9 August 1862 - 9 February 1891

Pitcher, Henry, fl. 1862-1891

Header Record

Title: Collateral of Henry Pitcher. [Decimalized .01- .03]

Includes one discharge certificate from the service for Henry Pitcher, dated 9 August 1862; one general affidavit signed by James Henry, dated 18 April 1890; one envelope addressed to Henry Pitcher from the Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions, dated 9 February 1891.

GLC06889.04

2 June 1863

Otto, William T., 1816-1905

Document signed

Title: [Patent for Lewis Tees' improvement in iron-clad vessels]

Signed by Otto as Acting Secretary of the Interior. Countersigned by David P. Holloway as Commissioner of Patents. Tees' written description of his improvement is signed by John Clouds and J. R. Deacon as witnesses. Includes a one-page diagram of Tees' invention, signed by Tees' lawyer Henry Howson, and by Charles E. Foster and Charles Howson as witnesses. Includes a seal and dark green ribbon.

GLC06476

24 September 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Caesar Rodney

Discusses poor performance of militia and possibility of losing Philadelphia. "The conduct of the Militia is much to be regretted. In many instances, they are not to be roused, and in others, they come into the Field with all possible indifference, and to all appearance entirely unimpressed with the importance of the Cause in which we are engaged. Hence proceeds a total inattention to order and to discipline, and too often a disgraceful departure from the Army, at the instant their aid is most wanted. I am inclined to think, the Complaints and Objections offered to the Militia Laws are but…

GLC06482

January 19, 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Caesar Rodney

Discusses moving the cavalry of Count Pulaski's legion to where it will interfere less with supply with Rodney, then President of Delaware. Suggests Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware as a possible location and seeks the proper authority to quarter them there. Docketed twice, on the second page and on the address leaf.

GLC06483

26 August 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Caesar Rodney

Circular letter written by Washington as commander of the Continental Army to Rodney as Governor of Delaware. The two page letter is accompanied by a leaf entitled "List of American Officers Prisoners who have violated their Paroles belonging to the State of Delaware." Says that he needs the help of the executive power of Rodney to recapture prisoners who have violated their paroles because they have served with the state militia and not the Continental Army. Washington claims it is a matter of honor for prisoners on parole to follow the stipulations of that condition. Says it will help…

GLC06484

10 June 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Caesar Rodney

Desires that the posts for "Four Vacant Ensigncies" be filled by new officers. Says "It is essential to service that Troops should be well officered -- and in our's the compliment allowed should be generally full." He mentions that two officers in captivity should not be replaced. Autograph docketing by Rodney reads, "About appointing officers to fill vacancies."

GLC06485

August 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter

Title: to Samuel Huntington

Manuscript copy of a letter from Washington to President of Congress Huntington dated 20 June 1780. With address leaf that enclosed this copy sent from South Carolina politician John Mathews to Delaware Governor Caesar Rodney. Washington writes that he anxiously awaits the arrival of the French fleet. He is embarrassed by the condition and supplies of his troops: "were this generous Succour of our ally now to arrive, I should find my self in the most awkward embarrassing and painful Situation." Reports that "the troops...are absolutely destitute." With John Matthews free frank on address…

GLC06486

27 July 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Caesar Rodney

Asking Rodney to give orders for the Delaware militia "to march and join the army under my command where ever it may be."

GLC06487

17 August 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Caesar Rodney

Original manuscript copy, with clerical signature, of a letter appealing to the Committee of Congress for Cooperation. This copy of the letter was sent to Delaware Governor Rodney. Discusses the shortage of troops in the Continental Army, the unreliability of the militia, and the need to begin this years campaign as soon as possible. Lists the troops received from each state, mentions the shortages of men, supply, and transportation. "In this state of things, Gentlemen, I leave it to your own judgement to determine how little it will be in my power to answer the public expectations, unless…

GLC06488

10 December 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Caesar Rodney

Informs Rodney that all provisions for the army should be placed at Christiana Bridge, Delaware. This was in accordance with an act of Congress saying that the provisions provided by each state should be placed at a point of Washington's choosing. Washington notes that he would have contacted Rodney earlier "had not the greater part of my time... been taken up in arranging & visiting the Hospitals, and Winter Cantonments of the Army."

GLC06489

7 June 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Caesar Rodney

Informs Delaware Governor Rodney to send enlisted troops to Virginia. "One battalion of Infantry and a Corps of Horses... are required of the State of Delaware to serve for three Months" due to the "alarming progress which the Enemy are making in Virginia."

