Inventory
The Orrin W. June Collection on the War of 1812 now consists of over 100 letters, notes, certificates, broadsides and other ephemera. Most of the letters were written during the war period or shortly after. There are letters from three U.S. presidents represented. There is also correspondence from a historian, Benson J. Lossing , who researched the period in the 1850 and 1860s. There are also approximately 160 cataloged bound volumes and pamphlets now.
Search the Online Catalog
Manuscript Inventory
1. 1788, SEPT. 1. A[lexander] J[ames] Dallas, Philadelphia.
To Stephen Chambers.
Receipt for subscription to Dallas’s Reports of cases…in the Supreme Court
of Pennsylvania…
D.S. 7 ¼ x 3 inches.
Printed form filled in.
Endorsed, "1 Sept. 1788. J. Dallas rect for part of my subscript for his
Reports".
Dallas was Secretary of the Treasury 1814 - 1816, as well as acting Secretary of War for a week in 1815. Earlier he had been a successful
lawyer in Philadelphia, with several legal publications to his credit.
2. 1795, JULY 29. W[illia]m H[enry] Harrison, Headquarters, Greenville, [Ohio]
The commissary will issue for the use of two men released from captivity with the Indians four pounds of beef and flour & two gills of whiskey.
A.N.S. On
scrap of paper 6 ¼ x 3 inches.
Early in his military career Harrison was aide de camp to General Anthony Wayne at the battle of Fallen Timbers and the
conclusion of the Treaty of Greenville.
3. 1797, MAR. 14. William Hull, Boston.
Rec. of Jones & Bass one hundred & ninety pounds 18/2 in full due on
sales dated 13th inst.
A.N.S. 7 x 3 inches.
Signature assumed to be that of General Hull, commander at Detroit.
4. 1802, APR. 5. J[ohn] Mason,
Geo[rge] Tow[n, D.C.].
To Gen[era]l Samuel Smith, [Washington, D.C.].
Urging immediate notarization of a document sent by Mason.
A.L.S. 1p. 8 ¾ x 7 ¼
inches.
Enclosure missing.
Addressed on verso: Genl. Samuel Smith m[ember of] Congress.
foot by Mr. P. Cates.
During the war as Commissioner for
Prisoners, Gen. Mason had a part in sending Francis Scott Key to negotiate for the exchange of a civilian prisoner during the bombardment of Ft. McHenry in
Sept., 1814. Key was detained over night by the British and watched the bombardment until "the dawn’s early light."
5. 1802, MAY 15. Th[omas] T. Tucker,
Washington, [D.C.].
To Samuel Bishop.
Treasurer of the United States acknowledges receipt of drafts on the Secretary of War which sums are passed to
Bishop’s credit.
A.L.S. 1p. 10 x 8 inches.
6. 1802, SEPT. 22. Capt. Geo[rge] Izard, West Point.
To General [Callender] Irvine, Superintendent [of]
Military Stores, Philadelphia.
Thanks for attention given to his request for drums. Asks that they be paid for and gives suggestions for distribution to
the companies in his battalion.
A.L.S. 2p. 9 ¾ x 7 ¾ inches.
In 1814 as major general, Izard was in command of the troops in New York
State.
7. 180, OCT. 30. Bill of lading for goods shipped from Amsterdam to Stephen Dutilh,
Philadelphia.
D.S. 1p. 9 ½ x 6 inches. Printed form filled
in.
Endorsed, "Amstm 30 Oct. 1806. Sh: Speedwell. Thos Wills bill of lading for sundries, shipped by J.H. & I. Dutilh".
The sundries were mostly gin
and ‘naills’.
In the early stages of the Napoleonic wars American ships became the chief neutral carriers. The large volume of commerce brought great
prosperity to the central and northern seaboard cities until Napoleon’s decrees and the British Orders in Council closed practically every European port. This
cargo left Amsterdam less than a month before the first decree was issued in November, 1806.
