14 December 1873

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James L. Kemper

Written on "Office of John S. Mosby, Attorney at Law" letterhead. Writes to Kemper, Governor-elect of Virginia, about Reconstruction and Southern rights: "Of course I never designed to advise an unconditional alliance between Grant & the Southern people: but only on the express condition that security is given us against any further oppressions on Southern rights. If however Sumner's Civil Rights bill (which by the by Mr Greeley was earnestly advocating in the Tribune the week he was nominated) becomes an Administration measure (which I do not believe) no man will more earnestly oppose it…

GLC04734

26 June 1862

Tyndell, S. M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac J. Carol

Discusses the Confederate home front, military worries, and crops. "When the present army is wasted none other can be raised... What then! Military dictation? Then emancipation; what then is left to us." Written at Castle Hill.

GLC04738

1789

Smith, Adam, 1723-1790

Book signed

Title: An Inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations Vol. I [damaged]

Signed on titlepage "Wm H. Harrison." Printed by Thomas Dobson. With bookplate of J. Cleves Short / Short-Hill / Nov. 17, 1817." and stamp of "Transylvania Library" on front pastedown. The "William Henry Harrison" written on p. 9 is not an autograph signature. The titlepage and "Advertisement" have both been torn; the first leaf of the table of contents (pp. v-vi) is damaged at the top and center with serious loss of text. (Sprinkled calf binding was severely damaged; board was loose and pages falling out: rebound in 1997). See also volume II, GLC05192.

GLC04740

circa November 1863

Wallen, Henry Davies, 1819-1886

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Handwritten copies of documents pertaining to the Adjutant General Department's continued rejection of Wallen's requests]

Contains responses to Wallen's repeated requests to see action in the Army of the Potomac, and his belief that he was not promoted because he was a Southerner (he was born in Georgia, and served in Florida before the Civil War). The manuscript includes copies of letters and an inserted printed copy of General Order No. 28. Dates of letters span from 8 January 1862- November 1863. Includes Wallen's order to New Mexico, the decline of his appeal to be relieved from his assignment in New Mexico, the application of General John C. Frémont to assign Wallen to his department (and the rejection…

GLC04742

January 29, 1855

Schneck, B. S. (Benjamin Shroder), 1806-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Besore

Schneck asks for $300 to send a slave's wife and three children to Africa. The husband must also purchase his freedom for $1,500, but the Society is trying to raise money to assist in the transport itself. Written on behalf of the Colonization Society. Schneck describes "a family of Slaves in Jefferson Co. Virginia, whom the owner -- a widow Lady-- is willing to liberate for the purpose" of sending them to Africa. He writes that the lady "is much attached" to the man but "as he has expressed a wish to go to Liberia, she has generously offered him his freedom (without any remuneration) if…

GLC04743

December 1848

Gill, Richard W., ?-1852

Printed letter

Title: to unknown

Printed circular letter noting a court case decision, decreeing that an estate tax must still be paid on slaves who are manumitted as part of a last will and testament: "The bequests of freedom to the slaves, are legacies, and the executor liable for the tax or duty on their appraised value." The decision was made by the Maryland Court of Appeals, overturning the decision of a lower court. Also notes "Indeed the law has gone so far as to presume every negro a slave to some one, until the contrary appear." Letter is postmarked 25 December 1848. Docket is hand written with the name. Sent…

GLC04748

1863

Photograph

Title: Stereoscopic views of Chattanooga after its capture

Stereocards of Chattanooga, including the town (Main Street), Lookout Mountain (with some posed pictures), etc.

GLC04749

1812

Object

Title: [War of 1812 lacquer snuffbox showing victory of United States over Macedonian]

Cylindrical, varnished snuff box from the War of 1812. Lid commemorates the 25 October 1812 capture of the British ship Macedonia by the USS United States, commanded by Stephen Decatur. Bottom depicts the bald eagle seal of the United States surrounded by patriotic sentiments such as "United We Stand. Divided We Fall." Probably made after December 1812, when knowledge of the fight became better known (per Henry Adams, Administration of James Monroe). Image on lid is damaged at center.

