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1807/09/18
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
to Caesar A. Rodney re: transmitting documents for trial of Aaron Burr
Written as President to his Attorney General. Recipient from address leaf. Free franked.
GLC01483
[1789/04]
Washington, George (1732-1799)
Inaugural address [leaf from 1st draft of discarded first inaugural = pp.57-58]
Concerning trade and population growth, with allusion to the postal service, newspapers and manufactures. This was a first draft which Washington later discarded. The manuscript was disassembled by Jared Sparks (whose unsigned autograph note...
GLC01589
9 June 1792
to Thomas Jefferson
Recommends purchasing land and building a facility rather than leasing space for the United States Mint. So that "all the applications may be brought to view," letters and engravings are "to be shewn to the Director of the Mint" and brought to...
GLC01996
13 May 1799
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...
GLC02337
3 March 1783
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
to Benjamin Lincoln
Later copy. Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Congratulates Lincoln on the "glorious termination of our struggles." References Lincoln's letter of 22 February. Agrees with Lincoln on "the efficacy of the funds you mention...
GLC02437.01972
16 March 1783
Later copy of GLC02437.02009. References his letter from "a few days past." Says that letter mentioned a meeting of officers called for by a paper circulating around camp. Says "The meeting was had yesterday, and the General will forward the...
GLC02437.02007
15 April 1783
Humphreys, David (1752-1818)
to Henry Knox
Writes in response to Knox 's letter about Thomas Coffin (see GLC02437.02087). Humphreys encloses a passport for Coffin (not present), given by Washington, on the stipulation that Governor John Hancock has also given permission for Coffin to travel...
GLC02437.02091
13-23 September 1783
United States. Congress
[Resolution]
Copies of two resolves. The first offers the thanks of Congress to General R. Howe for the manner in which he conducted the inquiry into the Pennsylvania Line mutiny; the second resolves to transmit the former to George Washington and have him relay...
GLC02437.02559
18 October 1783
[Proclamation to dissolve the army]
Signed secretarially for Elias Boudinot and Charles Thomson. Congress's resolution to dissolve Continental Army. This resolve was originally enclosed with a letter from George Washington to Henry Knox dated 23 October 1783, GLC02437.09394. Penned in...
GLC02437.02676
1 December 1783
Ogden, Samuel (1746-1810)
Wants to know when General George Washington will be in town so he can pay his respects before Washington returns to Virginia. States that the treatment of Loyalists in New York City is much to the honor of the U.S. military and nation as a whole...
GLC02437.02815
21 February 1784
to George Washington
Knox reflects on the Revolutionary War: "Your calm retreat to Mount Vernon must be a source of ineffable delight to you. You can from there take a retrospective view of the critical exigencies of the War, and see a thousand ways by which the issue...
GLC02437.02960
4 March 1784
Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786)
Discusses his family, stating "My feelings are more flattered by domestic duties than public bustle." Comments on credit being given to George Washington (and himself) for service during the Revolutionary War, noting "there are others no less...
GLC02437.02971
25 September 1786
Colonel David Humphreys, who has been elected to the Connecticut Legislature, writes to Knox about his opinions about the state militia. Wants to obtain a copy of the report he wrote for Congress on the subject. Would like his opinions in order to...
GLC02437.03302
21 December 1786
Writes, "The insurgents who were assembled at Worcester in Massachusetts have disbanded- The people at Boston seem to be glad at this event and say it was the effect of fear- But the fact is that the insurgents effected their object, which was to...
GLC02437.03385
14 February 1787
Fleury, François-Louis Teissèdre, vicomte de (b. 1749)
Written from "Port Louis, Isle of France," present-day Port Louis, Mauritius. Relates that Mr. Sears stopped at the Isle of France on his way to and from Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China), and brought him a letter from Major Samuel Shaw. Fears...
