25 August 1778

McIntosh, Lachlan, 1725-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lieutenant of Berkeley County, Virginia

Conveying instructions of Virginia Governor Patrick Henry to contribute militia for McIntosh's expedition into Indian Territory. Asks for three hundred fully armed men and requests that they be enlisted for the longest possible duration because the distance and obstacles are uncertain. Written from Fort Pitt.

GLC04818

3 August 1791

McKean, Thomas, 1734-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Rodney

In the summer of 1791 enemies of the Rodneys in Delaware were alleging that Caesar Rodney, Thomas Rodney's brother, had misappropriated funds authorized by Congress for an attack on Canada during the American Revolution. Caesar had died in 1784. McKean expresses his belief that Caesar's behavior with the funds was honorable, and Caesar's papers may reveal a contemporary letter from McKean to Caesar in which McKean spoke about the complex details of the transactions. If Thomas finds this letter, it will clear his brother: "With a view to afford some consolation to you in your present…

GLC04819

15 September 1775

Middleton, Arthur, 1742-1787

Autograph letter

Title: to William Henry Drayton

Discusses South Carolina's military preparations for the revolution. Informs that transports and frigates will be at Charleston soon and that Fort Johnson is reinforced and garrisoned. Reports on armed schooners ready for defense and batteries that are being formed. Letter is not signed but Middleton is noted as the author on the docket.

GLC04820

1 March 1783

Middleton, Arthur, 1742-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lyman Hall

Asks Hall to resolve a debate over ownership of a slave. Mr. Melvin purchased a slave that had belonged to Middleton but had been captured by the British. When Middleton encountered the slave he claimed it as his own, since it had been wrongfully stolen from him. Melvin appears to want full value in exchange for the slave, while Middleton believes he owes only a fraction of this. Paper border around letter. Written at Cedar Grove Plantation.

GLC04821

25 June 1780-11 July 1780

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Very detailed and highly critical discussion of the Continental Congress's new financial plans passed 18 March 1780. Comments on payments, currency, taxation, and banking. Also comments on military aid from the French. Docketed by Gerry.

GLC04826

15 June 1781

Nelson, Thomas Jr., 1738-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Harrison

Accepts the appointment as governor of Virginia. States that first he must settle some matters relating to the army with Major General Marquis de La Fayette. Reports that they are in pursuit of the British army which is moving down the James River. Written from camp near Watson's Tavern, Fluvanna County, Virginia. Addressed to Harrison as speaker of the House of Delegates.

GLC04827

2 September 1781

Nelson, Thomas Jr., 1738-1789

Autograph note signed

Title: to Lieutenant of Berkeley County, Virginia

Note written on the bottom of a signed printed circular letter that discusses the importance of meeting Cornwallis, the arrival of French fleet, and the need for supplies. Virginia Governor Nelson's note mentions the receipt of "Intelligence from the northward that requires very large supplies of Provisions, Forage, Liquors & Waggons to be placed on the Route from Alexandria to Fredericksburg." Comments on the urgency of this matter, which was part of the Yorktown campaign.

GLC04828

January 25, 1781

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Morris

Written by Captain North as Inspector General in Virginia to Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a New York State Senator. References Morris's letter of 1 January 1781. Sends his opinions on Virginia at the beginning of the campaign in that state. Criticizes the leadership of Governor Thomas Jefferson saying "Our Situation since we are here has not been so happy as it might be ... if the Head is in trouble, the members can not enjoy themselves." Goes on to say that he might think North Carolina in trouble, but "This State has every thing in its power but does nothing."…

GLC04829

3 December 1782

Paca, William, 1740-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacques Renee de la Villebrune

Seeking assistance in ridding Chesapeake bay of British barges. Written after the last battle of the American revolution has taken place, after hostilities have ceased, and after the British have already signed a preliminary peace treaty.

GLC04830

19 November 1780

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Discusses the "many just complaints" of Continental officers regarding pay and the depreciation of Continental bonds.

GLC04831

22 September 1780

Penn, John, 1741-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jethro Sumner

Expects General William Smallwood to move westward in a few days to take command of the militia of North Carolina. Reports that in the meantime, Sumner will have command of the troops. Advises him to avoid a general action against the British as the consequences would be fatal. Instead recommends skirmishing because it will keep the British troops together, prevent plundering, and raise the spirits of the Continental troops. Informs that General Butler will join Sumner soon.

