1793/01/20

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Lee re: his reluctance in accepting a second term

Written as President to Lee, Governor of Virginia, who has congratulated Washington for his re-election. The president writes "to say I feel pleasure from the prospect of commencing another tour of duty, would be a departure from truth" and continues that it has been "my fixed determination to return to the walks of private life, at the end of my term." He concludes with news of acquaintances and his nephew, and sends with Mrs. Washington his best wishes for the new year.

GLC02793.002

1795/02/15

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Jameson re: the Dismal Swamp Land Co. and profits from slave labor

Responding to Jameson's call for $80 (on behalf of his deceased uncle), Washington writes that he had hoped to see profits from the company since the elder Jameson had the money in his own hands. He notes in passing that the profits would have been "expected to arise from the labor of the slaves...." Washington also mentions the Potomac Canal Company and the timber owned by the Dismal Swamp Company.

GLC02793.003

1795/08/20

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Adams re: career prospects of John Q. Adams, the Jay Treaty

Written as President to his Vice President. Washington writes that young Adams should not think of retiring because his fair prospects may bring him to the head of the diplomatic corps. Washington also mentions the protests in Boston and elsewhere against Jay's Treaty. He calls "these meetings in opposition to the constituted authority... useless, as they are at all times improper and dangerous." J. Q. Adams eventually served in St. Petersburg.

GLC02793.004

1796/07/22

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriot Washington Parks, his niece, re: congratulations on her marriage

Written as President, offering his congratulations and suggestions for "a prudent deportment" towards her husband, including "the accomodation of your views to his circumstances." Also advocating frugality, he adds "always keep the old adage in remembrance - 'Take your measure according to your cloth' and do not... endulge yourself either in dress, or mode of living that will be productive of embarrassmen[t]." He concludes by noting the amount of company present at Mount Vernon and their best wishes for her marriage. Harriot Washington Parks (1776-1822) was the daughter of GW's brother…

GLC02793.005

1797/01/22

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Anderson re: instructions for management of Mount Vernon

Written as President. Washington goes into considerable detail regarding farming, especially innovations (a new red clover). He also mentions building a new road and the drought of the previous fall.

GLC02793.006

1808/12/09

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pittsburgh

Written as President in response to the Society's "friendly address" concerning religious freedom and mentioning the "time of trouble" in which they live.

GLC02793.010

1815/04/08

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Harrison Smith re: costs of moving Jefferson's library to Congress

Written as President. Jefferson sold his library to the nation (for what became the institution known as the Library of Congress) after the British burned the capitol. "Jos: D." is Jefferson's coachman, Joseph Dougherty. The Madison papers identified Dougherty's cargo as the books in Jefferson's library.

GLC02793.011

1816/02/25

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother Nelly Conway Madison re: money for her and Dolley's health

Sending $400. Written as President. Signed "Yr affe. son." The Madison Papers reports that this letter is one of three surviving letters of Madison to his mother. Normally Dolley Madison would write to his mother, but apparently she had been quite ill.

GLC02793.012

[1817]/04/02

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Samuel Lane re: a proposal to sell his own furniture to the White House

Written as President, noting "a considerable deficiency, in the sum appropriated" to furnish the White House and proposing that he leave some personal furniture "at a fair price".

GLC02793.013

1818/10/28

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William Benton] re: sending supplies and slaves "the business of the slaves"

Written as President. Recipient inferred from content.

GLC02793.014

1821/04/24

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to an unidentified recipient re: business affairs & profitability of his estate

Written as President

GLC02793.015

1824/07/24

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Charles Worthington re: arranging for Mrs. Monroe to have blood drawn

Written as President. he remarks that his wife's "head and nervous system have been very much affected since the last drawing room."

GLC02793.016

1825/05/01

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Vaughan re: purchase of books at a Philadelphia auction

Written as President

GLC02793.017

1826/08/14

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ward N. Boyston re: history of the Boylston family and letter to his father

Written as President, shortly after the death of his father.

GLC02793.018

1836/12/22

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary E. Polk re: his health, Major Donelson, presenting a miniature to Polk

Written as President. Presenting a miniature of his wife, her Aunt. Donelson's wife, Emily, was dying. Major Donelson is Andrew Jackson Donelson, the president's nephew.

GLC02793.019

1836/12/24

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily Ward re: lock of hair and thanks for wishes (with hair)

Written as President. Emily Ward was the daughter of General Ward.

GLC02793.020

1838/01/12

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dolley Madison

Invites Dolly Madison to dinner with him, judges from the Supreme Court, and some of her friends.

GLC02793.021

1838/03/26

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Judge Aaron Van Der Poel re: New York politics and matrimony

Written as President. Van Buren says he is lonely and worried about being exposed "to that greatest of dangers matrimony."

GLC02793.022

1841/03/10

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Document signed

Title: Appointment of Solomon Lincoln, Marshal for Massachusetts (c/s Webster)

Countersigned by Webster as Secretary of State.

GLC02793.023

1845/08/13

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Horn re: offer of a portrait of Polk by Sully

Written as President. Apparently Polk thought the offer was a hoax.

GLC02793.025

1849/03/28

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ewing re: an appointment to see Ewing

Written as President, inthe third person

GLC02793.026

1849/04/03

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Letter signed

Title: Letter appointing Lieut. Col. W. W. J. Bliss to disburse money for furnishings

Signed as President

GLC02793.027

1851/07/04

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Leiper Kane re: questions about the moral character of Brigham Young

Written as President, discussing a clipping from the Buffalo Courier (not included) with charges against Gov. Young of Utah, and claiming that Fillmore knew Young's character. An angry letter relating to the federal government's relations with the Mormons.

GLC02793.028

1853/08/26

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary A. Aiken re: weariness, loneliness, & a political appointment

Written as President to his sister. He complains of being beset by problems, especially now that Webster has left for New England.

GLC02793.029

1854/08/19

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Aiken re: letter of condolence to his brother-in-law

Written as President, offering his condolences for the loss of "Alfie" (mentioned in #2793.029 as being sick).

GLC02793.030