26 October 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Washington writes to Knox, Chief of Artillery for the Continental Army. Informs Knox he will soon be called to a council of War, and will be asked his opinion on several issues: whether the Continental Army should engage in a general attack against the British; if not, what stance the army should take; where Continental troops should be stationed in reference to the British occupation of Philadelphia; how to prevent the British from drawing supplies from the city during the winter, etc.

GLC02437.09370

10 February 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Washington writes a letter marked "private" to Knox, Chief of Artillery for the Continental Army. Recently consulted the Count de Rochambeau, a French General, and through France's aid, the Continental Army may be able to gain naval superiority in the war. Notes that the Continental Army should begin preparing for the siege of New York. Though applications have been made to the Court of France, it is not possible to ascertain if the French will agree to furnish the arms requested. Estimates the Continental force to be at 20,000 men. Requests that Knox plan for two attacks:…

GLC02437.09372

12 September 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Will soon inform Knox "whether the field pieces or royal Howitzers, will be most acceptable to Count de Rochambeau." Also tells Knox that a certain inscription should be in Latin and says Captain Doughty is "appointed fort Major of West point & its Dependencies." Written at "Head Quarters." Docketed by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide.

GLC02437.09379

March 27, 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Enclosing a summary of documents recently sent to him by the Marquis de Lafayette. Also notes that a Congressman has assured him that the army is in fine shape. Letter written at "Head Quarters." Docketed in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.09383

21 April 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Due to an announcement of the cessation of hostilities (between the United States and Great Britain) Washington instructs Knox to permit any citizens of New York or the United States to pass and repass his post (West Point) with vessels, boats, or water craft.

GLC02437.09385

17 August 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Emphasizes the priority of garrisoning the posts which will soon be ceded to the United States from the British in the "Western Waters," (referring to the Great Lakes region, specifically the posts at Oswego and Niagara, in present-day Western New York). Instructs Knox on the specifics of this preparation, including the transfer of artillery, stores, and ammunition. Notes that some articles may be taken from stores on the Mohawk River. Issues further instructions on detaching artillerists and light infantry to the region.

GLC02437.09389

8 October 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports receiving a letter from Knox, delivered by Captain Shaw (possibly Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp). Informs Knox, commanding at West Point, he has been impatiently waiting for Congress to decide the number of troops to be stationed at West Point during the winter. Relates that some members of Congress seem reluctant to lessen the present force while the British remain in the United States. Intends to send orders to Colonel [Timothy] Pickering, Quarter Master General, to extend winter provisions for the supply of 2500-3000 men. Notes that Shaw has gone to Philadelphia. Docketed in…

GLC02437.09392

23 October 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "The arrival of the Definitive Treaty and the evacuation of New York- have been so long delayed as to interfere very materially with our arrangements for the Celebration of Peace..." Has decided that the celebration will be deferred until the British leave New York. Was informed by Sir Guy Carleton that the British will completely evacuate New York in November 1783. Instructs Knox to confer with New York Governor George Clinton, and to take possession of New York City as soon as the British evacuate. Transmits a copy of a Proclamation of Congress of 18 October 1783 for the…

GLC02437.09394

2 November 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that a previous reply he had written to Knox was stolen from the post office, along with other copies of letters sent to Colonel Varick (Richard Varick was Washington's recording secretary). Discusses military specifics regarding the soldiers in charge of providing wood for the garrison, the retirement of officers, and the provision of winter clothing for the troops. Relates that Sir Guy Carleton, Commander in Chief of British forces, informed him through a Mr. Parker of his intention to evacuate New York City in November. Instructs Knox to confer with New York Governor George…

GLC02437.09395

28 October 1776

Stringer, Samuel, 1725-?

Autograph document

Title: [Listing of American and British vessels engaged in the Battle of Valcour]

A list of the "Fleet of the United States that were engaged…" followed by a list of "The Enemies Fleet engaged…." The lists include number and type of vessels, and their number and type of guns. The American list includes the names of the two schooners: "Royal Savage" and "Liberty, taken from Skene" [a reference to Philip Skene, a Tory from whom the Liberty had earlier been taken]. Originally enclosed with GLC02437.00477.

GLC02437.09538

October 1781

Map

Title: [Map of Yorktown, Virginia]

Drawn map of Yorktown, Virginia. Shows roads, rivers, and other land markings, but not fortifications. With Cornwallis autograph note written across the front: "you will deliver the town immediately." Likely created by the British right before the October 1781 siege by the Americans.

