Special Collections at The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
PO Box 3600Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Telephone: 703-799-3600
URL: http://archives.mountvernon.org
Alison Wells, Special Collections Archivist
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. The library reserves the right to restrict access to certain items for preservation purposes.
Preferred Citation
[Name and date of item], Rickert collection of founders' autographs, [Folder], Special Collections, The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Biographical / Historical
Wayne and Grace Rickert donated the collection of founders' autographs to the Washington Library in 2021.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains 41 manuscripts dating 1770-1831. Many of the manuscripts date from the era of the American Revolution, and several are directly relevant to the course of the war. Among the documents are single letters by John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette, James Madison, John Marshall, James Monroe, Paul Revere, and George Washington, as well as letters and other documents that include the signatures of signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by author.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Correspondence
- Rickert, Wayne
- United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Adams, John, 1735-1826
- Ball, Burgess, 1749-1800
- Bartlett, Josiah, 1729-1795
- Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814
- Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
- Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811
- Clark, Abraham, 1726-1794
- Dayton, Ebenezer, 1744-1802
- Dayton, Elias, 1737-1807
- De Berdt, Dennis, Jr.
- Ellery, William, 1727-1820
- Fell, John, 1721-1798
- Fitzgerald, John, -1799
- Floyd, William, 1734-1821
- Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
- Gates, Horatio, 1728-1806
- Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814
- Gordon, William, 1728-1807
- Hall, Lyman, 1724-1790
- Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804
- Hancock, John, 1737-1793
- Harrison, Benjamin, approximately 1726-1791
- Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799
- Hewes, Joseph, 1730-1779
- Holker, John, 1745-1822
- Hooper, William, 1742-1790
- Hopkins, Stephen, 1707-1785
- Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791
- Huntington, Jabez, 1719-1786
- Huntington, Samuel, 1731-1796
- Jay, John, 1745-1829
- Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
- Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834
- Langdon, John, 1741-1819
- Lee, Charles, 1731-1782
- Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797
- Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794
- Lee, William, 1739-1795
- Lewis, Francis, 1713-1803
- Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
- Livingston, William, 1723-1790
- Madison, James, 1751-1836
- Marshall, John, 1755-1835
- Mitchill, Samuel L. (Samuel Latham), 1764-1831
- Monroe, James, 1758-1831
- Morris, Robert, 1734-1806
- Mumford, Thomas, 1728-1799
- Nelson, Thomas, 1738-1789
- Paine, Robert Treat, 1731-1814
- Patton, John M. (John Mercer), 1797-1858
- Penn, John, 1740 or 1741-1788
- Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829
- Revere, Paul, 1735-1818
- Rickert, Wayne
- Rodney, Caesar, 1728-1784
- Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813
- Rutledge, Edward, 1749-1800
- Sayre, Stephen, 1736-1818
- Searle, James, 1730-1797
- Smallwood, William, 1732-1792
- Walton, George, 1749 or 1750-1804
- Washington, George Augustine, approximately 1759-1793
- Washington, George, 1732-1799
- Weare, Meshech, 1713-1786
- Whipple, William, 1730-1785
- Witherspoon, John, 1723-1794
- Wolcott, Oliver, 1726-1797
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- France
- New York (N.Y.)
- United States -- History -- French and Indian War, 1754-1763
- United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
Container List
John Adams writes William Plumer, New Hampshire Senator and Governor, discussing the Fries Rebellion of 1799 in Pennsylvania. He pardoned armed tax resisters, including John Fries, convicted of treason. Letter, signed. 1 page.
Letter from Josiah Bartlett to William Whipple regarding the movement of American and British forces in New York and New Jersey. He outlines the many challenges that the revolutionary cause faced in New York, New England, and generally, including supply and money problems, the health of the troops, and the persistence of divided loyalties in the aftermath of the Americans declaring independence. Bartlett signed the Declaration of Independence and served as governor of New Hampshire during Washington's presidency.
Autograph letter signed, 2 pages.
Aaron Burr writes to the President of the Senate, Thomas Jefferson, when the United States was almost at war with France in 1798, offering to provide information about New York City's defense plan to the state legislature. He writes, "As one of the Committee appointed by the inhabitants of the City of New York to direct the temporary defence of the said city I have been instructed to give to either House of the Legislature such information as may be in my power relative to that object. Pursuant to such instructions I shall chearfully [sic] attend the Senate or any Committee thereof for that purpose whenever required". Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Aaron Burr writes to Thomas Hill Hubbard regarding a legal case. He writes "In the case of Jackson... vs Varick and Bacon, I pray you to transmit to me, so soon as may be convenient to you, a copy of the Rule which was entered at the last term on my motion to amend the case and Bill of Exceptions - also certified copies of the affidavits which were produced on each side, those offered by the Depts to be certified separately... so that one my be used without the other. Also certified copies of the Rules entered on the Trials... in the several cases of W.D. Craft vs Baldwin Ex of Elias Baldwin and A. Burr is the same - note the changes, which will be remitted". Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Chase writes to William Smallwood, President of the Maryland State Senate, regarding his recent appointment as Chief Judge of the General Court of Maryland and his subsequent resignation from his previous role. Autograph letter signed, 1 page.
