December 21, 1816 - February 3,1817

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph manuscript

Title: To the Senate & House of Reps of the U. S.

Fragments of two messages to the House of Representatives of the United States. The first concerns an "act to authorize payment for property lost, captured, or destroyed by the enemy while in the military service of the U. S. & for other purposes ... " Date of 21 December 1816, written in pencil in an unknown hand at a later time. Second page is a message to the Senate and the House of Representatives about his decision to sign the Tariff Act of 1816 which protected American industries from British competition.

GLC05279

8 July 1796

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Marshall

Marked private. President Washington offers the Ministry of France to Marshall. Says it was necessary to recall Monroe, the current minister. Hopes he will accept the offer as soon as possible. Post script says he wants Marshall to see him when he goes to Philadelphia for the session of the Supreme Court. Ultimately, Marshall declined the offer. Washington was angry at Monroe's inability to control French rage over the Jay Treaty of 1795.

GLC05288

16 December 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

States he is stuck on the Susquehanna River because of low tide and bad winds. Takes the opportunity to discuss administration of the Provisional Army. Says War Department should only communicate with a concentrated military leadership, or else it will get bogged down in details. Says he is not the best person to contact about day to day military affairs because he will not personally lead the army unless an actual military engagement seems likely. He wants McHenry to communicate with General Thomas Pinckney, the commander in the south and with General Alexander Hamilton in the north. General…

GLC05319

17 July 1862

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

To an unknown recipient (name is illegible), apparently a journalist. Wants the recipient to reply to the enclosed letter (not included) and tell his friends that he has no manual to spare. Says to tell that "You can say that I will furnish you with materials for an article on the great revolution in naval warfare resulting from the Monitors and the inevitable downfall of England as a great naval power which means: as a great power at all!" due to his invention.

GLC05294

15 September 1846

Johnston, Albert Sidney, 1803-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Griffin Johnston

Writes to his wife about the movements of his division and the numbers of the present force. Expects to be reunited with his wife and boys once the campaign is over and his appointment is terminated.

GLC05295

circa 4 November 1918

Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933

Autograph document signed

Title: [Speech concerning the end of World War I]

Delivered while Coolidge was a Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate, the speech is written in pencil and signed at the top of the first page. Notes indicate that the speech was delivered on November 4 at Faneuil Hall, just before the election and Armistice. Emphasizes winning the war as quickly as possible, reiterating his support for Woodrow Wilson, the unnamed "Commander in Chief", and maintaining American institutions. He writes, "Our work is drawing to a close...We had in view but one object -- the saving of America. We shall accomplish that object first by winning the war. That…

GLC05314

4 June 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Washington informs General Knox of the British army's progress (possibly in the Hudson Highlands, New York). States "It would appear from a number of circumstances that they mean to press their operations against the posts on the highlands ... The militia are calling out for amunition, and the supply for the army, as you know, is, far from being sufficient. I would therefore wish you to send on careful and active conductors to hasten forward to the army, a competent supply, from the nearest Magazines."

GLC07674

2 January 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Informs Greene of the size of a British expeditionary force of 1600 men under the command of traitor Benedict Arnold. Also mentions conflicting reports of the battle at Blackstock Plantation in South Carolina between Continental General Thomas Sumter and British Colonel Banastre Tarleton, 20 November 1780. He states, "The printers on both sides make it a victory." Wishes him a happy New Year. Postscript in Washington's hand comments that he heard word that Mrs. Greene and the children were well.

GLC07675

14 August 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel Brodhead

General Washington discusses Colonel Bowman's apprehension regarding British progress with General Brodhead, stationed at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania. States "what men can be spared from the Garrison of the upper Country- St. Johns- Montreal and Quebec are now acting in conjunction with the Indians upon the Mowhawk River, where they have lately done considerable mischief." Discusses the strain on supplies, stating "you will be very happy if you can adopt any expedient to supply yourself without depending wholly upon the Commissary in a regular way." Mentions the praiseworthy conduct of…

GLC07702

11 June 1770

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Committee of Correspondence in New Jersey

"...[A]ll the duties in the last Revenue Act are repealed, except that on Tea."

GLC07689

8 April 1783

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Whipple

Informs his brother that "The Treaties of Peace were sign'd," officially ending the American Revolution, and that "The British I suppose are preparing to leave our Territory." Indicates that soldiers will soon be coming home in need of employment. Joseph Whipple was William's only living brother (by blood), although it is possible that the addressee was a brother-in-law.

GLC07700

20 October 1780

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Broadside

Title: [Proclamation to officers and soldiers of the Continental Army]

Full title as follows, "A Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Army who have the real Interest of their Country at Heart, and who are determined to be no longer the Tools and Dupes of Congress, or of France." An appeal to American soldiers to join the British Army and advance the cause of "Union with Britain, and true American Liberty." "Friends, fellow soldiers, and citizens, arouse, and judge for yourselves - reflect on what you have lost - consider to what you are reduced, and by your courage repel the ruin the still threatens you." With various monetary…

GLC07701

1808

Broadside

Title: 5000 American Seamen detained on board British vessels!

Alerts citizens to British impressment, American prisoners in France, "Algerine Piracy and Barbarity," and the relocation of American families to Canada, and blames it all on the Embargo Act of 1807. Urges "a hearty vote for the ANTI-EMBARGO and FEDERAL REPUBLICAN TICKET" in the election of 1808.

