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to Anne Abbott
23 April 1892
Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915
Written on printed stationery of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, as Principal, to Anne Abbott, regarding a fund "to help girls who go as missionary teachers".
GLC02087
The barbarism of slavery. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, on the Bill for the admission of Kansas as a free state.
1860
Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874
Given in the Senate, 4 June 1860. Condemns slavery as barbaric and criticizes various pro-slavery arguments, including that slavery was not upheld by the United States Constitution. Published by Thaddeus Hyatt, Washington, D.C. Printed as the clergy...
GLC02095.21
[Quotation of Charles Sumner on liberty]
13 March 1860
Complete quotation reads: "And I cannot go wrong when I lean to the side of Liberty."
GLC02095.27
to Thomas H. Patterson
10 October 1864
Green, Joseph F., 1811-1897
Written by Captain Green to Captain Patterson as the commanding officer of the USS "James Adger" on blockade duty. Says he has sent the captain of the USS "Geranium" to report to Patterson for blockade duty. Is transmitting despatches for Rear...
GLC02070
[Quotation of Charles Sumner on the struggle to end slavery]
18 May 1858
Complete quotation reads: "Our cause is nobler even than that of our Fathers, in as much as it is more exalted to struggle for the Freedom of others than for our own."
GLC02095.26
[Bill of sale to Andrew Johnson for a slave girl named Dolly]
2 January 1843
Gragg, John W., fl. 1843
John W. Gragg sells Dolly to Andrew Johnson for $500. Gragg signs with his mark, an "x." Cosigned by William M. Lowry, a witness. Dolly is "aged about nineteen years." Docket was written and signed by Andrew Johnson.
GLC02041
to Harriet Jane Hanson Robinson
9 March 1881
Foster, Abigail K., fl. 1881
Abolitionist and suffragist Foster responds to questions from Robinson who was doing research for her book, "Massachusetts in the woman suffrage movement. A general, political, legal and legislative history from 1774 to 1881" (Boston, 1881). Foster...
GLC02076
to Epes Sargent
15 September 1863
Sumner thanks Sargent for his sympathetic praise. Writes, "The verses on Shaw I had enjoyed before, & had sent to England," likely a reference to Sargent's poem, "Colonel Shaw: On Hearing that the Rebels Had Buried His Body Under a Pile of Twenty...
GLC02095.12
Mr. Sumner's Lecture on White Slavery in the Barbary States.
1847
Sumner's lecture given before the Boston Mercantile Library Association, 17 February 1847. Published by William D. Ticknor and Company. Printed in Cambridge by Metcalf and Company, printers to the University. Inscribed on the original orange cover...
GLC02095.19
circa 1860
Complete quotation reads: "For myself in a case of doubt I feel that I cannot go wrong when I lean to the side of Liberty."
GLC02095.25
[Senate resolution submitted by Charles Sumner]
18 June 1862
Appeals to the people to manifest their loyalty by ceasing to fight or work for the rebels, and putting their resources into supporting the Union. States that the government will reciprocate. Writes, "...it is the further duty of the government of...
GLC02095.22
[Delevan Bates]
1864
Snyder Studio
Cabinet portrait of Delavan Bates in uniform by the Snyder Studio. Inscription on verso reads: "Brig. Gen. Delavan Bates/MOH [Medal of Honor] at Crater/121st NY Infantry/Cabinet/Signed $125.00." Bates was Union Brevet Brig. Gen., 30th U.S. Colored...
GLC02068
The Crime Against Kansas. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts. In the Senate of the United States, May 19, 1856.
1856
Sumner delivered this speech after the May 1856 debates on slavery in Kansas. Condemns Southern advocacy of the expansion of slavery. Published by Greeley and McElrath, New York. Advertised on cover page as being "for sale at the office of the New...
GLC02095.20
[Print with a clipped signature of Preston S. Brooks]
1861-1865
Brooks, Preston Smith, 1819-1857
With clipped signature of Brooks. Both engraving and signature are pasted to backer page. A pencil note, also on backer page, explains that Brooks attacked Charles Sumner after Sumner's famous "Crime Against Kansas" speech in the Senate.
GLC02095.37
to James McHenry
circa November 11, 1786
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Describes his scheme to return a runaway slave to his master William Drayton of Charleston, S.C. After visiting Mount Vernon with his master, the enslaved person escaped and returned to Washington's home. Washington writes that "[t]he fellow pretends...
