14 March 1864

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Wheeler, commanding Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee, writes to Bragg, overseeing Confederate military operations from Richmond, Virginia. Replies to correspondence from Bragg. Discusses the establishment of a military court: "... I must first acknowledge my indebtedness to you for the kindness you have shown in evincing such an interest in our behalf. The court will be of great service to us and will aid much in enforcing discipline." Reports that Major Hugh M. King (formerly quartermaster on General John K. Jackson's staff and Captain of the fifth Georgia Infantry) has been serving as…

GLC02460.18

1 June 1864

Wright, Marcus Joseph, 1831-1922

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General [Wayne]

Possibly to General Henry Constantine Wayne, Adjutant General of Georgia (1860-1865). Wright, commanding the district of Atlanta, reports: "I have sent an officer of my staff out this morning to find out something about the outrages mentioned in your note. I am exceedingly anxious to bring these men to punishment, but have no mounted force whatever at my disposal." Further discusses the unspecified outrages, and suggests asking General Johnston (possibly Joseph E. Johnston) "to have those dismounted & straggling cavalry men sent across the river." Written on Headquarters Post, Atlanta.

GLC02460.20

7 November 1861

Ashby, Turner, 1828-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

State inferred from content. General Ashby reports, "Mr. Duke who has been arrested as a spy and upon his own evidence has done acts that will establish beyond doubt his felony... He is a dangerous person..." A pencil note at the bottom of the page indicates that this letter refers to John H. Duke, a citizen of Sheperdstown, Jefferson County, Virginia (present-day West Virginia). One bust engraving of Ashby included as collateral. Written at Camp Evans.

GLC02461.01

1862/05/21

Meigs, Montgomery C. (Montgomery Cunningham), 1816-1892

Autograph document signed

Title: to Perry Belmont

Souvenir copy of Meigs's order relaying the "Military Possession of all the Rail Roads in the United States" by President Lincoln, per Act of Congress. This copy, in Meigs's hand is identified in pencil as having been written out at the request of Belmont Perry , an autograph collector. Signed by Meigs at the close of the body and, in an abbreviated style, beneath the "True copy" note. This copy is dated May 21; the original order, however, was dated May 25. One bust engraving of Meigs included as collateral.

GLC02457.12

6 June 1865

McCausland, John, fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to President Johnson

Formerly a Confederate Brigadier General, John McCausland offers his "special application" for a pardon in accordance with Johnson's proclamation of 29 May 1865. Accompanied by a testimonial from John Hall, providing background information on McCausland and urging his pardon. Also accompanied by a petition signed by fourteen West Virginians. [Civil War generals from border states] One bust engraving of McCausland included as collateral.

GLC02456.17

7 April 1862

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Lovejoy

Sumner, a United States Senator, writes to Lovejoy, a Representative from Illinois. Writes, "Here is Senate Bill 230, which you desired. We shall send you the Freedom Bill, & trust to your good votes & Providence." In a post script, notes that Trumbull will be speaking for emancipation (possibly referring to Lyman Trumbull, a Senator from Illinois who later co-sponsored the Thirteenth Amendment). Year based on content.

GLC02448.15

1787

Varnum, James M., fl. 1787

Book

Title: The case of Trevett against Weeden: On Information and Complaint,....

Evans 20825, Kress B1355, Sabin 98638. The legal case tested the powers of the Articles of Confederation to the right of Trial by Jury.

GLC02443

1800

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Pamphlet

Title: Proceedings of the Virginia Assembly... re: division of power, constitution

Also concerning constitutional rights and the Alien and Sedition Acts. Evans 38460

GLC02446

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

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

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

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

26 December 1786

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lamenting Shays' Rebellion, writes "I feel, my dear Genl. Knox, infinitely more than I can express to you, for the disorders which have arisen in these States. Good God! who besides a tory could have foreseen, or a Briton predicted them!" Alludes to "combustibles in every State, which a spark might set fire to." Notes that Virginia is (at the moment) calm, but worries over disputes regarding navigation of the Mississippi. Discusses an amendment to the existing Constitution regarding paper emissions and military certificates. Expresses sadness regarding the recent death of General…

