August 17, 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frederic P. Stanton

Follow-up letter discussing the addition of evidence in a Court of Inquiry case. Written on War Department letterhead.

GLC00496.044

June 3, 1802

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos Binny

Discusses the questionable abilities of Joshua Humphreys, designer of the frigates Constitution and United States, and the shortcomings of these ships. It was on the USS Constitution that Bainbridge defeated the HMS Java and returned victorious to Boston Harbor in 1813, earning the ship its name "Old Ironsides." Binny was a Navy agent.

GLC00496.008

December 29, 1812

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Manuscript

Title: Extracts from Commodore William Bainbridge's Journal

Transcribed journal entry written aboard the USS Constitution (later transcribed, not in Bainbridge's hand) recounting the ship's battle with HMS Java off the coast of Brazil. The account is recorded as the fighting occurs. Includes a casualty and injury count as well as the names of British officers taken aboard.

GLC00496.009

April 9, 1905

Barton, Clara, 1821-1912

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Hunt

Regarding the health of Hunt's family: her dying sister, her brother, Sam who has been recovering from an operation, and Ida.

GLC00496.010

July 20, 1804

Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: Report of a committee of the Bank of the United States that was formed to investigate an alleged counterfeiting ring in North Carolina

Also signed by George Fox, both as members of the committee. They confirm the existence the ring, saying of it that it is a "very extensive Combination, and of a very formidable nature, to counterfeit & pass Notes purporting to be of the Bank of the United States." It includes men of property and influence. They suggest remedies, saying that they are supported in these by Pennsylvania Congressman Joseph Clay. In June 1804, Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin and Governor of Virginia John Page had requested that a committee of the Bank of the United States be formed to investigate…

GLC00496.012

August 20, 1792

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Row Bradley

Requests Judge Stephen Row Bradley's professional opinion and advice regarding the gubernatorial election of 1792 in which Burr disqualified votes in several counties.

GLC00496.015

4 March 1784

Cherokee Nation

Manuscript

Title: Articles of a treaty concluded .... [with] the North Cherokee Indians

Certified as a true copy on p.6. Apparently ratified Nov. 1785.

GLC00496.016

1861-1865

Scrapbook

Title: [Civil war patriotic postal cover collection]

Two scrapbooks with 2133 covers and some broadsides pasted in. Containing many unusual Union covers, a number of which are rare and unlisted in Wolcott. Scarce designs from printers such as Magnus, Berlin & Jones, etc., with single, tonal or multicolor designs. Includes four 1864 presidential tickets. The first volume includes: Magnus multi-color state seal designs on pp. 13-15 and 29-32, and 81-84; the matched set of five Lincoln-Davis Price Fight covers, p. 21; alligator design, p. 35; Berlin and Jones design, p. 56; Southern design (printed in North), p. 57-62; Uncle Sam's farm…

GLC00496.017

April 18, 1775

Clymer, George, 1739-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Committee of Correspondence of the County of Berks

Also signed by Joseph Reed, John Cadwalader, Thomas Mifflin, Jonathan B. Smith, John Benezet, James Mease, John Nixon, and Samuel Meredith. Circular to the committees of Pennsylvania encouraging the formation of military associations in each county; this letter was sent to Berks County. This is an answer to the letter of Berks County from April 15, 1775. Says now that "Ministerial violence" - meaning attacks by British troops under Parliament's orders - has occurred they need to act and not deliberate. Says their "despotic" intentions are "beyond doubt." Says word came that the Houses of…

GLC00496.022

20 February 1781

Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805

Manuscript document signed

Title: A Proclamation

Written and signed by aide-de-camp Henry Broderick. Also signed by Cornwallis. A proclamation stating it is King George III's "gracious Wish to rescue His faithfull & loyal Subjects from the cruel tyranny under which they have groaned for several Years." Invites them to repair without loss of time with their arms and ten days provisions to Hillsborough. Wants to establish good order and constitutional government to the province

GLC00496.023

February 22, 1901

King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom, 1841-1910

Letter signed

Title: to William Ernest

Writes to Ernest, the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach. Announces the death of his mother Victoria. Signed "Edward Rex" with his addition of the day and closing salutation "Good Brother and Cousin." Written on black-bordered stationery.

GLC00496.024

circa May 1777

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Signed by Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. Reports on their activities in France including getting Mr. Hodges released from the Bastille for lying about outfitting a privateer. Mentions receipt of commissions for Ralph Izard and William Lee (both appointed May 1777) but cites a lack of salary. Also mentions loans and subsidies requested from Europe. The lack of salary for Izard and Lee caused problems between them and Franklin. Date inferred from the commissions. The last three lines are in Franklin's hand. Last page only, so letter is incomplete.

