20 June 1776

Howe, Richard Howe, Earl, 1726-1799

Manuscript document

Title: Official French copy of Benjamin Franklin-Richard Howe letters [in French]

First letter dated 20 June 1776, written aboard the Eagle off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, is from Admiral Richard Howe to Benjamin Franklin. Encloses official dispatches (not present) outlining his mission of peace with the colonies. Mentions in his postscript that his brother, General William Howe, will act as a fellow peace commissioner. Franklin replies on 30 July 1776 from Philadelphia. Refuses the offers of a pardon in the case of the colonies' surrender, as outlined in the official documents referred to by Howe. Rejects the idea of surrender and excoriates the British Empire for what…

GLC01670

1675

Penn, William, 1644-1718

Pamphlet

Title: England's present interest discovered, with honour to the prince, and safety to the people.

Advocates religious freedom in England. With heraldic bookplate of Robert Cony. Published seven years before Penn's founding of Pennsylvania.

GLC01672

1682

Penn, William, 1644-1718

Pamphlet

Title: William Penn's last farewell to England.

Title continues: "being an epistle containing a salutation to all faithful friends, a reproof to the unfaithful, and a visitation to the enquiring, in a solemn farewell to them all in the land of my nativity." Printed for Thomas Cook.

GLC01673

October 17, 1785

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bowdoin

King and Gerry, members of the Continental Congress, transmit information concerning two acts of Congress to Bowdoin, Governor of Massachusetts. States that these acts (not included) contain instructions to an unspecified foreign minister. Requests Bowdoin's secrecy regarding the transmitted information. Instructs Bowdoin to forward the information to John Adams, Minister to England. Slightly torn on the top of the second page.

GLC01674

December 20, 1826

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Tucker

Sending a copy of Thomas Cooper's "Lectures on the Elements of Political Economy" (referred to as "Lectures on Political Economy") to Professor Tucker. Tucker was appointed to teach moral philosophy at the University of Virginia in 1825.

GLC01675

21 July 1815

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph document signed

Title: [Passeport N.5: Passport introducing American Joel Post as Envoy Extraordinary to England]

In French. Introduces Joel Post as Envoy Extroadinary to England and certifies that he is an American citizen. Also provides physical description of Post: his age (46), height (5' 9.5"), brow (high), eyes (grey), nose (straight), mouth (average), chin (round), hair color (blond) and face (oval). Document signed by John Quincy Adams, and signed and sealed in red by Post. Information on verso, also in French, listing the date of July, 1815, with two stamps reading "Legation de France a Londres."

GLC01676

circa 1862-1864

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [List of articles lost or destroyed, in the Public Service, at Nashville Tennessee]

Enumerates articles, such as axes, tin cups, tin plates, and forks and knives, which were lost in the public service. In a column marked "Circumstances and Cause," refers to a Voucher No. 1 and a Voucher No. 2, which are not present. Signed as military governor of Tennessee and Brigadier General, and countersigned by Quartermaster F.H. Rugar.

GLC01678

circa 1881

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph signed

Title: [James A. Garfield]

Cabinet photogrph of President Garfield. Published by Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Signed by Garfield on front mount with later note on verso: "From Pres. Garfield given to my father Samuel Lund."

GLC01679

circa 1882

Photograph signed

Title: Grover Cleveland

Cabinet photograph portrait of Grover Cleveland from circa 1882.

GLC01680

1898

Rockwood, George Gardner, 1832-1911

Photograph signed

Title: [Cabinet photograph of Theodore Roosevelt in Rough Rider uniform]

Three-quarter length photogravure portrait of Roosevelt in "Rough Rider" uniform, with hat, gloves, and glasses.

GLC01681

July 5, 1890

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Reverend A.W. Hazen

Thank-you note for a book of Elliot's debates written as a professor at Princeton University. Postmarked Princeton, [New Jersey].

GLC01682

circa 1945

Tojo, Hideki, 1884-1948

Document signed

Title: [10 Yen note]

Signed in Kanji (Japanese) and Roman.

GLC01684.01

1 January 1848

Arnold, Philo H., fl. 1848-1853

Sketchbook

Title: Sketchbook of Philo H. Arnold

Watercolors include the paddlewheeler Globe, the bark Emerald, the ship Emblem being destroyed by pirates, and small groups of soldiers marching.

GLC01685

September 9, 1861

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. Mora Gross

Sherman discusses cadet appointments to West Point for Mora's nephew (the Military Academy did not fill the slots left by seceding states with candidates from loyal states) and how his influence has lessened since commanding a defeated brigade at the battle of Bull Run. He also briefly alludes to his current help to Gen. Robert Anderson in Kentucky and his feeling that "[w]e are in for a long & bloody Civil War."

