18 October 1849

Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas S. Jesup

General "Stonewall" Jackson asks General Jesup whether officers of light batteries should shod their horses at their own expense or at the expense of the public. Note on verso dated 20 October 1849 in unknown hand states that "Private horses of forage officers can be shod at the public shops - but no expenditure of money is authorized." Written at Fort Hamilton

GLC01964

September 9, 1842

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Elections in Sangamon County, Illinois, for State Representatives...

Said to have been presented to his fiance Mary Todd, listing election results for 1832, 1834 and 1836. Lincoln has signed his name three times, once for each time he ran. Attested by clerk Noah W. Matheny, pages 2-3, with seal on p. 3. See Sandburg, Lincoln Collector, p. 141, and H. Pratt, Lincoln Day by Day, for 9/9/1842. Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. (New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 1953), Vol. I 1824 - 1848, p. 297-299

GLC01978

3 October 1830

Findlay, William, fl. 1830

Manuscript document

Title: [Clerical copy of the surety bond for William Findlay as Treasurer of the United States Mint]

Signed clerically by Findlay, Robert Smith, and Francis R. Shunk. The Mint Act of 1792 required employees of the Mint to furnish sureties. Findlay was the fifth Treasurer of the United States Mint, and served in that office from 1827 until 1841.

GLC01987

February 3, 1852

Cobb, Howell, 1815-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hart

Marked "Private" at top. Cobb, Governor of Georgia, writes to Hart, possibly a city mayor or official. Notes that he had determined not to appoint more commissioners to Hart's city, but wishes to comply with Hart's request. Discussing politics, declares "...a combination of free soilers.. do not overwhelm the true national democracy- You are upon the watch tower- Do not deceive yourself nor suffer your country, to be deceived with the false cry of 'all is well.'"

GLC02072

21 April 1853

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Letter of recommendation for Captain William S. Walker.

GLC02081

1829

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Broadside

Title: President's message

An Extra of the Hartford Times, reporting from telegraph the text of Jackson's first State of the Union. The address discusses what will be many of the major issues during his Presidency. Discusses removal of Native Americans, questions the constitutionality of the Bank, and decries corruption in governmental office. Suggests an amendment to keep close Presidential elections from being decided by Congress. Also covers foreign affairs, the tariff, finances, military and other domestic matters.

GLC02009

1860-1866

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Header Record

Title: Collection of Heber Painter, I company, 58th regiment, Pennsylvania, infantry [Decimalized .001-.182]

The collection mostly consists of correspondence from Painter to his aunt and sisters. His letters contain descriptions of camp life, his feelings towards slavery, and anti-Yankee sentiment in Virginia shortly after the war. More specifically he witnesses fighting between the Monitor and Merrimac, the Battle at Batchelder's Creek, the Battle of Fort Harrison/Chaffin's Farm, the fall of Richmond, and the Union occupation of Petersburg. A collection inventory is available.

GLC02016

2 January 1843

Gragg, John W., fl. 1843

Autograph document signed

Title: [Bill of sale to Andrew Johnson for a slave girl named Dolly]

John W. Gragg sells Dolly to Andrew Johnson for $500. Gragg signs with his mark, an "x." Cosigned by William M. Lowry, a witness. Dolly is "aged about nineteen years." Docket was written and signed by Andrew Johnson.

GLC02041

6 March 1830

Biddle, Nicholas, 1786-1844

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Rochester

As President of the Bank of the United States, Biddle clarifies some rules and regulations concerning lending funds. Explains that the security of two responsible, known persons is necessary and advises Rochester, a banker in Buffalo, New York, to look for parties near him to whom he can resort.

GLC02044

December 31, 1817

Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elihu Chauncey

Writes concerning his bank balance. States that he sent a messenger to the bank who reported his balance to be $3614.49 which worries him because he wrote a check yesterday for $10,000. Asks Chauncey to check on this and if his balance is really below $10,000 to hold the check until he can sell some stock to make up the difference. Remarks at the end, "But I hope all Trouble will be saved, by finding that my funds are sufficient, as I can hardly think it possible that I could have been guilty of so great a blunder." Post script note states, "The public Debt will be carried to my Credit, I…

GLC02045

December 23, 1847

Blair & Rives

Newspaper

Title: Congressional Globe [New Series...No. 4]

Lincoln's Spot Amendment Speech on page 64 condemns the pretexts for starting the war with Mexico. Requests proof from President Polk that American blood was shed on American soil and that the enemy provoked the Americans, and asks if those Americans present were ordered there by the United States Army. Pages 49-64.

GLC02025

December 19, 1823

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Davis

Serving as Massachusetts Representative, Webster informs United States District Court Judge Davis that the subject of District Judges' salaries has been brought forward (likely in the House of Representatives), and he plans to report a Bill on the topic. Discusses his 8 December 1823 motion in Congress for the appropriation of money to send an American envoy to Greece in support of revolutionaries fighting in Greece's 1821-1833 War of Independence. Seal has been partially torn off causing text loss on page three.

