March 1, 1788

Telfair, Edward, 1735-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Clay

Business letter that mentions procuring rice, the loss of a crop from "pink root," a lawsuit, and getting some Tenerife wine. This is an uncommon autograph.

GLC00489

1864

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: Grand banner of the radical democracy, for 1864.

1864 presidential election print for General John C. Frémont and General John Cochrane as third party candidates. Frémont was nominated by the radical Republicans. Bust portraits of both candidate circled by wreaths. Background adorned with patriotic symbols of American flags and an eagle.

GLC00491

1880-1890 circa

Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912

Header Record

Title: Confederate war etchings [Decimalized .01-.29]

This portfolio is a reprint of the original 1863 publication. The twenty-nine etchings by Volck were originally published under the name "V. Blada." Made during the Civil War, the etchings show sympathy for the Confederate cause, and distaste for warfare in general. It sardonically illustrates events that allegedly took place in the North and South from New York and Baltimore to Charleston and Vicksburg between 1861 and 1863. Lincoln's ideals and actions are caricatured, as are such topics as Union army conscription methods, Northern treatment of African Americans, and the behavior of the…

GLC00493

February 4, 1862

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Writing to the Confederate President, Confederate Secretary of War Benjamin notes that there is much molasses available in Louisiana and suggests that molasses would be welcomed by the troops to improve their deficient coffee.

GLC00495

circa 1500-1930

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Americana from Revolution & Civil War] Decimalized

[decimalized]

GLC00496

November 21, 1811

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

The letter discusses depression, Iroquois warrior, and death.

GLC00496.001

February 23, 1820

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter signed

Title: to James Ronaldson

Character of General Jackson.

GLC00496.002

February 19, 1813

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Secretary of the Navy William Jones; Report of the Officers of the U.S. Frigate Constitution

Addressed to Secretary of the Navy William Jones. Written on board the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) in Boston Harbor. Evaluates the qualities and misgivings of the ship's officers and civilian crew during the War of 1812.

GLC00496.006

January 13, 1813

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jones

Written on board the homeward bound USS Constitution to Secretary of the Navy Jones regarding damages incurred during battle with the HMS Java as well as Bainbridge's own injuries. It was after this battle that the Constitution got the name "Old Ironsides."

GLC00496.007

1780

Campbell, William, 1745-1781

Autograph manuscript

Title: The expedition to and battle on Kings Mountain

An account of Battle of Kings Mountain, which took place in South Carolina on 7 October 1780, by Colonel Campbell (two months after the battle he was made brigadier general of militia). Describes the political and administrative background leading to this battle with a brief description of the battle itself. Date and transcription inferred from page 3. Genealogy, which appears to be added later, penciled in on page 4. Although there is no date it appears to be of the period.

GLC00496.011

February 13, 1837

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma Donelson

Letter of condolence to his niece upon the death of her son.

GLC00496.037

May 12, 1808

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Briggs

Asks Surveyor General for the Territory of Mississippi Briggs to visit Thomas Moore's oil mill and report on dimensions and design. Regarding Jefferson's wish to build a beni oil mill for personal use. Beni oil is made from sesame seeds.

GLC00496.040

February 7, 1820

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Ronaldson

Mentions his failing health. The plaster bust of Jackson, by William Rush, was ordered by Ronaldson for a number of important Americans. The only surviving terra-cotta is at the Art Institute of Chicago; the only surviving plaster is at the collection of Montgomery Place, the estate of Edward Livingston (J.G. Barber, Andrew Jackson: A Portrait Study, 1991).

GLC00496.041

August 17, 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frederic P. Stanton

Follow-up letter discussing the addition of evidence in a Court of Inquiry case. Written on War Department letterhead.

GLC00496.044

June 3, 1802

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos Binny

Discusses the questionable abilities of Joshua Humphreys, designer of the frigates Constitution and United States, and the shortcomings of these ships. It was on the USS Constitution that Bainbridge defeated the HMS Java and returned victorious to Boston Harbor in 1813, earning the ship its name "Old Ironsides." Binny was a Navy agent.

