May 6, 1824

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McLean

Secretary of State Adams writes to McLean, Commissioner of the General Land Office, about the government responsibility for internal improvements. In response to McLean's request, he encloses a copy of an 1807 resolution he put before the senate on the topic (written on p. 3 in a secretarial hand) and indicates it can be "found in the Octavo Edition of the Journals of the Senate recently published Vol. 4, p. 155." Describes it as "the first Resolution ever offered in Congress, contemplating a general system of internal improvement." Discusses the congressional vote on it and the…

GLC01727

June 30, 1824

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: to Oliver Wolcott Jr.

Partly printed circular letter signed as Secretary of State written to the Governor of Connecticut, with printed resolution on page 3 directing distribution of copies of the (W. J. Stone) facsimile of the Declaration, and other documents. A note at bottom of page 1 reads: "Two of these are for the Colleges of the State." The circular is accompanied by a separate small folio sheet printing of the resolution.

GLC01728

7 March 1829

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John McLean as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court]

Countersigned by James Hamilton as acting Secretary of State. Autograph note signed by Charles H. W. Wharton on verso certifies that McLean has sworn to support the Constitution of the United States. Docketed on verso by Wharton. Writing is faded on document. Paper seal on left side.

GLC01734

June 30, 1829

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

President Jackson responds to a letter from an unknown sender suggesting that Cadwallader David Colden represent the United States Government in the Netherlands. He expresses his favor regarding this suggestion, and praises Colden's character.

GLC01735

March 4, 1834

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moses Dawson

Jackson writes as President concerning the subsiding economic panic of 1834 caused by the calling in of loans by the second Bank of the United States. Informs that the panic will leave the country in a better condition "... by giving us, in time, a metalic currency to meet the wants of the labouring class of the community by putting down the circulation of notes under five dollars ... " Jackson made a decision to prohibit all bank notes worth less than five dollars. Ends the letter by stating, "The tyrant [the Second Bank of the United States] is chained & must expire at the end of its…

GLC01736

March 1, 1806

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Mitchill

President Jefferson sends New York Senator Mitchill an enclosed letter (not included) regarding a case involving General John Armstrong. He asks if the Tripoline Treaty experiences delay in the Senate. One full length seated engraving of Jefferson included.

GLC01737

May 4, 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: to unknown

Lincoln writes a note on military forces. He recommends a division be admitted to the new corps of volunteers.

GLC01739

4 April 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Promotion of Nathaniel C. McLean to Brigadier General of Volunteers]

Official document promoting McLean, signed by President Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Partially printed from an engraving, with blanks filled in by hand. This item was accompanied by maps. Includes blue seal on top left section.

GLC01740.01

5 May 1864

Margedant, William C., 1835-?

Map

Title: Part of Northern Georgia

Printed "In the field" on cloth. Black and white lithograph depicts Northern Georgia. Compiled under the direction of William E. Merrill, Chief Topographical Engineer, Washington, D.C. Margedant was Captain and Superintendent of the Topographical Engineers Office, Washington, D.C. According to a previous note, this item accompanied the commission of Brig. Gen. Nathaniel C. McClean.

GLC01740.06

May 2, 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to California Delegation in Congress

Lincoln asks the delegation to take a case off his hands because he does not have time to get acquainted with it. The case referred to is not identified. Letter written on Executive Mansion stationary. One bust engraving of Lincoln included.

GLC01741

March 16, 1817

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Swartwout

Letter written by Monroe as President to Swartwout, the former Quartermaster-General from March 1813 to June 1816. Monroe was Secretary of War from 1814 to 1815 and Swartwout reported to him during that point in the War of 1812. Swartwout apparently wrote Monroe for documents defending his conduct during the war. Monroe says he is returning papers relating to claims of Swartwout from January 1815. Says he remembers the time well and recollects the powers given to Swartwout to carry out the war. Says his letter from February 4, 1815 will give the best account of the powers given him. Says…

GLC01743.01

22 November 1816

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph document signed

Title: [A general account of General Robert Swartwout's duties]

Written by Monroe as Secretary of State, recollecting the appointment and duties of Quartermaster-General Robert Swartwout, who served from March 1813 to June 1816. Monroe also served as Secretary of War in 1814-1815 and would have been his superior during those years. Swartwout was apparently seeking documents after questions of his conduct came up. Using cautious wording, Monroe recollects authorizing Swartmout's recommendations for deputies and assistants in January 1815. Also says it was decided to raise a large force for an approaching campaign and gave Swartwout the necessary powers to…

GLC01743.02

September 25, 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Tallmadge

Letter signed as commander in chief and written in the hand of John Laurens, Washington's aide. Assures Tallmadge that his cavalry would receive enough supplies but warns that there will be no new horses. Complains about the dragoon's ill use of the horses, "It gives me pain but I cannot forbear attributing the ill state of the Cavalry, in a great measure to the unrestrained licence of the Dragoons in the use of their horses; their speed is equally immoderate on all occasions; when they are detached, nor are their horses less freely employed on their own private concerns." Letter addressed to…

GLC01746

January 6, 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Mary Katherine Goddard

Washington responds to a previous letter from Goddard, who requested his intervention in her replacement as postmaster of Baltimore, Maryland. Replies that "the Resolutions and Ordinances establishing the Post-Office under the former Congress, and which have been recognized by the present Government, giving power to the Post-Master General to appoint his own Deputies, and making him accountable for their conduct, is an insufferable objection to my taking any part in this matter." See GLC09756 for materials sent to George Washington by Mary Katherine Goddard.

