1840

Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885

Broadside

Title: A History of the Amistad captives...

title continues: "...Being a circumstantial account of the capture of the Spanish Schooner Amistad, by the Africans on board; their Voyage and Capture near Long Island, New York; with Biographical Sketches of each of the surviving Africans. Also, and account of the Trials had on their case, before the District and Circuit Courts of the United States, for the District of Connecticut, &c." Depicts the death of Captain Ramon Ferrer of the Amistad in July of 1839, on a slave trade route from Havana to Principe. A version of this image serves as an inset fold-out for Barber's pamphlet (refer…

GLC04295

February 23, 1803

Shays, Daniel, 1747-1825

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Inventory of Daniel Shays' creditors]

Signed by the witness to Shays' statement by Jonathan Danforth. Describes Shays as "of the city of New York an insolvent debtor." This most likely not the same Daniel Shays who fomented the Shays' Rebellion.

GLC04296

20 September 1680

Culpeper, Thomas, 1635-1689

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia Culpepper mentions his arrival in Boston, his impressions, and a near shipwreck. Claims success in governing Virginia. An addendum is dated 5 October 1680.

GLC04298

29 June 1692

Penn, William, 1644-1718

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Loving friend

Written while he was under indictment for treason and hiding in England. Reviews the history of Pennsylvania's government since his departure in 1684, lamenting about his failure to find fit administrators and the division between the upper and lower counties (i.e., Pennsylvania and Delaware). Refers to the proclamation ordering him held for treason. Signed "W."

GLC04299

13 September 1788

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Document signed

Title: Setting date for first election & commencing proceedings under U.S. Constitution

Printed broadside signed as Sec. of Congress.

GLC04300

12 April 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to John Brooks

Letter signed by Knox as Secretary of War to Brigadier General Brooks. Informs Brooks that he has been appointed a brigadier general in the U.S. Army. Says he must write to accept or deny the rank. If he accepts the rank he must go to Philadelphia immediately. Includes a list of "pay rations and emoluments" for commissioned and non-commissioned officers as well as privates.

GLC04301

19 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Discusses the payment of warranty for rations to be furnished to Captain Zeiglers company. States "The Board of treasury have furnished warrants on Connecticut from which by the assistance of Colonel Wadsworth I am in full hopes that money will be received to pay your account for Supplies to Zeiglers company..." Accompanied by an envelope from 1985 containing a printed image of Knox and four Knox 8 cent stamps from the first day of issue.

GLC04302

1777

Faden, William, fl. 1750-1836

Map

Title: The Course of Delaware River from Philadelphia to Chester....

Nebenzahl, Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 132.

GLC04303

1776

Faden, William, fl. 1750-1836

Map

Title: An Account of the Expedition of the British Fleet on Lake Champlain...

Nebenzahl, Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 47. Engraved map with no color.

GLC04304

January 19, 1777

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Written by Major General Greene with his men in winter quarters at Morristown to Biddle as Deputy Quartermaster General of the militia of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Claims nothing has changed recently. Says it appears General Howe is collecting his forces in New Jersey. Says he seems to be operating on the defensive, but with reinforcements he might move to the offensive. Mentions that recruiting is slow and that the army is suffering as a result. Says he heard that 1000 militia under Lord Sterling have gone home dissatisfied. Wants a complete report on the incident. Says he heard firing in…

GLC04305

5 April 1688

Lloyd, David, fl. 1688

Document signed

Title: [Land indenture for 36 acres in Philadelphia].

Also signed by Peter Dalbot and witnesses John Crayy, William Robinson, and Pat Robinson. Land indenture between Peter Dalbot and Reice Preiss. Signed twice by Lloyd as Clerk of the County Court and as Deputy Master of the Rolls.

GLC04308

1815-1842

Header Record

Title: Collection of four items relating to the second Bank of the United States [Decimalized .01-.04]

GLC04309

01 July 1778

Faden, William, fl. 1750-1836

Map

Title: British camp at Trudruffrin [Penna.] from the 18th to the 21st of September 1777...

title continues: "...with the attack made by Major General Grey against the rebels near White Horse Tavern, on the 20th of September. Drawn by an Officer on the Spot." Engraved and Published by W. Faden. Depicts the positions of various regiments and physical landmarks. Battle of Paoli, PA. References: Nebenzahl, "Battle Plans of the American Revolution", 127; Winsor VI: 424; Snyder fig. 190. Written at Charing Cross train station in London.

GLC04312

1775

Montrésor, John, 1736-1799

Map

Title: A Plan of the City of New York & its environs

Actual title: "A Plan of the City of New-York & its environs..." Shows Manhattan Island up to Greenwich Village. Hand colored.

GLC04315

1784

Faden, William, fl. 1750-1836

Map

Title: Plan of the Siege of Savannah...