GLC06490

30 July 1782

Smallwood, William, 1732-1792

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Indicates that he is sending recruitment-related reports (not included) and discusses difficulties recruiting soldiers. Lists the reasons that soldiers will not join: worries about pay and depreciation, efforts to defend Chesapeake Bay, lazy officers, and poor conditions including lack of food, clothes and shelter for the recruits. Comments that "The treatment, naked and wretched situation of those in service, the abject distress and total neglect of disabled and disbanded soldiers... rendered desertion very prevalent." Complains of delays in fulfilling his requests for provisions and…

GLC06506

24 November 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, discusses a former request for money submitted by Langdon, naval agent for Continental prizes and supervisor of the construction of several ships. Regarding the money, mentions Langdon's acquaintances Wharton (possibly Samuel Wharton) and Donaldson. Relates that Congress has agreed to increase the Navy by one ship, and requests that Langdon assist in formulating a plan to procure materials such as iron. Discusses obtaining material from France and Spain. Discusses Langdon's financial situation, prize money procured for…

GLC06518

4 and 7 December 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Whipple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a New Hampshire Congressman to Langdon as agent for Continental prizes in New Hampshire. First two pages are a letter from 4 December 1776 and is signed "W Whipple" and the third page is a letter from 7 December 1776 initialed "WW." 4 December: previously wrote that the navy will add another ship of 74 guns to be built in New Hampshire. Says he will send the dimensions in a few days and the builders are to make their own drafts. Says the carpenters who built the "Raleigh" will do a good a job as any. Langdon is to…

GLC06519

7 July 1778

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

General Sullivan discusses the Battle of Monmouth based on information he received from Major Talbot. Referring to the 28 June 1778 battle between Generals George Washington and Henry Clinton, states "about ten in the forenoon General Washington with the Front of his Army Amounting to nearly one half his numbers came up with the Rear of the British Army Consisting of nearly one half their force which was Commanded by General Clinton ... a severe Action immediately Commenced which Lasted well near four in the Afternoon where victory Declared in Favor of the American Army." States that the…

GLC06521

18 March 1789

Duer, William, 1747-1799

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Record of John Langdon's accounts as Continental Navy agent, presented to the Board of the Treasury]

Duer, assistant secretary of the treasury department, transmits a copied "Statement of the accounts of John Langdon Esq. with the Secret and Commercial Committees of Congress." Conveys information pertaining to accounts kept and stores received for navy purposes, stating "Upon the whole, both the Cash and Store Accounts appear to me to be as regular as could possibly have been expected, and this has been owing in a great measure to his having made them out and transmitted them to his employees from time to time as the transactions occurred." Copied from the records of Benjamin Walker, a…

GLC06530

29 December 1806

Thompson, Thomas W., 1766-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by New Hampshire Congressman Thompson to Langdon as Governor of New Hampshire. Says nothing of interest has occurred since the suspension of the non-importation law. Claims domestic issues take up most of their time. Has hope that negotiations with Britain and France are going well. Says that Aaron Burr's presence in Louisiana gave the Jefferson Administration great anxiety. But the capture of part of his flotilla and the probable capture of the rest, has relieved Jefferson. Jefferson considers Burr's insurrection suppressed. That being said, he reports that General James Wilkinson is…

GLC06545

circa 1860-1865

Cooper, Peter, 1791-1883

Manuscript document

Title: [Draft of speech introducing Lincoln]

Reads in part, "God has made our future peace depend on virtue -- and our national health on wise and temperate use of the blessings entrusted to our care." On page four he begins to introduce Lincoln but does not finish. With cross-outs and corrections.

GLC06474

10 August 1865

Clark, Warren, fl. 1865

Letter

Title: to Fanny P. Clark

Discusses the possibility of Grant as next president and whether [General] Butler is fit to manage rebels.

GLC06475

circa 1830-1840

Broadside

Title: Views of slavery

Abolitionist broadside with six images depicting kidnapping, torture, auction, and labor of enslaved people. With Channing quotation, "Our laws know no higher crime than that of reducing a man to slavery. To steal or to buy an African on his own shores is a piracy." Lithograph drawings.

GLC06477

6 November 1813

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Law

Response to a letter and memorial from Maryland and District of Columbia attorney Law, a supporter of monetary reform. Supports Law's proposal for the issuance of treasury notes bearing interest. These "would soon be withdrawn from the circulation and locked up in vaults and private hoards. I would put it in the power of every man to lend his 100 or 1000D." Opposes a national bank because "Congress has not that power, (altho' I sincerely wish they had it exclusively)." With incomplete address leaf on verso.

GLC06478

27 May 1794

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Francis Vigo

Asks Major Vigo to use his connections to arrange for the British to be spied on. Wayne wants "either Frenchmen or Indians to go as far as Roche de Bout...to discover the number and designs of the enemy," the number of British troops and whether or not they have constructed a fort. Indicates he is willing to pay a large sum and would also like to arrange for regular dispatches of intelligence.

GLC06479.01

1 July 1779

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General James Clinton

General Sullivan writes to General Clinton about preparations and plans for troop movements for his upcoming campaign against the Six Nations, at the time, the largest ever expedition mounted against the Indians.

GLC06481

March 1783-September 1783

Header Record

Title: [George Weedon incoming correspondence] [Decimalized .01- .06]

Collection of six letters, mostly written from Philadelphia, from the personal papers of George Weedon. Four of the letters have address leaves, with three of them franked by John F. Meuse.

GLC06491

6 April 1781

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Written by Phillips as British Major General, joining Benedict Arnold in his invasion of Virginia in 1781, to Weedon an American Brigadier General. Mentions two officers that Weedon sent to him under a flag of truce. Hopes Weedon gets a report from them that states he will act liberally and humanly during his campaigning in Virginia. Says that he doubts the Americans will act as honorable. Says a letter from Thomas Jefferson, the Governor of Virginia, and the resolutions of the Virginia Legislature are "barbarous." Says it would be unbecoming of him to answer them and hopes that the…

GLC06492