27 March 1858

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Denver

Writing as President of the United States, Buchanan congratulates Denver, Governor of the Kansas Territory, on his excellent standing with the Territory's citizens. States that the issue of admitting Kansas to the Union will be addressed the following week by the Senate and House of Representatives. Declares that the defeat of the Lecompton Bill, admitting Kansas as a slave state, "would alarm the fears of the Country for the union, reduce the value of property, and injuriously interfere with our reviving trade." Reports that Georgia and Alabama will hold state conventions if Kansas is…

GLC04695

28 October 1778

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Williamson

A retained working draft (see strikeouts and docket). Written by McHenry as an aide-de-camp to General Washington to Dr. Williamson as a merchant importing medicines in Edenton, North Carolina. Williamson began a partnership with his brother to import medicines through the British blockade from the West Indies. Claims to have poor intelligence on the enemy in New York, but proceeds to give some details of their situation. Says 150 vessels, including 15 ships of the line, sailed from Sandy Hook on the 19 and 20 October 1778. Says they appear to be bound for Britain. Was only carrying home…

GLC04701

23 May 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Burwell Bassett

Mentions that he would have enjoyed seeing him at Richmond if it had been possible. Remarks that an artist, Mr. Pine, was at Mount Vernon and had to wait for him to return to do his historical painting. Comments on the engagement of his nephew, George Augustine Washington to Fanny [Frances] Bassett, Burrell Bassett's daughter. Expresses his views on marriage, "I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of ones life. -- The foundation of happiness or misery." States that he does not believe in promoting or preventing a marriage unless it absolutely requires…

GLC04709

May 1864

United States. Congress (38th, 1st session : 1864)

Printed document

Title: H. R. 244. An Act to guarantee to certain States whose governments have been usurped or overthrown a republican form of government.

A rough draft of the Wade-Davis Bill, passed by the House of Representatives 4 May 1864. Changes noted throughout this document in ink. Docketed by H. R. U. L., an enrolling clerk. Docket states "2nd July 1864-- This is in the precise shape it was presented to President Lincoln." Accompanied by a fragment of string.

GLC04716

1796

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Book

Title: A Collection of speeches of the President... to both Houses of Congress

GLC04718

1856

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Header Record

Title: Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, Performed in the Years 1852, 1853, and 1854...

Title continues: "Under the Command of Commodore M.C. Perry, United States Navy, by order of the Government of the Unites States. Compiled from the original notes and journals of Commodore Perry and his officers, at his request, and under his supervision, by Francis L. Hawks, D.D.L.L.D. With numerous illustrations." Volume II has same title. Volume III titled: "Unites States Japan Expedition. Observations on the Zodiacal Light, from April 2, 1853, to April 22, 1855, made chiefly on board the United states Steam-Frigate Mississippi, during her late cruise in eastern seas, and her voyage…

GLC04720.02

1789

Laing, Joseph, 1828-1905

Print

Title: Inauguration of Gen. George Washington

This document is a print lithograph of George Washington at his inauguration in 1789. Probably 1870s or 1880s print by Joeseph Laing and published by William Blackman.

GLC04723

12 March 1883

Logan, John Alexander, 1826-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. E. F. Strickland

Written on Senate stationery. Logan, a United States Senator from Illinois, writes "Prior to the success of the Union armies, in the contest against secession, Freedom in this country was a sham and a mockery. Now it is a verity. There is however a danger to free institutions, arising in our midst, that should be watched with a zealous eye, that is the corrupting influence of the use of [money?]..." Written on U. S. Senate Chamber, Washington, D.C. stationery.

