28 July 1781

Bliss, Luke, 1738-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Bliss, commissary of military stores, encloses a return of ordnance stores (GLC02437.01097).

GLC02437.01095

28 July 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Price and Thomas Patten

Consists of two separate letters. In the first, Knox gives instructions to Price regarding fuzes and wooden bottoms (for artillery). In the second letter, written the same day and presumably at Dobbs Ferry, Knox gives instructions to Captain [Thomas] Patten regarding cannon. Promises to supply Patten with rum. Knox signs the first, not the second letter.

GLC02437.01096

28 July 1781

Bliss, Luke, 1738-1811

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Return of ordnance and stores at Springfield, in booklet form]

Bliss, commissary of stores at Springfield, sends Knox a neatly written return. Possibly accompanied by cover note (GLC02437.01095).

GLC02437.01097

29 July 1781

Baubert, V., fl. 1781

Printed document signed

Title: [Certificate of pay] [In French]

Apparently written at Phillipsburg (present-day Sleepy Hollow, New York). Certificate to pay Wadsworth and Carter, Jeremiah Wadsworth being a commissary for the Count de Rochambeau's army. On verso, William Little signs, transferring the money to William Knox.

GLC02437.01098

29 July 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa Copeland

Orders Copeland, conductor of military stores, to procure 1500 muskets, 3 tons of lead, and all of the pistols at New Windsor. Gives further instructions pertaining to arms, ordering Copeland to transfer stores to Philadelphia. Apparently written at Phillipsburg (present-day Sleepy Hollow, New York).

GLC02437.01099

29 July 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Discusses arms, stores, and other military matters with Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores. Compliments Hodgdon on his new appointment. Written at Phillipsburg (present-day Sleepy Hollow, New York).

GLC02437.01100

30 July 1781

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

McDougall signs as "Brutus," a pseudonym often attributed to him related to his involvement in the Newburgh Conspiracy. Writes a cryptic and critical letter, questioning plans made for the Continental army and the authority of Congress. Expresses eagerness to "reduce New York," but admits that the Continental force is too weak to undertake such a venture. Complains that his garrison is "every sixth day without meat." Refers to the "Duke of Roxbury" (McDougall's nickname for William Heath) and "Ignatius Loyola," (evidently, from context, a reference to Benjamin Lincoln). Mentions the new…

GLC02437.01101

31 July 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Morcourt

Apologizes for not being able to immediately fulfill Morcourt's request for shot. Written at Phillipsburg (present-day Sleepy Hollow, New York).

GLC02437.01102

28 April 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to William Maxwell

Confirming death sentence against Major Daniel Platt, commuting another, [in reaction court martial 12 soldiers who deserted and planned to join the British].

GLC08135

11 October 1779

Witherspoon, John, 1723-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: Requisition of a quarter cask of spirits

Requisition of a quarter cask of spirits

GLC08136

August 4, 1778

Morris, Lewis, 1726-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Letter to his half brother praising the commissary general of supplies of the army, Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth, and asking him to support Wadsworth against his opposers in Congress. Remarks that accounts have reported that the British have "made almost every lady in the place of easy virtue" in Philadelphia. Expects to hear of a strike at Rhode Island any day and that General John Sullivan will have an army of 10,000 besides the forces of the French Admiral (Marquis de Lafayette). Written shortly after British forces evacuated Philadelphia in June 1778 and during the Newport Rhode Island…

GLC08174

31 July 1781

Patten, Thomas, fl. 1777-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Patten, Captain of Artillery Artificers, reports details of work completed at New Windsor, including the building of wagon carriages, wooden bottoms (for artillery) and mortar carriages. Writes, "My Men are Very unease for want of Money, and more Unease about the men are absent and never been sent for, they think if they go that they never will be sent for, and say they Have as good write [sic] to be absent as others- whitch makes me thinks they will desert soon if something is Not done, about the Matter of geting the Deserters in that Belongs to the Company..."

GLC02437.01103

31 July 1781

Harrison, John, fl. 1781

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for a certificate documenting the time he served as Deputy Commissary of Military Stores (19 May 1777- 2 July 1779).

GLC02437.01104

31 July 1781

Morcourt, fl. 1781

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's letter (GLC02437.01102). Asks Knox to send previously requested "boulets," (bullets) as soon as possible.

