Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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6 March 1799

Adams, John (1735-1826)

Broadside

Title: [Proclamation of a day of solemn fasting due to religious persecution]

Includes the printed signatures of President John Adams and Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Free frank signed by Pickering on the verso. Proclaims a fast day for 25 April 1799 due to religious persecution in Europe and the naval war with France. The addressee's name has been erased. Evans 36497.

GLC01947

7 March 1799

Adams, John (1735-1826)

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Samuel C. Crafts as Commissioner for fifth division of Vermont]

Countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Crafts was given power to act as one of the five commissioner in Vermont under "An Act provide for the valuation of lands and dwelling-houses and the enumeration of slaves within the United States." The act was passed on 9 July 1798 after the XYZ Affair became public and the public clamored for war. Five days later, on 14 July 1798, another act was passed to lay and collect a direct tax within the United States. The monies collected from this tax were designated to help arm the country for an impending war with France.

GLC04426

7 March 1799

Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Pitcairn

Written by Pickering as Secretary of State to Pitcairn as American Consul in Hamburg. Based on previous information from Pitcairn, Pickering says dispatches sealed in false bottoms of tubs owned by three mulattoes, one white man, and one white woman have been seized. Pickering forwarded the information to South Carolina Governor Edward Rutledge, who had the dispatches seized from the ship Minerva in Charleston. They are being examined by General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Encloses a report and two copies of Elbridge Gerry's correspondence, which are not included.

GLC02381

14 March 1799

Hamilton, Alexander (1757-1804)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

In this very personal letter from Hamilton to Knox, Hamilton says, "My judgment tells, I ought to be silent on a certain subject-but my heart advises otherwise and my heart has always been the Master of my Judgment." He continues, "Believe me, I have felt much pain at the idea that any circumstances personal to me should have deprived the public of your services...." Hamilton insists he must remain silent as to his opinion about this unspecified matter.

GLC02437.07244

17 March 1799

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Smith tells Knox that Smith has "consented once more to, enter into the tented field." Smith reminds Knox of a book he gave Knox of portraits of European soldiers. Smith asks that Knox give it "to the President." (Smith is President John Adams's son-in-law.)

GLC02437.07245

27 March 1799

McHenry, James (1753-1816)

Letter signed

Title: to William North

Written in a secretarial hand and signed by McHenry as Secretary of War to Brigadier General North as Adjutant General of the Provisional Army during the Quasi War. McHenry reminds North that the law organzing the Provisional Army states the Adjutant General shall be the ex-officio assistant Inspector General. Since Alexander Hamilton has been called to serve as Inspector General, North is to consider himself under Hamilton's orders.

GLC02542.19

2 April 1799

Hamilton, Alexander (1755-1804)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William North

Written by General Hamilton as commander of the Provisional Army to Brigadier General North. Says he has enclosed a letter from the Secretary of War that explains itself (the letter is not included here). Says he wishes to see North as soon he arrives in New York. Says if any measure is necessary for his temporary accommodation, in terms of a substitute, he will work with him. Says there is an immense need for someone to perform the duties of Adjutant General.

GLC02523

6 April 1799

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Beaumez writes to Knox about how valuable letters from his friends in America are. He mentions the letters from Mrs. Knox and their daughter Lucy, as well as Thomas Flucker, Beaumez's stepson. Beaumez say, "though I am but an adoptive citizen of the U.S., I feel all proper sense of Duty and attachment towards the country that has afforded me so much hospitality and protection." Beaumez is disgusted with French treatment of America. He talks of his commercial interests and gains both in America and in India.

GLC02437.07254

14 April 1799

Beaumez, Sarah Lyons Flucker (fl. 1784-1801)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lucy Knox's sister, Mrs. Beaumez, writes Knox of her concerns for her sons. She is happy for Thomas Flucker's good behavior, but worried about Francis. She is considering sending them to England and expresses her wish that peace come to France and America. Talks of her husband's business affairs in India and doesn't think they should leave until he has more money.

GLC02437.07257

April 1799-February 1800

Gallup, Lodowick (fl. 1799-1800)

Manuscript

Title: [Orderly Book, 13th Regt., kept by Lt. Gallup during Quasi-war with France]

An unsigned record of the 13th Regiment as it prepared for what was thought to be a war with France. Following the passage of a law providing for a provincial army, Washington appointed Alexander Hamilton Inspector General. After Washington's death in 1799, Hamilton became Commander in Chief of the Army. The orderly book includes orders from Hamilton, instructions from Hamilton regarding funeral services after Washington's death, and Hamilton's organization and planning for the regiment.

GLC03997

05 May 1799

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Marked private. In response to McHenry's private letter of April 29, which was a response to Washington's letter of April 23. Washington, commander of the Provisional Army created in 1798 in response to French aggression, wrote to McHenry, Secretary of War in the Adams Administration, on the issue of rank and pay in the army. Officers who lived farther away from the capital received their commissions later than those who lived closer. Since rank was calculated by time of acceptance, those living farther away felt slighted.

