12 June 1776 - 21 June 1776

United States. Continental Congress.

Letter signed

Title: Resolution appointing Congressional "Board of War and Ordinance"

Signed by Charles Thomson as secretary. Includes attached circular letter addressed to Artemas Ward re: founding of War Office and instructions for monthly reporting; signed by John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Harrison, James Wilson, and Edward Rutledge. Written in the hand of Richard Peters; docketed by Artemas Ward on address leaf. (Formerly cataloged as GLC 3295.01 (p. 3) and .02 (p. 1-2).)

GLC03295

24 December 1782

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles W. F. Dumas re: need to conclude a peace treaty (treaty of Paris)

Written as American Peace Commissioner in Paris. Dumas served as an American agent in the Hague. Requests a copy of G. Pownal's Pensees sur la Revolution &c. Adams writes "We cannot say whether we are to have Peace or not. I wish the definitive Treaty were Signed or the Negotiations broken off that I may return to you."

GLC03296

29 March 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

President Adams approves the appointment of James Reid of New Hampshire as Vice Consul in Canton (Guangzhou, China). One black and white bust engraving of John Adams included.

GLC03297

22 November 1799

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Discusses the appointment of a consular agent at Embden, mentioning a Mr. Gregory as a possible appointee. Notes changes in France's government (Napoleon's seizing of power), doubting that it will produce a general peace in the Quasi-War between the United States and France. States that it is unlikely that "Prussia will interfere in any manner for the restoration of Peace, or that she could do much to bring it about were she ever so inclined to attempt it." Mentions two principles as the foundation for the war, but does not specify them. Written while Adams served as American Minister to…

GLC03298

16 June 1812

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to P.P.F. Degrand

Thanks Degrand for sending Boston newspapers containing "The Message of Govr. Gerry concerning libels, and the Act of Incorporation of the State Bank." Mentions lost correspondence from Degrand. Comments on an anecdote about assassination and discusses the assassination of British Prime Minister Spencer Percival. Also discusses American politics, particularly the pernicious effects of the "prevalence of party spirit among us, and the licentiousness of the press." Written while Adams was the American Minister to Russia shortly before the Declaration of War against Britain.

GLC03299

07 January 1888

Anthony, Susan B., 1820-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Blair

Suggests strategies by which Blair can work with other women's rights supporters to add woman's suffrage to a proposed 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Written on National Woman Suffrage Association letterhead. Blair was a United States Senator from New Hampshire.

GLC03300

25 July 1768

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Margaret Arnold

Writes to his wife, Peggy, in New Haven, Connecticut. Informs that he has sent her brandy, oranges, coconuts, handkerchiefs, and more from the West Indies and hopes the shipment has arrived safely. Briefly discusses his own trade. Desires to return to his family, " ... a separation from you is attended with the most Cruel Anxiety, you who are with your Friends Cannot Imagine my Impatience to leave this Savage Island & be with you & my Friends who are most Dear to me." Mentions some pending law suits. Gives love to the family. With an initialed postscript.

GLC03301

26 February 1861

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. B. Saunders

States that he can do nothing about Saunders land claims, due to secession. Because of Southern secession, Saunders must take his claims up with the state offices of the seceded states, and the petitions he filed before secession are no longer relevant. Benjamin also states "I am to leave to-morrow for Montgomery." Written the day after he was appointed Confederate Attorney General.

GLC03303

5 September 1800

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Writes regarding a disagreement between them over his expenses for a trip to Hartford, Connecticut. Burr states he and Hamilton are in agreement over what they believed would be the expense payment structure for the trip.

GLC03304

1 August 1783

Carleton, Guy, 1724-1808

Letter signed

Title: to Lord Frederick North

Transmits extracts of letters (not included) written by an unknown member of Congress to a friend which have come into his possession. Advises that the letters, " ... contain so much information, and appear to be written with so much judgment, that I cannot delay transmitting them to your Lordship." This letter is Carleton's retained copy, noted as duplicate no. 97. Written as Governor of Quebec to North as the British Secretary of State. One black and white bust engraving of Guy Carleton included.

GLC03305

March 18, 1673

Charles II, King of England, 1630-1685

Document signed

Title: [Royal order to expedite the outfitting of the Castle Finship, which is to accompany the Dyamond to New York].

Countersigned by Secretary of the Admiralty Board Samuel Pepys.

GLC03306

3 August 1833

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jarvis

Written as Senator from Kentucky. Clay blames the rise of nullification on the "triumph of Gen. [Andrew] Jackson over Mr. [John Quincy] Adams in 1828, alludes to the dangers of the nullification controversy, and highlights his role in effecting a congressional compromise to prevent bloodshed. Clay writes that if he had not compromised he feared the "entire destruction" of the American system of tariffs or a "Civil War." Hopes that manufacturing will not be hurt by the "Compromise" but feels that the bill was fair to both sides of the dispute. Concludes by stating, " ... it should now be…

GLC03307

23 February 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis W. Pickens re: introducing Maj. Whiting, to survey Charleston forts

Written as President of the Confederate States, to Gov. Pickens of South Carolina. Docketed by Pickens on the verso.

