23 September 1789

Fenno, John, 1751-1798

Newspaper

Title: Gazette of the United States. [No. XLVII (September 23, 1789)]

Reports on the Senate proceedings and prints twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution, an early form of the Bill of Rights. Reports on a debate in the House of Representatives on judicial salaries. Contains news from Europe, including the French Revolution, with a report on France's new Constitution. Features a continuation of a printing of "The Right Constitution of a Common Wealth Examined." Also contains a continuation of Noah Webster's criticisms of Edward Gibbon's "History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

GLC01063

December 5, 1860

Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of a Mississippi commissioner to Alabama]

Mississippi governor Pettus appoints Joseph W. Matthews as commissioner to Alabama to inform that state of Mississippi's upcoming convention "to consider the present threatening relations of the Northern and Southern sections of the United States" and "to express the earnest hope of Mississippi that Alabama will co-operate with her in the adoption of efficient measures for the common defence and safety of the South." Also signed by Mississippi Secretary of State C.A. Brougher. Docketed in pencil.

GLC01064

February 13, 1864

Virginia, Constitutional Convention, 1864

Pamphlet

Title: Constitution of the State of Virginia, and the Ordinances Adopted by the Convention which Assembled at Alexandria, on the 13th Day of February, 1864.

Printed by D. Turner, printer to the state. This constitution was passed by the loyal government of the state of Virginia, in exile in the North during the Civil War. The most notable change from earlier constitutions was the abolition of slavery in an official way by the state. Also includes an official repudiation of the Confederate government, and states that any officeholder under that government was barred from public office.

GLC01065

1717

Louis XIV, 1638-1715

Pamphlet

Title: Lettres Patentes en Forme d'Edit (in French)

Rest of title: ", portant establissement d'une compagnie... " Printed decree granting Louisiana to the Compagnie d'occident. From this decree stemmed the foundation of New Orleans and French exploitation of Louisiana. Wroth, Acts of French Royal Administration, 601

GLC01068

July 10, 1778

Hosmer, Titus, 1736-1780

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Law

Relays news that the Compte d' Estaing had set sail with a fleet for Delaware or Chesapeake Bay and that a British fleet has set out to intercept them. Today they were informed that d'Estaing arrived near Maryland three days earlier and set off for Sandy Hook. Notes that war had been declared in Paris against England and French troops were in transit toward America. Comments on the recent passage of the Articles of Confederation in Congress.

GLC01069

June 27, 1838

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John MacKay

Lee's signature is cross-written on page 4 as part of the address leaf. This letter betrays some bitterness towards politicians even as it teases MacKay for his remote posting. Also, mentions improvements on Mississippi.

GLC01071

October 19, 1864

McLaws, Lafayette, 1821-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Ray

Forwards an application, "Of the Officers of the 9th Ga [Georgia] Battallian of Arty [Artillery] for transfer to Siege batteries Savannah." Analyzes the conditions at different forts and batteries in Georgia and South Carolina in preparation for the defense of Savannah against Union General William T. Sherman's advance. States that the report will show that an increase in the heavy artillery force is urgently needed. Lists the forts and batteries and the ammunitions at each, the minimum number of men required, and the number needed to provide sufficient relief. Also covers the conditions of…

GLC01073

July 1, 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr.

Secretary of War Knox writes from the War Department to North Carolina's Governor Spaight regarding American regulations restricting the arming of U.S. vessels and those of belligerent nations. Discusses special cases in which American vessels could be armed, as long as they were not colluding to violate neutrality towards the British and French. Notes that such a decision must first be approved by the President of the United States. Marked "Registered" on docket page.

GLC01074

December 12 - 15, 1795

Virginia

Header Record

Title: Proposed amendments to the US Constitution (with transmittal)

Accompanied by a transmittal document 1795/12/15. Swem, Virginia Imprints 7834. Evans 29798. Signed by H. Brooke and John Stewart.