7-A. 1810, DEC. 18. Presuming that no Question will be made as
to the Truth of the Facts stated in
the following interesting Affidavit, it is Reprinted, in order that the Public may see what a Game has been going on in
America for the Purpose of Crimping Sailors out of the British Navy; and the miserable Situation in which British Seamen are placed, who have the Misfortune of
falling into the Hands of American Crimps, or Masters of American Merchantmen. London, Printed by W. Winchester & son, [1811?].
Broadsheet. 24 ½ x 47
inches.
Reprints, in double column, affidavit of John Harrington, Joseph Armstrong and James Young, seized in New York and forced into American service.
This affidavit, dated New York, December 18, 1801, was sworn before Charles Christian and certified by Robert Macomb, August 1, 1811.
8. 1812, FEB.
15. W[illiam] Eustis, War Department, [Washington, D.C.]. To Col. Jonathan
Williams, Commandant, U.S. Engineers, Philadelphia.
Secretary of War asks the
Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army what additional fortifications will be needed for the defense of New York harbor.
A.L.S. 1p. 10 x 8 inches.
9. 1812,
MAR. 12. W[illiam]Eustis, [Secretary of War, Washington, D.C.]. To John M[ichael]
O’Conner [i.e., O’Connor], [City of New York].
Notifying O’Connor that
he has been commissioned first lieutenant of artillery.
D.S. 1p. 10 x 8 inches.
Printed form filled in.
Cover with address included.
O’Connor, whose name appears frequently among their papers, rose to be major of artillery and Assistant Adjutant General of the Northern Army before his
discharge in June, 1815. Six months later he was reinstated with the rank of captain. In 1817 he published his Treatise of the Science of War and
Fortification which was accepted by the War Department for use at West Point. (cf. Sidney Forman’s West Point, a History). There is a copy of the Treatise in
the June Collection. Letters show that he was in France in 1818 and 1820 and had been admitted to the École d’Application de l’Artillerie et du Génie at Metz.
(See no. 84). This was an advanced school usually open only to French officers graduated from the École Polytechnique in Paris. Whether he actually attended
the school is not clear. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, June 1, 1821.
10. 1812, MAR. 19. John M[ichael] O’Connor, New York. To
William Eustis, Secretary of War,
[Washington, D.C.].
Accepts commission as first lieutenant in artillery.
A. Cy. S. 1p. 8 ¾ x 7 ¼
inches.
11. 1812, APR. 30. [Lt. Col.] John Chrystie, New York. To Callender Irvine, [Superintendent of
Military Stores], Philadelphia.
In the
absence of Col. Schuyler, writes unofficially to ask quickest way to get tents and arms for the volunteers he is enlisting. Fears they will desert for want of
equipment and employment. Local election is proceeding quietly.
A.L.S. 1p. 10 x 8 inches.
Col. Peter Philip Schuyler was commanding officer of
Chrystie’s regiment, 13th Infantry of the Regular Army.
12. 1812, MAY 14. [Governor] Daniel D. Tompkins, Albany, [N.Y.]. To Lt. Col. [Christopher P.]
Bellinger, [Herkimer County].
Detailed instruction for handling assignment as commander of Black River Detachment (New York State Militia). No offensive
operations, only protect the frontier from invasion. Bank at Utica will provide funds up to 1,000 dollars.
L.S. 3p. 9 ¾ x 8 inches.
Endorsed,
"Letter Rec’d from Governor of State, May 14, 1812, at Herkimer". This letter is printed in Public Papers of Governor Tompkins (Military), v.2, p.
608-609.
13. 1812, JUNE 11. B[rigadier] Gen[era]l W[illia]m Hull, Urbana, [Ohio}.
Directs Quartermaster General Taylor to pay Wm. McGrew’s bill for
bricks received by Henry Hafer[?] to build ovens to provision the troops for march through the wilderness toward Detroit.
D.S. Scrap of paper 7 ¾ x 4
inches.
Written on both sides. Probably not personally signed by Hull.
14. 1812, JULY 20. John Armstrong, La Bergerie [near Barrytown], Dutchess Co.,
[N.Y.]. To
Governor [Daniel D.] Tompkins, Albany, [N.Y.].
Regrets that he has no place on his staff for Mr. McClean [McLean] unless given (as he expects)
a more important command. Will mention the young man to Mr. Eustis.
