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4 March 1809
Madison, James (1751-1836)
National Intelligencer Extra.
Printing of James Madison's first inaugural address and announcement of his inauguration. Docketed on verso.
GLC04244
3 March 1791
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
[Act of Congress for management of district jails]
Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Signed in type by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate, and approved by...
GLC04259
30 January 1812
Fulton, Robert (1765-1815)
to Oliver Evans
Requests that Evans try out his engine against Watt's and promises that if Evan's's is in any way superior, there will be a good deal of interest in the engine.
GLC04331
May 29, 1788
Washington, George (1732-1799)
to George Gilpin
Writes as President of Potomac Company informing fellow director Gilpin about the arrangements for an impending meeting of the Company's directors at the falls of the Shenandoah River. He stresses that he hopes the meeting will be productive and...
GLC04387
July 9, 1789
to George Walton re: circular to Governors transmitting Act for levying duties
Circular letter, lacking the act of Congress. Trimmed on right edge, with some loss of text. One bust engraving of Washington included.
GLC04388
12 November 1794
Notes on the State of Virginia (George Washington's copy)
Signed by Washington on the title page. The book is the second American edition of Notes on the State of Virginia, published by Mathew Carey in Philadelphia, with original worn sheep binding. Jefferson's book not only covered geography of Virginia...
GLC04389
August 28, 1790
[Appointment of Robert Morris as judge of district court in New Jersey]
Countersigned by Thomas Jefferson. The words "By the President" are written in Jefferson's hand. Endorsed on verso by James Kinsey, stating that Robert Morris appeared on 10 September 1790 and took the oath of office as Judge of the district court...
GLC04421
[April 1789]
Inaugural address [leaf from 1st draft of discarded first inaugural = pp.49-50]
Concerning taxation and the national debt. 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. Sparks regarded the...
GLC04443.01
8 June 1789
to Ebenezer Hazard
Washington requests a report on the general state of the United States Post Office from Hazard, the Postmaster General.
GLC04444
27 February 1798
to William A. Washington
Commisserates with his nephew, Colonel William A. Washington, on the death of his wife. Regrets he cannot find employment for Mr. Ashton, who had been recommended to him by his nephew, as he already has hired a clerk. Notes the grains he uses to make...
GLC04445
23 April 1811
Monroe, James (1758-1831)
to unknown
Written by Monroe shortly after he took office as Secretary of State to unknown recipient. Acknowledges recipient's letter of 15 April 1811. Was pleased with President Madison's offer of the job saying "it was addressed on such fair & liberal...
GLC04453
10 August 1789
to Samuel Huntington re: forwarding act of Congress (not present) on state debts
GLC04467
1798/07/16
Adams, John (1735-1826)
To: John Rutherford.
Call to convene Senate to receive communication (Quasi-War)-Washington's acceptance of command in the event of war with France.
GLC04468
26 July 1798
Russell, John (1764?-1831)
Russell's gazette commercial and political [Vol. IV, no. 41 (July 26, 1798)]
Prints a lot of news pertaining to the Quasi French War. Contains an excerpt from a speech by Theodore Dwight analyzing Thomas Jefferson's Spring 1797 "Mazzei" letter as "a perfect compendium of the French, and anti-federal policy, as exhibited in...
GLC04468.02
1808/01/21
to J. Dorsey re: progress in manufactures, system of weights & measures, decimal
GLC04491
1812/06/17
To: Samuel B. Malcom.
Politics, party & family feuds.
GLC04524
16 August 1800
Marshall, John (1755-1835)
to Rufus King
Written by Marshall as Secretary of State to King as American Minister to Britain. Acknowledges that all letters inclusive to No. 74 have arrived. Says if it is proper, King should send friendly dispositions of the American government after an...
GLC04535
22 December 1807
Gallatin, Albert (1761-1849)
[Announcement of the passage of the Embargo Act to port collectors]
Circular letter addressed to the Collector of the port of Penobscot. The act forbade all exports between the United States and foreign countries, and precipitated the War of 1812. Gallatin was then secretary of the treasury. Signed in type,...