GLC04750

circa 1911

Nation, Carrie, fl. 1911

Photograph

Title: [Photo of Carrie Nation seated in back seat of an automobile, holding a Bible].

GLC04752

1904

Evans, Geo. D., fl. 1904

Photograph

Title: Delegates to the First National Convention of the Socialist Party of the United States of America, held at Chicago, Illinois, May 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th, 1904

One group portrait entitled, "Delegates to the First National Convention of the Socialist Party of the United States of America" taken by Geo. D. Evans. Image is of the 212 delegates to the First National Convention of the Socialist Party. Each delegate's image has been designated a number, with a key printed below the photograph identifying each by name and home state. Six of the delegates are anonymous. The paper mount is fractured in several places.

GLC04753

11 August 1777

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roger Sherman

Written by Adams as a Contiental Congressman from Massachusetts to Sherman as a Contiental Congressman from Connecticut. References Sherman's letter of 11 July 1777. Says Sherman's rumor has turned into a fact as Fort Ticonderoga has fallen "shamefully." Adams castigates Schuyler for not properly defending the fort and for having no confidence in his troops. Adams is especially outraged by the general's report "a very great part of the army naked -- without blankets -- ill armed." Says General Horatio Gates has taken command of the North and says "I trust our Affairs in that Quarter will…

GLC04757

1777

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Articles of Confederation [first printing, first edition]

Printed by Francis Bailey. Quarto. This is the rare printing done at Lancaster with illegible signature of owner from 1777 on titlepage. Evans 15619, Sabin 2142. Ex-Huntington. [Boston edition, GLC 268]

GLC04759

30 November 1783

Cruger, Henry, 1739-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter van Schaack

Reports American occupation of New York City. Decribes the conditions and mixed sentiments in the city after the British evacuation. Feels that the peaceable citizens are a result of the successful leadership of Governor George Clinton, who is second only to George Washington. Assures van Schaack that the government has a plan and it will lead New York and the United States to greatness.

GLC04776

October 19, 1873

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John E. Williams re: solving banking crisis, Panic of 1873

Grant writes in part: "Cannot the bank presidents be brought together & resolve to aid each other?"

GLC04784

27 October 1777

Harrison, Robert H., 1745-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Major Clarke

Written by Harrison as secretary to George Washington to Clarke, whose larger identity is unknown. Says the five extra dollars will be charged. Claims there are no hand bills or he would have sent him one. Reports that the articles of capitulation got to Washington yesterday. Says Burgoyne and his army of 5,600 are prisoners and that Colonel James Wilkinson is on his way to Congress with General Horatio Gates's official report. Wilkinson caused a mini-scandal by not showing up in York, Pennsylvania, where Congress was meeting, until 31 October 1777 and did not present a written report until 3…

GLC04786

5 November 1777

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by Laurens as president of the Continental Congress; signed once and initialed twice by Laurens. Retained copy encloses extracts of Congress and a postscript reporting the passing of those resolutions. The extracts concern recovery and protection of the Hudson (North) River. Draft of letter to Richard Caswell on verso regarding the appropriation of funds for a memorial for Brigadier General Nash, who died at Germantown.

GLC04803

23 March 1778

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Patrick Henry

Co-signed by Banister and free franked in his name. Requests that Congress send new troops to camp without delay. Warns that the Continental army is weak and that it is likely the British will attempt an attack before reinforcements come. Also urgently requests supplies. Writes that he has heard that the British troops in Rhode Island have set out to join General William Howe. States that if this is true, " ... the Enemy will open the Campaign with great advantage over us." Post script advises that General George Washington has been notified by General William Smallwood that a fleet of…

GLC04807

28 May 1776

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ludwell Lee

Written by Richard Henry Lee as Continental Congressman from Virginia to his brother Thomas Lee. Says he is busy because he has a committee meeting with Generals Washington, Gates, and Mifflin on "the operations of their Campaign." Says he cannot write to many of his friends at this time and asks to be remembered to Colonel Mason. Mentions that Colonel Nelson has not arrived yet. Says he will leave for home in a day or two, rest up, and then attend the Convention at Williamsburg. Says "the sensible and spirited resolve of my Countrymen on the 15th has gladdened the heart of every friend to…

GLC04809

27 November 1775

Sayer, Robert, 1725-1794

Map

Title: A Plan of the Battle on Bunkers Hill fought on the 17th of June 1775.

