1 March 1848

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jesse W. Fell

Short letter announcing the war's end. Predicts that the peace treaty submitted to Congress will be passed. Notes: Basler 1:454-55.

GLC06413

20 November 1805

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas McKean

Marked private and confidential. Written by Madison as Secretary of State probably to McKean as Governor of Pennsylvania. Madison is trying to keep the Marquis de Casa Yrujo (Don Carlos Martinez de Yrujo), the Spanish Minister to the United States, from going to Washington. Yrujo angered the Jefferson administration by his public disapproval of the Louisiana Purchase and Madison says it "will make it necessary that he should not remain indefinitely in this Country in his public Character." Wants McKean to use his friendly relations to Yrujo's family to communicate this fact in a…

GLC06416

17 July 1780

Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de, 1725-1807

Manuscript document signed

Title: [William Ellery's copy of Rochambeau's response to the address of the General Assembly of Rhode Island].

Expresses France's dedication to providing military aid to the American Revolution, and the deference of French troops to George Washington's command. Rochambeau arrived in Rhode Island on July 10. Written on a faded, pale greenish paper. The version published in the Pennsylvania Gazette of 30 August 1780 has a number of textual differences.

GLC06421

10 October 1793

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Document signed

Title: [Recognizing Dannery as French Consul at Boston]

Countersigned by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Official recognition of Thomas Dannery as French Consul in Boston. Given "such functions, powers, and priviledges, as are allowed to Consuls of the French Republick by law." Large raised seal of the United States in the lower left corner of document.

GLC06432

19 June 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Marked both duplicate and private. President Washington writes to Morris as Minister to France. Assures Morris of his continued confidence in him, despite the need to recall him from his position in Paris. Says he was not going to write and simply allow the Secretary of State to send him word, but when an opportunity to write presented itself he could not pass it up. The French government asked the American government to recall Morris after they recalled Edmond Charles Genet, their minister to America. Genet, angry that America would not support France in the wars that had broke out in Europe…

GLC06433.01

6 June 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Washington as commander of Provisional Army during Quasi War to James McHenry, Secretary of War. References McHenry's letters and enclosures of 11, 19, 21 May 1799 and his letter of 13 May 1799 to McHenry. Washington claims he cannot get enough information to fill officers positions in Provisional Army, even after writing John Marshall and Henry Lee. Mentions that McHenry does not want to have public advertisements to solicit applications and Washington says he will continue to search for applicants. Says that he was not recommending the engineers he wrote about in his previous letter, just…

GLC06435

February 24, 1862

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Document signed

Title: [Validating invoice from Charles Tuling for importing merchandise]

Partially printed document signed by Chase as Secretary of the Treasury. Application to allow admittance of the merchandise being imported by Tuling from Matanzas, Cuba on the bark St. Mary's. Also signed by Hiram Barney, as Collector of Customs in New York.

GLC06452.03

February 25, 1777

Faden, William, fl. 1750-1836

Map

Title: A Plan of Operations... in New York... [Battle of White Plains]

First state with original handcolor. With C. Sauthier. "A plan of the operations of the King's army under the command of General Sir William Howe, K. B. in New York and East New Jersey, against the American Forces commanded by General Washington, from the 12th of October, to the 28th of November 1776." Shows troop movements and positions, the battle of White Plains, and skirmishes in Marmaroneck, Larchmont, New Rochelle, Pelham Manor and the Bronx. Kenneth Nebenzahl remarks that "[i]t is the most accurate published delineation of the movements of the armies of Washington and Howe in…

GLC06465

13 April 1852

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stiles

Thanks him for sending a copy of his work on the political movements in Austria of 1848-1849. Chastises him for not visiting when he was in the area. Warns against the election of Winfield Scott, the Whig party candidate, to the presidency and states that the only way to avoid this is to keep the Democrats united. Scott's election would lead to " ... a triumph of the North over the South. Thus a more dangerous geographical division of parties would be introduced." Remarks on his faith in the democratic candidates to do good instead of evil. Comments on his own role in turning the tide…

GLC06396

6 August 1781

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Letter signed

Title: to Charles Dumas

Written shortly after his appointment as one of five commissioners to negotiate peace with England, Franklin complains about the limited assistance the Netherlands had given the United States during the American Revolution. Referring to the Dutch Revolution he notes: "[F]or tho' it was formerly in the same situation with us, and was glad of assistance from other nations, it does not seem to feel for us or to have the least inclination to help us." Also cites a comparison of Holland to a shop, commenting "I begin to think it has no other Principles or Sentiments but those of a Shopkeeper."…

GLC06402

13 August 1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Webb

Discusses his resignation, French forces, and American troops. Says there have been "marches and counter marches, evolutions and revolutions of different kinds," since Webb left. Reports on British movements, which seem to be "without meaning or intention." Prepares for the arrival of French troops and Comte de Rochambeau, but is not optimistic. Says his own forces are weak. "Happy as a prince" now that he has resigned as Quarter Master General. Felt Congress, which he calls "a strange set of men," was making unreasonable demands of his office, and resigned without asking their…

GLC06403

8 May 1814

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Monroe

Attempting to relieve financial distress of General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, who was living in Paris, Jefferson notes that "all his funds are in our monied institution" and other problems with paying him interest. Asks if Monroe, then secretary of state, can have his department remit Kosciuszko's annual funds.

