1765-1874

Various

Header Record

Title: Abolitionists collection: 19 letters and documents [decimalized]

GLC02448

26 June 1847

Birney, James Gillespie, 1792-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Leavitt

Birney, an abolitionist, writes to Leavitt, a reformer and minister in Boston. Has been asked to write columns for the Herald, a newspaper, and is allowed by the editor to freely express his opinions. Notes that Dr. Bailey (possibly Gamaliel Bailey) will not agree with what he has written. Writes, "I have but little faith in the constancy of some who stand prominent in this vicinity as abolitionists. I would not be surprised if some went off to the Democratic party before long." Remarks that Mr. Chase also contributes to the Herald (possibly referring to Salmon Portland Chase). In a…

GLC02448.02

29 April 1858

Burritt, Elihu, 1810-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Reverend Dr. Murray

Recalls receiving a letter from Murray regarding the Cleveland Emancipation Convention one year before. Transmits a circular (GLC 2448.03.02), an account of the organization of the National Compensation Emancipation Society. Asks Murray to read the circular and attempt to "connect yourself with the movement more directly." Invites Murray to speak at the Society's first annual meeting, to be held 12 May 1858 in New York. Also informs Murray he has been nominated as Vice President of the Society for New Jersey, noting that the Society hopes to have a Vice President from every state in the…

GLC02448.03.01

1 August 1791-2 January 1792

Carter, Robert, 1728-1804

Document signed

Title: [Manumission of a slave]

Appears to be a copy dated 2 January 1792, of a document written on 1 August 1791. Note at bottom signed by Thomas Edwards on 2 January 1792 says "An extract from the Deed recorded in the Northumberland District Court." Document says that Carter was using the 1782 Virginia emancipation act to "emancipate from slavery Sampson at Aquarius in Frederick County aged twentyone years."

GLC02448.04

23 August 1851

Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written from "White Hall," Clay's estate. Clay, an emancipationist, replies to a letter from an unspecified recipient. Possibly discussing his run for Governor as an anti-slavery candidate in 1851, writes, "The number of votes cast for the anti-slavery candidates is small- I believe my vote is about thirty five hundred... The causes of my small vote are the inherent difficulties of the movement; Old party organization, and the violent misrepresentations by the Whig party of my views." Declares, "...slavery is the disturbing cause of old partyism everywhere... the time is near if not now-…

GLC02448.05

4 December 1847

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Ricketson

Accepts Ricketson's invitation to lecture before the New Bedford Lyceum, if his health permits. Exclaims, "Would that U could be an attendant at your anti-slavery meetings, to be held to-day and to-morrow in your place!" Notes that his friend, the bearer of this note, H. C. Wright (possibly Henry C. Wright) will be at the meetings.

GLC02448.06

January 17, 1861

Higginson, Thomas W., 1823-1911

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Higginson, a militant abolitionist, discusses an upcoming meeting of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society: "About the defence of W. P. there is of course no question. All plans for the defence of the meeting must depend on the wish of the Society- they both may prefer to take non-resistant grounds, or rely on the police alone. And at any rate I am opposed to excusing the city & state authorities from the work which is their business. Only we should make such arrangements in advance as will protect the meeting if they do not." W. P. refers to abolitionist Wendell Phillips.

GLC02448.07

30 Jaunary 1835

Lovejoy, Elijah P., 1802-1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Mason Peck

Lovejoy, an abolitionist, writes to Peck, a reverend in St. Louis. Requests Peck to stop sending copies of the "Pioneer," a paper containing criticism of Lovejoy. Docket is faded.

GLC02448.08

1832/08/02

Lundy, Benjamin, 1789-1839

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Lewis re: describing trip from Mexico, petitioning Texas for land

GLC02448.10

20 July 1858

Mann, Horace, 1796-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to G. F. Hilton

Mann, abolitionist and President of Antioch College, responds to a letter from Hilton. Of the college, he writes, "We still hold together here, internally & educationally, we have been doing very well; externally & financially, very bad, But we think we have a gleam of better times."

GLC02448.11

circa 15 June 1845

May, Samuel J., 1797-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marius Racine Robinson

May, a prominent abolitionist and reformer, writes to Robinson, Secretary of the Western Anti-Slavery Society. Robinson had invited May to speak, and May promises to come if he can find a suitable replacement to serve as pastor in his absence (possibly for the Unitarian Church in Syracuse). Circa year based on May's pastorship of the Unitarian Church in Syracuse.

GLC02448.12

circa June 14, 1853

Phillips, Wendell, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Redpath

Phillips, an ardent abolitionist, informs Redpath that the "Traveller," a Boston paper, printed an article Phillips wrote. Asks Redpath to inform him why the "Post" would not print the article, and to cut and send a copy of the article from the "Traveller." Instructs Redpath to transmit the documents to the St. Denis Hotel in New York, New York; this letter was thus possibly written in New York. Circa years based on Phillips's publications within the Boston "Traveller."

