23 August 1783

Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron von, 1730-1794

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Reports on an unsuccessful conference in Canada concerning assuming control of the western forts. Indicates that General Frederick Haldimand, the governor of the province of Quebec, refused to agree on any terms until there was a definitive treaty, although he did observe a cessation of fighting. Claims that Haldimand will limit communication and attempt "to hinder any overtures, being made from the United States to the Indians."

GLC04843

1788/02/20

Stewart, Walter, 1756-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Irvine re: opposition to Constitution

Stewart writes to Irvine, a Penna. delegate to the Continental Congress: "It is expected by the Anti-Federal Party that very extensive Petitions will be laid before them against the new Constitution. I however think they have abated much in their Warmth since they see Massachusetts have come to it. [....] And they [the Anti-Federalists] at last say they think amendments may probably be made. I sincerely hope they will, as it would be a means of reconciling all Party's, and enable us to carry it through; Without them, the opposition will be so powerful as to clog its execution in too large a…

GLC04844

23 August 1778

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Requests Whipple's opinion on the best course of action regarding the siege of Newport now that "The Count De Estaing...abandoned us in the present Enterprise and opened the Harbour for...Reinforcements." Believes the British have only 6,000 men, while the American forces number "8,174. Rank & File exclusive of 628...Artillery Men." Asks Whipple whether he thinks it best to continue the siege without French naval support and risk the British reinforcing their position by sea, or to attack immediately with what seems a superior force, or to withdraw at once. Desires that Whipple's…

GLC04845

1788/05/26

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William Ellery Jr.] re: contempt for "pure democracy" of R.I. (ratification)

Rhode Island had not ratified the Constitution. Ellery shared Thomson's unhappiness.

GLC04847

1785/03/28

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [President of Congress] re: exposing a plot to forge army pension securities

The President of Congress is the presumed recipient for Thomson's attempt to expose counterfeiting.

GLC04849

1785/07/27

United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles

Document signed

Title: Resolution of Congress asking for copies of state legislation [printed]

The printed resolution asks for 13 copies of each state's legislation for the period from Sept. 1, 1774 to the present, for sharing among the states and Congress.

GLC04850

1788/05/22

United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles

Document signed

Title: Resolution of Congress "relative to public and unsettled accounts" [printed]

GLC04851

1 February 1766

Thornton, Mathew, fl. 1766

Autograph document signed

Title: [Deposition of Martha Campbell regarding paternity of her child].

In a paternity case, the deposition states "...on or about the month of July last past one Thomas Lennen of Londonderry or Windham Aforesd. Weaver, in the House of one Henry [illegible] Of Windham Aforesd. Yeoman, Did Enter her Body, & recd Knowledge of her, Whereby this Examinant, is now with Child,...."

GLC04852

5 April 1783

Rivington, James, 1724-1802

Broadside

Title: The Royal Gazette Extraordinary

Published by James Rivington. Preliminary articles of the Treaty of Paris as found in reports from English newspapers arriving on the ship "Vigilant". Lists John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens as the Commissioners of the United States present at the negotiations, and Richard Oswald as the Commissioner for Great Britain. Text laid out in 4 columns.

GLC04853

4 March 1777

Troup, Robert, 1757-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Written by Troup as aide-de-camp to General Horatio Gates. In 1777 Jay was a legislator in New York, between appointments to the Continental Congress. Troup had been a law student under Jay. Provides a very blunt assessment of the situation in the Northern Department and gives his critical opinions on the now defunct Canadian expedition. References his last letter to Jay where he predicted the Canadian expedition would fail. He now says his prediction was correct, "for the Want of Men, and every necessary Article, has determined the General Officers to lay aside all thoughts of prosecuting it…

GLC04854

29 September 1789

Otis, Samuel A., 1740-1814

Printed document signed

Title: An Act providing for Payment of the Invalid Pensioners of the United States

Signed by Otis as Secretary of the Senate and co-signed by John Beckley as Clerk of the House. Transfers the payments of military pensions from the state to the federal government.

GLC04855

1789/06/01

Otis, Samuel A., 1740-1814

Document signed

Title: First act of Congress. Act to regulate certain oaths, to support Constitution

Printed act of Congress setting the form of oath: "I, A.B. do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States." Certified and Co-signed by Samuel A. Otis as Secretary of the Senate and John Beckley as Clerk of the House.

