23 September 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Queen Victoria

Presenting James M. Mason as the "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary" from the Confederate States of America to Great Britain. Mason and John Slidell were captured by Union ships during their voyage to Europe, beginning the Trent Affair.

GLC01546

1 March 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Proclamation of martial law in Richmond]

"I Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America do proclaim that martial law is hereby extended over the City of Richmond and the adjoining and surrounding country to the distance of ten miles." The word "Seal" with a circle around it is written on the second page, in place of an official seal. Signed as President of the Confederate States, written in the hand of Judah P. Benjamin, as Secretary of War.

GLC01547

August 20, 1861

Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Laighton

Regrets that he is unable to attend a meeting held at Allston Hall the following Friday, in remembrance of Theodore Parker. Emerson claims, "I do not know that I could add any facts of interest to the recollections of the occasion. Yet Theodore Parkers mind was so lavishly given to the public welfare, that I can easily see how all the new startling events in our politics may associate themselves with his memory. In dark days & amidst sinking men we miss his strength the more, and yet we cannot doubt his relief & joy in the present pronounced state of the Republic, over the so-called '…

GLC01549

April 1862

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Battle plan and ship register for assault on New Orleans]

Document created during the battle for Forts Jackson and St. Philip, which took place 16-23 April 1862. One side has a list of ships involved in the attack -- the first and second divisions of ships and their captains as well as the first and second divisions of gunboats and their captains. Verso has a hand drawn map of the battle plan to attack Forts Jackson and St. Philip along the Mississippi River. Note below the map says most of the squadron is anchored on the left bank of the river and gives plan of attack after barricades in the river are breached. Farragut noted the breaching of the…

GLC01550

1788

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Book

Title: The Federalist: a collection of essays. [First edition by M'Lean]

12mo. First edition.

GLC01551

25 May 1772

George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Henry Clinton to Major General in the British Army]

Partially printed document issued at the Court of St. James's and countersigned by "Suffolk" possibly the Earl of Suffolk Henry Howard. A note indicates it was filed with the Secretary of War Anthony Chamier. Another note on the bottom, made at an unspecified later date, describes the document: "Above: This is the Original Commission of Sir Henry Clinton as a Major General, signed by King George the Third which Sir Henry bore when he accompanied Lord Wm Howe and General Burgoyne to America in 1775 to quell the 'Patriots'. Clinton became commander in chief in 1778. Fought at Bunker Hill,…

GLC01552

March 9, 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Augustus Hurlbut

Letter written near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grant, commander of the Army and Department of the Tennessee, writes to General Hurlbut. Grant sends Colonel Dicky, commanding a cavalry division, to report to Hurlbut. Grant plans for Hurlbut's cavalry to cooperate with other cavalry forces stationed on the Yazoo River in Yazoo City and Liverpool Heights, Mississippi. He intends for Hurlbut's cavalry to destroy a bridge over the Tallahatchie River. Mentions the coordination of other forces, with the objective of destroying railroads and bridges surrounding Vicksburg. Also coordinates troops in…

GLC01553

March 9, 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Richard Sprigg Canby

Marked "(Cipher)" at top. In this telegram, Grant criticizes Canby's request for men and material to build 70 miles of railroad, and orders him to "Take Mobile and hold it." He writes, "I expected your movements to have been cooperative with Shermans last. This has now entirely failed. I wrote to you long ago urging you to push forward promptly and to live upon the country and destroy railroads, Machine shops and not to build them." Advises him to take a position where he can be supplied by water and states that "By this means alone you can occupy positions from which the enemy roads in the…

GLC01555

September 27, 1791

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Appleton

Hamilton writes as the Secretary of the Treasury to Appleton as the Massachusetts Commissioner of Loans to correct a practice of his that was resulting in late payments against debts of the United States.

GLC01557

May 29, 1738

Hamilton, Andrew, fl. 1676-1741

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Langhorne

Hamilton requests that a writ be issued against James Robinson on charges of trespassing and destruction of property.

GLC01558

1788 ca.

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph manuscript

Title: Draft of address to Mass. Legislature after ratification of the Constitution

Discusses the new form of government and reminds legislators of their desire for a Bill of Rights.

GLC01559

March 18, 1857

Johnston, Albert Sidney, 1803-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Samuel Cooper

Johnston writes a letter to Cooper discussing problems with the quartermaster.

GLC01560

September 4, 1829

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andre Paccard

Discusses being prevented by family and political obligations from visiting Chalons-sur-Saone, and mentions liberty. Paccard represented the citizens of Chalons-sur-Saone.

GLC01563

May 3, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Philip St. George Cocke

Signed two weeks after Lee left the service of the U.S. Army. The letter from Lee to Cocke discusses mustering the first Virginia regiments to defend state.

GLC01564

May 10, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Philip St. George Cocke

Lee writes to Cocke discussing early training of the newly recruited Virginia regiments. Letter signed three weeks after leaving the service of the U.S. Army.

