1797

Pamphlet

Title: Proceedings Of The Fourth Convention...

GLC09381.04

1840-1842

Autograph document signed

Title: A Record of the Proceedings of the Executive Committee of the Hamilton County Anti-Slavery Society

Westfield, IN. Primarily concerned with the founding of the Society's library, with a budget of fifteen dollars for books, entries record a "code of rules for the regulation of the Library," day-to-day logistics, including places and times for meeting, and an amendment to society admission requirements. Specific books mentioned are "two copies of J. D. Paxton's letters on Slavery" and "the A. S. Record." Most entries written and signed J. P. Antrim, secretary. In contemporary stiff wrappers labeled "Executive Committee Record."

GLC09382.01

circa 1840-1842

Manuscript document

Title: [Constitution for the "Westfield Free Produce association of friends"]

The constitution for the "Westfield Free Produce association of friends," to boycott slave- produced goods for three years. Begins: "We believe that slaveholding is diametrically opposite to the whole spirit and tenor of the christian religion; and that while it sustains that traffic in slaves, it is mainly supported by the traffic in & the consumption of the production, of slave labor. In order, therefore, to promote the use and facilitate the acquirement of goods supplied by free labor, we unite in an association…"

GLC09382.02

23 November 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George H. Thomas

One day before the Battle of Chattanooga: "The truth or falsity of the deserter who came in last night stating that Bragg has fallen back should be ascertained at once. If he is really falling back Sherman can commence at once laying his pontoon trains and we can save a day." [According to Boatner, Grant learned from this deserter that "Bragg had weakened his lines on Missionary Ridge ... [and] directed Thomas to conduct reconnaissance in force to see if the Confederates were withdrawing."] To Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas.

GLC09383

30 September 1890

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Hunter

To Robert Hunter, author of: "'Sketches of War History:....We are all simply witnesses on the Stand of the Great Tribunal of History out of which will be wrought the 'Judgment' leaving the great mass to drift into the ocean of oblivion, or float about as Tradition. (At this instant of time I am sure ten thousand men are writing 'Histories of Our Time'….) to the productions of real actors such as Dawes, Hickenlooper, Perry, and Merrill I attach real importance. A chief difficulty - I experience in these 'War Papers' is their multiplicity. Each volume is but a grain of the Smoke to the…

GLC09384

11 June 1877

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William J. McDonald

"I beg to acknowledge the receipt from you, of the handsome volume, entitled 'Constitution, Rules and Manual'….I find it embraces, besides the subjects indicated by the title, the Declaration of Independence 1776, the Articles of Confederation 1778, the famous Ordnance of 1787…most valuable to Every American, especially to Officers of the Army. I should be pleased if Congress would provide…a copy…to every Post - for it would ensure an exact compliance with the Laws and historic precedents which have contributed to the growth and development of the Government and Country." To William J.…

GLC09385

circa 1868

Broadside

Title: [KKK broadside]

"KKK" surrounding large crude woodcut of coffin under skull and crossbones. "The Trial Is At Hand! / The appointed day and hour will soon come!! Fail not-& if thou dost-**** / At night when the clock strikes **…[inserted in Ms: "the Stars Means to night 7 o clock"] be ye faithful unto your trust- nor wind, nor hail, nor rain, nor storm, nor conscience, nor craven fear, shall excuse. / Dost Hear! Dost Heed! / Thus now do I call, and yet Once Again, and if ye heed not*****-***- / K.X.R.T.E.H.Y. / Cyclopean, Seeretary [sic]. / By order of the Grand Cyclops!!" Ryland Randolph, editor of…

GLC09386

1845

Walker, Jonathan, fl. 1845

Book

Title: Trial And Imprisonment Of Jonathan Walker, At Pensacola, Florida, for Aiding Slaves to Escape From Bondage.

First ed., Boston: Published at the Anti-Slavery Office. 4 illustrations. [Inspired John Greenleaf Whittier to write The Man With the Branded Hand, included in subsequent editions.]

