1806

Peake, Thomas, 1771-1838

Book

Title: A compendium of the law of evidence

The second American edition, from the second London edition. Printed for P. Byrne, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Explains details and rules which govern English legal proceedings using cases as examples. Includes a table of cases cited, a preface to both the first and second editions, and an appendix. With Webster's name written twice but not in his hand.

GLC04620

February 2, 1837

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Morgan F. Thomas

Massachusetts Senator Webster writes to Thomas, a lawyer in Milford, Pennsylvania, regarding a case involving James Blumenson of Missouri.

GLC04623.04

22 August 1828

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

Comments on "An Act for the relief of surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," Secretary of Treasury Rush's health, and the difficulty of his position. Anticipates Rush's resignation and thanks him for his service. Also discusses a classical essay by Rush's son, commenting on ancient Rome and the superiority of the statesman over the warrior. Docketed by Rush.

GLC04899

16 July 1851

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac G. McKinley

Buchanan voices his support for the Fugitive Slave Law, enacted under the Compromise of 1850. Believes the law will be the deciding issue in the upcoming election, and that the Democrats should strongly support it. He writes: "The great issue...ought to be: the maintenance of the fugitive slave law without modification." Another central issue must be "the repeal of our State law denying the use of our jails for the detention of fugitive Slaves." Worries that the South is already distressed, and will become more so if the Fugitive Slave Law is attacked. Mentions a Colonel, possibly Bigler…

GLC04903

1 March 1783

Middleton, Arthur, 1742-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lyman Hall

Asks Hall to resolve a debate over ownership of a slave. Mr. Melvin purchased a slave that had belonged to Middleton but had been captured by the British. When Middleton encountered the slave he claimed it as his own, since it had been wrongfully stolen from him. Melvin appears to want full value in exchange for the slave, while Middleton believes he owes only a fraction of this. Paper border around letter. Written at Cedar Grove Plantation.

GLC04821

May 1761

Read, George, 1733-1798

Autograph document signed

Title: Legal document, accepting a judgment against his client in Laforge v. Goforth

Date from docket.

GLC04842.35

February 1, 1766

Thornton, Mathew, fl. 1766

Autograph document signed

Title: [Deposition of Martha Campbell regarding paternity of her child].

In a paternity case, the deposition states "...on or about the month of July last past one Thomas Lennen of Londonderry or Windham Aforesd. Weaver, in the House of one Henry [illegible] Of Windham Aforesd. Yeoman, Did Enter her Body, & recd Knowledge of her, Whereby this Examinant, is now with Child,...."

GLC04852

29 September 1789

Otis, Samuel A., 1740-1814

Printed document signed

Title: An Act providing for Payment of the Invalid Pensioners of the United States

Signed by Otis as Secretary of the Senate and co-signed by John Beckley as Clerk of the House. Transfers the payments of military pensions from the state to the federal government.

GLC04855

May 1864

United States. Congress (38th, 1st session : 1864)

Printed document

Title: H. R. 244. An Act to guarantee to certain States whose governments have been usurped or overthrown a republican form of government.

A rough draft of the Wade-Davis Bill, passed by the House of Representatives 4 May 1864. Changes noted throughout this document in ink. Docketed by H. R. U. L., an enrolling clerk. Docket states "2nd July 1864-- This is in the precise shape it was presented to President Lincoln." Accompanied by a fragment of string.

GLC04716

14 December 1873

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James L. Kemper

Written on "Office of John S. Mosby, Attorney at Law" letterhead. Writes to Kemper, Governor-elect of Virginia, about Reconstruction and Southern rights: "Of course I never designed to advise an unconditional alliance between Grant & the Southern people: but only on the express condition that security is given us against any further oppressions on Southern rights. If however Sumner's Civil Rights bill (which by the by Mr Greeley was earnestly advocating in the Tribune the week he was nominated) becomes an Administration measure (which I do not believe) no man will more earnestly oppose it…

GLC04734

December 1848

Gill, Richard W., ?-1852

Printed letter

Title: to unknown

Printed circular letter noting a court case decision, decreeing that an estate tax must still be paid on slaves who are manumitted as part of a last will and testament: "The bequests of freedom to the slaves, are legacies, and the executor liable for the tax or duty on their appraised value." The decision was made by the Maryland Court of Appeals, overturning the decision of a lower court. Also notes "Indeed the law has gone so far as to presume every negro a slave to some one, until the contrary appear." Letter is postmarked 25 December 1848. Docket is hand written with the name. Sent…

GLC04748

1777

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Articles of Confederation [first printing, first edition]

Printed by Francis Bailey. Quarto. This is the rare printing done at Lancaster with illegible signature of owner from 1777 on titlepage. Evans 15619, Sabin 2142. Ex-Huntington. [Boston edition, GLC 268]

