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25 March 1777
Gordon, William (1728-1807)
to Catharine Macaulay
Seeks her help writing a history of the Revolution. Planned a contemporaneous account of the Revolution, which he claims is authorized by Washington.
GLC01791.01
24 August 1775
Warren, Mercy Otis (1728-1814)
Refers to the present dangerous affairs due to British barbarity. Alludes to "the Bravery of the peasants of Lexington." Describes the investment of a colonial army led by Washington and the beginnings of a representative government in Massachusetts...
GLC01800.02
7 January 1777
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
to Lucy Knox
Asks if she has received his previous letter (GLC02437.00511). Details the fighting from 2 January onward. Discusses the American retreat from Trenton, for which the artillery provided cover, Washington's decision to next attack Princeton where...
GLC02437.00514
5 February 1780
to George Washington
Sends Washington the "volume of pamphlets belonging Governor [Jonathan] Trumbull." For several days, Knox has retained the pamphlet written by Governor Pownall and hopes to be able to browse through the volume again when Washington is finished...
GLC02437.00800
circa 1776-1777
Ellery, William (1727-1820)
[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...
GLC00107.01
27 May 1776
Wendell, John (1731-1808)
to unknown
Written by Wendell, a wealthy, well-connected merchant in New Hampshire to an unknown recipient. References a previous letter he wrote that mentioned political sentiments. Does not go into detail. Mentions a report of the broken American siege of...
GLC00252
17 October 1780
Paine, Thomas (1737-1809)
to Nathanael Greene
Begins by stating that he is thankful no one can publish his letters after his death since he does not write any. Discusses the treason of Benedict Arnold and the British spy John Andre. Comments on the capture of Andre and wonders why Andre was...
GLC04454
1779
Morris, Gouverneur (1752-1816)
Observations on the American Revolution
Morris' notes on the conduct of Biritish and American forces, and on the revolution. Published by Styner & Cist.
GLC01450.805.01
24 February 1779
Unknown
[Payments made by Congress]
Short list of debits and credits of the Continental Congress from 31 October 1778 to 24 February 1779, relating to the printing of "Observations on the American Revolution," written by Gouverneur Morris. Two debits are to the printers Styner & Cist...
GLC01450.805.02
Bowdoin, James (1726-1790)
Requests assistance in writing a history of the present disputes. Reports the American people "continue spirited & determined." Complains "the English now in America seem to have lost all that humanity for which they were justly famed."
GLC01791.02
15 April 1775
Stiles, Ezra (1727-1795)
Parliament's repressive laws have inflamed Americans; criticizes Britain for not sharing its triumph over France with its colonists. Convinced that the colonists are capable of governing themselves and that American legislatures should prepare for...
GLC01798
31 January 1778
Walpole, Horace (1717-1797)
Discusses French criticism of her History and likens the ideal of a free America to that of ancient Israel. With Macaulay's note on p. 3 "I should not have..." Hopes that "a System of genuine Freedom may arise in America."
GLC01799
1780
Burke, Edmund (1729-1797)
An impartial history of the war in America... to 1779
Printed for J. Milliken. With large folding plate opposite titlepage, "A New Map of North America" [no imprint] and accompanied by 13 additional plates, all fanciful depictions of American and British leaders.
GLC01842
1782
Trumbull, John (1750)
M'Fingal: A modern epic poem [signed by Samuel Jones]
Signed by New York Jurist and patriot Samuel Jones. First complete edition, printed by Hudson and Goodwin. Collateral to John Adams ALS to John Trumbull, GLC 1228.
GLC01865
22 August 1781
Knox, William (1756-1795)
to Henry Knox
References Henry's letter of 8 August 1781. Updates Henry on news he has heard. Says the French fleet was to have left Newport the day before to connect up with the Compte De Grasse, who is supposed to be nearing the continent with more French ships...
GLC02437.01153
12 October 1781
Wigglesworth, Edward (1732-1794)
At a meeting of the Corporation of Harvard College.
Copy of Harvard Corporation's vote of thanks to Granville Sharp of London for a donation of a six volume Polyglot Bible and seven copies of Sharp's "The Law of Retribution" to Harvard's library. The copy was sent by Wigglesworth to William Knox...
GLC02437.01220
17 October 1781
to William Knox
Indicates that he has enclosed copies of a vote of thanks from Harvard College to Granville Sharp for a donation to the library that was conveyed through Knox (see GLC02437.01220). Asks that when Knox arrives in France he send thanks to Sharp, who...
GLC02437.01236
23 January 1782
Written by William Knox to his brother Brigadier General Henry Knox. Good travel description of France before the Revolution. Tells of his journey from L'Orient to Nantes. Arrived in Nantes on 1 December and stayed until 8 December. Goes on to...
GLC02437.01338
6 May 1782
Written by William Knox to his sister-in-law Lucy Knox. Inquires of her health and jokingly calls her newborn son [Marcus Camillus] "the little Roman Stranger." Goes on to say that "I have a good will to be offended that you did not think William a...
GLC02437.01410
18 March 1777
Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824)
Badly misses Henry and hopes to hear from him, her only comfort being her young baby, Lucy Flucker Knox. Hopes that he cries when thinking of her hardships. Reports that William Knox, who she calls Billy, has set out for Newburg, in order to...
GLC02437.00553
20 March 1779
Agrees with William that commerce is a profitable venture. Quotes Shakespeare: "There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken [at] the flood lead[s] on to Fortune..." Discusses William's previous proposal, which apparently involves buying...
