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to Sarah W. Hale

This letter was sent to her sister shortly after their mother's passing. She spends a good deal of time talking about the concept of death in general, saying: "We shall soon, my dear sister, reach the ocean of eternity. A few more days of sorrow and...

GLC08934.021

to James W. Hale

She appears to have received word of their brother's death, and is very upset by the news because she considered herself quite close to him. She also expresses worry that he did not die a Christian, saying that if she was confident that he had, she...

GLC08934.022

Certification of Aurelia Hale's service at the academy

A short note certifying Aurelia Hale's time at the academy.

GLC08934.023

to Sarah W. Hale

This is the first letter sent to her sister Sarah since Aurelia's relocation from Washington, GA to Mount Ariel, SC. Sarah's last letter took many weeks to reach her, but has finally arrived. She briefly talks about her experience settling into a new...

GLC08934.024

to James D. Fessenden

Writes to his son about his opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. Fessenden, who had recently been sworn in as a Maine senator, comments that "The Nebraska outrage occasions great feelings here...It is near pretty well understood that the free...

GLC08935

Popular Sovereignty in the Territories: Judge Douglas in Reply to Judge Black

Responds at length to the criticisms of his position on popular sovereignty by Attorney General Jeremiah S. Black. Emphasizes that he would "never vote for a slave code in the Territories by Congress." First edition with original free franked...

GLC08940

[Endorsement of a runaway slave to return to Tennessee to search for his family]

President Johnson, five days after taking office endorses the petition of Jermain Westley Loguen, an escaped slave and Underground Railroad conductor, to return to Tennessee to search for family members. Written on the leaf of a 31 March 1865...

GLC08942

to Wendell P. Garrison

Answers questions about William Lloyd Garrison. Comments on his 1833 trip to England, at which time "he was indicted for a libel, by several of the persecutors, of Miss." Explains how he, Lewis Tappan, and others helped Garrison escape apprehension...

GLC08944

[Act in addition to another act prohibiting the importation of slaves]

Passed by Congress and approved by the President. Outlines the ban on importing slaves, the forfeiture of ships built for such a purpose, and the penalties for involvement in the slave trade. The act being added to prohibited the importation of...

GLC08946

to Arthur Waring

An appeal by Williams, on behalf of "the Colourd Citizens of N.Y.," to "the good Colourd Citizens of Washington" for help "in the great and noble under taking to save our paper the Liberator." Explains that the paper is $1,000 in debt, which must be...

GLC08947

to unknown

Request for help in keeping the Abolitionist newspaper National Era in business. Competition has greatly reduced the papers circulation, and it is in danger of folding. Will not take charity or aid from Congress, so only greater circulation can...

GLC08956

to Aaron M. Powell

Discusses an abolitionist meeting he attended, where a memorial was drafted calling on President Lincoln to immediately abolish slavery. Now in New York, an "immense, dirty, bustling, turbulent city." Says of Theodore Tilton, one of his companions...

GLC08958

to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Caldwell near Mt. Hope. Has just commenced his work as chaplain for the 3rd Regt. Excelsior. A committee of two colored men from the nearby church asked him to preach at...

GLC09006.01

to wife

Meeting a man named Church at 9AM; Church promised to be his tour guide for the day. They went to the Smithsonian Museum. Saw so many things that it would be impossible to even attempt to describe them all. Saw the coat, pants, and gloves that...

GLC09006.13

to John A. Lynch

Denies he ordered the burning of Columbia, South Carolina. "The only interest I have in the burning of Columbia is in its true history... the firing was not done by the Authority of the US. The fire once begun the prevailing wind accounts...

GLC09035

to Samuel Medary

Writes about the Fugitive Slave Act: "...the law of 1850...is the most unwarrantable violation of the rights and sovereignty of the states we have ever witnessed. The South, in my opinion, are committing a fatal error in urging and insisting on this...

GLC09070

[Carte de viste of John Brown taken by James M. Holmes]

GLC09190.10

50th Annual Report of the American Colonization Society

Fillmore's copy of the 50th Annual Report of the American Colonization Society, Washington. The Society supported returning former slaves to the newly established colony of Monrovia in Liberia.

GLC09287

The Black Code of the District of Columbia in Force September 1st, 1848

A compendium of the laws for slaves in Washington DC, The Black Code of the District of Columbia in Force September 1st, 1848, printed in New York by the Anti-Slavery Society.

GLC09401

[montage of lawmakers who voted for the 13th Amendment]

montage of lawmakers who voted for the 13th Amendment, George May Powell.

GLC00687.053

to George May Powell

Frank pays a debt to George for the copyright of the photograph and engraving of Congress after passing an amendment.

GLC00687.054

to George May Powell

In response to a deal to sell George May Powell's Great National Picture in Mansfield, Redrussa has only sold one photograph.

GLC00687.055

to George May Powell

He reports his canvass from attempts to sell the photograph with only one order. Circulars have been distributed, and he hopes for more orders.

GLC00687.057

to George May Powell

She wants to clear up confusion about ordering photographs with the retail price. Her soldier agents need money.

