January 14, 1778

Autograph document

Title: [Queries to the court of inquiry]

List of five questions a secretary or staff officer wrote down for General John Burgoyne, commander of the captured British Convention Army, for a court of inquiry against American Colonel David Henley, commander of the Prospect Hill barracks accused of murder and misconduct against British troops. Wants to know: Will there be an oath? Will witnesses be sworn? Will this inquiry look into the charges or defend Henley? Also protests the inquiry as the wrong venue for these charges and requests a copy of the inquires findings. Marked "No. 46" near docket.

GLC04764.56

January 18, 1778

Keith, J., fl. 1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Copy of report from court of inquiry ordering a court martial]

Written by Keith as Deputy Adjunct General to General William Heath. Copy of an extract of the report on court of inquiry on allegations of murder and misconduct against British troops by Colonel David Henley, American commander of the Prospect Hill barracks. Says the court has decided that based on evidence offered by General John Burgoyne, commander of the captured British Convention Army, a court martial is necessary. Says court martial will take place next Tuesday at 10 a.m. Henley was accused by Burgoyne in "a general tenor of language [of] conduct heinously criminal as an Officer,…

GLC04764.57

January 18, 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army was situated to General Burgoyne as commander of the Convention Army. References Burgoyne's's letter of 17 January 1778. Says all accounts must be settled in a fair manner as stated in his letter of 3 January 1778. Asks that letters and papers intended to be sent to Sir William Howe by Mr. Clarke be sent to him first. Says the papers will be returned to Clarke by this evening. Says Clarke's parole and passport will be sent up. Says he will answer the part of Burgoyne's letter that deals with…

GLC04764.58

January 24, 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Letter

Title: to William Heath

Written by General Burgoyne as commander of the captured British Convention Army to General Heath as American commander of the district where the Convention Army is situated. This is a clerical copy created by someone on Heath's staff. Marked at the top "No. 4 Copy of a Letter from Lt. G. B." Docket says it was copied for Congress. References letter from Heath received 22 January 1778. Apologizes for the tardy reply, but says business of the court martial of Colonel David Henley has taken up all his time. Says the officers's fusees (sidearms) are being held by him and will not be returned…

GLC04764.59

January 30, 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as American commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army was situated to General Burgoyne as commander of the Convention Army. References Burgoyne's letter of 24 January 1778. Apologizes for tardy reply. Heath references his own letter of 22 January where he claims no apprehension of an ill use of the officers's fusees (sidearms). Says he wanted to satisfy the minds of the public who said it might be a good idea to collect them. Says while Burgoyne's word that the fusees would not be given to the officers would be enough for him, it is not…

GLC04764.60

January 28, 1778

Keith, J., fl. 1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: Extract from General Orders

Written by Keith as Deputy Adjunct General. Says there have been complaints of captured British Convention Army officers playing billiards at a house in the center of Cambridge at late hours. Says General William Heath, commander of the district where the Convention Army is situated, does not have a problem with their "innocent diversions" but with the late hours that they partake them. Says all officers are to be in barracks at 9 p.m. unless for a very special occasion and not without a pass. Says obedience to this order is expected and that patrols will be stepped up. Marked "No. 59."

GLC04764.61

February 14, 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Tudor

Written by Burgoyne as commander of the captured British Convention Army to Tudor as the Judge Advocate of the court martial of Colonel David Henley, the former head of the Prospect Hill barracks accused of murder and mistreatment of British troops. Says he engaged to send over the substance of his closing argument in the court martial, but that other urgent business and ill health has kept him from doing so. Says he will send it tomorrow or Sunday morning. Initialed by Burgoyne at the end.

GLC04764.63

3 March 1778

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Document signed

Title: [Certification of contract of British Army with Jacob Jordan]

Written in secretarial hand for British Major General William Phillips, commander of the Royal Artillery in Canada. Certifies the terms and conditions of the contract made with Jacob Jordan of Montreal. This document was to back up the certificate dated 1 October 1777. Says Jordan is due 1020 pound of Halifax currency due for services rendered 1 October 1777 to 17 October 1777 for the Royal Artillery.

GLC04764.64

13 March 1778

Pollard, Jonathan, fl. 1749-1786

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for expenses]

Written by Pollard as aide-de-camp to General William Heath. Receipt for 55 pounds, 3 shillings "on acct of expenses for the Troops of the Convention." Pollard was on the staff of Heath, the American commander of the district where the captured Convention Army was situated.

GLC04764.65

January 1778

Glover, John, 1732-1797

Autograph document signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by Brigadier General Glover as President of the court of inquiry that was investigating the allegations against Colonel David Henley, former commander of the Prospect Hill barracks where many of the captured British Convention Army troops were being held. Henley was accused of murder and mistreatment toward British soldiers. This document is a response to Burgoyne's questions (see GLC04764.56) about the details of the court of inquiry. Date of creation inferred from the date of Burgoyne's questions were submitted to the court. Answers first question: the members of the court are not…

GLC04764.66

23 March 1778

Brathwait, Richard, fl. 1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by Captain Brathwait of the ship Centurion in Cape Cod Harbor. Tells Burgoyne that he has arrived with orders of General Sir William Howe for the Men of War and transports with provisions on board them to return to Rhode Island. Says he will proceed without the loss of time. Postscript says Captain Dalyrmyple sends his compliments. Docketed by Burgoyne.

