March 17, 1782

Hartcup, Thomas, fl. 1761-1820

Letter

Title: to Sir Frederick Haldimand

Commandant Hartcup writes that he received Haldimand's dispatches dated 31 January 1782. Reports on the last matter of importance to occur, Lord Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown and Gloucester in Virginia to the French and American forces on 19 October 1781. Mentions that he heard about the King's speech in the Rebel Papers stating that the King and the two Houses of Parliament were resolved to continue the war despite the capture of Cornwallis. States he will forward Haldimand's dispatches for A. Snap Hammond and General Campbell tomorrow by the armed Brig Howe. Indicates that he will…

GLC01450.012.02

January 22, 1779

Hall, Joseph, Jr., fl. 1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Lovell

Recipient inferred from content and because the collection is described as letters to or from Lovell. States that his father received the earlier letter from Lovell and thanks him. Speaks of two emissions (of bank notes or money) on 20 May 1777 and 11 April 1778 and says that some think they were a bad idea, while others see them as a method of raising the credit of paper currency. Mentions that some thought Congress did not intend to immediately put the money out of circulation but others are propagating that opinion for their own profit. Reports that a considerable quantity of the money…

GLC01450.020.01

September 27, 1779

Needham, Stephen, 1732-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Recipient inferred from content and because collection is described as letters to or from Lovell, a Continental Congressman. Informs Lovell that he is one of the four delegates chosen to represent the town in the convention at Cambridge for forming a new state constitution. Writes out a copy of the vote of the town stating this. Reports that he has enclosed a list of prices of provisions and other articles for the town of Danvers. Docket indicates that Needham is the town clerk of Danvers.

GLC01450.020.02

December 10, 1779

Wadsworth, Benjamin, 1750-1826

Autograph letter

Title: to James Lovell

Recipient inferred from content and because the collection is described as letters to or from Lovell, a Continental Congressman from Massachusetts. Wadsworth, pastor of the First Church at Danvers, thanks Lovell for his last letter. Congratulates him on being reelected to his seat in Congress and praises his work. Speaks of two young gentlemen who have been assigned to parishes. Mentions the difficulty of regulating the price of materials. States he was sad to hear of the American defeat at Savannah (3 September - 28 October 1779) but realizes that disappointments must be expected in war…

GLC01450.020.03

May 9, 1781

Lovell, James, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Signed with initials. Discusses a letter sent to Elbridge Gerry concerning money. States that Congress cannot move forward with the creation of a new system during this wartime without money from the states. Writes "Congress without their money prefer(?), depending on the punctual supplies of the states are, at this critical period of the Campaign, as a set of Clockmakers from whom an Orrery or Microcosm is expected tho their Hands are evidently struck with the dead palsy."

GLC01450.020.15

May 29, 1781

Lovell, James, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Signed with initials. Recipient inferred from context and by comparing the docket to others in the 1450.020 collection. Wants to relay intelligence from Europe but he is concerned about doing so because of an obligation to secrecy. Remarks that the burden will fall on the inattentive and negligent states that are not in the middle of the war effort instead of on the discouraged states actively involved: "The Execrations of portenty will fall more justly perhaps on the Inattention and Negligence of the States distant from the immediate Carnage of the War than upon the Despondency and…

GLC01450.020.16

March 19, 1782

Hutchinson, Israel, 1728-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Hutchinson, a soldier in the Continental Army, requests a receipt for the Quakers in the town of Lynn for the payment of soldiers. Lists two soldiers and the amount of pay. States he is in great need of it and asks him to bring it when he returns from Boston.

GLC01450.020.18

October 24, 1782

Avery, John, 1739-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Informs Holten that he (Holten) was elected as a delegate to represent Massachusetts in Congress and that his term will begin the first Monday of next November.

