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21 April 1812
Madison, James (1751-1836)
[Appointment of Joshua Potts as Navy Agent]
Countersigned by Secretary of Navy Paul Hamilton. Appoints Potts as Navy Agent for Wilmington, North Carolina. Includes Navy Department seal.
GLC00496.058
9 June 1783
Washington, George (1732-1799)
[Official discharge of Leonard Chapin Matross from the 2nd New York Artillery Regiment].
Countersigned by Washington's military secretary, Jonathan Trumbull, and Adjutant James Bradford. Matross' discharge came shortly after the end of the American Revolution. His service began 10 March 1781. With a nineteenth century note on the loan...
GLC00496.101
30 July 1798
to James McHenry
Forwards Anthony MacHarg's letter of application for cavalry instructor to Secretary of War McHenry. Washington expresses interest in MacHarg's experience but requires further testimonial to professional ability and personal character.
GLC00496.103
no date
to unknown [fragment]
Fragment from a longer letter with only the signature and postscript remaining. Postscript discusses surgeons in Philadelphia recommended by delegates of the Continental Congress. "Mr. Palmer" is visible on verso.
GLC00496.107
30 September 1798
Written during the Quasi-War with France. Discusses concerns about Democrats infiltrating and subverting the army. Washington remarks that "you could as soon scrub the blackamore white, as to change the principles of a profest Democrat; and that he...
GLC00581
18 February 1802
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
Printed authorization for U.S. Frigate "Congress" to seize ships of Tripoli
Specifically directed against the Bey of Tripoli (controversy with the Barbery states). With blind stamp of the U. S. Navy Dept. but not signed by the Secretary of Navy.
GLC00639.18
19 June 1812
Monroe, James (1758-1831)
to William Plumer
Circular letter notifying the governor of New Hampshire of the declaration of war made against Britain, officially beginning the War of 1812. Sent with copies of the act declaring war and a report of the Committee of Foreign Relations (not included)...
GLC00639.22
[ April 1789 ]
Inaugural address [leaf from 1st draft of discarded first inaugural = pp.36-37]
Concerning foreign relations, American trade, manufacture and defense. This was a first draft which Washington later discarded. The manuscript was disassembled by Jared Sparks and leaves or clippings were given away as samples of GW's handwriting....
GLC00639.25
14 April 1783
to George Clinton
Washington writes that he had sent to Gen. McLean (commanding at Niagara) communications of Sir Guy Carleton including the proclamation of the King for the cessation of hostilities and a "New York newspaper, containing articles of general...
GLC00639.26
4 December 1805
Adams, John (1735-1826)
to Benjamin Rush
Writes concerning his and George Washington's administrations by referring to those "melancholly books" such as "Tully's Memoirs" and "Cicero's Life" from which he compares the first and second triumvirates to Hamilton's "Schemes, to get rid of...
GLC00747
18 June 1812
Hamilton, Paul (1762-1816)
to John Rodgers
The Secretary of the Navy informs Commodore Rodgers that war has been declared against Great Britain, officially starting the War of 1812. Indicates that Rodgers is entitled to use his four vessels for attack and defense. Asks him to await...
GLC00758
24 October 1814
to Callender Irvine
The secretary of state informs the commissary general of purchases that an appropriation of $60,000 had been made to him for contingency expenses for the execution of the War of 1812.
GLC00786
16 May 1792 - 3 November 1792
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Extracts of letters written by the Secretary of War, to the Governor of Virginia, upon the defensive protection of the frontiers of that State
Contemporary clerical copy signed by chief clerk of the War Department, John Stagg, Jr. The letters concern protection of the Virginia frontier against Indians, emphasizing President Washington's view "that all parts of the union ought to be...
GLC00813
2 July 1813
Wood, B. G.
to Mary Wood
Writes to his sister about his activities in Canada at Fort George and elsewhere in the northern campaign during the War of 1812. Also discusses the heroism of their brother, Eleazor D. Wood, at Fort Meigs, as recounted by General William Henry...
GLC01043.02
19 August 1814
Armstrong, John (1755-1816)
to Eleazor D. Wood
Transmits a brevet commission to the position of lieutenant colonel for Wood's service in the Battle of Lundy's Lane near Niagara Falls on 25 July 1814. One black and white bust engraving of John Armstrong included.
GLC01043.05
2 August 1813
[Appointment of Eleazor D. Wood to major in the corps of engineers]
Madison signed as President and countersigned by John Armstrong as Secretary of War. The commission was a brevet for Battle of Lundy's lane near Niagara Falls.
GLC01043.07
November 1794
Manuscript draft: [Sixth annual address to Congress]
Washington asserts the constitutional authority of the federal government during the Whiskey Rebellion. Written by GW's secretary Bartholomew Danbridge, on Washington's personal stationery, extensively corrected by Washington and signed by him at the...
GLC01054
29 September 1794
Washington, Martha (1731-1801)
to Fanny Bassett Washington
Discusses Fanny's children's health and schooling, and a possible suitor named Tobias Lear, who was Washington's secretary. In regard to the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania, she notes that "The insurgents in the back country has carr[i]ed...
GLC01055
29 May 1811
Fulton, Robert (1765-1815)
to Thomas Law
Robert Fulton, writing to economist Thomas Law, discusses steamboats, Benjamin Latrobe, and a "western Canal," and attacks John Armstrong for his criticism of Joel Barlow, Fulton, the Smiths, the Clintons, and Fulwar Skipwith. With integral address...
GLC01067
7 March 1809
[Appointment of William Eustis as Secretary of War]
Signed by President Madison and countersigned by Secretary of State Robert Smith. Accompanied by attached seal. William Eustis served from 7 March 1809 to 13 January 1813.
GLC02767
1794/02/23
Lear, Tobias (1762-1816)
to Buchan, the Earl of Erskine re: a portrait of President George Washington by Trumbull and American neutrality.
Buchan, the Earl of Erskine, an English liberal in Edinburgh, Scotland, writes: "I am much pleased to find that the Portrait of our great good Washington meets your Lordship's approbation [. . . .] There is now with Mr. [Benjamin] West in London...
GLC02794.036
1795/12/14
Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829)
to Tobias Lear.
Survey of the Shenandoah River for an arsenal site written as Secretary of State.
GLC02794.041
1803/07/14
to Tobias Lear re: instructions for relations with the Dey of Algiers
Written as Secretary of State to Lear, who was serving as American Consul General at Algiers. Madison's letter of instruction concerns paying the annual tribute to Algiers, handling forged American passports, etc. A postscript adds: "the universal...
GLC02794.052
1805/06/04
Copy of treaty of peace and amity between the United States and Tripoli
In a clerk's hand with copy signatures of Tobias Lear and the various Tripolitan leaders involved in the treaty.
GLC02794.070
GLC02794.071
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