GLC04759

31 May 1803

Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Winchester

Discussing appropriate division of compensation among sailors who salvaged the French ship "Blaireau." Chase discusses the situation and offers his advice. On subject of a black sailor who helped during the salvage, says if he is free he deserves a share, though less than white sailors, and if a slave, still deserves some small payment for taking risks to assist in the salvage. Chase acknowledges the case may be appealed to him in the Supreme Court, and one year later it was, in the case of "Mason v. Ship Blaireau." Among the rulings of the court was that the compensation for the black…

GLC04765

19 March 1794

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Written by Chancellor Livingston to New York Governor Clinton. Encloses petition at the request of Dr. Robinson (not included). Mentions seeing Clinton's family. Mentions political controversy involving himself and William P. Van Ness. It involves the unpopular removal of someone from office (the name cannot be deciphered - Benthingsen?) Wants Clinton to clarify the situation for him. Says Egbert Benson is going to come forward with the story for the newspapers and wants to be able to meet it. Wants to know if Clinton recollects him ever recommending the person. If he or other members of the…

GLC04772.04

31 August 1779

Brice, James,1746-1801

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer

Document certifies that Daniel St. Thomas of Jenifer, a futuer signer of the U.S. Constitution, took the oath called for under the "An Act to resrict the Deleages of this Sate in Congress from enegaging in any Trade either foreign or domestic." Signed by Brier "of the Council." List of numbers is added up on verso.

GLC04795

22 August 1775

Lynch, Thomas, 1749-1779

Document signed

Title: Receipt for 50 pounds

Partially printed. Provided by South Carolina as legal compensation for an executed slave belonging to Lynch's father, Thomas Sr.

GLC04815

24 June 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Broadside

Title: [Proclamation lifting restrictions on trade west of the Mississippi River]

Printed signature of President Johnson and Acting Secretary of State William Hunter. Proclamation will "restore unrestricted commercial intercourse between and in the several States ... and Territories west of the Mississippi river." Opens all trade except that in arms, ammunition, all articles from which ammunition is made, gray cloth, and property purchased by agents of the former Confederate forces. Says customs agents will supervise trade and that they shall receive any captured or abandoned property that should be confiscated by law.

GLC04973

17 July 1868

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Nathan B. Forrest for rebellion]

Pardon for ex-Confederate General Nathan B. Forrest of Tennessee. The pardon includes a provision against Forrest attempting to enslave people, and that he claim no property or the proceeds of any property that has been ordered sold by court of law. Accompanied by a Free Franked envelope. (c/s by William H. Seward). Features embossed seal on verso.

GLC04977.01

10 August 1868

Forrest, Nathan Bedford, 1821-1877

Document signed

Title: Receipt of pardon form. [N. B. Forrest]

Partially printed receipt of pardon form sent by William H. Seward to Nathan B. Forrest along with his pardon. Forrest, as per the specifications of the pardon, returns the completed form to Seward.

GLC04977.02

6 August 1868

Forrest, Nathan Bedford, 1821-1877

Document signed

Title: Acknowledging receipt of presidential pardon [for Nathan B. Forrest].

GLC04977.03

24 June 1848

McLain, William, 1806-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George A. Baltimore

McLain writes to Baltimore in Whitehall, New York. Describes the difficulty of a free black man traveling to Washington: "I shall be glad to see you here. But there will be some difficulty in your getting through Baltimore. At the R. Road Depot you will have to get some white man to sign a bond of $5,000 that you are free. And when you leave here the same thing will have to be done." Offers to sign Baltimore's bond in Washington, D.C. Predicts that James Hall, agent of the Maryland Colonization Society, will sign the bond in Baltimore.

GLC04981

18 October 1854

Custis, George Washington Parke, 1781-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W. B. Todd

Custis, the adopted son (and step-grandson) of George Washington, writes to Todd in Washington, D.C. Recently read a letter stating, "from a prohibitory Law in the District of Columbia touching the hiring of Negro Slaves from Virginia in the District, there was much probability of said Negroes so hired recovering their freedom." Writes, "I have no desire that any of my Negroes should be getting their freedom otherwise than by my giving it to them. I regret these circumstances as the girl Amanda is hired to you much to my satisfaction, & I have no wish to take her from so good a…

GLC04989

24 June 1853

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Manuscript document signed

Title: Pardon of Albert Mortimer, convicted of burglary.

Mortimer, convicted of burglary; sentenced to 14 years. (c/s William L. Marcy)

GLC04991

21 May 1866

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Pardon of Thomas H. Howard by Andrew Johnson]

Pardon for a burglar who pled guilty to three charges. Countersigned by William H. Seward.

GLC04992

25 April 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: [Message to the Confederate House of Representatives vetoing an act for investigating committees].

Vetoes "an act to aid committees of Congress in the investigation of matters referred to them and to punish false swearing before said committees" passed by the Confederate Congress. Davis believes that conferring upon the Congress the power to fine and imprison those appearing before it without trial would be unconstitional. Such powers are reserved for the judicial branch. The fourth leaf has a purple stamp which has been obliterated, possibly a Rebel War Archive stamp.

GLC04974