GLC06407

26 June 1779

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Colonel Lee, a Continental Congressman, discusses politics with Whipple, who was in Congress in Philadelphia. Of Virginia, states "We have neither wicked ... or foolish Politicians here, whose misconduct makes us fear for the safety of our country. I have frequently admired the philosophic ease with which you have contemptuously viewed proceedings in Congress that Town shocked me exceedingly." Mentions Samuel Adams's departure from Congress. Requests that Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee, order several frigates into the Chesapeake Bay stating "The Confederacy & the Boston can…

GLC06411

10 February 1817

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lady Sidney Morgan [in French]

Discusses their correspondence, conversations. Also discusses the French chambers debates about liberty, the French revolution, ultra policies, and the pope. Writes about having her book translated. Obliges Morgan's request for information on Napoleon's political career after exile to Elba. Pages are numbered p. 1 "843," p. 2 "844," and p. 5 "845."

GLC06436

February 14, 1848

Roe, P.J., fl. 1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Whiteman

Reports the death of four soldiers from the measles. Has recently left Mexico City and is camping out in tents, which he likes much better than being in the city as the men are much healthier. Reports the news of peace, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, signed 2 February 1848. Tells Whiteman that he has not deceived her. He writes, "I think it entirely necessary for a woman to be satisfied fully of the heart of man and know before going to far that he has a breast that beats for her but of this I know that you are aware of my feelings towards you and more I wish that every thought that…

GLC06469

24 June 1782

Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de, 1725-1807

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Harrison

Informs Harrison that the French troops will soon be marching North out of Virginia. After aiding in the American victory at Yorktown, French forces had wintered in Virginia. Plans to leave behind a small French force under "Mr. De La Valette, Brigadier General" until American forces can replace them and defend York and Hampton. Suggests Colonel Charles Dabney's forces be assigned this task. Thanks Harrison for his hospitality. Says he has enclosed a letter from George Washington on these subjects. Docket reads "Count Rochambeau June 24 1782. See Gen Washington May 4 1782." The…

GLC06632

12 August 1775

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Written by Lee as commander of the left wing of the army besieging Boston to Morris as a member of Pennsylvania Council of Safety, with special assignments to procure arms and ammunition. Written on Winter Hill, which is part of modern day Somerville, Massachusetts. Says Morris should not feel the need to apologize for offering recommendations since he has put a "load of jobbs" on Morris. Says the army is in need of medical personnel and that the talents of the draftsman Mr. Lakes are much appreciated. Can use more people like him. Reports they are in the same situation as the last time he…

GLC06645.01

28 September 1899

McKinley, William, 1843-1901

Document signed

Title: Authority to Affix seal of U.S. to letter to Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria

GLC06649.05

15 November 1775 - 5 July 1778

Kemble, Stephen, 1740-1822

Header Record

Title: [Orderly books of American Loyalist]

Lieutenant Colonel Kemble, an American Loyalist related by marriage to Thomas Gage, served as chief of intelligence under William Howe and (briefly) Henry Clinton. He eventually gave up his position to Major John Andre. Locations include Boston, Halifax, New York, White Plains, and Philadelphia, among others. The books, kept in British Army headquarters, record information relating to the occupation of Boston, New York and Philadelphia, as well as the battles of White Plains and Monmouth, and the captures of Fort Washington and Lee. Kemble recorded not only copies of Howe's and Clinton's…

GLC06668

6 September 1780

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Hamilton, aide-de-camp to Washington, expresses his disgust with General Horatio Gates' disastrous defeat and consequent flight from the Battle of Camden, South Carolina on 16 August 1780. Gates retired in disgrace after Camden, but was cleared two years later by a Congressional inquiry.

GLC06671

6 November 1824

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lord Holland

Introduces Mr. Lynch who can provide information on American public affairs and dispel British misconceptions about the Marquis de Lafayette's reception in America. Lafayette's triumphant tour of the United States raised concerns in England.

GLC06684

16 April 1783

North, Frederick, 1732-1792

Letter signed

Title: to Friedrich Riedesel

Orders Riedesel, the commander of Hessian troops in Canada, to prepare to return to Europe in accordance with the provisional peace treaty made to end the American Revolution. Written at Whitehall.

GLC06635

6 September 1762

Amherst, Jeffery Amherst, Baron, 1717-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sir William Johnson

Written by Amherst as Governor-General of British North America, a title he earned after his forces captured Fort Ticonderoga and Montreal during the French and Indian War, to Johnson, a subordinate of Amherst's. Passing along information on British victory at Havana from Lord Albemarle, Commander of the British army. The attack was part of Britain's offensive against Spain when she entered the war in support of France late in 1761. The British government's response was immediately to plan large offensive amphibious operations against Spanish overseas possessions, particularly Havana, the…

GLC06636

24 April 1832

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to M. Clerc-Lasalle [in French]

Lafayette's letter in French during the reign of Louis Philippe. Partial translation available. Provides advice to a friend of Clerc-Lasalle's on moving to America. Tells him about land policies in America and that his friend should learn English. Expresses anger at Louis Philippe's administration in France. Louis Philippe came to power with Lafayette's approval in 1830, but by 1832 he was claiming the King had broken earlier promises. Despite his waning influence and Louis Philippe's commitment to reform, he continued to fight the King until his death in 1834. Says all benefits of the 1830…

GLC06644

20 July 1782

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Discusses his financial hardships and fear of France's growing power. Hopes Morris can sell his estate for him, since his debts are mounting due to high taxes and low profits. Also hopes Morris can help him secure funds he is owed by a Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina. The Rutledge family was a very prominent one in South Carolina. Is upset by Congress' claim that "they will have no peace however salutary until their good allies assent." Worries that this policy will lead to our aiding the French so greatly that they will come to dominate the globe, and become America's new oppressor.

GLC06645.02