April 25, 1814

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rachel Jackson

Informs his wife that he has returned "from the junction of the Coosee and Tallapoosee" and that "The Creeks are conquered, some submitting unconditionally, and other whose crimes are great flying towards Pensacola." Outlines his travel plans before he can return to Nashville. Written from camp near Fort Williams.

GLC00522

March 23, 1816

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to William H. Crawford

Reports to Secretary of War Crawford on examining forts in the south. Sends a letter from General Smith (not included) "communicating the probability of an Indian War, and the previous arrangements necessary to meet such disturbances. Discusses wanting to manage the authority to order supplies. Urges Crawford to intervene to make sure the southern companies are filled. Date from postmark. Extensively docketed by recipient.

GLC00523

March 1, 1827

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hardy M. Cryer

States that he wishes to visit Cryer and his old friends in Sumner County, but does not want any parades or "speech making." With the Presidential Election fast approaching, Jackson is taking much criticism, and does not want to attract more, so asks for a low key welcome. Address leaf contains a number of columns of addition.

GLC00524

February 21, 1842

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. C. Paige

Discusses slavery and the Union in relationship to politics. States, in part: "Whilst we cling to the Union we must yield to our sister states all that was intended to be secured to them by the Constitution." Also discusses publication of the letter. Marked "Private."

GLC00529.04

October 19, 1847

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. C. Wood

Zachary Taylor writes to his son-in-law, a U.S. Army surgeon in Baltimore, about the presidential campaign, with doubt about his chances. In regard to the congressional debate over slavery, expresses his hope that a compromise will be achieved, since the outcome will lengthen or shorten the life of the Union. Written from camp near Monterrey, Mexico during the Mexican-American War.

GLC00529.05

November 7, 1851

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ezra B. Chase

Buchanan states his position on slavery and the legal implications of enslaved people seeking emancipation. Buchanan strongly supports the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act, and believes it will reduce sectional strife. He is "decidedly in favor of 'the finality' of the compromise measures" and finds that the Compromise favors the North, except for the Fugitive Slave Law. Mentions the Democrats of Pennsylvania repealed a law preventing jails providing shelter to enslaved people on the run. He has received many congratulations from the South for his work on this cause. He concludes…

GLC00529.06

1860

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: The address of the Hon. Abraham Lincoln [Cooper Institute address]

Disbound. First edition but third printing of remarks. Annotated by Cephas Brainerd and Charles C. Nott. Not in Sabin but related to B41160. Known as the Cooper Union (Cooper Institute) address. This speech in New York was instrumental in Lincoln's election to the Presidency in 1860. Similar to Monaghan #68.

GLC00533

circa January 1825

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Report defending actions as Minister to France]

Draft. Defense of actions taken and request for reimbursement of debts incurred while Minister to France. Monroe was Minister to France from 1794-1796. Proof of innocence regarding government-subsidized housing is found in GLC00496.065.02.

GLC00496.065.01

22 May 1816

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph document signed

Title: [Advertisement for sale of land]

Advertisement written by Monroe as Secretary of State for the sale of 2000 acres of land in Loudoun County, Virginia. He had been attempting to sell the land to liquidate his debts as early as 1814, when he placed advertisements in various newspapers. He was not offered what he thought were satisfactory offers. Describes the land in glowing terms. Says it is 33 miles from Washington and Alexandria, well watered and timbered, with several good farm houses and a grist and saw mill. Says he is willing to divide the tract into small farms to suit purchasers. One quarter of the purchase price is…

GLC00496.067

28 March 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Robert S. Falconer to Surgeon's Mate in the U.S. Navy]

Countersigned by Secretary of Navy Smith Thompson. Registered by John H. Sherburne. Document says President Monroe has nominated, and the Senate has consented to, the appointment of Robert S. Falconer to Surgeon's's Mate in the U.S. Navy. Includes Navy Department paper seal.

GLC00496.068

September 23, 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Monroe as President to an unknown recipient. He is anxious about Samuel Gouverneur, his son-in-law and private secretary, and his child, perhaps because they are ill. Sent down letters with John Coburn because there was no mail going out that day. Requested him to bring back information. He hopes the recipient will help him set up an economic plan to help his family. Expresses annoyance with William Seaton, a co-editor of the Washington Intelligencer, who was talking freely about Monroe. Wants to help Seaton, but claims Seaton needs to help him in return by being more discreet and…

GLC00496.070

July 10, 1822

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: Authorization for transfer of funds

Authorizes the transfer "from the Appropriation for the Pay of Subsistence of the Marine Corps to the Appropriation for Clothing the Marine Corps, The sum of Ten Thousand Dollars." Permitted by virtue of the May 1, 1820 "Act further to amend the several Acts for the establishment and Regulation of the Treasury, War and Navy Departments."

