22 March 1854

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Tells his Secretary that the treaty is still being decided upon by the Committee on Foreign Relations and hopes for a speedy decision. Rants about politics and opines as to the way things should be done. Discusses personal news. Postmarked 22 March, Washington, DC., and 5 April, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Imprint in upper left corner depicts a capitol building surrounded by "Congress, Platmer & Smith."

GLC03587.11

7 May 1856

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes about his voyage back to Charleston and how the sea air reminds him of home. Reports having received a letter from Washington discussing "angry correspondence on both sides-this must either be Marcy or Pickett." Asks Cripps to store his belongings. Encloses letters for Mrs. Monk (Cripps' mother) and Mr. Cavallier (not included). Imprint in upper left corner reads "G&F, Vera Cruz."

GLC03587.16

23 May 1856

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary about his longer-than-expected journey from Vera Cruz. Discusses his family and personal news. Mentions an upcoming lecture given by Dr. Lynch on the Toleration of Catholicism. Mentions the possibility, and fear, of a war with Great Britain. Talks about politics and the most current issues in Washington: Nicaragua, Mexico, and the Democratic National Convention of which President Pierce should be watchful. Imprint in upper left corner depicts a coat of arms surrounded by laurels, above "Paris."

GLC03587.17

22 June 1856

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Gadsden writes to his Secretary about an upcoming meeting with President Pierce where Secretary of State Marcy "may find himself impeached." Discusses the deception in Washington and is wary of nearly everyone. Imprint in upper left corner is illegible.

GLC03587.18

23 June 1856

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Letter

Title: to John Cripps

Written in the hand of John T. Pickett. Gadsden writes to his Secretary to promptly fix what will become Gadsden's recall. He writes that his recall is wanted by Hargous, Aspinwall, and Marcy so they may plunder Mexico without being watched. Postscript discusses a letter from ex-consul Forbes to Secretary of State Marcy that was printed in the New Orleans Picayune regarding the "lawless enterprises" lead by Gadsden. Imprint in upper left corner from Willard's Washington, D.C. Hotel.

GLC03587.19

30 June 1856

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Scolds his Secretary for not sending a letter in several weeks. Mentions a meeting with Secretary of State Marcy who was "as gruff as a bare, and as inflated with its growlings when pricked." Claims Marcy bullied him and ended the conversation by reminding Gadsden that all evidence pointing to a recall was before President Pierce. Imprint in upper left corner from Willard's Washington, D.C. Hotel.

GLC03587.20

3 April 1857

M.B., fl. 1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Expresses his disappointment at Cripps canceling his plans to visit. Describes what the two of them would have done if Cripps came to visit. Written on personal stationery with a "B" imprinted at the top center of page one and on the envelope. Includes a 3 cent stamp depicting George Washington. Postmarked by hand in Rippon, Virginia, 4 April. Possibly written by Mr. Benedict of GLC03587.32 and .34.

GLC03587.24

16 December 1857

Benedict, Hm., fl. 1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to Cripps regarding his mother's failing health. Mrs. Monk is suffering from a liver disease and is under the care of a good doctor and the Benedicts. Monk is concerned that Cripps will worry about her well-being but wants him to know that she will be rehabilitating shortly. Benedict assures Cripps that they will do all they can for her. Author's first name possibly Hiram and is the same Mr. Benedict from GLC03587.21. Postmark illegible. Includes ten-cent stamp bearing the image of George Washington.

GLC03587.34

24 October 1858

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary about his lack of correspondence. Has had to rely on newspapers for information about the state of affairs in Mexico. Mentions that the possession of Cuba takes precedence over Mexican diplomacy and that Spain and Great Britain will be placated with payments on their claims in Mexico. Discusses the dirty politics that have claimed Washington. Mentions that all the cities that have been claimed by the United States were once missions and wonders if those lands are transferable to him for colonization purposes. Imprint illegible.