GLC02437.03454
1 April 1787
Gorham, Nathaniel (1738-1796)
Believes that George Washington's attendance at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia "will add weight to their proceedings - the spirit of electioneering has exceeding any before known ... " Discusses the election for the Massachusetts...
GLC02437.03510
25 July 1787
to Marquis de Lafayette
References Lafayette's letter of 5 May 1787. Says the letter gave information that was "truly important and evinces that the french nobility possess the true spirit of justice & liberality." Tells him that there are dangers and that he "must not...
GLC02437.03616
14 January 1788
Knox updates Washington on various state conventions meeting to decide on ratification of the United States Constitution. Writes, "The new Constitution has hitherto been as well received as could have been expected considering the various existing...
GLC02437.03762
16 February 1798 - 23 February 1798
Sumner, Increase (1746-1799)
[Resolution regarding distribution of lands in the Waldo patent]
Appointing a surveyor to settle a dispute over lands within the Waldo patent. Some of the lands recently granted to Waldo's heirs were withing the holding of the Plymouth company, and this overlap must be resolved. Also signed by Samuel Phillips...
GLC02437.09265
31 May 1787
Later copy of a letter written to Henry Knox, briefly discussing the begining of the Constitutional Convention, and his election as chair of the Convention. Copy made on 1 February 1854 according to note at top of first page.
GLC02437.09315
30 December 1794
Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, thanking Knox for his valuable public service, as Knox is about to retire as Secretary of War. Copied from original 7 February 1854 according to note on first page.
GLC02437.09321
23 September 1783
Later copy of a letter to Henry Knox, discussing many issues regarding the military and Congress. Among the issues discussed are compensation from Congress for officers who served during the revolution, his affection for these officers, the division...
GLC02437.09325
26 December 1786
Later copy of a letter written by Washington to Knox, discussing the "disorders which have arisen in these States." Discusses the variosu hardships and difficulties facing the young nation, and requests Knox's thoughts on the subject. Worries about...
GLC02437.09332
24 September 1792
Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, thanking Knox for information he previously sent within his private letters. Mentions Mr. Hammond, Mr. Penn, and Andrew Hamilton. Asks how Pennsylvania State officers, including Mr. Morris (possibly...
GLC02437.09347
2 March 1797
Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, thanking Knox for a letter recently received. Offer condolences to Knox for his recent losses (several of Knox's children died 1796-1797, including his seven year old son named after George Washington)...
GLC02437.09350
1 June 1786
Transmits a letter (not included) and asks Knox's advice regarding the Society of the Cincinnati. Notes that all papers of the Society are in the care of the Society's Secretary General, thus he cannot answer Mr. Jefferson's questions (possibly...
GLC02437.09396
20 February 1784
General Washington writes to Knox, who had been Chief of the Continental Artillery during the Revolutionary War. Recently visited his "aged Mother," Mary Ball Washington. Thanks Knox for so diligently reporting the state of the garrison and stores...
GLC02437.09404
28 February 1785
Washington encloses letters "under flying Seals" to the Count de Rochambeau and the Marquis de Chastellux "introductory of Mr. Swan." Also includes certificates for Lieutenants Seaver and Henley (no documents included). Discusses suspending a...
GLC02437.09405
10 January 1788
Discusses which states are ratifying the Constitution, and predicts its success. Notes "The determination of New York, of all others, seems most problematical; and yet, I can hardly entertain an idea that she will be disposed to stand alone..."...
GLC02437.09415
30 March 1788
Relates that he received a letter from Knox, and that Mr. Madison informed him Knox had recovered from a "severe indisposition." Discusses ratification of the Constitution at state conventions, commenting that New Hampshire's behavior has baffled...
GLC02437.09417
17 June 1788
Received Knox's previous letter on the eve of departure for Fredericksburg, to visit his mother. Doubts acceptance of the United States Constitution by the Virginia Convention for ratification. Accuses Anti-Federalists of creating jealousies and...
