November 17, 1851

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Document signed

Title: Pardon of John Alguner, convicted of counterfeiting.

John Alguner convicted of passing counterfeit coin. Executive clemency granted by Millard Fillmore, pardoned for "...divers other good and sufficient reasons...". Countersigned by Daniel Webster, Acting Secretary of State. Accompanied by a paper seal.

GLC00043.16

July 28, 1854

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Pardon of August Kesling, alias August Kesting/Kestenger, convicted of transmitting forged federal documents.

Convicted of transmitting forged federal documents; sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Pardoned for "...divers other good and sufficient reasons..." (c/s William L. Marcy)

GLC00043.17

July 12, 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Pardon of the owners of the Steamer "Osiris," convicted of endangering lives of passengers by not having sufficient amount of life preservers.

Convicted of endangering lives of passengers by not having sufficient amount of life preservers; sentenced to pay $500 fine and additional $71.30 for violation of U.S. transportation safety law of 30 August 1852 [5th Section]. Conditionally pardoned, in that the $500 fine be remitted while the law violation penalty [$71.30] and other court costs be paid. (c/s W.L. Marcy)

GLC00043.18

May 3, 1858

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Document signed

Title: Pardon of George Kirk, Edward Burr, & George Carroll, convicted of defrauding the revenue.

Convicted of defrauding the revenue; each sentenced to pay a $400 fine and court costs and to be confined until paid. All pardoned due to their inability to pay fine. Signed by James Buchanan. Countersigned by Lewis Cass. Accompanied by a paper seal.

GLC00043.19

December 30, 1859

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Thomas Wilson, convicted of 2 counts of assault weapon against crewmen on the Schooner "Exchange."

Convicted of 2 counts of assault [one with a dangerous weapon] aboard the Schooner "Exchange" while at sea; in one case, sentenced to 1 year and 3 months imprisonment and in the case involving weapon, sentenced to 2 years hard labor and to pay $1 fine and court costs. Pardoned due to insanity. (c/s Lewis Cass)

GLC00043.20

January 26, 1856

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Sankey Latty

Chase writes to "Latty" concerning republican politics and elections, the Know-Nothings, and immigration.

GLC00011

September 22, 1819

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel F. Moore.

Jefferson responds to Moore's pamphlet on ascertaining the pronunciation of ancient Greek and describes his own efforts in trying to answer the same question. He describes his efforts while in Paris, and even earlier, to find the most accurate pronunciation from modern Greek, but decided to follow the system of the early humanist Erasmus. Jefferson concludes "I am glad... to see the question stirred here; because it may excite among our young countrymen a spirit of enquiry and criticism, and lead them to more attention to this most beautiful of all languages." Moore taught classical languages…

GLC00020

April 13, 1858

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E.C. Wharton

Informs Wharton that he wants the return of an interest-free loan, but since Wharton cannot afford it, he will not call the loan. Offers advice on the conduct of Wharton's life, urging him to "apply your intelligence and your energies to one object only."

GLC00025

February 10, 1832

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Cass

Writes to Secretary of War Cass regarding giving generals John Eaton and John Coffee the authority "to conclude with the Choctaws an agreement for such portion of the 17 million of acres conveyed to them as will suit the Chickasaws to settle on." Also discusses the need for a congressional re-appropriation of an 1830 appropriation of $500,000 for Indian removal. Warns that if not done, "our humane plan is blown up, & our hands tied." Suggests getting the money into the hands of source agents if Congress does not act. In a post script, mentions certainty that "the Chickasaws will now make…

GLC00089.01

15 May 1854

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Denny O' Sullivan].

GLC00091.01

March 30, 1847

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Letter signed

Title: to Robert Dodge

Granting Dodge a courier's passport for France. Apologizes for being unable to grant the pass originally asked for, but Dodge's intentions did not comply with the uses of that particular document.

GLC00091.03

13 May 1846

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

Document signed

Title: [Authorization to affix the Seal of the United States to a proclamation of war with Mexico]

Authorization to affix the seal of the United States to Congress' declaration of war. Partially printed document.

GLC00093

September 21, 1846

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Y. Mason

Discusses boats for crossing the Rio Grande. Asks Secretary of the Navy Mason to introduce Captain Napoleon Harrison to Colonel Abert, with whom Harrison wishes to discuss the boats.

GLC00094

21 April 1846

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: To Miss Cordelia Frye.

Adams composes a poem at the request of Frye, the daughter of Maine Senator William Frye. Eight stanzas, six lines each.