GLC01747

1789/04/25-27

Otis, Samuel A., 1740-1814

Document signed

Title: to the Chancellor of New York re: plans for Washington's inauguration

Signed as Secretary of the United States Senate for the Committee appointed to Consider the Time, Place & Manner in which, and of the person by whom, the oath prescribed by the Constitution shall be administrated to the President of the United States. With an added note from the 27th changing the oath-taking place.

GLC01748

18 April 1863

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Document signed

Title: [Military voucher for the payment of General Garfield and three servants]

Partially printed. Signed by Garfield as Brigadier General of Volunteers and Chief of Staff, Department of the Cumberland. Garfield acknowledges receipt of $304 from Major William Smith, Paymaster in Washington, D.C. Pertains to pay for the month of March 1863 for Garfield and his private servants. Notes that this payment is for service at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Lists the names of three servants: James Rollins and John Brockenberry, whose complexions are described as "cold," and Albert. Servants' eyes and hair are "Black." Servants were allotted three rations per day; Garfield…

GLC01762.01

18 April 1863

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Document signed

Title: [Military voucher for the payment of General Garfield and three servants]

Partially printed. Signed by Garfield as Brigadier General of Volunteers and Chief of Staff, Department of the Cumberland. Garfield acknowledges receipt of $304 from Major William Smith, Paymaster in Washington, D.C. Pertains to pay for the month of January 1863 for Garfield and his private servants. Notes that this payment is for service in the field. Lists the names of three servants: James Rollins, John Brockenberry, and Albert, whose complexions are described as "cold." Servants' eyes and hair are "Black." Servants were allotted three rations per day; Garfield received twelve.…

GLC01762.02

February 6, 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Promotion of John A. Brannan to Brigadier General of Volunteers].

Countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Partially printed from an engraving, with blanks filled in by hand. Brannan had been a hero at Chickamauga (not mentioned on commission). Docketed at upper left by Lorenzo Thomas as Adjutant General. Blue seal on upper left corner.

GLC01770

5 June 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Promotion of Thomas McGregor to Second Lieutenant in the First Regiment of Cavalry].

Countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Partially printed from an engraving, with blanks filled in by hand. Docketed at upper left. McGregor was also known as a California "Argonaut" and Indian fighter. Pink seal on upper left corner.

GLC01771

January 14, 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Abraham Lincoln endorsement]

Lincoln endorsement written on the fourth page of an autograph letter signed of P. Golden from Bangor, Maine to John H. Rice of Washington dated 29 December 1864. Golden asks that a cousin John Murphy, a prisoner of war, be discharged. Golden explains that Murphy was forced into Confederate service and tried to escape but did not succeed. He had to rejoin under another name in the 42nd Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, where he was taken prisoner. He is being held at Point Lookout in Maryland. Calls Murphy a "true Union man" and refers Rice to Vice President Hannibal Hamlin for further…

GLC01772

August 25, 1842

Houston, Sam, 1793-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Thomas William Ward

Letter written as President of the Republic of Texas. Accompanied by an Executive Department order written and signed in secretarial hand. Letter discusses predicting peace with Mexico & Indians and Texas

GLC01777

April 29, 1842

Reily, James, fl. 1841-1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Thomas Ward

Reily lobbied for Texas in Congress. Letter written during the escalating crisis between the United States and Mexico which ultimately led to the Mexican War. Reily writes "My heart fondly turns to Texas." Letter also discusses a diplomatic report from Washington.

GLC01778

September 9, 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Gen. David Forman

Letter written in the hand of Washington's aide-de-camp Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. Written two months before the signing of the first provisional peace treaty between Great Britain and the United States in Paris on November 30, during the uneasy lull that followed American victory at Yorktown in September 1781. As Brigadier General of New Jersey militia, Forman had acted as Washington's watchman since 1780 by keeping the Commander in Chief advised of enemy movements off the coast. Even after ratification of the peace treaty, it was not until November 1783 that British troops entirely evacuated…

GLC01783

1775

Macaulay, Catharine, 1731-1791

Book

Title: An address to the people of England, Ireland, and Scotland, on the present important crisis of affairs [Reprinted in "English defenders of American freedoms, 1774-1778"]

See the Macaulay papers, GLC 1784.01-1800.04. Vigorous, inflammatory attack on government of George III. Alerts people of Ireland, Scotland, and England to dangers of legislation without representation and parliamentary oppression. Solutions include the requirement of a civil test for all elected officials to ensure responsibility to the people, and the overturning of septennial parliaments. Reprinted in English Defenders of American Freedom, 1774-1448: Six Pamphlets Attacking British Policy, comp. Paul H. Smith (Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1972). Third edition. (London;…

GLC01784.02

1864

Democratic Party

Broadside

Title: The real Chicago platform, as expounded by the Democratic orators at Chicago.

Excerpts from orators at the 1864 Democratic convention at Chicago. Issued anonymously by the Copperhead faction of the Democratic Party.

GLC01704