December 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Header Record

Title: Stone print of John Brown's last written words with copy of original [Decimalized .01-.02]

Stone print of the last words of John Brown. "I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty, land: will never be purged away, but with Blood. I had as I now think: vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed; it might be done." Accompanied by a reproduction on paper of a photograph of the original copy of John Brown's last written words.

GLC04463.08

3 February 1841

Brown, Oliver Owen, 1804-1858

Document signed

Title: [Promissory note]

Promissory note from Oliver Brown for five hundred eighty five dollars and sixty eight cents.

GLC04463.09

1933 circa

Benet, Stephen Vincent, 1898-1943

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mr. Lally

Affirms that "Five Men and Pompey" was his first published work. States that "We had a sketch of John Dos Passos in 'Books' recently, and there will be others. I don't know when or if we'll get together in book form." In 1933 Benet and his wife published "A Book of Americans," with biographies of many notable American figures. This may be a reference to this book, though at the same time he says he wonders if a book will be published.

GLC04463.10

31 May 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Dixon Porter

Written from Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grant orders Admiral Porter to direct the Marine Brigade to debark at Haynes' Bluff, Mississippi, and to send as many steamers as possible to obtain reinforcements from Memphis, Tennessee.

GLC04464

8 March 1782.

Matlack, Timothy, fl. 1782

Autograph document signed

Title: [Request of the Supreme Executive Council to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for clarification of a Constitutional point].

Requests the state Supreme Court for an interpretation of the twentieth section of the Constitution of the State of Pennsylvania. Written as Secretary of the Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania.

GLC04465

18 June 1821

Radama I, King, 1793-1828

Autograph note signed

Title: to James Hastie

Written by Radama I "the Great," the first king of Madagascar, to Hastie, the British agent to his court. Document is in Radama's language, probably Malagasy, and is translated and transcribed by Hastie above Radama's words. He is inviting Hastie to visit him, saying the rice is boiled and the birds are cooling. Hastie was in Tananarivo, the capital. Translation of address says "I salute you."

GLC04466.02

1808/01/21

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. Dorsey re: progress in manufactures, system of weights & measures, decimal

GLC04491

June 1883

Header Record

Title: Two items related to William T. Sherman and Stanley Matthews [Decimalized]

GLC04492

1861/12/13

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Recommendation of his boyhood friend George May for judge].

Lincoln writes "I knew George May as a boy, and young man, then a little inclined to dissipation -- If free from that now, he has intellect enough for almost any place..." Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works Of Abraham Lincoln. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1953), Vol. V 1861 - 1862, p. 68

GLC04500

1990

Carter, Keith, 1948-?

Photograph signed

Title: George Washington

One photograph entitled, "George Washington," taken by Keith Carter dated 1990. Image is of a young Black boy holding a gilt-framed print of Gilbert Stuart's "Athenaeum," a portrait of President George Washington.

GLC04502

23 February 1862

Gordon, George Washington, 1836-1911

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Akin

Informs Akin, "I am a prisoner of war & so is your son Walter- were surrendered at Fort Donelson- He has been seperated from me & sent to Chicago- was well & looking well when he left- " Includes various instructions related to financial and family matters. Asks Akin to look after his family while he is absent.

GLC04510

1 March 1877

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry H. Gorrings

Addressed to Lieutenant Commander Gorrings, Gettysburg. Thanks him for sending the note from Lord Napier at Gibraltar. Comments on Napier's conduct during the Abyssinian campaign, "He was extremely polite to several of our army officers who visited Calcutta, Delhi etc. ... In his conduct of the Abyssinian Campaign, ... He organised, conducted that Campaign, and closed all its barriers[?] without a change of plan or of Commander. an event that proved him a perfect organizer & General." Written on stationary of the Headquarters Army of the United States.

GLC04512

2 March 1860

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875

Letter signed

Title: to B. P. Turner

Writes in reply to a request to speak in front of the Young Men's Democratic Club in Lynn, Massachusetts during the presidential campaign. States that although he would like to, he cannot commit at this time because of his schedule. Addressed to Turner as the Secretary of the Club. Breckinridge, vice president under James Buchanan, was an unsuccessful candidate for president in the1860 election. He entered the Confederate Army during the Civil War as brigadier general and soon became a major general. He also served as Secretary of War in the Cabinet of the Confederate States from January…

GLC04515

1812/06/17

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Samuel B. Malcom.

Politics, party & family feuds.

