May 15, 1789

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Searle

Written by Adams as vice president to Searle, a former Continental Congressman, who was involved in business in Philadelphia. Says he is happy to hear of Searle's success and happiness in business. Says it was one piece of good news he has received recently and claims, "My Correspondence has Served to little other purpose than to pour out before me the Griefs Complaints and Distresses of my Friends and the Friends of their Country, whose Ruin has been accomplished in Part by the turn of affairs at the Revolution and in part by the bad Policy of our Country, Since the Peace." Asks Searle not…

GLC00529.02

December 16, 1793

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Carroll

Written to Carroll as Commissioner for the City of Washington. The letter discusses the "free stone" on Washington's property, a plan of Mr. Greenleaf to sell lots and buildings (George Washington directs him to the Commissioners), and Greenleaf's proposal to build a city hospital. The letter mentions quarries and marble for building the Capitol. Washington's signature is repaired. Docketed on page 4.

GLC00496.098

November 7, 1794

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses a meeting with French diplomats regarding Treaty of Amity and adoption of a national free market. Reports on Mr. Paine's and Mme. Lafayette's imprisonment. Transcribed duplicate letter signed with a closing note.

GLC00496.060

22 August 1794

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph document

Title: The Commissary of Foreign Affairs to the Minister Planipotentiary of the United States of America

Transcribed letter, with response, declining government-subsidized housing as it contradicts the Constitution. Philibert Buchot was Commissary of Foreign Affairs for the French Republic in 1794. Monroe was Minister to France from 1794-1796. Serves as supplementary material to GLC00496.065.02.

GLC00496.065.02

June 20, 1799

Nelson, Horatio Nelson, 1758-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Perkins Magra

Introduces Captain Don de Pinto, sent from the Marquis de Niza. Magra was Consul General at Tunis. Marquis de Niza headed a Portuguese squadron in the blockading of Valetta, Malta, 1798-1800.

GLC00496.077

September 17, 1790

Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron von, 1730-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William North

Written by von Steuben as a retired Revolution officer to William North as a gentleman farmer in upstate New York. North was von Steuben's aide-de-camp during the Revolution. Translation is in the collateral file. Apologizes for tardy response. Discusses his memoirs that he presented to Congress. Says his friends think they will be very popular, but he is skeptical because of the misfortune that has befallen him since the Revolution. Recipient noted in letter. Note in collateral file says the letter is from 1790.

GLC00496.086

circa October 16, 1790

Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron von, 1730-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William North

Written by von Steuben in retirement after the Revolution to William North as a gentleman farmer in upstate New York. North was von Steuben's aide-de-camp from 1779-1783. Von Steuben invites North to live in New York City for the winter while his house is being built. Says Hamilton is leaving for Philadelphia in three days and that North would be a perfect to take Hamilton's place in his circle of friends. Says the English and Spanish Navies do not know if they are at war or peace. Says "To the devil with Politics of Europe and America," and to sow his seed and then come to New York and share…

GLC00496.087

October 9, 1793

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Letter signed

Title: to Joshua Clayton

Marked "Circular" and possibly sent to each state. Encloses papers (not present) containing the speech of the late governor, John Hancock, and the proceedings of the legislature of Massachusetts. Resumes Hancock's argument against the Supreme Court's authority over the states. Seeks the views of the other states hoping that they will agree with the commonwealth of Massachusetts on the matter. Invites Clayton to raise the issue in his own legislature.

GLC00575

November 9, 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Remsen, Jr.

Jefferson writes after a Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia had scattered the functions of the federal government through the countryside, and questions whether Congress could gather after voting to re-convene in Philadelphia. Question of seat of government. He looks forward to retirement as farmer and briefly discusses a threshing machine. The letter is docketed.

GLC00639.16

September 30, 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Written during the Quasi-War with France. The letter discusses concerns about Democrats infiltrating and subverting the army. Washington remarks that "you could as soon scrub the blackamore white, as to change the principles of a profest Democrat; and that he will leave nothing unattempted to overturn the Government of this country."

GLC00581

August 25, 1795

Glenn, John, fl. 1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Glen, Schenectady [sic]

John Glen was a NY Congressman. Also discusses domestic reaction, Washington signing Jay's treaty, resignation of Randolph as Secretary of State, and suicide of the French consul in Pennsylvania. Henry Glen was from Schenectady.

GLC00586

August 11, 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

McHenry served as Secretary of War. Mentions appointment of ambassadors to France during Quasi-war and newspaper accusations by William Duane against federalist officials (in a July editorial) for supposedly accepting bribes. Humorous letter (on bribery) with hinted approval of Sedition Act. Marked "Confidential" in the text.

GLC00604.01

June 18, 1797

Pinckney, Thomas, 1750-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Pinckney, former United States Minister to Great Britain, introduces Robert Bird of the House of Bird, Savage, and Bird of London. He states that Bird hopes to pay Washington his respects at Mount Vernon, Virginia.

