17 August 1817

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Jones Mumford

New York Senator North, a former aide to Baron von Steuben, offers words of wisdom and advice to Mumford on the topics of education, knowledge, virtue, and success. Encourages Mumford to pursue an honorable lifestyle and not to disappoint his parents and their friends.

GLC03372

28 May 1834

Dickson, William G., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George & Cyrus Dickson re: religion of whites in Illinois, Indian mission

Dwells at considerable length upon a meeting with the Chief of the Potawatamie Indians, who accused white traders of using liquor to "destroy his people"

GLC03383

11 July 1833

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Writes about Democratic party politics in Connecticut. Discusses an article that accuses the members of the Convention of "procuring their own nominations," and of "incapacity and knavery." Welles believes the article was written by Noah A. Phelps but Phelps denies it. "I know his writings as well as I do his countenance, and I will forfeit everything I am worth if he is not the author. Yet he writes me very gravely that he is not - this is only aggravating the insult." Goes on to say these attacks will not benefit the Democratic Party politically. Believes that their is only one man…

GLC03390.01

12 December 1833

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Welles discusses the appointment of District Attorney for the State of Connecticut. States that Asa Child's term has expired, and "Many of our friends are decidedly opposed to his re-appointment and there are, I believe, very few in his favor... I have very little confidence in him... It is... notorious that he has played a double game as a politician..." About the new appointment, states "I have long been dissatisfied with the policy of turning out one poor devil, to make a place for one that is no better." States that the District of Litchfield must elect a democrat to congress, and it…

GLC03390.02

9 May 1857

Abbott, Nehemiah, 1804-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Abbott, a Maine Representative, discusses the establishment of a Republican newspaper in Washington, D.C. Recommends George Melville Weston for the editorial position to Blair, former editor of The Globe, a Washington, D.C. newspaper.

GLC03209.02

January 13, 1845

Blair, Francis Preston, 1791-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Blair Lee

Is glad to hear of his daughters good health and remarks "I have got to that age now that I begin to live in my children - and of all my children most in you." Notes that "Congress is in a wordy war about Texas" and indicates his expectation that annexation will pass in some form. There is also speculation about what shape President James Polk's cabinet will take. Blair thinks it will be entirely new. Also writes that "The Calhoun & Tylerites are busy in their conspiracies against the Globe but I think they will all fail." Addressed to Mrs. Philip Lee. With William B. Lewis free…

GLC03209.05

09 July 1829

Kendall, Amos, 1789-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Reports on an upcoming duel between Sanders and Hawkins, begun when Hawkins was insulted that Sanders fired him, despite his mediocre performance. Hopes that Hawkins "gets a little hurt" in the duel, since he has acted so inappropriately. Says that Clay is "making himself ridiculous," and is weakly supported, while Jackson, "the old hero," is doing well.

GLC03209.10

21 March 1857

King, Preston, 1806-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Preston Blair

New York Senator King informs Blair, editor of the Washington, D.C. newspaper The Globe, that he could not withdraw a book Blair requested from the Library of Congress. States that he is unable to acquire the book in the United States and asks Blair if he should order a copy from England. Informs Blair that he gave family friend Mrs. Fremont a package for Miss Betty Blair, Francis' daughter.

GLC03209.11

28 May 1857

Morse, Freeman Harlow, 1807-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Preston Blair

Maine Representative Morse expresses approval regarding the establishment of a Republican newspaper in Washington, D.C. to Blair. Recommends as editor George Weston (possibly Augusta, Maine lawyer and author George Melville Weston) to Blair, who formerly served as editor of the Washington, D.C. newspaper The Globe. Informs Blair that Weston was the editor of a democratic state paper (The Augusta Age) in Maine.

GLC03209.15

January 31, 1845

Page, Thomas, fl. 1845

Letter signed

Title: to Francis Preston Blair

Page, (possibly Kentucky auditor Thomas S. Page), recommends James Green Hardy, Barren County Representative in the State Legislature James, for a position in the Post Office Department of Kentucky. Informs Blair, Republican Party Organizer and editor of the Washington, D.C. newspaper The Globe, that this recommendation is not "a mere complimentary letter, but one in good 'dead earnest.' "

GLC03209.16

25 March 1857

Washburn, Israel, 1813-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Preston Blair

Maine Representative Washburn writes to Blair, former editor of the Washington, D.C. newspaper The Globe. Recommends George M. Weston (possibly Augusta, Maine lawyer and author George Melville Weston) for the editorial position of a Republican newspaper Blair is organizing in Washington, D.C. States that Weston was chief editor of Democratic Maine newspaper The Augusta Age when "Democracy meant something besides slavery."

GLC03209.23

24 July 1837

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Discusses the current scandal regarding the Washington Globe newspaper. Hopes that for the sake of the administration and the country, Blair does not succumb to the interests of the enemy. Discusses political gossip and seems to reassure Blair that his enemies' claims will be proven false.

