January 10,1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Is glad to hear that George's academy increases in numbers, and believes that it will rival the Greenwich Academy. Advises George to master one concept in arithmetic before moving on to the next. Critiques George's composition against dueling, telling him "to adduce all the arguments," and noting that "[s]hort and sweet is good, but long and sweet is better." Complains the winter cold aggravates his bad humour because it checks his perspiration. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William…

GLC02300.16

February 12, 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Berates him for his delay in answering his previous letter. Tells George about the importance of mathematics and neat handwriting for his expected career working in the Customhouse. Critiques George's spelling and grammar. Hopes George will be able to finish his education at Wickford within six months. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.

GLC02300.17

4 March 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Discusses general subjects of study in mathematics, astronomy and geography. Also makes reference to the re-election of President Thomas Jefferson and related celebrations. He remarks: "Public days are not celebrated with such animation as they formerly were..." Asks George to ask Mr. Updike to look out for a servant for Ellery. He would like "a black boy about 14 years old, who is good tempered, active, and tractable, who knows how to take care of a horse or cow, and how to milk, and who is faithful and honest. I…

GLC02300.18

14 March 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Has received George's letter. Berates George for sending him the wrong description of the geography he needed for school. Corrects the grammar of his letter. Is glad to hear that there are persons in Wickford who are religiously inclined. Advises him to read his Bible: "and may the Holy Spirit inspire you with a principle of holiness. Without holiness no man can see God, and enjoy his smiles." He continues to have the "bad humour" about the lower region of his belly, "otherwise my health is as good as a man my age…

GLC02300.19

26 March 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School, Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks him for his letter. Is glad that Mr. Updike has furnished George with a scale and dividers; he has sent him money to purchase a geography book for him. Is glad to hear that "the inoculation for the small pox did not take on those who had been inoculated for the swine pox; not because I in the least doubted the latter being a perfect security against the former, but because it will inspire the Wickfordians with faith, and induce them to undergo vaccine inoculation." Corrects his spelling and grammar. Happy that…

GLC02300.20

15 April 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School, Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks him for his letter. Is pleased to hear from Mr. Updike that the two volumes of geography have arrived. Wishes that he would read English grammar in his leisure hours: "It will assist you in speaking and writing English correctly, which is an accomplishment. Any honor you may acquire by attention to your studies and conduct, I shall receive a portion of by reflection, and shall by your improvement in useful learning be amply requited for any kindness I have shown you." Adds, "an honest man is the noblest…

GLC02300.21

24 April 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks him for his letter. He has no objection to his learning to dance, for it will make him easy and graceful. If the fee is to be paid at entrance to dancing studies, Ellery asks George to ask Mr. Updike to advance it. Warns him not to let the dancing interfere with his studies. Aunt Burt in Bristol is seriously ill. Dean's wife died yesterday, leaving a "husband, and her eleven children many of whom are quite young. Every death should be a memento to us to be prepared for death, who spares no age nor condition…

GLC02300.22

10 June 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son. Thanks him for his letter with its "serious and just observations on the all conquering power of death." His "dear Aunt Burt" has "gone to join with the redeemed." "Judge Dana has come to Newport to wait upon his wife and Sarah Ann and Mr. Channing." Has enjoyed their company, and wishes George had been there to join them. Is now sending George Euclid's Elements, and recommends he study it. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until…

GLC02300.23

24 June 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks him for his letter. Advises him to continue with his studies. Ellery plans for George to finish the academy, and at such time to place him in a situation where he "may acquire a knowledge of merchants accompts." Is glad that the academy increases in the number of its students, and looks forward to the time when it will exceed the Greenwich Academy in quality as well as in size. Asks George to tell him how the recent eclipse of the sun affected him. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785,…

GLC02300.24

12 July 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Encloses a pair of socks, enlarged by Nancy. Hopes that George will use his remaining time at school well. Discusses the question as to whether or not Lombardy poplar and worms that infest it are poisonous. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.

GLC02300.25

6 August 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Would be glad to know if George wishes to be at the "commencement in Cambridge." If so, he should be "here on the 18th of this month, for commencement is on the 27th." Has been expecting a letter from him. Undoubtedly George has heard of the death of his Aunt Champlin. She has gone to her eternal reward, for she was a pious woman. Ellery sends regards to Mr. Updike and Captain Barney, and to their families. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of…

GLC02300.26

20 June 1804

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph document signed

Title: [Indentures for the sale of a farm on the Raritan River in New Jersey]

Also signed by Ann Pierce, Charles Wilkes, and Henry Brockholst Livingston. Records a sequence of ownership of a farm property. Pages 1 and 2 are the indenture of Ann Pierce selling a farm "on the south side of the Raritan River in the county of Somerset in the State of New Jersey about a mile and a half above the town of New Brunswick" to Hamilton on 30 April 1803. Certifies that he may sell the land and use the proceeds to pay a bond of Nathaniel Pendleton and John Bard. Page 3 is Hamilton's indenture, which includes his name written five times, signed and sealed by Hamilton and…

GLC02308

January 26, 1813

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Apparently a retained draft briefly outlining the manner in which Gerry will take the vice presidential oath of office It is written on the verso of the docketed address leaf of a letter from Madison to Gerry. With Madison's free frank.