GLC09387

12 October 1875

Manuscript document

Title: [Case history of the lawsuit over the "Mississippi Plan of 1875"]

Case history of a lawsuit over the "Mississippi Plan of 1875" brought against Gov. Adelbert Ames to prevent him from organizing two companies of "Colored Militia" to protect blacks during the 1875 election. The lawsuit charged that such "Troops kept in peace, in the fear or apprehension that a riot or insurrection will occur, or that the laws will be obstructed, are but a standing army" and thus illegal. The lawsuit was successful, and the Election Day violence was the worst in American history. Blacks were prevented from voting, effectively ending Reconstruction in Mississippi. Seven…

GLC09388

1814

Charles, William, 1776-1820

Print

Title: Johnny Bull and the Alexandrians.

War of 1812. Ridiculing the citizens of Alexandria, VA, for failing to resist the British after they had seized the city in 1814. They are represented by the cowering figures on the left, pleading "don't be too hard with us. You know we were always friendly, even in the time of our Embargo." Johnny Bull meanwhile demands "all your Flour - All your Tobacco - All your Provisions...," etc., as part of the "Terms of Capitulation," excepting "Porter" and "Perry," a pun on the popular drinks and the formidable Comm. Oliver Hazard Perry and Capt. David Dixon Porter. Phila: published and sold by…

GLC09389

1814

Charles, William, 1776-1820

Print

Title: John Bull and the Baltimoreans

War of 1812. Portraying the repulsion of the Royal Army at Fort McHenry and the gallant performance of the American militia there. Phila: published and sold by William Charles.

GLC09390

1814

Charles, William, 1776-1820

Print

Title: John Bull making a new Batch of Ships to send to the Lakes.

War of 1812. A satire on British attempts to recover from the losses incurred in naval engagements on Lake Erie during 1813 & 1814. Phila: published and sold by William Charles.

GLC09391

20 December 1866

Lee, Fitzhugh, 1835-1905

Autograph document signed

Title: [Account of Army of Northern Virginia cavalry operations]

"…praise to the valor, endurance & patriotism of the noble band of troopers I had the honor to Comd. … they at least did their whole duty in the unsuccessful struggle in which we were engaged." Opening with the Wilderness and Spotsylvania battles, Fitz Lee provides a detailed account of Army of Northern Virginia cavalry operations, fighting practically non-stop from May 4, 1864 to April 9, 1865. Fitz Lee's account is especially informative for the campaigns of the spring and summer of 1864, including the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, the opening of the Petersburg siege, and Philip Sheridan's…

GLC09392

27 July 1871

Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Slataper

To friend Eliza Slataper regarding the recent death of Tad Lincoln. "In my great, great agony of mind, I write you. I pray you, by all that is merciful to come to this place - if but for a few days. I feel that I must see you. Can you not come next Monday - each day we could be together."

GLC09393

17 February 1812 or 1813

Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah Cushing

Comforts Hannah Cushing on the death of her nephew, John Cushing Aylwin, who died aboard the U.S.S. Constitution after its battle with the HMS Java in December 1812. Adams quotes from Cato: "How beautiful is death when earned by virtue / Who would not be that youth? What pity is it / That we can die but once to serve our Country."

GLC09394

29 November 1869

Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sally Orne

To Sally Orne regarding her pension fight with Congress, friendship with Senator Charles Sumner, and Lincoln: "My bright little comforter Taddie, is of course with me today… The darkness is very great - we can only pray - that the dawn is at hand…If we fail, I fear, I shall sink under the blow. I have grown so nervous."4 p. With additional 4 pages, headed "Private & Burn." Though Turner calls this a separate incomplete letter, which he dates to 12-12-1869, it may be a lengthy postscript to the first letter: "My husband was so richly blessed with all these noble attributes that each day…

GLC09395

26 August 1848

Nickless, Samuel, fl. 1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Invitation to speak]

Samuel Nickless, treasurer of William Still's Philadelphia Vigilance Committee, part of the Underground Railroad, asks an unnamed lecturer to come and speak: "The members of the 2nd African Presbyterian Church take the liberty of asking you to give us a lecture, showing what we can do toward hastening the emancipation of the slave."