GLC02437.09418
14 June 1793
Marked "private" by George Washington at the top of page one. Addressed to The Secretary of War (Knox). Comments that a ship has arrived from New Orleans, carrying several Ohio residents. Asserts that the United States Government should be...
GLC02437.09427
circa July - August 1789
[Indian treaties]
Discusses treaties with the Indians, particularly the Creeks. Mentions a land dispute between the natives and settlers in Georgia, which has been a major roadblock to obtaining a treaty. Date previously inferred, written in pencil.
GLC02437.09985
28 February 1807
to Wilson Cary Nicholas
Written as President to his close friend Wilson Cary Nicholas whom he asks to run for the House (he did and won) and to write him unreservedly with facts and opinions. Docketed by recipient. Nicholas died the year before Jefferson and is buried at...
GLC00290
5 February 1789
to Samuel Powel
Washington writes to Powel, Mayor of Philadelphia, one day after being elected as the first President of the United States. States that he delivered enclosures previously sent from Powel to his nephew, Bushrod Washington. Predicts that the majority...
GLC00310
11 November 1807
Adams, John (1735-1826)
to Benjamin Rush
Addressed to "My dear Phylosopher [sic] and Friend," this letter discusses George Washington, France and scientific societies. Adams dwells ironically at great length upon those "talents" which brought about Washington's "elevation above his Fellows...
GLC00424
25 March 1793
to Gouverneur Morris
Discusses his non-involvement in foreign affairs. The death that called Washington to Mount Vernon was that of his nephew, George Augustus Washington, who died of tuberculosis.
GLC00494
[ 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
4 December 1805
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
July 12, 1801
to Elias Shipman & others
An important letter responding to their protest about the dismissal of Elizur Goodrich in favor of Samuel Bishop. Goodrich was a "midnight" appointee of Adams, two weeks before leaving office. An important letter defending the care with which he...
GLC00964
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
5 February 1788
Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing the vote on whether to adopt the Constitution in Massachusetts and Virginia. Copy made 8 February 1854.
GLC02437.09339
19 November 1790
Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing an expedition against the Wabash Indians. Expresses disappointment in General [Josiah] Harmer. Expected little from Harmer, after hearing he was a drunkard. Instructs Knox to present other...
GLC02437.09343
26 August 1790
[Proclamation regarding the violation of treaties made with the Choctaw and Chicksaw tribes]
President Washington warns citizens of the United States against violating certain treaties previously negotiated with Native American tribes. Instructs civil and military officers of the United States to govern themselves according to the treaties...
GLC02437.09397
Lamenting Shays' Rebellion, writes "I feel, my dear Genl. Knox, infinitely more than I can express to you, for the disorders which have arisen in these States. Good God! who besides a tory could have foreseen, or a Briton predicted them!" Alludes to...
GLC02437.09409
25 February 1787
Thanks Knox for several letters, which put his mind at ease regarding General Benjamin Lincoln's military operations (Lincoln led the Massachusetts state militia in Shays' Rebellion) and the dignity of Government. Congratulates Knox on the recent...
GLC02437.09411
2 April 1787
Relates reasons for not wanting to attend the Constitutional Convention, including the possibility that all states might not attend (rendering representation partial). Notes that if all Delegates attend with the power to address and cure the defects...
GLC02437.09412
19 August 1787
Discusses the Constitutional Convention, and cannot predict the result. Hopes Congress, the states' legislatures, and the community at large will adopt the government agreed upon in the Convention. Is convinced that such government is the best that...
GLC02437.09414
1 April 1789
One of Washington's most famous letters, written shortly before going to New York for his inauguration. Washington writes about his apprehensions on assuming the presidency: "my movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied with feelings...
GLC02437.09419
26 December 1791
Transmits a letter from Colonel Nicholas, who Washington describes as an "influential character in Kentucky." Sends Knox the letter without asking Nicholas's permission. Notes that the transmitted letter pertains to the lack of confidence the...
GLC02437.09423
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