July 25, 1807

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Rhea

Burr states that he is writing reluctantly to ask his attention to a matter concerning the plans for defense at his treason trial. States that George Morgan and his sons John and Thomas of Princeton, New Jersey have sworn before the grand jury about conversations that did not take place. Discusses plans to discredit their character and mentions three men in Princeton who might be willing to do this; Daniel Agnew, John Hamilton, and William Hight. Implores Rhea to procure men of a higher character to testify on the bad credit of the Morgan's. Conveys that if Rhea is reluctant to do this, he…

GLC01544

January 3, 1867

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. L. Plumb

Examines the situation in Mexico, but feels it is a conflict that should be avoided. Fears a "distinct Indian War" that will consume a large amount of American military resources, and does not want to also be fighting in Mexico. Feels people should "organize a State of Republican Govt." as their primary focus.

GLC01545.01

3 April 1865

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

Manuscript document

Title: [Telegram to Julia Dent Grant]

Telegram in clerical hand to his wife Julia Grant regarding military matters. Expects to be in Richmond next week and says Sheridan has "picked up 1200 more prisoners today." Sent by Grant from Southerland Station, Virginia, and written on "United States Military Telegraph" stationary, at "Head Quarters."

GLC01545.02

October 15, 1864

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to J.H. Spotts

Letter written in clerical hand, but signed by Rear Admiral Porter as commander of the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron to Commander Spotts as commander of the USS "Pawtuxet." Says a steamship belonging to the navy left Point Lookout for Hampton Roads on October 8, 1864 in the midst of a gale from the northwest. It is assumed she was driven ashore on the Eastern shore of the Chesapeake or has foundered. Orders Spotts to search for her and to make inquiries with other vessels along the way. Wants to see him before he starts the mission. Commissioned in February 1864 as USS Malvern, she was…

GLC01545.03

April 21, 1865

Park, William E., fl. 1855-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Mr. Newton

Writes to his cousin about the Union soldiers' reaction to the assassination of Lincoln. States that "the boys are in for exterminating the Rebels altogether." He also writes that there are many men who would re-enlist now that would not have done so a week ago. Expresses his hope that President Andrew Johnson is capable of conducting public affairs and doesn't show any mercy to the traitors. Also appends a short note to his cousin Mollie stating that since the death of Lincoln, he feels like re-enlisting and "help exterminate those accursed Rebels".

GLC01545.05

September 17, 1864

Drayton, Percival, 1812-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. C. Palmer

Drayton served as captain of Admiral David Farragut's flagship, the sloop of war "Hartford," and also as fleet captain of the West Gulf Blockade Squadron. Tells Palmer, the fleet surgeon on board the "Pensacola," that he sent a box and small package by the "Sebago" for Confederate Admiral Franklin Buchanan. Wants Palmer to ask Buchanan when the 15 inch shot that almost penetrated the port side of the CSS "Tennessee" during the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864 was delivered. Both Buchanan and the "Tennessee" were captured during the battle -- Buchanan was wounded. Wants to know if anything…

GLC01545.07

4 July 1865

Geary, John White, 1819-1873

Document signed

Title: Order of the procession at the ceremonies of laying the corner stone of the monument in the Soldiers' National Cemetery, July 4, 1865.

Possibly the program of an 1865 celebration in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Ceremonies include speeches by President Andrew Johnson and Andrew Greg Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania. Docketed by Major General Geary.

GLC01545.08

6 November 1863

Yeatman, James E., 1818-1901

Broadside

Title: [Appeal from the Western Sanitary Commission to President Abraham Lincoln regarding the condition of freedpeople]

The Western Sanitary Commission informs President Lincoln that many freed enslaved people in the Mississippi Valley have no provisions, clothing, or bedding, and little cooking supplies or knowledge as to using such. States that "To meet the present emergency and to prevent or lessen the sufferings of the coming winter and spring, we offer our humble but active services, asking no reward of any kind, but the opportunity and encouragement to work." Reports that the Commission's efforts would be a work of philanthropy and patriotism, "for it would remove an increasing reproach against the…

GLC01545.11

circa 1865

Pamphlet

Title: [List of forces and commanders involved in operations against Mobile, Alabama]

Full title is "Operations against Mobile, Ala.: Organization of the Union Forces (Commanded by Major-General Edward R. S. Canby) March-April, 1865." Contains a list of Union major generals, brigadier generals, colonels, captains, and other leaders who participated in the March-April 1865 Mobile Campaign under the command of Major General Canby. Lists all units, including the 96th and 97th United States Colored Troops. Includes a 5 cent Internal Revenue Certificate stamp, which was cancelled in 1866, on the last page.

GLC01545.12

23 September 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Queen Victoria

Presenting James M. Mason as the "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary" from the Confederate States of America to Great Britain. Mason and John Slidell were captured by Union ships during their voyage to Europe, beginning the Trent Affair.

GLC01546

1 March 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Proclamation of martial law in Richmond]

"I Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America do proclaim that martial law is hereby extended over the City of Richmond and the adjoining and surrounding country to the distance of ten miles." The word "Seal" with a circle around it is written on the second page, in place of an official seal. Signed as President of the Confederate States, written in the hand of Judah P. Benjamin, as Secretary of War.

