19 November 1780

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Discusses the "many just complaints" of Continental officers regarding pay and the depreciation of Continental bonds.

GLC04831

22 September 1780

Penn, John, 1741-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jethro Sumner

Expects General William Smallwood to move westward in a few days to take command of the militia of North Carolina. Reports that in the meantime, Sumner will have command of the troops. Advises him to avoid a general action against the British as the consequences would be fatal. Instead recommends skirmishing because it will keep the British troops together, prevent plundering, and raise the spirits of the Continental troops. Informs that General Butler will join Sumner soon.

GLC04832

17 June 1778

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Written by British General Phillips as commanding officer of the Convention Army, which consisted of prisoners of war from the Saratoga campaign to Heath as American commander in charge of the Convention Army. Phillips wants to know if Heath will make efforts for the departure of the Convention Army to Europe as the terms of surrender dictated. Quotes part of a letter from General Sir William Howe, who hopes they can depart soon. Wants to know if Heath has any authority on the subject. Hopes they can act as gentlemen toward each other. Pages are separated and pasted on opposite sides of…

GLC04834

27 July 1779

Read, George, 1733-1798

Autograph letter

Title: to John Dunlap

Written by Read, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a member of the Delaware Assembly to Dunlap as editor and publisher of the "Pennsylvania Packet, or General Advertiser." Read was asking Dunlap to publish a letter. Read was responding to one of Dunlap's previous publications Saying it is "a matter of right after your publication of hte Proceedings in Committee of July ye 21st 1779 Signed William Henry Chairman." In the letter "To the Members of the Commitee of the City of Philadelphia," Read defends his character and conduct from the accusations previously published by Dunlap.…

GLC04836

circa 1782

Header Record

Title: Items pertaining to General Jean Rochambeau [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC04837

1777

Broadside

Title: Freshest Advices from the Northern Army [battle of Freeman's Farm at Saratoga]

Report on the battle of Freeman's Farm at Saratoga which made obvious to Burgoyne that he would have to surrender. References: Bristol B4441; Ford 2055.

GLC04840

23 August 1778

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Requests Whipple's opinion on the best course of action regarding the siege of Newport now that "The Count De Estaing...abandoned us in the present Enterprise and opened the Harbour for...Reinforcements." Believes the British have only 6,000 men, while the American forces number "8,174. Rank & File exclusive of 628...Artillery Men." Asks Whipple whether he thinks it best to continue the siege without French naval support and risk the British reinforcing their position by sea, or to attack immediately with what seems a superior force, or to withdraw at once. Desires that Whipple's…

GLC04845

5 April 1783

Rivington, James, 1724-1802

Broadside

Title: The Royal Gazette Extraordinary

Published by James Rivington. Preliminary articles of the Treaty of Paris as found in reports from English newspapers arriving on the ship "Vigilant". Lists John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens as the Commissioners of the United States present at the negotiations, and Richard Oswald as the Commissioner for Great Britain. Text laid out in 4 columns.

GLC04853

4 March 1777

Troup, Robert, 1757-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Written by Troup as aide-de-camp to General Horatio Gates. In 1777 Jay was a legislator in New York, between appointments to the Continental Congress. Troup had been a law student under Jay. Provides a very blunt assessment of the situation in the Northern Department and gives his critical opinions on the now defunct Canadian expedition. References his last letter to Jay where he predicted the Canadian expedition would fail. He now says his prediction was correct, "for the Want of Men, and every necessary Article, has determined the General Officers to lay aside all thoughts of prosecuting it…

GLC04854

28 October 1779

Walton, George, 1740-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a Colonel of Georgia militia to Major General Lincoln as commander of the Southern Department. Walton, who was wounded and captured during the defense of Savannah in December 1778, was exchanged in September 1779. He was elected Governor of Georgia November 1779-January 1780, before returning to Congress. References letter he wrote to Lincoln on 23 October 1779. Says he needed to publish Lincoln's letter in a Charlestown, South Carolina paper to assist him politically. Says Augusta is in a dangerous position. Claims it is…

