6 August 1851

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to L. Harper

Written from Buchanan's estate, Wheatland. Discusses a recent trip to a General Bowman's home in Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania, where he and other guests held "meetings... which were not confined to Democrats." Referring to an upcoming judicial election, expresses his hope in the election of James Campbell, noting Campbell was the first Catholic to hold a state office. Discusses the Presidential election of 1852, seeing the Democrats/Free Soil alliance in Ohio as a bad omen, alienating Southern Democrats. Writes, "No Democrat can be elected President who shall not receive the Democratic…

GLC04508

7 July 1862

Van Buren, Daniel T., 1826-1890

Autograph note signed

Title: to John M. Cuyler

Suggesting that contrabands, formerly enslaved people who had escaped to the Union army, be tasked with collecting corpses. "It is suggested that Contrabands be Employed to bring down & put in the waggons the dead bodies which, Emit these foul discharges over the clothes of these soldiers, and also that they accompany the bodies to the graves for the purpose of lifting them from the waggons at that place." The original complaint regarding the "foul discharges" is noted on the docket. Written at Fort Monroe

GLC04511

December 11, 1863

Johnston, William Preston, 1831-1899

Endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement on an envelope addressed to Martha Ready Morgan]

Date taken from a pencil note on the envelope. One side of the envelope indicates the correspondence was sent under flag of truce terms to Mrs. Morgan, the wife of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, care of Johnston in Richmond, Virginia. Johnston endorses on verso, writing "With congratulations on Genl Morgan's escape." Contains a five cent Confederate postage stamp. Johnston possibly signed in Richmond.

GLC04513

5 July 1861

Sneed, John L. T. (John Louis Taylor), 1820-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gideon Johnson Pillow

Sneed, Brigadier General of the provisional army of the state of Tennessee, discusses military details with Major General Pillow. Informs Pillow that Captain White of the mounted rifles will be traveling to Memphis. Writes that there has been "a difficulty as to adjusting the rank in squadron of the two Captains of Dragoons, arising from a misunderstanding as to the date of muster respectively of their commands," and that the matter has been referred to the Adjutant General, who will address the issue with the help of the Inspector General. Following their decision, a squadron will be…

GLC04514

14 July 1830

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ebenezer Dole

Signed twice (once struck out) by the famous abolitionist editor Garrison to Dole. Was writing to thank Dole for the 100 dollars he sent. Garrison did not know Dole before he sent the money. Speaks of his prison time for libel in Baltimore a month before and compares it to slavery, saying how much better his condition was. Says "Ah! dear sir, how wide the difference!" He goes on to eloquently contrast a free person who is put in prison to a black slave on a plantation. Also says he is shocked that the North does not understand the horrors of slavery, "their prejudices were invincible -…

GLC04516

21 August 1852

Stephens, Alexander Hamilton, 1812-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Webster

Discusses the upcoming 1852 Presidential Election and various candidates and nominations. States his views on where Southern support lies for the upcoming nomination. Tells Webster his support in the south is solid, and encourages Webster not to endorse Winfield Scott, who he strongly opposes.

GLC04320

29 December 1909

Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915

Book signed

Title: Up from slavery: an autobiography

Published by Doubleday, Page & Company. Signed in Tuskegee, Alabama. Inscribed to George B. Utley, a librarian. Contains articles describing events in Washington's life, including being enslaved in Virginia through his childhood, his struggle to acquire an education, and his work as an educator and administrator of the Tuskegee Institute. Includes a printed photograph of Washington opposite the title page.

GLC04327

January 17, 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Authority to affix the seal to a treaty with the Shoshonee Goship Indians].

Lincoln authorizes a treaty with the Shoshonee Goship (Goshute) Bands of Indians dated October 12, 1863. The treaty was made at Tuilla Valley, Utah Territory. Brigadier General P. Edward Connor, commander of the military district of Utah, and Commissioner James Duane Doty, governor and acting superintendent of Indian affairs in Utah Territory, represented the United States. A chief named Tabby led several chiefs representing the Goshute Indians. The treaty secured peace, opened Goshute territory to emigrant travel, military posts, rail and telegraph construction, and mineral prospecting. It…

GLC04328

19 August 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of Arthur O'Bryan, who had been convicted in the District of Columbia of attempted bestiality in August 1857].

Pardoned by Lincoln near the end of his sentence because of his exemplary behavior in prison, because he had been decent and well-behaved, but was drunk when he committed the offense, and at the request of a large number of respected citizens. Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC04335

26 April 1921

Mitchell, William E., 1879-1936

Typed letter signed

Title: to L. D. Gardner

Sends a note of encouragement.

GLC04352.04

23 November 1948

Rutledge, Wiley B., 1894-1949

Typed letter signed

Title: to D. Lawrence Groner

Discusses a book that Groner mailed to Rutledge. Remarks that it reminded him of scenes from his childhood in eastern Tennessee.

GLC04352.06

11 May 1875

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J.C. Bancroft Davis

General Sherman writes to U.S. Minister to Germany to introduce Colonel George B. Corkhill, the editor of the Washington Chronicle, who was traveling in Europe. He comments "out here on the Mississippi we don't fear Kaiser or Pope." Further comments that a baseball game interests the people more than "a cardinal's encyclical" in this jocular introduction.

GLC04353.09

circa 1923-1929

Coolidge, Grace Goodhue, 1879-1957

Signature

Title: [Signature on White House card]

Signed as wife of Calvin Coolidge, United States President 1923-1929. Circa dates based on the dates of Coolidge's presidency.

