8 February 1781

Billinger, Peter, fl. 1781

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Petition to New York Governor George Clinton for help against Indian attacks]

Signed by fifteen inhabitants of German Flats and Kingsland during the American Revolution. Describes previous attacks, claiming that the "enemy have already burnt two hundred and twenty buildings" and "reduced from 450 to 139 capable of bearing arms." Seeks assistance immediately. Accompanied by a newspaper clipping with an excerpt from "Life of Brant" about Indian raids on Little Falls, New York in 1780.

GLC05541

1794/07/19

Irvine, William, 1741-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Denny

Discusses a dispute between the United States and the Six Nations over land. Contends that "there is nothing in the Constitution...that gives the Legislature much less the Executive a shadow of Power to cede...a single foot of ground, the territory right of soil or jurisdiction of any state." Criticized Israel Chapin, an Indian agent to the Iroquois, for telling citizens of Pennsylvania to "quit their lawfull business" and "flattering the savages with a hope that this ground is to be relinquished." Discusses how to maintain peace, commenting on the power of the governor and…

GLC05542

1 June 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Discusses their correspondence and friendship, affirming that he feels "the same sublime disinterested friendship for you that has existed in both our bosoms for so long." Also discusses the possible appointment of the French general Charles Tronson du Coudray as commander of artillery, and asserts "no other person shall Supersede me the instant the Congress Confirms his appointment I shall leave the Service." Notes that other officers were making the same threats.

GLC05543

26 November 1779

Stark, John, 1728-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

General Stark requests as much flour and corn meal for his brigade as can be collected, provisions needed for the upcoming winter. Mentions that General Enoch Poor's brigade would be stationed there for the winter also.

GLC05548

14 July 1789

Ward, Artemas, 1727-1800

Autograph document signed

Title: To the sheriff of Worcester County

Accuses Elijah Newton of swearing, "Damn the Authority I swear by God I will kill any man that touchette me." Requests that the sheriff apprehends Newton and bring him before Ward so he may be dealt with.

GLC05549

29 July 1673

Winthrop, John, 1606-1676

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Berry

Winthrop, the royal governor of Connecticut, responds to a letter from Captain John Berry, the royal governor of New Jersey, to correct "misinformations." Denies that he has encouraged emigration from Connecticut to New Jersey and reiterates his support for "good public designe of planting" and "the prosperous increase of [illegible] plantations" in Connecticut. Mentioned in the letter are "Capt. Nicolls", Sir George Carteret, and others. The morning this letter was written Winthrop had a conference with Francis Lovelace, the royal governor of New York. At the top is a note written much…

GLC05550

1858/12/19

Nicolay, John G., 1832-1901

Book signed

Title: A Comprehensive and Explanatory Dictionary of the English Language

Published by Jenks, Hickling and Swann, 1854. Signed on front loose endpaper: "Jno G. Nicolay / Springfield, Ill. / Dec 19th 1858."

GLC05552

1860

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Flag

Title: [Lincoln and Hamlin presidential election campaign banner, with eagle].

Printed cotton campaign banner showing an eagle with a long ribbon in his beak reading "Lincoln and Hamlin." The eagle holds a colored Columbia shield in its talons and only 6 arrows. Black ink (printed) with red and blue added in the shield.

GLC05553

circa 1863

Sketch

Title: Pencil sketches related to the Mississippi River near Vicksburg [Decimalized .01-.03]

Includes three pencil sketches, one created by Evelyn Kelsey aboard a Mississippi steamer. Accompanied by the original backing for each sketch. Backing consists of newspaper articles attached to Civil War military documents including lists of soldiers' names.

GLC05555

1864

National Union Free Convention

Broadside

Title: President Lincoln and General Grant on Peace and War.

Promotes the Union cause. Reprints an interview with Lincoln titled Mr. Lincoln's view of Democratic strategy, and a letter of General Grant dated 16 August 1864 to E.B. Washburne. Grant's letter informs that the Confederacy is very weak and losing men each day. Also printed is the verses to a song, "On the Chicago Surrender."

GLC05556

circa 22 February 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Broadside

Title: President Jefferson Davis's Inaugural Address

Extra printing of Davis's speech from the Richmond Enquirer. The address was delivered on 22 February 1862. The paper was then published by Tyler, Wise & Allegre. Bottom of document mentions the evacuation of Nashville on February 22.

GLC05557.02

1864 ca.

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Union Martyrs. [Photographs of Union generals killed during the war (maquette)]

"Union Martyrs." Maquette of 17 trimmed CDVs of Union Generals killed in the Civil War, mounted on board (as a maquette) for reproduction by photographic studio. Attributed to Brady studio by previous owner. Each mounted with a white curling border, and each with the general's name written in ink.

