band has broken up and their case (an appeal for a discharge) is now before the Secretary of War. Informs him he is hoping for a discharge. Discusses the price of potatoes and apples.

GLC03523.52.48

21 April 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Informs them he received marching orders for tomorrow. Relays a rumor that General Robert E. Lee may be heading towards Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and they may head there too. Notes he sent a trunk of clothes home so he would not have to haul them. Discusses that his band made an appeal to the Secretary of War. Comments he is very discouraged and wants an honorable discharge. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Letter is addressed to his friends but envelope is addressed to his father, A. P. Kessler.

GLC03523.52.50

30 October 1973

Christie, Joan S., fl. 1973

Petition

Title: to Congressman Carlos J. Moorhead

One petition from Joan S. Christie to Congressman Carlos J. Moorhead dated October 30, 1973. Christie writes in support of the impeachment of President Nixon. She sends a petition urging for a congressional vote to impeach Nixon.

GLC09613.02.0019

1789

Goddard, Mary Katherine, 1736-1816

Header Record

Title: [Materials related to Mary Katherine Goddard] [Decimalized .01-.04]

Collection of materials related to Mary Katherine Goddard dated 1789. Pertains to her dismissal as the Postmaster of Baltimore. Consists of four documents that stated the grounds of her dismissal and petition to have her reinstated and letters. These items were sent to President George Washington. See GLC01747 for George Washington's letter on her removal.

GLC09756

2 May 1745

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania gazette. [No. 855 (May 2, 1745)]

Includes international news from various overseas newspapers. Domestic news and classified ads inhabit pages 2 through 4. Mentions petition presented to the General Assembly of Pennsylvania regarding the creation of a new county. Includes a speech from William Shirley, Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, to the General Assembly of that province, regarding the royal protection of subjects from the French. Section reserved for announcing the indentured servitude of residents, the return of runaway slaves, and departing ships.

GLC06670.057