April 14, 1857

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Sailing orders from the Navy Department, placing McBlair in charge of the sloop of war "Dale," and commanding him to sail to the African coast to combat illegal slave trading. McBlair is ordered to join the "United States African Squadron" and to stop ships transporting illegal cargo or falsely flying the American flag. Letter written from the "Navy Department." Pages bound with a green ribbon. Isaac Toucey was the U.S. Secretary of the Navy. He also served as a Congressman and Senator from Connecticut, United States Attorney General, and Governor of Connecticut.

GLC00722.01

May 2, 1858

Hawley, Charles E., fl. 1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Letter, with McBlair's autograph endorsement signed on the verso. The letter, written on board the U.S.S. "Marion" at Porto Praya, Cape Verde, states that Hawley is ill with dyspepsia, does not believe he can recover on board, and wishes that "a medical survey may be held in my case." McBlair's note on the next page, written on May 3, 1858, on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at Porto Praya, orders the medical examination to be held. Note on bottom of page states that Hawley passed; it is signed by Assistant Surgeons W. Sherman, R. J. Mason and H.W.M. Washington.

GLC00722.37

August 17, 1861

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. A. Collins

Grant discusses surrounding Rebel forces and writes that he only has the power to appoint two officers. These two men will be his aides-de camp, and he wishes to appoint John A. Rawlins and "Thompson" from his previous command. He states "The papers no doubt have informed you that my command has been hemed in here by overwhelming numbers! The Rebels have been close to us with numbers much larger than ours but so far they have considered prudence the better part of valor. It is to late for them now. I am reinforced to about thribble my former strength and more are coming." He also thanks…

GLC00705

April 25, 1934

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Typed letter signed

Title: to Lewis L. Strauss

Letter concerns the Rindge Land business, the financing, and outlook of investing in "The richest soil in California." Also mentions tenant-related issues, particularly keeping land in the hands of white farmers rather than Asian tenants. Letter typed on personal stationery, with an autograph and initialed postscript pertaining to a possible visit by Strauss.

GLC00707

January 13, 1622

Brandt, Sebastian, fl. 1600-1625

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Hovener

Brandt requests having the London Company send him supplies, and requests that his nephew (the son of Phillip Brandt) be sent to Virginia from Derbyshire. He mentions Admiral of the Jamestown District, John Pountis. Letter written in Elizabethan secretarial hand. Docket, in another hand, reads: "Sebastian Brands letter to Mr. Hojener 13 January }1622/1 That ther is Mynes of Gould and Silver and Copper in Virginia." It is unclear if the date is old style or new style.

GLC00708

October 6, 1862

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Avery

Confederate General Breckinridge discusses a possible position on his staff for Avery, which would have to be as a voluntary aide. Congratulates on his freedom "from Yankee bondage" and his hopes to meet Avery "often in the progress of our great and just struggle."

GLC00713

July 24, 1862

Longstreet, James, 1821-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry A. Wise

Writes to Brigadier General Wise of D. H. Hill's Division, Army of Northern Virginia. Confederate Major General Longstreet (in reply from a letter from Wise of the day before) tells Wise that he will suggest to Commanding General Robert E. Lee that troops from Wise's brigade be preferred in troop exchanges with the Union. He adds that in the meantime he will send two brigades to support his picket line. "I am sending two Brigades down to occupy the ground from New Market to the Darbytown road. This I think will enable you to reduce your picket guards to some extent, and enable you to get…

GLC00714

1852-1863

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of Paul J. Semmes, 2nd Regiment, Georgia, infantry [Decimalized .01-.11]

Letters and documents re: Georgia militia & secession (less .5) [decimalized .01-.11]

GLC00715

January 23, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Henry Chase

Retained copy. Semmes writes to Major Chase about some telegrams sent and received. He regrets that he cannot go to Pensacola right now because of business. Informs that 20 years ago he was a brigadier general in the militia in eastern Georgia but was removed to the western part of the state, and he is now only commissioned as a captain. He is happy they have renewed their friendship, which began at West Point in 1857.

GLC00715.01

March 26, 1861

Winston, F.S., fl. 1861

Letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Winston informs Semmes that his life insurance policy covers him while in service during war. Letter is on printed stationery of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Docketed with note signed with initials by Semmes.

GLC00715.02

1852

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Memorandum book]

Signed and dated on front cover by Semmes, 26 June 1852. Concerns a trip to Arkansas to purchase a planation and to enslave people to work on the cotton crops. Records that he left to go to Memphis on June 28, 1852. Keeps an account of his finances. Makes notes on land for sale and pertinent details such as the county, crops, etc. On page two he writes, "Look at the negroes bought by Fawlks." He later writes, "Mr. Morey engages to buy negroes for me at $10 per head...all acclimated & good negroes accustomed to making cotton…" On 2 August 1852 he details what he is looking for in a…

GLC00715.03

March 22, 1853

Clemons, W.G., fl. 1853-1860

Letter

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Letter signed by five members of the Columbus Guards electing Semmes captain of the company. The letter and the signatures are all written in the same hand. Letter is on blue lined paper.

GLC00715.04

1855

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Pamphlet

Title: Infantry tactics.

