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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Showing results 1 - 21

11 April 1776

Hancock, John (1737-1793)

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Barry

Signed by members Hancock, Robert Morris, John Alsop, Richard Henry Lee, Joseph Hewes, George Read, William Whipple, and Stephen Hopkins as members of the Congressional Marine Committee (all but Alsop went on to sign the Declaration of Independence). The Committee praises Barry's capture of the prize sloop Edward. Mentions sending the prize to Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Reports on the presence of Captain Boys and four or five marines at Cape May, New Jersey.

GLC03715

29 April 1776

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

William Whipple, a Continental Congressman, discusses the newly established Continental Navy with fellow Congressman Langdon. Refers to supplying guns to soldiers, and mentions a United States flag with "thirteen stripes red & white for the field, & a Union." Advises Langdon not to resign his Congressional seat in order to accept an appointment as a Continental Naval Agent, stating "such a step would have an avaricious appearance, & on the other hand there can not be a greater evidence of Patriotism than preferring the public good, to ones private interest ...

GLC00194

11 May 1776

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Whipple as a Continental Congressman from New Hampshire. He was also a colonel of militia and later signed the Declaration of Independence. To Langdon as a Continental Congressman from New Hampshire (he was to leave that body in June 1776). References Langdon's's letter of 29 April 1776. Says there was "a little Brush" with the men of war "Roebuch" and "Liverpool." Says the ships came up as far as Wilmington, Delaware and stole cattle from the Jersey shore. Reports that 18 gallies made two attacks on the ships.

GLC00429

20 May 1776

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, a Continental Congressman, discusses the appointment of naval officers with Langdon, Congressman and Continental Naval Agent. Discusses Langdon's suggestion to appoint Captain John Roche, admitting his apprehension that Roche's appointment would "make some uneasiness as there are many Masters of Vessels of good carecter out of employ who perhaps will think themselves neglected." Relates his intention to appoint Captain Thompson (possibly Thomas Thompson) at the first opportunity.

GLC00336

11 June 1776

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Meshech Weare]

Signed "W." by Whipple and "B", by fellow New Hampshire congressman Josiah Bartlett. Asks for New Hampshire's views on the question of independence and states that a committee is being formed for this purpose. Stresses the importance of this subject. Many cross-outs. Letter is written on the address leaf of a letter sent to Whipple in Congress at Philadelphia from Meshech Weare. Docketed "Col. Weare."

GLC05897

16 July 1776

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [John Langdon].

Discusses contracting for guns, military preparations, and the Declaration of Independence. Remarks that independence was proclaimed in the army at New York last Wednesday and a statue of King George III was taken down and cast into bullets, "... for the destruction of this tools of tyranny. May every one of them be properly commissioned." Informs that in a few days 20,000 men will be assembled at New Jersey in addition to the army of York. Writes the Declaration "has had a glorious affect has made these Colonies all alive, all the colonies forming governments. .

GLC03186

7 November 1776

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Docketed by Langdon on verso. Reporting on the difficulties supplying the army and navy, military plans, and the mood in Congress. Mentions a shipment of guns with defects. Comments on officer promotions. Mentions the Marine Committee's answer to a letter from the Committee of Providence. Mentions the petition of an officer to be "Releavd," which he describes as a "Petition for a Public Body to break their own Genl: Rules." He doubts it will pass but states that he will render assistance.

GLC06692

24 November 1776

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, discusses a former request for money submitted by Langdon, naval agent for Continental prizes and supervisor of the construction of several ships. Regarding the money, mentions Langdon's acquaintances Wharton (possibly Samuel Wharton) and Donaldson. Relates that Congress has agreed to increase the Navy by one ship, and requests that Langdon assist in formulating a plan to procure materials such as iron. Discusses obtaining material from France and Spain.

GLC06518

circa 1776-1777

Ellery, William (1727-1820)

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Journal of William Ellery's journey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Dighton, Massachusetts]

Signed "W.E." Discusses his travels and expenses through eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, southern New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Contains descriptions of Moravian settlements near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; imprisoned Tories at Newton, New Jersey; room and board at Fishkill, New York; and news of General William Howe's evacuation of New York. William Whipple accompanied him on his trip.

GLC00107.01

1 February 1777

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, discusses various military and business matters with Langdon, a agent for the Continental Navy. Mentions Miss Wharton. Discusses money submitted to Langdon by the Marine Committee, including a sum transmitted to Langdon by Colonel Bartlett (possibly Continental Congressman Josiah Bartlett). Refers to Mr. Henderson and Mr. [Betten?], who delivered money from Whipple to Langdon. Mentions a ship Langdon was fitting as a result of Mr.

