6 March 1863

Stanford, Leland, 1824-1893

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Gilbert Witham, Captain, Co. M, 1st Cavalry, California Volunteers]

Partially printed document signed by Stanford as Governor of California and countersigned by California Secretary of State William H. Weeks, Adjutant General William Kibbe, and Deputy A.A.H. Tuttle. Sealed with the Great Seal of California (with bear, Minerva and gold-digger). With partially printed oath of allegiance signed by Witham on verso, dated May 16 at Stockton, California.

GLC01620

1 January 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document

Title: Emancipation Proclamation

Official State Department printing of the final version, printed by the U.S. Government Printing Office. "...I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States and parts of States are and henceforward shall be free..." This is no. 10 in Eberstadt's bibliography of the Emancipation Proclamation. Printed circa 3 January 1863.

GLC01532

November 14, 1802

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Institut National de France

Jefferson sends his thanks for becoming the first American member of the Institute. The letter is addressed to "Citizens, President and Secretaries."

GLC01533

January 7, 1877

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

Letter

Title: to William Pitt Kellogg

President Grant informs Kellogg, Governor of Louisiana, that no troops will be supplied for the January 8, 1877 inauguration of the Louisiana Government. States that he cannot send troops, because to do so would express recognition of one of two rival governments claiming legitimacy. Reports that soldiers will be sent only to suppress violence while facts are investigated regarding the differing claims. States that following the establishment of a legal government, "troops may be used to uphold the rightful government in the state if called upon in accordance with the spirit and meaning of…

GLC01545.04

13 April 1861

Broadside

Title: [Broadside describing the Confederate attack of Fort Sumter, South Carolina]

Describing the first engagement of the Civil War, this broadside states "Washington in Danger! Rebel Victory! ... The Confederate Flag to Wave Over the Federal Capitol!" Includes various paragraphs regarding the Confederate victory. Contains reports on the engagement from Virginia, Rhode Island, Alabama, Massachusetts, New York, Georgia and South Carolina. Describes how President Abraham Lincoln heard news of the attack. A pencil note instructs "Keep Curio" and indicates origin in Marietta, Ohio. Docketed in pencil, possibly at a later date.

GLC01545.06

January 19, 1870

Dahlgren, John Adolphus Bernard, 1809-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to T. Apoleon Cheney

Letter written by Dahlgren as commander of the Washington Navy Yard. References Cheney's notes from January 6 and 10. Has not responded because of the "many demands on my time." Says some of the books he has requested are procurable and will be forwarded, although a copy of his own book, "Shells and Shell-Guns," is not available. Says the war kept him from literary pursuits and that he only has one copy of the book left "and cannot buy another at any price." Regrets that he cannot send a copy because "it is my principal work and exposes the principles on which I concerted the present Armament…

GLC01545.09

December 6, 1882

Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Buel Franklin

Discusses the use of his Washington D.C. office by the National Home for Disabled Veteran Soldiers. Tells Franklin that he is changing occupations (he had been elected Governor of Massachusetts) and explains that he will need to redirect the rent money for the use of his Washington D.C. office, which was being used by the Home while Butler was president of its Board of Managers. Explains the financial arrangement he had and how he would like it rearranged so the Home could continue to use the office and the person managing it, Mr. Whitney, could receive a salary.

GLC01545.10

January 20, 1953

Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969

Typed document signed

Title: [First inaugural address]

Signed by Eisenhower on the first page. Focuses on protecting freedom and equality, unity and promoting international economic interdependence. Outlines nine principles to advance peace and freedom throughout the world. "The peace we seek, then, is nothing less than the practice and fulfillment of our whole faith among ourselves and in our dealings with others. This signifies more than the stilling of guns, easing the sorrow of war. More than escape from death, it is a way of life. More than a haven for the weary, it is a hope for the brave."

GLC01548

January 24, 1865

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

Autograph document signed

Title: to Gustavus Vasa Fox

A telegram in which Grant asks Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox if he would like to accompany him from Fort Monroe to Fort Fisher. Grant suggests the use of a "Naval Vessel" for the journey. Marked "Cipher." Fort Fisher had been captured on 15 January.

GLC01554

May 26, 1779

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Weiss

Greene informs Weiss, the deputy quartermaster general, of the orders he received from George Washington to ready the Pennsylvania troops to march and asks Weiss to supply them with tents and others necessary stores. He indicates where Weiss can obtain some tents and canteens. Letter written from "Camp."

GLC01556

August 26, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to President and Directors of the Bank of New York

Secretary of War Knox transfers a letter from President Washington (not included). He requests a $10,000 loan and additional monies when needed for the commissioners negotiating treaties with Indians. Letter written from the "War Office."

