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to Nathaniel Williams

Forwards commission appointing Williams Attorney of the United States for the District of Maryland (commission not included with letter). Signed as Secretary of State.

GLC03701

to John Francis Mercer

Washington replies to a letter from Mercer, noting that he would have replied sooner, but he had a fever. Expresses his plan to never enslaved another person again, and his wish that slavery be abolished by "slow, sure & imperceptible degrees."...

GLC03705

to New Hampshire re: asking for supplies, call to arms & poor state of army

Written in the hand of Robert Hanson Harrison. Washington appeals for clothing and supplies for his troops. Copies of this letter went to every state. Washington writes in part: "We had in Camp on the 23rd Instt. by a field report then taken, not...

GLC03706

[General orders for Pennsylvania's troops to be ready defend the state]

In response to the British capture of Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812, the Pennsylvania governor issued this order because of the threat "and probable conflagration of the metropolis of a sister state," particularly an attack initiated...

GLC03708

to James Boyd re: circular, instructions to US envoys abroad [printed]

Printed letters signed as Secretary of State.

GLC03712

[Resolution of the Continental Congress advising New York to make provisions for detecting, restraining and punishing Tories].

Issued by Hancock less than three weeks before the Declaration of Independence, this resolution calls for the suppression of contact with the British among Tories in the colony of New York. It also claims that General George Washington will aid in...

GLC03716

to Edward D. Townsend re: reports for duty before being offered command of army

Written as Colonel in the 1st Cavalry. Lee was informally offered command of all US armies but refused in order to defend Virginia. He resigned on the 20th (that document is reproduced in Freeman's biography of Lee).

GLC03717

[General Orders No. 143 regarding the organization of African American troops]

Establishes a bureau for organizing and recruiting African American troops. Issued by Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General based upon the orders of Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
Excerpts include: "III. Boards will be convened at such posts...

GLC03721.01

General Order #147 re: reversing dismissal, remitting death sentence of Private

Reversing a decision against Lt. John C. Walsh, 28th Reg. NY Vols.

GLC03721.02

General orders no. 190

Order stating that "All men enlisting in the Regular Army for five years' service...shall receive a premium, advance pay, and bounty, of $402."

GLC03721.03

General orders, no. 191

An order regarding the recruitment, enlistment , pay, and service of veteran volunteers.

GLC03721.04

General Orders no.152

Appointing R. M. Scott as secretary to General in chief.

GLC03721.05

[Presidential pardon of Robert L. Weakley who had fought against the United States].

A citizen of Tennesse, Weakley, was pardoned by Lincoln because he had taken the oath prescribed in the proclamation of the president dated 8 December 1863. Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC03743

to Joseph Barnes

Addressed to the Surgeon General and marked as "Confidential Circular" at top. Instructs that the Secretary of War [Edwin M. Stanton] directs that all supplies for General William T. Sherman's army be sent to Hilton Head, South Carolina immediately.

GLC03749

to George Washington

Written by General De Kalb, known as Baron De Kalb, as second in command of the Carolina campaign. Written to General Washington. Encloses a copy of a letter he sent to the Board of War so Washington would know his route of march (that letter is not...

GLC03758

to William S[tephens] Smith

Written by General Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Smith as commander of the post at Dobbs Ferry, New York. Discusses the problems of trading with British-occupied New York City and the issue of states ignoring the "barrier between us and the enemy...

GLC03770

[Commission of Captain Frederick de Coninck and Captain Lieutenant Brian Nuton for operations in Westchester] [in Dutch]

Cosigned by Nicasius de Sille, First Counsellor of New Netherland Jan La Montagne, and Secretary of New Netherland Cornelis Van Tienhoven. Details a secret mission to the English town of Westchester to seize criminals, banish the other inhabitants...

GLC03699

To the Right Worshipfull And Honorable Gou'vonnor Richard Nicolls

Clute and Bruyns, residents of Albany County, request Governor Richard Nicolls to approve thier purchase of a parcel of land from the Indians. Nicolls approves the purchase.