GLC04539
May 1835
Knapp, Alfred (fl. 1835)
An Act for the Government and regulation of seamen [for "Lady Washington"]
Printed official act by the United States Congress outlining restrictions and regulations which will apply to Seamen in the Merchants' Service. Authored by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice...
GLC04543
1804
Derbigny, P. (Pierre) (1767-1829)
Memorial presented by the inhabitants of Louisiana to the Congress of the United States, in Senate and House of Representatives convened. Translated from the French...
(title continues)... Sole copy acknowledged to be conformable to the original. Famous pamphlet expressing the grievances of French settlers in Louisiana after annexation by the United States. "Henry" written on first page. Derbigny signs last page...
GLC04571
April 1807
Smith, Philander (1765-1824)
to Jedediah Smith
Informs his brother in Massachusetts that their brother Philetus has died of an inflammatory illness. Comments on family members and his finances. Says he has withdrawn from public life for he is tired of the ignorance of both Democrats and...
GLC04601.03
26 June 1812
An Act concerning Letters of Marque, Prizes & Prize Goods.
Copy of the act along with "Instructions for the Private Armed Vessels of the United States," in this case, issued to privateer Captain George Taylor of the ship Amiable. Issued one week after the declaration of war in the War of 1812. Signed by...
GLC04616
15 November 1808
[Instructions on Embargo Act enforcement sent to the port collector of Marblehead, Massachusetts]
Circular from Secretary of the Treasury Gallatin instructing port collectors on how to enforce the Embargo Act of 1807 by regulating the lading of ships.
GLC04621
February 1803
Collection of 2 documents pertaining to the United States militia system. See decimalized entries.
The French purchase of the Louisiana Territory from the Spanish outraged many Americans who feared having too strong a neighbor. In response to growing concerns from the western states, Jefferson, with Congressional approval, called for the state...
GLC04626
to state governors
Circular letter urging state governments to maintain strong militias in accordance with the militia system adopted by Congress through an act in 1792 (GLC01959). He comments that having the nation armed is especially important because rights "most...
GLC04626.01
7 February 1803
Varnum, Joseph Bradley (1751-1821)
Report of the Committee Appointed on so much of the President's Message of the 15th December last...
Title continues: "As Related to the Militia Institution of the United States." Argues that when a 1792 Act (GLC01959) establishing a uniform militia is carried out by the states it will provide complete national defense. Not all states have carried...
GLC04626.02
1807/06/10
to Horatio Turpin re: personal law of conduct prohibiting appointing a relative
Writing that he could not appoint a deserving relative, with the comment: "the field of public office will not be perverted by me." The document has been lined previously with Japanese tissue paper.
GLC04627
10 November 1793
to Howell Lewis
Writes to his nephew, who was temporarily serving as overseer at Mount Vernon, about the rain they have been experiencing and the effects on the wheat crop. Mentions that the fields should be plowed soon. Asks Lewis to send him any bills. Requests...
GLC04653
21 September 1801
Latrobe, Benjamin Henry (1764-1820)
to Thomas McKean
Mentions death and burial of his uncle, Colonel Frederic Antes, an upcoming meeting with the "Maryland Commissioners," and his vigorous prosecution of work on the Susquehanna River Survey (which is not mentioned by name). In August 1801, Governor of...
GLC04666
28 August 1812
Additional Instruction to the public and private armed vessels of the United States
Printed letter signed by Secretary of State James Monroe. Orders that public and private armed vessels are not to stop American merchant ships coming from British ports with British goods because of the "alledged" repeal of the British Orders in...
GLC04675.03
9 June 1783
Military discharge of John Brown, soldier in 2d NY Art. Reg. (c/s Trumbull)
Partially printed. The soldier is "John Brown [space] Matrass [?]." He served from 17 March 1781.
