25 September 1831

Allyn, Nelson, fl. 1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Allyn

Nelson writes to his brother Joseph in Connecticut, roughly one month after Nat Turner's Rebellion. Discusses family and mutual acquaintances, noting he is in good health. Writes, "the insurrection of the blacks have made greate disturbance here every man is armd with a gun by his bed nights and in the field at work a great many of the blacks have been shot there heads taken of stuck on poles at the forkes of rodes some been hung, some awaiting there trial in several countys, 6 in this county... there is no danger of their rising again here." Discusses his journey to North Carolina and…

GLC05655

11 October 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward George Washington Butler

Lee, President of Washington College, replies to a letter from General Butler. Acknowledges the receipt of a pamphlet entitled "Oaths, Amnesties, & Rebellions." Discusses the execution of Ferdinand Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, before a firing squad in Mexico, stating that "His death was not necessary & accomplished nothing, but the excitement of the horror of the civilized world. He went to Mexico at the formal invitation of her people, & laboured hard for their improvement." Requests that Butler offer his regards to several acquaintances. Discusses a recent bout with…

GLC05275

February 11, 1784

Gibbs, Caleb, fl. 1748-1818

Autograph document signed

Title: [Court martial of soldiers from Constitution Island]

Major Gibbs serves as president. Contains the detailed proceedings of the trial of a group of soldiers from Constitution Island who broke into the home and store of David Sands, a Quaker. According to GLC02437.02948, they "abused his Wife, and plundered his Store," stealing goods and money. The Court rules that two of the soldiers must suffer death (Samuel E. Andrews and Samuel Sanders), three other participants are to receive "one hundred lashes on their naked backs at four different times," and the other participant should receive "one hundred lashes on his naked back."

GLC02437.02949

February 13, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Urges Knox to write him as soon as he can, or make Lucy Knox "overcome her natural timidity" and write him. He has heard of the General (Charles) Scott expedition in the Miami Country and of the casualties Scott suffered. Discusses in great detail the Turk-Russian war along with other foreign affairs. The Russians are not far from Constantinople; the Empress (Catherine the Great) seeks to drive the Turks completely out of Europe and listens to no offers of negotiations. Prince Potemkin said that the Empress would consider stopping the war on several conditions; ceding Moldavia and Wallachia…

GLC02437.04853

February 22, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Henry's letter of 19 February. Notes he delivered the letter that Henry enclosed for William Duer. States the January packet from Europe arrived yesterday and he saw a letter from Mr. Brett to General Maunsell. The letter stated "every preparation was making for War by England, although hopes were entertained it would not take place." Goes on to say the letter reported that William Pitt "stood on high ground by being strongly supported by Parliament and the people in general." Says Mr. Fox's supporters left him because of his stance on France. Believes Thomas Paine is going to…

GLC02437.05830

29 October 1782

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph manuscript

Title: In the Court of Appeals... The Case of the Prisoners [Caton v. Commonwealth]

Important manuscript, entirely in the hand of Edmund Pendleton, entitled "In the Court of Appeals, October 29, 1782 The Case of the Prisoners." Composed of 3 leaves (A1, A2, B1) completely covered with writing (r+v), and a fourth leaf (B2), with recto blank and verso with Madison's title: "In the court of Appeals | October 29. 1782 | Case of the Prisoners" (Pencil note there with arrow: "James Madison's hand".) Pendleton's lengthy summation of the case later entitled Caton v. Commonwealth. This case, brought by prisoners convicted of treason attempting to overturn the death sentence…

GLC00099.101

November 8, 1782

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison re: sending Caton Ms., evacuation of Charleston

The letter discusses the evacuation of Charleston and British troop movements, legislature, transmission of Caton v. Commonwealth transcript, Court of appeals, constitution, and powers of legislature.

GLC00099.102

December 9, 1782

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter discusses the pardon of the convicted prisoners in Caton v. Commonwealth treason case, war news from Europe, and Rhode Island's refusal to agree that privateer prizes and war booty should be held for the benefit of the United Colonies.

GLC00099.104

October 8, 1780

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter mentions Portsmouth, VA, public executions in Britain and actions of the British fleet and British government. Signature was partially cut along top but not removed from leaf.

GLC00099.049

February 12, 1813

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of marines Thomas Potts and George Allen for desertion].

Countersigned by Secretary of State James Monroe. Potts had been convicted of desertion in June 1812. Allen had been convicted of desertion in August 1812. Both had been sentenced to be shot. Pardoned by Madison for "divers good causes and considerations."

GLC00049

December 16, 1816

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Document signed

Title: [Delay of execution of Clinton Adams and Randal Terrier]

Countersigned by Secretary of State James Monroe. Adams and Terrier were convicted of highway robbery in June 1816. Respite was granted until 21 February, 1817. No reason mentioned for respite.