GLC04353.11

1881-1885

Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886

Header Record

Title: Executive Mansion logbooks of retained telegrams copies: 2 incoming, 2 outgoing

GLC04354

January 18, 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Ulysses S. Grant writes to Major General Henry W. Halleck in Washington, D.C. concerning Confederate General Pierre G. T. Beauregard's trip west to gather General John B. Hood's army in order to bring them against Union General William T. Sherman. Thinks that if this is true, Selma and Montgomery, Alabama will be reached easily. Does not believe that General George Henry Thomas will get there in time stating that he is "too ponderous in his preparations and equipments to move through a country rapidly enough to live off of it." Explains that he only wants to defend what they already have in…

GLC04357

1866 March 9 - July 25 ca.

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph signed

Title: [Ulysses S. Grant]

Taken at Brady's Washington studio sometime between Mar 9 1866 and July 25. Signed on verso by James Grant Wilson.

GLC04358

1868

Bingham, George Caleb, 1811-1879

Photograph

Title: Civil War; As realized in the Desolation of Border Counties of Missouri, during the operation of General Orders No. 11, issued by Brigadier General Ewing...

[title continues]... from his Head Quarters, Kansas City, August 25, 1863. With note underneath title: "This print, from the original picture by G. C. Bingham, is respectfully dedicated to all who cherish the principles of Civil Liberty." Photograph of a painting by artist George Caleb Bingham, whose signature is included. Photo mounted on poster board which contains title and the text of General Orders No. 11. On 25 August 1863, General Thomas Ewing issued orders no. 11, requiring the evacuation Missouri citizens (primarily in border areas). Ewing required even those who took a loyalty…

GLC04321

June 1, 1780 - February 15, 1782

Header Record

Title: Documents relating to quarrel between French naval officers [in French] [Decimalized .01-.10]

Documents relating to the quarrel between Comte de Grasse and Marquis Adhemar de Monteil. De Grasse commanded part of the French fleet aiding the Colonists during the American Revolution. Monteil served under him and commanded the Languedoc. Monteil became upset when de Grasse ignored an attack plan he suggested, and he was also angered by what he saw as favoritism towards other officers. De Grasse became upset when Monteil began to complain vehemently and demoted him to command of a smaller boat. The day after being demoted Monteil failed to follow de Grasse's orders and permitted the…

GLC04322

1781

Castries, Charles Eugène Gabriel de la Croix, marquis de, 1727-1801

Printed document signed

Title: Signaux de Reconnoissance pour servir a tous les vaisseux du Roi, dans les rencontres a la mer, & en se presentant devant les ports appartenans a la France, en Europe & dans les Colonies, pendant l'annee [in French]

French signal book of the Yorktown campaign. Lists the signals used for recognition by French naval vessels. Ten different sets of signals. Different signals used for night and day, for European and Colonial waters, and for contacting land and other ships. Flags used during the day, lanterns at night. Also includes list of preparatory signals, made by firing canons, to proceed messages. Last paragraph orders that signal book be seen only by the captain, never copied, kept under lock and key in a lead box, be thrown overboard if the ship is in danger of being captured, and be turned in…

GLC04323.02

29 August 1905

Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles M. Taylor

Thanks for news of signing of Russo-Japanese treaty.

GLC04325

January 10, 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Staats Morris

Written as Secretary of War, Knox directs Morris to help Captain John Smith recruit in New York City.

GLC04326

6 December 1781

Drinker, John, fl. 1781

Broadside

Title: [Quaker petition to Pennsylvania authorities seeking protection for pacifism].

Seeks to acquaint others with the Quakers' religious principles, particularly as they manifested in a lack of support for the American Revolution. Praises and appeals to Pennsylvania's reputation for religious tolerance. Insist that their peaceable ways are intended to promote the good of the country. Created in a meeting on November 11, 1781, and submitted by meeting clerk John Drinker. Originally given to the Executive Council and Speaker of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, along with the request that they present it to the bodies they presided over. Printed by Francis Bailey. First…

GLC04329

November 4, 1798

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Constable

Asking Constable to meet in London with James Watt to inquire about terms for purchasing one of Watt's 24-inch cylinder steam engines. Counsels Constable to use his "discretion" in making terms. Livingston encloses a letter [not present] to Watt, which he asks Constable to read and copy, "as it will put it in your power to negotiate with any other projector if Dr. Watt has not come up to what you may deem reasonable." Earlier that year, Livingston had been granted a monopoly on steamboat traffic in New York; he would eventually team up with Robert Fulton to start the Hudson River Steamboat…

GLC04330

13 December 1813

Clinton, DeWitt, 1769-1828

Document signed

Title: [Depositions of Andrew Bartholomew & Arthur H. Roorbach]

Clinton's written summary of the depositions of Andrew Bartholomew & Arthur Roorbach, both steamboat captains employed by Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston. Also includes a statement by Clinton certifying that the depositions are true. The depositions relate to the length of service of these two men and the kind of work they have been doing. Both men state they have captained steamboats for Fulton for almost three years and claim they have towed many boats during this time. These depositions seem to be part of an attempt by Fulton to establish that he was the first to employ…

GLC04332

25 December 1814

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Fulton

Adams states that Levett Harris, then handling U.S. affairs in Russia, has learned from the Russian Minister of the Interior that Fulton is in danger of losing his "patent of exclusive privilege for his Steam-Boat invention" in Russia because he has failed to provide the required drawing and description. Adams reports that he has asked Harris to assure the Russian Minister of the Interior that Fulton was not guilty of neglect, but most likely never received Adams's letters on the subject due to "the extreme difficulty of the communications" in the war-torn winter of 1813-1814. He urges Fulton…

GLC04334