6 August 1812

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel B. Malcolm

Remarks upon Malcolm's decision to keep himself free of a political party and asks if he has considered the consequences. ". . . this Maxim, has rarely failed to annihilate the Influence of the Man who adopts it and very often exposed him to the tragical Vengence of all Parties." Thoughtfully examines the need for political parties despite their evils. Discusses at length "These two Tyrants... Fashion and Party." Comments that he is sorry Malcolm has left his practice and the bar and would like to see his publications. Condemns the practice of dueling in America stating it is carried…

GLC05262

13 June 1795

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Extract of a letter from J. Blair to Thomas Jefferson]

Original letter from Williamsburg, Virginia, and dated 13 June 1795. Jefferson records the details of a complicated stock trade in Philadelphia.

GLC05273

February 28, 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Broadside

Title: [Two acts of Congress which offer protection of seamen and a partial ban on imported slaves]

The first act is titled: "An Act supplementary to the "Act concerning Consuls and Vice-Consuls, and for the further protection of American Seamen." The second act is titled: "An Act to prevent the importation of certain Persons into certain States, where, by the laws thereof, their admission is prohibited." Names printed on the bottom of these acts are Nathaniel Macon as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aaron Burr, Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, and Thomas Jefferson as President of the United States.

GLC05198

1791

Carey, Stewart, and Co. (publishers), fl. 1791

Book

Title: Constitutions of the United States of America [adds Vermont]

"The Constitutions of the United States; according to the latest amendments; to which are annexed, the Declaration of Independence; and the federal constitution; with the amendments thereto. This edition contains the Constitution of Vermont, not in any former one."

GLC05166

1789

Smith, Adam, 1723-1790

Book signed

Title: An Inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations Vol. II

Signed on titlepage "Wm H. Harrison." Printed by Thomas Dobson. With bookplate of J. Cleves Short / Short-Hill / Nov. 17, 1817." and stamp of "Transylvania Library" on front pastedown. (Sprinkled calf binding was severely warped; front board beginning to come off: rebound in 1997). See also volume I, GLC 4740.

GLC05192

13 May 1806

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Certifying "true copy" a Thomas Jefferson letter to John Walker]

Marshall's endorsement certifies this "true copy from the original shown me by Mr. Walker which I believe to be in the hand writing of Mr. Jefferson." James Madison also certified the letter, but his certification is written in Marshall's hand. The letter, dated 13 April 1803, concerns an alleged affair that Jefferson had had with the wife of John Walker. Jefferson was being attacked in the press. He expressed regret that he had not met with Walker earlier and talks about the newspaper writers and newspapers who he thinks should be silenced.

GLC05506

9 March 1790

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Polly Stockton

On the second anniversary of his recovery from illness, Rush thanks his sister for nursing him. His illness left him with strong ideas of the vanity of wealth, the evil of Sin, etc. He continues by talking about his delight in reading John Wesley's sermons concerning the rise and progress of Christianity, which Wesley described as a series of concentric circles. Rush also discusses a new translation of the four gospels by Dr. Campell of Aberdeen.

GLC05508.011

26 December 1795

Bradford, William, 1729-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia Bradford

Bradford gives condolence to his daughter, Lydia, for young men who died at sea, and expresses the sentiment that while this may be unfortunate "to us as men, it must be right as relative to Deity." He also mentions visiting a Roman Catholic church in Philadelphia on Christmas day. There is also some discussion of legal business before Congress; Bradford was a senator from Rhode Island.

GLC05508.047

1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: [The Address of the Religious Society called Quakers, from their Yearly Meeting for Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware...].

Also represents Quakers in western Maryland and Virginia. Composed at a September 9, 1789 meeting and issued by the meeting's clerk, Nicholas Waln. Addressed to the President of the U.S. The Quakers offer support and prayers for Washington's Presidency, and note freedom of religion "among the choicest of blessings." Washington's undated reply appears at the bottom. It expressing thanks, praises the Quakers, and supports the idea of religious freedom. Printed by Daniel Humphreys.

GLC05329

8 June 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Pollock

States that upon receiving Pollock's previous letter, he was engaged in a business meeting with the director of the Potomac Company at Shenandoah Falls, Virginia. Declines Pollock's request for recommendation to Esteban Rodriguez Miro y Sabater, the Governor of Louisiana. Declares that such a recommendation would be improper, stating "I have never had the Lever of a personal acquaintance ... with the Governor- I do not feel myself authorized to take a greater latitude of freedom in this respect than any other unknown private citizen."

GLC05454

18 December 1790

Waln, Nicholas, fl. 1790

Broadside

Title: [Explaining why Quakers refuse to pay a fee for their pacifism]

Quakers explaining why they refuse to pay a fee to the government for their pacifism.

GLC05326

circa February 1788

Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Cotterell

Requests Cotterell inform her whether or not she has an appointment at court that day with King George III and the Queen. She and John Adams were requesting their leave of the court as he had been called back to America. Undated, date inferred from events.

GLC05343

04 June 1792 - 10 June 1796

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: [General Anthony Wayne's report of expenditures from June 1792-May 1794]

Records various expenditures incurred during Indian treaty negotiations. A certification of the expenses along with a comment that "the United States will acquire at least Three Millions of Dollars, from the extra cession of territory obtained by that treaty is signed ant dated 2 June 1796. Another note date 10 June 1796 attests to the receipt of some of the monies and discusses other expenses.

