18 May 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by New Hampshire Continental Congressman Whipple to New Hampshire Continental Congressman Langdon. Whipple signed the Declaration of Independence, but Langdon resigned his position in Congress in June 1776 to become agent for Continental prizes and superintendent of the construction of several ships of war. Says Colonel Josiah Bartlett, another New Hampshire Congressman, arrived yesterday. Encloses a resolution Whipple claims Langdon will like (not included here). Speaks of "a Confederation permanent and lasting [that] ought in my opinion to be the next thing, & I hope not…

GLC03185

July 16, 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [John Langdon].

Discusses contracting for guns, military preparations, and the Declaration of Independence. Remarks that independence was proclaimed in the army at New York last Wednesday and a statue of King George III was taken down and cast into bullets, "... for the destruction of this tools of tyranny. May every one of them be properly commissioned." Informs that in a few days 20,000 men will be assembled at New Jersey in addition to the army of York. Writes the Declaration "has had a glorious affect has made these Colonies all alive, all the colonies forming governments. . ."

GLC03186

24 December 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by New Hampshire Continental Congressman Whipple, a Declaration of Independence signer, to Langdon agent for Continental prizes and superintendent of the construction of several ships of war. Langdon had resigned his Congressional seat in June 1776. Wrote last letter to Langdon a day or two before Congress adjourned on 11 December 1776. Says they started meeting in Baltimore on 20 December 1776. Claims the British approach sparked a panic except for the Tories "of which you know there are not a small number." Heard that enemy troops have made it to Burlington, New Jersey. Because…

GLC03269

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

11 June 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Meshech Weare]

Signed "W." by Whipple and "B", by fellow New Hampshire congressman Josiah Bartlett. Asks for New Hampshire's views on the question of independence and states that a committee is being formed for this purpose. Stresses the importance of this subject. Many cross-outs. Letter is written on the address leaf of a letter sent to Whipple in Congress at Philadelphia from Meshech Weare. Docketed "Col. Weare."

GLC05897

17 March 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Josiah Bartlett

Discusses Continental troop movements, specifically regarding Fort Ticonderoga and New Jersey. Also, rising cost of living and collapsing currency, taxation, Franklin's reception at Versailles, and New Hampshire politics.

GLC05878

circa 1861-1865

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Photograph

Title: As brigadier general, vignette bust portrait

Imprint on recto "Brig. Gen. Whipple. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, by McAllister & Brother, 728 Chestnut St. Philadelphia." Graphite inscription on verso "**Book." Misidentified in ink inscription on verso "Amiel W. Whipple. Brigadier Gen. Vols. & Major Engineers U.S.A." Photographers imprint on verso: "Photographed by Weneroth & Taylor, Late Broadbent & Co., 912, 914 & 916 Chestnut St. Published by McAllister & Bro. No 728…

GLC05111.02.0820

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

14 June 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter

Title: to John Langdon & Meshech Weare

Written by Whipple, who would later signed the Declaration of Independence, as a New Hampshire Congressman to Langdon and Weare as prominent politicians in New Hampshire (Landgon resigned from his seat in Congress on 25 June 1776 to become agent for Continental prizes in New Hampshire). This document is actually two drafts of letters on different sides of one sheet of paper. The letters are unsigned. Langdon draft: Says this accompanies the 10,000 dollars for the naval service mentioned in a former letter. Says he has put it in a box with other money sent to Colonel Weare. Mentions that…

GLC06517

February 1, 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, discusses various military and business matters with Langdon, a agent for the Continental Navy. Mentions Miss Wharton. Discusses money submitted to Langdon by the Marine Committee, including a sum transmitted to Langdon by Colonel Bartlett (possibly Continental Congressman Josiah Bartlett). Refers to Mr. Henderson and Mr. [Betten?], who delivered money from Whipple to Langdon. Mentions a ship Langdon was fitting as a result of Mr. Livingston's orders (possibly referring to Continental Congressman Robert Livingston…

