23 March 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Written by General Burgoyne while an American prisoner after his defeat at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 to Major General William Heath as commander of the Convention Army (prisoners of war from the battle of Saratoga) around Boston. Apologizes for sending another dispatch so quickly after his previous one, but asks him to send along the enclosed letters (not included here) without any loss of time. Also asks Heath to send him along a good sailing boat to go to Cape Cod and that he will pay any expenses associated with the trip. Burgoyne left Boston for Britain on 5 April 1778. He…

GLC03231

23 August 1778

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Expresses surprise at the news that "Count D'Estaing has abandoned us in the present Enterprise." At Sullivan's request gives his opinion on the situation, saying he feels the siege of Newport is not worth continuing without the French fleet, since he expects British reinforcements soon. Instead suggests an immediate attack, for which he details his strategy. Opposes a retreat but in case "the General Council be of a different opinion" he lays out a plan for retreat as well. General Sullivan posed this question to a number of officers. In GLC04845 he writes William Whipple and asks his…

GLC03232

10 April 1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Johnston

Writes in a telegram, "A scout reports that Genl. Lee surrendered the remnant of his Army near to Appomatox [sic] C.H. yesterday. No official intelligence of the event, but there is little room for doubt, as to the result." Davis orders General Henry H. Walker to join Johnston at Greensboro, North Carolina, asks for news and notes that they will need "to confer as to future action." Labeled "Cypher."

GLC03233

August 29, 1778

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Reports that his son left the recipient's horse at Daggets instead of at Sanfords in Bristol, where William Ellery had promised to deliver it in his last letter as his part in the "Newport Expedition." Comments on General John Sullivan and the withdrawal of Charles, Count d'Estaing, from the siege of Newport. Tells him he has heard from Philadelphia that the French Ambassador has met with an audience of Congress. Asks for any news he can be given and indicates that he has heard New York is to be evacuated by the British. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William…

GLC03236

22 June 1766

Gage, Thomas, 1718-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Johnson

General Gage about securing evidence against a spy at Johnson Hall and George Croghan's report from Fort Pitt about murders of Indians and white encroachment on their land. In regard to the latter, he contends that the white settlers at Redstone Creek, Pennsylvania, must be driven away. Indicates that they had originally been driven-off by the garrison at Fort Pitt, but later became too numerous. He adds, "If a skirmish happens and Blood is shed, you know what a Clamor there will be against the Military acting without civil Magistrates."

GLC03238

13 November 1777

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Warren

Written by Gerry as delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress to Warren as a member of the Continental Navy Board. References Warren's letter of 23 October 1777, in which he found news of General John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga earlier that month. In that letter Warren expressed misgivings about the terms of surrender that General Horatio Gates gave to Burgoyne, known as the Articles of Convention. Gerry says he had the same misgivings, but says Gates was justified in giving generous terms because Sir Henry Clinton was making moves to reinforce Burgoyne. Says that they…

GLC03239

16 June 1812

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Cutts

Near the beginning of the outbreak of the War of 1812, Gerry describes and criticizes Federalist politics as an attempt "to place in the executive departments of the Nation & States, men devoted to the interest & Government of Great Britain." Written the day after he was notified of his nomination for Vice President. Cutts was a New Hampshire senator.

GLC03240

13 May 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Tecumseh Sherman

General Grant transmits orders to General Sherman, Commander of the 15th Corps, Army of the Tennessee, during March-July 1863 operations against Vicksburg. Instructs Sherman to "Move directly towards Jackson starting at early dawn in the morning." Referring to General James Birdseye McPherson, Commander of the 17th Corps, Army of the Tennessee, writes "McPherson will start at early dawn from Clinton which place he reached at 3 p.m. to-day without difficulty." Referring to General John Alexander McClernand, Commander of the 13th Corps, Army of the Tennessee, writes "Two of McClernands…

GLC03241

January 3, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: Commission of Thomas W. Forster, Capt. in Artillery Regt. commanded by Knox

Printed sheet countersigned by Charles Thomson.

GLC03242

January 13, 1817

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Carswell

Asks Carswell to extend a line of credit to John H. Eaton on Jackson's behalf. Eaton was travelling to Philadelphia in order to publish his Life of Jackson.

GLC03243.01

19 June 1856

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Sipes re: regrets that Sipes has written his biography

Buchanan also politely declines to read Sipes' manuscript. He claims that the materials for a biography would have to come from himself in order to be accurate. Also, "an eminent literary friend offered to write my Biography & I gratefully accepted the offer, in case I should deem this necessary."

GLC03243.02

12 April 1862

Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Ewell

Discusses plans for his upcoming Valley Campaign, specifically escape plans. Also discusses the potential size of opposing forces and information from a deserted.