GLC00204

13 May 1799

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

In reply to McHenry's letter of 2 May 1799. Written as commander of Provisional Army created during the fear of a French invasion to McHenry as Secretary of War in the Adams Administration. They are attempting to find the best candidates to fill openings in the officers' ranks. Washington claims he does not know the rising generation of Virginia as he did when the Revolution broke out since he does not leave home very often.

GLC02337

15 May 1799

Hamilton, Alexander (1757-1804)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Written by Inspector General of the United States Army Hamilton during the Quasi-War with France to Secretary of War James McHenry in Philadelphia. Recommending Alexander Macombe (misspelling Macomb's last name) to his attention. Macomb, born in 1782, would have a long and distinguished military career and was commanding general of the United States Army from 1828 until his death in 1841. Docketed by McHenry, who spells Macomb's name correctly on the docket.

GLC01490

27 May 1799

Barron, James (1769-1851)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Barry

Captain Barron informs Commodore Barry that he will leave for Philadelphia the following Sunday and will meet Barry thereafter. Reports that Commodore Thomas Truxtun, noted for his success during the Quasi War, "has been Received in this Place with every marke of respect and attention ... " Mentions Hampton Roads, Virginia, a naval port. States "The Bow pnt will be attended to but the dimintions are wanted."

GLC02500.01

6 June 1799

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Washington as commander of Provisional Army during Quasi War to James McHenry, Secretary of War. References McHenry's letters and enclosures of 11, 19, 21 May 1799 and his letter of 13 May 1799 to McHenry. Washington claims he cannot get enough information to fill officers positions in Provisional Army, even after writing John Marshall and Henry Lee. Mentions that McHenry does not want to have public advertisements to solicit applications and Washington says he will continue to search for applicants.

GLC06435

1799/07/07

Adams, John (1735-1826)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry re: War Department's fiscal needs

Written as President to his Secretary of War. Numbered at top 173.

GLC02793.008

27 July 1799

Adams, John (1735-1826)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: James McHenry

Fear or rising debt and taxes. Written as President to his Secretary of War. Adams approves McHenry's raising a company of cavalry [sic] but worries at cost. "This system of Debts and Taxes is levelling all government in Europe." JA was staying at his home at Quincy at the time

GLC00103

30 July 1799

Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829)

Letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Marked duplicate. Written by Pickering as Secretary of State to Bourne, a merchant and Counsel General of the United States to the Netherlands. Acknowledges letter of 10 May 1799. Pickering says he can return to America, despite the United States Minister to the Netherlands William Vans Murray's mission to Paris. Murray went to Paris as part of the a final peace mission to end the Quasi War, along with Patrick Henry and Oliver Ellsworth.

GLC02326

11 August 1799

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

McHenry served as Sec. of War. Mentions appointment of ambassadors to France during Quasi-war and newspaper accusations by William Duane against federalist officials (in a July editorial) for supposedly accepting bribes. Humorous letter (on bribery) with hinted approval of Sedition Act. Marked "Confidential" in the text.

GLC00604.01

17 August 1799

McHenry, James (1753-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Dayton

References Dayton's letter of 16 August 1799. Writes to tell Dayton, Senator from New Jersey, that he should tell his brother that the three regiments being raised in New Jersey for the Provisional Army during the Quasi War with France might not quarter there. Dayton's brother wanted a contract to provide rations for the three regiments in the year 1800, but McHenry fears he based his contract on the fact the three regiments would remain in New Jersey. Says the regiments might actually quarter in Carlisle, Pennsylvania if the barracks prove feasible.

GLC05229

09 September 1799

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gov. Edward Rutledge [S.C.] re: European war, military preparedness

GLC00122

10 September 1799

Stoddert, Benjamin

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smith

Written as Sec. of Navy during the Quasi-War regarding the capture of American ships by the French and British.

GLC05989

21 September 1799

Hamilton, Alexander (1755-1804)

Letter signed

Title: to Major Bewell re: Bewell's appointment as head of recruiting party in Vermont

Detailed instructions on supplies, strategies preparing for war with France

GLC06818

17 October 1799

Adams, John (1735-1826)

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of William North as an Adjutant General with the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army]

Partially printed engraved document signed by John Adams as President and countersigned by Secretary of War James McHenry. Engraved by Thackara & Vallance of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Features two detailed patriotic images. Docket signed by John Caldwell of the War Department.

GLC02516

22 November 1799

Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Discusses the appointment of a consular agent at Embden, mentioning a Mr. Gregory as a possible appointee. Notes changes in France's government (Napoleon's seizing of power), doubting that it will produce a general peace in the Quasi-War between the United States and France. States that it is unlikely that "Prussia will interfere in any manner for the restoration of Peace, or that she could do much to bring it about were she ever so inclined to attempt it." Mentions two principles as the foundation for the war, but does not specify them.

GLC03298

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