Nebenzahl, Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 76.

GLC04316

16 April 1865

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Manuscript document

Title: General orders no. 66

Secretary of War Stanton announces the death of President Lincoln to the armies. States that "headquarters of every department, post, station, fort, and arsenal will be draped in mourning for thirty days." Also, funeral honors will take place at every military post and at West Point. W.A. Nichols announces that troops and cadets of West Point and all military posts will be paraded at 10 o/clock a.m. Also commands that flags be displayed at half-staff, thirteen guns be fired at dawn, and that officers of the armies of the U.S. wear a badge of mourning. Officers' command and regiment…

GLC04528

25 September 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of Robert Welsh who in Washington, D.C. had been convicted on 28 July 1862 for passing counterfeit money].

Abraham Lincoln pardons Robert Welsh, who had been imprisoned in Albany, New York. Coutersigned by William H. Seward. Fragmentary pardon, lacking the top half.

GLC04529

16 August 1800

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus King

Written by Marshall as Secretary of State to King as American Minister to Britain. Acknowledges that all letters inclusive to No. 74 have arrived. Says if it is proper, King should send friendly dispositions of the American government after an assassination attempt on King George III. President Adams wishes William Eaton's commission to be executed with the Bey of Tunis, even though it means purchasing the pact with jewels. Says he will keep King informed on situation with the Barbary powers, and has told other ministers to send information to him. Hopes to have instructions on how to deal…

GLC04535

24 July 1776

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter

Title: to Nathaniel Barber

A secretarial copy of Continental Congressman Adams's response to Barber as Deputy Commissary in the Department of the Commissary General of Military Stores. References Barber's letter of 15 July 1776 in which he asked to be given pay at the rank of captain. Says the best way to succeed would be to go through Generals Artemas Ward or George Washington. Not knowing the nature of his duties, he would not help Barber by bringing it up in Congress. Says success is likely if he goes through the chain of command.

GLC04538

circa 1840

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript

Title: [Forgery of a George Washington check]

Written to Mr. M. Pringle for the sum of $287.50. This document is considered to be a forgery created by Robert Spring, a prolific forger of Washington documents.

GLC04541

May 1835

Knapp, Alfred, fl. 1835

Broadside

Title: An Act for the Government and regulation of seamen [for "Lady Washington"]

Printed official act by the United States Congress outlining restrictions and regulations which will apply to Seamen in the Merchants' Service. Authored by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice President of the U.S. and President of the Senate, George Washington as President, and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Enacted January 4, 1790 and printed by Joseph H. Buckingham, sold by John G. Tilton in Newburyport. On verso, printed and handwritten agreement between Alfred Knapp, master of the brig "Lady Washington" of Newburyport, and…

GLC04543

11 May 1920

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Document signed

Title: [Presidential sentence commutation for Richard E. Polen, who was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon 7 December 1912]

Richard Polen was convicted in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia and sentenced to ten years in the State penitentiary at Baltimore, Maryland. The judgment was affirmed by the Court of Appeals and Polen began serving his sentence November 21, 1913. Wilson commuted his sentence to expire at once, no explanation given. Countersigned by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. Printed document with blanks filled in with type.

GLC04544

1831

Warner, Samuel, fl. 1831

Book

Title: Authentic and impartial narrative of the tragical scene which was witnessed in Southampton County (Virginia) on Monday the 22d of August last...

(title continues)... when fifty-five of its inhabitants (mostly women and children) were inhumanly massacred by the blacks! Communicated by those who were eye witnesses of the bloody scene, and confirmed by the confessions of several of the blacks while under Sentence of Death. Printed for Warner & West. Includes fold-out leaf opposite title page with the woodcut "Horrid Massacre in Virginia." Foldout measures 19.8 x 27.3 cm. The Southampton Insurrection is also known as Nat Turner's Rebellion.

GLC04548

22 April 1919

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Document signed

Title: [Presidential commutation of the sentence of Otto Bruno Reichelt, convicted of violating the Espionage Act on 4 October 1918]

Reichelt was convicted in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, for violation of the Espionage Act of June 15, 1917, and sentenced to eight years in the State Penitentiary at Baltimore, Maryland. Wilson commuted his sentence to end at once, no reason given for clemency. Countersigned by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. Printed document with blanks filled in with type.

GLC04549

19 July 1860

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of John Day for manslaughter in July 1852].

Countersigned by Acting Secretary of State William Henry Trescot. Day was convicted in July, 1852. Buchanan pardoned Day near the end of his sentence for his valuable assistance to the wardens in maintaining order in the penitentiary. Day's service was attested to by Warden C. P. Sengstack, previous wardens I.B. Ellis and Thomas Thornley, and on the report of District Attorney Robert Ould. 2 black and white bust engravings of James Buchanan included.

GLC04550