GLC01075

March 24, 1864

Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Confederate General Morgan writes an eloquent letter to Davis to urge him to return him to his command. "My sense of duty compels me to leave Richmond in order to place myself at the head of the remnant of my Old Cavalry Brigade, diminished as it is now ... by the withdrawal of the choicest troops of my Command ... I have protested in vain against this act of injustice to me, my reclamations have not even been deemed worthy of a reply ... " Also demands the rescue of his troops from Union prisons, where he states they are being ill-treated. Claims that his men never committed cruelty against…

GLC01076

1871

Whitman, Walt, 1819-1892

Book signed

Title: Democratic Vistas

First edition inscribed to Matthew Brady, the Civil War photographer. In this essay, Whitman discusses the theory of democracy and its possibilities in America after the Civil War. He criticizes America for its unrestrained wealth, materialism, and corruption. With 3 bookplates tipped in or mounted to inside front cover & front end paper of William F. Gable, Thomas J. McKee, and B. George Ulizio. With two pages of notes by Whitman in pencil describing his directions for revisions of the book and an autograph letter by Horace Traubel dated 20 February 1908 relating to this copy and…

GLC00865

4 April 1861

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Autograph document signed

Title: [Selecting officers to expedite the U.S.S. Powhatan]

He "ordered by the President to select such officers as may be necessary to expedite the ship." Porter was initially supposed to take his ship, the steam frigate Powhatan, to South Carolina to reinforce Fort Sumter in case the Confederates chose to attack. At this time Secretary of State William Seward was still working towards reconciliation with the South. He worried that sending a warship to Sumter might increase Southern hostility, so with Dixon's help he managed to ensure that the Powhatan was not sent to Sumter. Instead it was sent to aid Fort Pickens in Pensacola, another Federal…

GLC00866

18 September 1920

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Document signed

Title: [Presidential commutation for Isaac Sorin, convicted of possession of stolen goods 3 February 1919 and sentenced to five years]

Isaac Sorin was convicted of possession of goods stolen from interstate shipments in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey and sentenced to five years in the State penitentiary in Baltimore, Maryland. Wilson commuted his sentence to expire 3 October 1920, no reason given. Countersigned by Acting Attorney General William L. Frirnson. Printed document with blanks filled in with type.

GLC00868

January 18, 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of John H. Craigmiles by Abraham Lincoln]

Tennessean rebel whose pardon was recommended by Andrew Johnson. Unusual Civil War pardon date for a rebel. (c/s Seward)

GLC00870

March 24, 1867

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwards Pierrepont

Stanton says he cannot help Edwards Pierrepont with collectorship. The letter also discusses lack of influence with President Johnson. Letter written on War Department stationery.

GLC00871

November 13, 1868

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwards Pierrepont

Letter discusses Grant's cabinet, and appointments & health. Stanton died the following year.

GLC00872

June 24, 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maj. John Dix

Letter written in pencil on mourning stationery. The letter discusses the dispatch from Grant, Kirby Smith, and Gen. Banks.

GLC00876

02 March 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: Jefferson, Thomas. Acts of the second Congress.

Four printed acts of the second Congress signed by Thomas Jefferson. Acts deal with defraying the expense of an Indian treaty in Ohio, paying a loan from the Bank of US, relief of Elijiah Bostwick, and additional compensation for public officers. The four acts were printed on one leaf and approved by Washington on 2 March 1793.

GLC00878

1 July 1790

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Printed document signed

Title: An act for the relief of Nathaniel Twining

Signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Congress relieves Twining due to his "failure in neglecting to transport the mail between Charleston and Savannah" from September 1787 through January 1788. Authorized by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Vice President John Adams; and President George Washington.

GLC00879

February 26, 1868

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Document recognizing Alexis Robert as consul of the Pontifical States]

This document is signed by Andrew Johnson and countersigned by Seward. It gives the title of Consul to Alexis Robert, at New Orleans. Accompanied by a large white, paper seal.

GLC00893

February 8, 1905

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Typed letter signed

Title: to John Dalzell

Taft asks for Dalzell's support to reduce the tariff for the Philippines. He includes handwritten insertions. Letter written on War Department letterhead.

GLC00895

28 April 1865

Kelton, John C., 1828-1893

Document signed

Title: [Transmittal of commission of Assistant Adjutant General to Henry M. Cist]

Partially printed document signed by Kelton as Assistant Adjutant General. Transmits commission of Cist as Assistant Adjutant General, U. S. Volunteers. On War Department, Adjutant General's Office, stationary. Unrelated to .01.

GLC00898.02

30 June 1781

Avery, John, 1739-1806

Broadside

Title: Resolutions [raising 2700 militia for General Washington]

Signed on p. 1 by Avery as Secretary. Docketed "Ipswich" on left margin of p.1

GLC00906

December 10, 1880

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Winfield S. Hancock

Letter discusses politics and election fraud in New York State. Docketed. With engraved portrait of Johnston.

GLC00907

1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Photograph signed

Title: Carte de visite by Brady, signed on mount

Signed on the mount "A. Lincoln" This image is O-49.

GLC00919.01