GLC01547

August 20, 1861

Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Laighton

Regrets that he is unable to attend a meeting held at Allston Hall the following Friday, in remembrance of Theodore Parker. Emerson claims, "I do not know that I could add any facts of interest to the recollections of the occasion. Yet Theodore Parkers mind was so lavishly given to the public welfare, that I can easily see how all the new startling events in our politics may associate themselves with his memory. In dark days & amidst sinking men we miss his strength the more, and yet we cannot doubt his relief & joy in the present pronounced state of the Republic, over the so-called '…

GLC01549

April 1862

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Battle plan and ship register for assault on New Orleans]

Document created during the battle for Forts Jackson and St. Philip, which took place 16-23 April 1862. One side has a list of ships involved in the attack -- the first and second divisions of ships and their captains as well as the first and second divisions of gunboats and their captains. Verso has a hand drawn map of the battle plan to attack Forts Jackson and St. Philip along the Mississippi River. Note below the map says most of the squadron is anchored on the left bank of the river and gives plan of attack after barricades in the river are breached. Farragut noted the breaching of the…

GLC01550

1788

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Book

Title: The Federalist: a collection of essays. [First edition by M'Lean]

12mo. First edition.

GLC01551

25 May 1772

George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Henry Clinton to Major General in the British Army]

Partially printed document issued at the Court of St. James's and countersigned by "Suffolk" possibly the Earl of Suffolk Henry Howard. A note indicates it was filed with the Secretary of War Anthony Chamier. Another note on the bottom, made at an unspecified later date, describes the document: "Above: This is the Original Commission of Sir Henry Clinton as a Major General, signed by King George the Third which Sir Henry bore when he accompanied Lord Wm Howe and General Burgoyne to America in 1775 to quell the 'Patriots'. Clinton became commander in chief in 1778. Fought at Bunker Hill,…

GLC01552

March 9, 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Augustus Hurlbut

Letter written near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grant, commander of the Army and Department of the Tennessee, writes to General Hurlbut. Grant sends Colonel Dicky, commanding a cavalry division, to report to Hurlbut. Grant plans for Hurlbut's cavalry to cooperate with other cavalry forces stationed on the Yazoo River in Yazoo City and Liverpool Heights, Mississippi. He intends for Hurlbut's cavalry to destroy a bridge over the Tallahatchie River. Mentions the coordination of other forces, with the objective of destroying railroads and bridges surrounding Vicksburg. Also coordinates troops in…

GLC01553

March 9, 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Richard Sprigg Canby

Marked "(Cipher)" at top. In this telegram, Grant criticizes Canby's request for men and material to build 70 miles of railroad, and orders him to "Take Mobile and hold it." He writes, "I expected your movements to have been cooperative with Shermans last. This has now entirely failed. I wrote to you long ago urging you to push forward promptly and to live upon the country and destroy railroads, Machine shops and not to build them." Advises him to take a position where he can be supplied by water and states that "By this means alone you can occupy positions from which the enemy roads in the…

GLC01555

September 27, 1791

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Appleton

Hamilton writes as the Secretary of the Treasury to Appleton as the Massachusetts Commissioner of Loans to correct a practice of his that was resulting in late payments against debts of the United States.

GLC01557

May 29, 1738

Hamilton, Andrew, fl. 1676-1741

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Langhorne

Hamilton requests that a writ be issued against James Robinson on charges of trespassing and destruction of property.

GLC01558

1788 ca.

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph manuscript

Title: Draft of address to Mass. Legislature after ratification of the Constitution

Discusses the new form of government and reminds legislators of their desire for a Bill of Rights.

GLC01559

March 18, 1857

Johnston, Albert Sidney, 1803-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Samuel Cooper

Johnston writes a letter to Cooper discussing problems with the quartermaster.

GLC01560

September 4, 1829

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andre Paccard

Discusses being prevented by family and political obligations from visiting Chalons-sur-Saone, and mentions liberty. Paccard represented the citizens of Chalons-sur-Saone.

GLC01563

May 3, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Philip St. George Cocke

Signed two weeks after Lee left the service of the U.S. Army. The letter from Lee to Cocke discusses mustering the first Virginia regiments to defend state.

GLC01564

May 10, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Philip St. George Cocke

Lee writes to Cocke discussing early training of the newly recruited Virginia regiments. Letter signed three weeks after leaving the service of the U.S. Army.

GLC01565

July 13, 1863

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to John Daniel Imboden

Lee outlines his plans for the safe retreat of the Army of Northern Virginia 10 days after their defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg. He gives instructions to Brigadier General Imboden to cross the Potamac and proceed to Cherry Creek to ascertain whether or not the enemy troops are waiting. He instructs him to do all in his power to repress the advances of the enemy and defend the Confederate trains nearby so the army could retreat. Imboden did as he was told and Lee safely crossed the Potomac River the same night this letter was written. He was able to retreat because Union General George…

GLC01566