1828/09/10

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter

Title: to William B. Sprague re: suggesting sources for Autograph collector (draft?)

Mentions signers of Declaration, George Mason and Declaration of Rights. Possibly a letter draft, written on an address leaf (quarter sheet of paper). Postmark on verso.

GLC07479

1776/07/27

Silliman, Gold Selleck, 1732-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his son

Destruction of statue of King George III in NYC. In part: "I went toward the Fort and there I saw his Majesty and his Horse, tumbled Headlong down on the Ground." Silliman also writes about "a Mighty Fleet of Ships our Enemies have got" off Staten Island.

GLC07480.01

1776/07/06

Letter

Title: to "Uncle" re: British invasion of New York, an American preparations

An unsigned letter describing the British invasion of Staten Island and American preparations and provisioning in New York. The writer appears to have been conducting business for the recipient. Losses on p. 1, near center fold (obliterating a word before "Tory Army") and on the top of p. 2 affecting some lines of text.

GLC07480.02

1776/07/10

Reed, Joseph, 1741-1785

Letter

Title: to unknown re: Revolutionary War in New York

Reed discusses counter-intelligence "it being of the utmost importance to prevent any Communication or Correspondence with the Enemy," the British invasion of Staten Island, and a direction that the army not recruit unarmed soldiers, as guns "cannot be provided here and must therefore be an incumbence to the Army of the publick."

GLC07480.03

1776/08/02

McClintock, Samuel, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple re: religious freedom and framing constitution

GLC07481.01

1775/01/19

Manuscript

Title: to T & J. Fleet re: "A Customer" [draft advertisement for a Boston newspaper]

Anonymous, signed "A Customer." A draft for patriotic advertisement in Boston newspaper, written to the printers of the Boston Evening Post, T. &. J. Fleet.

GLC07481.02

1775/11/09

Slough, Matthias, fl. 1775

Letter signed

Title: to Jasper Veats re: petition from Congress to be delivered to King George

Discusses a petition from Congress to be delivered "to His Majesty."

GLC07481.03

1833/10/26

Tibbles, Stephen, fl. 1833

Document signed

Title: Deposition re: his services as a minuteman at Lexington and Concord

GLC07481.04

1775/05/17

Benedict, Noble, fl. 1775

Manuscript

Title: Bond of Joseph Starr and Noble Benedict for militia service

Bond to the "Company of the English Colony of Connecticut" with Starr serving as paymaster of the 6th Company. Includes engraving of Oliver Ellsworth.

GLC07481.05

19 September 1823

Key, Francis Scott, 1779-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Key, the penman of the Star Spangled Banner and a founding member of the American Colonization Society, as an attorney to an unknown reverend. Says he would like to join him on the 30th, but cannot because court will be in session. Appears to write on efforts to assist the American Colonization Society. Hopes his correspondent can help supply missionaries. Comments that a Mr. Ayres is making preparations for a school modeled after "the plan of Mr. Johnson at Regents Town" that will keep African captives and boys together. Says they will be put under the charge of Lott Carey, a…

GLC07483.02

23 September 1772

Sharp, Granville, 1735-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anthony Benezet

Written by the British abolition leader Sharp to the American Quaker abolition leader Benezet. References Benezet's letter of 14 May 1772. Sends him (not included here) a short answer he "drew up to check the insinuations of those persons who pretend to excuse the practice of Slaveholding by some particular passages of Scripture." Says this is only a small part of what he hopes to write if he can find the leisure. Also sends a copy of a letter he wrote to a friend in Glasgow (not included here) trying to dissuade "the late Highland Emigrants" from going to America, but he was too late. He…

GLC07483.03

1 February 1853

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas W. Higginson

Discusses their list of lecturers, including Frederick Douglass, which he will publish in the next issue of the Liberator. Believes Douglass is on his way from Rochester and will be able to lecture on the 18th. Praises Higginson's speech as "excellent in manner, matter and spirit." On blue paper.

