[ April 1789 ]

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph manuscript

Title: Inaugural address [leaf from 1st draft of discarded first inaugural = pp.36-37]

Concerning foreign relations, American trade, manufacture and defense. This was a first draft which Washington later discarded. The manuscript was disassembled by Jared Sparks and leaves or clippings were given away as samples of GW's handwriting. Sparks regarded the document as unimportant since Washington had not actually used this draft. See also GLC 1589 and 4443.01.

GLC00639.25

April 14, 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Washington writes that he had sent to General McLean (commanding at Niagara) communications of Sir Guy Carleton including the proclamation of the King for the cessation of hostilities and a "New York newspaper, containing articles of general pacification between all belligerent parties." In closing, Washington alludes to reports of problems at the Wyoming, PA settlement, which he hopes are "without foundation."

GLC00639.26

December 11, 1775

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to John Tayloe

Washington discusses the sale of the Mercer estate and the siege of Boston. He writes "I have no doubt that you... as well as others are wondering how it happens that two armies almost in stone's throw of each other should keep so long from action." He explains "that we cannot get to them and they do not choose to come to us...." With a postscript signed "G.W." Washington concludes by discussing the stalemate between British and American forces in Cambridge.

GLC00639.27

January 23, 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Pres. of the Convention of New Hampshire

Washington pleads for the troops allotted to the state of New Hampshire and argues that "nothing but their [i.e., British] ignorance of our number protects us." The second leaf is not conjugate.

GLC00639.28

August 18, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Marquis de Lotbiniere

A kind letter in which Washington thanks the Marquis for his friendly sentiments. New York's ratification of the Constitution had been uncertain. Docketed on verso of second leaf. Lotbiniere's letter is in Library of Congress's Washington Papers. Noted but not published in Fitzpatrick 30:56n.

GLC00639.29

March 12, 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

With Clinton's docket and note in another hand on page 2. Washington says that the "army has been pretty well supplied" since previously asking for supplies. The letter also answers complaints about Israel Putnam's command on the Hudson River. Washington says the charges, which he has had from other persons, embarrassed him because they arose from "want of judgement [rather] then any real intention to do wrong."

GLC00639.30

April 5, 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Wharton, Jr.

George Washington forwards a letter from Mrs. Mary Pemberton to Wharton, President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Pemberton had requested a passport for wagons with supplies for her husband, Israel Pemberton, and other Philadelphia Quakers exiled to Virginia. Suggests indulging her request.

GLC00639.31

March 8, 1789

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abigail Wolcott Ellsworth

Ellsworth, a Senator from Connecticut, reports to his wife, who he calls "Nabby," concerning the first Presidential election. States that "the Votes for the President-& Vice-President are not yet opened, but there is no doubt of-General Washington's being chosen to the first office & Mr. John Adams of Boston to the latter." States that a public building was erected and finished for the new national leaders.

GLC00641

December 12, 1823

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas I. Wharton

Discusses his recent election to Speaker of the House, alludes to its possible effect on his presidential run in the election of 1824, and explains that his political opponents desire to form a caucus. Also notes his improving health. Remarks on foreign affairs, particularly "the affairs of Spanish America," which had resulted in the declaration of the Monroe Doctrine ten days earlier. Clay argues: "Physically we can not, morally we may interfere in the affairs of Europe; and the great sheam [sic] of moral power would not be small nor unfelt."

GLC00645

October 1, 1883

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Audenreid

Signed on top of the first page. Sherman writes to Mary Audenreid, the widow of Sherman's aid from 1863 to 1880, Col. Joseph C. Audenreid. Sherman began an eight-year romantic relationship with her starting in 1880. He discusses remodeling his house. He explains his plans to retire due to his age; he will be turning over command of the Army to Philip Sheridan, on November 1, 1883. He plans to then move to St. Louis, and morbidly adds: "to wait for the final summons to Bellefontaine [Cemetery]."

GLC00651

July 10, 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George A. Washington

In the letter, George Washington discusses Pennsylvania troops mutiny and Treaty of Paris. Docketed on page 4 by his nephew. Also mentions Congress moving to New Jersey. The letter is in very poor condition from severe mold damage (inactive).

GLC00652

1861-1864

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Henry S. Figures, F company, 4th regiment, Alabama, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .33]

Figures was a member of Law's Brigade, Longstreet Division, of the 4th Alabama Infantry. Letters mention prisoners from the "Star of the West," the Battles of Manassas, Yorktown, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, enslaved people, etc. Figures was killed at Battle of the Wilderness on 4 May 1864. Two of the letters (10 April 1861 and 25 April 1861) are on "Confederate States of America, War Department" stationery. Also includes 1867 burial card and a 6 page biographical manuscript (ca. 1890).

GLC00653.01

July 4, 1863

Fuller, Josiah C., 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Detailed description of the 32nd Massachusetts Volunteers, E Company at Gettysburg. Mentions moving their headquarters several times due to shellfire.