GLC04857

28 October 1778

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Williamson

A retained working draft (see strikeouts and docket). Written by McHenry as an aide-de-camp to General Washington to Dr. Williamson as a merchant importing medicines in Edenton, North Carolina. Williamson began a partnership with his brother to import medicines through the British blockade from the West Indies. Claims to have poor intelligence on the enemy in New York, but proceeds to give some details of their situation. Says 150 vessels, including 15 ships of the line, sailed from Sandy Hook on the 19 and 20 October 1778. Says they appear to be bound for Britain. Was only carrying home…

GLC04701

21 April 1781

Arbuthnot, Marriot, 1711-1794

Letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by Admiral Arbuthnot as commander of British naval forces in America to Washington as commander of the Continental Army. References Washington's letter of 25 January 1781 where he expressed anger over the treatment of American naval prisoners of war. Arbuthnot claims an inquiry was held that vindicated their treatment and feeding, which he validates on "my honor." Claims Washington "must have seen" the testimonies of the inquiry. Retorts with accusations against British naval prisoners in Philadelphia by Commissary General of Prisoners Thomas Bradford. Claims prisoners are…

GLC04758

30 April 1780

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

Written by disgraced General Charles Lee to Rush, the former Pennsylvania Continental Congressman, as a doctor in private practice. Is upset that Congress published his letter of apology. Claims that "Most people I have conversd with on the subject are of opinion that they have done al in triumph over me, considering the state of my apology as an instance of their having succeeded in breaking my spirit." Wants to know how his "few" friends and enemies in Philadelphia are interpreting the letter. If it is detrimental to his character he wants the enclosed letter to be published (letter not…

GLC04700

1782-1789

Lawrence, John, 1719-1802

Document signed

Title: [Connecticut pay order no. 3965 for Peter Freeman, an African American who served in the Continental Army]

The first page of this document is partially printed and signed by Lawrence, Connecticut State Treasurer. Confirms that Freeman was to be paid for his service by the State of Connecticut. Contains a list of dates Freemen possibly received money, signed by William Lawrence and Richard Butler on verso. "Peter Freemen" is written across text on verso. Contains stitching (possibly original). Contains a hole in the center roughly one inch in diameter (likely indicative of cancellation).

GLC04710

11 August 1777

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roger Sherman

Written by Adams as a Contiental Congressman from Massachusetts to Sherman as a Contiental Congressman from Connecticut. References Sherman's letter of 11 July 1777. Says Sherman's rumor has turned into a fact as Fort Ticonderoga has fallen "shamefully." Adams castigates Schuyler for not properly defending the fort and for having no confidence in his troops. Adams is especially outraged by the general's report "a very great part of the army naked -- without blankets -- ill armed." Says General Horatio Gates has taken command of the North and says "I trust our Affairs in that Quarter will…

GLC04757

1777

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Articles of Confederation [first printing, first edition]

Printed by Francis Bailey. Quarto. This is the rare printing done at Lancaster with illegible signature of owner from 1777 on titlepage. Evans 15619, Sabin 2142. Ex-Huntington. [Boston edition, GLC 268]

GLC04759

27 October 1777

Harrison, Robert H., 1745-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Major Clarke

Written by Harrison as secretary to George Washington to Clarke, whose larger identity is unknown. Says the five extra dollars will be charged. Claims there are no hand bills or he would have sent him one. Reports that the articles of capitulation got to Washington yesterday. Says Burgoyne and his army of 5,600 are prisoners and that Colonel James Wilkinson is on his way to Congress with General Horatio Gates's official report. Wilkinson caused a mini-scandal by not showing up in York, Pennsylvania, where Congress was meeting, until 31 October 1777 and did not present a written report until 3…

GLC04786

5 November 1777

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by Laurens as president of the Continental Congress; signed once and initialed twice by Laurens. Retained copy encloses extracts of Congress and a postscript reporting the passing of those resolutions. The extracts concern recovery and protection of the Hudson (North) River. Draft of letter to Richard Caswell on verso regarding the appropriation of funds for a memorial for Brigadier General Nash, who died at Germantown.