GLC02437.01105

11 May 1778

Childs, Isaac, fl. 1778

Manuscript document signed

Title: Report of the guard in Genl Patersons Brigade

GLC01450.190.10

10 April 1782

Knyphausen, WIlhelm, fl. 1782

Manuscript document

Title: [Reinforcing Jamaica against the French]

About how to reinforce Jamaica against the French without compromising British positions. "as the Troops at present stationed at New York & the immediate Neighboring ports are by no means equal to their defence, if seriously Attacked, any diminution of those Numbers might be attended with most fatal Consequences...the Rebels might in a very little time collect a sufficient Body of Men for a very respectable Attack from the neighboring Colonies, namely Pensylvania, The Jerseys, & the four New England Provinces. The French Troops now actually on this continent, would be very…

GLC09095

21 October 1776

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Mauger

Watson, a merchant and British soldier, informs Mauger that he will remain in Canada until 10 November 1776. Mentions Captains Douglas and Abbott. Reports that in October, "the Two Little Inland Fleets first met each other about 10 o Clock in the Morning on Lake Champlain ... " States that the Continental Fleet contained 11 vessels. Relates that a Continental schooner, Royal Savage, was driven ashore and burnt according to the orders of British General Guy Carleton. States that American ships fled from the British fleet before finally escaping to Fort Ticonderoga. Reports that Fort…

GLC03902.019

17 June 1783

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Mauger

Discusses the loyalist migration to Canada after the end of the American Revolution. Reports that "the unhappy and Sacrificed Loyalists Continue to Embark for Nova Scotia in great Numbers indeed they have no other place of refuge." Claims that the population of Nova Scotia will double within the year and comments on opportunities to sell land. Laments the treatment of Loyalists: "The wretched disaffected New Englanders must turn Loyal, or turn out. The People gone to settle, having suffered so much...You would never forgive their persecutors or forget their Crueltys." Watson was a member…

GLC03902.032

12 July 1783

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Mauger

Indicates that he has heard Mauger decided to sell his lands in Nova Scotia and commends the decision. He estimates that 20,000 loyalists will immigrate there in the wake of the American Revolution. Expresses his desire to return to England and his dependence on the British government sending a ship. Displaying his staunchly pro-British perspective his states: "The People of this Independent country are run a muck, and will soon become objects of Compassion. The unfortunate People who they are now driving to seek refuge will very soon be envied by the Lawless wretches who now persecute them…

GLC03902.033

28 October 1775

Butler, John, 1749-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Mauger

Written by Butler as Mauger's agent in Nova Scotia to Mauger as a British Member of Parliament who was formerly Nova Scotia's agent in London. Mauger was considered the unofficial spokesman of the colony in Parliament. This document contains three letters, all of which appear to be copies. They are dated 28 October 1775 (marked "Triplicate"), 18 November 1775 (marked "Duplicate"), and 29 December 1775. 28 October letter: army is shut up in Boston and "The Rebells" have designs on Canada. Just heard that General Prescott defeated the Americans at St. Johns and that they are retreating. Says…

GLC03902.064

1 January 1776

Butler, John, 1749-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Mauger

Butler, a Loyalist and Mauger's agent, transmits a letter written to Mauger 29 December 1775, marked as a duplicate. In the 1775 letter, Butler states "Canada in the hands of the Rebells, & I fear the Army will be burnt out of Boston if so they must come here- how these matters will End God knows." Discusses business matters regarding military and provincial stores, and the orders of Lord William Barrington, Secretary at War. Mentions his high standing with British General Eyre Massey, in charge of Halifax 1776-1778. Refers to the death of an individual (possibly a sailor) named Day…

GLC03902.065

21 April 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Caleb Gibbs

Headquartered at Morristown after a brutal winter, reorganizes his personal, offical and family possessions for residence in Philadelphia as he re-builds the Army to answer Cornwallis's New Jersey campaign: "Bring...my sword, my gun etc.. can had also better be brought unless they could be put into the hands of some gentleman in Philadelphia that would take particular care of them...My papers at New Town, take with you to Philadelphia, and have them well recieved in a good trunk or strong box and lodged with the Publick Papers of Congress." Also requested were "table linens and "mattress" and…

GLC08341

12 April 1777

Spooner, Walter, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dear Friends

Tells six prisoners in jail in Taunton that he could find no one to interpose for them or to pay their fines. Asked William Tallman to send him a petition with their names, but it has not arrived. Has sent a letter to the sheriff asking him to discharge them on their giving twenty pound bonds. Regarding his belief that the court will not prosecute them if they fail to pay the bond, he adds: "you need not mention my judgement, for if you should it may give some uneasiness to others." Address on verso reads: "To the six persons now in goal at Taunton for not going into the Army."

GLC02924.046

January 18, 1777

Bryant, James, fl. 1777-1778

Document signed

Title: [Copy of a warrant for the arrest of soldiers who failed to appear at the muster of 6 January 1777]

Also contains Bryant's clerical signatures of the selectmen, the militia officers, and the Committee of Safety. Gideon Brownell, Silvenas Sixon, David Sowle, Jonathan Gifford, Elijah Gifford, Christopher Slocum, and Timothy Comel of the Town of Dartmouth were appointed soldiers and were ordered to appear for muster. Constable Gamaliel Bryant is ordered to arrest these men and to put them in jail until such time as a fine of 12 pounds is paid. Certified as a true copy.

GLC02924.047

25 August 1779

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: Pass from Albemarle county to Medicinal Springs in Berkeley County, for Mr. Burchsdorff and Major General Riedesel, and family.

Pass from Albemarle county to Medicinal Springs in Berkeley County, for Mr. Burchsdorff and Major General Riedesel, and family (German mercenaries captured with Burgoyne at Saratoga).

GLC08316