17 September 1807

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Manuscript

Title: An Act concerning the introduction of Negroes & Mulattoes into this Territory

One clerical copy of a document entitled, "An Act concerning the introduction of negroes and Mulattoes into this Territory," dated September 17, 1807. Pertains to Black enslaved people over the age of 15, in the Indiana Territory which the government had split into 14 sections. Relays the territories mandates for fees and requirements to enslave Black people in Indiana. Notes that if a person is enslaved under the age of 15, it is lawful for a Black man to remain enslaved until the age of 35 and a Black woman to remain enslaved until the age of 32. Black children born from the aforementioned…

GLC00697

December 5, 1863

Davis, Robert S., 1832-?

Printed document

Title: [General orders No. 46 concerning the recruitment of non-white troops]

States "The recruitment of colored troops has become the settled purpose of the Government. It is therefore the duty of every officer and soldier to aid in carrying out that purpose, by every proper means, irrespective of personal predilection." Instructs recruitment to proceed "so that as few of the negros as possible shall become chargeable either upon the bounty of Government or the charities of the benevolent, and at the same time to do justice to those who shall enlist ... " Discusses the possibility of equal pay for white and non-white troops. Issued by Davis as Major and Assistant…

GLC00698

18 August 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States

Address on state of Confederacy and conduct of the war. In the hand of Burton Harrison, Davis's private secretary and signed on last page by Davis.

GLC00699

1864

National Union Free Convention

Broadside

Title: The two roads to peace

Broadside printing of the Chicago Democratic and Baltimore Republican Party platforms for the 1864 election.

GLC00701

1864

National Union Free Convention

Broadside

Title: President Lincoln and General Grant on Peace and War.

Promotes the Union cause. Reprints an interview with Lincoln titled "Mr. Lincoln's view of Democratic strategy," and a letter of General Grant dated 16 August 1864 to E.B. Washburne. Grant's letter informs that the Confederacy is very weak and losing men each day. Also printed is the verses to a song, "On the Chicago Surrender." Same broadside as GLC05556.

GLC00702

October 21, 1861

Price, Sterling, 1809-1867

Document signed

Title: [Confederate/Union prisoner of war cartel for exchange of prisoners]

Details exchange terms agreed upon by Quin Morton, who signed for Union General John C. Frémont, and Confederate General Sterling Price, who commanded the Missouri State Guard. Includes Confederate prisoners captured at Camp Jackson, Missouri on 10 May 1861 and Union soldiers captured since then. The Confederate commander of Camp Jackson was General Daniel [written as David in document] M. Frost whose name is first on the cartel along with another Confederate general, John Bowen, who died during the Vicksburg campaign. The cartel lists terms and name and rank of exchanged prisoners of…

GLC00703

April 18, 1790

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Benjamin Rush

The letter discusses corruption and Adam's unhappiness as Vice President. He is very affectionate towards Rush. Also discusses beliefs on government and other reflections.

GLC00704

23 October 1872

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Document signed

Title: Pardon of J.A. de Abora, convicted of violating the "Passenger Act."

Convicted of violating the "Passenger Act." Pardoned by recommendation of Senator W.H. Corbett, District Attorney Gibbs, the Collector of Customs at Portland, and other prominent citizens of Oregon, and since he was ignorant of the law. (c/s Hamilton Fish)

GLC00706

28 May 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Passport for whaling ship Contest].

Countersigned by Secretary of State Seward. Issued to Captain Norton of the whaling ship "Contest" for a trip to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The pass indicates that the Contest is from the U.S. but not involved with the Civil War; it asks that the ship be allowed to travel freely. Contest left port on May 30, 1862 and returned on August 5, 1864, with 208 barrels of sperm oil, 691 barrels of whale oil, and 9,500 lbs. of whale bone. Copies in English, German, French, and Spanish. Signed and stamped by James Taylor, Notary Public. Features paper seal. Signed in New Bedford, MA.

GLC00709

05 November 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of John Woodcock].

GLC00710

January 23, 1879

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Robert A. Adams].

GLC00711

September 12, 1860

Nichols, William Augustus, 1818-1869

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Joseph Hardee

Letter signed by Assistant Adjutant General William A. Nichols, addressed to William Joseph Hardee at West Point. He informs Hardee that General Paul J. Semmes's request for a Sergeant to be appointed to assist with the instruction of his command has been endorsed by the Secretary of War. Nichols was brevetted Union brigadier general in 1864 and major general in 1865.

GLC00715.07

April 1865

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Header Record

Title: [Deposition of Edwin M. Stanton and related legal documents] [decimalized]

Six documents relating to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton's deposition as a defense witness in the case of John Benjamin (plaintiff) vs. Robert Murray and Jacob H. Perkins (defendants), being heard before the New York Supreme Court. The case, and Stanton's deposition, concerned Lincoln's 1862 call for a draft and Stanton's order to arrest anyone discouraging enlistment. At the top left of each page is the identifier "761-A" (the number is stamped; "-A" is handwritten), followed by a stamped page number (beginning with 86 and ending with 108). Documents (decimalized .01-.06) held together…

GLC00720

April 14, 1857

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Sailing orders from the Navy Department, placing McBlair in charge of the sloop of war "Dale," and commanding him to sail to the African coast to combat illegal slave trading. McBlair is ordered to join the "United States African Squadron" and to stop ships transporting illegal cargo or falsely flying the American flag. Letter written from the "Navy Department." Pages bound with a green ribbon. Isaac Toucey was the U.S. Secretary of the Navy. He also served as a Congressman and Senator from Connecticut, United States Attorney General, and Governor of Connecticut.