GLC02065
Protection of Freedmen: Actual Condition of the Rebel States. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts ...
1865
Title continues, "... on the bill to maintain the freedom of the inhabitants in the states declared in insurrection and rebellion by the proclamation of the President of July 1, 1862; delivered in the Senate of the United States, December 20, 1865."...
GLC02095.23
to Theseus Apoleon Cheney
9 October 1864
Writes that he is glad Cheney is regaining his health. Comments on the upcoming presidential election and the Civil War: "The good news must stimulate you. Of the result, political or military I cannot doubt. Mr. Lincoln will be re-elected, &...
GLC02095.14
to Jemima Shifflet
December 22, 1862
Shifflet, Hillary, 1823-1863
Shifflet was unhappy to hear that his wife is "striping tobacco for I donte want you to hav to work for noboddy but your self." He has "but one oald shirt and hit [it] is full of holes and no socks a tall." He asks for descriptions of the children...
GLC02174.06
to Sarah Wood
27 May 1864
Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865
Written from Pulaski, Tennessee to his wife. Describes the situation of refugees (including African Americans) in the camp: "...and the darkies are here by thousands, by field fulls like cattle, they call these darky Camps corrals. The same that we...
GLC02176.17
February 13, 1863
Shifflet went out with a forage team today and they are "as tired as I am of the war." He declares that "this onholy war wood a bin over if oald Lincoln wood a let the negros alone I wish he had forty the blackest negroes in the South tide to him."...
GLC02174.08
to Amos J. Harding
23 July 1865
Glaze, H.S., fl. 1865
Mustered out of service on 13 July and finally feels like a free citizen. Has not gone into business yet and is not sure where and what business he will get into, but it will happen soon. In St. Louis, he saw a mutual friend, who looked fine as...
GLC02178.10
to "Friend Hale"
4 March 1860
Taylor, G. H., fl. 1859-1860
Signed "G Henry Taylor"
GLC02181.06
to "Dear John"
3 August 1858
Signed "Charles"
GLC02181.02
January 11, 1860
Signed [illegible]
GLC02181.05
At a meeting of the Corporation of Harvard College.
12 October 1781
Wigglesworth, Edward, 1732-1794
Copy of Harvard Corporation's vote of thanks to Granville Sharp of London for a donation of a six volume Polyglot Bible and seven copies of Sharp's "The Law of Retribution" to Harvard's library. The copy was sent by Wigglesworth to William Knox...
GLC02437.01220
to Henry Knox
22 October 1781
Teissedre de Fleury, Francois Louis, 1749-?
Has heard Knox has replaced ordnance lost or damaged during the siege of Yorktown by the Regiment of Bourbons and inquires if the same can be done for the Régiment de Saintonge. Also requests flags for marching. A note on the back requests...
GLC02437.01256
Gen. Knox in account with S. Shaw
10 March 1782
Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794
Lists Henry Knox's accounts with Shaw, beginning 8 June 1781 and ending 12 December, 1781. Contains several memoranda and instructions for what Knox owes to Shaw and what the United States government owes Knox. Expenses range from: groceries and...
GLC02437.01368
28 August 1782
Smith, Paschal Nelson, ?-1805
Mentions that in reference to Knox's last letter, he will be happy to make the acquaintance a young gentleman named Mr. Craik and to show "him any civility in [his] power." Writes, "Since my last I have discovered that my Boy Prince is at Salem, & I...
GLC02437.01545
to Estelle Spero
22 June 1943
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
Diamond promises Estelle that "…no matter how [he] may be maimed [he's] to return…" He then describes his outfit with his new men - Jewish, Catholic, Protestant - mentioning that they care little for racial distinctions or inane political...
GLC09120.245
23 September 1943
Diamond informs Estelle that the "colored boy" who worked in the florist shop is on the island with him: "Coincidences galore."
GLC09120.275
7 December 1943
Diamond talks about making an "ark" in which to escape the rain, and then rowing to fetch Estelle. He writes that someone has taken out a subscription of "In Fact" for him, complaining about its biased nature.
GLC09120.305
15 December 1943
Sidney admonishes Estelle for accusing him of wearing "roseate glasses", asking her permission to describe how he feels after he talks of casualties, when he reads of cheating, strikes, race riots.