GLC02343

9 May 1805

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Rodgers

Commodore Bainbridge, imprisoned after his ship went aground on the Tunisian Coast on 29 December 1803, writes to Rogers, Commodore of the Mediterranean Squadron. States that he and other prisoners "feel confident that no exertions will be wanting in our brother officers to retain us, we only regret that we cannot share the honor and danger with them."

GLC02352

6 August 1808

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to Eli Williams, Thomas Moore, and Joseph Kerr

President Jefferson writes to the commissioners of the Cumberland Road about reexamining its route from Washington, Pennsylvania, to Wheeling, Pennsylvania. Explains that "the principal object of this road is a communication directly westwardly if however inconsiderable deflections from this course will benefit particular places and better accommodate travellers, these are circumstances to be taken into consideration." Written as president.

GLC02148

4 March 1805

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Broadside

Title: President Jefferson's Inaugural Speech

President Jefferson's inaugural speech, given after his official reelection in 1805: "Mr. Jefferson appeared in the Chamber of the United States Senate, where his reelection was declated, and the necessary oath administered to him." Printed on silk by True and Parks, Washington.

GLC02151

26 April 1815

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lovett

Serving as New Hampshire State Representative, Webster discusses possible future political appointments with New York Representative Lovett. Discusses a dinner with Richard Stockton, a New Jersey Representative. Referring to the New York election, held on the day Webster wrote this document, states that he expects nothing good from Clinton's friends (possibly referring to former New York Mayor DeWitt Clinton). States that he anticipates the removal of New Hampshire Senator Jeremiah Mason from Senate to serve as Governor of New Hampshire. Calls Hulbert (possibly Massachusetts…

GLC02204

circa 1809

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Broadside

Title: Dignified retirement: parody on the house that Jack built, -- fitted to the times

A parody of the nursery rhyme styled upon eighteenth century children's chapbooks making fun of Jefferson's retirement at a time of national crisis. The figures are rough allegories of Jefferson (alternately a king then a priest, retiring to a "Mountain" [Monticello] to study philosophy), the American navy (de-commissioned by Jefferson), the Embargo, the British Fleet and the American volunteer army. The woodcut of the coach is printed upside down to represent how the Embargo "has turned all things up side down, and stopped the wheels of national prosperity." The title may come from Peter…

GLC02209

22 November 1811

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to John Steele

Informs that he has shipped to Steele 29 boxes containing volumes of the laws of the United States passed by the 11th Congress. Asks him to forward them to the addressed governors of the states and territories. Encloses a receipt (not present).

GLC02367

1 October 1807

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Pinkney

Monroe, Joint Minister to Great Britain with Pinkney, sends to Pinkney an enclosed commission and letters of credence (not included) to the British King and Queen. States that the United States government hopes that Pinkney will take Monroe's place as Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain.

GLC02098

1804

Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture

Pamphlet signed

Title: Papers on agriculture ; consisting of communications made to the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture.

Signed by Henry Knox on front cover. Contains articles on various subjects within the field of agriculture such as using gypsum in agriculture, the culture of potatoes, grafting of trees, etc. Published by the Trustees of the Society. Printed by Young & Minns. Pages are uncut. Edges are very frayed.

GLC02143

2 March 1801

Beaumez, M. de (Bon-Albert Briois), 1759-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his displeasure with the American sea captains in the Calcutta ports. Notes their actions reflect poorly on all Americans and that Calcutta society does not distinguish traders from gentleman. Discusses in great length what life is like in India. Remarks upon the manufacturing, their daily amusements, the women in their party, and various other occurrences in India. Also appears to discuss the [Flucker] boys and explains why Francis Flucker and Thomas Flucker were sent to England. Notes the importance of having them both serve England versus one serving England and the other…

GLC02437.07509

6 March 1801

Beaumez, Sarah Lyons Flucker, fl. 1784-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes to her sister-in-law. Inquires after her god-daughter and the rest of Lucy Knox's family. Appears to express her disappointment in [Henry] Knox's silence regarding her children (likely Francis and Thomas Flucker). Comments on Knox's responsibility as their guardian and of her childrens' "Natural Claims" to the family property. Also appears to express her regret over her sons' "youthful" behavior but does not believe it reflects poorly upon their feeling towards Lucy Knox and Henry Knox. Seems to believe that [Henry] Knox's letter was harsh regarding her children and disagrees with Knox…

GLC02437.07510

23 March 1801

Bingham, William, 1752-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Introduces Samuel W. [Fisher] to Knox. Notes Fisher is a member of Knox's state legislature and will be visiting the "Eastward" area.

GLC02437.07515

30 March 1801

Bradford, William, 1729-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Appears to discuss land deals possibly located in Maine. Mentions the troubles Knox is having with squatters and the possibility of building roads and buildings on the land.

GLC02437.07517