GLC03308

26 July 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Virginia Farragut

Written aboard the USS Hartford. Written by Rear Admiral Farragut to his wife Virginia in Hastings on the Hudson, New York. Signed by Farragut as well as initialled after a postscript. Says he wanted to let her know he was well. Remarks that he gave General Sickles a passage home in the USS "Governor Hahn." Writes: "He is the little fellow who made such a flourishing speech for me, on my arrival, at New Orleans when I came down the River after passing Port Hudson..." Says "Eaton takes my sword Home to you, if the pirates do not get it." Claims there is nothing of interest, but reports that…

GLC03309

6 August 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Broadside

Title: General Order No. 12

Written aboard the USS Hartford. Rear Admiral Farragut, as commander of the Western Gulf Blockade Squadron, sends thanks to the crews under his command for their conduct during the Battle of Mobile Bay, which took place on 5 August 1864. Remarks that despite having "witnessed the almost instantaneous annihilation of our gallant companions in the Tecumseh by a torpedo, and the slaughter of their friends, mess-mates and gun-mates on our decks, still there were no evidences of hesitation in following their Commander-in-Chief through the line of torpedoes and obstructions." See GLC04664.01 for…

GLC03310

13 March 1863

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Birdseye McPherson

Written near Vicksburg from Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee. General Grant informs McPherson, Commander of the 17th Corps, Army of the Tennessee, that Lagow (possibly Colonel Clark B. Lagow) "has just returned and called my attention to several points that you want instructions on." Relates that General Isaac Ferdinand Quinby, Commander of the 7th Division/7th Corps, will travel through the Yazoo Pass. Writes "I have sent North for small class steamers which should be expected to commence arriving now. In regard to the contrabands the question is a troublesome one. I am not…

GLC03311

8 May 1863

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

General Grant, Commander of the Army and Department of the Tennessee, writes to General Sherman, Commander of the Fifteenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee. Discusses the safety of supply trains. Reports that he will send Captain William Silliman Hillyer to load wagons and transport them to Sherman so Sherman's brigade can escort them to their destination. Includes an initialled post script.

GLC03312

14 May 1863

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

General Grant, Commander of the Army and Department of the Tennessee, writes to General Sherman, Commander of the Fifteenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee. Instructs Sherman to designate a Brigade from his command to guard Jackson, Mississippi, and to collect Confederate property within the city. Orders Sherman to direct his troops to destroy bridges and roads leading into the city. Instructs troops travelling East of the river (possibly the Pearl River), should burn all Confederate cotton and stores they find. Includes a stain in the upper left corner.

GLC03313

20 June 1871

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Creswell re: recommending the removal of two postmasters

Written as President.

GLC03314

13 September 1779

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph Otis

Writen in secretarial hand and signed by Hancock as a Major General of Massachusetts militia to Otis as Brigadier General of the militia of the County of Barnstable, Massachusetts. From an order of the council wants a full return to be made of the name, rank, and place of abode of every officer in the brigade under Otis. Also wants to know what vacant offices are available and to put that information in a separate column. Asks for the information as soon as possible. Postscript asks that he forward the enclosed (not included here). Free frank is Hancock's signature.

GLC03315

14 March 1813

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Robert Andrews

Orders provisions from the assistant deputy quarter master for the march of troops from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, during the War of 1812. Signed as Major General.

GLC03316

01 August 1844

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to John Y. Mason

Jackson argues that Tyler must withdraw his candidacy to allow the election of Polk and Dallas. If Tyler remains in the race he will split the Democratic vote, and allow Henry Clay to win election. Is confident that Polk can beat Clay, as long as Tyler does not run. Assures Mason that even though Tyler appointed him to his post, Tyler's resignation would not mean that Mason would have to retire. The letter is in the hand of Major Donelson, Jackson's nephew, but signed by Jackson, who says that he is too weak to write. Though Tyler had been elected as a Whig, he had been thrown out of the…

GLC03319

05 December 1810

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jarvis re: Jefferson's pleasure at recent retirement

Written as retired President to Jarvis, American consul at Lisbon. Jefferson also thank Jarvis for Merino sheep and the wines he sent. Written in Monticello

GLC03320

03 February 1816

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas W. Maury re: the census, map-making, a mineralogical survey

Written in Monticello

GLC03321

14 June 1863

Kane, Thomas L., 1822-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Biddle

Discusses his financial affairs, including patents, land sales, and the building of Pennsylvania railroads near his property. Written "Near Marvin."

GLC03322