GLC07703

1789

Blois, A.J.E.R. de, fl. 1789

Autograph manuscript

Title: Gouvernement des Etats-Unis d'Amerique [in French]

French primer on American Democracy by member of Society of the Cincinnati, including discussion of U.S. and State Constitutions. Includes ALS (04/14/1808) addressed to Monsieur Le Prefet [in French], and an MDS (07/15/1825) detailing de Blois's military and civil service [4 p.].

GLC07688.01

5 August 1778

George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Commission authorizing Henry Clinton's additional powers as General and Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in North America]

Countersigned by George Germain. Contains a note indicating the commission was recorded with the Secretary of War. Paper seal intact. Accompanied by an engraving of George III from a later date (see GLC07536.02).

GLC07536.01

12 May 1800

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

During the Quasi war with France, Major General Hamilton writes to the Superintendent of Military Stores Hodgdon, in anticipation of greater hostilities. Requests a supply of marquees and tents, as he plans to set out for camp at Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

GLC07539

1802-1822 ca.

Pinkney, William, 1764-1822

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Personal notebook re: various legal questions, case issues and diplomacy

Two items: notebook 252 p. oblong quarter in leather, discusses transaction of Louisiana and Florida, the Pinkney Family crest, and numerous legal cases; paperbound record book 20 p. Formerly the property of J.A. Soiecki, record book containing a biography of William Pinkney, ca. 1868.

GLC07602

5 May 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Stuart

Washington thanks Stuart for his observations on the fitness of the Potomac for the fur trade with China. Asks if Stuart has informed Colonel John Fitzgerald and Colonel Howe of his observations and inquires if he gave them reason to believe those ideas "would be recommended to Mr. Jefferson?" Washington also writes that he will soon journey to Philadelphia by way of Annapolis (to attend the Constitutional Convention). Discusses a debt owed to him by Stuart. Washington desires payment in bills that will not cause delay, because he wants to use the money to pay a debt and buy some goods.

GLC07546

22 September 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to George Baylor

Advises Baylor to "use every means in your power" to ascertain as much information as possible about the British troops embarking from New York. Also instructs him to keep an eye on the North River and to notify West Point if he sees any British transports go by. Written just prior to British General Charles Grey's attack at Old Tappan on 28 September 1778. Water damaged ink.

GLC07486

14 November 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Charles Lee

Anticipates a prisoner exchange. Worries the British will try to exchange men who are not really continental soldiers, therefore requests Lee to order all officers to make lists of those in their units who are missing or dead. Encloses "a recommendation of the officers for the State of Rhode Island." Postscript states British forces suspected to be moving to South Carolina. Saw small number of British troops near Mount Washington, and speculates as to their possible movements. Written from "General Green's Quarters." Two days later the British would drive Washington and his forces from…

GLC07491

18 November 1780

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Jay agrees to attend to Mr. Warren (the son of the late General Joseph Warren, killed at Bunker Hill), should he visit Madrid. He also refers to passage of the Massachusetts Constitution and asks Gerry to send him a copy. Jay states that he has been "led to entertain high Expectations of your form of Government." Docketed by Gerry. Gerry's draft autograph letter response is penned in the left margin to Jay. Gerry writes back from Marblehead, Massachusetts on 20 September 1781, enclosing a copy of Massachusetts' new constitution and some newspapers [not present]. He concludes by predicting…

GLC07490

1 July 1774

Galloway, Joseph, 1731-1803

Letter signed

Title: to Committee of Correspondence for the Colony of Virginia

Co-signed by Samuel Rhoads and Joseph Galloway on behalf of the committee. Galloway was Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly and would eventually become a well known Loyalist after his Plan of Union was rejected. References their letter asking the Assembly to communicate their sentiments "on the unhappy Dispute with the Mother Country." Says they cannot see the recent actions of Parliament in any light other than an opportunity to extract funds from the colonies. Hopes for a cool and dispassionate mediation in favor of their rights as English subjects. Hopes the rights of Americans will…

GLC07666

1750

Pamphlet

Title: Treaty concluded and signed at Madrid... [Assiento slave trade]

"Treaty between the ministers plenipotentaries of their Brittanick and Catholic majesties-end of Assiento Treaty between Britain and Spain regulating slave trade." Concluded October 5. Printed in French, English, Spanish.

GLC07594

1763-1772

Grenville, George, 1753-1813

Header Record

Title: Collection of Grenville papers re: colonial policy towards colonies [Decimalized .01- .42]

Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister from the spring of April 1763 until July 1765, George Grenville became one of the least loved heads of government over the colonies due to two revenue bills that could be blamed, to an extent, for what eventually propagated into the Revolutionary War. These Acts of Parliament were the Sugar Act of 5 April 1764 and the Stamp Act of 22 March 1765, each designed to raise revenue for a financially limited British Empire.

GLC07654

19 October 1781

Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805

Manuscript document

Title: [Articles of capitulation settled at Yorktown]

List of articles dictating the surrender of Cornwallis (Lieutenant General of Britain) to George Washington, the Count de Rochambeau (Lieutenant General of the French army), and the Comte de Grasse (Lieutenant General of the naval armies of France). Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Henry Knox's aide de camp. Shaw has penned the signature "Thomas Symonds." Shaw apparently also attempted to create with the same pen a look-alike signature of Cornwallis. Symonds was the commander of British naval forces in the York River. Article one indicates that the garrisons of York and Gloucester,…

GLC02437.09555