GLC04732

25 December 1886

Mahone, William, 1826-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. F. Strickland

Mahone replies to correspondence from Reverend Strickland in Des Moines, Iowa. Notes that he has not forgotten Strickland's former request. Writes, "I would hope the God given Spirit of Liberty may never tire- not before, its blessings are freely enjoyed by the human race every where, and civilization has accomplished the fare measure of its mission: not until, man woman and child are free to enjoy the fruits of their own labor: It is that the sacrifices of blood, which a... Civil Contention between the sections of our great Country imposed, may duly be remembered as a contribution to…

GLC04733

28 March 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Thomas Ap Catesby Jones to Master Commandant in U.S. Navy]

This document is a record of the appointment of Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, signed by James Monroe as President and countersigned by Smith Thompson as Secretary of the Navy and John H. Sherburne as "Registered." Document says President Monroe has nominated and the Senate has consented to the appointment of Thomas Ap Catesby Jones to Master Commandant in the United States Navy. Paper seal of the United States Navy at bottom of recto.

GLC04739

14 August 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Promotion of Thomas W. Sherman to Lieutenant Colonel of the 5th Regiment of Artillery].

This document is a record of the promotion of Thomas W. Sherman, signed by Abraham Lincoln as President and countersigned by Simon Cameron as Secretary of War. Partially printed from an engraving, with blanks filled in by hand. Accompanied by an orange seal and docketed in the upper left corner.

GLC04741

1881

Jarvis, J.F., fl. 1892

Photograph

Title: [White House]

By J.F. Jarvis of Washington. White House as seen from the North Lawn. Inscribed "President's House" on verso.

GLC04746

21 April 1781

Arbuthnot, Marriot, 1711-1794

Letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by Admiral Arbuthnot as commander of British naval forces in America to Washington as commander of the Continental Army. References Washington's letter of 25 January 1781 where he expressed anger over the treatment of American naval prisoners of war. Arbuthnot claims an inquiry was held that vindicated their treatment and feeding, which he validates on "my honor." Claims Washington "must have seen" the testimonies of the inquiry. Retorts with accusations against British naval prisoners in Philadelphia by Commissary General of Prisoners Thomas Bradford. Claims prisoners are…

GLC04758

1860 June, 1894

Ayres, George B., fl. 1860-1867

Photograph

Title: [Abraham Lincoln]

With blind impressed stamp at lower right "G.B. Ayres, Copyright 1894." The shirt has been retouched.

GLC04697

30 April 1780

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

Written by disgraced General Charles Lee to Rush, the former Pennsylvania Continental Congressman, as a doctor in private practice. Is upset that Congress published his letter of apology. Claims that "Most people I have conversd with on the subject are of opinion that they have done al in triumph over me, considering the state of my apology as an instance of their having succeeded in breaking my spirit." Wants to know how his "few" friends and enemies in Philadelphia are interpreting the letter. If it is detrimental to his character he wants the enclosed letter to be published (letter not…

GLC04700

1862-1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of Nicholas A. Dederer, E company, 114th regiment, New York, infantry [Decimalized .01-.12]

Letters written as Captain and Quartermaster. By end of his letters, Dederer was Provost Marshall. Rathbone seems to have been his son-in-law. The letters discuss Louisiana and New Orleans. There is much talk of arresting deserters. Brief mention is made of enslaved people's relations with Federal soldiers.

GLC04703

9 November 1862

Pope, John, 1822-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Welch

Discusses his relief from command of the Army of Virginia and the political maneuverings that have undermined his reputation and led to his relief. "Whether the impression already made upon the public mind by this cause of designed and persistent malice & misrepresentation, can ever be eradicated by the truth is doubtful, but if such sacrifice of my personal reputation will advance the cause in which we are all enlisted, I shall submit to it cheerfully and silently." Pope, who had been put in charge of all the Armies in the East not under McClellan was relieved of this command after his…

GLC04704

February 21, 1861

Pope, John, 1822-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General B. Welch, Jr.

Apologizes for not meeting Welch. Explains that on the way to Welch's house, he was persuaded to attend the opera: "Mr Lincoln told me that he was going to the opera... As I was the only one of his Army friends present I felt bound to do so-" Written on Astor House, Stetson & Company, New York stationery. Marked "Private" under docket.

