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28 May 1801
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
to Maria Eppes
Writes to his daughter about her health, his desire for Maria's presence in capital, and planning for her to visit. Waterstaining slightly obscures the text.
GLC03641
14 April 1813
Adams, Abigail (1744-1818)
to Catherine Smith
Writes to her granddaughter that parting with the children was "a weight upon my heart." Mourns the death of a sister, who was not able to say goodbye to her husband and children. Thanks Catherine for her letter and says she is longing to see her...
GLC03889
3 December 1807
to Henry Voigt
Commissions Voight to make him a gold watch for his granddaughter.
GLC03941
13 May 1806
Marshall, John (1755-1835)
[Certifying "true copy" a Thomas Jefferson letter to John Walker]
Marshall's endorsement certifies this "true copy from the original shown me by Mr. Walker which I believe to be in the hand writing of Mr. Jefferson." James Madison also certified the letter, but his certification is written in Marshall's hand. The...
GLC05506
1 January 1814
Wilson, John (1777-1848)
to Aaron Hobart
On the political matters of the day he describes Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin, who later that year was appointed one of the commissioners to negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, "as the Political index to guide us in the path to be pursued...
GLC06313.04.031
1808/12/29
to Dr. William Bentley re: thanks for botanical specimens and illustrations
President Jefferson, writing shortly after his last Christmas in the White House, acknowledges receipt of the gift of some botanical speciments and drawings from the pen of Miss Crownenshield. Bentley (1759-1819) was a Unitarian Minister in Salem...
GLC06675
1 November 1805
Madison, James (1751-1836)
to William Jarvis
Secretary of State Madison discusses wine, crops, Dolley's health, and problems with Europe. Jarvis was American consul at Lisbon.
GLC03330
September 1807 ca.
Adams, John (1735-1826)
To Benjamin Rush
Scathing assessment of Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and Lafayette. "Washington had great advantages for obtaining Credence. He possessed a great Fortune, immense Lands, many Slaves, an excellent Consort, no Children."
GLC08023
1805/03/12
to Ann Welsh re: denying pension to widow of Revolutionary War officer
"Having fallen during the war, no right of half pay could arise in their case . . . A legislature must follow general rules, and never do for one person what they would not do for every other under the same circumstances . . . [commutation] has never...
GLC07172
4 November 1813
Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845)
to David Holmes
Informs Mississippi Territory's Governor Holmes that on 2 November 1813, General John Coffee attacked the Creek Indians at Tallaseehatchee in upper Alabama, killing 186 warriors and taking 86 women and children prisoners. Concludes: "If I had...
GLC07371
1814/11/12
Morris, Phebe (fl. 1814)
to Anthony Morris re: War of 1812
Terms offered by nation Britain have "contributed more than any circumstance whatever to unite all parties in the resolution of repelling unitedly, the enemy;" burning of the White House: "It would have shocked you my dear papa to have heard how many...
GLC07721
5 March 1814
Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814)
to James Madison
Responds to a letter from Madison in which he told Gerry that Parliament had abolished the Courts of Session in Middlesex. Gerry considers the news "laughable." In a long note after his signature he comments on the popularity of a certain Mrs...
GLC01814
29 November 1814
to Richard Rush
Addressed to Rush as Attorney General in Washington, D.C. Encloses a letter received from her son, John Quincy Adams, to the President, James Madison, and states that he may read the political parts to the President if he desires. States that the...
GLC02291
18 September 1808
Randolph, John (1783-1833)
to Frances Bland Coalter
Written by Randolph as a Virginia Congressman to his sister. Writes after learning she has been ill and hopes to visit the warm springs at which she is recuperating. Says he would have been home sooner but an unexpected demand for money left him...
GLC00496.212
circa 1804-1854
Thatcher, Lucy Flucker Knox (1776-1854)
to Charles Davies
Letter is possibly a copy. Relays an anecdote she heard about her father, titled "Anecdote of [George] Washington." "Washington always kept this useful & scientific officer near his own person; he not only honored him with confidence, but with...
GLC02437.09898
22 March 1810
Moncrieffe, John (fl. 1807-1810)
[Bill of sale for two enslaved people]
One bill of sale dated March 22, 1810 signed by William Payne and John Moncrieffe. The document details that two enslaved people named, Peggy and Hager were sold for $438.51 to Johnathan Lucas. Moncrieffe, the attorney for George P. Cosseral and his...
GLC00496.226
7 December 1813 - 2 May 1815
Green, Joseph W. (fl. 1812-1815)
[Journal of a privateer and of prisoner of war during the War of 1812]
Diary written while aboard the privateer Alfred and as a prisoner of war in Melville Island Prison, Halifax, and Dartmoor Prison. Records many sightings and occasional capturing of ships. Entry on 22 February 1814 records the capture of Green's...
GLC00498.01
08 December 1812
to Dr. Benjamin Rush re: dream of American glory, early history
"The history of the hobby horse" -p.4 (Adams's humorous name for the story he tells in this letter.) Free frank on p.4
GLC00599
13 November 1813
Crew, Isaac (fl. 1813)
[Deed record for Mrs. Ann Gibbons]
Recorded deed from Mrs. Ann Gibbons to Henry and Margaret Gibbons. Crew signed that the doucment was recorded in the books of the Camden County, Georgia Clerk's office, Superior Court.
GLC00658.04
17 September 1807
Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841)
An Act concerning the introduction of Negroes & Mulattoes into this Territory
One clerical copy of a document entitled, "An Act concerning the introduction of negroes and Mulattoes into this Territory," dated September 17, 1807. Pertains to Black enslaved people over the age of 15, in the Indiana Territory which the government...
GLC00697
12 July 1806
Ellery, William (1727-1820)
to George Wanton Ellery
Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Encloses a pair of socks, enlarged by Nancy. Hopes that George will use his remaining time at school well. Discusses the question as to whether or not Lombardy poplar and...
GLC02300.25
6 August 1806
Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Would be glad to know if George wishes to be at the "commencement in Cambridge." If so, he should be "here on the 18th of this month, for commencement is on the 27th." Has been...
GLC02300.26
20 June 1804
Hamilton, Alexander (1757-1804)
[Indentures for the sale of a farm on the Raritan River in New Jersey]
Also signed by Ann Pierce, Charles Wilkes, and Henry Brockholst Livingston. Records a sequence of ownership of a farm property. Pages 1 and 2 are the indenture of Ann Pierce selling a farm "on the south side of the Raritan River in the county of...
GLC02308
30 April 1813
to George G. Channing
Thanks his grandson for his letter and advises him to stop apologizing so much for the delay in writing. Apologizes for the character of his own writing, which has resulted from not taking proper care of his pen. Discusses his understanding of...
GLC00108.06
10 February 1811
Woodlief, Peter (fl. 1810-1811)
to Hannah Woodlief
Informs Hannah of his return along with her sister to Petersburg in the middle of March. Goes on to plan a convenient time for her to come with her aunt and cousins to stay with him there during "the autumnal months."
GLC01896.001
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