Collection Search

[Reciept for an enslaved woman]

New York Slavery. "...Received of Mr. Leffert Lefferts the sum of Thirteen Pounds, it being in full for a Negro Woman, Sold and Delivered him nam'd Mary."

GLC09086

The Quarterly Law Journal, vol IV, No 3, [163] - 202.

Circuit court case of United States v. Amy, re: slave stealing letter written by her master. Arrested under Section 22 of the Act of Congress which provides that "Any person shall steal a letter from the mail, the offender shall, upon conviction, be...

GLC09087

[Notice]

"Notice. I will give $5 for any one of my Servants who may be taken at or beyond Ellicott's Mills..."

GLC09089

to John Letcher

Impressment of slaves for the Confederate War Effort. "I invite your attention to the enclosed communications from several members of Congress and of the Legislature, in reference to the propriety of exempting certain counties from my recent call...

GLC09096

Collection of James T. Gerry, United States Navy Commander [Decimalized .01-.16]

Fourteen letters by Gerry to his family, accompanied by an etching of Gerry, a pay receipt made out to him, and a letter from a collector describing the receipt. Letters to his family are written mostly to his mother, sister and nephew. They...

GLC09099

to Ann T. Gerry

Desires to be a captain, and believes he may soon attain the role, though the Commodore, whom he dislikes, is making matters difficult for him. Describes Havana, Key West and the local flora, discusses slave traders and their evil ways. Believes...

GLC09099.05

to Ann Gerry

Superior officer's jealousy, recent ports of call, and status of his officers. Believes his Commodore is jealous of him, and has therefore selected him for the most difficult missions possible. Many of his officers are sick. Of his voyage to...

GLC09099.10

[Last will and testament freeing a slave]

"In the name of God Amen I William Leaths of the City and province of New York Sadler being very Sick and weak in Body but of perfect mind & memory...ordaine this my last Will and Testament...I give & bequeath unto my Servant Wan the Spanish Indian...

GLC09102

to J.J. Grindall

Discusses the Fugitive Slave Law and his failed bid for 1852 Democratic nomination: "It would be a strange spectacle indeed if the Slave-holding state most interested in the maintenance of faithful execution of the Fugitive Slave Law should yield...

GLC09112

Black Republican Prayer

Copperhead Black Republican Prayer. About the emancipation of slaves and Lincoln's prosecution of the war. "May the blessings of Emancipation extend throughout our unhappy land--and the illustrious, sweet scented Sambo nestle in the bosom of...

GLC09116

to Estelle Spero

Letter written while on guard duty. Diamond describes a formal dance to mark the opening of the camp's new recreation hall that he had attended the night before. He also runs through the couple's financial situation, having been paid that morning....

GLC09120.055

to George Wortham

Ayers, searching for African-Americans with his cavalry, so far has "arrested but one negro...and he was not armed." Believes more are between Jamesville and Washington and will continue to search.

Excerpt: "…I have been driving faithfully all day...

GLC02233.41

to George Wortham

Rather than have his two captured enslaved people return home, Williams wants them to work for the Confederacy. He would prefer they be shot rather than fall into Yankee hands again. Suggests one would make a good servant for Wortham. Written at the...

GLC02233.39

The "Reliable Contraband"

Marked "Plate 23." A scene at the cavalry outpost. In the foreground, a Black enslaved person is leading an old horse and is seen hesitatingly imparting to anxious officers what little information he possesses of the enemy's movements. Cavalrymen...

GLC02199.23

to his sister

Writes that spending Christmas away from home will be difficult for him and he will miss his family. Discusses his celebration plans for the holidays. Explains that despite being away from home, he is able to visit his lady friends. Reports on...

GLC02232.11

to "Cousin John"

Signed "George W. Howard"

GLC02181.03

to "Friend Hale"

Signed "G.H. Taylor"

GLC02181.04

Gone Off with the Yanks

Marked "Plate 32." Contains 4 images. Upper left image is titled "Gone off with the Yanks," and shows what appears to be an abandoned shack that was inhabited by enslaved people. Upper right image is titled "A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey," and...

