19 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Discusses the payment of warranty for rations to be furnished to Captain Zeiglers company. States "The Board of treasury have furnished warrants on Connecticut from which by the assistance of Colonel Wadsworth I am in full hopes that money will be received to pay your account for Supplies to Zeiglers company..." Accompanied by an envelope from 1985 containing a printed image of Knox and four Knox 8 cent stamps from the first day of issue.

GLC04302

1784

Faden, William, fl. 1750-1836

Map

Title: Plan of the Siege of Savannah...

Nebenzahl, Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 76.

GLC04316

1783

Book

Title: The Dealer's companion and trader's assistant

GLC04542

1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Pamphlet

Title: A Plan for the General Arrangement of the Militia [1st ed of 1786 report]

In original gray paper wrappers. Very rare first edition printed for the members of Congress under the Articles of Confederation. Evans 20076, Sabin 38161.

GLC04554

1786

Jeffries, John, fl. 1790

Book signed

Title: A Narrative of the Two Aerial Voyages of Doctor Jeffries... (George Washington's copy)

"A narrative of the two aerial voyages of Doctor Jeffries with Mons. Blanchard; with meterological observations and remarks...." Printed for the author. Small folio format, signed on the titlepage by George Washington. Handsome tree-calf binding. With handsome frontispiece engraving of Jeffries. Jeffries had been a Loyalist who went to England where he pursued research on air, its properties and balloons. After this flight, he went to Paris, dined with Franklin and met John Paul Jones. He returned to Boston in 1790. In 1794, Blanchard came to America and in Philadelphia, with…

GLC04936

May 1, 1787

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [George Washington] re: explaining his absence from the Convention

Misdated May. McHenry writes the Convention's president, Washington, that he was unable to attend the opening sessions because his brother lay ill. He did attend in August and kept a private record of proceedings.

GLC04842.29

18 March 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Mercer

Written one month before taking his oath of office as the first United States President, Washington attempts to collect a debt owed by the estate of James' father John Mercer. States that he was formerly promised repayment by James' brother, Colonel John Francis Mercer, but John did not deliver the sum in full. Informs James "I am thus explicit, for the purpose of evincing to you, that necessity alone prompts me to make this plain and unequivocal declaration" regarding reimbursement. Reveals willingness to receive land titles as repayment. Expresses his wish to secure titles for two lots…

GLC04860

12 September 1785

Peters, Richard, 1744-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben

Written by Peters, a former Pennsylvania Continental Congressman, to von Steuben in retirement. Peters is trying to put Von Steuben at ease after he was denied a large part of the inflated expense account he sumbitted to Congress and the rejection of his pension application by that same body. Marked No. 12. Mentions that he heard reports that von Steuben's mind was not at ease and that he was about to return to Europe. Even though he hasn't heard from in a while he thinks they are credible and says "loving you so much as I do I Cannot be uninterested in them." Says if he can have better…

GLC04833

23 May 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Burwell Bassett

Mentions that he would have enjoyed seeing him at Richmond if it had been possible. Remarks that an artist, Mr. Pine, was at Mount Vernon and had to wait for him to return to do his historical painting. Comments on the engagement of his nephew, George Augustine Washington to Fanny [Frances] Bassett, Burrell Bassett's daughter. Expresses his views on marriage, "I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of ones life. -- The foundation of happiness or misery." States that he does not believe in promoting or preventing a marriage unless it absolutely requires…

GLC04709

30 November 1783

Cruger, Henry, 1739-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter van Schaack

Reports American occupation of New York City. Decribes the conditions and mixed sentiments in the city after the British evacuation. Feels that the peaceable citizens are a result of the successful leadership of Governor George Clinton, who is second only to George Washington. Assures van Schaack that the government has a plan and it will lead New York and the United States to greatness.

GLC04776

1786

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to Armand-Charles-Augustin de La Croix de Castries [in French]

Memorandum written to de Castries. Manuscript concerning efforts to strengthen the alliance between the United States and France through trade and more substantial means. It was probably written after 15 June 1786, the date Jefferson wrote a letter to Lafayette about making Honfleur a free port. The contents fit in with Lafayette's other commercial initiatives during early summer 1786. Date inferred from Lafayette Papers, Robert Crout.

GLC04799

1788

Lloyd, Thomas, fl. 1788

Book

Title: Proceedings and debates of... Pennsylvania [with] Debates... on the Constitution

With contemporary ownership signature of Francis Shallus. Convention debates are printed in vols. 1-2 while PA Assembly debates are printed in vol. 3.