GLC05558

7 January 1836

Halleck, H.W. (Henry Wager), 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Miller

Describes his early impressions of West Point. Describes it as "one of most delightful places on earth" in the summer, attracting crowds and steeped in Revolutionary War history that gives the place "a shade of venerable grandeur." In contrast, it is cold, lonely, and monotonous in the winter. He is critical of the institution, writing "The education we acquired is the highest order but the habits usually contracted are decidedly bad... I think it very doubtful about my remaining here to complete the course." Indicates that he recently finished his first year exam. Disapproves those "men…

GLC05560

9 December 1758

Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 1708-1778

Letter signed

Title: to Stephen Hopkins

Addressed to Governor Hopkins "& Compy of Rhode Island." Relays requests and information on a planned invasion of Canada during the French and Indian War. Describes the rationale for the invasion to carry "War into the heart of the enemy's possessions" and orders that troops be raised. Specifies that the troops should rendezvous at Albany, New York, and be prepared to begin the invasion by 1 May 1759. Outlines the general plans for the invasion. Grants authority to issue commissions and indicates that the King will provide arms and supplies, but the Provinces must supply "…

GLC05562

12 June 1819

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Manuscript signed

Title: To the Editors of the National Intelligencer

Defends himself against General James Winchester's attack on his character and conduct in the command of the North Western Army in the War of 1812 Ohio campaign. Concerns who was to blame for sending out a detachment of the army beyond the reach of support. The detachment was almost completely destroyed by the British and Indians. Includes a copy of a letter written to Harrison by Samuel G. Hopkins and dated 24 February 1813 that supports his views. With corrections and an autograph endorsement signed by Harrison on pages 11 and 12.

GLC05565

1828

Broadside

Title: An account of the bloody deeds of General Jackson

Broadside with four woodcuts. The first shows an officer, likely Jackson, ordering an execution squad to "Fire!!" on six militiamen. In the second two Jacksonian officers, one ordering "F-F-Fire!" against a kneeling man in front of his coffin, saying "O God!! My poor mother," while another, probably Jackson, exclaims "Blow ten balls thro' the d-d rascal." The third depicts Jackson dueling with Charles Dickinson, saying as he shoots, "I'll have your heart's blood." The fourth is a simple coffin illustrating "The Case of Neil Cameron." The text summarizes the events depicted, and a number…

GLC05566

November 18, 1818

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Manuscript document signed

Title: "Commencement" address to Congress

Commencement Message of President Monroe to both houses of Congress. Begins with positive assessment of America's situation and a discussion of a trade agreement with Great Britain. Then gets into relations with Spain, the real thrust of the speech. Defends recent American actions against Florida. Says that Spanish territory in North America is poorly policed, claiming "the government of Spain, has scarcely been felt." Says criminals and marauding Indian tribes have used Florida as a base to attack the United States. Says Spain could have prevented problems by ceding the territory to America…

GLC05569

circa 1850s

Longfellow, Henry W., 1807-1882

Manuscript document

Title: [Allegorical verses on slavery]

Written in Harriet Beecher Stowe's hand. Her clipped signature ("H B Stowe") has been pasted to the end of the poem. Despite being in Stowe's hand and having the addition of Stowe's signature, both poems are actually 1842 works on slavery by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the first being a poem in five stanzas dedicated to William E. Channing. The second in three stanzas is titled "The Warning."

GLC05570

1775/05/15

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph document signed

Title: Resolution of Congress dealing with the British occupation of N.Y.

GLC05571

1783/11/23

Mifflin, Thomas, 1744-1800

Letter signed

Title: to John Dickinson re: announcing treaty and calling for ratification

Signed as President of Congress. Docketed on free frank.

GLC05578

24 September 1779

Bartlett, Josiah, 1729-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Bartlett, a former Continental Congressman, writes to Whipple, a member of Congress. Mentions John Langdon, a Continental Congressman who, in 1776, became a naval agent for Continental prizes. Refers to the disastrous Penobscot Expedition (in the Penobscot Bay, present-day Maine) led by Commodore Dudley Saltonstall. States "The Misfortune at Penobscot has thrown the Sea Coasts this way into a Consternation ... The Sailors who returned from Penobscot make the most grevious complaints of the Conduct of Capt. Saltonstall ... I Believe the whole fleet and army were struck with an Universal…

GLC05579

17 February 1689

Danforth, Thomas, fl. 1689

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Frost

Writing to Major Charles Frost in Kittery, Maine, at the beginning of King William's War (1689-1697), Provincial Governor of Massachusetts Thomas Danforth orders him to go to Boston and gather troops: "You shall in all places and by all ways & means to your power take, kill, & destroy ye enemy without limitation of place or time as you shall have opportunity." Mentioned is Lt. Simon Willard (1605-1676). In the margin is a recommendation to Frost of a "Lt. Andrews". It is not known if the date on the piece is old style or new style. Docket reads: "To Maj. Charles Frost in [illegible]…

GLC05580

1778/02/25

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. Hollingsworth re: order to purchase or seize food

[At height of Valley Forge supply crisis.]

GLC05581

1667/07/05

Williams, Roger, fl. 1640-1667

Autograph document signed

Title: [Report of a meeting to elect envoys from the Colony of Rhode Island to King Charles II].

Also signed by William Brenton, William Raulston, Benedict Arnold, and John Froster. William Dyer and John Green were asked to serve as envoys "in the name & behalfe of the whole Colony."

GLC05582

19 May 1812

Macon, Nathaniel, 1758-1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Reports that James Madison was nominated for president and Langdon for vice president by Republican Congressional Caucus. Congratulates Langdon and describes his nomination as "made without the solicitation or intrigue of any one of your acquaintances, I consider it made purely on principle." Hopes Langdon will accept the nomination. Macon was a North Carolina congressman. Langdon declined the nomination.

GLC05899.01