GLC00653.06.01

October 27, 1851

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

John Tyler writes to his son, Robert Tyler. He discusses the defeat of Judge Campbell, who had been rejected because he was a Roman Catholic: "to make a man's religious opinions the test for office is to break down the fairest and most beautiful pillar of the Constitution." He believes the Presidential election remains an open contest, and that his support of the tariff of 1842 would be a suitable point on which Robert Tyler might speak. He believes that Millard Fillmore is likely to obtain the Whig nomination. John Tyler was President of the United States from 1841 to 1845.

GLC00639.24

December 24, 1814

Gambier, James Gambier, Baron, 1756-1833

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certification of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent]

Cosigned by Henry Goulburn and William Adams. Certification made by the British signers of the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812. Indicates that Secretary of Legation Christopher Hughes will deliver the treaty to the United States. Gambier was an admiral in the British Navy, Goulburn was undersecretary of the colonial office, and Adams was an admiralty lawyer.

GLC00639.32

March 19, 1800

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mes. Willings & Francis

Refuses to pay any further compensation to Charles Rutledge "while charged with their affairs in Spain." "I find that I shall not be warranted in making any further payments in his behalf; and therefore I cannot accept the bill drawn by him...for 2567.10 [pounds] sterling." Black wax remnant for the seal located on the address leaf above the docket. Noted as being from the Department of State above the date.

GLC00640

May 15, 1861

Letcher, John, 1813-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Council

States that Colonel Fauntleroy outranked General Robert E. Lee in the United States Army and feels Fauntleroy is entitled to be commissioned nothing lower than a brigadier general in the Provisional Army. With endorsement of P. F. Howard, secretary of the Council approving the nomination. Says "…I regret that I cannot concur in the recommendation made by the Council in the case of Colonel Fauntleroy. If I am correctly informed, Col Fauntleroy ranked General Lee in The United States Army, & if this is so, it seems to me, that he is justly entitled to the commission of a Brigadier General…

GLC00642

September 10, 1798

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to G. Simpson

Encloses two port notes (not present) for $2,000 to be placed to his credit. Discusses a note that should have been withdrawn by Mr. Wallace. States he will pay the interest and the notary charge as soon as he knows how much it is. Addressed to Simpson in Philadelphia as cashier of the Bank of the United States.

GLC00643

May 17, 1853

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lizzie Ellicott

Chastises her lightly for not replying to his note and gift sooner. Mentions that he was in Syracuse, New York and visited Gerrit Smith in Petersboro where he also gave a speech. Hopes to visit in July.

GLC00644

May 15, 1773

Hooper, William, 1742-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Hooper

States that this letter will be delivered by a good friend, Mrs. Lobb. He describes how Mrs. Lobb cared for him diligently during a long illness he suffered. Informs that Mrs. Lobb is a recent widow, and asks his mother to provide her and her daughter with lodging and hospitality in Boston during their trip to Wilmington.

GLC00646

October 29, 1788

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Trist

One letter addressed to Eliza Trist from James Madison dated New York, October 29. Discusses his travel plans and health. Also mentions a man named John, whom Madison arranged to be placed in the Almhouse (center for the homeless). Mentions Edmund Randolph, William Grayson, and Thomas Jefferson. Trist was the daughter of a woman who ran a Philadelphia boarding house where Madison and Jefferson frequently stayed. Signed "Js. Madison Jr."

GLC00647

October 6, 1862

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896

Letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Lee

Confederate Major General Smith discusses troop activities and movements, including an attack on Union gunboats. Also discusses a requisition for "negroes to work upon the fortifications under recent act of the Legislature - When we get negroes the works will be finished rapidly to completion." Refers to the request of North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance "for more protection for the eastern portion of the state." Writes "The yellow fever at Wilmington will prevent the enemy from attempting anything in that quarter for some time to come - and during the epidemic the Troops had better be…

GLC00648

20 May 1863

Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [John H. Morgan's endorsement on an offer for an exchange of prisoners]

Morgan's endorsement as Brigadier General and Confederate raider. On verso of a letter copy to Union Major General Ambrose Burnside from John W. Finnell, Adjutant General Kentucky Volunteers, dated 21 April 1863, regarding the exchange of a pro-Union Kentucky senator and Judge Buster and William Ingram. Morgan states these two men were arrested at Monticello, Kentucky, by Colonel Chennault of Morgan's command. Morgan reports that they have been " ... placed under bond & parole to Exchange themselves for Southern-rights men who have been arrested and placed in confinement by the Federal…

GLC00649

September 14, 1862

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter signed

Title: to T. B. Roy

Will obey orders he has just received regarding surveillance. Is scouting enemy pickets and estimates enemy troop strength. Describes Union recruitment meeting and wonders what to do about disloyal citizens. Roy was Hardee's Assistant Adjutant General. Docket contains Hardee's autograph endorsement signed. Docket states the letter was forwarded to Braxton Bragg, and contains the signature of George G. Garner, Bragg's Assistant Adjutant General.

GLC00650

1860-1865

Header Record

Title: Collection of soldiers letters diaries &c. [decimalized]

[decimalized 00653.01-00653.26]

GLC00653