GLC04856

28 October 1779

Walton, George, 1740-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a Colonel of Georgia militia to Major General Lincoln as commander of the Southern Department. Walton, who was wounded and captured during the defense of Savannah in December 1778, was exchanged in September 1779. He was elected Governor of Georgia November 1779-January 1780, before returning to Congress. References letter he wrote to Lincoln on 23 October 1779. Says he needed to publish Lincoln's letter in a Charlestown, South Carolina paper to assist him politically. Says Augusta is in a dangerous position. Claims it is…

GLC04857

October 21. 1944

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Header Record

Title: [Twenty-two orders of the day including pardon of all who were under sentence of death].

Written as general in command of the United States Army in Greeneville, Ohio.

GLC04864

1789/05/20

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Wilson re: Wilson's role in ratifying Constitution, appointment

Wayne congratulates Wilson on the adoption of the Federal Constitution: "permit me to add that it was to a display of the perfect knowledge you entertained, & the plain elucidation you gave of the components of the System, which caused it to be approved by the [Ratification] Convention of Penna being the first that met...." Also congratulates Wilson on being appointed to the Chief Justiceship of the US (sic), and seeks a judicial appointment for himself.

GLC04865

August 12, 1776

Williams, William, 1731-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jabez Huntington

Summarizes affairs in first weeks of independence. Opens by commenting on his arduous journey to Philadelphia to join the Continental Congress. Informs that Silas Deane has arrived from France with the report of the French court's unfavorable reception of the American request for aid. Discusses the Declaration and comments that it has spurred the colonies to form governments. Informs that South Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey have established them and indicates who these colonies have chosen or might choose for governors. Mentions John Alsop, a Continental Congress member from New…

GLC04867

9 April 1823

Carroll, Charles, 1737-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Gibbons

Writing to his overseer regarding a slave he has just purchased, a blacksmith named Clem. Says Clem does not get special treatment but that "he was promised, if sold, that his wife should live with him." Also discusses buying horses. Signed "Ch. Carroll of Carrollton."

GLC04868

16 February 1789

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre Van Cortlandt

Refers to an enclosed letter (not present). Asks New York Lieutenant Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt to support the Federalist strategy to defeat New York Governor George Clinton by withdrawing from gubernatorial race. ". . . withdraw from a competition in which your friends can promise themselves no advantage to you and perceive much disadvantage to the cause they have so earnestly at heart-the removal of the present governor."

GLC04869

circa 1781-1782

Hanson, John, 1715-1783

Printed document signed

Title: [Congressional certificate authorizing vessels to engage in military activity]

Signed below seal by John Hanson. Countersigned by Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. Contains blank spaces designated for the name of commander and vessel, the vessel's weight and type, and the number of men on board. Created to authorize vessels (possibly privateers) to "set forth ... in a warlike manner ... to attack, subdue, seize, and take all ships and other vessels, goods, wares and merchandizes, belonging to the King or Crown of Great Britain ..." Features paper seal.

GLC04870

12 June 1783

Harrison, Benjamin (ca. 1726-1791)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Dickinson

Written by Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as Governor of Virginia to Dickinson as President of Pennsylvania. Written "In Council." Regarding the ownership of land along the Virginia-Pennsylvania border. This problem dated to the 1740s and was temporarily resolved during the Revolution, but became an issue after the war. Surveys were finally done in 1784 that gave the land definitively to Pennsylvania by 1786. This letter is asking Dickinson for an update on the problem.

GLC04871

1820/06/26

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Calhoun

General Jackson writing to Secretary of War Calhoun, attempting to mediate a dispute between General Daniel Bissell and the Ordnance Department. Jackson emphasizes the need to maintain a proper chain of command.

GLC04872

June 21, 1788

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to the Public accusing R.I. legislature of acting "contrary to the Articles"

Probably intended for publication. The essay attacks the Rhode Island legislature for not sending representatives to Congress or the Constitutional Convention. King, who signs himself five times in the text but signs "Procolus" at the end, argues that states like Rhode Island endangered the Union and that the legislature acted "contrary to the Articles of Confedreration."

GLC04873

1796/06/30

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Ellsworth re: asking advice in interpreting treaty on privateering

Discusses the sale of prizes taken from the British by the French which violates the 24th Article of Jay's Treaty (1794) with Britain.

GLC04875

30 November 1783

Cruger, Henry, 1739-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter van Schaack

Reports American occupation of New York City. Decribes the conditions and mixed sentiments in the city after the British evacuation. Feels that the peaceable citizens are a result of the successful leadership of Governor George Clinton, who is second only to George Washington. Assures van Schaack that the government has a plan and it will lead New York and the United States to greatness.

GLC04776

October 19, 1873

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John E. Williams re: solving banking crisis, Panic of 1873

Grant writes in part: "Cannot the bank presidents be brought together & resolve to aid each other?"

GLC04784