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

January 22, 1782

Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de, 1725-1807

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Indicates that he received intelligence from his correspondent about the British receiving reinforcements from New York in Charleston, he is "of opinion that the reinforcement you have received from General St. Clair, must have put you in a position to withstand those newly arrived." Doubts the news that the British reinforcements come from Ireland. The rest (starting on p. 1) at the end of which appears the signature. A separate three pages(which measure 28 x 21.5 cm) records the solution to the cipher, which discussion military strategy in the Southern Campaign. The cipher also notes…

GLC08903

22 June 1901

Jackson, Giles B., 1853-1924

Typed letter signed

Title: to R. C. Burrow

Seeks information for the Negro Business League's attempt to document African-Americans who meet Virginia's voting requirements. Explains that "The Negro Business League of Va. is endeavoring to...assist the constitutional convention in deriving at a just and proper solution of the Negro problem in its deliberation." Asks Burrow, the Commissioner of Revenue of Virginia, for the names and addresses of all black businessmen in Virginia, and approximately how much they pay to the state in taxes and deeds. Signed by Jackson as secretary of the Negro Business League. Typed on stationary of the…

GLC08907

4 May 1861

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William W. McKean

Redirects a ship, the Niagara under Captain W.W. McKean, originally sent to blockade Charleston to the Gulf of Mexico to "take measures for instituting and carrying into effect a rigid blockade of the Mississippi and such other ports, especially Mobile, as the force under your command will admit." Sends a copy of President Lincoln's proclamation ordering a blockade (not included). Mentions other ships that will participate. Docketed twice. Marked "Copy."

GLC08908

1862

Blakeslee, Amos C., 1826-?

Diary

Title: [Diary of Civil War surgeon]

Medical diary by U. S. Army contract surgeon covering the Union hospitals in and around Philadelphia. The bulk of the entries appear between 14 September 1862 and 23 November 1862. Comments on his hospital work, in which he treated wounded soldiers, and records news received from the frontlines. On 14 September he notes a flood in Philadelphia in which "some lives were lost." On 15 September he indicates that General George McClellan "reported a glorious victory" and two days later records hearing about Colonel Miles's death and surrender to the Confederates at Harper's Ferry. On 7…

GLC08909

1813/07/27

Bowen, J., fl. 1813

Printed document signed

Title: [Exchange papers for American prisoner of war Joseph W. Clark]

Countersigned by Jn. Haines and W. Boothby, who along with Bowen were "Commissioners of His Majesty's Transport Service," and Thomas Gribble as agent for prisoners of war on parole at Ashburton, England. Certifies that Clark, a master of an American merchant vessel who had been on parole in Britain since 31 March 1813, has permission to return to the United States and outlines the conditions and mode of his transfer. He was to travel from Ashburton to Dartmouth and embark aboard the Jenny Cartel. Identifying biographical and descriptive information about Clark appears on the verso and…

GLC02247.02

30 August 1814

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph document signed

Title: [Committee of Defence authorization for Dr. Robert M. Patterson to lead a Corps of Field Engineers]

The committee, empowered by the General Committee of Philadelphia, made Patterson the chief engineer and organizer of the corps and charged them with "the Defence of the City and its Environs."

GLC02978.01

1814/08

Committee of Defence (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Autograph document

Title: [Call for applications to join a Corps of Field Engineers for the defense of Philadelphia]

Calls for 100 men to serve as artillerists. Indicates pay will be the same as artificers in the United States Army. The committee was authorized to raise the corps by the General Committee of Philadelphia.

GLC02978.03

1814/08

Committee of Defence (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Autograph document

Title: [Announces that the Corps of Field Engineers will fortify the defenses of Philadelphia]

Indicates that a company of artillery will be devoted to building a defense of ports and obstructing the British army's approach during the War of 1812. The company would be outfitted with tools. They would come from the Corps of Field Engineers, which had been raised by the Philadelphia General Committee of Defence and led by Dr. Robert M. Patterson as the chief engineer (see GLC02973.01 and GLC02973.03).

GLC02978.04

1814/08/31

Fonciu, John, fl. 1814

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision of Fortifications indispensable to the defense of Philadelphia] [French]

Fonciu, a French officer who had lived in Philadelphia, was Jonathan Williams' chief assistant in the volunteer association of field engineers organized by Philadelphia's Committee of Defence.

