February 26, 1775

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph note signed

Title: to David Hartley

Signed in text in the opening of the note and written in the third-person: "Dr. Franklin presents..." Sarcastically explains British methods for taxing the American colonies. Date from docket.

GLC04632

2 April 1862

Plattenburg, Alfred W., fl. 1862

Broadside

Title: to Alfred P. Putnam

Plattenburg, an agent working for the Western Sanitary Commission, sends Reverend Putnam a report of his mission to deliver hospital stores to Union troops fighting in Arkansas and Missouri. His report is printed on the same page with the orders he received to undertake the journey. To encourage donations to the Commission, he states "I am fully convinced that no army was (so far as provision for the wounded was concerned,) ever sent into the field in such destitute condition as ours ... Could the kind and sympathizing men and women of our loyal States, who place these abundant…

GLC04633

7 December 1864

Defoe, William W., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emery Defoe

Defoe, a Civil War soldier, updates his parents on Union progress, stating "as yet we have had few killed the soldiers are all in good Spirits and fear nothing." Continues writing at a later time, requesting that if he is killed in battle, his parents ensure that his son George W. Defoe receives a proper education. Again resumes writing at a later time to relate the events of a recent battle, stating "this has been one of the bloodiest battles that has been fought since the war began. the Rebs have lost in killed and wounded Near (17,000) seventeen thousand." Accompanied by a United States…

GLC04634

16 September 1864

Kappes, Charles, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sim Van Winkel

Kappes, a Union soldier waiting for his discharge in the Annapolis United States General Hospital, relates the events of his capture to friends in New Jersey. Reports that while engaged in battle near Richmond, Virginia, his corps was surrounded by Confederate soldiers and forced to surrender, after which he was taken as a prisoner. Complains of poor conditions prisoners were exposed to while on Belle Island, near Richmond, stating "I was almost starved and then such rations as they do give why the farmers of the north would not be guilty of giving it to his hogs if he did the old Pig would…

GLC04635

30 June 1862

Campbell, Fannie, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas E. Vermilye

Campbell, a nurse, informs Pastor Vermilye of events which took place while she rode aboard the Union hospital steamer, the Kennebec, travelling to White House, Virginia. States that while on the Pamunkey River, the Kennebec met many transports traveling in the opposite direction, escaping fires and battle that raged behind them. The Kennebec then retreated to Yorktown, Virginia, as "mild flowers were blooming on the banks Nature in her rich June dress enthroned like a queen sat bland and smiling as if the bloodred hand of civil war was not lifted in her domain." Reports that General…

GLC04636

circa 1864

Gillespie, Elizabeth Duane, 1821-1901

Broadside

Title: [Announcement for the Central Fair Letter Boxes]

Gillespie, postmistress for the Central Fair, directs Fair participants to "Letter-Boxes, as a great convenience to all desiring to correspond with visitors to the Fair; as well as for letters to be delivered throughout the City, or at the Post Office for mailing." Summarizes mailing requirements and rates.

GLC04637

24 June 1805

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodorus Bailey

Secretary of State Madison discusses the arrangement to furnish American ministers abroad with newspapers and the problems with them not being received. Bailey was the postmaster of the city of New York.

GLC04890

31 March 1843 - 8 April 1843

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph document signed

Title: [Expenditures for first telegraph between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore]

Records expenditures for many of the key components for the first telegraph line between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. Entitled "United States in account with Samuel F. B. Morse." Includes traveling expenses, advertising, office supplies, salaries, and wire.

GLC04894

22 August 1828

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

Comments on "An Act for the relief of surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," Secretary of Treasury Rush's health, and the difficulty of his position. Anticipates Rush's resignation and thanks him for his service. Also discusses a classical essay by Rush's son, commenting on ancient Rome and the superiority of the statesman over the warrior. Docketed by Rush.

GLC04899

12 August 1826

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Printed document signed

Title: [Ohio land grant to Robert Parks of Harrison County, Ohio]

Partially printed document granting Robert Parks seventy nine acres in Steubenville, Ohio. Signed by John Quincy Adams as President and countersigned by George W. Graham as Commissioner of the General Land Office. Certificate No. 1251. Recorded in Vol. 3, p. 207. Features remnants of a paper and wax seal.

GLC04900.03

4 December 1839

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Solomon G. Haven

Discusses a debate at the opening of the 26th Congress. When New Jersey's representative seats were contested and the House was unable to count a full quorum to make necessary organizational decisions, issues such as states' rights and nullification entered a premature dialogue in the House of Representatives. He begins with the comment, "Here we are yet debating an impalpable abstraction." A member from Georgia, Cooper, "is now enlightening us on the sovereignty of the states, alias nullification." Fillmore compares the beginning of the 26th Congress, to the birth of a baby. He calls…

GLC04906

9 March 1841

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of James P. Smith].

Smith, convicted of larceny, was pardoned under the recommendation of judge and jury due to his youth and good character.

