1779-1935

Header Record

Title: Collection -- includes GLC#740-751 [decimalized]

GLC00740.001

September 19, 1779

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

Adams had returned from France, and comments upon the importance of having an American in Paris "who knows somewhat of the affairs of America, as well as Europe...." Letter also mentions the fight for independence and French negotiations.

GLC00748

14 March 1777

Hart, John, 1708-1780

Autograph document signed

Title: [Act of Assembly constituting a Council of Safety]

Written by Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as speaker of the New Jersey Assembly. Also signed by Stevens as Vice President of the New Jersey Assembly. Establishes a committee of safety to govern New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. Lists members of the newly created Council of Safety, including among others, John Cleves Symmes, Silas Condict, Dick Samuel, and Nathaniel Scudder, who were all members of the Continental Congress. Has 10 sections that describe how the council will work. Allows the body to operate under a quorum of five and appoints the governor as…

GLC00753

October 5, 1780

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Schuyler

Hamilton begins a dramatic love letter to his fiancée with, " I have told you, and I told you truly that I love you too much . . . I meet you in every dream. . . I am to be thus monopolized by a little nut brown maid like you and from a Statesman and soldier metamorphosed into a puny lover." He continues on to say how much he misses her, but that he must remain until Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison returns. He states that he will not be delayed past November and assures her that he is doing everything in his power to return. He descriptively explains how much he loves and misses her…

GLC00773

circa August 1776

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Manuscript document

Title: A Journal of a Scout from Crown Point to St. John's Chamblee by Lieut Benjamin Whitcomb and four men

Clerical copy of a report of Whitcomb's spying mission in Canada 14-27 July 1776. Details their progress, the weather, attempts to get prisoners, and sightings of British troops moving supplies, etc. Notes that Whitcomb fired on a British officer [Brigadier General Patrick Gordon], whom he ended up killing though he was not aware of Gordon's identity at the time. Includes a three-line autograph note signed by Continental Major General Horatio Gates to Richard Varick, who was serving as military secretary to General Philip Schuyler, advising that the report be forwarded to Schuyler.

GLC01072

September 1779

Walton, George, 1740-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Colonel in the First Georgia Battalion who was severely wounded and captured during the Battle of Savannah in December 1778, to Lincoln as commander of the Southern Department. Walton sent Major Habersaw to British General Augustine Prevost to request relief for American prisoners in Sunbury, but Habershaw was denied entry into Savannah. In response, Major Lane was sent with this letter to Lincoln to request relief. Hopes the prisoners can be exchanged for British prisoners or made prisoners at large in America. Says that the…

GLC01019

23 - 28 September 1776

Pemberton, James, 1723-1809

Manuscript signed

Title: Extracts from minutes of our yearly meeting of Pennsylvania & New Jersey, held in Philadelphia by adjournments from the 23rd day of the ninth month.

One copy of a meeting minutes dated September 23-28, 1776. States that Quakers should not participate in governments active in war, or contribute to the promotion of war through business or other activity. Condemns all forms of slavery and indentured servitude, and requires all Quakers to free anyone so held. All need to support religious education for children. Clerical copy certified by James Moon. Extracted and prepared by James Pemberton, clerk to the yearly meeting.

GLC01021

3 October 1778

Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795

Broadside

Title: Manifesto and proclamation to the members of the Congress

Double-column format. Issued by the British Peace Commissioners Lord Carlisle, Sir Henry Clinton and William Eden after the failure of their peace initiative. Offered a general amnesty and pardon with internal self-government and the repeal of Parliamentary taxation. Bibliographic reference: Evans 15832.

GLC01032

1778

United States. Treaties, etc.

Pamphlet

Title: Treaties between the United States and France

Printed by John Dunlap. First American printing of the first United States treaty. Contains both the Treaty of Alliance with France and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. The Treaty of Alliance is the first Philadelphia printing and the first appearance anywhere in print.

GLC01040

1777

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

Autograph manuscript

Title: Les troupes des Etats unis sont en tout Environ 1200 hommes [in French]

Estimates men and costs of a regiment, as well as costs for the entire Continental Army. Page numbered 277.

GLC01059

July 10, 1778

Hosmer, Titus, 1736-1780

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Law

Relays news that the Compte d' Estaing had set sail with a fleet for Delaware or Chesapeake Bay and that a British fleet has set out to intercept them. Today they were informed that d'Estaing arrived near Maryland three days earlier and set off for Sandy Hook. Notes that war had been declared in Paris against England and French troops were in transit toward America. Comments on the recent passage of the Articles of Confederation in Congress.

GLC01069

30 June 1781

Avery, John, 1739-1806

Broadside

Title: Resolutions [raising 2700 militia for General Washington]

Signed on p. 1 by Avery as Secretary. Docketed "Ipswich" on left margin of p.1

GLC00906

20 April 1775

Fullam, Phinehas T., fl. 1775

Autograph document signed

Title: [Attesting to Battle of Concord]

Fullam apparently was a postrider for a Committee of Safety, who, like Paul Revere, was employed to spread the news of Lexington and Concord and bring reinforcements. Says he saw the Battle of Concord with his own eyes and that he confirms about 200 died on both sides. Says 1500 regulars with artillery are on the march and that he is "to inform all the Troops that are on their March to Resort there as fast as possible." Later Fullam served in the Massachusetts militia.

