February 3, 1909

Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915

Typed letter signed

Title: [To the editor of the Independent]

Washington, founder and principal of the Tuskegee Institute, expresses appreciation for any reference made within the Independent regarding an upcoming meeting of the Tuskegee Negro Conference, held at the Tuskegee Institute. Does not note the name of the editor. Written on Tuskegee Institute stationery.

GLC04466.01

26 July 1798

Russell, John, 1764-1831

Newspaper

Title: Russell's gazette commercial and political [Vol. IV, no. 41 (July 26, 1798)]

Prints a lot of news pertaining to the Quasi French War. Contains an excerpt from a speech by Theodore Dwight analyzing Thomas Jefferson's Spring 1797 "Mazzei" letter as "a perfect compendium of the French, and anti-federal policy, as exhibited in the United States." Includes excerpts from other orations on "the compact of nations" and aliens. Includes articles on French liberty and the sedition act. Also publishes an anti-French "Political Creed," a letter critical of Harvard College, port news, a 18 July 1798 letter from George Washington to President John Adams, military appointments,…

GLC04468.02

14 June 1830

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: [Remitture of the forfeiture of the sloop Nun to master Winthop S. Baker, whose ship was siezed for importing slaves].

Countersigned by Secretary of State Martin Van Buren. The sloop Nun was seized in the territory of Florida. Jackson, in consideration of the premises, "divers other good and sufficient reasons," and on payment of costs, orders remission of the vessel and further orders that a "nolle proseque" be entered in all suits against her.

GLC04469

24 June 1848

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

Document signed

Title: Pardon of John Paterson, John Smith & Peter Johnson, convicted of larceny on high seas.

Convicted of larceny on high seas; sentenced to 4 months imprisonment and a fine of $30 each. Pardoned after serving prison sentence, as "they are seafaring men, dependent upon their monthly wages for support, have no property, and are wholly unable to pay the fine...". (c/s James Buchanan)

GLC04470

9 May 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Mary Catharine Berry by Andrew Johnson]

She was convicted of larceny, and sentenced to one year. She was later pardoned because she was young at the time she committed the crime. (c/s W. Hunter)

GLC04474

5 November 1866

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of William Dulaney, convicted of larceny].

Dulaney, was convicted of larceny and sentenced to serve two years in imprisonment. He was later pardoned after serving almost a year of his prison term for good behavior and by recommendation of a number of citizens. Countersigned by acting Secretary of State William Hunter.

GLC04475

14 June 1940

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Arthur Barnett Spingarn

President Roosevelt discusses meeting Spingarn, President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Praises the NAACP, stating "Organizations like yours are necessary safeguards in a democracy. You remind us constantly of our principles by calling our attention to our weaknesses and our deficiencies." Encourages governmental support from the African American community during World War II, stating "Negroes and all other Americans have a special stake in this struggle. The adversaries we oppose deny every common right held by the man in the street in America ... you…

GLC04477

19 September 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Lincoln endorsement on a letter from Samuel Holloway]

Letter written by Samuel Holloway to Abraham Lincoln requesting release of his son George W. Holloway, a prisoner of war. States that his son was induced to join the Confederate Army without his knowledge. He is now in the hospital and will not recover unless released. Conveys that his son repents his mistake and is ready to swear allegiance to the Union. Begs Lincoln to save his boy's life, offers to pay bond money, and also offers to be taken as a hostage in his son's place. Certification on third page dated 20 September 1864 states that George W. Holloway is between 16 and 17 years…

GLC04484

1862-1865

Manuscript

Title: Register of sick and wounded soldiers Ward H Armory Square Hospital

"Ward H" written on cover. First four pages contain bookkeeping notes from October 1862. Rest of the document contains lists of patients at the hospital from December 1862 through August 1865. The last few pages contain various notes. Each sick or wounded soldier is listed according to date admitted, name, rank, regiment, company, age, bed, result, discharge date, whence received, and the name of their disease or injury. Most patients were admitted for illnesses. Those with battle wounds come mostly in large groups, shortly after major nearby battles. In one month during the…

GLC04485

June 1883

Header Record

Title: Two items related to William T. Sherman and Stanley Matthews [Decimalized]

GLC04492

1990

Carter, Keith, 1948-?

Photograph signed

Title: George Washington

One photograph entitled, "George Washington," taken by Keith Carter dated 1990. Image is of a young Black boy holding a gilt-framed print of Gilbert Stuart's "Athenaeum," a portrait of President George Washington.

GLC04502

February 23, 1862

Gordon, George Washington, 1836-1911

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Akin

Informs Akin, "I am a prisoner of war & so is your son Walter- were surrendered at Fort Donelson- He has been seperated from me & sent to Chicago- was well & looking well when he left- " Includes various instructions related to financial and family matters. Asks Akin to look after his family while he is absent.