GLC00095

August 1841

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. H. Carroll

Writes as a member of the United States Senate from New Hampshire. Discusses the Whig party's chances in the election. "The great Universal Whig Party is undoubtedly smashed -- broken up - Who does not perceive a wise, beneficient overruling Providence in these great events?" States that the Bank Bill passed the House by a majority of 31 votes. Believes that President John Tyler will veto the bill. "The clouds of doubt in which everything here has been enveloped are rolling away. - Gentlemen will now show their hands- positions will be re-defined - In a word Tyler will veto the bill." Reports…

GLC00096.01

16 August 1841

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph manuscript

Title: to H. H. Carroll

Discusses President John Tyler's veto of the Bank Bill. States in part, "Will not our friends rejoice? Will not the enemies of the Constitution dispair? ... Let the young men take from this, fresh encouragement in the darkest and most portentous hour never to dispair of the Republic." Letter is not addressed or signed but the recipient is identified in the seller's description and in GLC00096.01.

GLC00096.02

January 17, 1843

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William C. Bouck

Advises Bouck to make a speedy decision one way or the other to resolve a scandal in Albany involving the state's printing. Remarks that it would be far worse to delay a decision. Discusses at length how to conduct the executive branch of the government based upon his own experiences as President. Brings up an incident from his presidency where a man came to him wanting to inform him of a conspiracy being formed to destroy him politically. Van Buren states he refused to hear such gossip. "The consequence was that although Washington is perhaps the most gossiping place in the world, I escaped…

GLC00097

December 14, 1842

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. S. Johnson

Andrew Jackson replies to Johnson's letter, which informed him of the Democrat's victories in Massachusetts. He congratulates Johnson, and praises Massachusetts. Referring to Federalism and Whiggism in that state he writes, "We can now truly say that the old coon is really dead, & all humbugery with it."

GLC00084

March 20, 1820

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tench Coxe

Written by Madison during his retirement after the presidency to Coxe, a former Continental Congressman and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, known for his political and economic writings. Coxe had previously switched parties from Federalist to Republican and was rewarded by Jefferson and Madison, but could not get assistance for his son, Charles, from President Monroe. Madison references Coxe's letter from March 7, 1820 and says he wrote to President Monroe about Coxe's son. He says he is glad to see that Coxe is still writing about public issues and noticed he produced a piece on the "…

GLC00085

August 15, 1835

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to Hubbard Taylor

Written in the hand of Dolley Madison, signed by James Madison. Discusses his views on politics. Writes "I join in all your good wishes, for more tranquility and harmony in our public affairs; which will always be best promoted by a course avoiding the extremes to which party excitements are liable." Advises that he is in his 85th year, "the infirmities belonging to which are added inroads on my health, which among other effects have so crippled my fingers as to oblige me to use borrowed ones." Envelope has a free frank signed by Madison.

GLC00086

November 12, 1845

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. & W. Gelsey & Co.

Business letter discussing farm produce from his estate, Lindenwald. Written from Lindenwald on blue paper.

GLC00089.02

November 14, 1831

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Swann

Requests the details of a case involving a wrongly issued search warrant to determine whether a pardon will be granted.

GLC00045.46

July 2, 1852

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Letter signed

Title: to John C. Crittenden re: complaint about a pardon petitioner to his Congressman. Includes pardon petition, petition appeals, and medical report.

Appeal of a pardon for Ameal Brea, convicted of "..forging a soldier's discharge ...". Fillmore says "the Man's offense is great" and all too common. While going on to state that he would be willing to pardon Brea from imprisonment due to supposed dire health reasons, Fillmore finds the physicians report most unsatisfactory in form, manner and content, leading him to cast doubt on the report and the physician. His decision is to "...suspend further action in the case until more satisfactory information can be furnished on this point."

GLC00045.47

December 21, 1841

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Plumer, Jr.

Adams praises Plumer's volume of poems and describes his own journal writings as "volume after volume of trash." In retrospect, Adams wishes he had focused his energies on producing a great historical work. He deems Plumer's style of recording time and memories in a "poetical record" superior to the usual diary form. Some of Plumer's verses remind Adams of his own thoughts, and he praises the poet for giving them permanent existence. Plumer was a former New Hampshire congressman.

GLC00047

April 13, 1836

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: [Patent for Benjamin Smith's improvement in the door lock]

Signed by Andrew Jackson as President. Countersigned by John Forsyth as Secretary of State and Benjamin Franklin Butler as Attorney General. Smith's description of his improvement is signed by William Wolcott Ellsworth and Charles Russ as witnesses. Notation states "Engrav'd by J.V.N. Throop, Washington, D.C." Sealed and bound with green ribbon and accompanied by a paper seal.

GLC00059