29 May 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Gilpin

Writes as President of Potomac Company informing fellow director Gilpin about the arrangements for an impending meeting of the Company's directors at the falls of the Shenandoah River. He stresses that he hopes the meeting will be productive and that Colonel Fitzgerald and the Maryland members will attend. Advises him to bring the papers related to the charges against Richardson Stewart, the assistant manager of the Potomac Company. One bust engraving of Washington included.

GLC04387

1857

Howard, Benjamin C., 1791-1872

Book

Title: Report of cases argued and adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States. December term, 1856.

Published by William M. Morrison and Company. Includes report on Dred Scott v. Sandford.

GLC04394

1758

Book

Title: The grants, concessions, and original constitutions of the province of New-Jersey.

Title continues: "The acts passed during the proprietary governments, and other material transactions before the surrender thereof to Queen Anne. The instrument of surrender, and her formal acceptance thereof. Lord Cornbury's commission and instructions consequent thereon." William Alexander, Lord Stirling's copy; signed on the title page. Compiled by Aaron Leaming and Jacob Spicer. "Printed by W. Bradford, printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty for the province of New-Jersey." Evans 8205.

GLC04392

1860

Taney, Roger Brooke, 1777-1864

Pamphlet

Title: The Dred Scott Decision

A pamphlet containing Taney's ruling in the Dred Scott case, as well as two articles asserting the inferiority of "the negro race." One is an introduction by Van Evrie stating "the Supreme Court, in the Dred Scott decision, has defined the relations, and fixed the status of the subordinate race forever-for that decision is in accord with the natural relations of the races, and therefore can never perish. It is based on historical and existing facts, which are indisputable, and it is a necessary, indeed unavoidable inference, from these facts." The other is an essay by Cartwright entitled "…

GLC04393

1861

Ord, Edward Ortho Cresap, 1818-1883

Book signed

Title: Revised Regulations for the Army of the United States

Signed by Major General Ord on the title page. Published by J.B. Lippincott & Co. at 22 & 24 North Fourth Street in Philadelphia. Published by the authority of the War Department, Simon Cameron Secretary of War. Signed on title page "Major Gen E.O.C. Ord, Comg Cornith, Miss. Do not remove this book from Head Quarters." Divided into 52 chapters on every type of military activity, regulation, and equipment. Some of the chapters deal with: "Military Discipline," Deserters," "Courts-Martial," and "Ordnance Department." Has 3 appendices at the back: "Articles of War," "Extracts from Acts…

GLC04397

12 June 1863

Dick, Franklin Archibald, 1823-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Drake

Written as provost marshal of St. Louis. Replies to Drake's request for information concerning the Missouri congressional laws about emancipating slaves in compliance with the Emancipation Proclamation. Details General Orders no. 35, which instructed the provost marshals "to take testimony as to the acts of disloyal slave owners," and ascertain the facts. Explains that there is great opposition to the enforcement of the law. "...for the spirit of resistance to it amongst the Enrolled Militia, has left those officers nearly powerless in the absence of U.S. troops, and they being the first…

GLC04274

6 May 1861

Confederate States of America. Congress

Broadside

Title: An Act recognizing the existence of War between the United States and the Confederate States; and concerning letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods.

Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, approved this act 6 May 1861. States "Whereas the earnest efforts made by this Government to establish friendly relations between the Government of the United States and the Confederate States, and to settle all questions of disagreement between the two Governments upon principles of right, justice, equity and good faith, have proved unavailing by reason of the refusal of the Government of the United States to hold any intercourse with the Commissioners appointed by this Government for the purposes aforesaid... and whereas, by the acts and means…

GLC04284

23 October 1824

Savage, Ezekiel, fl. 1824

Document signed

Title: [Certificate confirming the citizenship of John Harris, an African American]

Partially printed. Savage signs as notary public, confirming Harris's status as a citizen of the United States. Harris, born in Alexandria, Virginia, "is a free coloured man, now residing in said Salem and never has been under allegiance to any foreign Prince or States." Notes physical characteristics of Harris, including that he is five feet, six inches tall and 32 years old. Printed text indicates this document was implemented because "the Act of the Congress of the United States, 'for the relief and protection of American Seamen'" did not make provision for African Americans to obtain…

