31 May 1795

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Discusses the progress and prospects of the North American Land Company in regard to their Georgia holdings. Comments on unfavorable publicity in Paris newspaper and his plans to reverse any negative impression. Discusses fund raising and bills in London. The verso of the first page has a copy of another letter to Bourne dated 18 April 1795 commenting on a then-resolved issue between John Nicholson and trustees of the North American Land Company and sales of stock in Europe.

GLC05000

13 April 1864

Anderson, James Patton, 1822-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Anderson, commander of the District of Florida, writes to Bragg, now chief military advisor to President Davis. Anderson complains about the disorganization of his district and the difficulties of his job. Expresses surprise at the addition of 5,000-6,000 troops to the enemy force at Jacksonville, brought in his steamer and schooner. The enemy, centered at Jacksonville, numbers at least 15,000, he relates. He is disappointed that the army in his station has not been released to take part in active operations in Tennessee or Virginia. Discusses the resignation of General Thomas Carmichael…

GLC05001

February 3, 1863

Baldwin, William Edwin, 1827-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to D. W. Flowerree

General Baldwin informs Major Flowerree, an assistant adjutant general (for General Dabney Herndon Maury), that an unofficial report informed of thirty seven deserters from the 37th Mississippi Regiment the previous night. Notes that the Big Black River can only be crossed in two locations, and that guards placed at these points could easily apprehend deserters. Autograph endorsement signed by General Maury, on verso, written 4 February 1863. Maury forwards and approves, stating that measures "may be at once adopted for the arrest and punishment of deserters..." Another note on verso states…

GLC05002

circa 16 July 1863

Barton, Seth Maxwell, 1829-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Barton, a Confederate General, writes to an unknown recipient regarding the impressment of workers for a building project. States that Major Burnet is attentive in organizing the project, which he refers to as Green's Hill. The docket indicates that Barton is referring to "the result of impressment of negroes & reporting state of works." Date is taken from docket. Written in pencil.

GLC05003

2 May 1863

Bate, William Brimage, 1826-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

General Bate writes to an unknown general. Bate is unable to review the recipient's brigade because Generals Stuart and Polk will be in his camp for inspection.

GLC05004

20 May 1861

Blanchard, Albert Gallatin, 1810-1891

Document signed

Title: [Order No. 2 containing instructions for Colonel Blanchard's command]

Colonel Blanchard assumes command of troops in the district south and west of the Elizabeth River. Includes appointment of Blanchard's quartermaster, instructions for submitting morning reports, and other rules pertaining to his command. Instructs commanders to make sure no ammunition is wasted.

GLC05005

January 30, 1863

Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876

Letter signed

Title: to Christopher G. Memminger

Confederate General Bragg sends a $100 counterfeit Confederate bill (see GLC05006.02) which he found on a man who was now being held for questioning.

GLC05006.01

circa 1855-1860

Header Record

Title: Items concerning John Cabell Breckinridge [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC05007

20 September 1862

Duke, Basil Wilson, 1838-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Reports on nearby Union movements, and a reported advance "upon the Independence road, between Independence & Colemansville." Addressed to "Genl," most likely for Braxton Bragg since he was in charge of the Kentucky campaign, and because the docket mirrors those on other letters sent to Bragg. At the time the Confederate invasion of Kentucky was going successfully, as they successfully pushed further into the state.

GLC05008

25 September 1863

Finley, Jesse J. (Jesse Johnson), 1812-1904

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to James Benagh

Finley, Colonel of the Sixth Florida Infantry, transmits a report of the Chickamauga Campaign to Captain Benagh, Assistant Adjutant General. Writes from Headquarters, Sixth Florida Volunteers, near Chattanooga. Details the Battle of Chickamauga, which took place 18-20 September 1863. Cites specific locations involved in the battle, participating officers, and troop position/movement, among other details. Lists the total number of casualties from his regiment at 165. Writes "For our Regiment (6th Fla) I can pay them no higher or more deserved compliment than to say they fully sustained…

GLC05009

29 May 1862

Hill, Daniel H., 1821-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry A. Wise

Says his position is critical, with the enemy only "a few hundred yards" away, and he will need reinforcements, "three full Brigades." Wonders if he will receive them since General Johnston's "attention is now entirely to the left." Written at 8:15 PM just two days before the battle of Seven Pines began in full. Minor skirmishes, which Hill was involved in, had already begun. The battle of Seven Pines would be the closest Union troops got to Richmond before 1865. Robert E. Lee assumed command when Joseph Johnston was wounded during this battle. Wise dockets and signs the back upon…

GLC05010

25 December 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Expresses frustration with contradictory accounts from New York. Updates Washington on the movements of the British fleet and states that Benedict Arnold boarded one of the vessels. Reports that he does not know if they have sailed yet. Gives information on Arnold's activities and says he was definitely in New York on Saturday 23 December because he was seen by someone. Remarks that he is attempting to form an intelligence network, "I am endeavouring to form a Chain of Intelligence & will succeed if practicable - should any thing material turn up you may be assured of being Informed…