GLC01686

4 July 1827

Worth, William Jenkins, 1749-1849

Printed document signed

Title: [United State Military Academy diploma of Leonidas Polk]

Diploma is cosigned by Major General William J. Worth, among other instructors. Partly printed document.

GLC01687

August 15, 1882

James, Frank, 1844-1915

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anna Ralston and Robert James

Frank James writes to his wife Anna and son Robert (referred to as "My Precious Ones") while being pursued by state and federal authorities. References the Shakespearean character, Timon of Athens, who also spent time exiled in the forest. Reflects on his love for Anna by stating: "Did I not appreciate you I should feel as I was a disgrace to humanity and should be universally and deservedly detested as the most ungrateful being that ever lived." Refers to Charles and Bob Ford as "loathsome wretches" because they killed Jesse James, his brother, in April 1882. Expresses expectations that…

GLC01692

September 3, 1882

James, Frank, 1844-1915

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anna Ralston James

Frank James writes to his wife, Anna, about the reward offered for his capture. Mentions Dick Liddil, a member of the same gang, and the way Liddil was treated by the authorities. Comments on turning himself in and states that "... when ever I surrendered up my belt, it would be with the understanding that I was subject to no one for anything." Attempts to comfort her and boost her morale. Mentions that his friends thought him foolish to accept any offers from Thomas Crittenden, the Governor of Missouri. Expresses his view on his situation, "And as for taking tragic revenge on any one, I hold…

GLC01693

December 23, 1885

Younger, Cole, 1844-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fannie Truman

Younger writes to his aunt while in prison in Stillwater, Minnesota. Discusses the travels of Captain and Mrs. Barton. Relates news received while in prison including Harts Bonnys' marriage on December 25 to Alice Sumner, and Ciry Jones' fall from his delivery wagon. Insists Frank James does not fit the description of anyone in the party at the Northfield, Minnesota bank raid in 1876 any more than the "man in the moon." Discusses the Missouri River waterway convention, scheduled to meet in Kansas City on December 29. Those expected to attend include "all the leading men of state," among them…

GLC01694

December 12, 1863

Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thrasher

Confederate General Polk writes to the wife of a man identified as Colonel Thrasher to inform her that he has began an inquiry into the affairs of a man she wrote to Polk about. In an initialed postscript, he comments on the removal of Braxton Bragg from command of Army of Tennessee.

GLC01696

November 3, 1862

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louis Janin

Benjamin informs his friend Janin, who is in Paris, of the death of his son Eugene Janin at the battle of Antietam. "He fell in the battle of Sharpsburg...doing his duty to his country in the front ranks...He was wounded so severely...it was found impossible to convey him and he was left...with not a hope of recovery." Eugene is buried "with numbers of the other victims to the Carnage now which the insensate ferocity of the accursed and demoniac Yankees now wage against us." Letter written on "Confederate States of America, Department of State," stationary. Military records indicate that…

GLC01697

1864

Broadside

Title: Election news.

Election broadside announces Lincoln and Johnson elected, prints returns for many states, and states that Wayne County, Illinois, "stands firm."

GLC01698

1864

Democratic Party

Broadsheet

Title: The Democratic platform. Gen. McClellan's letter of acceptance.

An official printing of General George McClellan's acceptance of the Democratic nomination for president on first page. The rest of the broadside is a Pro-Democratic comparison of the Democratic and Republican platforms, and military policies. Reprints campaign songs, military policies, and excerpts from letters and quotes of President Abraham Lincoln.

GLC01701

1864

National Union Executive Committee

Broadside

Title: Is the War a Failure?

Pro-Lincoln,Union ticket election broadside defending the Civil War, which the Democratic Convention at Chicago called a failure. Reprints letters of Generals Ulysses S. Grant, Truman Seymour, William T. Sherman and John Adams Dix on the conduct of the war.

GLC01702

1864

War Democratic State Committee, 1864

Broadside

Title: Watch words for War Democrats!

Published by pro-war, pro-Union Democrats in New York. Quotes a speech made by Peter Cooper 20 years ago advocating Union principles. Reprints an article from a Catholic newspaper titled condemning slavery and an article from the impartial Boston Herald on the lack of freedom in the South.

GLC01703

June 13, 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Simon Cameron

Lincoln writes to Secretary of War Cameron to allow Colonel William H. Emory's resignation to be withdrawn and to have him reinstated to Colonel 1st Cavalry. Emory was stationed in Indian territory. Lincoln bases his decision on Commanding General Irvin McDowell's affirmation of Emory's loyalty.

GLC01568