GLC04289

3 December 1734

Peyster, Johannes Jr. de, 1694-1789

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deposition by Johannes DePeyster regarding a Six Nations land deed]

DePeyster, a former mayor of Albany, gives the history the Indian deed to a property called Tiondrogue, possibly present day Ticonderoga. Describes an incident on 12 September 1733 in which colonial Governor William Cosby told DePeyster the deed was illegal, gave it to the Indians, and had them destroy it. A note on the detached third page, signed by G. Johnson, indicates that the deposition was entered legally on 11 December 1734. Witnessed and signed by Richard Ashfield, J. Forkill, D.D. Dunston and William Bryant

GLC04291

1840

Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885

Broadside

Title: A History of the Amistad captives...

title continues: "...Being a circumstantial account of the capture of the Spanish Schooner Amistad, by the Africans on board; their Voyage and Capture near Long Island, New York; with Biographical Sketches of each of the surviving Africans. Also, and account of the Trials had on their case, before the District and Circuit Courts of the United States, for the District of Connecticut, &c." Depicts the death of Captain Ramon Ferrer of the Amistad in July of 1839, on a slave trade route from Havana to Principe. A version of this image serves as an inset fold-out for Barber's pamphlet (refer…

GLC04295

29 June 1692

Penn, William, 1644-1718

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Loving friend

Written while he was under indictment for treason and hiding in England. Reviews the history of Pennsylvania's government since his departure in 1684, lamenting about his failure to find fit administrators and the division between the upper and lower counties (i.e., Pennsylvania and Delaware). Refers to the proclamation ordering him held for treason. Signed "W."

GLC04299

May 1835

Knapp, Alfred, fl. 1835

Broadside

Title: An Act for the Government and regulation of seamen [for "Lady Washington"]

Printed official act by the United States Congress outlining restrictions and regulations which will apply to Seamen in the Merchants' Service. Authored by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice President of the U.S. and President of the Senate, George Washington as President, and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Enacted January 4, 1790 and printed by Joseph H. Buckingham, sold by John G. Tilton in Newburyport. On verso, printed and handwritten agreement between Alfred Knapp, master of the brig "Lady Washington" of Newburyport, and…

GLC04543

22 April 1919

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Document signed

Title: [Presidential commutation of the sentence of Otto Bruno Reichelt, convicted of violating the Espionage Act on 4 October 1918]

Reichelt was convicted in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, for violation of the Espionage Act of June 15, 1917, and sentenced to eight years in the State Penitentiary at Baltimore, Maryland. Wilson commuted his sentence to end at once, no reason given for clemency. Countersigned by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. Printed document with blanks filled in with type.

GLC04549

19 July 1860

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of John Day for manslaughter in July 1852].

Countersigned by Acting Secretary of State William Henry Trescot. Day was convicted in July, 1852. Buchanan pardoned Day near the end of his sentence for his valuable assistance to the wardens in maintaining order in the penitentiary. Day's service was attested to by Warden C. P. Sengstack, previous wardens I.B. Ellis and Thomas Thornley, and on the report of District Attorney Robert Ould. 2 black and white bust engravings of James Buchanan included.

GLC04550

18 April 1895

Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Arnold Catlin re: commuting sentence of Howard Buner rather than pardon.

Commuting sentence 1 year and 3 months instead of an unconditional sentence due to the character of the offense. Catlin's assurance that Buner would receive a job immediately after his released helped to sway Cleveland's decision for the better.

GLC04551

February 14, 1844

Gilmore, Hiram Sandford, 1819-1849

Printed letter signed

Title: [Subscription letter for legal defense of John "Vansandt" (Van Zandt), who helped a fugitive slave]

Printed letter with blank subscription page summing up the case of Jones v. "Vansandt" (Van Zandt) and seeking contributions towards Van Zandt's defense. Van Zandt, a Cincinnati farmer, had transported an escaped Kentucky slave in his wagon, and was being held accountable in a Kentucky court for $1,700 for his actions. Trying to raise money for him to take his case to the Supreme Court and fight the "atrocious act of 1793" under which he was convicted. The act "renders any man liable to a fine of $500 for feeding, sheltering, or aiding a wayfarer." Says the suit is "one of the most…

GLC04555

January 17, 1860

Cobb, Thomas Read Rootes, 1823-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Cobb suggests that the proposed legal code sent to him by the recipient is too complicated, and should be simplified, while emphasizing remedies rather than general principles. Does not want the code, apparently for the state of Georgia, to become "too bulky." Also states: "I notice your suggestion about a Penal Code for Blacks & will act accordingly." Written to "Dear Judge."