GLC04675.08
1790/10/01
Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841)
to the Quarter Master re: ordering forage for a public horse
Written on a quarter sheet of paper.
GLC04675.13
13 January 1807
to Mr. Law
Endorses the plans of Benjamin Latrobe for a canal on the eastern and western branches of the Potomac. Describes the proposed canal. Compares it's potential to bolster commerce to the Duke of Bridgewater's canal in Manchester (which Fulton had...
GLC04687
23 May 1785
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...
GLC04709
1796
A Collection of speeches of the President... to both Houses of Congress
GLC04718
ca. 1870
Laing, Joseph (1828-1905)
Inauguration of Gen. George Washington
This document is a print lithograph of George Washington at his inauguration in 1789. Probably 1870s or 1880s print by Joeseph Laing and published by William Blackman.
GLC04723
4 September 1814
[Commission of Winfield Scott as Major General during the War of 1812]
This document is a record of the commission of Winfield Scott. It is signed by Madison as president and countersigned by James Monroe as secretary of state. The promotion was a brevet "for his distinguished services in the successive Conflicts of...
GLC04735
3 April 1812
Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848)
to Uriah Tracy
Adams writes about the possibility of an amendment against slavery, the fact that the House of Representatives represents freemen, and discusses the New York elections.
GLC04754
30 November 1783
Cruger, Henry (1739-1827)
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...
GLC04776
9 May 1794
to Robert R. Livingston
Monroe, Senator from Virginia, urges Livingston, Chancellor of New York, to accept Washington's offer to succeed Gouverneur Morris as Minister Plenipotentiary to France. Tells Livingston it will be good for the party if he accepts. Says "the effect...
GLC04822
1797/11/14
Jackson, William (1759-1828)
to Sharp Delany re: returning equipment used in surveying
Written from the Surveyor's Office. Jackson signed the Constitution as Secretary of the Convention. In one of his last acts as President, Washington appointed Jackson surveyor of customs at Philadelphia.
GLC04842.25
1787/05/01 [06/01]
McHenry, James (1753-1816)
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
17 January 1797
Land grant transferring land from Capt. Gallohill Minnis to Richard Means
Signed by George Washington as President and countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State. Includes handwritten description of the boundaries of the property. Docket on verso signed by James McHenry as Secretary of War on January 16, 1797...
GLC04842.39
18 March 1789
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...
GLC04860
1 February 1796
to Oliver Wolcott
Responds to a previous letter from Wolcott announcing the death of Samuel Huntington, Governor of Connecticut. Informs Wolcott that "At the same time that I regret the loss of so worthy a character, I cannot but feel consoled; that the...
GLC04861
1 January 1795
Proclamation for day of Thanksgiving and prayer
Setting aside the nineteenth of February as a day of "Public Thanksgiving and Prayer." Compare to other Thanksgiving broadsides: Adams, GLC00270 and GLC01947.
GLC04862
20 January 1788
to John Jay re: prospects for ratification of Constitution
Forwarding some enclosed letters to Europe (not included) and discussing ratification of the Constitution. Mentions decisions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia in adopting the Constitution. Fitzpatrick publishes...
GLC04876
30 May 1797
to William C.C. Claiborne
Thanks him for his "favourable sentiments," noting that "If all our Citizens were actuated by the principles you profess, it would much promote the happiness and prosperity of our Country." In regard to some papers Claiborne requested, Washington...
GLC04877
19 July 1790
to Josiah Bartlett
Sends President of New Hampshire Bartlett copies of "the act for establishing the...permanent seat of the government of the United States" in Washington, D.C. and an act providing for the payment of invalid pensioners (the actual copies are not...
GLC04886
1790/08/12
to Gouverneur Morris re: diplomatic problems with Britain
With separate (disconjugate) docketing leaf. Discusses diplomatic problems with Great Britain concerning American neutrality and the execution of the Treaty of Paris. "We wish to be neutral... if they will execute the treaty fairly." Written at a...
GLC04887
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