GLC00869

28 October 1776

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph document signed

Title: [Connecticut document ordering payment for guarding, moving & feeding Continental POW's]

Co-signed by Hartford mayor Thomas Seymour and Connecticut Treasurer John Lawrence. Countersigned by Moses Kimball on verso when he received payment and E. Plummer who audited the payment. Seymour and Ellsworth were members of the Connecticut Committee of Four, also called the Pay-Table, which handled finances for Connecticut during the Revolution. This document provides payment to Moses Kimball for the purchase of saltpetre. Also gives Kimball money to pay Prosper Whitmore for guarding, transporting, and feeding Continental prisoners.

GLC00873

19 August 1776

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for Cyprian Collins]

Signed by Ellsworth as member of Connecticut Pay-table Committee. To John Lawrence as Treasurer of Connecticut and co-signed by committee member Thomas Seymour. Receipt for Cyprian Collins for four pounds, four shillings for riding express from the Northern Army to Governor John Trumbull. Countersigned on verso by Cyprian Collins that he received the money. Also countersigned by E. Plummer, who audited the payment on 1 September 1777.

GLC00874

6 May 1775

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for Brigadier General Joseph Spencer]

Signed by Ellsworth as a member of the Connecticut Pay-table Committee. Co-signed with fellow members William Pitkin, Thomas Seymour, and Ezekiel Williams. To John Laurence, the Treasurer of Connecticut. Receipt is to pay Brigadier General Joseph Spencer 150 pounds, as he is paymaster of the First Company of the Second Regiment that is to be raised in Connecticut. Countersigned by Spencer on verso that he received the money. Marked that it was audited 13 May 1776.

GLC00875

11 June 1779

Broadside

Title: To the inhabitants of the United States of America

With notes on verso: "West Springfield" and calculations. Evans 16637. Printed by order of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, printing a congressional resolution for a $45 million requisition, approved by Jay as President of Congress.

GLC00882

30 July 1779

Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791

Document signed

Title: [Pay order receipt for Jonathan Dana]

Countersigned by Nathaniel Appleton, commissioner of the Continental Loan Office. Orders payment to Jonathan Dana of 18 dollars for interest on money borrowed by the United States. Marked as number 181. On verso there are two notes. One states pay the contents to Captain Simeon Samson, the other is signed by Simeon Samson and requests payment go to Captain Corbin Barr. Signed by Hopkinson as Treasurer of Loans and endorsed by Jonathan Dana on the verso.

GLC00883

5 June 1781

Livingston, William, 1723-1790

Document signed

Title: An Act to preserve buildings in this State belonging to the United States from being destroyed and for the Punishment of those that shall seize on or injure the same.

Signed by William Livingston as Governor of New Jersey. Countersigned by Josiah Hornblower, Speaker of the New Jersey House of Representatives. Endorsed on verso near docket by Bowes Reed and Maskell Ewing, clerks of the Assembly, stating the document was read three times and has passed the House. Resolution written because of Congressional recommendations of 3 July 1779 asked the various states to preserve buildings owned by the United States. Says any person convicted of damaging or destroying a building or fortress owned by the United States will pay no more than a 20 pound fine and…

GLC00904

January 23, 1776

Massachusetts Colony Legislature

Broadside

Title: By the Great and General Court of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay: A Proclamation.

This document explains the Revolutionary views of the House of Representatives of the colony of Massachusetts Bay. The writing covers the philosophy behind Massachusetts as a colony and as a free state. Signed at end: "God Save the People"

GLC00905

1781

Morris, Roger, fl. 1781

Book signed

Title: The Constitutions of the several independent states of America [...]

Roger Morris's copy, signed on t.p. Bound in contemporary calf. Howes C716, Evans 17390, Sabin 16086. First edition limited to 200 copies.

GLC00912

December 16, 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Letter in hand of aide-de-camp Benjamin Walker, and written to Smith, the Commissary of Prisoners to the Army. References Smith's letter from December 12, 1782. Thanks him for intelligence it contains. Disagrees with Smith's assessment on Dobbs Ferry. Says it can withstand a small surprise attack and that it was never designed to deal with a large attack. Says the daily intercourse between the inhabitants "of the lower country" with the enemy is alarming and should be broken up. Would like suggestions on how to do that. At this point, after the American victory at Yorktown, Dobbs Ferry was…

GLC00949

August 11, 1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Greene sends Biddle a copy of the resolution appointing Timothy Pickering Quarter Master General of the Continental Army (not included), which occurred after Greene was forced out of the position into retirement. Discusses his resignation and his worries about the consequences of the change for the current military campaign. He asks Biddle for an account of debts from his department. Letter written at Camp Tappan.

GLC00954

December 10, 1778

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Arthur Lee

Francis Lightfoot Lee warns his brother, then on a diplomatic mission with Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane to obtain aid from France during the American Revolution, about the intrigue surrounding the recently recalled Deane. Indicates that Deane has formed a faction within Congress determined to "remove all the old friends of Liberty & Independence." Comments that he does not know Deane's specific intentions but suggests that he arm himself with "the means necessary, both for attack & defence."

GLC00975

March 1, 1776

Walton, George, 1740-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Goddard

Walton writes about defense preparations in Georgia. He advises that a full board of devoted men has been assembled and are in very good spirits. Indicates that they have prepared several fire vessels to defend against the British navy and erected a small battery below the town. He states that no rice ships will be allowed to sail until the Continental Congress is fully resolved. Letter addressed to Goddard as the Inspector General of the Constitutional Post Office. Upper left corner is torn.

GLC00977