GLC00496.025

November 1, 1851

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Oakes Smith

Greeley tries to discourage Smith from founding a woman's newspaper as a poor business decision and discusses differences between business and reform. He concludes by preferring that they be "former acquaintances" rather than "friends" or "enemies." With a docket on page 1 by recipient: "full of conceited assumptions by no means warranted by my communication to him. E.O.S."

GLC00496.026

circa 1580

Grenville, Richard, Sir, fl. 1541-1591

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Blighe

Writes to his cousin to ask him to lend him money. In 1585, Grenville sailed to Virginia with 300 settlers that he successfully disembarked on Roanoke Island (off the coast of what is now North Carolina).

GLC00496.027

December 23, 1800

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harrison Gray Otis

Hamilton suggests that the Federalists should support Thomas Jefferson for President rather than Aaron Burr when the tied election goes to the House of Representatives. Hamilton's response is an extended comparison of the two men concluding with the statement: "In a choice of Evils, let them take the least - Jefferson is in my view less dangerous than Burr." Hamilton concludes with comments about relations with France and Britain which responds to Gray's short discussion of the Convention of 1800 with France. Harrison Gray Otis, a leading Boston Federalist, had written to Hamilton on December…

GLC00496.028

20 July 1792

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Document signed

Title: Treasury Department circular

Printed circular docketed "No. 78." Explains the various responsibilities and duties of Customs Officers with regards to collection of revenue, port duties, jurisdiction, and uniformity of practices.

GLC00496.029

December 27, 1798

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harrison Gray Otis

Reply to Massachusetts Congressman Otis' letter dated December 20, 1798 regarding his thoughts on the organization of the United States Army. Enclosed was a copy of a letter on this subject (GLC00496.030.02) which Hamilton wrote to James Gunn during the Quasi-War with France.

GLC00496.030.01

December 22, 1798

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter

Title: to James Gunn

Transcribed excerpt of letter to Senator James Gunn written during the Quasi-War with France. Discusses military tactics and provisions. Enclosed with a December 27, 1798 letter (GLC00496.030.01) from Hamilton to Massachusetts Congressman Harrison Gray Otis regarding the organization of the U.S. army.

GLC00496.030.02

February 12, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Resolution to Colonel Anthony Wayne]

Transcribed by Charles Thomson Secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774-1788. Resolve requesting all colonels of the Pennsylvania battalions to send a report detailing the number condition of the enlisted men as well as the places where they are now and their rank. This specific order was sent to Colonel Anthony Wayne. Signed By Hancock, President of the Continental Congress.

GLC00496.031

October 16, 1822

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Gales, Jr. and William W. Seaton

Letter to the publishers of the "Annals of Congress: Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States" regarding his finances. Says he will pay them as soon as the "account for adjustment" he has before the "2nd & 3rd Auditor" is approved. Notes that he is waiting on a duplicate of a single voucher. Briefly mentions his defeat in the race for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, which he lost because of his pro-slavery stance during the Missouri Compromise debates. Says the issue of slavery led to his defeat. Docketed in pencil. Numbered on front and back "13456." "…

GLC00496.032

August 7, 1888

Howe, Julia Ward, 1819-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clarence Stedman

Sends a picture. Promises a copy of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Written at Oak Glen, Howe's summer home.

GLC00496.033.01

circa 1861-1910

Howe, Julia Ward, 1819-1910

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Battle Hymn of the Republic]

Transcript of all five stanzas.

GLC00496.033.02

circa 1880's

Howe, Julia Ward, 1819-1910

Print

Title: Engraved portrait of Julia Ward Howe

Letter mentions a portrait; signature appears printed

GLC00496.033.03

1886

Stedman, Edmund Clarence, 1833-1908

Letter

Title: Lithographic letter requesting autograph

Hopes to insert into his private copy of "Poets of America" original drafts or autographic copies of poems by the authors represented in the book. He is also collecting engravings of the authors, and asks his correspondent to send a photograph if such an engraving does not exist. Unsigned, but name penciled in at bottom.

GLC00496.033.04

May 17, 1845

Jackson, Sarah Yorke, 1805-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma Y. Donelson

Addressed "My dear sister." Includes updates on mutual friends and family. Andrew Jackson adopted his wife's nephew and named him Andrew Jackson, Jr. Sarah Yorke, his wife, was the president's daughter-in-law. Emma Yorke Farquhar Donelson married Jackson's nephew, Thomas Jefferson Donelson, Andrew Jackson, Jr.'s twin brother.

GLC00496.034