November 30, 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. J. Speed

General Grant praises Speed, President of a Louisville, who organized the Kentucky Fair to benefit widows and orphans of deceased Civil War soldiers. Expresses gratitude, through Speed, to the ladies of Louisville for "the patriotic steps taken by them to provide for the wants of those unfortunate women and children whos natural protectors have offered up their lives a sacrifice for the preservation of our free and united government." Updates Speed on recent Union success in the Civil War.

GLC00639.08

August 24, 1864

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Grant requests a promotion for Theodore S. Bowers, which Lincoln approves with his own signature. Grant wishes that Bowers be promoted from Lieutenant Colonel in the volunteer army to the Adjutant General's Department in the regular army. For this to be accomplished he must first be promoted to a lower post in the regular army, which Grant requests be done. Lincoln's autograph endorsement on docket reads "Let General Grant be obliged in the matter within," agreeing to the promotion. Also, signed and dated by Lincoln. Docket also includes an autograph signed endorsement discussing this…

GLC00639.09

March 18, 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward O. C. Ord

"(Cipher)" written at top. In this telegram, Grant informs Ord that Sheridan reached White House, VA today; and tells Ord to hold crossings of the Chickahominy River and send a division of troops to meet Sheridan. Marked "Copied" on verso. Written on stationary marked Head Quarters Armies of the United States.

GLC00639.10

September 14, 1864

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George G. Meade

Grants signs as Lieutenant General. Writes to Major General Meade about enemy movements reported by General Benjamin Butler. Poses the question, "May it not be the enemy are massing everything on this right for an Attack?" Advises, "I think it would be well to push reconnaissance both West & South from our extreme left to ascertain if any movements are in contemplation." Asks Meade to telegraph him in Harper's Ferry.

GLC00639.11

June 4, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Letter signed

Title: to the Convention of Maryland

Written by Hancock as President of the Continental Congress. Begins by saying "Our affairs are hastening fast to a Crisis; and the approaching Campaign will in all Probability, determine for ever the Fate of America." Says the King and Parliament has left no measure unemployed to accomplish their destruction. Says they are blockading the coast and about to pour in foreign troops. Says the affairs in Canada have "a melancholy Aspect" to them. Says it is likely the colonies will have to deal with Canada and the northern Indians as well as Great Britain. Sends resolves of Congress (not included…

GLC00639.12

April 27, 1820

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to John C. Calhoun

One letter from by Major General Andrew Jackson to John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War dated April 27, 1820. Jackson notes that he is sending documents (not included) from General Gaines related to the illegal enslavement of Black people and freed people in Georgia. Also sending along a letter (not included) from Major James Bankhead, commander at Fernandina, Florida on the same subject. Says he will take any measures Calhoun directs him to.

GLC00639.13

September 5, 1822

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel McKay

Suggests that two parties are essential to a functioning democracy. McKay was a farmer and local political leader in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The Fourth of July oration was entitled "An Address," delivered at the Request of the Republican Committee of Arrangements, at Pittsfield, on the Anniversary of American Independence, July 4, 1822. Someone has altered Jefferson's capitalization, inserted 18 before 22 in the date, added underscoring, and quotation marks, possibly for publication.

GLC00639.14

November 9, 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Remsen, Jr.

Jefferson writes after a Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia had scattered the functions of the federal government through the countryside, and questions whether Congress could gather after voting to re-convene in Philadelphia. Question of seat of government. He looks forward to retirement as farmer and briefly discusses a threshing machine. The letter is docketed.

GLC00639.16

September 8, 1783

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Nathanael Greene

The letter discusses the peace treaty and European affairs. Notes the difference between preliminary and definitive treaties.

GLC00639.19

September 30, 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Written during the Quasi-War with France. The letter discusses concerns about Democrats infiltrating and subverting the army. Washington remarks that "you could as soon scrub the blackamore white, as to change the principles of a profest Democrat; and that he will leave nothing unattempted to overturn the Government of this country."

GLC00581

August 25, 1795

Glenn, John, fl. 1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Glen, Schenectady [sic]

John Glen was a NY Congressman. Also discusses domestic reaction, Washington signing Jay's treaty, resignation of Randolph as Secretary of State, and suicide of the French consul in Pennsylvania. Henry Glen was from Schenectady.

GLC00586

January 15,1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of William L. King Jr., charged with arson, who had been admitted to bail in D.C. in March 1861, and who had failed to appear].

William L. King Jr was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln because he currently was "in military service of the United States in a distant part of the country and cannot be produced," because enforcement of the bond would impoverish his aged parents, and because this had been petitioned by citizens. Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC00589

1892

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: Albumen print of Lincoln & McClellan at Antietam [published by Gardner]

Print by Moses Rice, 1892. Reproduction from a negative by Alexander Gardner, 1862. Cf. Ostendorf 66.

