6 July 1802

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [Patent for Edward West's improvement, being a machine for cutting and heading nails]

Signed by Thomas Jefferson as President. Countersigned by James Madison as Secretary of State and Levi Lincoln as Attorney General. West's written description of his invention is signed by Andrew Holmes and Lewis Sanders as witnesses. Contains a paper seal and faded white ribbon. Several unattached ribbon scraps accompany this document.

GLC06238

1870

United States. Army. Corps of Engineers.

Book

Title: Organization of the bridge equipage of the United States Army, with directions for the construction of military bridges.

Signed by George W. Goethals, the engineer of the Panama Canal and dated December 1881. Printed by the Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. Contains six folding illustrations. With bookplate of Goethals on inside cover.

GLC06254

20 October 1776

Moncada, Fernando de Rivera y, fl. 1775-1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Antonio Bucareli (in Spanish)

Discusses building missions in San Diego and San Juan Capistrano. Also mentions soldiers in the stockade and checking on the families of troops.

GLC06287.08

3 August 1771

Verger, Rafael, fl. 1771

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Manuel L. Casa Fonda (in Spanish)

Report on new missions in Monterey. Includes physical conditions of the buildings, abilities of missionaries, obstacles due to local resistance among Indians, settlers and California ranchers.

GLC06297

December 1841

Manuscript

Title: Locomotives for Saint Louis

Includes three pages of illustrations: a pen and ink drawing of steam engine "The Isaac Newton" and drawn maps of city blocks in St. Louis (possibly a site plan for railroad headquarters). Includes cost estimates for the building project, payroll estimates, and staff regulations.

GLC06336

9 July 1845

Roebling, John Augustus, 1806-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Linton

Requests Linton send him about 1000 bushels of cement as soon as possible for the grouting of the old piers which were part of the project to build the first suspension bridge, the Allegheny Suspension Bridge at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Also informs that the undertaker of the Marine Hospital needs 1500 or 2000 bushels of cement as well. There is a note on the verso of the address leaf written later citing information about Roebling from John Bach McMaster's History of the People of the United States.

GLC06344

30 September 1821

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to James Breckinridge

Discusses the plans for construction and related finances at the University of Virginia. Proctor of the University Arthur Brockenbrough was involved in assessing the costs so that they could plan for the construction of a library.

GLC07106

February 2, 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles W. Dumas

Sends Dumas plans for the construction of Washington, D.C. "with a desire that they may be exhibited" in Europe. Accompanied by a 1792 Andrew Ellicott Map from "Columbian Magazine" (GLC 7104.02).

GLC07104.01

26 October 1791

Stillman, Rev. Dr., fl. 1791

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Van Schaak

Thanks him for his letter. Regrets that he suffers so much persecution on account of his "adherence to the Episcopal Church." Reminds him that current law protects the free exercise of religion. Stillman is possibly Samuel Stillman, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Boston from 1764 to 1807.

GLC07160.03

14 December 1794

Danforth, Joshua, 1759-1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Van Schaack

Advises that there are certain expenses that must be taxed on the Congregationalists. Requests information on the damages and costs resulting from a suit against the town. Sends two Philadelphia newspapers containing the speech of Mr. Sedgwick on the motion of Mr. Fitzsimmon's "relative to self created societies." Asks for New York newspapers in return. Note on verso, "One of my Philadelphia papers is mislaid - I cannot find it."

GLC07160.05

1792

Van Schaack, Henry, 1733-1823

Autograph document

Title: [Notes on taxation and establishment of churches in Massachusetts]

Notes outlining his arguments against the practices of taxation and appropriation of public monies to fund construction of meeting houses and payment of teachers for denominational majorities. Cites the state constitution and its Bill of Rights. In general, Van Schaack records quotes from the constitution, axioms regarding the separation of church and state, and personal readings of the two, in the left-hand column. In the right-hand column appear specific instances that violate his principles, and other details relating to religion in Massachusetts. Page four has four points to be included…

GLC07160.06

29 May 1835

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: [Patent for Nathan Currier's improvements in a machine designed to excavate and remove earth]

Signed by Jackson as President. Countersigned by [Adam?] Birkins as Acting Secretary of State, and Benjamin Franklin Butler as Attorney General. Sealed and bound with mauve ribbon.

GLC07327

24 March 1894

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin Auld

Thanks Auld for helping him obtain the date when Auld's father, Hugh, began the ship building firm where Douglass served in Baltimore. Asserts that Hugh may have begun the business as early as 1827, and he (Douglass) may have been eight years old in 1825 when he came to Baltimore to look after Benjamin's brother Thomas. Estimated the date based on the death of Captain Aaron Anthony, his early master. Recalls his service to the Aulds in Baltimore, carrying water and Hugh's dinners. Writes, "The principle thing I desired in making the inquiries I have of you was to get some idea of my exact…

GLC07484.01

1783-1815

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry A.S. Dearborn re: ordering marble capitals for University of Virginia

GLC07832

8 January 1862

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Letter signed

Title: to editor of the New York World

Wants to correct an "erroneous impression" from an article in his newspaper on his superintending of construction of an ironclad ship (the USS "Monitor") on behalf of Bushnell & Co. Says he is in fact making the ship "to my own plans approved by a special board of naval officers" under an agreement with the Secretary of the Navy dated 4 October 1861. Says he has been joined by "a few loyal and spirited citizens" who think "an impregnable floating battery will prove an important auxiliary at the present crisis."

