21 July 1864

Kilbourn, H., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Kessler

Informs him he contacted the Secretary of War and is still waiting for an answer. Promises he will do his best to get him and the rest of the band members discharged. First name is illegible.

GLC03523.52.62

3 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports they lost several men in a skirmish and their lieutenant was wounded and taken prisoner. States they are receiving reinforcements daily and will see more fighting. Believes they will soon take Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses skepticism of getting out of the army since his colonel was taken prisoner. Request they contact Mr. Kilbourn immediately and see if he can urge their case along. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.68

10 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Expresses how thankful he is for his new boots and says they are first rate. Comments he was offered $15 for them before he even got them on. Reports his colonel, who was taken prisoner, has been paroled and is on his way home. Discusses his band's discharge case against the government for non-payment of their musical services.

GLC03523.52.71

February 3, 1820

Printed document

Title: "In Senate Of The United States…The bill from the House of Representatives , entitled 'An act for the admission of the state of Maine into the Union..."

"In Senate Of The United States…The bill from the House of Representatives , entitled 'An act for the admission of the state of Maine into the Union,' …being under consideration, …Mr. Thomas proposed to amend the said amendments, by adding… : …in all that tract of country ceded by France to the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north latitude, excepting only such part thereof as is included in the limits of the state contemplated by this act, there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude…Provided, always, That any…

GLC09376

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

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

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

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

25 October 1815

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Jacob Gurby

Counsels a client on the best way to recover a slave: "If a Slave be brought from another state to the state of N York & there sold, such slave is by the laws of N York declared free. It is therefore of Moment to establish that the sale was made at New London or at least, not in N York." 1 p. With ALS of Joseph Skinner forwarding on Burr's instructions regarding a suit against the Manumission Society to Jacob Gurby.

GLC09286

1848-1858

Boomer, Susan B., fl. 1848-1858

Diary

Title: Susan B. Boomer Diary 1848-1858

Diary of a young woman who left Massachusetts to settle in Bristol, Illinois, with opinions on slavery, patriotism, the Compromise of 1850, and the Fugitive Slave Act. "I spent the night at Uncle James's. During the evening a fugitive slave was introduced to the family. He was entertained with more sympathy than is common for strangers. And indeed his situation demanded it. A man bearing the image of his God & equally deserving to enjoy equal freedom.… I never saw a man fleeing for his freedom before.… I am reading Sewards life of J. Q. Adams. It arouses in my soul the spirit of…

GLC09292

July 11 1780

Paine, Robert T., 1731-1814

Document signed

Title: [Gov and people vs. Henry Laughton]

As Massachusetts Attorney General, authorizes the seizure of properties belonging to an absentee Tory, Henry Laughton, "late of Boston."

GLC09293

8 March 1826

Book

Title: Message from the President of the United States ... Due under the Award of the Emperor of Russia, for Slaves and other private property carried away by the British Forces, in violation of the Treaty of Ghent

"Message from the President of the United States Transmitting the Information required by a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 10th ultimo, Relating to the proceedings of the Joint Commission of Indemnities, Due under the Award of the Emperor of Russia, for Slaves and other private property carried away by the British Forces, in violation of the Treaty of Ghent." Pierce Butler and other plantation owners' claims, listing values of 2,682 slaves and property, owners' names, slaves' names, and proof supporting the claims.

GLC09296

1837

Spooner, Lysander

Pamphlet

Title: Review of Lysander Spooner on the Unconstitutionality of Slavery…

Spooner argues that certain "clauses in the United States Constitution universally supposed to refer to and recognize Slavery [have made] 'the preservation, propagation, and perpetuation of Slavery the vital and animating spirit of the National Government.'"

GLC09299

1878

Wells, James M., fl. 1878

Book

Title: The Chisolm Massacre: A Picture of "Home Rule" in Mississippi

The Chisolm Massacre: A Picture of "Home Rule" in Mississippi. 2nd edition, published by the Chisolm Monument Association. In 1877, Judge Chisolm was accused of assassinating a Democratic political opponent. He, his son and daughter and two friends were killed by a 300-strong mob reported to be the Ku Klux Klan. No one was punished for the murders.