GLC02199.32

to his sister

Ward writes that there has been heavy skirmishing and fighting is expected every hour (possibly referring to the First Battle of Corinth or the Siege of Corinth). He is getting tired of the war and hopes to get a furlough. Asks his sister and...

GLC02232.05

to his sister

Ward writes that they will be moving from Corinth soon, as the enemy is too close to the Tennessee River and Beauregard doesn't have room for strategic operations in Corinth. He complains of skirmishing with enemy pickets and being in the cold rain...

GLC02232.06

to his sister

Advises his sister that in order to keep a sweetheart she should give him a daguerreotype and not a photograph of herself. Writes that his "sweetheart," Miss Melinda, has replaced him for another fellow. He discusses how many of the soldiers get...

GLC02232.17

to Patrick Henry

General Rochambeau transmits a copy of a letter (not included) he wrote to the Marquis de Choisy (possibly Claude Gabriel Marquis de Choisy). States that the letter discussed Choisy's confusion regarding differentiation between freedmen and enslaved...

GLC04837.01

A Slave Cabin

Marked "Plate 10." Contains 3 images. Upper left image is titled "A Slave Cabin," and shows a shabby wooden shack with a makeshift canopy for a porch. Upper right image is titled "The Old Grist Mill," and shows a large clapboard mill with a very tall...

GLC02199.10

The Rear of the Column

Marked "Plate 18." Depicts stragglers and wagon guards bringing up the rear while the wagon train is seen coming down the distant hill, with flankers thrown out to protect it from the enemy's horsemen. Depicts a Black man, possibly a freed enslaved...

GLC02199.18

Coming into the Lines

Marked "Plate 30." Depicts a group of enslaved people riding in an enslaver's wagon towards the Union lines. They are passing a picket post. In the background are a few enslaved people who have lagged behind, including one waving his hat in joy at...

GLC02199.30

The Sanctuary

Marked "Plate 40." Depicts a family of former enslaved people who just came in sight of fortified lines of the Union Army. An old mother is praying to God on her knees, while the rest of her family from behind are contemplating the scene. Actual size...

GLC02199.40

to his sister

Writes that he has been on furlough for two months. The 4th and 5th Tennessee regiments have been consolidated and he is hopeful that he will be decommissioned as a result. He's sorry to learn that Mrs. Champlin and her daughters, are abolitionists...

GLC02232.10

to his sister

Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. Complains about not getting any correspondence from his family. Comments on the "abolitionizing" of his hometown. Chides his sister for associating with "blue coats" and abolitionists and advises her not to...

GLC02232.30

[Certification of Romeo Smith's status as a freeman]

Certifies that Smith has served in the army for three years. Writes "Any person attempting to circumvent or trepan him as a slave will incur the severest penalty of the Law and the indignation of Heaven."

GLC02437.02929

to Henry Knox

Webber, a London merchant and friend of William Knox, responds to a letter from Henry Knox (GLC02437.03068). Expresses happiness at William's recovery from an episode of mental illness. Reports that William will soon sail from London to Boston....

GLC02437.03071

to Henry Knox

Killingley, Green, & Son, a merchant firm, attempt to collect the balance of an account owed them by William Knox. Killingley notes that William is delinquent on the bill due to "the unfortunate gloom that hath pervaded [his] mind of late" (William...

GLC02437.03100

to Henry Knox

Wadsworth comments on an escaped enslaved person or servant: "Mrs. Greene left us last Monday for Charleston Via N York on the night before she went away- her molatto man servant Ham left her & has been heard of on his way to Boston. she wishes to...

GLC02437.04021

to Henry Knox

Tousard signs in text. Sends Knox a picture of the late Colonel Duplessis (not present) which had been commissioned by the Spanish ambassador to France, le Comte de Fernand Nuñez. Writes, "I hope that the picture of an unfortunate and brave...

GLC02437.05516

Daily chronicle & sentinel. [Vol. 25, no. 277 (December 1, 1862)]

List of Generals in Regular Confederate Army. An editorial discusses the idea that Lincoln will abandon the Emancipation Proclamation, which was designed as a military move, and another guest editorial works to define independence in terms of...

