Letter from Arthur von Briesen to G. L. Gillespie
Subject(s): Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848, Alte, Theophilus, Diplomatic gifts, Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790, Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786, History, Kapp, Friedrich, 1824-1884, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Rosengarten, J. G. (Joseph George), 1835-1921, Swords, Washington, George, 1732-1799
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Arthur von Briesen responds to Major General G. L. Gillespie’s request for further information on Briesen’s statement that he had gotten his facts regarding a sword supposedly gifted by King Frederick II of Prussia to George Washington from Mr. Ward. He has since come to believe that the story may be rather different, based on a book by Friedrich Kapp which says that the sword came from the sword-maker Theophilus Alte of Solingen. This is further reinforced by a letter from Washington to John Quincy Adams.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1904-10-19
Creator(s)
Briesen, Arthur von, 1843-1920
Recipient
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Page Count
2
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Arthur von Briesen to G. L. Gillespie. [October 19, 1904]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299573. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Briesen, Arthur von, 1843-1920. Letter from Arthur von Briesen to G. L. Gillespie. [19 Oct. 1904]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299573.
APA:
Briesen, Arthur von, 1843-1920., [1904, October 19]. Letter from Arthur von Briesen to G. L. Gillespie.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299573.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