GLC04803

23 March 1778

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Patrick Henry

Co-signed by Banister and free franked in his name. Requests that Congress send new troops to camp without delay. Warns that the Continental army is weak and that it is likely the British will attempt an attack before reinforcements come. Also urgently requests supplies. Writes that he has heard that the British troops in Rhode Island have set out to join General William Howe. States that if this is true, " ... the Enemy will open the Campaign with great advantage over us." Post script advises that General George Washington has been notified by General William Smallwood that a fleet of…

GLC04807

28 May 1776

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ludwell Lee

Written by Richard Henry Lee as Continental Congressman from Virginia to his brother Thomas Lee. Says he is busy because he has a committee meeting with Generals Washington, Gates, and Mifflin on "the operations of their Campaign." Says he cannot write to many of his friends at this time and asks to be remembered to Colonel Mason. Mentions that Colonel Nelson has not arrived yet. Says he will leave for home in a day or two, rest up, and then attend the Convention at Williamsburg. Says "the sensible and spirited resolve of my Countrymen on the 15th has gladdened the heart of every friend to…

GLC04809

27 November 1775

Sayer, Robert, 1725-1794

Map

Title: A Plan of the Battle on Bunkers Hill fought on the 17th of June 1775.

This document is a printed map of the Battle of Bunker Hill, designating the positions of American and British forces. Printed by R. Sayer and J. Bennet. Underneath the map is a written description of the Battle taken from a letter written by General Burgoyne to his nephew Lord Stanley.

GLC04760.01

11 September 1777

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Friedrich Riedesel [in French]

Written by British General Burgoyne as he is marching southward through New York to General Baron Riedesel commander of the German troops with Burgoyne. Letter is in French with partial translation in seller's description in collateral file. Updates Riedesel on various troops' movements and the arrival of transports to cross the Hudson River before the Battle of Saratoga. Advises there might be a strong detachment at Skeneborough. Also included in the file is a color print titled "Genl. Burgoyne Addressing the Indians." Dimensions are 15.7 x 24.1 cm. Depicts a red coated Burgoyne with arm…

GLC04761

22 March 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Written by General Burgoyne as a prisoner of war after his defeat at Saratoga in October 1777 to Heath as commander of the Convention Army, which consisted of the British prisoners of war previously commanded by Burgoyne. Says he is obliged by Heath's handling of his last dispatch and regrets the loss of any of Heath's men because of it. Asks for duplicates of Captain Dalrymple's parole to secure the transports and money he is arranging, presumably for Burgoyne's return to Britain, which took place on 5 April 1778. Postscript says Mr. Clarke has not heard from Heath's commissary yet. Letter…

GLC04762

30 August 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Kingston

Written by General Burgoyne in England as a parolee after Battle of Saratoga to Kingston as Burgoyne's Adjutant General. Mentions that he received information that the government might use intelligence from Boston as grounds to return him to America as a prisoner of war. Says if it comes to that, he will not obey the order. Asks Kingston to keep that information confidential. Says box that might contain a summons from the American Congress sent by the Manchester coach has not arrived and expresses his impatience since he is moving to Scarborough the next day. Tells Kingston to remain in…

GLC04763

1776/12-1779/03

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Header Record

Title: Burgoyne-Kingston collection: papers concerning Convention Army after Saratoga [word processed inventory available] [decimalized]

Bulk 11/1777-04/1778. Papers retained by Lieut. Gen. John Burgoyne's Adjutant General, mostly his (frequently strained) communications with Maj. Gen. William Heath concerning the conditions of the British officer prisoners (41 items). The collection includes a broadside "Burgoyne's Lament" printed at Boston, eight dispatches from various company commanders, three cypher templates, documents on daily business before and after surrender (25 items) and a packet of four miscellaneous items. The broadside is apparently rare. Materials of interest include the broadside, cypher templates, and an…

GLC04764