GLC00068.02

04 November 1858

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Charles Barrett, convicted of murder.

Convicted of murder; sentenced to death. Sentence commuted due to Barrett's youth, and because the crime was unintentional, not premeditated, and was done in "...a moment perpetrated under the maddening effects of intoxicating liquor...". (c/s Lewis Cass)

GLC00068.08

May 2, 1864

Pearce, Eben, fl. 1861-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He writes from the Provost Marshal's Office in Memphis, Tennessee. He discusses his plans for after the war, and also describes how one oath-taker was hanged for treason.

GLC00066.048

March 24, 1914

Williams, Charles T., fl. 1842-1914

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. E. Boos

Charles T. Williams certifies that he served in the Union Army (in the 1st New Jersey Infantry and the 1st New Jersey Cavalry) for three years and nine months during the Civil War. During that time he was a prisoner of war for eighteen months, twelve of those at Andersonville Prison. Confirms that he testified against Andersonville's Commander Henry Wirz in 1865. Also notes meeting President Abraham Lincoln in 1861 on Lincoln's way to his swearing in. Provides other biographical details.

GLC00272.01

January 5, 1887

Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908

Document signed

Title: Authority to affix the seal to commutation of the death sentence of John W. Parrot.

GLC00428

January 22, 1864

Taylor, Richard, 1826-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

The letter discusses the stay of execution of a soldier. Writes that he has applied to Confederate General Kirby Smith to send an engineer to assist with building defensive works on the rivers. Mentions the affair of Brigadier General Jean J. A. A. Mouton. Comments on rations and the hunger of the soldiers. Speaks of preparing troops for the Red River campaign and comments on a group of young Texas soldiers who had fallen into disfavor.

GLC00444

1906

Avey, Elijah, fl. 1906

Book

Title: The Capture and execution of John Brown: A tale of martyrdom

Avey gives an eye witness account. Printed by the Brethren Publishing House, Elgin, Illinois.

GLC00267.215

28 April 1785

Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799

Document signed

Title: [Document appointing justices of the peace for slave trials in Augusta County, Virginia]

Partially printed document signed by Henry as Governor of Virginia. Appoints fourteen men as justice of the peace in Augusta County, Virginia. They are given the duty of "Oyer and Terminer for the trial of Slaves in the said County ... for the purpose of trying, condemning and executing, or otherwise punishing or acquitting, any slave committing a capital crime within the said County." Wax seal at bottom or recto, next to Henry's signature.

GLC00464

1781

Header Record

Title: [Collection pertaining to the 10th Massachusetts Regiment [Decimalized .01- .02]

GLC01450.016

May 27, 1782

Hazen, Moses, 1733-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Hazen as commander of prisoners at Lancaster, Pennsylvania during the Huddy-Asgill Affair to Lincoln as Secretary of War. References letters of General Washington from May 4 and 18, 1782, which he received on May 25, 1782. Writes that lots were drawn and Captain Charles Asgill was chosen to be executed in retaliation for the hanging of Captain Joshua Huddy. Asgill was a seventeen-year old youth, "a most amiable character, an extensive fortune and great interest in the British Court and Army." Says the British officers are enraged at Sir Henry Clinton's conduct and that they want…

GLC01147

January 22, 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: Note suspending execution of Harry C. Fuller at request of O. Kellogg

Note suspending execution of Harry C. Fuller at request of O. Kellogg.

GLC01307

January 22, 1864

Kellogg, Orlando, 1809-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: to unknown

"The President told me today that the sentenced of Harry C. Fuller would stand suspended 'till I could have a hearing for him. I shall save him." Apparently a fragment from a longer letter.

GLC01308.01

1861-1865

Kellogg, Orlando, 1809-1865

Header Record

Title: Letter fragment and carte de visite [decimalized]

GLC01308

1828

Binns, John, 1772-1860

Broadside

Title: Monumental Inscriptions!

Depicts 6 fictitious funeral monuments, each to a militiamen executed by Jackson on 21 February 1815, after the Battle of New Orleans, for being deserters. The tombstones bear inscriptions detailing how each was a good man and soldier, and regardless of this, was "By the Orders of General Andrew Jackson, Shot to Death." Each monument was supposedly erected on 4 July, 1828. One monument reminds the reader "Let not the splendor of Military renown Blot out from your indignant recollection this bloody deed DONE BY A HERO." Includes a verse at the bottom entitled "Mournful Tragedy." Jackson…

GLC01825

15 May 1847

Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom, 1819-1901

Document signed

Title: Remission of death sentence with conditional pardon of Joseph Bevis, convicted of "an Unnatural Crime".

Bevis was convicted of "an Unnatural Crime" and sentenced to death. Pardoned conditionally "...in consideration of some circumstances..."--death sentence remitted in favor of 3 years hard labor.

GLC01841