Semmes wrote this for the Columbus Guard, of which he was captain. Concerns "Rules for maneuvering a detached company by the rear rank; and from the front rank to the rear rank, and reciprocally, when in march; together with general rules and instruction, for a detached company and a Battalion; in conformity to Scott's system of Infantry Tactics; and the general regulations for the Army." Inscribed on the front cover by Jno E. Davis to John A. Quitman, Mexican War General and governor of Mississippi. Two blue Confederate States of America 5-cent stamps are housed with pamphlet. In blue…

GLC00715.05

August 7, 1860

McMurran, Joseph, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

McMurran, a Virginia military man and editor of a paper in Christiansburg, Virginia, asks Semmes for a copy of his published work "Infantry Tactics." Docketed by Semmes. McMurran entered the 4th VA Cavalry in 1861 and eventually achieved the rank of sergeant major. He was wounded in action at Gettysburg and then Winchester.

GLC00715.06

September 29, 1860

Aleix, P.O., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: Recommendation letter for A. Kleber

Confirms that A. Kleber served as Sergeant instructor of the 1st Company of Chasseurs a Pied de la Louisiane. Praises him as one of the best instructors of light infantry tactics. Paul J. Semmes was planning on hiring Kleber, a mercenary who served in the French Army, to train his troops. Aleix signs as 1st Lieutenant, 1st Company C. a P. [Chasseurs a Pied or Louisiana Foot Rifles].

GLC00715.08

16 November 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: Southern Guard.

Broadside of the Southern Guard, announcing that Semmes has been elected to the command and will proceed to organize a brigade. Includes a dramatic speech by Semmes praising the South and urging secession. With transmittal letter (see GLC 715.09.02), which is published in the broadside.

GLC00715.09.01

June 1, 1863

Semmes, Emily J., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Writes to her "dearest husband" as he is on his way to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he was mortally wounded in battle. She hopes that he is over his cold and fatigue, and asks if he would be able to come home if one of the family got sick because knowing this would put her at ease. She gives thanks that he made it through battles, and comments on their children and their schooling. She criticizes their daughters for their excessive pride, "...they do look down upon these poor people with such contempt I think it is so wicked I pray that they may see their sin." States that she has been…

GLC00715.10

July 13, 1863

Hill, J.H., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes and her daughters

Writes to the widow and daughters of Confederate General Paul J. Semmes, who was mortally wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. Informs them of the difficulties he is running into concerning the transportation of Semmes's body home. He advises her that his remains may not arrive until late next week. Says he will do all that he can to speed up the transport and "will be at the Depot with my negroes to move the remains to any place your many desire." Mentions other Georgia soldiers killed at Gettysburg. Writes to the women, in Opelika, Alabama.

GLC00715.11

1784

Continental Congress, 1774-1789

Pamphlet

Title: The Articles of Confederation; the Declaration of Rights; The Constitution of this Commonwealth, and the Articles of the Definitive Treaty Between Great-Britian and the United States of America.

First Virginia printing. Swem 7430. Stab stitched. Not fully opened

GLC00716

27 July 1781

Galvez, Bernardo de, 1746-1786

Manuscript document signed

Title: to unknown [in spanish]

Written by Galvez as the Governor of Louisiana who lead several expeditions against the British along the Gulf Coast in support of the American Revolution. Document lauding Gilberto Guillemard, his second in command and chief military engineer, who recently died under Galvez's command. Praises his second in command for assistance in defeating the British at Mobile, Pensacola, and along the Mississippi River. Written in an attractive italic clerical hand. Red wax seal is extent.

GLC00717

1781

Galvez, Bernardo de, 1746-1786

Pamphlet

Title: Diario de las operaciones de la expedicion contra la Plaza de Panzacola... (in Spanish)

A-F4. Unopened and unsewn. Re: expedition on Pensacola. Galvez led Spanish forces against the British at Pensacola (which had been given with Florida to Britain in 1763) which he captured for Spain. The Floridas were returned to Spain in the peace of 1783 and only became part of the U.S. with the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819. Sabin 26475, Palau 96980, Medina (Havana imprint) 68, Streeter sale 1191, Howes P59.

GLC00718

1860

Rhett, Robert Barnwell, 1800-1876

Pamphlet

Title: The Address of the People of South Carolina, assembled in convention, to the people of the slave states of the United States.

Concerns South Carolina seceding from the Union and encouraging other states that enslaved people to join in forming a confederacy. Printed by order of the convention by Evans & Cogswell, Charleston, South Carolina. No wrappers.

GLC00719

21 August 1858

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt from Samuel Adair]

Received thirty two dollars in cash from Samuel Adair and a note of four dollars against S.H. Houser. Signed by Brown as agent for the National Kansas Committee.

GLC00721

1855-1859

Header Record

Title: William McBlair collection [Decimalized .01-.72]

Collection of more than 70 documents regarding William McBlair, a United States Naval captain involved in American efforts to suppress the slave trade on the African coast in the 1850s. McBlair commanded the "Dale" in the U.S. Navy's African Squadron. He later joined the Confederate Navy and commanded the CSS "Patrick Henry," as well as the ironclad CSS "Atlanta." McBlair died in 1863 on board of a hospital ship. This collection includes McBlair's appointments, orders and personal and professional correspondence while on assignment patrolling the West Coast of Africa, particularly the…

GLC00722

January 19, 1858

Conover, Thomas A., 1794-1864

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

The letter is ordering McBlair to return with his ship to his "cruising ground" and continue his "suppression of the slave trade." Says McBlair should first take on recruits and supplies, then proceed to the coast to suppress the trade. States he is enclosing two separate orders from the Navy Department. Letter written on board the United States Flagship "Cumberland" in Porto Praya in Cape Verde off the coast of Africa. Thomas A. Conover was a Captain, later Commodore in the United States Navy, and the Commander of the African Squadron. A veteran of the War of 1812, Conover had previously…

GLC00722.02