GLC04955

17 May 1788

Pemberton, James, 1723-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moses Brown

The letter is written in traditional Quaker fashion without reference to the pagan names of months, and instead uses numbers for dates throughout. Written by Pemberton, a Quaker merchant and philanthropist in Philadelphia, to Brown, a well-known Quaker merchant in Providence, Rhode Island. References Brown's letter of 9 May 1788. Says he is getting the act of the Massachusetts Assembly (probably a law on the slave trade) republished in the newspaper with the most extensive circulation in Massachusetts. Sends along information and new publications on the anti-slave trade crusaders in Britain.…

GLC04980

12 June 1783

Harrison, Benjamin (ca. 1726-1791)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Dickinson

Written by Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as Governor of Virginia to Dickinson as President of Pennsylvania. Written "In Council." Regarding the ownership of land along the Virginia-Pennsylvania border. This problem dated to the 1740s and was temporarily resolved during the Revolution, but became an issue after the war. Surveys were finally done in 1784 that gave the land definitively to Pennsylvania by 1786. This letter is asking Dickinson for an update on the problem.

GLC04871

June 21, 1788

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to the Public accusing R.I. legislature of acting "contrary to the Articles"

Probably intended for publication. The essay attacks the Rhode Island legislature for not sending representatives to Congress or the Constitutional Convention. King, who signs himself five times in the text but signs "Procolus" at the end, argues that states like Rhode Island endangered the Union and that the legislature acted "contrary to the Articles of Confedreration."

GLC04873

circa 1785

Madison, Dolley, 1768-1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Brooke, Jr.

News of a Quaker community in Philadelphia, where she had recently moved. Includes comments on the marriage of local couples. Signed "D. Payne."

GLC05102

8 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Attesting the deceased Jonathan Horton served in the army]

Attests that doctor Jonathan Horton served in as a surgeon in the military, even though his name does not appear in hospital books or on rolls. States that his widow is therefore entitled to his pension, since he died of a "putrid fever while Officiating in the public service." Noted as "duplicate." Docket is on a piece of paper separated from the document.

GLC06199

3 January 1786

Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Willing

Opposes the repeal of the charter of the Bank of North America on Constitutional grounds and discusses the power of assembly. Remarks upon the ill conduct of the House in violating the charter and calls the assembly incompetent. States that the assembly is not fit to handle " ...granting charters, compiling debts, fixing funds for the redemption of debts, making money, or any thing else which requires permanency." Intends to publish a pamphlet on these topics. Willing was President of the Bank of North America.

GLC06276

18 September 1786

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Document signed

Title: [Congressional resolution requiring that taxes be paid in specie].

Printed resolution of the Continental Congress that requires the states, Rhode Island and New Jersey in particular, to make payments on requisitions in specie and not in the paper currency issued by the state. Signed as Secretary of the Continental Congress.

GLC06047

1788

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document

Title: Convention between his most Christian majesty and the United States of America

[Title continued] "For the Purpose of Defining and Establishing the Functions and Privileges of their Respective Consuls and Vice Consuls." Agreement between France and the U.S. With stamp of New Jersey Historical Society. Printed the convention in two columns. Docket on blank. Said to have been printed by Des Pierres.

GLC06093

1 December 1786

Champion, Richard, 1743-1791

Manuscript document signed

Title: Certificate of freedom for Peter a free Negro

Written by Champion for the Court of Common Pleas in Camden County held on 27 November 1786. Document certifies the freedom "of the Negro Peter lately claimed by William Massey." It states that Peter "hath been adjudged a free Man and ... he shall be deemed held and taken as a free Man during his Life." Document was witnessed, but not signed by, Henry Pendleton, an associate justice of the state. Red wax seal is extant on bottom of recto.

GLC06147

4 April 1787

Yard, Benjamin, 1757-1787

Document signed

Title: [Affadavit of sales agreement for a slave named Hannibal in St. Croix]

Marked "Copy." Certifies that he purchased Hannibal in October 1780 from Captain John Earl. He was informed that Thomas Wright, a sailor on board Earl's ship, owned one half of Hannibal. Payment was twenty half "Joes" - ten to the captain and ten to Wright in Havana. Payment also included a certain amount of rum. The rum was worth £50.17.7 1/4 Philadelphia currency and was shipped to Earl on Captain Harr's vessel on 31 October 1781. Says "I do not recollect any other circumstances attending the Sale of this Negro."

GLC06148

1788

Minot, George Richards, 1758-1802

Book

Title: The History of the insurrection, in Massachusetts, in the year 1776, and the rebellion consequent thereon

First edition copy published by Isaiah Thomas. Gives a historical account of Shay's Rebellion. Late 19th century binding by P. V. Sanford.

GLC05949

1783

Burke, Aedanus, 1743-1802

Pamphlet

Title: Considerations on the Society or Order of Cincinnati...

Remainder of title: "Lately Instituted By the Major-Generals, Brigadier-Generals, and Officers of the American Army...." Burke is identified on the cover as the author. Printed by Basil Webster.

GLC05767

1788

Pennsylvania, General Assembly.

Pamphlet

Title: The constitution of the Pennsylvania Society, for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free Negroes, unlawfully held in bondage...

(title continues)... begun in the year 1774, and enlarged on the twenty-third of April, 1787 : to which are added, the acts of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, for the gradual abolition of slavery. Benjamin Franklin serves as President of the Society.

GLC05827