GLC00591

21 July 1861

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document signed

Title: [Authorization for Senator John Sherman to visit General McDowell's headquarters]

Winfield Scott authorizes Ohio Senator John Sherman to visit the headquarters of General Irvin McDowell during the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas). Also authorized and signed by Edward Davis Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General.

GLC00593

December 24, 1806

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses the plans and legislative process related to the construction of the Cumberland Road, from Maryland to Ohio. Fearing that his correspondent's state legislature may be out of session before approving the project, Jefferson sends a partial report from the commissioners of the National Road and the related act of Congress (neither included). Asks that the matter be put before the state legislature for approval in order to avoid a delay in construction. Probably addressed to a governor, possibly Pennsylvania Governor Thomas McKean (Pennsylvania lobbied for a different route than the one…

GLC00594

February 6, 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James B. Fry

Note to Provost Marshall Fry about verifying New York draft quota. Includes Lincoln's endorsement later that day recording a conversation with Fry that it cannot be done. Signed twice by Lincoln. Written on Executive Mansion letterhead.

GLC00596

May 12, 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: to Edwin McMasters Stanton

On a small card, President Lincoln requests that Stanton, Secretary of War, "see Mr. Dole & others, about the first colored regiment. Please do the best for them you can." Location inferred from outside sources.

GLC00602

August 11, 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

McHenry served as Secretary of War. Mentions appointment of ambassadors to France during Quasi-war and newspaper accusations by William Duane against federalist officials (in a July editorial) for supposedly accepting bribes. Humorous letter (on bribery) with hinted approval of Sedition Act. Marked "Confidential" in the text.

GLC00604.01

June 18, 1797

Pinckney, Thomas, 1750-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Pinckney, former United States Minister to Great Britain, introduces Robert Bird of the House of Bird, Savage, and Bird of London. He states that Bird hopes to pay Washington his respects at Mount Vernon, Virginia.

GLC00604.02

29 March 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Authorization to the Secretary of State to affix the seal of the United States to the pardon of Milo Thornton for counterfeiting coins].

In Ohio, Thornton had been convicted in 1859 and sentenced to the Ohio State Penitentiary for ten years. According to D. R. Kinsell, his physician, his health was quickly failing and he would soon become a lunatic if not released. The release was supported by Ohio representative John Hutchins, Marshall of the United States for the Northern District of Ohio Mathew Johnson, R. P. Rammey (the district attorney who had prosecuted him), and others.

GLC00613

December 26, 1866

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James W. Wall

In the letter, James Buchanan is attacking Radical Republicans, whom he sees as self-destructive. Also discusses strengthening the Democrats in New Jersey, and Johnson's failed veto on the Civil Rights Act.

GLC00576

February 21, 1867

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Chase

Lieutenant General Sherman replies to a letter from Chase, wife of Franklin Chase, United States Consul in Tampico, Mexico. States that his "connexion with Mr. Campbell's mission is not generally understood," possibly referring to President Andrew Johnson's 1866 order for Sherman to command troops in the absence of General Ulysses S. Grant, while Grant escorted Minister Plenipotentiary Lewis Campbell to Mexico. Predicts that the government set up by France in Mexico, headed by Archduke Fernando Maximilian, will "return to Europe leaving the Mexicans substantially free to choose their own…

GLC00577

December 8, 1877

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General C.J. Wright

In the letter, Jefferson Davis writes about his political future and Reconstruction. Davis upholds the secessionist notion of the Union: "The word Union implies volition among the members...." The location where the letter was written is possibly Mississippi City or Missouri City.

GLC00578

April 24, 1790

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Benjamin Rush sends James Madison a pamphlet and requests that he protect against it being published in a newspaper. He notes that he will send copies of the pamphlet to Thomas Jefferson in the upcoming week. Also sends a sermon by Richard Price. Describes the sermon as "pregnant with noble sentiments" and credits it with inspiring the idea of "your [Madison's] house addressing the national assembly & king of France" concerning the French Revolution. Discusses that he hoped for effects of such an address. Concludes: "The United States kindled the flame of liberty in Europe. It is highly…

GLC00580

November 11, 1840

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roger S. Baldwin

Former United States President Adams writes to Baldwin, a lawyer and abolitionist. He acknowledges the receipt of Baldwin's narrative of the Amistad case, to be tried before the Supreme Court. He writes "I consented with extreme reluctance at the urgent request of Mr. Lewis Tappan and Mr. Ellis Gray Loring, to appear before the Court as one of the Counsel for these unfortunate men. My reluctance was founded entirely and exclusively upon the consciousness of my own incompetence to do justice to their cause. In every other point of view there is in my estimation no higher object upon earth of…

GLC00582