GLC04524

1826/06/24

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Broadside

Title: Jefferson's last letter to Mayor of Washington [small broadside on silk]

A printing of Jefferson's famous letter to the mayor of Washington, D.C., declining an invitation to a Fourth of July celebration. Jefferson hopes the Declaration to be a "signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessing of self government." Jefferson died on July 4. Only 3 other copies. Printed on silk.

GLC04525

16 April 1865

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Manuscript document

Title: General orders no. 66

Secretary of War Stanton announces the death of President Lincoln to the armies. States that "headquarters of every department, post, station, fort, and arsenal will be draped in mourning for thirty days." Also, funeral honors will take place at every military post and at West Point. W.A. Nichols announces that troops and cadets of West Point and all military posts will be paraded at 10 o/clock a.m. Also commands that flags be displayed at half-staff, thirteen guns be fired at dawn, and that officers of the armies of the U.S. wear a badge of mourning. Officers' command and regiment…

GLC04528

25 September 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of Robert Welsh who in Washington, D.C. had been convicted on 28 July 1862 for passing counterfeit money].

Abraham Lincoln pardons Robert Welsh, who had been imprisoned in Albany, New York. Coutersigned by William H. Seward. Fragmentary pardon, lacking the top half.

GLC04529

16 August 1800

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus King

Written by Marshall as Secretary of State to King as American Minister to Britain. Acknowledges that all letters inclusive to No. 74 have arrived. Says if it is proper, King should send friendly dispositions of the American government after an assassination attempt on King George III. President Adams wishes William Eaton's commission to be executed with the Bey of Tunis, even though it means purchasing the pact with jewels. Says he will keep King informed on situation with the Barbary powers, and has told other ministers to send information to him. Hopes to have instructions on how to deal…

GLC04535

24 July 1776

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter

Title: to Nathaniel Barber

A secretarial copy of Continental Congressman Adams's response to Barber as Deputy Commissary in the Department of the Commissary General of Military Stores. References Barber's letter of 15 July 1776 in which he asked to be given pay at the rank of captain. Says the best way to succeed would be to go through Generals Artemas Ward or George Washington. Not knowing the nature of his duties, he would not help Barber by bringing it up in Congress. Says success is likely if he goes through the chain of command.

GLC04538

1807/12/22

Gallatin, Albert, 1761-1849

Printed letter signed

Title: [Announcement of the passage of the Embargo Act to port collectors]

Circular letter addressed to the Collector of the port of Penobscot. The act forbade all exports between the United States and foreign countries, and precipitated the War of 1812. Gallatin was then secretary of the treasury. Signed in type, "Approved : TH: JEFFERSON".

GLC04539

circa 1840

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript

Title: [Forgery of a George Washington check]

Written to Mr. M. Pringle for the sum of $287.50. This document is considered to be a forgery created by Robert Spring, a prolific forger of Washington documents.

GLC04541

May 1835

Knapp, Alfred, fl. 1835

Broadside

Title: An Act for the Government and regulation of seamen [for "Lady Washington"]

Printed official act by the United States Congress outlining restrictions and regulations which will apply to Seamen in the Merchants' Service. Authored by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice President of the U.S. and President of the Senate, George Washington as President, and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Enacted January 4, 1790 and printed by Joseph H. Buckingham, sold by John G. Tilton in Newburyport. On verso, printed and handwritten agreement between Alfred Knapp, master of the brig "Lady Washington" of Newburyport, and…

GLC04543

1792

Wollstonecraft, Mary, 1759-1797

Book

Title: A vindication of the rights of woman : with strictures on political and moral subjects.

Inscribed by John Caldecott to C. W. Arrowsmith, with Caldecott's bookplate. First edition in original boards.

GLC04493

circa October 1777

Seymour, Thomas, 1735-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Seymour as Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry under General Horatio Gates to an unknown recipient. Writes in a jubilant tone about American victory over General John Burgoyne's army at Saratoga. Says the British and Hessian troops surrendered as prisoners of war. Claims Burgoyne's previous taunts against the Americans were "so great that he will live but a little time, to hear his proclamations & manifestos retorted upon him." Believes Sir Henry Clinton's army that was moving from New York toward Burgoyne will now retreat southward. Says Gates will soon take possession of Fort…

GLC04495

1805

Bradford, James Morgan, 1779-1837

Book signed

Title: Acts passed at the second session of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Orleans, Begun and held at the Principal, in the city of New-Orleans, on Thursday the twentieth day of June, in the year of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and five, and of the independence of the United States the twenty-ninth

Published by Bradford in New Orleans. Title page signed by Pierre Derbigny. "House of Representatives" is also written on the page, possibly referring to the Louisiana State House of Representatives.

GLC04497