GLC05468

1800

Pamphlet

Title: Communications from several states... respecting the Alien & Sedition Laws

Full title: "Communications from several states, on the resolutions of the legislature of Virginia, respecting the Alien & Sedition Laws: also instructions from the General Assembly of Virginia, to their senators in Congress...." This is the first edition of this pamphlet, which was reprinted several times. Evans 38952. With Ex-lib. stamp of Texas State Library on pp. 57 and 84. (Possibly a made-up copy?). Printed by Meriwether Jones

GLC05480

1802

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of...on his inauguration...[with his response to New Haven remonstrance]

Title: "Speech of...on his inauguration as President of the United States. Together with his reply to the celebrated New-Haven Remonstrance, and his message to both houses of Congress, of December 8, 1801, &c" Printed by John Barber. (Purchased for TJ's response to the New Haven remonstrance concerning his dismissal of office holders.) With crude wood-cut of Jefferson based on Edward Savage facing the titlepage. Not mentioned in Cunningham's study of Jefferson portraits. Not listed in Shaw & Shoemaker. Not in Sabin. Cunningham, The Image of Jefferson in the Public Eye, pp.11­21.

GLC05481

1812

Pamphlet

Title: Constitution or form of government of the state of Louisiana

Stab-stitched. The first printing of the first Louisiana constitution, the first constitution for any state west of the Mississippi. "The enabling act providing for calling a convention to frame a constitution for Louisiana was passed February 20, 1811, and this, the first constitution of Louisiana, was adopted on January 22, 1812. It is very rare" - Streeter. Streeter sale 1592. Sabin 42214. Eberstadt Constitutions 64. Jumonville 223.

GLC05482

1813

Pamphlet

Title: Declaration. The earnest endeavors... [British declaration of war on US]

Title: "Declaration. The earnest endeavors of the Prince Regent to preserve the relations of peace and amity with the United States of America having unfortunately failed...[caption title]." The official British declaration of war upon the United States. Interestingly, expresses the reluctance of the British crown to declare war (especially since the British had already agreed to most of the important American points). Printed by R.G. Clarke. With ink note at end "Abbett's Register, Vol. 23. Page 80."

GLC05483

31 August 1806

Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820

Autograph document signed

Title: [Legal document signed by Daniel Boone]

Signed by Boone as commander of the Femme Osage District in St. Charles County, Missouri. Contains a list of expenses related to a legal case. Joseph Haines signs, stating that he received money from District Constable William Hayes. Timothy Kibby, Justice of the Peace, signs as a witness of Hayes' payment to Haines.

GLC05486

December 21, 1785

Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813

Autograph document signed

Title: [Manumission of mulatto slave Robert Cowley from the estate of Peter Randolph]

Signed and sealed in the presence of Beverly Randolph, Martha Randolph, and James Rim. Randolph purchases the slave, Robert Cowley, from Peter Randolph, deceased, with the intention of freeing the slave. Cowley purchased his freedom from Randolph for fifty pounds. Notes that Cowley is older than forty-five years. Document is a court copy.

GLC05490

21 April 1798

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Describes his journey from Paris to Bordeaux, where he waits to return to America. Writes with a vein of humor. Mentions that two wheels broke on the journey, but says such a fact does not need to be communicated to the Secretary of State, so the broken wheels can be saved a circuit around the United States. Will take the ship "Alexander Hamilton" home and says it "a very excellent vessel but for the sin of the name which makes my return in her almost as criminal as if I had taken England in my way." Hopes to make "an eternal adieu to Europe" as well as its crimes. Wishes for better health…

GLC05632

1785

Varlo, Charles, fl. 1725-1795

Book signed

Title: A New System of Husbandry from Many Years of Experience. . .

Title continues, ". . . with tables shewing the expence and profit of each crop : ... also many chosen receipts in physic and surgery, for the human species, and others for the cure of all sorts of cattle, to which are annexed a few hints humbly offered for the perusal of the legislators of America, shewing how to put a stop to runaway servants, volume 1." Signed by Thomas Nelson on free front endpaper. Another signature on the title page has been clipped. Contains fold-out table concerning crop rotation, with list of subscribers. Information on crop rotation, grasses suitable to United…

GLC05633

1797

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Pamphlet

Title: Observations on certain documents contained in... no. V & VI ...

Disbound. Printed by John Bioren for John Fenno. The famous "Reynolds pamphlet." Responding to charges against Hamilton of speculation while serving as Sec. of State. Howes H120, Evans 32222. Full title: "Observations on certain documents contained in no V & VI of 'The History of the United States for the year 1796,' in which the charges of speculation against Alexander Hamilton, late Secretary of the Treasury is fully refuted." With presentation note to New York Historical Society.

GLC05649.01

1795

Franklin, Walter, 1773-1838

Pamphlet

Title: Minutes of the proceedings of the second convention of delegates from the abolition societies established in different parts of the United States...

(title continues)... assembled at Philadelphia, on the seventh day of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, and continued, by adjournments, until the fourteenth day of the same month, inclusive. Printed by Zachariah Poulson, Jr. Franklin was secretary of the Abolition Society of Pennsylvania.

GLC05650

1784

Zenger, John P., 1697-1746

Book

Title: The Trial of John Peter Zenger...for libel against the government

Howes 26 (related). Printed for Flexney, Holborn; Davies, Russel-Street; Merril, Cambridge; and Eddowes, Shrewsbury. Lord Erskine's copy with publisher's printed dedication. Thomas Erskine, 1750-1823, brother of David Steuart Erskine (11th Earl of Buchan, who corresponded with Lady Catharine Macaulay) contributed to passing Fox's Libel Act in 1792 which helped to blunt the use of libel prosecutions by the Pitt ministry. With bookplate of Gertrude Hamilton on front pastedown.

GLC05652

1795

United States. Congress (1st : 1789-1791). Senate

Book

Title: Acts Passed at the First Congress of the United States of America [1789]

Printed by Francis Childs. With separately paginated index. Rebound

GLC05654