A.L.S. 1p. 10 x 7 ¾ inches.
Endorsed, "July 20, 1812. From General Armstrong to
the Com. in chief".
Armstrong had recently been commissioned brigadier general in the N.Y. State Militia, to be in charge of the defense of New York City.
In January, 1813, he succeeded William Eustis as Secretary of War. John McLean, Jr. was a private secretary to Gov. Tompkins, whose letter recommending him is
printed in the Governor’s Public Papers (Military), v.3, p. 33. McLean’s situation is explained on p. 20.
15. 1812, JULY 29. Geo[rge] Hosmer, Aid[e] de
camp, Niagara Frontier, [Lewiston, N.Y.?].
General orders. The quarter master general is ordered to procure for the use of the army on the Niagara
frontier, forty boats or batteaux and have same in readiness with the greatest dispatch. By order of the Major General [Dearborn].
A.D.S. 1p. 10 x 8
inches.
Endorsed, "Orders for the Quarter M. Genl. for bldg Boats".
See also no. 25.
16. 1812, AUG. 28. Ja[me]s Monroe, Secretary of State, Washington,
[D.C.].
Armed vessels of the U.S. are not to interrupt American owned ships coming from British ports carrying British merchandise in consequence of the
alleged repeal of the Orders in Council. Give aid and assistance to them so that ships and cargoes may be dealt with on arrival by competent authorities. By
command of the President.
Printed D.S. 1p. 10 x 7 ½ inches.
17. 1812, SEPT. 1. [Maj. Genl.] Stephen Van Rensselaer, General Headquarters, Lewiston,
[N.Y.].
To Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, [Albany, N.Y.].
Hull’s surrender has caused alarm in western New York and particularly in Chautauqua county. Has
had to send detachments to reassure the people. British appear to be gathering reinforcements at Ft. George. Soldiers under his command are becoming mutinous,
demanding pay and discharges. Like those in Col. Bellinger’s regiment.
L.S. 2p. 9 ½ x 8 inches.
Tipped in folder: Clipping from sales catalogue
describing and pricing this letter. For what may be the Governor’s response, see his Public Papers. Military., v.3, p. 108-112.
18. 1812, SEPT. 10. R. W.
Nelson, Poughkeepsie, [N.Y.]. To [Derick B.] Stockholm, [Richmond
Fort, Staten Island, N.Y.].
Personal letter about taking over Stockholm’s office while
he is in military service. Comments on progress of the war. Hull’s surrender a disgrace, but capture of the Guerriére an omen of ultimate success.
A.L.S. 2 ½p. 10 x 8 inches.
Stockholm is not listed as an officer in the New York State militia until 1814, when he was Adjutant of the 4th Artillery
Regiment, from Dutchess County. However, he must have already been in service with this or some other Dutchess County unit, as indicated in reference to
Governor Tompkins’ correspondence attached to the transcript of this letter.
19. 1812, SEPT 10. Morgan Lewis, Quartermaster General, Albany [N.Y.]. To
Gov[ernor] [Daniel]
Tompkins, [Albany].
Directions for moving and provisioning a small detachment such as Capt. Sizer’s company for the march [from Utica
to Sackets Harbor].
A.L.S. 1p. 10 x 8 inches.
The reply to Governor Tompkins’ letter (Public Papers [Military], 1807 – 1817, v.3, p. 112-113) that
this detachment must be moved faster than some others had been and asking how it will be done.
Endorsed, "General Lewis, 10 Sept. 1812".
Evidently
removed from its mounting in a letter book.
20. 1812, SEPT. 26. David Reid.
Receipted bill for a map of Ohio purchased by order of General Harrison and
for having same carried by an express from Dayton to Picqua.
D.S. 1p. 7 ½ x 5 3/8 inches.
Paid by Thomas Bodley, Q[uarter] M[aster] G[eneral],
[Kentucky] M[ilitia].
Endorsed, "no. 46, David Reid. 26 Sept. 1812. Map & Express Riding $7—
Harrison preparing for the winter campaign of 1812-13.
He had just been put in command of the Western Army and directed to defend the frontier and to recapture Detroit.