GLC02043

February 3, 1848

Dix, John Adams, 1798-1879

Document signed

Title: [Members of Congress agree on Washington D.C.'s need for an Episcopal Church]

Written and signed by Congressmen John A. Dix. Cosigned by George E. Badger, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, H. Johnson, (possibly either Henry or Herschel Johnson), Robert Winthrop, John Sergeant, William D. Dayton, John Macpherson Berrien, and Joseph R. Ingersoll. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Nelson, V. Daniel (possibly Peter V. Daniel), and Levi Woodbury signed the document 8 February 1848. States that members of the Episcopal Church temporarily in Washington, D.C., need accommodation. Acknowledges that a subscription is needed to build another Church; states that the Church is also…

GLC02288

15 June 1838

Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Hubbard

Written by Calhoun in blue ink, concerning his support for (and failure to get) a rail route from Georgia to the west, instead of through Ohio. He concludes that southern rail routes will unite the slaveholding states and change commercial and political affairs of the Union.

GLC02320.01

February 22, 1850

Smith, Caleb B. (Caleb Blood), 1808-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ewing

Recommending William D. Shepherd for a clerkship, and enclosing a petition signed by many Indiana Whigs supporting this promotion.

GLC02320.02

15 December 1838

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Harvey

Expresses his optimism for the Democratic party in the upcoming elections. "I think the prospects for the democratic party have rarely been more cheering. We have many great advantages over our opponents." Goes on to say that the Democratic party is united on several principles while the opposition is not. States that, "Under such circumstances I entertain no fears for the result. We must triumph." Written as Senator from New Hampshire.

GLC02327

6 January 1840

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Solomon Haven

Discusses political and social news. Mentions that the state legislature will meet tomorrow and that there is a movement toward legal reform, which he feels in necessary. Briefly comments on national and state debts. Written as member of Congress.

GLC02344

4 March 1858

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William P. Fessenden

Praises a speech of Fessenden and mentions that in order for the Republicans to win the election in 1860, they will need to keep together on their own principles. Comments on the opinions of Stephen Douglas, "The Douglas notion of a popular Sovereignty incapable during the whole period of territorial existence of freeing itself from slavery and then, at the initiative of State existence indifferent whether slave or free, but only asking the privilege of saying which, will never do to form a party upon." Written as Governor of Ohio on State of Ohio, Executive Department stationery.

GLC02286

13 December 1859

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Requests that recipient inform him if he has written to Mr. Morris to demand the engines with the late improvements. Also asks if recipient has sent them his letter.

GLC02287

23 October 1815

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Thanks him for his letter, which included a letter from William Cobbett to Niles. He loves clergymen "because they are often sociable and sensible men," but "the priesthood seems to have something militant and belligerent in its nature." Remarks that Edmund Burke and Samuel Johnson seemed to have supported the idea of religious primacy. Adams had been President of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Smith was Adams's son-in-law and his former secretary.

GLC02295

6 April 1860

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Messrs. Bond & Lear

Meade signs as Captain of Topographical Engineers. Discussing telescopes, writes: "I...am aware that in increasing the field, other things remaining the same, we lose power. I have no doubt the glass you are now having made will be satisfactory in all respects..." Requests chronometers, watches, and almanacs. Inquires as to the procurement of a "[Detorsion?] Bar" (for a portable declinometer) in London.

GLC02297.02

August 1857

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written after relinquishing the post of Secretary of War, defending himself against charges made by General John Wool. Davis asks that his correspondent publish his letters on the matter, in hopes of clearing his name. Davis also writes about the events at the Battle of Buena Vista. Wool had been voted a testimonial sword by Congress but had not received it in California and believed that Davis kept it out of spite.

GLC02299

4 October 1822

George IV, King of the United Kingdom, 1762-1830

Document signed

Title: [Additional convention to Treaty of Ghent]

The Russian copy in French and English in side by side columns. Signed by George IV and countersigned by George Canning as head of the Foreign Office. Diplomatic document comprising a rider or supplemental convention to the Treaty of Ghent, agreed upon on 24 December 1814. This convention pertains to compensation for American enslaved people who were seized. The first leaf constitutes the King's official Warrant addressed to John, Earl of Eldon, "Our Chancellor of Great Britain," to affix the seal of Great Britain to the treaty between Great Britain, Russia, and the United States. The…

GLC02304

June 26, 1848-February 16, 1852

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

Header Record

Title: Collection of six documents related to Ulysses S. Grant and loss of $1000 in public funds [Decimalized .01-.06]

Pertains to theft of $1000 in public funds entrusted to Ulysses S. Grant when he was lieutenant in 1848. Grant had placed the money in his captain's trunk for safe-keeping when the trunk was taken and the money stolen. Four of the six documents are affidavits written in Grant's own hand and signed by his captain, himself, and two other soldiers testifying to the truth of Grant's story. The fifth and sixth are letters about the case from the U.S. Treasury Department, written in 1852. Grant was not cleared until June 1862, when Congress cancelled the debt, after his victories at Forts…

GLC02305

1838-1866

Header Record

Title: Collection of letters of Lincoln's cabinet & Calhoun, Smith, etc. [decimalized]

GLC02320