Help complete a Transcription!

Every now and then, a document gets only partly transcribed. It’s important to keep this in mind when you are looking through the documents nominated for transcription; if the first page has already been transcribed, read through to make sure it is the whole page, and then click through the document. You may be able to help us by completing the transcription!

If you are interested in helping us to wrap up these loose ends, here are a few documents which were started but have not yet been completed:

Community Transcription – Thirty-Five Months

In the thirty-five months since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, we have continued to add transcribers. We are still receiving daily requests for transcription accounts.

Here is a snapshot of transcription activity in the last month:

As of this morning, we have 1,758 users, with approximately 34 new transcribers signed up since the last update. Those volunteer transcribers have made 12,280 saves to War Department documents, which is about 94 additional edits since the last update. We also know that, on average, each document is edited about three times before it is finished. Moreover, we have had 139,190 total page views.

Request for Transcribers: The Jay Treaty

The Jay Treaty with Great Britain was very controversial at the time. In this letter to Baltimore merchant Robert Oliver, Secretary of War James McHenry warns that if the House doesn’t appropriate funding for the Treaty, the British will not withdraw their troops from the Western posts.

Community Transcription – Thirty-Four Months

In the thirty-four months since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, we have been steadily adding transcribers. Nearly three years in, we are still receiving daily requests for transcription accounts.

Here is a snapshot of transcription activity in the last month:

As of this morning, we have 1,724 users, with approximately 64 new transcribers signed up since the last update. Those volunteer transcribers have made 12,186 saves to War Department documents, which is about 115 additional edits since the last update. Additionally, transcribers have initiated a little over 500 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that, on average, each document is edited about three times before it is finished. Moreover, we have had 128,738 total page views.

Request for Transcribers: Eli Whitney and the manufacture of muskets for the War Department

Patent law was nothing like it is today.  This in part explains why Eli Whitney’s cotton gin did not bring him much money.  In fact, for much of the 1790s, Whitney  was consumed with patent infringement lawsuits.  Financially desperate,  he turned to the manufacture of muskets for the War Department. As it turned out, this was not much of a success either.  Whitney was supposed to complete the manufacture of over 10,000 muskets by 1800, but didn’t finish delivering the arms until 1809. In this 1798  document, the Secretary of Treasury requests that Samuel Hodgdon provide musket stocks for Whitney.

Community Transcription – Thirty-Three Months

In the thirty-three months since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, we have been steadily adding transcribers. What started with just a dozen or so volunteers has grown into an active, vigorous community of volunteer transcribers.

Here is a snapshot of the last two months of transcription activity:

As of this morning, we have 1,685 users, with approximately 64 new transcribers signed up since the last update. Those volunteer transcribers have made 12,071 saves to War Department documents, which is about 565 additional edits since the last update. Additionally, transcribers have initiated roughly 500 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that on average, each document is edited about three times before it is finished. Moreover, we have had 121,692 total page views.

Request for Transcribers: Beginning of the Quasi War with France, May 1798

This important document highlights the initiation of the undeclared war with France,  later known as the Quasi War.  Here, Secretary of War James McHenry conveys instructions from President Adams to the Commanders of a number of United States naval vessels.

Community Transcription – Thirty-One Months

In the thirty-one months since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, we have been steadily adding transcribers. What started with just a dozen or so volunteers has grown into an active, vigorous community of volunteer transcribers.

Here is the monthly snapshot at our transcription activity:

As of this morning, we have 1,621 users, with approximately 79 new transcribers signed up since the last update. Those volunteer transcribers have made 11,506 saves to War Department documents, which is about 150 additional edits since the last update. Additionally, transcribers have initiated roughly 500 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that on average, each document is edited about three times before it is finished. Moreover, we have had 104,958 total page views.

Community Transcription-Thirty Months In

In the thirty months since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, we have been steadily adding transcribers. What started with just a dozen or so volunteers has grown into an active, vigorous community of volunteer transcribers.

We offer here yet another snapshot at our transcription activity.

As of this morning, we have 1,538 users, with approximately 50 new transcribers signed up since the last update. Those volunteer transcribers have made 11,506 saves to War Department documents, which is about 200 additional edits since the last update. Additionally, transcribers have initiated 494 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that on average, each document is  edited about three times before it is finished. Moreover, we have had 93,069 total page views.

What is a Letterbook?

If you are looking at an image that contains multiple documents with unusually neat penmanship, you are looking at a letter book. Letter books are simply copies of original letters bound together in a book and usually organized chronologically. Making such hand written copies was the job of a clerk. Among many other qualities, clerks had to have good penmanship. That’s why these letters are so easy to read.
There are numerous letter books in the Papers of the War Department collections. The letter books of Generals such as Anthony Wayne, for example, furnish us a picture of his Fallen Timbers campaign-both in terms of what he sent to the War Department and what he received from Henry Knox. The letter books of accountants such as Joseph Howell and William Simmons have thousands of entries.

