February 18, 1778

Penn, John, 1741-1788

Autograph letter

Title: to Theodorick Bland

Written by Penn as North Carolina delegate to Continental Congress and Declaration of Independence signer to Bland as a Colonel of Virginia Calvary. Says nothing has happened other than General Sir William Howe's agreement to exchange prisoners of war. Since General Howe did not purchase clothing for American prisoners of war in Philadelphia he says Congress has resolved not to purchase "any necessaries for his prisoners with us." Says British prisoners will get same treatment as American prisoners. Claims that Howe praised General Washington, but castigated Congress. Washington defended…

GLC04455

8 August 1816

Lee, Henry, 1756-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Carter Lee

Counsels his son, Charles Carter Lee, who was attending Harvard. Tells him to acquire knowledge from its foundation and not on the surface: "this last turns man into a puppet & the first fits him for the highest activity & the most lasting pleasure." On writing he says: "never mind yr style -- ony write yr first impressions quickly & clear & honestly. Style will come in due time, as will the maturation of judgement." Tells him to love virtue. Enjoins him to correspond with his parents. Written from the West Indies, where Henry Lee was attempting to recover his health.

GLC04434

31 October 1824

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Everett

Written by Monroe at the end of his presidency to Everett, his family physician and neighbor in Virginia. References Everett's previous letter and says he remained behind an extra day in the hope of seeing him. Relates that his duties are forcing him to go back to Washington "immediately & reluctantly." Laments not being able to see Lafayette before his sudden departure to the capital. Lafayette was on his farewell tour through America in 1824-1825. He was previously entertained by Monroe in September 1824, but Monroe expresses disappointment to Everett at not being able to attend an…

GLC04374

1782/03/28

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Matthias Ogden re: plan to capture Prince William Henry and Admiral Digby

Approving a plan to capture (or kidnap) the future William IV but advising Ogden to treat them with respect and warning him (in a postscript) to avoid touching neutral ground. Boatner's Encyclopedia of the American Revolution notes the plan was compromised and abandoned. A docket on the verso indicates that the letter was shown by Louis W. Lane before 1838 [sic?] to King William who remarked: "I am obliged to General Washington for his humanity, but I'm damn'd glad I didn't give him an opportunity of exercising it towards me." (Also see related GLC 7436, a "Vue d'Optique" print of the…

GLC04386

15 July 1777

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797

Letter

Title: to Mann Page

Written by Lee as Virginia delegate to Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence to Page also as a Virginia delegate to Congress. Reports the fall of Fort Ticonderoga. Mentions letters from General Arthur St. Clair updating the evacuation of the fort. Lee says he does not know the reason for St. Clair's withdraw, but it was because Burgoyne's army of 9,000 troops greatly outnumbered St. Clair's army of 2,500. Says Burgoyne is moving down to Albany and that "the whole country [is] in consternation." Claims that the commander of the Northern Department, General Philip…

GLC04368

1758

Book

Title: The grants, concessions, and original constitutions of the province of New-Jersey.

Title continues: "The acts passed during the proprietary governments, and other material transactions before the surrender thereof to Queen Anne. The instrument of surrender, and her formal acceptance thereof. Lord Cornbury's commission and instructions consequent thereon." William Alexander, Lord Stirling's copy; signed on the title page. Compiled by Aaron Leaming and Jacob Spicer. "Printed by W. Bradford, printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty for the province of New-Jersey." Evans 8205.