GLC01450.020.19

June 30, 1783

Wadsworth, Benjamin, 1750-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Begins by expressing thanks for his last letter and for the informative pamphlet on Congress. Mentions that the Continental debt is much lower than people had expected thanks to the "prudence and good economy of Congress." Comments that self interest is of utmost importance to most men and praises extensively the soldiers who fought in the Revolution for the common good. Remarks that Wadsworth's wife said he was taking a journey for his health and gives his wishes that he achieves it. States that his family is healthy, the season is good, and his salary is better than other years.

GLC01450.020.20

January 24, 1778

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Bromfield

Written from camp near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Letter of introduction for Abraham Lott, Esquire. Lott was from New York City but was living in New Jersey.

GLC01450.021

June 25, 1778

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Mentions that they have accepted their drafts and will pay them in due course. States that they dined with Mr. Brown and his sisters who sailed for England on the 16th on the Duke of York Packet. Informs on the news brought from England by the packet boat. States that British Admiral John Byron and Sir Peter Parker have sailed in quest of French Admiral d'Estaing who passed the straights of Gilbrator on the 7th. Reports on the status of their fleet. Explains that a packet from Philadelphia brought news that the British have rejected the conciliatory plan of the commission (possibly…

GLC01450.022.01

July 7, 1778

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

First page contains a copy of his last letter dated 25 June 1778 (see GLC1450.022.01 for letter). States he has included a copy of the last letter. Advises on the status of accounts and drafts (possibly involving wine trade with Portugal). Explains that a convoy from England has informed them that British Admiral Augustus Keppel's fleet had taken into possession two French frigates and an armed schooner of the Arethusa near the island of Ushant. The fleet had also had a engagement with another French frigate and refers him to the Gazzette News for details. This engagement near Ushant was…

GLC01450.022.02

January 15, 1779

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Co-signed by R. Sealy and Daniel Parminter. First page contains a copy of his last letter. The copied letter is dated 24 November 1778 and deals with a shipment of wine, brandy, barley, cork, and sundries to India. Informs them that they have taken on partners and will now be known as Montgomery, Sealey, and Co. Reports that he can only give disappointing political news. British Admiral John Byron's fleet has suffered damage and the Somerset has been lost near Cape Cod. The French Admiral d'Estaing has escaped and has probably gone to the West Indies. Requests them to send one pipe of…

GLC01450.022.03

July 24, 1779

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Signed as Montgomery, Sealy, and Co. Reports that Spain has finally joined forces with France against England. The Spanish fleet sailed from Cadiz on 24 June 1779 and will join the French fleet. States that they are threatening an invasion in Ireland or England but remarks that British spirits are high. ". . . John Bull's Spirit seems to be roused, and they begin to be unanimous at home, and don't seem to dread them, which looks well." Mentions that the Spanish have already begun to lay siege to Gilbralter but he thinks their attempt will be fruitless as it was at Algiers because the…

GLC01450.022.05

October 13, 1779

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Mr. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Signed as Montgomery, Sealy, and Co. Details accounts of shipments of wine and sundries. Discusses insurance and safety of the convoys and states that there are 4 or 5 Spanish ships off the coast. Reports that the British fleet is guarding the Channel and a small squadron has gone to Ireland. Remarks that there is talk of peace due to the mediation of the Empress of Russia (Catherine) and the States of Holland who he believes would otherwise be in favor of the British. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston were merchants from Madeira.

GLC01450.022.07

December 7, 1781

Butlers and Matthew (merchants)

Autograph letter

Title: to Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Comments that the war has been obstructing trade and depriving them of writing as often as desired. States they have sent the enclosed via Ostend to ensure it arrives. Comments upon the plentiful harvest of olive trees in the area of Cadiz, Spain but fears that the lack of rain will hurt the crops. Mentions that the convoy from Vera Cruz and Havana has come in with gold and silver, indigo, sugar, and tobacco, but only a bit of cacao, which is likely to be in great demand during the war. Wishes that they will soon see an end to it. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston were merchants from Madeira.