Community Transcription-Twenty Nine Months In

In the twenty-nine months since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, we have been steadily adding transcribers as well as finished documents to our archive. What started with just a dozen or so volunteers has grown into an active, vigorous community of volunteer transcribers.

We offer here yet another snapshot at our transcription activity.

As of this morning, we have 1,490 users-fully 238 them have transcribed within the last 90 days, which is just under 15%. This number has dropped very slightly, but continues to hold relatively steady. Those volunteer transcribers have made 11,296 saves to War Department documents, which is about 90 more than at the last update. That works out to 2,112 finished documents, along with another 27 documents begun. Additionally, transcribers have initiated 491 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that on average, each document is edited about three times before it is finished. Moreover, we have had 86,757 total page views.

Nominated Document Spotlight-Oversight, or Overcharge?

Are you a new transcriber who wants to see begin your transcription with a short, easy-to-read document? Are you a seasoned transcriber discouraged by very challenging historic handwriting? This week we ask for your help with another document that has not yet been transcribed. Written by James McHenry to William Simmons, this two-page document alleges that a William Colfax (who makes a living selling rations to the military) has been selling goods at a higher rate than is allowed by his contract. McHenry asks that Colfax be formally notified about the discrepancy and given a chance to correct it.

Nominated Document Spotlight-Murder and Mischief

Are you a new transcriber who wants to see how hard it is to unravel historic handwriting? Are you a seasoned transcriber looking for a bigger challenge? This week we ask for your help with another document that has not yet been transcribed. Written by Robert Rankin to Thomas Lewis, this four-page document includes a report on incidents of murder and theft on the Ohio River by assailants in boats. The letter references whiskey, and murder, and the taking of prisoners. It is a slightly challenging document-the handwriting is good, but the image is not perfect.

Community Transcription-Twenty Seven Months In

In the twenty-seven months since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, we have been steadily adding transcribers as well as finished documents to our archive. What started with just a dozen or so volunteers has grown into an active, vigorous community of volunteer transcribers.

We offer here yet another snapshot at our transcription activity.

As of this morning, we have 1,426 users-fully 237 them have transcribed within the last 90 days, which is just under 16%. This number has dropped very slightly, but continues to hold relatively steady. Those volunteer transcribers have made 11,226 saves to War Department documents, which is about 54 more than at the last update. That works out to 2,009 finished documents, along with another 31 documents begun. Additionally, transcribers have initiated 462 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that on average, each document is edited about three times before it is finished. Moreover, we have had 79,809 total page views.

Nominated Document Spotlight-Knox Considers the Constitution

This week we’ll depart from our usual spotlight and bring you a document that has not yet been transcribed. It appears to have been written by General Henry Knox.  In it, Knox refers to the U.S. the Constitution,  and he mentions New York and Virginia.

Please help us get this document transcribed and into the historical record.

You may read and transcribe the original document here.

Next week we’ll feature another installment in our transcriber spotlight series.

Document Spotlight-The Government Helps a Widow

Today’s letter, brought to us by volunteer transcriber Deblegs, describes the government’s role in helping a widow recover some money owed her. The writer, a Mr. Dunscomb, reports to Josiah Howell that Mrs Williams has applied several times for benefits resulting from her husband’s death in service. It appears that another officer had been given funds to pay Mr. Williams, but had not; Dunscomb suggests that the widow’s money be taken from that officer to help Mrs. Williams as much as possible. He writes with compassion for her situation-“it will be of much use to Mrs Williams”-but also with some irritation at her many requests for help: “you will not only serve the concerned but rid me of frequent unnecessary applications.” All in all, a slightly complicated look at the world of accounts and bureaucrats. Moreover, it highlights some of the tensions between wanting to help and being inundated with desperate cases-all of which required investigation and diligence.

Document Spotlight-Zebulon Pike, Settlement of Accounts, and Stolen Vouchers

Today’s letter, brought to us by volunteer transcriber Deblegs, concerns Captain Zebulon Pike (the father of explorer Zebulon M. Pike) and a settling of accounts with him over expense monies. The writer, Thomas O’Hara, explains that Pike may be owed some two hundred dollars for expenses. The remainder of the letter is remarkable for its discussion of a possible counterfeiting charge. An unnamed man was found in possession of counterfeited government vouchers-vouchers that had been stolen from a Mr. Pierce-and O’Hara expected to testify before the local grand jury in that matter.

Community Transcription-Twenty Six Months In

It’s been twenty-six months now since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, and ever since then we have been steadily adding transcribers as well as finished documents to our archive. What started with just a dozen or so volunteers has grown into an active, vigorous community of volunteer transcribers.

We offer here yet another snapshot at our transcription activity.