GLC06520

17 March 1777

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Josiah Bartlett

Discusses Continental troop movements, specifically regarding Fort Ticonderoga and New Jersey. Also, rising cost of living and collapsing currency, taxation, Franklin's reception at Versailles, and New Hampshire politics.

GLC05878

21 April 1777

Bartlett, Josiah (1729-1795)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Discusses various Tory conspiracies, such as counterfeiting currency (to cause inflation) and spreading smallpox. Describes the difficulties of recruiting sufficient men for the army. Notes that many men have marched to Ticonderoga. Postscript dated 22 April 1777 mentions the arrival of a French ship. Bartlett represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress.

GLC00193

6 July 1777

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, informs Langdon that despite the efforts of Captain Dudley Saltonstall, the ship Trumbull remains grounded in a Connecticut river. Discusses the cost of moving the ship versus building new vessels. States that while in New London, Connecticut, he saw the vessel intended for Captain Chew (possibly Samuel Chew). Relates information pertaining to Mr. Shaw (possibly Nathaniel Shaw, a Connecticut shipowner, merchant, and Continental agent).

GLC06531

5 August 1777

Morris, Robert (1734-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Morris, a Continental Congressman, discusses naval affairs with Whipple, chairman of the Congressional Marine Committee. Refers to a recent motion in Congress authorizing the Marine Committee to halt the construction of several ships of war. Since the motion was carried, relates that a stop will be put on the construction of a ship in the Connecticut River. Refers to Mr. Shaw (possibly Nathaniel Shaw, a Connecticut shipowner, merchant, and Continental agent) and Captain Chew (possibly Samuel Chew).

GLC06532

01 January 1778

Whipple, William

Letter signed

Title: to the Gov. of Georgia re: lifting the embargo on rice

Signed on verso by Whipple and Gouverneur Morris, both as members of Congress, as well as Nath Snoder [?].

GLC00184.51

23 August 1778

Sullivan, John (1740-1795)

Letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Requests Whipple's opinion on the best course of action regarding the siege of Newport now that "The Count De Estaing...abandoned us in the present Enterprise and opened the Harbour for...Reinforcements." Believes the British have only 6,000 men, while the American forces number "8,174. Rank & File exclusive of 628...Artillery Men." Asks Whipple whether he thinks it best to continue the siege without French naval support and risk the British reinforcing their position by sea, or to attack immediately with what seems a superior force, or to withdraw at once.

GLC04845

13 November 1778

Jones, John Paul (1747-1792)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Jones, Captain of the U.S.S. Ranger, informs Morris, a Continental Congressman, of recent events in France. Reports that in June, a highly esteemed gentleman (who Jones does not name) wrote him a secret letter promising him command of a large ship; the gentleman also indicated that the Ranger was to sail to the United States under another captain. Mentions the involvement of the Prince of Nassau (possibly Prince Charles Otton), and Monsieur de Sartine, head of the French Navy, in procuring the ship.

GLC04797

26 June 1779

Lee, Richard Henry (1732-1794)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Colonel Lee, a Continental Congressman, discusses politics with Whipple, who was in Congress in Philadelphia. Of Virginia, states "We have neither wicked ... or foolish Politicians here, whose misconduct makes us fear for the safety of our country. I have frequently admired the philosophic ease with which you have contemptuously viewed proceedings in Congress that Town shocked me exceedingly." Mentions Samuel Adams's departure from Congress.

GLC06411

24 September 1779

Bartlett, Josiah (1729-1795)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Bartlett, a former Continental Congressman, writes to Whipple, a member of Congress. Mentions John Langdon, a Continental Congressman who, in 1776, became a naval agent for Continental prizes. Refers to the disastrous Penobscot Expedition (in the Penobscot Bay, present-day Maine) led by Commodore Dudley Saltonstall. States "The Misfortune at Penobscot has thrown the Sea Coasts this way into a Consternation ... The Sailors who returned from Penobscot make the most grevious complaints of the Conduct of Capt. Saltonstall ...

GLC05579

8 April 1783

Whipple, William (1730-1785)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Whipple

Informs his brother that "The Treaties of Peace were sign'd," officially ending the American Revolution, and that "The British I suppose are preparing to leave our Territory." Indicates that soldiers will soon be coming home in need of employment. Joseph Whipple was William's only living brother (by blood), although it is possible that the addressee was a brother-in-law.

GLC07700

11 June 1781

Morris, Robert (1734-1806)

Letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Discusses the state of financial affairs and the need for a national bank to stop depreciation of the currency and reduced powers of the government. Writes that he "must apply or support to Gentlemen of your Character and Zeal for the service of their Country." He asks him to subscribe to the bank, and to encourage his friends and fellow citizens to do likewise. "We shall have to appeal to the interests of mankind...."

GLC05898

Showing results 1 - 21