GLC02437.10669

30 April 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox and Gouvenor Morris

Discusses Morris and Knox's progress regarding "the commission you were charged with by me" (possibly a commission to negotiate prisoner exchange with the British in Elizabethtown, New Jersey). Has received Morris and Knox's dispatches, as well as those of Henry Clinton. Transmitted a copy of Morris and Knox's report to Congress, allowing them to decide upon the terms of future exchanges. Laments the unreasonableness of the British and "the miseries of War which may be augmented and protracted by such unreasonable conduct." Praises the conduct of Knox and Morris during their "odious and…

GLC02437.09309

February 30, 1815

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Pamphlet

Title: Message from the President [transmitting Treaty of Peace]

Printed by Roger C. Weightman

GLC08455

19 April 1862

Adair, George Washington, 1823-1899

Newspaper

Title: Southern confederacy [Vol. 3, no. 57 (April 19, 1863)]

Published by Adair and J. Henry Smith (1820-1897). B.C. Smith is the associate editor. Tag line below masthead says "The Public Good Before Private Advantage." Masthead vignette depicts an industrialized Southern Confederacy. Announces the beginning of the Vicksburg campaign on page 3. Front page has a mocking description of "A Model Yankee Officer." Various letters printed on page 2-3, including one from British Minister to America, Lord Lyons, to Earl Russell. Several advertisements for a reward for the return of deserters. Also ads for slave sales. With ownership stamp of the "Tennessee…

GLC08492

1917-1918

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Document

Title: [Presidential proclamations and executive orders]

Proclamations dealing with war with Germany, emergency powers, and armistices.

GLC08540

30 August 1793

Varick, Richard, 1753-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexandre Hauterive

Reports the seizure of three French deserters but is compelled to discharge them due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

GLC08457

18 September 1774

Hodge, Thomas, fl. 1774

Document signed

Title: [Transportation of convict to Virginia]

Assigns convict Thomas Morgan to serve a term of seven years beginning on 17 September 1774, the day the ship transporting him, the Taylor, arrives in Virginia.

GLC08459

18 November 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Pamphlet

Title: President's message

Address to the Confederate Congress regarding the progress of the war, Southern production, international relations and the Trent Affair. Celebrates Southern success on the battlefield, proclaims Southern independence permanent and unstoppable, states production or war materiel is increasing. Attacks the North for violating international laws in various ways, most importantly by arresting two Confederate ambassadors aboard a British ship. These arrests would set off the Trent Affair, named after the boat that captured the diplomats. The British were just as upset as the Confederates over…

GLC08486

21 November 1862

Hershman, J.T., fl. 1862

Newspaper

Title: Camden confederate. [Vol. 2, no. 4 (November 21, 1862)]

Schedule of the South Carolina Railroad. Proclamation of Governor Francis Wilkinson Pickens, including 10 resolutions ordering all "white residents" to be put under arms in a militia immediately and the draft of all men ages 18 to 45. Asked to be printed twice in the newspapers. Letter to the editor is glad that the patrol system has been kept up without compulsion. Description of the reception and burial of General J. B. Villepigue, his staff, and 10 privates in Camden. Also two short articles: one on the death of Lieutenant Edward P. Niles and another on the body of Lieutenant H. M.…

GLC08494

1862-1863

Great Britain. Parliament. Boston Port.

Pamphlet

Title: Three acts pertaining to Great Britain, the United States, and suppression of the African slave trade [Decimalized .01-.03]

GLC08514

7 November 1864

Greeley & McElrath, 1841-1866

Newspaper

Title: New York daily tribune. [Vol. XXIV, no. 7360 (November 7, 1864)]

Announces the defeat of Confederate General John Bell Hood at the Tennessee River. Many articles detail news about the upcoming presidential election of 1864 including an article on guaranteeing a free and peaceful election. Includes other Civil War and election news, news from Europe, and articles on the Congressional election in Indiana.

GLC08516.01

28 June 1919

Pamphlet

Title: Treaty of peace between the allied and associated powers [Versailles]

Uncut. With fold-out maps. Signed on cover by Evan C. Mac Veagh. Contains Treaty of Versaille and League of Nations Covenant.

GLC08532

circa 1863

Southern Prisoner's Relief Fund Committee, fl. 1863

Broadside

Title: Southern prisoner's relief fund.

A London subscription to raise money to help Confederate prisoners of war interred in Northern prisons. "Horrible as war is in all its features, assuredly it has no greater horrors than the long agony of the poor captive who, when the feverish excitement of the contest is over, is left to the bitter charity of strangers and foes, without one friendly hand to soothe the pains of body or friendly voice to whisper hope and comfort to his despairing mind." Asks Southerners in Europe to donate money to the cause. Christopher Atkinson of Charleston, South Carolina is listed as Chairman of the…

GLC08539

25 April 1789

Fenno, John, 1751-1798

Newspaper

Title: Gazette of the United States. [No. 4 (April 22-April 25, 1789)]

Relates the details of George Washington's arrival in New York City preceding his first inaugural address, delivered 30 April 1789. Includes a printed version of debates in the House of Representatives regarding the article of tonnage. Contains foreign and domestic news, as well as public announcements.

GLC08723

December 1796

Nichols, John, 1745-1826

Magazine

Title: The Gentleman's Magazine [Vol. 66, No. 2 (December 1796)]

Contains a poem praising George Washington entitled "On General Washington, and his farewell letter to the United States." Includes various articles covering a broad range of topics. Appears to have been disbound from a larger volume, pages are numbered 978-1062.

GLC08729