GLC03246

17 August 1811

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: thanks for lectures on medicine, mathematics; health, etc.

Signed twice on address leaf with Free frank written in another hand. Ford, Jefferson's Works, 11:211-13 and Butterfield, Rush Letters, 2:1073-76, 1098-1100. Written in Poplar Forest.

GLC03248

07 December 1860

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Earl Van Dorn

Lee adds a seemingly throw-away comment taking notice that the Secretary of War has appropriated more funds to the Western forts "I hope we shall be Comfortable while in the Union"

GLC03249

10 November 1863

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

A detailed letter reporting the activities, maneuvers and current positions of the troops under his command. Lee concludes: "The army now occupies about the same positions as before the recent advance."Written at the Head Quarters of the Army of North Virginia

GLC03250

1857-1858 ca.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph manuscript

Title: Speech fragment on slavery and American government

Probably part of a speech, beginning in the middle of a word. Lincoln emphasizes how America's affirmation of natural rights has made the nation into a wiser, stronger, happier and more progressive country.

GLC03251

21 May 1782

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Letter signed

Title: to Richard Harrison

Livingston, writing as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, discusses the capture and parole of Henry Brockholst Livingston and the general lack of faith of the populace in Britain's professed good will, as communicated by Sir Guy Carleton.

GLC03253

25 July 1776

McIntosh, Lachlan, 1725-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Lee

Also addressed to Lieutenant Seixas (possibly Abraham Mendez Seixas). Colonel McIntosh, commander of American forces in Georgia, replies to a letter from General Lee, Southern Department Commander. Mentions Colonel Samuel Elbert, also active in Georgia. States that an informant "saw a Fifty Gun Ship yesterday afternoon sailing on our Barr into the River, where four other Ships lay at anchor ... I imagine those Gentry will not be guilty a second time of the same delay as in Carolina ... " Relates that in his opinion, this is the fleet from Charleston, South Carolina. In a post script,…

GLC03255

June 3, 1781

Mason, George, Sr., 1725-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Mason Jr.

Discusses George Jr.'s brothers' roles in the war. Says the Americans under Nathaniel Greene are fighting bravely, but are overmatched by the British, who seem intent on taking Virginia. Cornwallis and his men have just arrived in Virginia to support Benedict Arnold's troops. Discusses the forces of Lafayette and Wayne in Pennsylvania. Hopes that a French fleet will soon arrive, but doubts this will happen. Says that most Virginians support the revolution and the alliance with the French. Many Virginians "grow uneasy, & restless, & begin to think that our Allies are spinning out the…

GLC03256

17 June 1781

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Writes to Jay, then Minister to Spain, about Jays appointment as one of five commissioners to negotiate peace during the American Revolution (which eventually resulted in the Treaty of Paris). Gives advice on how to deal with Spain, asking him to reiterate their commitment to winning the war and to "Hint a private Treaty to comprehend the Cession of the Floridas and even of Jamaica as an Ultimatum of Peace." Praises the appointment of Thomas McKean as President of Congress. The letter was continued on 10 July and 17 July 1781. Signed twice.

GLC03257

22 May 1810

Revere, Paul, 1735-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Revere

Revere writes to his son that the non-intercourse policy against Great Britain has ended, creating more opportunities to write. Also mentions a debilitating infirmity and provides family news. The second and third pages contain a letter dated July 1810 from John to his brother Joseph Revere which transmits their father's letter, discusses Joseph's impending return, and provides other news.

GLC03258

27 April 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Johnston

Written one day after General Johnston's surrender to Major General Sherman. Sherman's letter concerns repatriation of Confederate troops, providing supplies to Confederate troops, and Sherman's hope that the wounds of war can be healed. Informs of his orders to General John M. Schofield to facilitate the return of the men to their homes. Gives his view on the end of the war, "Now that the war is over I am willing to risk my person & reputation as heretofore, to heal the Wound made by the Past War. And I think my feeling is shared by the whole Army." Continues on to comment on some…

GLC03260

1966-1970

Streeter, Thomas W. (Thomas Winthrop), 1883-1965

Book

Title: The Celebrated Collection of Americana formed by the late Thomas Winthrop Streeter

GLC03261

18 November 1835

Stanley, Edward H., fl. 1765-1775

Document signed

Title: Appointment of Daniel D. Wynant as Captain in Republic of Texas Regiment

Signed on behalf of the Executive Committee.

GLC03263

4 March 1862

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Letter signed

Title: to Edwin D. Morgan

Requests that the "81st, 92d, 93d, 94th, 95th, 96th, 97th, 98th, 100th, 101st, 102nd and 103d Regiments of New York Volunteers, may be forwarded to this city as rapidly as possible." These regiments were needed for the Peninsula campaign, which was launched two weeks later.

GLC03471