GLC04392

19 August 1776

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holden Parsons

Written by Adams as a delegate to Continental Congress from Massachusetts to Parsons, who became a Brigadier General on 9 August 1776 and was to take part in the fighting at the Battle of Long Island on 27 August 1776. References Parsons's letters of 13 and 15 August 1776 and says his recommendations for appointments in the army will be considered by the Board of War, which Adams sat on. Also references Parsons observations of officers Patterson, Shepherd, and Brooks, but says he is unfamiliar with all of them. Says the issues of promotion make him "so vexed sometimes as almost to resolve to…

GLC04424

July 1778

Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795

Letter signed

Title: to Lord George Germain

Written by Clinton as Command of Chief of British forces in America to Germain as British Secretary of State for the American Colonies. Detailed report of his recent activity. Says he evacuated Philadelphia on 18 June 1778. Details the problems of the retreat across New Jersey. On page three lists the units undertaking certain actions in the margin. Mentions tough crossing of the Raritan River. Believes Washington's army to have 20,000 troops. Says the Queens Light Dragoons repulsed the American calvary under Lafayette, which was the opening movements in the Battle of Monmouth. Describes…

GLC04283

January 19, 1777

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Written by Major General Greene with his men in winter quarters at Morristown to Biddle as Deputy Quartermaster General of the militia of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Claims nothing has changed recently. Says it appears General Howe is collecting his forces in New Jersey. Says he seems to be operating on the defensive, but with reinforcements he might move to the offensive. Mentions that recruiting is slow and that the army is suffering as a result. Says he heard that 1000 militia under Lord Sterling have gone home dissatisfied. Wants a complete report on the incident. Says he heard firing in…

GLC04305

8 May 1779

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to S. Smith

Written by McHenry as a secretary to General George Washington to Colonel Smith. References Smith's previous letter. It appears that Smith is trying to decide if he should leave the army to deal with business affairs. McHenry says he is sure Smith wouldn't leave the army except reluctantly. McHenry then claims he is desirous to stay in the army because he doesn't hold riches to as high a regard as others do. Says "For my own part I shall be prouder in poverty should the war terminate in the happiness of the people, than in any wealth, which I might accumulate from the civil exercise of any…

GLC05715

February 25, 1909

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Typed letter signed

Title: to Alexander Spottswood Campbell

Spottswood was possibly Mosby's grandson (son of daughter May Virginia Campbell and Robert Campbell). Typed on Department of Justice stationery with the printed heading, "Carbon copy for the file". Transmits a clipping from the Times-Dispatch on an essay on Robert E. Lee by "a Northern girl." Declares that it is a fair assessment of Lee, and discusses the article at length: "...if there had been free schools in the south there would have been no war simply because an enlightened public opinion in that section would not have submitted to the rule of a slave holding oligarchy. A large…

GLC05738

11 June 1783

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Written by Major General St. Clair to Bourne. References Bourne's previous letter. Has left it at home, which has kept him from replying as particularly as he wanted. Letter deals with a business transaction the two made previously with a Mrs. Bayard. Says he has no recollection of the conveyances he mentions, but says he does not doubt their authenticity. Mentions how payments should be made. Says he will be a better correspondent as his army duties are about to cease. Relates information on his family. Free frank is signature "Genl. St. Clair."

GLC05698.03

1783

Burke, Aedanus, 1743-1802

Pamphlet

Title: Considerations on the Society or Order of Cincinnati...

Remainder of title: "Lately Instituted By the Major-Generals, Brigadier-Generals, and Officers of the American Army...." Burke is identified on the cover as the author. Printed by Basil Webster.

GLC05767

February 21, 1806

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Madison regrets informing Lafayette that he cannot give him an answer on the loan he requested. He remarks "There is no country where money exists at all that is so unproductive of lenders as this is." States that he hopes Lafayette will have more luck in Europe. Discusses some issues involving the location of Lafayette's land. Letter addressed to General Fayette.

GLC05810

1819/01/28

Various

Print

Title: The British surrendering their Arms to Gen: Washington...at York Town

Large black and white engraving. Title: "The British surrendering their Arms to Gen: Washington after their defeat at York Town in Virginia October 1781." Copper engraving by Tanner, Vallance, Kearny & Co. and William Allen after a drawing by John Francis Renault. Renault is supposed to have been a participant at Yorktown, although the scene is highly allegorical.