GLC07483.04

13 March 1864

Phillips, Wendell, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Adam G. De Gurowski

Apologizes for not acknowledging Count Gurowski's correspondence sooner. Mentions the Count's diary, which was published as a pamphlet and states he would love to see public opinion run in the same channels. States, "I am hard at work in the trenches..." as his reason for not responding.

GLC07483.11

15 November 1838

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Judge Buell

Writes that he has not yet received a reply from Buell to his letter of October 22nd and asks that he write soon. Addressed to Buell in Albany, by W. Raymond.

GLC07483.15

18 June 1819

Macaulay, Zachary, 1768-1838

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Macauley

Encloses a one pound note and instructs his son John on how to divide it up between his siblings. Tells him to obey his uncle in all matters because without good conduct, they might not be invited to visit the temple again. Advises John to watch over his siblings.

GLC07483.27

22 September 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to George Baylor

Advises Baylor to "use every means in your power" to ascertain as much information as possible about the British troops embarking from New York. Also instructs him to keep an eye on the North River and to notify West Point if he sees any British transports go by. Written just prior to British General Charles Grey's attack at Old Tappan on 28 September 1778. Water damaged ink.

GLC07486

March 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Fairfax

Before leaving Mount Vernon to serve his first term as President of the United States, Washington instructs Fairfax regarding management of the estate. States that all matters should ultimately be directed by his nephew, Major George Augustine Washington. Encourages Fairfax to manage Mount Vernon more diligently, stating "I have a very good opinion of your honesty, sobriety and industry, and now is the time to give me proofs of your capacity and skill." Laments the current condition of his manor, stating "it is idle and vain for me to attempt to stall feed any kind of Meats; when I have…

GLC07487

14 November 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Charles Lee

Anticipates a prisoner exchange. Worries the British will try to exchange men who are not really continental soldiers, therefore requests Lee to order all officers to make lists of those in their units who are missing or dead. Encloses "a recommendation of the officers for the State of Rhode Island." Postscript states British forces suspected to be moving to South Carolina. Saw small number of British troops near Mount Washington, and speculates as to their possible movements. Written from "General Green's Quarters." Two days later the British would drive Washington and his forces from…

GLC07491

1841/01/26

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Solomon G. Haven re: blasting Loco Focos, inauguration of W.H. Harrison

GLC07499

1829/12/08

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: Patent to Oliver Teal for excavating earth underwater (c/s Van Buren)

"New and useful...machine for excavating earth under water, called Teal's invented metallic scraper." Countersigned by Martin Van Buren as Attorney General. With green ribbon and seal.

GLC07506

1808/12/30

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dinsmore re: building bed at Monticello, with sketches

GLC07509

13 March 1776

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Encloses articles (not present) in reply to McDougall's questions about Seamans wages. Informs that a model of a pike will be sent to him. Hopes that he has received word of the resolution of Congress restraining military officers from offering oaths to inhabitants as a test. Remarks, " ... to impose a Test is a sovereign Act of Legislation - and when the Army becomes our Legislators, the People that moment become Slaves."

GLC07489

18 November 1780

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Jay agrees to attend to Mr. Warren (the son of the late General Joseph Warren, killed at Bunker Hill), should he visit Madrid. He also refers to passage of the Massachusetts Constitution and asks Gerry to send him a copy. Jay states that he has been "led to entertain high Expectations of your form of Government." Docketed by Gerry. Gerry's draft autograph letter response is penned in the left margin to Jay. Gerry writes back from Marblehead, Massachusetts on 20 September 1781, enclosing a copy of Massachusetts' new constitution and some newspapers [not present]. He concludes by predicting…

GLC07490

1812/09/18

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: Jefferson and Madison's Presidential terms, War of 1812

"Those who brought us into this confusion are the best qualified to bring us out of it" (War of 1812).

GLC07492

1776/05/10

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Clinton re: last stages of unsuccessful Canadian invasion

GLC07493