GLC03209.24

8 March 1849

Yulee, David L., 1810-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Preston Blair

Florida Senator Yulee thanks Blair for two bags of corn. Blair was a Republican Party organizer and a former editor of the Washington, D.C. newspaper, The Globe.

GLC03209.26

12 July 1858

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William A. Winston

Sending "the three Negro men belonging to the estate of G. W. P. Custis, viz: Reuben, Parks & Edward, whom I wish you to hire in Virginia... for the year or a term of years, not exceeding 31 Decr 1862...." Lee asks that the men be kept in the vicinity but also notes "I do not wish these men returned here during the usual holy days...." Lee was executor for the estate of his father-in-law George Washington Parke Custis.

GLC03214

1816

Halliday, Thomas, fl. 1797

Object

Title: [Bronze medal commemorating George Washington's resignation from the Presidency at the end of his second term]

Depicts Washington in profile, with the title "George Washington President of the United States." The opposite side portrays an altar crossed by a sword and ax, with a verse stating "Commission resigned: Presidency relinquished."

GLC03222

12 May 1860

Andrews, J. D., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Writes about various political matters. Discusses the nominations for the election of 1860. States that the "extreme men" of the Republican party will push the nomination of William Seward but says, "If we take Seward, we have the sectional strife, negro equality, and defeat." Writes "The South is coming together - [Stephen] Douglas will not be nominated but may even stump, if his friends have their own way." Francis P. Blair was a journalist and politician. As editor of various newspapers, he exerted influence over Jackson, Polk, and Van Buren. He later campaigned for and advised Lincoln…

GLC03209.03

February 13, 1833

Austin, Arthur W.,1807-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Worries that a Mr. Case who "cannot be trusted" and is a pawn of Nat Greene's will soon become the Post Master in Lowell, Massachusetts. Asks Blair to use any influence he has to try to instead get Mr. Weston appointed to this "important" position. Note on verso of address leaf saying that Weston will call on Blair soon.

GLC03209.04

8 July 1860

Corwin, Thomas, 1794-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Writes that he hopes to be able to get to St. Louis before the presidential election in order to campaign. Briefly discusses an early candidate for nomination, Edward Bates from Missouri, and states that he does not believe that Bates's supporters will vote for Barrett, who now supports Breckinridge, the Southern Democratic candidate. Corwin served as governor of Ohio, U.S. congressman and senator, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (1850-1853), and U.S. minister to Mexico (1861-1864).

GLC03209.08

16 June 1855

Jackson, Andrew, Jr., 1834-1926

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Tells Blair that he has been deemed deficient in his French exam at West Point Military Academy, and asks for Blair to intercede on his behalf, so that he might be reinstated, and continue at school. Jackson cannot understand how he did so poorly, and tries to assure Blair that he has been a good student and well behaved. Calls on Blair as an old friend of the family to do him this favor. Jackson would eventually graduate from West Point.

GLC03209.09

09 September 1836

Kinnard, George L., 1803-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Worries that Colonel Ogden will not extend the Cumberland road any farther that he already has, unless forced to do so. Feels that the current situation, with both the road and government in general, is "adverse to the public interest." Bemoans the fact that the opponents of Jackson and the Democrats control almost all aspects of the local Illinois government, and says that the only way to win these back will be with the help of the President. Written two months before Kinnard was killed in an explosion aboard the steamboat Flora on the Ohio River.

GLC03209.12

12 November 1833

Moore, Thomas Patrick, 1797-1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

In a fight for his congressional seat, says of his opponents, "If there is this side of Hell such a gang of low gamblers, depraved sots, and dirty fools as Lancaster furnishes, I have not seen that place." Asks Blair for help against Letcher, who wishes to take his seat.

GLC03209.14

05 April 1835

Pearce, Dutee J., 1789-1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Discussion of Rhode Island politics, and correction on Rhode Island's election day.

GLC03209.17

29 December 1832

Rush, Richard, 1780-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Informs Blair that he has praised both him and his newspaper in a letter to Congressman Hiester of Pennsylvania, and has endorsed Blair for role of printer for congress. Has also enclosed a few paragraphs on nullification for Blair to publish, which are not in the letter. Blair would lose the vote to be public printer (see GLC03209.19).

GLC03209.18

20 June 1832

Shannon, James, fl. 1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair re: wants appointment as Indian agent, with B.B. Johnson FF

GLC03209.20

19 December 1831

Simpson, Henry, 1790-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Recommending Jacksonian supporter Henry Petriken, who had served in the Pennsylvania state senate, and wishes to be appointed an official visitor to West Point. The Board of Visitors at West Point are responsible for inquiring about the Academy's morale and discipline, curriculum, instructions, physical equipment, fiscal affairs and academic methods. The board consists of presidential appointees and members of Congress. At this time Simon Cameron was among those on the board.

GLC03209.21