This document is a printed map of the Battle of Bunker Hill, designating the positions of American and British forces. Printed by R. Sayer and J. Bennet. Underneath the map is a written description of the Battle taken from a letter written by General Burgoyne to his nephew Lord Stanley.

GLC04760.01

11 September 1777

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Friedrich Riedesel [in French]

Written by British General Burgoyne as he is marching southward through New York to General Baron Riedesel commander of the German troops with Burgoyne. Letter is in French with partial translation in seller's description in collateral file. Updates Riedesel on various troops' movements and the arrival of transports to cross the Hudson River before the Battle of Saratoga. Advises there might be a strong detachment at Skeneborough. Also included in the file is a color print titled "Genl. Burgoyne Addressing the Indians." Dimensions are 15.7 x 24.1 cm. Depicts a red coated Burgoyne with arm…

GLC04761

22 March 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Written by General Burgoyne as a prisoner of war after his defeat at Saratoga in October 1777 to Heath as commander of the Convention Army, which consisted of the British prisoners of war previously commanded by Burgoyne. Says he is obliged by Heath's handling of his last dispatch and regrets the loss of any of Heath's men because of it. Asks for duplicates of Captain Dalrymple's parole to secure the transports and money he is arranging, presumably for Burgoyne's return to Britain, which took place on 5 April 1778. Postscript says Mr. Clarke has not heard from Heath's commissary yet. Letter…

GLC04762

30 August 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Kingston

Written by General Burgoyne in England as a parolee after Battle of Saratoga to Kingston as Burgoyne's Adjutant General. Mentions that he received information that the government might use intelligence from Boston as grounds to return him to America as a prisoner of war. Says if it comes to that, he will not obey the order. Asks Kingston to keep that information confidential. Says box that might contain a summons from the American Congress sent by the Manchester coach has not arrived and expresses his impatience since he is moving to Scarborough the next day. Tells Kingston to remain in…

GLC04763

1776/12-1779/03

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Header Record

Title: Burgoyne-Kingston collection: papers concerning Convention Army after Saratoga [word processed inventory available] [decimalized]

Bulk 11/1777-04/1778. Papers retained by Lieut. Gen. John Burgoyne's Adjutant General, mostly his (frequently strained) communications with Maj. Gen. William Heath concerning the conditions of the British officer prisoners (41 items). The collection includes a broadside "Burgoyne's Lament" printed at Boston, eight dispatches from various company commanders, three cypher templates, documents on daily business before and after surrender (25 items) and a packet of four miscellaneous items. The broadside is apparently rare. Materials of interest include the broadside, cypher templates, and an…

GLC04764

31 May 1803

Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Winchester

Discussing appropriate division of compensation among sailors who salvaged the French ship "Blaireau." Chase discusses the situation and offers his advice. On subject of a black sailor who helped during the salvage, says if he is free he deserves a share, though less than white sailors, and if a slave, still deserves some small payment for taking risks to assist in the salvage. Chase acknowledges the case may be appealed to him in the Supreme Court, and one year later it was, in the case of "Mason v. Ship Blaireau." Among the rulings of the court was that the compensation for the black…

GLC04765

9 October 1777

Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795

Manuscript

Title: [Clerical copy of report on battle of Fort Montgomery]

Report on General Clinton's feint northward up the Hudson in support of General John Burgoyne's southward thrust. But in the late summer and early fall of 1777 Clinton, who was given vague orders, decided not to move his forces against Albany, which was Burgoyne's destination, but to only create a diversion that extended little further than Kingston, about 40 miles south of Albany. In October, he moved up the east side of the Hudson and crossed to the west side at Stony Point. With a force of about 3,000, he moved north against the combined forces of about 600 Americans led by General George…

GLC04768