GLC00496.072

1 May 1824

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Deed from the General Land Office]

Document signed by President Monroe and countersigned by George Graham as Commissioner of the General Land Office. Proclaims the sale of U.S. land in Huntsville, Alabama, to Jesse Coe acting as assignee for John L. Doxey. Paper seal still extant.

GLC00496.073

January 24, 1815

Rich, Charles, 1771-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses General Andrew Jackson's New Orleans victory. Mentions a bank bill has been kept by President James Madison for 6 days without a decision. Reports the loss of the frigate U.S.S. President on January 15, 1815.

GLC00496.080

January 7, 1860

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ward H. Lamon

Abraham Lincoln refuses Lamon's request for him to take on a new case at Bloomington, because he is "so pressed" in Springfield at the time.

GLC00496.048

October 7, 1860

Davis, David, 1815-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Smith

Confirms Smith's much anticipated speaking engagement at Bloomington, Illinois. Davis, a judge of the eighth judicial circuit of Illinois and later a senator, was a close political and personal friend of Lincoln.

GLC00496.050

1825-1829

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph note

Title: Mr. Monroe's claims

Written by Monroe in retirement after his presidency. Starting in 1825, in order to pull himself out of $75,000 of debt and save his Oak Hill estate, he requested reimbursement of back salary and expenses from his diplomatic missions and governmental work in the 1790s and the first two decades of the 19th century. He also attempted to sell other property he owned, but when that failed he put his full force behind getting reimbursed from the government. In order to prove his claims he had to submit many documents from his time abroad and this undated draft is part of the paperwork he would…

GLC00496.062

circa 1830

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph note

Title: Major Mountflorence

Note to himself about Mountflorence's information-gathering. Mountflorence was a prize agent and former secretary under Minister to France Robert Livingston.

GLC00496.063

October 12, 1826

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter

Title: Copy of a letter from Col. James Lewis to Col. James Monroe

Lewis, Monroe's attorney, describes the circumstances under which he sold Monroe's land above Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1806; the land on which the University of Virginia was later established. A need to settle Monroe's debts compelled the sale. Per Monroe's request, Lewis also comments on the differences between the original price of the land and the present prices. A postscript offers to verify the letters content, since Lewis based the information on memory. Lewis attended to Monroe's financial affairs while Monroe served as a diplomat in Europe between 1803 and 1807. Handwritten copy…

GLC00496.064

20 April 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph document

Title: [Commendation for service]

Describes a soldier's courage under fire and bravery in the face of the enemy. According to the Monroe Papers, these are remarks made by Monroe during the presentation of a sword to Richard M. Johnson for service during the War of 1812.

GLC00496.069

June 5, 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Possibly written to President Monroe's lawyer. Involves a financial claim Mr. Coffin held against Monroe, who disparagingly refers to Coffin as a "adventurer, without talents, & therefore an impostor." Monroe paid Coffin $35 for four busts, but Coffin claims to be owed more. Because Monroe is president, he feels it best to settle with Coffin, and calls going before a magistrate a "last course." Monroe sends a check for the amount of the claim, giving his correspondent authority to settle the matter, and asks that it be done without altercation.

GLC00496.071

5 March 1830

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Land Indenture between Burr Powell, William Noland and Lewis Berkley].

William Nolan and his wife deeded a tract of land in Loudoun County Virginia on May 17, 1822 to Burr Powell and Thomas R. Mott. In order to satisfy a debt owed to Lewis Berkeley, Nolan "has resolved to release all equity of redemption in the lands" and requests that Powell convey the land to Berkeley, who had also paid Noland and Powell. Thomas R. Mott had died and was not involved in this indenture. Notes by Justice of the Peace James Monroe and Abner Gibson, representing the Trustees of the Peace for Loudon County verify the transaction.

GLC00496.074

circa 1820

Scott, Walter, Sir, 1771-1832

Autograph manuscript

Title: The fortunes of Nigel [incomplete]

Single page only with revisions. Sellers note on verso reveals source and location of remaining sheets.

GLC00496.083.01

September 27, 1843

Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Henshaw

Requests permission from Secretary of the Navy Henshaw to appoint Charles F. Cady a master's mate. Written on board the USS Poinsett.

GLC00496.084

August 4, 1824

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C.J. Nourse

The letter is regarding movement of soldiers and plans to cease recruiting. Taylor was a Colonel in the 1st Regimental Infantry. Nourse was a major in the Army.

GLC00496.089