GLC01450.022.08

February 27, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. States that he wrote awhile ago but has not heard from him since. Remarks that he purchased his commission in the 57th regiment in the British army and expects to get it soon. He wishes he did it awhile ago because he is very short on money and has already borrowed to appropriately outfit himself. Asks his brother if he can borrow 100 pounds right away since he will not be in the country for long. Gives love to Irvine's wife. Charles Irvine was an ensign in the British army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.023.01

March 15, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. States that he got his brother's letter from their sister Margaret in which she apologized for opening his letter to Alexander. Charles states that there was no need for her to apologize because he does not need to keep secrets from her but that there are others he would rather not know his business. Thanks him for his kind letter and for his readiness to serve him (possibly referring to Charles' request for money in an earlier letter, GLC01450.023.01). Remarks that he might not be able to leave for New York for awhile yet as there are no…

GLC01450.023.02

March 26, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. States that since his last letter, he has decided not to take the first ship to New York and to wait for the convoy as it is safer. Reports that he wrote to Mr. Moir in order to get credit with the agents of the British regiment which he is trying to enter but that the agents will not give credit without having the money in their hands. He hopes Mr. Moir will be able to assist him and asks his brother to speak to him to help get things settled so he can get this promotion. Explains that his state of affairs is unfavorable and that he cannot…

GLC01450.023.03

April 28, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he is leaving for Falmouth in a day or so to go on a packet boat, having lost hope of getting a convoy to New York. States he cannot wait any longer because since he has left Scotland, his expenses have been very high. Remarks that Mr. Moir has been very accommodating in advancing money and he hopes to pay him back soon. Asks Alexander to thank Mr. Moir for him. Mentions that he will have a draft made payable to Alexander for 50 pounds payable next December but knows that if at that time, he still does not have the money, Alexander will not…

GLC01450.023.04

July 6, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he has arrived safely to New York after a passage of seven weeks from England. States that the regiment he is entering is at Kingsbridge, 14 miles from New York. Reports that he met with the commander, Lieutenant Colonel McLeroth, was introduced to the officers, and joins today. Explains that he will write again soon but wanted to make sure this letter got onto the packet to England. He hopes to get a lieutenant appointment as he is the only ensign in the regiment to purchase a commission. Gives love to family and friends. Charles Irvine…

GLC01450.023.05

circa October 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that mail has been very irregular. The last letter he received from Alexander was dated 20 September. Comments that to the satisfaction of troops in New York, he has heard that Great Britain will continue the war. Reports that they are expecting a needed reinforcement of troops and ships. They do not know where the Continental army will strike next. Informs that they will be on Staten Island for the coming months. Discusses his need for finances and says he has been living very frugally since joining the regiment. Asks him to have his Aunt…

GLC01450.023.07

November 29, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he was so hurried in his last letter he forgot to mention his promotion in rank which he is happy about. States that he has written to Mr. Moir to get his affairs in order. Discusses his financial state for a bit and his need for credit. States Colonel McLeroth has offered to write on his behalf to help him get credit. Comments that Alexander must have heard of General Cornwallis's fall and says they do not know what the consequences will be. Expects reinforcements if Britain intends to keep the colonies. Gives love to family and friends…

GLC01450.023.08

December 10, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he sent a letter with a friend and British soldier George Cumine who went home with General Cornwallis and his unfortunate army. Remarks upon the death of their Uncle Forbes. Discusses letters received and sent to family and friends and the state of the mail. Mentions his promotion in rank again and that he is glad to hear it will not be delayed by lack of money. States he asked Mr. Moir to send him some money. Indicates that Cumine will explain his situation better when he returns home. General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown,…

GLC01450.023.09

March 20, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. States that he got a letter from Mr. Moir about his financial affairs. His regiment is under orders for embarkation so he had to request 40 pounds from Moir to prepare. Discusses his pending promotion in rank and the finances involved with it. Informs him that they do not know where the regiment will be sent but some think the West Indies. Gives love to family and friends. Charles Irvine was a soldier in the British army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.023.10