Abraham Clark, a New Jersey delegate, writes to Col. Elias Dayton, an experienced veteran, to inform him he has not won the promotion he sought. Clark writes, "Congress is impressed with the necessity of observing economy in the public expenses and having been formerly too profuse in the promotion of officers determined to stop their hand. They say N.Jersey hath our Major Gen. and by the reduction proposed we shall have but two Regiments. What prospect have I then of obtaining another Genl. officer... We have had no recommendation for this measure either from the Genl. [Washington] - The Legislature- or even the brigade. You mention the promotion of Genls. [Nathanael] Greene and [Daniel] Morgan, but their appointments were... requests from Maryland [actually Rhode Island] and Virginia, this cannot be offered in your favour. I see the embarrassment the subject is under." Clark adds that "Genl. Sullivan hath wrote to the Genl. desiring his opinion... and desired me to postpone any proposals respecting you, till he rcd. an answer." He concludes, "There stands the matter. I wish the arrangement of our Brigade could be postponed...that some favourable occurrence might offer in your favour." Autograph letter, signed. 2 pages.
Letter from Commercial Committee of Congress, Francis Lewis, James Searle, and John Fell, to Thomas Mumford. Francis Lewis is a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Letter is requesting gunpowder for American Independence, "...This committee have lodged monies in the hands of the agents at St.Eustatia to procure powder... If therefore you will enclose us your order on Messrs. Milner and Haynes for the remainder for the fifty tons of powder they had contracted to deliver, our agents will immediately pay them the balance that may be due to them. As we shall send a vessel to St. Eustatia in a short time we must beg your answer by return of post..." St. Eustatia, an island in the Caribbean, was a center for contraband trade during the Revolutionary War. Letter signed. 1 page.
Petition from Ebenezer Dayton to the Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Dayton confesses how he did "flee from there [New York] as a refugee, leaving his lands in the power of the enemy", and petitions to acquire a "whaleboat". William Floyd, Dayton's neighbor, certifies Dayton's claims. Floyd is a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Autograph , signed, 2 pages.
William Ellery writes a 'Private & Confidential' letter to an unknown recipient regarding Daniel E. Updike's health circumstances and ability to work due to alcohol. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages.
Benjamin Franklin writes to General Charles Lee in order to introduce Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense. Autograph letter, signed. 2 pages.
True copy of a General Horatio Gate's letter to John Hancock, in Hancock's hand. Gates writes to Hancock regarding a court martial of Col. Donald Campbell. Letter signed. 1 page.
Elbridge Gerry writes to John Adams, President of the United States. He writes "If an answer, to the letter which your excellency proposed to write to Mr. Pickering on my concerns, is received, I will do myself the honor of waiting on you at any time which may best serve your convenience. Mrs. Gerry unites with me in best respects to yourself and Lady. Be assured, I remain Dear Sir with every sentiment of attachment." Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Lyman Hall, Governor of Georgia and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Mrs. Street (possibly his sister) regarding health and life post Revolutionary war. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Alexander Hamilton writes to Colonel John Fitzgerald, while he waits for the Treaty of Paris to arrive. He writes "The enclosed letter is for Mr. Bowman who married Mrs. Cattle. I am told he is at Alexandria which makes me trouble you with the letter. Should he have left that place for South Carolina, I will thank you to forward it to him. No definitive treaty yet arrived nor any thing else of importance new. I write in Congress..." A cessation of hostilities had been proclaimed by the British in February and by Congress in April. The provisional peace treaty, negotiated in Paris, was ratified by Congress on April 15, but a long delay ensued before the signing of the final treaty in Paris, 1783 September 3. Both Hamilton and Fitzgerald served as aides-de-camp to Washington during the Revolution. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes a letter to an unknown sir. He writes regarding a Capt. Cherry. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Patrick Henry writes to the unidentified 'County Lieutenant of Berkely [Berkeley].' He writes "You are hereby directed to furnish General Hand with the numbers of men he may call from your militia to defend the frontier or challenge the Indians." Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
William Hooper, away from the Continental Congress to visit his mother, writes to Joseph Hewes and John Penn regarding General Clinton. Hooper was a member in all five North Carolina Provincial Congresses, a member of the Continental Congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Stephen Hopkins, Governor of Rhode Island and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Christopher Harris during the French and Indian War, ordering a Colonel to take forces to Albany and join Major General William Johnson for a campaign against the French at Crown Point. Autograph document, signed. 2 pages.