GLC02437.00753
21 May 1779
Recaps a letter he recently sent to William, in which he urged William to sail directly to Amsterdam instead of stopping in France. Mentions letters of introduction he previously sent for William's voyage to Europe, noting he will also ask the Baron...
GLC02437.00763
26 August 1780
Dundas, David, Sir, Bart (1749-1826)
to James Dundas
Discusses sending his ill wife away to convalesce, referencing an essay by Montaigne in which he mentions being fonder of his wife after they have been apart. She will be "Sea Bathing, which I believe to be the most powerful restorative we have."...
GLC02549.13
24 May 1781
Mentions the marriage of D. Erskine and the parliamentary elections. Describes his first visit to the opera, which he detested. Compares listening to songs in foreign languages (he does not understand) to "those poor bigots who say their prayers in...
GLC02549.17
11 December 1780
to James Dundas [fragment]
Discusses his wife Isabella's bathing in the sea for health reasons, describing the Russian practice. Notes that James became corpulent and compares him to "Sir. J: Falstaff." Gives news of various old friends, including one currently in India....
GLC02549.59
4 May 1778
Amory, Jonathan (fl. 1778-1779)
[Receipt for William Knox]
William Knox bought 20 dictionaries, a dozen memorandum books, and a dozen small memorandum books. The total is £34.15.4.
GLC02437.08428
13 May 1778
Badger, John (fl. 1778)
[List of books bought at vendue]
List of books bought at vendue. Includes Pliny's "Letters," Cole's "Dictionary," and "Telemachus. All in all about 50 books seem to have been purchased. The total came to £31.7.0. Signed by Badger that payment was received.
GLC02437.08430
1778
Hartley, David (1732-1785)
Letters on the American War
A collection of letters sent to the mayor, wardens, and burgesses of Kingston upon Hull. Letters related to American Revolution, called a "very alarming state of national affairs." Accuses great Britain of tyranical rule, urges recognition of...
GLC02154
24 December 1782
Adams, John (1735-1826)
to Charles W. F. Dumas re: need to conclude a peace treaty (treaty of Paris)
Written as American Peace Commissioner in Paris. Dumas served as an American agent in the Hague. Requests a copy of G. Pownal's Pensees sur la Revolution &c. Adams writes "We cannot say whether we are to have Peace or not. I wish the definitive...
GLC03296
1776
Simes, Thomas
New military, historical & explanatory dictionary
GLC03449
1780-1820 circa
Savage, Gideon (1751-1833)
[Proverb and song sheet of Gideon Savage]
First side of sheet has a list of proverbs, each written about 5 or 6 times. "A great number does not always argue strength," "peace of mind being secured, we may smile at misfortune," etc. The back of the sheet has the lyrics to a popular ballad...
GLC01450.013.13
1777
Bromfield, Eliza (b. 1763)
[Composition and sentiment book]
Mostly contains poetry. Eliza was the daughter of Henry Bromfield from his second marraige to Hannah Clarke.
GLC01450.030.02
21 November 1777
Powars & Willis (1776-1801)
Independent chronicle and the universal advertiser. [Vol. X, no. 483 (November 21, 1777)]
Prints the transcript of part of a court case involving a Mr. Horne and Lord Mansfield. Includes a long poem, news from Philadelphia, Fishkill, New Haven, and Boston. Also includes public notices and information on the lottery.
GLC01450.452.04
5 October 1780
Hamilton, Alexander (1757-1804)
to Elizabeth Schuyler
Begins a dramatic love letter to his fiancee with, " I have told you, and I told you truly that I love you too much . . . I meet you in every dream. . . I am to be thus monopolized by a little nut brown maid like you and from a Statesman and soldier...
GLC00773
Hamilton, A. Jr. (fl. 1769-1785)
Town and Country Magazine or Universal Repository of Knowledge, Instruction and Entertainment for the Year 1776. [Vol. 8, (1776)]
Eighth annual volume of a periodical journal that resembles the Gentleman's Magazine and London Magazine in format and style. 12 monthly issues bound in original leather. Includes many engraved plates. Indexed at the end of the volume. Printed...
GLC03457
August 1777
Henry, David (1710-1792)
The Gentleman's magazine. [August 1777]
Excerpt of the magazine, including pages 354- 404. Contains several letters pertaining to Generals George Washington and William Howe (British) discussing the exchange of prisoners. Includes various letters to Urban, the editor, pertaining to...
GLC08865
25 September 1780
Pendleton, Edmund (1721-1803)
to James Madison
Mentions companies engaged in promoting the development of the West, the attack on St. Augustine, Florida, the military draft, and Virginia's claims in Ohio. With penciled quotation in later hand on bottom annotating "Hotspur" in Pendleton's letter...
GLC00099.047
1781
Delolme, Jean L. (fl. 1781)
The Constitution of England... [3rd edition]
Jean-Louis Delolme's treatise The Constitution of England, published in multiple French and English editions, is said by R. R. Palmer to have had greater impact on pre-Revolutionary continental views of British politics, than did the Montesqieu's...
GLC03771.02
1778/01/24
Wilkie, J. (fl. 1757-1823)
The London chronicle. [Vol. 43, no. 3298 (January 24, 1778)]
Contains new of the Revolutionary War, debates in the House of Commons, the House of Lords, literary essays, and local London news.
GLC08690
24 March 1782
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
To Francois Barbede Marbois
The delay in transmitting to Marbois letters containing his notes on the State of Virginia. Jefferson states that he: "...was obliged by the movements of the enemy to retire from my house at the same time, to which I did not return till the month of...
GLC08029
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