GLC09120.311
13 May 1944
Diamond passes comment on the previous night's entertainment. He also discusses an army film on England, which he writes gave "a direct, frank, and uncolored recognition of white prejudice towards the negro and an appeal…for understanding and...
GLC09120.411
24 June 1944
Diamond reports to Estelle that his housewarming party had been a success. He mentions that all is quiet, except for the sound of a radio, and "a whistle blows occasionally at a basketball game - a negro team is playing our team - It's a pleasure to...
GLC09120.441
9 July 1944
Diamond writes that there is "nothing new to report - all is the same…" Sidney discusses an article in Readers Digest that he had read about the "white-black relationship in the South".
GLC09120.453
13 August 1944
Diamond informs Estelle that, even though he was jealous of "Stan", he is unable to "stay sore" at her. He mentions the fact that they seldom have political discussions in his company, continuing to discuss the one Southerner's attitudes towards...
GLC09120.477
15 August 1944
Diamond mentions that the sixth anniversary of the couple's meeting has passed, and proceeds to discuss their relationship. He writes about army policy regarding different races.
GLC09120.479
13 September 1944
Diamond informs Estelle that he has received his New York State absentee ballot, and declares that he is "strictly a Roosevelt man". He describes a lecture that he had heard that day on "white man versus the colored (all colors) -"
GLC09120.502
20 October 1944
Diamond discusses one of his letters about the "racial question" which had been published in a periodical.
GLC09120.525
Report of the arguments of counsel, in the case of Prudence Crandall, Plff. in error, Vs. State of Connecticut, before the Supreme Court of Errors, at their session at Brooklyn, July Term, 1834.
1834
Garrison & Knapp
Prudence Crandall, having allowed black children into her school, was tried by the State of Connecticut for violating a law against the education of colored children who were not inhabitants of the State, which required consent of the town of...
GLC09124
Historical and Legal Examination of that part of the decision of the Supreme Court ....
1858
Benton, Thomas Hart, 1782-1858
" of the United States in the Dred Scott case, which declares the unconstitutionality of the Missouri Compromise Act, and the self extension of the Constitution to territories, carrying slavery along with it..." New York, D. Appleton and Company...
GLC09126
The Liberty Almanac for 1847.
1846
Cover woodcut illustration sows idyllic "Emancipation" scene near the U.S. Capital building. With 5 more illustrations throughout. New York: William Harned.
GLC09127
A Discourse, Delivered April 12, 1797, at the request of and before the New-York Society ...
1797
Miller, Samuel, fl. 1797-1806
"... for promoting the manumission of slaves, and protecting such of them as have been or may be liberated. By...one of the Ministers of the United Presbyterian Churches in the City of New-York, and members of said society." New York: T. and J...
GLC09128
Slave dealer letter
February 23, 1833
Glen, Tyre, fl. 1833
" I have purchased...a very large and tolerable likely fellow of Hollingsworth at $450, Ralph of Elder Patterson at $425, he keeps him untill his crop is finished unless he becomes unruly. Thar is at this time at least double the number of negroes...
GLC09129
Office of Board of Claims/For Slaves enlisted in U. S. service...
20 September 1864
State of Maryland. Compensation claim by Joshua Johnson for a slave, Thomas Johnson, he manumitted and enlisted as a USCT, United States Colored Troops. Partially printed document.
GLC09130.01
Proof of slave ownership
March 29, 1865
Proof of ownership by Joshua Johnson for the slave Thomas Johnson.
GLC09130.02
Draft amending Alabama Constitution
16 September 1865 circa
"Ordinance / in relation to the Institution of Slavery and the abolition thereof. / Sep. 16 - Subst[itution]. Ordered 100 copies be printed. Sp. order Monday 11. / Be it ordained by the people of the state of Alabama, in convention assembled, That...
GLC09131
Revolutionary war pay warrants
1 June 1780-1789
Five Connecticut Line Continental Army, Revolutionary War pay warrants issued to African American soldiers. Signed by John Lawrence, treasurer of the State, and docketed every year to 1789 when interest was paid. Four of the five have signatures of...
GLC09132
Warrant for money owed to Sharp Liberty
Lawrance, John, fl. 1780;
One warrant for eight pounds and five shillings owed to soldier, Sharp Liberty. Signed "X"' by Liberty and J. Lawrence, treasurer.
GLC09132.01
Pay warrant to African American soldier
Philip Negro for six pounds, five shillings, and nine pence. Remainder of Negro's signature.
GLC09132.02
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