GLC03700

[Campaign election token of 1860]

Stamped with profile of Abraham Lincoln with an inscription on edge, "Abm: Lincoln, Rep. Candidate for President." Also includes inscriptions on reverse, "Protection to American Industry," and slogan, "Free homes for free men." With hole punched at...

GLC03702

[Plantation Book]

Plantation account book of William Jones, the owner of a cotton plantation in the vicinity of Jonesville, Liberty County, Georgia, near Savannah. Also mentions planting rice, but cotton appears to be the main staple of the plantation. Gives a nearly...

GLC03703

to editor of Quincy Patriot

Written as Member of Congress. A report to his constituents regarding petitions made concerning the right to petition and its suppression through the Gag Rule, abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia and the slave trade in the US, his...

GLC03707

to George Clinton

Signed by Jay as President of Congress to Clinton as the Governor of New York. Closing in Jay's hand. Circular letter. Congress is informing the country that the British are reinforcing themselves. Says 7,000 troops are coming from Europe and another...

GLC03709

to Thomas Mifflin

Discusses the issue of Connecticut claimants to the Western Reserve lands taking refuge from Pennsylvania authorities by entering New York State. Expresses his opinion that the states have relations between them far more intimate than those between...

GLC03710

to James Bowdoin

Connecticut Governor Huntington expresses his approval of the suppression of the insurgents (involved in Shays rebellion). Agrees to cooperate with Massachusetts Governor Bowdoin in apprehending insurgents hiding in Connecticut and not supplying...

GLC03711

Certifying vote of Georgia presidential electors for Winfield S. Hancock

Document signed by James C. C. Black, Richard E. Kenner, Samuel D. Bradwell

GLC03713

to John Barry

Hancock, Thomas McKean, Richard Henry Lee, John Alsop, Joseph Hewes, Robert Morris, and Edward Rutledge sign as members of the Marine Committee (all but Alsop went on to sign the Declaration of Independence). Hancock et al. inform Captain Barry that...

GLC03714

to John Barry

Signed by members Hancock, Robert Morris, John Alsop, Richard Henry Lee, Joseph Hewes, George Read, William Whipple, and Stephen Hopkins as members of the Congressional Marine Committee (all but Alsop went on to sign the Declaration of Independence)...

GLC03715

to Virginia Committee of Correspondence

Countersigned by Thomas McKean and John McKinley. Read, McKean, and McKinley were members of the Delaware Committee of Correspondence. Discusses the Boston Port Bill, nonimportation, and the formation of a continental congress.

GLC03718

to William Lee

Signed with initials "RHL". Describes the Regulator movement in North Carolina, a rebellion by backcountry farmers against lawyers, whose high legal fees and manipulation of debt laws were hurting them. North Carolina Governor William Tryon...

GLC03719

to Joseph Reed

Discusses difficulties obtaining clothing and related supplies. Wonders where French support is, but is unconcerned. "Our patience is fairly exhausted and we begin to doubt the Existence of the Count D'Estaing his Fleet and even Georgia or Carolina...

GLC03720

to Oliver O. Howard

Howard was head of the Freedmen's Bureau. Asking for Howard's assistance in his pardon application. "I write this truly trusting the war has not changed your feelings towards me personally..."

GLC03722.01

to Oliver O. Howard

Howard was head of the Freedmen's Bureau. Lee reponds to Howard's letter (not present) of 26 July 1865 in which Howard declined to take an interest in his pardon application. He describes his motives in fighting for the Confederacy and refers to the...

GLC03722.02

to Joseph E. Brown

Disagreement over whether the replacement for a deceased officer in a Georgia regiment is to be elected or chosen by the President. Brown, who often believed Jefferson Davis exercised too much power, believed that the officer should be elected...