GLC06520

6 July 1777

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, informs Langdon that despite the efforts of Captain Dudley Saltonstall, the ship Trumbull remains grounded in a Connecticut river. Discusses the cost of moving the ship versus building new vessels. States that while in New London, Connecticut, he saw the vessel intended for Captain Chew (possibly Samuel Chew). Relates information pertaining to Mr. Shaw (possibly Nathaniel Shaw, a Connecticut shipowner, merchant, and Continental agent). Reports that the vessels Warren, Providence, and Camden are in the Providence River…

GLC06531

7 November 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Docketed by Langdon on verso. Reporting on the difficulties supplying the army and navy, military plans, and the mood in Congress. Mentions a shipment of guns with defects. Comments on officer promotions. Mentions the Marine Committee's answer to a letter from the Committee of Providence. Mentions the petition of an officer to be "Releavd," which he describes as a "Petition for a Public Body to break their own Genl: Rules." He doubts it will pass but states that he will render assistance. Discusses clothing the troops, who he finds "in good spirit" though "almost naked." Doubts the…

GLC06692

8 April 1783

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Whipple

Informs his brother that "The Treaties of Peace were sign'd," officially ending the American Revolution, and that "The British I suppose are preparing to leave our Territory." Indicates that soldiers will soon be coming home in need of employment. Joseph Whipple was William's only living brother (by blood), although it is possible that the addressee was a brother-in-law.

GLC07700

May 20, 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, a Continental Congressman, discusses the appointment of naval officers with Langdon, Congressman and Continental Naval Agent. Discusses Langdon's suggestion to appoint Captain John Roche, admitting his apprehension that Roche's appointment would "make some uneasiness as there are many Masters of Vessels of good carecter out of employ who perhaps will think themselves neglected." Relates his intention to appoint Captain Thompson (possibly Thomas Thompson) at the first opportunity. Discusses transmitting canvas and guns to Langdon for use in equipping the Continental Navy. Reports that…

GLC00336

May 11, 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Whipple as a Continental Congressman from New Hampshire to Langdon as a Continental Congressman from New Hampshire (he was to leave that body in June 1776). Whipple was also a colonel of militia and later signed the Declaration of Independence. References Langdon's letter from April 29, 1776. Says there was "a little Brush" with the men of war "Roebuch" and "Liverpool." Says the ships came up as far as Wilmington, Delaware and stole cattle from the Jersey shore. Reports that 18 gallies made two attacks on the ships. The first one was undertaken at too far a distance to be effective…

GLC00429

January 1, 1778

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Letter signed

Title: to the Gov. of Georgia

The letter discusses lifting the embargo on rice. Signed on verso by Whipple and Gouverneur Morris, both as members of Congress, as well as Nathaniel Scudder.

GLC00184.51

April 29, 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

William Whipple, a Continental Congressman, discusses the newly established Continental Navy with fellow Congressman Langdon. Refers to supplying guns to soldiers, and mentions a United States flag with "thirteen stripes red & white for the field, & a Union." Advises Langdon not to resign his Congressional seat in order to accept an appointment as a Continental Naval Agent, stating "such a step would have an avaricious appearance, & on the other hand there can not be a greater evidence of Patriotism than preferring the public good, to ones private interest ... I by no means can…

GLC00194

1862/03/11

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gen. Joseph K. F. Mansfield re: troop movements

Informs Mansfield that he should keep the six companies of the 16th Massachusetts that are with him and that the rest of the regiment will be coming. He also requests the return of Colonel Weber's 20th New York Regiment

GLC02465.32

1777/08/18

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter

Title: to James Lovell re: dispatches from France, conduct of Northern army in Vermont

Draft, unsigned, with slash through the letter. Noted at bottom "but this is not a true Copy."

GLC06905

1776/06/26

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter

Title: to John Langdon and Mr. Weare re: Canada, Burgoyne

"General Burgoyne is arrived there with a much larger army than we have to oppose him. I am very fearful our army will be obliged to evacuate that country, & if a reinforcement is not speedily sent I think there is danger, we shall not be able to keep the lakes." Docketed on address leaf.

GLC07241

1776/12/31

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon re: Continental army's success at Trenton, naval victories

"If Genl W. persues the enemy before they recover the present panic (which is his intention) he will still end the campaign gloriously..."

GLC07559