GLC01565

July 13, 1863

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to John Daniel Imboden

Lee outlines his plans for the safe retreat of the Army of Northern Virginia 10 days after their defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg. He gives instructions to Brigadier General Imboden to cross the Potamac and proceed to Cherry Creek to ascertain whether or not the enemy troops are waiting. He instructs him to do all in his power to repress the advances of the enemy and defend the Confederate trains nearby so the army could retreat. Imboden did as he was told and Lee safely crossed the Potomac River the same night this letter was written. He was able to retreat because Union General George…

GLC01566

March 8, 1860

Bates, Edward, 1793-1869

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph Barrett

Letter written before the Republican Party Convention. Responds to a note from Barrett, fielding questions on legal matters and slavery. Argues that the United States should not extend slavery into free territories. Attests that in the Dred Scott case, Scott "being a negro could not be a citizen of Missouri therefore could not bring the actions in the Federal Court." Argues that the Constitution does not carry slavery into the Territories. Regarding a homestead bill, remarks that public lands "ought to be as little as possible, the subject of trade & speculation... I think it would be a…

GLC01567

8 March 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francois Marie, comte de Aboville

Responds to Aboville's last letter (see GLC02437.01350). Discusses the loss of cannon: "Your surprize and astonishment must have been great indeed that Machines so important and essential to the defence of a country would be placed in so negligent a manner as to be destroyed or rendered unserviceable by a single malignant person. But you judged right my dear Sir when you informed [his Excellency] Genl Rochambeau that I had no knowledge of them." Comments on the acquisition of military stores by the state of Virginia, and declares that General Washington will begin to negotiate with Virginia…

GLC02437.01365

10 March 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Refers to a letter he received from Colonel Francois Marie, comte de Aboville (see GLC02437.01365), who commands French artillery in Virginia. Aboville mentions 14 artillery cannon belonging to the State of Virginia which do not have carriages or ammunition and are in poor repair. Argues that these cannons would not be useful to Virginia, since they could not repair or equip them, but that the United States forces are in dire need of cannon for an artillery battery and could make them serviceable. Encourages General Washington to pursue a trade with the State of Virginia and give them…

GLC02437.01369

21 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Relates some of his experiences at the commissioner meeting in Elizabeth Town to negotiate a prisoner exchange. Suspects that many of the propositions the patriots made were discussed in New York by a council before any decisions were made by the British. Believes they "never shall obtain justice or equal treatment from the Enemy" unless they are "in a position to demand it." Refers to a report (GL02437.01377), and a "private letter," (GL02437.01395). Also discusses his and Washington's belief that several unnamed persons are providing intelligence to the British. Comments on whether they…

GLC02437.01393

21 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to George Washington

Copy in Samuel Shaw's hand and signed by him for both Knox and Morris. Knox and Morris assumed the public would be interested in the POW report they recently submitted to Congress, so they wrote this letter for Washington with information they excluded from that report to avoid its publication. Says they "had no opportunity of bringing forward distinctly the affairs of Mr. Laurens. By pushing it abruptly into notice we might have obstructed but would not have forwarded your views for his release. Had our general propositions been acceded to, his exchange would have followed necessarily. Had…

GLC02437.01395

14 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Relates that the artillery artificers are preparing supplies and will be ready to march whenever General Washington thinks it is the right time; Knox imagines it will be after 1 June. Explains that he will be leaving today for Burlington and expects to stay there for three or four days before proceeding to headquarters. Describes Mrs. Knox's travel plans as well.

GLC02437.01416

1 June 1782

Hiwell, John, fl. 1788

Autograph document signed

Title: Inspection return of the music in the army under the immediate command of his excellency General Washington

Chart indicates the amount of supplies (such as fifes, drums, and fife cases) per regiment which they have in good repair, the amount broken, and the amount they need.

GLC02437.01435

8 June 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Written from "Head Quarters." Shaw writes to Ruddock, the Field Commissary of Military Stores for Fishkill, that General Henry Knox wants Ruddock to send Colonel George Reid, commanding officer at Albany, "twenty thousand musket cartridges for the use of the troops under his command." On the verso is an "Extract of a Letter" from Colonel Reid (spelled Ried), addressed to General Washington, and written in a different hand. This letter informs Washington that they are "almost Distitute of Cartriges in this Quarter - the few that are on Hand, are much too small, being made for the Militia…

GLC02437.01445

8 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Impressed with the importance of West Point for "the existence of the United States," says he wanted to make sure the fort was in working order and that its dependencies were well-supplied with cannon and military stores. Says he has made every exertion, but that money and equipment are in short supply. Has included a paper describing the state of ordnance and supplies (not included here). Says if he had all the ammunition he requested he would only have enough for a siege of ten days, but as it is, only half the cannon would be functional. Says many of the 10-inch shells and shot are at…

GLC02437.01479