GLC04863

2 April 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Whipple to Langdon. Both were members of the Continental Congress from New Hampshire. Whipple would sign the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, while Langdon would leave Congress in June 1776. References Langdon's letter of 19 March 1776. Rejoices over arrival of two powder vessels. Asks "what think you of the Retreat of the Barbarians from Boston, it will be a pretty story to tell their Master"? Says Admiral Hopkins was at New Providence, North Carolina where he found 200 cannons and many cannonballs, but no powder. Says the people of North Carolina took 1800 stands of…

GLC04866

2 August 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: to John Charles Frémont

President Lincoln informs Major General Frémont that Dr. Godfrey Aigner was appointed by the United States Sanitary Commission to visit soldiers stationed at a camp under Frémont's command "to report upon circumstances affecting their health, and to advise the officers in regard to means for sustaining and improving the sanitary condition of their men." Contains a United States Bureau of Pensions Division stamp.

GLC04874

1788/01/20

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay re: prospects for ratification of Constitution

Forwarding some enclosed letters to Europe (not included) and discussing ratification of the Constitution. Mentions decisions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia in adopting the Constitution. Fitzpatrick publishes with some textual differences based on the Washington letterbook.

GLC04876

30 May 1797

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William C.C. Claiborne

Thanks him for his "favourable sentiments," noting that "If all our Citizens were actuated by the principles you profess, it would much promote the happiness and prosperity of our Country." In regard to some papers Claiborne requested, Washington claims that he is determined not to interfere "directly or indirectly - in recommendations to Office." Closes by stating that it was "very pleasing to me to learn from such good authority that the people of the state of Tennessee are well affected to the General Government & that your prospect of peace with the Indians is not likely to be…

GLC04877

circa 1 May 1864

Blanchard, Henry, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horace Blanchard

Discusses troops movements and a baseball game.

GLC04881

October 21, 1944

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Header Record

Title: [Twenty-two orders of the day including pardon of all who were under sentence of death].

Written as general in command of the United States Army in Greeneville, Ohio.

GLC04864

1789/05/20

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Wilson re: Wilson's role in ratifying Constitution, appointment

Wayne congratulates Wilson on the adoption of the Federal Constitution: "permit me to add that it was to a display of the perfect knowledge you entertained, & the plain elucidation you gave of the components of the System, which caused it to be approved by the [Ratification] Convention of Penna being the first that met...." Also congratulates Wilson on being appointed to the Chief Justiceship of the US (sic), and seeks a judicial appointment for himself.

GLC04865

August 12, 1776

Williams, William, 1731-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jabez Huntington

Summarizes affairs in first weeks of independence. Opens by commenting on his arduous journey to Philadelphia to join the Continental Congress. Informs that Silas Deane has arrived from France with the report of the French court's unfavorable reception of the American request for aid. Discusses the Declaration and comments that it has spurred the colonies to form governments. Informs that South Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey have established them and indicates who these colonies have chosen or might choose for governors. Mentions John Alsop, a Continental Congress member from New…

GLC04867

9 April 1823

Carroll, Charles, 1737-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Gibbons

Writing to his overseer regarding a slave he has just purchased, a blacksmith named Clem. Says Clem does not get special treatment but that "he was promised, if sold, that his wife should live with him." Also discusses buying horses. Signed "Ch. Carroll of Carrollton."

GLC04868

16 February 1789

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre Van Cortlandt

Refers to an enclosed letter (not present). Asks New York Lieutenant Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt to support the Federalist strategy to defeat New York Governor George Clinton by withdrawing from gubernatorial race. ". . . withdraw from a competition in which your friends can promise themselves no advantage to you and perceive much disadvantage to the cause they have so earnestly at heart-the removal of the present governor."

GLC04869

circa 1781-1782

Hanson, John, 1715-1783

Printed document signed

Title: [Congressional certificate authorizing vessels to engage in military activity]

Signed below seal by John Hanson. Countersigned by Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. Contains blank spaces designated for the name of commander and vessel, the vessel's weight and type, and the number of men on board. Created to authorize vessels (possibly privateers) to "set forth ... in a warlike manner ... to attack, subdue, seize, and take all ships and other vessels, goods, wares and merchandizes, belonging to the King or Crown of Great Britain ..." Features paper seal.

GLC04870

12 June 1783

Harrison, Benjamin (ca. 1726-1791)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Dickinson

Written by Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as Governor of Virginia to Dickinson as President of Pennsylvania. Written "In Council." Regarding the ownership of land along the Virginia-Pennsylvania border. This problem dated to the 1740s and was temporarily resolved during the Revolution, but became an issue after the war. Surveys were finally done in 1784 that gave the land definitively to Pennsylvania by 1786. This letter is asking Dickinson for an update on the problem.

GLC04871

1820/06/26

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Calhoun

General Jackson writing to Secretary of War Calhoun, attempting to mediate a dispute between General Daniel Bissell and the Ordnance Department. Jackson emphasizes the need to maintain a proper chain of command.

GLC04872