GLC04832

12 September 1785

Peters, Richard, 1744-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben

Written by Peters, a former Pennsylvania Continental Congressman, to von Steuben in retirement. Peters is trying to put Von Steuben at ease after he was denied a large part of the inflated expense account he sumbitted to Congress and the rejection of his pension application by that same body. Marked No. 12. Mentions that he heard reports that von Steuben's mind was not at ease and that he was about to return to Europe. Even though he hasn't heard from in a while he thinks they are credible and says "loving you so much as I do I Cannot be uninterested in them." Says if he can have better…

GLC04833

17 June 1778

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Written by British General Phillips as commanding officer of the Convention Army, which consisted of prisoners of war from the Saratoga campaign to Heath as American commander in charge of the Convention Army. Phillips wants to know if Heath will make efforts for the departure of the Convention Army to Europe as the terms of surrender dictated. Quotes part of a letter from General Sir William Howe, who hopes they can depart soon. Wants to know if Heath has any authority on the subject. Hopes they can act as gentlemen toward each other. Pages are separated and pasted on opposite sides of…

GLC04834

27 July 1779

Read, George, 1733-1798

Autograph letter

Title: to John Dunlap

Written by Read, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a member of the Delaware Assembly to Dunlap as editor and publisher of the "Pennsylvania Packet, or General Advertiser." Read was asking Dunlap to publish a letter. Read was responding to one of Dunlap's previous publications Saying it is "a matter of right after your publication of hte Proceedings in Committee of July ye 21st 1779 Signed William Henry Chairman." In the letter "To the Members of the Commitee of the City of Philadelphia," Read defends his character and conduct from the accusations previously published by Dunlap.…

GLC04836

circa 1782

Header Record

Title: Items pertaining to General Jean Rochambeau [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC04837

1787/10/01

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Ramsay re: new Constitution is a "masterpiece of human wisdom"

GLC04838

1788/08/02

Johnston, Samuel, 1733-1816

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Tariff resolution of North Carolina Constitutional Convention]

Signed as president of the convention, countersigned by John Hunt as secretary. States that the North Carolina Convention decided to neither ratify nor reject the new Constitution, and resolved to impose retaliatory tariffs on the United States if tariffs were imposed on North Carolina. At a second convention on 21 November 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constitution.

GLC04839

1777

Broadside

Title: Freshest Advices from the Northern Army [battle of Freeman's Farm at Saratoga]

Report on the battle of Freeman's Farm at Saratoga which made obvious to Burgoyne that he would have to surrender. References: Bristol B4441; Ford 2055.

GLC04840

1790/03/06

Sherman, Roger, 1721-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Huntington

Reports on legislative debates and progress in a number of areas, including using western lands to lower the national debt, honoring government securities, Alexander Hamilton's report on Public Credit, and the relationships between state and federal authorities. Comments on the worry of smaller states that assumption of debt by the federal government would erode state power. Adamantly supports protecting states' rights. Sherman was then a congressman from Connecticut. Huntington was the Connecticut governor. Docketed by Huntington.

GLC04841

1761-1828

Header Record

Title: Complete set of documents of 39 signers of the U.S. Constitution [decimalized]

GLC04842

1773/01/08

Baldwin, William, fl. 1773

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Huntington re: honesty and law [Not the signer of the Constitution]

GLC04842.01

1791/06/27

Bassett, Richard, fl. 1791-1792

Document signed

Title: Giving power of attorney to Edward Tilghman (c/s Clement Biddle)

GLC04842.02

1787/12/15

Blount, William, 1749-1800

Letter signed

Title: to Gen. Assembly of NC re: negotiations over Miss. Navigation, threats to Union

Discusses negotiations over Mississippi navigation, threats to the national Union, finance, convention (for ratifying the Constitution)

GLC04842.03

1787/03/12

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Allibane? re: business, announcing election to Constitutional Convention

GLC04842.04

1804/06/30

Few, William, 1748-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Telfair re: condemning the import of Black enslaved people into Georgia

Written as former delegate from Georgia to the current Governor, condemning the importation of Black enslaved people into Georgia as a ploy to increase the state's congressional representation. Portion of embossed tax stamp on bottom of paper. Few writes in part: "Is there one person of understanding & reflection among you who will not admit that every confederation of justice, humanity, and safety, forbids that any more Negroes should be brought into your state, and yet it is well known that the avarice of your citizens, and the rage for acquiring that property has broke through all…

GLC04842.05