GLC01561

November 22, 1801

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

A long letter, in which Lafayette discusses revolutionary France, his personal affairs and associations, and the light his personal correspondence with George Washington will cast on the memoirs of General Washington being written by Bushrod Washington. On revolutionary France and the war being waged by Napoleon, he writes: "I am among the few who persist to profess that the Liberal seeds which among so much weed have been sown upon European[,] and particularly upon French, ground cannot and shall not be ultimately lost." He discusses personal relationships with Lord Cornwallis and Napoleon.…

GLC01562

1782

George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Broadside

Title: Epitaph [mock epitaph on George III, "Button-Maker"]

Satirical epitaph on King George III. Compares George III to various dictatorial rulers, including Caligua and Cesar, Printed by F. Bailey. Inscribed at top to "Mrs. Rebecca Treat at Yorktown -- From Sam: Leatney [?]."

GLC01531

March 4, 1910

Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hart O. Berg

Wright comments that he hopes to be in New York before Mr. Peartree leaves. Discusses aircraft engines and mentions the new German motors that give five horsepower more than the French. Asks if he has received a statement of account that was supposed to have been sent. Letter written on printed stationery of the Wright Brothers, with several penciled notes by recipient or a secretary.

GLC01536

November 16, 1910

Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912

Typed letter signed

Title: to Hart O. Berg

Gives a detailed account of the 1910 International Air Meet. States that the Americans did much better than the French. Comments on a few men whose planes broke down and states, "Why does not the French government forbid monoplanes?-They have killed ten times more men than double propellers have." Describes many of the flight events including information about the pilots, the wind, speeds, and breakdowns. Goes on to discuss the profits of the American Wright Company for the year. Talks again about monoplanes and their problems. Compares the Wright planes' flight records with European planes.…

GLC01537

June 2, 1785

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Marked "Duplicate" by Adams, and possibly used for en-cyphering because of the marks and lines above letters, words and sentences. Describes in great detail Adams's reception by King George III as America's first ambassador to Great Britain. He quotes his speech to the king, and the king's response. He also describes an awkward moment when the king tactlessly remarked "There is an opinion, among some People, that you are not the most attracted of all your Countrymen, to the manners of France." Adams writes "I was a little embarassed, but determined not to deny the Truth on one hand, nor leave…

GLC01538

December 2, 1794

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Letter written as United States consul to the Hague, to the American Vice Consul in Amsterdam. Adams quotes portions of the treaty and asks that the extract not be published. Also mentions news of the Jay Treaty, which was just signed. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC01539

August 4, 1812

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Joy

Discusses some political pamphlets that dealt with the 1807 British naval attack by the ship Leopold against the Chesapeake, an American ship, and its consequences for the War of 1812. Adams was then the United States Ambassador to Russia. Joy, who lived in London, was an advocate for the Americans during the War of 1812.

GLC01540

January 25, 1765

Winthrop, John, 1714-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Belcher

Winthrop congratulates Judge Belcher on recovering "from a dangerous illness." He notes having read that many French Acadians have been removed from Nova Scotia, Canada, to the West Indies, and observes that because of their religion, they "could hardly ever have been good Subjects to a Protestant government." Indicates that the Sugar Act and the Currency Act, referred to as "The late Acts of Trade," are widely discussed and cause much uneasiness among merchants and judges alike. He notes the death of Edward Wigglesworth, the first Hollis professor of Divinity at Harvard College. Discusses…

GLC01541.01

February 13, 1745

Pepperrell, William, 1696-1759

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Wendell

Pepperrell writes to Colonel Wendell first of his poor health, then discusses his hopes that the siege of Louisbourg will end by the spring.

GLC01541.02

May 30, 1689

Blackwell, John, fl. 1689

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Penn

Captain Blackwell, the Deputy Governor, writes regarding the disbursement of his promised salary of 200 pounds per year. He has drawn a bill upon him for 100 pounds, and hopes Penn will honor it. With red classical seal of Blackwell intact on address panel.

GLC01541.03

1769/09/30

Butler, Richard, 1743-1791

Document signed

Title: [Certificate of account]

A certificate affirming that a document is a "True Copy" of an account made two years earlier by a man named John Mitchell. The certificate was signed at Fort Pitt, a key cite during the French and Indian War. Countersigned by William Christie.

GLC01541.05

July 8, 1780

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Titus Homer

Encloses a certificate from the Board of War (not included), needed to settle his pay. Arnold informs Homer that he will accept the command of West Point. Although Homer was a friend of Arnold, he probably was unaware of his treasonous plans. Possibly a retained draft, with several deletions in the text by Arnold.

GLC01542

June 5, 1866

Bryant, William Cullen, 1794-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Thomas Fields

Bryant writes to Fields, editor of the Atlantic Monthly. Transmits a poem, "The Death of Slavery" (GLC01543.02). Remarks that the poem was "meditated a year since but written out within the last few days. I had a good deal of trouble with some of the stanzas, or you would have had it earlier. You will publish it if at all, when you please." Relates that his wife is ill. In a postscript, notes, "What shall I call the poem. 'The Death of Slavery,' does not please me much but I can think of nothing else." Accompanied by three collateral prints of Bryant (two depicting an elder Bryant in profile…

GLC01543.01

circa 1866

Bryant, William Cullen, 1794-1878

Autograph manuscript

Title: The death of slavery

Bryant's poem, transmitted to the editor of Atlantic Monthly with a letter written 5 June 1866 (GLC 1543.01).

GLC01543.02