GLC00604.02

April 24, 1790

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Benjamin Rush sends James Madison a pamphlet and requests that he protect against it being published in a newspaper. He notes that he will send copies of the pamphlet to Thomas Jefferson in the upcoming week. Also sends a sermon by Richard Price. Describes the sermon as "pregnant with noble sentiments" and credits it with inspiring the idea of "your [Madison's] house addressing the national assembly & king of France" concerning the French Revolution. Discusses that he hoped for effects of such an address. Concludes: "The United States kindled the flame of liberty in Europe. It is highly…

GLC00580

January 20, 1798

Calvin, Bartholomew, fl. 1780-1798

Document signed

Title: [Brotherton statement of refusal to leave New Jersey]

Statement sent to Joseph Saltar that describes meeting in which the Brotherton unanimously agreed to express their refusal to leave "our fine place in Jersey" in the face of white encroachment. Signed in full by Jacob Skekit and Bartholomew Calvin, and eighteen other Indians. Eighteen years earlier, the same group had expressed alarm over white settlers moving onto their land (see GLC00540.01). Brotherton, New Jersey is now known as Indian Mills in Burlington County, in Southern N.J.

GLC00540.02

18 May 1796

United States. Department of the Treasury

Pamphlet

Title: Letter from the Secretary of Treasury [re: budget of 1796]

Entirely printed. Stitched pamphlet. Signed in type by Oliver Wolcott, Jr. as Secretary of Treasury. Wm Smith was Chairman of the Committee of Ways & Means

GLC00692

01 March 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: An act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes

Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. With an unusual free frank for the printer, Childs and Swain of New York.

GLC00696

April 18, 1790

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Benjamin Rush

The letter discusses corruption and Adam's unhappiness as Vice President. He is very affectionate towards Rush. Also discusses beliefs on government and other reflections.

GLC00704

16 July 1795

Blount, William, 1749-1800

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Order to pay troops protecting the southwest frontier]

Issues William Rickard, paymaster pro tem for the territory south of the Ohio River, $279 for payment "of a Detachment of Mounted Infantry" in Colonel Isaac Roberts' regiment, under the command of Sergeant John Childress. Pay was for work from 11 October 1794 to 28 October 1794. A note on the front page signed by "Chas. M Clung" indicates that the order was recorded in the secretary's office on 16 July 1795. A note on the verso signed by Rickard confirms his receipt of the money. The docket identifies this as "Warrant / No. 323." With white paper territorial seal

GLC00795

[ April 1789 ]

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph manuscript

Title: Inaugural address [leaf from 1st draft of discarded first inaugural = pp.36-37]

Concerning foreign relations, American trade, manufacture and defense. This was a first draft which Washington later discarded. The manuscript was disassembled by Jared Sparks and leaves or clippings were given away as samples of GW's handwriting. Sparks regarded the document as unimportant since Washington had not actually used this draft. See also GLC 1589 and 4443.01.

GLC00639.25

March 19, 1800

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mes. Willings & Francis

Refuses to pay any further compensation to Charles Rutledge "while charged with their affairs in Spain." "I find that I shall not be warranted in making any further payments in his behalf; and therefore I cannot accept the bill drawn by him...for 2567.10 [pounds] sterling." Black wax remnant for the seal located on the address leaf above the docket. Noted as being from the Department of State above the date.

GLC00640

September 10, 1798

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to G. Simpson

Encloses two port notes (not present) for $2,000 to be placed to his credit. Discusses a note that should have been withdrawn by Mr. Wallace. States he will pay the interest and the notary charge as soon as he knows how much it is. Addressed to Simpson in Philadelphia as cashier of the Bank of the United States.

GLC00643

1857

James, William, ?-1827

Manuscript document

Title: English account of the capture of the H. M. Brig Alacrity

A handwritten excerpt from William James' "Naval History of Great Britain, Volume V," giving an account of the capture of the British brig "Alacrity" by the French brig "Abeille," which occurred on 26 May 1811 near Corsica. James describes the capture of the British ship by the French vessel of similar size, explains the reasons for the British defeat, pointing out the failures of the captain and the British naval system that allowed this to happen. Recommends revealing the full details of all British naval losses, saying the honor revealed in the details of even a defeat will outweigh the…

GLC00722.66

February 13, 1798

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Richard Varick, Mayor of New York]

Appointment of Varick to the positions of Mayor, Water Bailiff, and Clerk of the Market. Includes large pendant seal attached with ribbon. Modern mounting.

GLC00740

November 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript

Title: Manuscript draft: [Sixth annual address to Congress]

Washington asserts the constitutional authority of the federal government during the Whiskey Rebellion. Written by GW's secretary Bartholomew Danbridge, on Washington's personal stationery, extensively corrected by Washington and signed by him at the end. Over 210 words struck by GW and 157 added. With docketing by John Jay on the verso of the last page.

GLC01054