GLC04764.67

30 March 1778

Henley, David, 1749-1823

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Kingston

Written by Colonel Henley, former commander of Prospect Hill barracks about to be tried for a court martial for allegations of mistreatment of British troops and murder to Lieutenant Colonel Kingston, a staff officer to General John Burgoyne. This document was in response to previous correspondence. Henley begins by sending his compliments to Kingston. Says the first proposition made in Henley's name was refused by Burgoyne and that the alternation of it by General William Phillips was inadmissible. Therefore, Henley says he will send two gentleman to act on his behalf and Burgoyne should…

GLC04764.68

30 March 1778

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Autograph letter

Title: to David Henley

Written by Lieutenant Colonel Kingston as a staff officer to General John Burgoyne to Colonel Henley, former commander of the Prospect Hill barracks, under court martial for allegations of murder and mistreatment of British soldiers. In response to Henley's previous note (GLC04764.68). Kingston sends his compliments to Henley. Says General William Phillips will meet the two gentleman Henley mentioned in his quarters tomorrow afternoon. Says Phillips does not have a copy of the paper given from himself to General Henry Knox and asks that a copy be brought. Marked "No 10" at top of recto.

GLC04764.69

30 March 1778

Wilkins, Samuel, fl. 1778

Autograph document signed

Title: [Recepit for payment for escaping from the enemy and bringing two deserters]

Recepit that says Wilkins received 4 pounds, 4 shillings from Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kingston, a staff officer of General John Burgoyne, for escaping from the enemy and "bringing off two deserters."

GLC04764.70

1778

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Autograph letter

Title: to [David Henley]

Written by General Phillips as an officer under General John Burgoyne to Colonel Henley, former commander of the Prospect Hill barracks where many of the captured Convention troops were situated. Henley was brought before a court martial due to allegations of murder and mistreatment of British soldiers. Recipient is inferred from the content of the memorandum written above the letter. Memorandum says "Col: Henley wrote a letter to G: Ps:," which apologized for his improper use of language. "G: Ps:" is probably General Phillips. The letter below the memorandum is an answer to Henley's apology…

GLC04764.71

4 April 1778

Lind, John, fl. 1776-1778

Document signed

Title: Return of the Officers of the 20th Regiment that were killed in Action & Left Widows

Written by Lieutenant Colonel Lind. Lists the death of Lieutenant Thomas Lucas, who was killed on 19 September 1777 during the battles around Saratoga. He left behind a widow.

GLC04764.72

4 April 1778

Balcarres, Alexander Lindsay, Earl of, 1752-1825

Document signed

Title: Document listing killed in action at Saratoga

Written by the Earl of Balcarres as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 24th Regiment of Foot. Note says that Brigadier General Simon Fraser was killed 7 October 1777 at Freemans Farm. Docket says "To The Major of Brigade."

GLC04764.73

30 August 1860

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ernie and Morton

Vice President and Presidential candidate Breckinridge updates two individuals from New York City on his progress regarding an upcoming speech. States "I have not as yet even made a note ... It would be better, perhaps, if we were more accustomed in the west to carefull written preparation."

GLC05007.01

1855 ca

Photograph

Title: [John Cabell Breckinridge]

Includes one carte de visite size albumen photograph mounted on a large mat.

GLC05007.02

4 July 1810

Everett, David, 1770-1813

Newspaper

Title: Boston patriot. [Vol. 3, no. 36 (July 4, 1810)]

Contains a section of the celebration of the Fourth of July which quotes a letter from John Adams. Prints correspondence from President John Adams dated 25 August 1781 from Amsterdam. A letter from the Massachusetts governor to the state legislature in regard to apprising the federal secretary of state of Massachusetts laws. Also contains news from England. With many advertisements.

GLC08830.02

1814/08/30

Committee of Correspondence of the City of Philadelphia

Printed letter

Title: to John Biddle

Indicates that the British attacked Washington, D.C., without any horses and may try to seize them wherever they land. Instructs Biddle to remove all horses from possible landing points for the British. The British had recently captured and burned Washington during the War of 1812.

GLC02978.02

7 March 1853

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary regarding a successful journey. Encloses public documents that require attention (not included). Is disappointed because Secretary of State William Marcy has not drawn up a Treaty of Extradition. Gadsden feels that his successful work in Mexico will be hailed in Washington. Reports that his recent meetings with Ward, Escandon, and L.S. Hargous, the U.S. Consul in Vera Cruz, have gone well and that he holds the upper hand. Mentions having dealt with the Mexican government regarding a treaty that is honorable to both parties. Asks Cripps to send the minutes of…

GLC03587.01

6 January 1854

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary regarding an upcoming reception at which he does not want to be present. Forwards a letter from J.B. Crocket of San Francisco (not included) who he wants Cripps to assist in deciphering a grant. Is still awaiting the notes from a conference Cripps was to send and explains that he may need to "make war" with Ward, using the notes as leverage. Mentions an upcoming interview with President Pierce and is concerned about his silence on the breach of trust, the center of which Gadsden believes is Ward and his cohorts. Promises that he and his treaty "will stand erect"…

GLC03587.07

February 5, 1854

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Annoyed with his Secretary regarding the conference notes he has been expecting since possibly March 1853 (see GLC03587.01 and .07). He has exposed Ward, and President Pierce has taken Gadsden's side. Gadsden is only disappointed that the provision regarding "the grant" has not been struck from the treaty, even after Ward had been outed. Rants about Ward being obtuse and treacherous and includes his thoughts on others' betrayals. Included clipping rebuts the rumor that Cripps became Gadsden's Secretary and Minister to Mexico because they were related. No postmark. Imprint in upper left…

GLC03587.08

February 22, 1854

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary reporting that the treaty is before the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations and expects a favorable decision which he hopes will upset Ward. Recaps the road to their success but adds a few caveats relating to unwanted amendments to the treaty. Discusses the importance of keeping the people involved in the treaty process honest and why it is their duty to do it. Notes that they want to replace Black enslaved people and enslave indigenous and Mexican people. Mentions the inevitable possession of Cuba. Adds personal news. Postmarked 22 February, Washington, DC.,…

GLC03587.09