GLC04911

30 October 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Lincoln note to Edwin M. Stanton on letter of George C. Burling to William A. Newell]

Lincoln endorsement on an autograph letter signed by Colonel George C. Burling to William A. Newell dated 25 October 1862 concerning an order of the War Department that would result in the disbanding of the New Jersey volunteers. Burling stresses the sacrifices made by the Second Brigade of New Jersey volunteers by saying, "Virginia's soil made sacred with the blood and body of a large number ... That is what we left home and its comforts for, to sacrifice health and even life to sustain our glorious flag, and country." Informs Newell that the War Department has issued General Orders No.…

GLC04921

9 November 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: to Robert B. Roosevelt, John J. Astor Jr., and Nathaniel Sands

Declining to endorse General Dix for Mayor of New York stating that it is beyond his power to interfere with New York politics. Written on a petition signed by R.B. Roosevelt and other Republican leaders of New York City, though Lincoln's letter includes Executive Mansion letterhead. Lincoln's note above salutation reads "Private except for Mr. Dix." Signers include Peter Cooper, William B. Astor, John Jacob Astor, Jr., M. Delano, Nathaniel Sands, Alexander T. Stewart, George Cabot Ward, William Orlon, Jonathan Sturpes, John Cochrane, A. R. Wetmore, Nathaniel Hayden, Edwin Hoyt, T. R.…

GLC04922

27 April 1821

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Benton

Written by Monroe as President to Benton as the overseer of his properties in Loudoun County, Virginia. Says he has written to Harrison in Alexandria, Virginia and will have 20 barrels of herring and five of shad sent. If instructions need to change, he tells Benton to send the letter to him first and he will forward it to Harrison. Because of the prospect of war with Naples in Europe, Monroe discusses speculating in flour. Says price will likely rise and says he wants to hold it back from the market. Asks Benton to handle this because if he became involved it might get into the newspapers…

GLC04926

27 August 1908

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to Herbert Parsons

Denies charges of undue influence by hand writing "I have no intention of 'forcing' the nomination or of trying to; but that, unless you object, I should like, as a good Republican and party man and a staunch believer...." Envelope is not original to letter as it is addressed to Wyndham Meredith of Brookside, West Virginia. Includes a two-cent stamp depicting George Washington.

GLC04930

January 15, 1953

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972

Document signed

Title: [Farewell Address]

Discusses the events of his presidency. A good part of the address speaks about using American resources and the United Nations to fight the menace of Communism and increase food production, amongst other things. In his conclusion, he looks beyond Communism and comments on prosperity in America, "that we in America have learned how to attain real prosperity for our people." Cites employment, bank strength, and better wealth distribution. States, "We have made progress in spreading the blessing of American life to all of our people. There has been a tremendous awakening of the American…

GLC04935.01

1786

Jeffries, John, fl. 1790

Book signed

Title: A Narrative of the Two Aerial Voyages of Doctor Jeffries... (George Washington's copy)

"A narrative of the two aerial voyages of Doctor Jeffries with Mons. Blanchard; with meterological observations and remarks...." Printed for the author. Small folio format, signed on the titlepage by George Washington. Handsome tree-calf binding. With handsome frontispiece engraving of Jeffries. Jeffries had been a Loyalist who went to England where he pursued research on air, its properties and balloons. After this flight, he went to Paris, dined with Franklin and met John Paul Jones. He returned to Boston in 1790. In 1794, Blanchard came to America and in Philadelphia, with…

GLC04936

21 April 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Printed document signed

Title: An Act authorizing the grant and conveyance of certain Lands to the Ohio Company of Associates

Grant of land from the Second Congress of the United States to Rufus Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Green of the Ohio Company of Associates. Authorized by Jonathan Trumbull, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Richard Henry Lee, President pro tempore of the Senate. Approved by President George Washington on 25 April 1792.

GLC04939

December 9, 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln re: reprimanding Col. Gibson (Yorktown, British POW)

The document is overall stained, especially on verso. Written to Sec. of War Benjamin Lincoln. Reprimanding Col. Gibson for allowing a British officer, Dr. Thomas Shield, to leave Yorktown. Shield was surgeon of the 87th Regiment, British Army.

GLC04942

13 December 1776

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Trumbull

Informs Trumbull, Governor of Connecticut, that "We join with you most fervently in your prayer that America may not be lost, or fall a Victim to the rage of a merciless tyranny. On the contrary we trust there is virtue & spirit enough in the United States to produce exertions sufficient with the blessing of Heaven to prevent it." Discusses details regarding enlisting soldiers for the Continental Army, including wages, length of service, the raising of militia, and cooperation between New England states related to raising troops. Mentions Generals George Washington, Lincoln (possibly…

GLC04947

January 19, 1825

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas H. Williams

Circular letter summoning Mississippi's Senator Williams (and the rest of the Senate) for the inauguration of John Quincy Adams on 4 March 1825.

GLC04948

20 October 1708

Oliver, Thomas, fl. 1708

Manuscript document signed

Title: [A Memorial of the State of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England to Queene Anne during Queen Anne's War]

A petition from the Massachusetts colonists requesting help in quelling the hostile Indians allied with the French during Queen Anne's War. Gives insight into the conflict's costs upon New England. Discusses the Indians' barbarity and the French setting prices for scalps. Describes their need of aid and the ineffectiveness of regular troops against the Indians. Asks Queen Anne to enlist the help of Mohawks and other friendly Indian nations. Comments on trade, French holdings, and the supply of masts for ships. Signed by Oliver as clerk of the House of Representatives.

GLC04891

22 August 1862

Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864

Broadside

Title: Proclamation. To the inhabitants of Kentucky!

Urging Kentuckians to join the Confederate cause, during his first raid into Kentucky. Proclaims: "Better death in our sacred cause, than a life of slavery! Young men of Kentucky flock to my standard, it will always wave in the path of honor, and history will relate how you responded to my appeal, and how, by so doing, you saved your country." Printed on a press Morgan had recently captured at Hartsville.

GLC04892

January 23, 1882

Young, Ann Eliza, 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written to the chairman of an anti-Mormonism meeting to be held in Farwell Hall, Chicago. The former wife of Brigham Young denounces Mormonism as a "Political, social and religious monstrosity." Young left Mormonism eight years earlier and welcomes the public sentiment against it. She criticizes the Mormon hierarchy and the bigotry of Mormon men toward the women of Utah. She decries polygamy and its effects on women, and believes that if given the chance, Mormon women will rebel against the system that they have been innocently born into. The meeting Young refers to occurred on 22…

GLC04893