GLC09304

19 March 1879

Porter, Fitz-John, 1822-1901

Pamphlet signed

Title: Report of the Board of Officers in the Case of Fitz-John Porter...

"Report of the Board of Officers in the Case of Fitz-John Porter, Late Major-General of Volunteers" published by the Army and Navy Gazette. Annuls Porter's 1863 court-martial and restores his position of major general. Includes transcriptions of communications between Porter and General Pope before the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, after which Porter was arrested for actions that Pope said led to the Union defeat.

GLC09312

1866-1868

Woodward, York A., fl. 1866-1868

Header Record

Title: [Collection of York Woodward] [Decimalized .01- .18]

15 letters written by a Freedman's Bureau Superintendent, from January 1866 to February 1868. Many are from Abingdon, VA, and reveal the personal responses and official actions of a Pennsylvania veteran who served throughout the Occupied South as a government agent. "Our court met and adjourned till 2 o'clock we disposed of 4 cases I am yet Monarch of all I survey. The folks pass me by on the other side of the way, but if they have any trouble. I am the one they apply to the farmers have been plowing nearly all the week; it looks strange to see people at their farms work in the month of Jan…

GLC09327

2 May 1829

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Document signed

Title: [Decree]

Decree issued by the Kentucky Circuit Court at Fayette, awarding payment to Clay, who held the mortgage on a property including slaves, which must be sold to pay him. Clay adds an addendum specifying that a young girl not listed on the mortgage be treated as if she had been: "…it being desirable that the mother should not be separated from the child, we do hereby agree that the said child shall be sold with the mother."

GLC09331

27 August 1798

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: Dear Sir

As President, sending a"petition of Parson Smith for a Pardon of a very serious crime.… request you to inclose the Papers to the Secretary of State and Attorney General for their consideration. If they and you agree in advising me to pardon the Criminal, I may perhaps do it, but not other wise."

GLC09335

February 5, 1762

Manuscript document

Title: [Legal document transferring a slave woman's ownership]

Legal document from Nausau Island, New York, conveying a "Negro woman called…Candes thirty odd years of age" to Joseph Coles for 65 pounds, from Thomas Smith and John Butler, executors of the estate of Richard Butler.

GLC09345.01

27 December 1747

Manuscript document

Title: [Memorandum]

Memorandum of a resolution of a dispute over an apple orchard between Hezekiah Cock and James and Deborah Cock after the death of their father.

GLC09345.02

4 October 1829

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Coffee

To John Coffee, General in the Tennessee state militia. During first year of his administration, Jackson forecasts his support for removal of the southeastern Indians, which would be made public in his message to Congress in 1830 and would result in the Indian Removal Act of 1830. "It has become necessary for the government of the United States, from the urgent complaints of the Cherokee Indians on the one hand, & the Executive of Georgia on the other, that we should cause to be ascertained the true and ancient line between the Cherokee and Creek Indians … and by a commissioner whose…

GLC09361

19 April 1862

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Ward writes that there has been heavy skirmishing and fighting is expected every hour (possibly referring to the First Battle of Corinth or the Siege of Corinth). He is getting tired of the war and hopes to get a furlough. Asks his sister and family's opinion of the conscription law. Informs his sister that their father has bought him and [his brothers] a negro but has not sent him up yet. Asks that his sister and Rose, his other sister, write longer and more frequent letters. Begs his sister to get daguerrotypes of her and Rose done and sent to him. Asks to be updated on news and…

GLC02232.05

14 December 1839

Warley, Jacob, fl. 1839

Manuscript document

Title: "In Senate...committee on Federal Relations...in relation to an alleged violation, on the part of ...[Maine]

"In Senate...committee on Federal Relations...in relation to an alleged violation, on the part of ...[Maine], of that important provision of the constitution of the United States, concerning the apprehension and trial of 'fugitives from justice.' ... The Governor of this State...to correspond with...Georgia..."

GLC09141.02