Francis Hopkinson, Esq., Judge for the Courts of Admiralty for the State of Pennsylvania, directs Clement Biddle Esq., Marshall for the court, to "sell at public venue the sloop or vessel called the Polly her guns, tackle, apparel, furniture and all and singular the goods, wares and merchandise laden and found on board her at the time of her capture and that after deducting the costs and charges of the trial condemnation and sale out of the monies arising from the said sale you divide the residue of the said monies into two equal parts one of which you are to pay overunto the agent or agents of the owners of the Brigantine or Vessel called the Fair American to and for their use and the other you are to pay over unto the Agent or Agents of the Officers and Crew belonging to the said Brigantine Fair American to and for their use and if it shall happen that any of the said owners officers or crew shall neglect to appear either in person or by agent to receive their respective shares of said monies then you are forthwith to bring such shares into this court to the intent the same may remain ready to be paid to them whenever they are their agents duly authorised may appear and demand the same according to the Resolves of Congress the usages of nations and the Act of Assembly of this state in such case made and provided and how you shall have executed this writ make return to me at a court of Admiralty to be held at my chambers in Philadelphia on the tenth day of November together with this writ given under my hand and the seal of the court twentieth day of October in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one." On verso, Biddle responds confirming sale of the Sloop Polly and cargo. Autograph document signed, 2 pages. Hopkinson was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Samuel Huntington, President of the Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of the Independence, writes to Jabez Huntington, regarding preparations being made to prepare for the invasion of the British Navy. Letter mentions William Williams, another signer of the Declaration of Independence and Esek Hopkins, Commander of the Continental Navy. Autograph letter, signed. 2 pages.
John Jay, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to an unknown Sir, regarding court and Mr. Antell's affidavit. Autograph letter, signed. 2 pages.
Thomas Jefferson writes, while he was the U.S. Minister to France, to William Gordon about the actions he has taken to assist Gordon's efforts to write a history of the American Revolution, and conveys his thoughts on what market may exist for the publication in France. Gordon conducted part of his research for his history at Mount Vernon. Gordon published The History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment, of the Independence of the United States of America: Including an Account of the late War, and of the Thirteen Colonies from their origin, to that period, 4 vols. (London: William Gordon, 1788). Letter also mentions Marquis de la Fayette. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Lafayette writes to George Augustine Washington. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Francis Lightfoot Lee, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to agents De Berdt, Lee & Sayre regarding the sale and purchase of 80 hogsheads and tobacco. Autograph letter, signed. 4 pages.
Richard Henry Lee, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to John Langdon congratulating Langdon as a judge and describing his ill health. Autograph letter, signed. 2 pages.
James Madison, Secretary of State, writes to Mitchill regarding court testimony, possibly in reference to Smith and Ogden trial. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to John Mercer Patton of Virginia regarding a court case and Judge Johnson. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
James Monroe, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to an unknown sir, regarding the sale of enslaved people. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Robert Morris, member of the Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to John Langdon regarding business relations with John Holker. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Thomas Nelson, signer of the Declaration of Independence and brigadier general in the Continental army, writes to General George Weedon, of Richmond, updating him on the mobilization of Virginia's defenses against a British incursion in the Hampton Roads area. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Attorney General for the State of Massachusetts, Robert Treat Paine, signer of the Declaration of Independence, files a complaint against the respondent Margaret Draper, as she "levied war, and conspired to levy War against the Government and people of this Province, Colony, and State; and then and there adhered to the King of Great Britain, his fleets and armies, enemies of the said Province, Colony, and State; and then and there did give them aid and comfort". Partially printed document, signed by the author, with notes in his hand. 1 page.
Timothy Pickering, Secretary of War and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Burgess Ball to inform him that the president has not selected his Potomac land for the location of a federal arsenal. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Paul Revere writes a discharge certificate for Caleb Legg. Autograph document, signed. 1 page.
Caesar Rodney, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to an unknown recipient, ordering "that the Guard be strengthened with a Captain and twenty four men to be furnished from all the Troops now in town proportion to their numbers". Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Armand John DeRosset Sr., regarding Rush's "second volume of medical inquiries" about his "principles on dropsy and pulmonary consumption". Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Edward Rutledge, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to an unknown Sir regarding the legal proceedings in a land dispute. Date is unclear, could be February or July. Autograph letter, signed. 3 pages.
George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Major General Benjamin Lincoln seeking his help regarding sums for the military being misapplied by citizens [Georgia] and hung up in the Department of the Army resulting in shortages for the troops in the Georgia militias. Autograph letter, signed. 2 pages.
George Washington writes to Burgess Ball, regarding Ball's interest in the federal government purchasing some of his land for the construction of an arsenal. Washington indicates that he will leave the matter to the Secretary of War, Timothy Pickering, and not discuss it further, lest their family connection lend an appearance of impropriety. Ball was married to Frances Washington, the daughter of George's brother Charles. Autograph letter, signed. 3 pages.
William Whipple, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to President Meshech Weare [New Hampshire] regarding the recent arrival of Mr. William Trail from Bermuda. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to William Livingston, Governor of New Jersey, regarding the safe passage of a British deserter, Humphrey Belcher, through American lines. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.
Oliver Wolcott, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to his wife, Laura Wolcott. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.