GLC04705

1862-1865

Winchell, Almira, fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: [New York Civil War soldiers' archive, letters to Almira Winchell from four soldiers] [Decimalized .01-.26]

Letters to Winchell, from Belleville or Belle Isle, New York (Onondaga County). Winchell received letters from three soldiers, stationed mostly in Virginia: Thomas Donahue (1st NY Art., Batt. B), William Remington (101st NYS Vols.) and William Newman (101st and then 40th NY, Co. J; mostly in hospital). There is an additional letter to Winchell's mother from Pyrrhus H. Lawton ([15th] NY Co. A), and a song-sheet "When this Cruel War is Over," (released 1863). The song became one of the most popular songs of the war. The hand-colored picture, "Reconnoitering Party after the battle of…

GLC04706

1849

Revere, Joseph Warren, 1812-1880

Book

Title: A tour of duty in California; including a description of the gold region: and an account of the voyage around cape Horn...

Title continues "with notices of lower California, the Gulf and Pacific coasts, and the principal events attending the conquest of the Californias." California scenes include a quicksilver mine, California capital Monterey, the Sacramento River, and a "Ranchero Feat" (tying a bear). Sketches are by Revere and lithographed by William Endicott & Co. Inscription from the editor, Joseph N. Balestier, reads "Mrs. Louisa C. Butler with the warmest regards of Caroline Balestier's Husband, Feb. 1849. 'Lord! keep our memory green.'" Includes folded map of San Francisco Harbor.

GLC04708

1782-1789

Lawrence, John, 1719-1802

Document signed

Title: [Connecticut pay order no. 3965 for Peter Freeman, an African American who served in the Continental Army]

The first page of this document is partially printed and signed by Lawrence, Connecticut State Treasurer. Confirms that Freeman was to be paid for his service by the State of Connecticut. Contains a list of dates Freemen possibly received money, signed by William Lawrence and Richard Butler on verso. "Peter Freemen" is written across text on verso. Contains stitching (possibly original). Contains a hole in the center roughly one inch in diameter (likely indicative of cancellation).

GLC04710

1902

Sherman, Edwin A. (Edwin Allen), 1829-1914

Book signed

Title: The life of the late Rear-Admiral John Drake Sloat, of the United States navy, who took possession of California and raised the American flag at Monterey on July 7th, 1846

Signed by Sherman and inscribed to Bryant D. Campbell. Enlarged monumental edition. Includes supplemental pamphlet.

GLC04712

1825

Colden, Cadwallader David, 1769-1834

Book

Title: Memoir, prepared at the request of a Committee of the Common Council of the City of New York, and presented to the mayor of the city, at the celebration of the completion of the New York Canals.

First edition, printed by order of the Corporation of New York, by W. A. Davis. Specially bound in leather with gilding for presentation to "Hon. John T. Irving, First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York. 1826." Concerns the opening of the Erie Canal. Contains folding maps of the United States, New York, the canal route, and folding lithographic images of the opening ceremony and the flotilla. Particularly noteworthy is the fold-out illustration showing the canal's complete route in cross-section. The book also contains "Autograph Facsimiles" of letters…

GLC04713

18 August 1858

Goodenow, Robert, 1800-1874

Broadside

Title: Astounding Disclosures!

An inflammatory Republican attack on the Democratic Party. Subtitled: "What will the Pirate Democracy do next!" Attacks Democrats over Kansas, slavery, and general corruption of the party. In the second half of the broadside, Goodenow, a Congressman from Maine, defends himself against a Democratic attack on his own activity settling an estate, subtitled "The Lie is nailed to the Counter! A Statement of Facts."

GLC04714

circa 1847

Burnett, Ward Benjamin, 1811-1884

Manuscript signed

Title: For Brigadier Genl. Shields. Official Report of the part performed by the 1st Reg. U.S.V. of N.Y. in the investment and capture of the City of Mexico

Personal account of the battle and fall of Mexico City. Very detailed descriptions of military maneuvers and commands. Mentions a list of killed and wounded (not included). This includes a tie that was likely used in binding

GLC04715