GLC04510

1 March 1877

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry H. Gorrings

Addressed to Lieutenant Commander Gorrings, Gettysburg. Thanks him for sending the note from Lord Napier at Gibraltar. Comments on Napier's conduct during the Abyssinian campaign, "He was extremely polite to several of our army officers who visited Calcutta, Delhi etc. ... In his conduct of the Abyssinian Campaign, ... He organised, conducted that Campaign, and closed all its barriers[?] without a change of plan or of Commander. an event that proved him a perfect organizer & General." Written on stationary of the Headquarters Army of the United States.

GLC04512

2 March 1860

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

Letter signed

Title: to B. P. Turner

Writes in reply to a request to speak in front of the Young Men's Democratic Club in Lynn, Massachusetts during the presidential campaign. States that although he would like to, he cannot commit at this time because of his schedule. Addressed to Turner as the Secretary of the Club. Breckinridge, vice president under James Buchanan, was an unsuccessful candidate for president in the1860 election. He entered the Confederate Army during the Civil War as brigadier general and soon became a major general. He also served as Secretary of War in the Cabinet of the Confederate States from January…

GLC04515

circa 1859

Anderson, Osborne Perry, 1830-1872

Signature

Title: [Signatures of six of John Brown's supporters]

Piece of paper with six signatures, reportedly found in Brown's carpetbag. After Brown's capture, soldiers found a carpetbag of his in the farm where the raiders had been living. The bag contained numerous papers written and signed by his Northern supporters, this piece supposedly included among them. John Jr., Jason, and Owen Brown were Brown's sons. Neither John Jr. nor Jason came to Harpers Ferry. Owen participated in the attack, but managed to escape capture. Anderson, one of five African Americans that participated in the raid, also managed to escape, later wrote a book on the…

GLC04463.04

February 23, 1851

Brown, John Jr., 1821-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ruth Brown

Relates news of friends and family from "the hill," their house in Ohio. Encloses a letter from "grandfather," most likely Owen Brown. Discusses construction projects, his health, family pastimes, a fire in Akron and Ruth's recent marriage. Asks that she and their brother Owen both reply to him, and that Owen send him as many animal skulls as possible. Plans to leave the house soon, and resume time on the speaking tour. Last page includes a note from Jason Brown.

GLC04463.05

3 September 1830

Brown, Owen, 1771-1856

Document signed

Title: Almon Kingsbury petition for tavern licence

Petitioning the Court of Common Pleas in Portage County, Ohio for a tavern license. State their opinion that "a tavern is needed at the center of Hudson...that the house lately occupied by Owen Brown Esqr...would constitute a favorable stand for said tavern, and that Almon Kingsbury who now occupies said house is a suitable person to keep said tavern." Signed by Owen Brown and 13 others, including Gideon Mills, Oliver Brown, Heman Humphrey. Title from docket.

GLC04463.06

26 July 1819

Brown, Owen, 1771-1856

Autograph document signed

Title: [Invoice for work done in Portage County, Ohio]

Invoice stating Brown was owed twenty two dollars. Signed twice by Brown. Also signed by Elias Harmon and Samuel Brigg as Justices.

GLC04463.07

December 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Header Record

Title: Stone print of John Brown's last written words with copy of original [Decimalized .01-.02]

Stone print of the last words of John Brown. "I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty, land: will never be purged away, but with Blood. I had as I now think: vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed; it might be done." Accompanied by a reproduction on paper of a photograph of the original copy of John Brown's last written words.

GLC04463.08

February 3, 1841

Brown, Oliver Owen, 1804-1858

Document signed

Title: [Promissory note]

Promissory note from Oliver Brown for five hundred eighty five dollars and sixty eight cents.

GLC04463.09

1933 circa

Benet, Stephen Vincent, 1898-1943

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mr. Lally

Affirms that "Five Men and Pompey" was his first published work. States that "We had a sketch of John Dos Passos in 'Books' recently, and there will be others. I don't know when or if we'll get together in book form." In 1933 Benet and his wife published "A Book of Americans," with biographies of many notable American figures. This may be a reference to this book, though at the same time he says he wonders if a book will be published.

GLC04463.10

31 May 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Dixon Porter

Written from Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grant orders Admiral Porter to direct the Marine Brigade to debark at Haynes' Bluff, Mississippi, and to send as many steamers as possible to obtain reinforcements from Memphis, Tennessee.

GLC04464

8 March 1782.

Matlack, Timothy, fl. 1782

Autograph document signed

Title: [Request of the Supreme Executive Council to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for clarification of a Constitutional point].

Requests the state Supreme Court for an interpretation of the twentieth section of the Constitution of the State of Pennsylvania. Written as Secretary of the Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania.

GLC04465

18 June 1821

Radama I, King, 1793-1828

Autograph note signed

Title: to James Hastie

Written by Radama I "the Great," the first king of Madagascar, to Hastie, the British agent to his court. Document is in Radama's language, probably Malagasy, and is translated and transcribed by Hastie above Radama's words. He is inviting Hastie to visit him, saying the rice is boiled and the birds are cooling. Hastie was in Tananarivo, the capital. Translation of address says "I salute you."

GLC04466.02

1860-1907

Header Record

Title: Collection of materials related to Lincoln's Cooper Institute speech 27 February 1860 [Decimalized]

GLC04471