GLC03587.37

4 November 1775

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Extracts of resolutions of the Continental Congress]

Resolutions of the Continental Congress recommending that the assemblies of the various colonies to have fire locks and saltpetre manufactured, punish people who harbor deserters, and permit the army to impress vessels for transportation. The resolutions dated 4 November 1775 specify the fire lock supply needs, recommends fines, whipping, and oaths for people who harbor deserters, and ask the New England colonies to grant General Washington the power to impress carriages, horses, and other means of transportation at a "reasonable rate." A resolution from 10 November 1775 urges the…

GLC08921

February 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: to unknown

Circular letter in which President Jefferson urges the state governments to "carry into effect the militia system adopted by the national legislature." Explains that "None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. to keep ours armed and disciplined, is therefore at all times important," which is particularly important since there had been "an infraction of treaty committed without colour or pretext." Asks for a report on Maryland's military supplies and readiness. The broken treaty Jefferson referred to was the Spanish closing of the port of New Orleans to U.S. shipping in…

GLC08925

5 October 1830

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jared Sparks

Sends a copy of a draft of a farewell speech (not included) George Washington had prepared "when he meditated a retirement at the expiration of his first term," and its relationship to his "Farewell Address." Also discusses authorship of the "Federalist Papers." Integral leaf with docketing. Sends part of a letter James Monroe (not included) and, on behalf of his wife, thanks Sparks for a book.

GLC08929

29 April 1793

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Lewis

Gives to his nephew "The Land which was given to me by my Mother, or as Heir at law I am entitled I do," as a present. Describes the tract in Virginia. Also asks if "Major Harrison went to Mount Vernon as you expected" and about Harrison's intentions regarding his adjoining land. Signed "GWn." Lewis served as his uncle's private secretary.

GLC08930

1813

Printed document signed

Title: Material related to Prisoner of war Joseph W. Clark [Decimalized .01-.02]

Two documents, decimalized.

GLC02247

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

1814/09/18

Eckstein, Frederick, fl. 1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Seeks an explanation for why his name was omitted from the list of persons on the volunteer association of field engineers organized by Philadelphia's Committee of Defence. Recounts his admirable service thus far and notes that "The corps was to be composed of Gentlemen of Science and of honor - I feel my honor wounded." Patterson responded to this letter the same day (see GLC02978.19).

GLC02978.18

1814/09/18

Patterson, Robert M., 1787-1854

Autograph letter

Title: to Frederick Eckstein

Responds to Eckstein's complaint that he was omitted from the list of persons on the volunteer association of field engineers organized by Philadelphia's Committee of Defence (see GLC02978.18). Patterson recognizes Eckstein's service and explains the omission as stemming from a need "to consult the whims and the groundless prejudices of hundreds." Expresses sympathy for Eckstein's hurt feelings.

GLC02978.19

1814/11/20

Eckstein, Frederick, fl. 1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Quotes from Patterson's explanation of why his name was omitted from the list of persons on the volunteer association of field engineers organized by Philadelphia's Committee of Defence (see GLC027978.19) and seeks further explanation. Provides a detailed description of his service and how he learned he had been dismissed. Notes that he left Europe because he admired the Constitution and asserts that he owes "it to my Country, to my family, to myself, not to suffer my rights to be torn from me with impunity."

GLC02978.20

1814/10/20

Goodman, John, fl. 1814

Autograph document signed

Title: At a Meeting of the General Committee for the City of Philadelphia and the Districts adjoining:

Records a resolution to thank the volunteer association of engineers for their work along the Schuylkill River and other defense services. Also resolves to record the names of those volunteers in the minutes of the committee. Resolutions extracted from the minutes.

GLC02978.21

1814/10/28

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Asks Patterson to call the volunteer association of field engineers together and requests that the enclosed resolves (see GLC02978.21), to thank them for their service and record their names in the minutes of the Committee of Defense, be communicated. Also asks for a list of their names and indicates that he is sending an incomplete list in his possession (see GLC02978.25 and GLC02978.26).

GLC02978.22

1814/10/29

Manuscript document

Title: [Notice of a meeting for members of the volunteer association of field engineers]

Announces a meeting at Rubicam's Tavern "to receive a communication from the General Committee of Defence" (see GLC02978.21 and GLC02978.22). Possibly written by Robert M. Patterson.

GLC02978.23