GLC02448.13

December 11, 1874

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Smith, a prominent abolitionist, philanthropist, and political reformer, transmits a circular (not included) which contains an extract from one of President Grant's recent speeches (not included, but possibly on the topic of civil rights).

GLC02448.14

4 April 1862

Tappan, Lewis, 1788-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Wilson

Tappan, an anti-slavery activist, writes to Wilson, a United States Senator from Massachusetts. Notes that the last time he saw Wilson, Wilson was walking down Broadway (in New York City) at the head of his regiment. Remarks, "But since, you have been performing still nobler acts in the Senate. For your late speech & vote on the subject of Emancipation I shall ever hold you in grateful esteem. I congratulate you on your success in getting the Bill through the Senate, & hope it will soon become a law. In 1814 I saw a coffle of slaves chained, and driven down Penn. Avenue by two…

GLC02448.16

1868/08/01

Wade, B.F., 1800-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry C. Whitney

States that the Osage treaty was not ratified before Congress recessed. Vows to not let the treaty ever be ratified, until it is just "to the Government, the State of Kansas, and the people."

GLC02448.17

20 June 1765

Perry, James, fl. 1765

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for receiving an estate of 635 pounds and a negro girl]

Cosigned by Christopher Robinson and Silas Helme as witnesses. Legal document signed by James Perry Jr. that he received 635 pounds, 5 shillings and "One Negro Girl Named Lucy" from William Potter, the executor of the estate of Perry's mother Marcy Potter. Also says that he received his daughter Mary Perry's part of the inheritance as her natural guardian. Red wax seal next to James Perry's signature.

GLC02448.18

26 April 1856

Wylly, George W., fl. 1856

Document signed

Title: [Bill for sale of eight slaves]

Partially printed. George Wylly sells eight slaves (Saturday, Tuesday, Dilia, Julia, Emily, Elizabeth, Mary, and Charly) to Davis Smith. Docket indicates that the enslaved people were sold for $4900.

GLC02448.19

12 December 1874

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Broadside

Title: Will the American people never cease to oppress and torture the helpless poor?

Begins with an excerpt from the New York "Tribune" indicating that thirty-five black children were ejected from public schools in Brazil, Indiana, by order of local trustees. Smith criticizes the children's ejection and urges the Republican Party to pass a pending Civil Rights Bill.

GLC02448.20

12 March 1783

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elias Boudinot

Adams introduces Joshua Grigby, Jr. to President of Congress Boudinot. Adams describes Grigby as the wealthy son of a Suffolk gentleman, who "wishes to settle and be happy in America." Adams notes that Grigby will be able to tell Boudinot about English politics.

GLC02449

1770-1819

Header Record

Title: Annapolis Convention: 20 letters & docs [decimalized]

Annapolis Convention member: [decimalized 02450.01-02450.20]

GLC02450

1776/07/23

Benson, Egbert, 1746-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lynde Lord

Informs Lynde Lord, the sheriff of Litchfield County, Connecticut, that a prisoner named John McDonald is being sent to his care. McDonald had recently participated in an insurgency in Dutchess County, New York. Indicates that he will reimburse Lord for the cost of feeding for McDonald.

GLC02450.01

1770/12/17

Blount, John Gray, 1752-1833

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt for money owed to John G. Blount by North Carolina]

Countersigned by John Clitherall. Expenses billed to the "Publick of North Carolina" include costs of delivering proclamations discontinuing assemblies in various counties and costs for transporting a suspected counterfeiter named James Mansfield.

GLC02450.02

1786/08/09

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

The Governor of Massachusetts asks Gerry to attend a meeting for the selection of state representatives for the Annapolis Convention, where matters of interstate commerce in regard to the restrictions in the Articles of Confederation would be discussed. Implies the need for Gerry to serve, because "the council" had concluded there could "be no such representation, unless some of the Gentleman appointed for that purpose by the General Court, accept the appointment." The meeting was scheduled for the following day, in the Massachusetts senate chamber. A draft of Gerry's response dated 11…

GLC02450.03

June 23, 1779

Bowen, Jabez, 1739-1815

Autograph note signed

Title: [Order to pay Colonel William Barton six thousand pounds from the Rhode Island General Assembly]

Sent to Joseph Clarke, the General Treasurer of Rhode Island. The money was owed for Barton's efforts "recruiting his light corps." A note from Barton on the verso dated 24 June 1779 indicates he received the payment.

GLC02450.04

1782/06/04

Coxe, Tench, 1755-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Trent

Explains his attempts to collect money for Trent from a Mr. Campbell.

GLC02450.05