GLC00722.01

May 2, 1858

Hawley, Charles E., fl. 1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Letter, with McBlair's autograph endorsement signed on the verso. The letter, written on board the U.S.S. "Marion" at Porto Praya, Cape Verde, states that Hawley is ill with dyspepsia, does not believe he can recover on board, and wishes that "a medical survey may be held in my case." McBlair's note on the next page, written on May 3, 1858, on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at Porto Praya, orders the medical examination to be held. Note on bottom of page states that Hawley passed; it is signed by Assistant Surgeons W. Sherman, R. J. Mason and H.W.M. Washington.

GLC00722.37

August 17, 1861

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. A. Collins

Grant discusses surrounding Rebel forces and writes that he only has the power to appoint two officers. These two men will be his aides-de camp, and he wishes to appoint John A. Rawlins and "Thompson" from his previous command. He states "The papers no doubt have informed you that my command has been hemed in here by overwhelming numbers! The Rebels have been close to us with numbers much larger than ours but so far they have considered prudence the better part of valor. It is to late for them now. I am reinforced to about thribble my former strength and more are coming." He also thanks…

GLC00705

April 25, 1934

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Typed letter signed

Title: to Lewis L. Strauss

Letter concerns the Rindge Land business, the financing, and outlook of investing in "The richest soil in California." Also mentions tenant-related issues, particularly keeping land in the hands of white farmers rather than Asian tenants. Letter typed on personal stationery, with an autograph and initialed postscript pertaining to a possible visit by Strauss.

GLC00707

January 13, 1622

Brandt, Sebastian, fl. 1600-1625

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Hovener

Brandt requests having the London Company send him supplies, and requests that his nephew (the son of Phillip Brandt) be sent to Virginia from Derbyshire. He mentions Admiral of the Jamestown District, John Pountis. Letter written in Elizabethan secretarial hand. Docket, in another hand, reads: "Sebastian Brands letter to Mr. Hojener 13 January }1622/1 That ther is Mynes of Gould and Silver and Copper in Virginia." It is unclear if the date is old style or new style.

GLC00708

October 6, 1862

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Avery

Confederate General Breckinridge discusses a possible position on his staff for Avery, which would have to be as a voluntary aide. Congratulates on his freedom "from Yankee bondage" and his hopes to meet Avery "often in the progress of our great and just struggle."

GLC00713

July 24, 1862

Longstreet, James, 1821-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry A. Wise

Writes to Brigadier General Wise of D. H. Hill's Division, Army of Northern Virginia. Confederate Major General Longstreet (in reply from a letter from Wise of the day before) tells Wise that he will suggest to Commanding General Robert E. Lee that troops from Wise's brigade be preferred in troop exchanges with the Union. He adds that in the meantime he will send two brigades to support his picket line. "I am sending two Brigades down to occupy the ground from New Market to the Darbytown road. This I think will enable you to reduce your picket guards to some extent, and enable you to get…

GLC00714

1852-1863

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of Paul J. Semmes, 2nd Regiment, Georgia, infantry [Decimalized .01-.11]

Letters and documents re: Georgia militia & secession (less .5) [decimalized .01-.11]

GLC00715

January 23, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Henry Chase

Retained copy. Semmes writes to Major Chase about some telegrams sent and received. He regrets that he cannot go to Pensacola right now because of business. Informs that 20 years ago he was a brigadier general in the militia in eastern Georgia but was removed to the western part of the state, and he is now only commissioned as a captain. He is happy they have renewed their friendship, which began at West Point in 1857.

GLC00715.01

March 26, 1861

Winston, F.S., fl. 1861

Letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Winston informs Semmes that his life insurance policy covers him while in service during war. Letter is on printed stationery of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Docketed with note signed with initials by Semmes.

GLC00715.02

1852

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Memorandum book]

Signed and dated on front cover by Semmes, 26 June 1852. Concerns a trip to Arkansas to purchase a planation and to enslave people to work on the cotton crops. Records that he left to go to Memphis on June 28, 1852. Keeps an account of his finances. Makes notes on land for sale and pertinent details such as the county, crops, etc. On page two he writes, "Look at the negroes bought by Fawlks." He later writes, "Mr. Morey engages to buy negroes for me at $10 per head...all acclimated & good negroes accustomed to making cotton…" On 2 August 1852 he details what he is looking for in a…

GLC00715.03

March 22, 1853

Clemons, W.G., fl. 1853-1860

Letter

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Letter signed by five members of the Columbus Guards electing Semmes captain of the company. The letter and the signatures are all written in the same hand. Letter is on blue lined paper.

GLC00715.04