GLC05861

February 28, 1781

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Elijah] Vose

Informs Colonel Vose that he will find three days provisions for his troops in Trenton, New Jersey, in addition to boats to accommodate his men on their trip from New Jersey to Virginia to counter British Brigadier General Benedict Arnold. Gives him advice on the path his troops should take and warns against stopping in Philadelphia, saying "it would have many inconveniences." Advises him to keep in mind the wind and the health of his men when choosing his course. Gives instructions on embarking horses onto the vessels. Postscript written vertically in the margin of page three requests…

GLC05848

January 19, 1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Letter signed

Title: to James Abeel

Circular letter written to Abeel, the Deputy Quartermaster General of the Continental Army, about changes in the quartermaster's department. Indicates that the arrangement of financial business by Congress makes it necessary for them (as well as the Treasury Board) to determine war costs. Orders Abeel to follow new, more stringent accounting standards involving the use of printed certificates to specify monies owed. Sends a copy of a congressional resolution (not included).

GLC05871

May 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a very detailed letter to her husband in Morristown, New Jersey during the American Revolution. Discusses the arrival in Boston of General Charles Tronson du Coudray, a French military engineer "who stiles himself Commander in Chief of the Continental Artillery" (Knox's current position) and claimed the appointment was from Silas Deane. Discusses the illness of Henry's brother William ("Billy") and her "fear we shall lose him, or at least that the humour in the blood has taken such deep root, as to embitter his future days." Also comments on various items she sent to Knox.…

GLC05895

1781-1791

Manuscript document

Title: [Revolutionary War orderly book]

For New York garrison located at West Point, New Windsor, Peekskill, Dobbs Ferry and Philipsburg Manor. Contains orders from Washington, describes Cornwallis's defeat and surrender at Yorktown (although this garrison remained on the Hudson), news of the final peace settlement and resulting celebration. Includes copies of correspondence between high ranking officers and foreign diplomats and dignitaries. The book mentions or alludes to many important figures in the Revolution, including D'Estaing, Greene, Robert Howe, Lafayette, Marion, Pickens, Rawdon, Cornwallis, De Grasse, Rochambeau and…

GLC05969

6 January 1776-4 September 1777

Howe, William, 1729-1814

Manuscript document

Title: [British adjutant's orderly book]

Orderly book of British Commander-in-Chief William Howe, oblong quarto, in the handwriting of six or seven soldier-clerks. Details daily orders, official memoranda, court martials, provisions, directives on the control of civilians, embarkations and landings of troops, and more. Among the historic events described are the siege and evacuation of Boston (from 5 March 1776 for 20 pages) and the execution of Nathan Hale (22 September 1776) who is unnamed. "A Spy from the Enemy by his own full confession, apprehended last Night was this day Executed at 11 oClock in front of the Artillery Park…

GLC05983

February 16, 1782

Ridley, Matthew, 1749-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Comments on the arrival of Benedict Arnold in England. Claims that "England is not disposed to Peace." Contains some personal discussion, including comments about their correspondence, his sons, and French women.

GLC05992

1784/10

Pamphlet

Title: General Assembly. State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation [with seal]

Printed by John Carter. Resolution welcoming Lafayette back to America. Documentation of payment to Gideon Davenport for service by people he enslaved for Rhode Island's Continental battalions (p. 12). With state seal.

GLC06077

1830

Andrews, Charles C., fl. 1830

Book

Title: The history of the New-York African free-school, from their establishment in 1787, to the present time; embracing a period of more than forty years: also a brief account of the succesful labors of the New-York Manumission Society

Written by Andrews as the principal of the African Free School. Printed by Mahlon Day at 376 Pearl Street in New York. First edition copy. Includes engraving of the school building, from a drawing by a student, opposite the title page. Provides a history of the institution and how the manumission society attempted to provide for the future of free blacks. Andrews is overflowing with praise for the activities of the school, its students, and the famous political leaders who were members of the manumission society. Page 123 provides a list of the school's top five students: Peter Williams the…

GLC06084