GLC05959.07.01

[Monthly return of clothing, camp, and garrison equipage]

Signed by Walker, commanding Company B, 9th Louisiana Volunteers.

GLC08649.09

[Abolitionist broadside]

Abolitionist broadside endorsed "Distributed in the streets of Boston Thursday evening Dec.1, 1859, the day before the execution of John Brown." Bold text reads: "Let their epitaphs remain unwritten until the not distant day when no slave shall clank...

GLC09332

to Jedediah Smith

Begins by saying how happy he is to know Jedediah is alive. Tries to convince him to move to the Mississippi territory where the soil is so much more fertile than the stony ground of Massachusetts. Describes in detail all the advantages he would...

GLC04601.02

Spain. --- Cuba.

Discusses Spain's history of slaveholding and the role of other nations to end slavery in Cuba.

GLC04717.64

From the New York Tribune. Mr. Gerrit Smith on the President's message. The currency and the hard times.

Smith writes, "There is nothing in the nature of civil government, and there is nothing in the Constitution, to justify the Federal Government in banking, or in undertaking to authorize it in others." Also criticizes economists' reference to slavery...

GLC04717.70

to Sister Sophia

A large Rebel force was seen on the other side of the river, so Company K was sent down to investigate. After two hours a messenger came to tell them that they were approaching. He tells another story of how he and another soldier went to a farmhouse...

GLC07205.046

to Emily L. Gerry

Slave trade to Cuba and the evils of the slave traders. Details the methods used by traders who bring slaves to Cuba, and the horrible acts they have committed. Also discusses personal and family affairs, events in his daily life, and happenings in...

GLC09099.04

Prospectus of "The North and South."

Transmitted by Burritt to Reverend Dr. Murray with a letter (GLC 2448.03.01). Advertises the publication of a weekly newspaper, "The North and South," with Burritt as editor. The paper's objective is to "unite the millions of all sections and...

GLC02448.03.02

to Catharine Littlefield Greene and Euphemia Morris Ogden

Two parts. First for Catharine Greene. Apologizes that something may prevent him from seeing her. Hopes she will "accept [his] sincere wishes for your happiness, and the happiness of your dear little family." Tells her that if she ever needs...

GLC02437.10215

to Catharine Littlefield Greene

Discusses obtaining money and the assistance of Daniel Parker, Gouverneur Morris and the Marquis de Lafayette, as they were all friends with Catharine's late husband, Nathanael Greene. Provides some financial advice about the execution of General...

GLC02437.04399

to Henry Knox

Says he has been laid up for the past week with the gout. Discusses a proposed congressional bill to regulate proceedings with the Indians. Gorham wants this to be extended to the Six Nations, stating "it is of great consiquence [sic] that more...

GLC02437.04588

to Henry Knox

Answers Knox's question regarding the number of muskets "received from the Spaniards by the Creeks," stating that the number is 6,000. Reports that "our Mr. McGilvery," a Georgia planter, has told him that "the Spaniards had not when first demanded...

GLC02437.04556

to Henry Knox

Previously thought Knox's brother William had returned to America, but he recently received news that he had been confined in a house in London since January because he was "disordered in His Head." Reports William is better and "in a few weeks will...

GLC02437.03155

to Henry Knox

Killingley, Green, & Son, a merchant firm, attempt to collect the balance of an account owed them by William Knox. Killingley notes that William is delinquent on the bill due to "the unfortunate gloom that hath pervaded [his] mind of late" (William...

GLC02437.03099

to Henry Knox

Reports he recently met with Mr. Williamson and Mr. Wadsworth about lands in the "Gennessee Country" of upstate New York. Says farms of 300-500 acres are going for $1.50 per acre. Makes reference to lands that would eventually become Cooperstown...

GLC02437.05824

to Henry Knox

Tells Knox this letter will relate his "present embarrassed situation." The success of his lottery depends entirely on friends, family, and a "humane public." With a wife and children he must use all means at his disposal to save them. Reports "To...

GLC02437.05825