GLC09396

1789

Carey, Mathew, 1760-1839

Book

Title: The American Museum, volume 6

The American Museum Volume VI, Philadelphia, containing twenty articles on African Americans including Samuel Stanhope Smith's "Essay of the Causes of the Variety of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species," Ben Franklin's "Address to the Public from the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, and the Relief of Free Negroes, Unlawfully Held in Bondage," and a 46-page section of the proceedings of the Congress.

GLC09397

1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: Message of the President of the United States, transmitting a copy of the treaty between the U.S. and her Britannic Majesty for the suppression of the African slave trade.

Lincoln: "It is desirable that such legislation as may be necessary to carry the treaty into effect should be enacted as soon as may comport with the convenience of Congress."

GLC09398

1846-1847

Header Record

Title: The Non-Slaveholder, volumes 1 and 2

The Non-Slaveholder, Volumes I and II. Contains two Frederick Douglass letters describing his treatment on the ship in which he returned to the United States in 1847. "…not one of all of them had paid more for their passage than I had, yet while I was confined like a criminal to a certain part of the ship because of my colour, they enjoyed the privilege of going at large, and in the spacious saloon from which I was excluded." Vol. I 200 pp. Vol. II 288 pp.

GLC09399

1869-1890

Bruce, Blanche Kelso, 1841-1898

Header Record

Title: [Collection of letters of the first African American to serve a full term in the Senate] [Decimalized .001- .660]

Over 600 letters and documents received by the first African American to serve a full term in the Senate. Born into slavery, Bruce was elected by Mississippi and served from 1875 to 1881. Includes over 100 letters seeking appointments, political favors, etc.; several House Bills regarding the Mississippi River Improvement Commission; a broadside by James Redpath outlining "A Policy For the Blacks-Letter to a Colored Mississippian-The Present Policy Discussed;" and letters regarding crimes and incidents of a racial nature.

GLC09400

4 October 1863

Boham, Milledge L., 1813-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James A. Seddon

To James A. Seddon, Confederate Secretary of War, sending "a copy of the Report of the Provost Marshall's Court to whom the Negros--slaves and free--captured on James and Morris Island on the 11th and 18th of July last were committed for trial."

GLC09402

21 July 1863

Echols, William H., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to M.L. Bonham

Chief engineer of the Confederacy to SC Governor Bonham. "The matter of Mr. Maxwell's Negroes having appeared in the City was through neglect but is excusable when the facts are known. They were, at the time of the assault on Battery Wagner, on Morris Island (last Saturday) when the steamer landed the troops." The troops were sent to repel those of the 54th Mass. Vols. under Colonel Robert Shaw. Includes W.J. Maxwell's written statement.

GLC09403

29 July 1863

Echols, William H., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to M.L. Bonham

Medical treatment for slaves impressed by the Confederate Army, from the chief engineer in charge of the fortifications for the defense of Charleston, to SC Governor Bonham. "I have just received your letter concerning the medical attendance of the Negroes. There have been several complaints of the inattention of the physicians within the last 2 weeks…"

GLC09404

31 March 1864

Fleetwood, Christian, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Gibbs

Civil War letter of one of first African-American soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and the first honored by the Smithsonian, to "Mother Gibbs." "…the expedition brought in altogether 502 contrabands. I had the good fortune of being instrumental in freeing fifty or more of them…I had the pleasure of depriving our southern brethren of over fifty contrabands, four or five horses with carts, wagons etc [?], five or six teams with carts and a considerable part of their good temper. For all of which I am truly thankful."

GLC09405