GLC02978.05

1814/09/02

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph note signed

Title: [Request for John Biddle to report to Dr. Robert M. Patterson and join the Corps of Field Engineers]

Biddle is identified as a member of the topographical engineers. Patterson had been appointed the chief engineer and organizer of the corps (see GLC02978.01) by the Philadelphia Committee of Defence. Williams signed this letter as "Chief Engineer."

GLC02978.06

1814/09/03

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph note signed

Title: [Request for Dr. Robert M. Patterson to continue building a fortification]

Asks Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, to "direct & continue the operations on the heights next of Schuylkill [River] without delay.

GLC02978.07

1814/09/04

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Tells Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, that a man named Jonathan Jones, who knows the local terrain, can provide assistance to the topographical engineers. Also notes a man named Spencer Sargeant will be retained for communication purposes, possibly as a secretary.

GLC02978.08

1814/09/15

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Requests that Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, report whether or not a man named Dr. Paschall consented to having his grounds entered and upon what terms. Also asks him to report on others who had consented to have their grounds occupied and works built upon them by the Corps of Field Engineers. See GLC02978.10 for Patterson's response.

GLC02978.09

1814/09/15

Patterson, Robert M., 1787-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Williams

Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, reponds to Williams' request (see GLC02978.09). Indicates that Dr. Paschall refused to allow works to be built upon his land, but may consent if the works are not near his buildings, which he feared would be destroyed in an attack. Also reports that another man, Judge Lloyd, consented to works being built upon his grounds.

GLC02978.10

1814/09/10

Goodman, John, fl. 1814

Broadside

Title: General Committee of Defence For the City and Liberties of Philadelphia

Applauds the formation of the Volunteer Associations for the Defence of the City and County of Philadelphia and outlines the authority vested in the Committee of Defence. Indicates that the rules governing its formation are prescribed by law, that voluntary service does not replace military obligations, and only those not currently in the military can come under the direction of the committee, volunteering imposes no additional duty and will not require any services that would not be required by the militia, and if volunteers exempt from the militia wish to remain exempt then they…

GLC02978.11

1814/09/16

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Reports that the General Committee of Defence had an interview with the Pennsylvania governor about the formation of a corps of engineers and pioneers. Governor Simon Snyder agreed to commission them as volunteers that could be called into service under General Bloomfield. Lists names of men to be appointed and at what rank. Patterson is marked first, as a captain. Williams asks if Patterson will serve and select men to fill other ranks. Hopes Patterson, who was a professor, will not refuse on account of his lectures. Also notes that there will be no difficulty getting enough men.

GLC02978.12

1814/09/17

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Discusses expanding the Corps of Field Engineers & Pioneers. Hopes Patterson, the chief engineer, has decided to become the first captain, which Williams asked of him in GLC02978.12, and will help decide who else become officers. Claims Patterson's background as a professor will make him a good captain and cause their defense program to be successful, and consequently expand.

GLC02978.13

1814/09/18

Fonciu, John, fl. 1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson [French]

Fonciu, a French officer who had lived in Philadelphia, was Jonathan Williams' chief assistant in the volunteer association of field engineers organized by Philadelphia's Committee of Defence.

GLC02978.14

1814/09

Manuscript document

Title: [Response to objections to the plans of the Philadelphia General Committee of Defence] [French]

Notes that "Certain observations in the Aurora...seem to disapprove of the system...of combining field fortifications with the maneuvers of troops for the defence of Philadelphia" during the War of 1812. Those who disprove recommend replacing retrenchments with a system of platoons. Provides several objections to the platoon plan and explains those objections in terms of military science and the current conflict. GLC02978.16 is a contemporary English version of this document.

GLC02978.15

1814/09

Manuscript document

Title: [Response to objections to the plans of the Philadelphia General Committee of Defence]

Notes that "Certain observations in the Aurora...seem to disapprove of the system...of combining field fortifications with the maneuvers of troops for the defence of Philadelphia" during the War of 1812. Those who disprove recommend replacing retrenchments with a system of platoons. Provides several objections to the platoon plan and explains those objections in terms of military science and the current conflict. GLC02978.16 is a contemporary French version of this document.

GLC02978.16

1814/09/18

Wright, W.E., fl. 1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Reports that, in accord with Patterson's "request & to accelerate the works," he has given a lot of assistance in the previous twenty days. Indicates that some on the Philadelphia General Committee of Defence have observed that he did so without authority. Requests that he be given some authority if he is to be of future service to the committee.

GLC02978.17