GLC00496.008

December 29, 1812

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Manuscript

Title: Extracts from Commodore William Bainbridge's Journal

Transcribed journal entry written aboard the USS Constitution (later transcribed, not in Bainbridge's hand) recounting the ship's battle with HMS Java off the coast of Brazil. The account is recorded as the fighting occurs. Includes a casualty and injury count as well as the names of British officers taken aboard.

GLC00496.009

April 9, 1905

Barton, Clara, 1821-1912

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Hunt

Regarding the health of Hunt's family: her dying sister, her brother, Sam who has been recovering from an operation, and Ida.

GLC00496.010

July 20, 1804

Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: Report of a committee of the Bank of the United States that was formed to investigate an alleged counterfeiting ring in North Carolina

Also signed by George Fox, both as members of the committee. They confirm the existence the ring, saying of it that it is a "very extensive Combination, and of a very formidable nature, to counterfeit & pass Notes purporting to be of the Bank of the United States." It includes men of property and influence. They suggest remedies, saying that they are supported in these by Pennsylvania Congressman Joseph Clay. In June 1804, Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin and Governor of Virginia John Page had requested that a committee of the Bank of the United States be formed to investigate…

GLC00496.012

August 20, 1792

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Row Bradley

Requests Judge Stephen Row Bradley's professional opinion and advice regarding the gubernatorial election of 1792 in which Burr disqualified votes in several counties.

GLC00496.015

4 March 1784

Cherokee Nation

Manuscript

Title: Articles of a treaty concluded .... [with] the North Cherokee Indians

Certified as a true copy on p.6. Apparently ratified Nov. 1785.

GLC00496.016

1861-1865

Scrapbook

Title: [Civil war patriotic postal cover collection]

Two scrapbooks with 2133 covers and some broadsides pasted in. Containing many unusual Union covers, a number of which are rare and unlisted in Wolcott. Scarce designs from printers such as Magnus, Berlin & Jones, etc., with single, tonal or multicolor designs. Includes four 1864 presidential tickets. The first volume includes: Magnus multi-color state seal designs on pp. 13-15 and 29-32, and 81-84; the matched set of five Lincoln-Davis Price Fight covers, p. 21; alligator design, p. 35; Berlin and Jones design, p. 56; Southern design (printed in North), p. 57-62; Uncle Sam's farm…

GLC00496.017

April 18, 1775

Clymer, George, 1739-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Committee of Correspondence of the County of Berks

Also signed by Joseph Reed, John Cadwalader, Thomas Mifflin, Jonathan B. Smith, John Benezet, James Mease, John Nixon, and Samuel Meredith. Circular to the committees of Pennsylvania encouraging the formation of military associations in each county; this letter was sent to Berks County. This is an answer to the letter of Berks County from April 15, 1775. Says now that "Ministerial violence" - meaning attacks by British troops under Parliament's orders - has occurred they need to act and not deliberate. Says their "despotic" intentions are "beyond doubt." Says word came that the Houses of…

GLC00496.022

20 February 1781

Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805

Manuscript document signed

Title: A Proclamation

Written and signed by aide-de-camp Henry Broderick. Also signed by Cornwallis. A proclamation stating it is King George III's "gracious Wish to rescue His faithfull & loyal Subjects from the cruel tyranny under which they have groaned for several Years." Invites them to repair without loss of time with their arms and ten days provisions to Hillsborough. Wants to establish good order and constitutional government to the province

GLC00496.023

February 22, 1901

King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom, 1841-1910

Letter signed

Title: to William Ernest

Writes to Ernest, the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach. Announces the death of his mother Victoria. Signed "Edward Rex" with his addition of the day and closing salutation "Good Brother and Cousin." Written on black-bordered stationery.

GLC00496.024

circa May 1777

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Signed by Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. Reports on their activities in France including getting Mr. Hodges released from the Bastille for lying about outfitting a privateer. Mentions receipt of commissions for Ralph Izard and William Lee (both appointed May 1777) but cites a lack of salary. Also mentions loans and subsidies requested from Europe. The lack of salary for Izard and Lee caused problems between them and Franklin. Date inferred from the commissions. The last three lines are in Franklin's hand. Last page only, so letter is incomplete.

GLC00496.025