GLC03723

Appointment of Alexander H. Stephens as agent to treat with Va. (c/s Toombs)

Countersigned by Robert Toombs. Stephens was to negotiate Virginia's joining the Confederacy.

GLC03724

to John Switzer

Written from Ashland, Clay's estate, to Switzer at Union Bridge, Frederick County, Maryland. Replying to a request from Switzer, Senator Clay discusses his opinions on colonization and slavery. Refers Switzer to an address he gave to the...

GLC03725

to Elbridge Gerry

Adams talks about his efforts to persuade France to send reinforcements for D'Estaing's fleet, his discussions with Genêt, his relations with Lee and Franklin, and describing Lafayette's arrival in Paris to plead America's cause.

GLC03726

[Recommending pardon of Philip Holton for manslaughter].

Recommends pardon of Philip Holton because of his youth, his good character and his peaceable behavior. Written as chief judge of the general court of Maryland.

GLC03727

to Thomas Harwood

Written as Treasurer of Loans to Harwood, who was Commissioner of Loans at Annapolis, Maryland. Forwards a tally of William Hyde's loan office certificates, which he is sending (not included).

GLC03728

to Henry Knox

Discusses Connecticut's progress in raising troops for duty in the Northwest territory and the appointment of officers. Retained copy, as noted on docket. Written as governor of Connecticut to Knox as the Secretary of War.

GLC03729

to Thomas Pinckney

The letter talks about the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, negotiations with the Northwest Indians, Citizen Genet, Lafayette, and copper and silver metals for coinage. The federal government moved from Philadelphia to Germantown because of a...

GLC03730

to Joseph Brant

Introduces his son, Thomas Morris, and asks Brant to help negotiate the purchase of land owned by the Seneca Indians

GLC03731

to William Hanson

Informs Hanson that he has been appointed Examiner General of Maryland.

GLC03732

to Benjamin Trumbull

Opposes the repeal of a statute which allocates proceeds from Connecticut's land sales in the Western Reserve for the support of religious ministers. Williams was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. At the time of this letter he was County...

GLC03733

An Act for defraying sundry Incidental Charges

Appropriations bill signed by New Jersey Governor Livingston and co-signed by Benjamin Van Cleve as Speaker of the Assembly. Lists several persons to be paid or reimbursed. Most of the payments go to members of the Privy Council or the Assembly for...

GLC03734

to [Philip Mazzei] re: Virginia loan in Europe & British blockade of Charleston

Written as Gov. of Virginia. Jefferson alludes at the end to his hopes that Gen. Benjamin Lincoln would hold Charleston, but his hopes were dashed in the event.

GLC03735

to Thomas Scott

Reports on capture of Clarksville, Curtis' defeat of Price, desire for stores and steamboats, and the need for Buell to move urgently. States "have taken Clarksville," Tennessee, as well as "large supplies." General Samuel Curtis "has again...

GLC03736

Memoranda During the War [presentation copy to J.Q.A. Ward]

Inscribed on a printed "Remembrance Copy" notice. To Ward from "his friend the Author."

GLC03737

[Pro-Lincoln campaign speech by a Union army officer who commanded the 15th corps, 2nd division] [incomplete]

Reminds the soldiers of the necessity of the Civil War and why they are fighting, " ... the suppression of the Rebellion and the preservation of American Liberty." Urges the soldiers to vote for the Union ticket and influence their friends and...

GLC03738

to Daniel Fisher re: acknowledging book on military tactics

Letter written in the third person, thanking Fisher for the book on military tactics, and noting "It would be great presumption in him [i.e., TJ] to hazard an opinion on a work the subject of which he has been less conversant in than any other."...

GLC03739

to William M. Stone

Cochran writes to Major Stone at Mobile, Alabama. Draws Stone's attention to the case of James L. Godbold, "who before the passage of the last Exemption Act applied for exemption from military service under the 20 negro law, & paid $500." Notes...

GLC03740