GLC02437.09409

January 22, 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Instructs Knox not to disclose information regarding the nomination of General Officers and a bill that has not yet passed. Docketed in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.09424

circa 1794-1798

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Examination of a disagreement between Captain Nicholson and Colonel Claghorn]

Discussion of a disagreement between Captain Samuel Nicholson and Colonel George Claghorn. The creator notes, "It appears pretty evident that the secret and real cause of the difference has been a jealousy of power." Apparently Nicholson opposed the admittance of two gentleman and ladies to an unspecified location (possibly the ship). The group Nicholson refused was associated with Claghorn.

GLC02437.09455

7 April 1771-1 January 1772

Bullock, John, fl. 1771

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Power of Attorney given to Francis Waldo]

Agreement that John Bullock has given power of attorney to Francis Waldo, in order for Waldo to recover a bond given by the late Samuel Waldo to the late Josiah Bullock. Signed by John Bullock, as well as William Harper as witness. Also present is a note signed by Francis Waldo acknowledging receipt of a sum of money from Thomas Flucker, relating to John Bullock's bond.

GLC02437.09070

26 August 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Samuel Brown, Jonathan Crocket, and Robert Jameson

Signed by Knox and Isaac Winslow Jr., though both signatures, as well as the letter's content, are in Knox's hand. Addressed to Brown, Crocket and Jameson as members of a Committee for Thomaston. Document suggests regulations and procedures for settlers on land belonging to Winslow and Knox, acting as representatives for the heirs and executors of Brigadier General Samuel Waldo.

GLC02437.09155

October 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to the inhabitants

Letter is not signed but appears to be in Knox's handwriting. Writes a letter to the inhabitants of Canaan, Maine assuring them that the agreement they made with [likely Henry Knox, Isaac Winslow, and Samuel Winslow] will be a great advantage to them and their children. Notes they have no objections to the people petitioning the General Court becuase they [likely Waldo and/or Winslow] are acting within the law.

GLC02437.09205

8 November 1862

Holt, Joseph, 1807-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Recommends Donn Piatt as a Judge Advocate to a particular military commission at Cincinnati.

GLC02490.10

February 5, 1862

Bates, Edward, 1793-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to G. Welles

The recipient is possibly Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. Bates, United States Attorney General, asks Welles to return an essay by Mr. Binney (possible Horace Binney) on the suspension of the writ of Habeas Corpus. States "The work is in great demand, & somebody has hooked my last copy." Relates that he has been ill for several days.

GLC02490.01

11 August 1862

Speed, James, 1812-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Hillhouse

Requesting a pamphlet copy of the New York State draft law. Docket states that a copy of the law was sent to Speed.

GLC02490.16

23 May 1775

Ward, Artemas, 1727-1800

Letter signed

Title: to Jedediah Foster

Written by General Ward as commander-in-chief of the army outside Boston to Colonel Foster. Says the bearer of this, Mr. Wood, was lately at Worcester and learned that the selectmen of the town are "binding out" people that can be called friends of the government if they will not join the army. Says it is extraordinary and unjustifiable conduct if it is true. Hopes he will take Wood's information and investigate the situation, claiming "I doubt not you will consult the Safety of the Individuals as well as of the Community."

GLC02499.17

January 29, 1861

Black, Jeremiah Sullivan, 1810-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Freeman H. Morse

States that he has not heard anything since giving his opinion as Attorney General about the government purchase of land from the Chirigni Improvement Co. Expresses concern about the value of the property and the soundness of the title. Remarks that the government of New Granada has made some moves against this company but does not know whether or not this indicates hostility on their part.

GLC02504.02

circa 1841

Choate, Rufus, 1799-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Lord

Discusses a case with Lord, a Boston lawyer.

GLC02504.10

7 December 1854

Cushing, Caleb, fl. 1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to LaFayette T. Foster re: pardon for E. B. Snell.

GLC02504.11