As of this morning, we have 1,426 users-fully 237 them have transcribed within the last 90 days, which is just under 17%. This number has dropped very slightly, but continues to hold relatively steady. Those volunteer transcribers have made 11,172 saves to War Department documents, which is about 104 more than at the last update. That works out to 2,061 finished documents, along with another 19 documents begun. Additionally, transcribers have initiated 471 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that on average, each document is edited about three times before it is finished. Moreover, we have had 73,794 total page views.

Community Transcription-Twenty Five Months In

In the twenty-five months since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, we have been steadily adding transcribers as well as finished documents to our archive. What started with just a dozen or so volunteers has grown into an active, vigorous community of volunteer transcribers.

We offer here yet another snapshot at our transcription activity.

As of this morning, we have 1,384 users-fully 231 them have transcribed within the last 90 days, which is just under 17%. This number has dropped very slightly, but continues to hold relatively steady. Those volunteer transcribers have made 11,068 saves to War Department documents, which is about 264 more than at the last update. That works out to 2,059 finished documents, along with another 17 documents begun. Additionally, transcribers have initiated 439 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that on average, each document is edited about three times before it is finished. Moreover, we have had 66,794 total page views.

A War Department of Twelve

Today, the Pentagon alone employs upwards of 30,000 people. Contrast this with Secretary of War James McHenry’s diminutive War Department Staff of 1798, working out of an office “at the Northeast corner of Chestnut and Fifth Street,” in Philadelphia.

Document Spotlight-The War Department Versus the Free Market

Clothing and supplying troops in the early Republic was almost as chronic a problem as feeding them. Officers and quartermasters spent a great deal of time and expense contracting with suppliers to get uniforms and material; unfortunately, those officers often had competition on the open market. In this week’s document, transcribed by volunteer Deblegs, we see how that competition could play out.

The writer describes a situation where the War Department wanted to purchase a lot of winter clothing for troops. Private buyers, however, wanted winter clothing, and the fact that two different buyers competed for the same goods drove the price up beyond $50,000. This drove the War Department out of the race for those goods, and officers had to turn elsewhere for the goods. Their frustration is evident in the letter.

Document Spotlight-Bread and Beef and Candles

One of the important things officers and administrators do for their soldiers is to keep them fed. Today’s document highlights the challenges associated with that process. Rations needed to be sourced, prices had to be negotiated, transportation had to be arranged. In this letter, transcribed by Perrin1, we get a peak at the prices the War Department negotiated for certain foodstuffs.

For 1796, the Department negotiated prices for bread and flour, beef and pork, candles, soap, and salt, including transportation to several different sites. The prices reflected different transportation costs; a pound of bread cost 4 1/2 cents delivered to Pittsburgh, but 9 1/2 cents transported to Presque Isle.

Yellow Fever’s Challenges to the Government in Philadelphia

In 1797 the city of Philadelphia experienced an epidemic of Yellow Fever. The residents of the city were all too familiar with the disease. In 1793, the city had faced one of the worst epidemics in the early republic. When the devastating Yellow Fever outbreak hit the city of 50,000, nearly 20,000 fled the city and almost 5,000 people perished.

Only four years later when Yellow Fever again gripped the city in the fall of 1797, residents had to weigh the benefits and costs of remaining in the city.  One such resident was President John Adams. Adams had the power to decide whether the government would stay in Philadelphia, the nation’s capital at the time, or relocate.

Community Transcription-Twenty Four Months In

It’s been twenty-four months now since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, and ever since then we have been steadily adding transcribers as well as finished documents to our archive. What started with just a dozen or so volunteers has grown into an active, vigorous community of volunteer transcribers.

We offer here yet another snapshot at our transcription activity.

As of this morning, we have 1,345 users-fully 227 them have transcribed within the last 90 days, which is just under 17%. This number has dropped very slightly, but continues to hold relatively steady. Those volunteer transcribers have made 10,804 saves to War Department documents, which is about 342 more than at the last update. That works out to 2,017 finished documents, along with another 37 documents begun. Additionally, transcribers have initiated 423 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that on average, each document is edited about three times before it is finished. Moreover, we have had 58,952 total page views.

Loyal Citizen or Lying Cheat?

When his 1798 claim for a reward of ten dollars for capturing and returning a deserter was denied by the Accountant of the War Department, Hugh McAlister appealed the decision by writing directly to the President of the United States. McAlister argued that he was a “well known friend to the Constitution” and that William Simmons, the Accountant, had only denied the claim because of a preexisting prejudice.

He was right that Simmons was prejudiced against him. Simmons remembered that McAlister had been implicated in a case of forgery in 1797. Joseph Humprheys, one of the witnesses in the case, had alleged that McAlister was part of a scheme to forge to forge soldier’s powers of attorney and thereby take their pay or land. If nothing else, McAlister was the Notary Public who had certified as true the forged powers of attorney, and while he was not convicted, Simmons and others believed him to have been guilty.