GLC00687.058

to George May Powell

He has received the shipment, which did not match the specimen. The packing was not satisfactory and some frames were broken upon arrival. He will wait to continue canvassing until he receives satisfactory pictures.

GLC00687.059

to George May Powell

This is a request for publications with a promise to write soon.

GLC00687.060

to George May Powell

She has worked with a young man who has taken advantage of their copyright, printing pictures without permission. She asks George if she can print a large picture to fit an oval frame to then sell.

GLC00687.061

to George May Powell

She expresses concern about a miscommunication about subscribers' preferences pertaining to the lighter and darker copies. Many potential subscribers wanted to see the actual images before buying. A missing picture was traced through a missing agent...

GLC00687.062

to George May Powell

He is anxious to hear about the shipment of replacement images.

GLC00687.063

to George May Powell

Enoch Williams has received the reshipped package and has delivered the pictures. He has finished working for George May Powell, but if Powell agrees to reduce the price, he would again sell for him.

GLC00687.064

to George May Powell

This message from the printer says that they plan to use the image first in their journal and then as a circular.

GLC00687.065

to George May Powell

She is anxious to hear back from George and wants to know how other agents are responding. She is pleased with the response of the oval walnut frame.

GLC00687.066

to George May Powell

This is an order for more photographs.

GLC00687.067

to George May Powell

She writes to settle accounts and past bills. She refers to her agent, to whom she has promised a larger commission, who would like to begin canvassing in Chester County. She wonders if her husband, who will soon go to Vermont, should establish an...

GLC00687.068

to George May Powell

She wants to settle past bills and is concerned about heavy expenses.

GLC00687.069

to George May Powell

He is anxious to move forward selling pictures, but would like to first advertise extensively, working in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.

GLC00687.070

to George May Powell

Samuel H. Peck requests a full description of the National Picture of the voters of the Constitutional Amendment.

GLC00687.071

to George May Powell

A.F. Williams writes about the deal they made the last time George May Powell was in the city, that Powell would assume all liabilities and would pay half of all profits from the sale of pictures. A strict account should be kept of all sales.

GLC00687.073

Mr. Editor, England & the Boers

George May Powell writes in response to another letter to the editor about the Boer War. He refers to Livingston and the varying opinions of clergy on slavery, and the actions of British missionaries in South Africa. He encourages careful study of...

GLC00687.151

Declaration of the immediate causes which induce and justify the secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union; and the ordinance of secession.

First Edition, later edition. Presented by C.G. Memminger, a South Carolina legislator and Confederate government official, as the report of the committee to draw up the Confederate declaration of independence.

GLC00725

to Carrie

Letter written to a friend (or family member) away at school. Comments on news of friends, family, and recent events in Chester. Writes, "Since you left here our village population has been honorably in[creased] by a colony of Negroes- bucks, wenches...

GLC00919.25.24

to Mary Ann Brown

The letter discusses the defeat of a pro-slavery judge. Recounts story of "one of the most deeply exciting times...since our arival in the territory. A United States Judge came here & attempted to hold a Court, & to enforce the enactment of the Bogus...

GLC00929.01

to Franklin B. Sanborn

Brown critiques Sanborn's book for having too many of John Brown's personal letters. He read part of Sanborn's manuscript for "The Life and Letters of John Brown" out loud to his brother Owen. They both worry readers may get bored of so many letters...

GLC00929.02

To George Tillotson

Enclosed with GLC04558.122.01. Written by George Tillotson's sister Mary and her husband Edwin. Mary writes of her hard work and says Nelly [Nelson] was taken prisoner. Edwin's letter (beginning on p.2) complains of poor health (consumption) and...

GLC04558.122.02

to Jedediah Smith

Informs his brother in Massachusetts that their brother Philetus has died of an inflammatory illness. Comments on family members and his finances. Says he has withdrawn from public life for he is tired of the ignorance of both Democrats and...

GLC04601.03

to John J. Key

The letter is accompanied by a copy of General Orders No. 144 from September 27, 1862, signed by the Assistant Adjutant General, dismissing Key from the service for uttering disloyal sentiments. The note describes meeting on September 27 with Key and...

GLC00228.01

[to unknown]

Letter to unknown recipient, discussing the evils of slavery and Lincoln's assassination.

GLC09586

The New York Herald [No. 9295 (February 22, 1862)]

One issue of The New York Herald newspaper dated February 22, 1862. Contains news on Civil War battles and current events. Of particular interest is a map of Fort Donelson and the areas surrounding. There are also mentions of the anniversary of...

GLC09770

New York Daily Tribune [ Vol. 21, no. 6,504 (February 7, 1862)]

One issue of New York Daily Tribune newspaper dated February 7, 1862. Contains news on Civil War battles and current events. Of particular note is an article on the fourth page stating, "The President in respiting the slaver Gordon for two weeks...

GLC09771

[Certificate of manumission signed by Frederick County clerk, William Ritchie]

One certificate from William Ritchie dated Frederick County Court, May 7, 1807 addressed to the State of Maryland. Grants freedom to a formerly enslaved woman Jenny Maynard. States that this was drafted by Henry Maynard who granted her manumission...

GLC09775