July 15, 1879

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. M.A. Bosbyshell

Douglass cannot help Mrs. Bosbyshell obtain the postage stamps she asked for. Advises her to apply to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the President of Liberia, or the Post Master General of Bolivia.

GLC01467

April 7, 1853

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lizzie Ellicott

Jocular letter where he talks of mutual acquaintances, taking a trip east in June, and other trivial matters. Promises her that when he becomes President, Mr. Pike will receive a diplomatic appointment "and you shall enjoy old world sights for me."

GLC01473

27 December 1863

Birney, William, 1819-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Angel James Creswell

General Birney discusses the recruitment of African American troops with Creswell, a United States Representative from Maryland. Expresses his hope to "enable the First District to meet its full quota in colored troops," with Creswell's support. Discusses slaveholders' conspiracies intended to prevent enslaved people from enlisting, including the mistreatment of enlisted enslaved people's wives and children. States that a Mr. Vickers, from Kent County, Maryland (possibly George Vickers), indicted a Mr. Gardner for encouraging his enslaved people to enlist. States that Vickers also…

GLC03428.02

1942

War Manpower Commission

Poster

Title: Women in the War We Can't Win Without Them

GLC09543

October 22, 1813

Addams, Charity, fl. 1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John P. Addams

Wishes her brother success in his determined effort to "preach the Gospel to the poor" and relays family news. Comments on the soldiers quartering on their farm during the War of 1812, and the damage they caused and paid for. Discusses celebrations surrounding the election of the governor and secretary of state, remarking that "it seemed as if peace began to dawn." Reports alarm in Plattsburgh, New York. Comments on a boating accident. Notes that their brother Charles Addams came home and went to a camp meeting in Plattsburgh. Relates other news, much of it pertaining to…

GLC01450.719.02

March 11, 1777

Bromfield, Sally, fl. 1777-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Bromfield

Very informal letter to her brother Henry (who she refers to as Harry in the body of the letter). Says she will not apologize for writing so soon after her last letter and that he will write whenever there is a trifle worth mentioning. Says "I cannot boast much of the figure I make in the gay World." Comments on the wounding of the "brave & Gallant General Arnold." Says it is past three in the morning as she writes. Goes through her circle of acquaintances and describes various parties in a flippant way.

GLC01450.803.02

May 14, 1777

Bromfield, Sally, fl. 1777-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Bromfield

Bromfield's informal and funny letter to her brother. Says she received what she will call only a beginning of a letter from Livingston. Pokes fun at him when she says "I chearfully acquiese in your abrupt conclusion, as I am sure you must have receivd pleasure from attending those agreeable Ladies, as you describe them to be." Speaks in an ironic tone when she agrees with him for having opened her writing genius. Says it is because she writes four letters to his one and gets more practice. Says their father, Robert Livingston, received his letter and was pleased. Wishes to see their parents…

GLC01450.803.03

April 19, 1777

Bromfield, Sally, fl. 1777-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Bromfield

Affectionate, and at some points funny, letter to her brother. Jokes about who in the family was going to take up the pen to write him. Worries about the destruction the war is causing. Says she "cannot help hoping that an overuling providence will interpose in our favor before we are utterly ruin'd." Says respectful gentleman are being dragged out of their houses and surrounded by the rabble. Laments the evil side of human nature. Sends family's love. Postscript says she has sent several letters before this and asks him to pick up red leather pocketbooks for ladies, if he can find them.

GLC01450.803.04

circa spring 1851

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Stone

Writes from "Woodside Cottage." Says she just received his letter and hopes to see him in Boston next week. Asks him "to make no public mention if you have not, of the Uncle Tom project till I have seen you. Don't mention it at any rate till then." Stowe began writing "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in early 1851. The recipient may be Rev. Thomas Treadwell Stone (1801-1895), a Unitarian minister, writer, Transcendentalist, and abolitionist from Massachusetts.

GLC01584.01

March 20, 1852

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

On its first day of publication in 1852, Stowe sends a copy [not present] of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Slavery had been abolished throughout the British Empire in 1833, and Stowe holds Britain up as a model for Americans. Written mostly in the third person. Stowe had consulted Horace Mann several days before writing this letter, asking for his advice as to how best to contact Prince Albert and other British noteworthies. Evidently, Mann's advice had proved useful: Despite the "republican simplicity" of this letter to the Royal Consort, Prince Albert…

GLC01585

28 September 1787

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Written by Warren three days after the publication of the Constitution. She writes "[a]lmost every one whom I have yet seen reads with attention, holds the page with solemnity, & silently wraps up his opinion within his own breast...." (Not dated 1784.) She mentions mixed reactions to signing of the Constitution.