GLC04646

February 13, 1793

Fitch, John, 1743-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Nicholson

Fitch, an inventor, suggests that Nicholson pay Mr. Stokes for use of Stokes' unspecified model. Instructs Nicholson, Comptroller-General of Pennsylvania, to take a receipt for this payment, which "may appear to a jury as a purchase" in case Stokes attempts to claim exclusive rights to the model. Includes a fragment possibly removed from this document with the notation "fragment text does not match document text."

GLC04647

26 October 1799

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Empowering an attorney to sell lands from the the estate of the late Thomas Flucker]

Two related legal statements on the same sheet, signed by Knox twice and witnessed and signed twice by Justice of the Peace Josiah Reed. In the first part of the document (pages 1-2), Knox, acting as executor of the estate of the late Thomas Flucker, grants Daniel Davis of Portland, Maine, power of attorney to sell lands from the estate. The second part (page 3) gives Davis power to sell an additional plot of land. The last page has an autograph note by Isaac Leslie indicating the document was recorded in the Cumberland County, Maine. Flucker was Knox's father-in-law.

GLC04656

1 May 1865

Parker, Isaac C., 1838-1896

Autograph document signed

Title: [State of Missouri v. Henry Reed].

Signed by the grand jurors on docket. Grand jury warrant for "keeping a store open on Sunday" and for "not observing the Sabbath." Parker was a Member of Congress from Missouri from 1871 to 1875. Signed as Circuit Attorney.

GLC04670

6 June 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Document signed

Title: [Ohio land grant of 1200 acres made by Congress to Brigade Chaplain Alexander Balmain for three years military service].

This document is a record of lands given to Alexander Balmain for three years of military service. It is signed by John Adams as President and countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. A grant made in accordance with a 1790 act called "An Act to enable the Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment to obtain titles to certain lands lying north-west of the River Ohio, between the little Miami and Sciota," and an unspecified amendment to that act passed June 9, 1794 are mentioned as precedent for the certificate's authenticity. The document contains a…

GLC04675.09

4 May 1882

Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Fitz-John Porter].

GLC04576

5 July 1842

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Document signed

Title: [Remitting penalties for the British barque Redwing]

This document remits penalties for a British barque and is countersigned by Daniel Webster as Secretary of State. Tyler remits penalties incurred by the British barque Redwing, which had arrived at New York with excess passengers. Dudley Persse, the consignee of the Redwing, and James Evans, the Master, petitioned for a remission of the penalties incurred based on the fact that when the ship first sailed it was in compliance with United States laws. Document is tipped to a larger backing page that may have been removed from a bound volume. The verso of the backing page is printed with "James…

GLC04619.02

1840

Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885

Pamphlet

Title: A history of the Amistad captives: being a circumstantial account of the capture of the Spanish schooner Amistad, by the Africans on board...

(title continues)... their voyage, and capture near Long Island, New York; with biographical sketches of each of the surviving Africans; also, an account of the trials had on their case, before the district and circuit courts of the United States, for the district of Connecticut. Published by E. L. & J. W. Barber. Compiled by Barber, member of the Connecticut Historical Society. Contains a fold-out wood cut depicting the death of Captain Ramon Ferrer on board the Amistad (refer to GLC04295 for the individual wood-cut). This book was reprinted in 1969 by Arno Press and is also…

GLC04574

4 August 1857

Littlejohn, John N., fl. 1857

Document signed

Title: [Warrant for a mulatto woman claiming to be free in Missouri]

Partially printed summons for Clovice Baddeau, a mulatto claiming to be free, but without proper papers. Since Baddeau is "a mulattoe, not being a citizen of any one of the United States, but claiming to be free, without having a license, or acquired any right to reside or remain within this State" the court must decide how to deal with Baddeau. Docket notes "No. 15 Free Negroes." and states that Baddeau has been brought before the court on 6 October 1857, signed by J. Moreau, sheriff, and [J.?] Ziegler, his deputy.

GLC04586