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

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