GLC01800.03

16 January 1863

Lewis, Amos, 1785-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Seth Lewis

Lewis writes an eloquent letter to his nephew Seth, in Marshall, Michigan. Comments on the Civil War, his good health, and his ability to make a good living despite "the high prices of all we have to buy and the low rates of what little we have to part with." Discusses family, noting that of three relatives in the army, none have been harmed. His son, Eber, is due to visit, and his daughter, Esther, is a matron in the Springfield, Missouri hospital. Writes again 21 January, noting that Eber arrived. Requests a copy of the newspaper, "The Statesman," if Seth can afford it. Relates that…

GLC03229.01

14 December 1852

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ralph Wardlaw

Writes to thank Wardlaw for his invitation to visit Scotland. Mentions her surprise at the success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," her belief that the work was divinely inspired, and her hope that its popularity shows Christ has mercy to the cause of abolishing slavery. States she will visit Scotland and notes that she is currently working on a "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin." Stowe published the "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin" in 1853 and shortly after left America for a tour of Europe. She visited England, Scotland, France and Switzerland and was met by crowds in each place. Ralph Wardlaw (1779-1853)…

GLC04631

2 December 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes that his wife, Olive, has gone to Fort Donelson with two of his children. Has been appointed Captain of Company Division 16th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry. Expresses his satisfaction at fighting alongside former slaves -- "iff it is glorious to enlist the oppressed it is certainly doubly so to be privelidged to lead them against their oppressors." Describes a school system he has instituted to give the black soldiers literacy skills so "they will be well prepared to appreciate the sweet boon of freedom" after the war. Plans to bring his wife to live with him in winter quarters.

GLC07006.05

March 24, 1780

Rogers, Daniel Denison, 1751-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Rogers

To his sister, whom he calls Patty, a common nickname at the time for Martha. Comments on her impending marriage, his own bachelorhood, and shirts she has sewn for him. Roger's wife, Abigail Bromfield, was the subject of a famous painting by John Singleton Copley. (check dates for both people)

GLC01412.64.13

February 27, 1777

Dalton, Tristram, 1738-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Samuel White

Addressed to Dear Brother White in Boston. Requests that if White knows the two ladies to whom the enclosed is directed to, please deliver it to them. Gives his love. Missing three areas of the page where stamps were ripped off. Dalton was a US Senator and businessman from Massachusetts.

GLC01450.090

June 20, 1777

Elmer, Ebenezer, 1752-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah Seeley

Discusses army life. Says he enjoys writting her in his spare time. Tells her that "The movements of a rambling army...exposed to the dangers of leaded weapons...slaughter & bloodshed affor nothing but maloncholy scenes...too shocking for matter o communication to ladies." If she really desires details she should ask Mr. Machey. Army life is hard and the only reason "that soldiers themselves are anyways pleased with the life" is "owing to the animating drum and fife." He himself "can see or feel but little solid satisfaction in this way of life but that of serving my country." Has…

GLC01450.165.01

May 12, 1783

Elmer, Ebenezer, 1752-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah Seeley

Speaks of his desire to return to a peaceful life now that the war is over. "As we have now happily terminated a war which has raged for eight full years with every species of Horror, I contemplate the speedy return to the peaceful paths of domestic life with the greatet pleasure. To change the fatigues difficulties& dangers of a military life for the comfort & conveniences of peace must tast truly sweet to a [] susceptible of true satisfaction. Shall I be so fortunate as to exchange the wild banner of Mars for the mild bands of Hymen I may be blessed indeed." Speaks of his love…

GLC01450.165.02

April 11, 1772

Irving, William, fl. 1772

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Irving

Written by William Irving to his son Thomas Irving, who was Inspector General of Imports, Exports, and Register of Shipping for North America in Boston. Says he has waited impatiently the past three weeks for the result of Charles's petition. Says Thomas's brother James has christened a new boy, named William. Claims that James has determined to live more frugally now, and has moved to a smaller farm called "Waterside" where he hopes to live a quiet life away from the mismanagement of large farms. Says "Mistress Goldie" has again left her husband. Wants to know if "Thomie" has finished his…

GLC01450.406.01

December 26, 1782

Moore, David, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Cox

Travel to Baltimore disrupted by "the enemy." His boat was forced to return to Petersburg because the British controlled "the bay." Is informed that a ship bound for France carrying her nephew was lost, and hopes she has heard from him. Has directed Captain Skinner, a travelling companion, to stay at her house as a favor.

GLC01450.412.14

October 25, 1781

Stone, Michael Jenifer, 1747-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Writes a long letter to his brother that includes an announcement that "Cornwallis was taken." Discusses his brother's business in Philadelphia and advises him of the benefits of continuing to cultivate a friendship with a man named Mr. Morrill. Discusses commerce and American affairs: "at present the flourishing State of American affairs gives me warm hopes that Speculation must be succeeded by a Sober and regular Spirit of Commerce." Indicates that the public prints have announced his membership in the Maryland state house of delegates. Also admits his likelihood of joining Congress,…

GLC01450.412.15

January 31, 1826

Clay, J., fl. 1826

Letter signed

Title: to David Murphy

GLC01450.600.011

October 4, 1846

Grady, J.H., fl. 1846

Autograph note signed

Title: to Mrs. Murphy

GLC01450.600.013

1783-1815

Unknown

Autograph note signed

Title: to Mr. Murphy

GLC01450.600.014

July 31, 1805

Unknown

Autograph note

Title: to unknown

GLC01450.600.018