GLC06639

24 November 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, discusses a former request for money submitted by Langdon, naval agent for Continental prizes and supervisor of the construction of several ships. Regarding the money, mentions Langdon's acquaintances Wharton (possibly Samuel Wharton) and Donaldson. Relates that Congress has agreed to increase the Navy by one ship, and requests that Langdon assist in formulating a plan to procure materials such as iron. Discusses obtaining material from France and Spain. Discusses Langdon's financial situation, prize money procured for…

GLC06518

4 and 7 December 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Whipple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a New Hampshire Congressman to Langdon as agent for Continental prizes in New Hampshire. First two pages are a letter from 4 December 1776 and is signed "W Whipple" and the third page is a letter from 7 December 1776 initialed "WW." 4 December: previously wrote that the navy will add another ship of 74 guns to be built in New Hampshire. Says he will send the dimensions in a few days and the builders are to make their own drafts. Says the carpenters who built the "Raleigh" will do a good a job as any. Langdon is to…

GLC06519

February 1, 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, discusses various military and business matters with Langdon, a agent for the Continental Navy. Mentions Miss Wharton. Discusses money submitted to Langdon by the Marine Committee, including a sum transmitted to Langdon by Colonel Bartlett (possibly Continental Congressman Josiah Bartlett). Refers to Mr. Henderson and Mr. [Betten?], who delivered money from Whipple to Langdon. Mentions a ship Langdon was fitting as a result of Mr. Livingston's orders (possibly referring to Continental Congressman Robert Livingston…

GLC06520

12 September 1782

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Tries to convince Langdon not to resign as the superintendent of construction for several ships of war. Urges him not to "despond" or "abandon the business when so near to a completion." Explains that he has not been supplied with more money because there is so little. Claims that "When you compare the trifling sums I have received with the extent and magnitude of the services to be performed by them, you will pity a situation the distresses of which cannot be conceived by those who have not witnessed them." Assures him he has no enemies who "attribute your conduct to mercenary…

GLC06527

19 February 1782

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Discusses bank notes and their utility, and his efforts to widen their circulation and the public's confidence in them by applying his personal credit. Also indicates that he will get flour and iron to Langdon as soon as he can secure a vessel and the ice clears. Written from the Office of Finance.

GLC06528

6 July 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, informs Langdon that despite the efforts of Captain Dudley Saltonstall, the ship Trumbull remains grounded in a Connecticut river. Discusses the cost of moving the ship versus building new vessels. States that while in New London, Connecticut, he saw the vessel intended for Captain Chew (possibly Samuel Chew). Relates information pertaining to Mr. Shaw (possibly Nathaniel Shaw, a Connecticut shipowner, merchant, and Continental agent). Reports that the vessels Warren, Providence, and Camden are in the Providence River…

GLC06531

5 August 1777

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Morris, a Continental Congressman, discusses naval affairs with Whipple, chairman of the Congressional Marine Committee. Refers to a recent motion in Congress authorizing the Marine Committee to halt the construction of several ships of war. Since the motion was carried, relates that a stop will be put on the construction of a ship in the Connecticut River. Refers to Mr. Shaw (possibly Nathaniel Shaw, a Connecticut shipowner, merchant, and Continental agent) and Captain Chew (possibly Samuel Chew). Mentions the ships Alfred, Ranger (Captained by John Paul Jones), and Raleigh (Captained by…

GLC06532

14 March 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel Brodhead

General Washington refers to previous correspondence with General Brodhead, known for leading several military expeditions against Native Americans. Writes that a previously mentioned expedition "against the Natches and the English settlements upon the Mississippi, is now at an end, the Spaniards having already possessed those Posts." Instructs Brodhead not to attack the British force at Detroit, but states "if you think yourself competent to an excursion against any of the hostile tribes of Indians, you are at liberty, as I have mentioned ... to undertake it." Orders Brodhead to supply…

GLC06690

1863-1864, 1890s

Header Record

Title: Civil War Photographs: Chattanooga, Knoxville, construction, views [decimalized]

63 photographs total with 53 mounts or separate photographs. Includes photographs of Union construction in and around Chattanooga and Knoxville, TN, panoramic views of same, views of Tennessee River, some later images of General Albert Ordway. Many items with later mounts with annotations. From the collection of Brig. Genl. Albert Ordway.

GLC07000

January 15, 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre C. L'Enfant

Requests a meeting to go over some papers Jefferson received from President Washington, so that the relationship between the commissioners superintending the building of Washington, D.C. and L'Enfant could be "entirely understood." L'Enfant designed the city of Washington. At the time of this meeting he was experiencing a falling out with the commissioners, and was dismissed from the project following month.

GLC07669