30 October 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Lincoln note to Edwin M. Stanton on letter of George C. Burling to William A. Newell]

Lincoln endorsement on an autograph letter signed by Colonel George C. Burling to William A. Newell dated 25 October 1862 concerning an order of the War Department that would result in the disbanding of the New Jersey volunteers. Burling stresses the sacrifices made by the Second Brigade of New Jersey volunteers by saying, "Virginia's soil made sacred with the blood and body of a large number ... That is what we left home and its comforts for, to sacrifice health and even life to sustain our glorious flag, and country." Informs Newell that the War Department has issued General Orders No.…

GLC04921

9 November 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: to Robert B. Roosevelt, John J. Astor Jr., and Nathaniel Sands

Declining to endorse General Dix for Mayor of New York stating that it is beyond his power to interfere with New York politics. Written on a petition signed by R.B. Roosevelt and other Republican leaders of New York City, though Lincoln's letter includes Executive Mansion letterhead. Lincoln's note above salutation reads "Private except for Mr. Dix." Signers include Peter Cooper, William B. Astor, John Jacob Astor, Jr., M. Delano, Nathaniel Sands, Alexander T. Stewart, George Cabot Ward, William Orlon, Jonathan Sturpes, John Cochrane, A. R. Wetmore, Nathaniel Hayden, Edwin Hoyt, T. R.…

GLC04922

27 August 1908

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to Herbert Parsons

Denies charges of undue influence by hand writing "I have no intention of 'forcing' the nomination or of trying to; but that, unless you object, I should like, as a good Republican and party man and a staunch believer...." Envelope is not original to letter as it is addressed to Wyndham Meredith of Brookside, West Virginia. Includes a two-cent stamp depicting George Washington.

GLC04930

January 15, 1953

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972

Document signed

Title: [Farewell Address]

Discusses the events of his presidency. A good part of the address speaks about using American resources and the United Nations to fight the menace of Communism and increase food production, amongst other things. In his conclusion, he looks beyond Communism and comments on prosperity in America, "that we in America have learned how to attain real prosperity for our people." Cites employment, bank strength, and better wealth distribution. States, "We have made progress in spreading the blessing of American life to all of our people. There has been a tremendous awakening of the American…

GLC04935.01

21 April 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Printed document signed

Title: An Act authorizing the grant and conveyance of certain Lands to the Ohio Company of Associates

Grant of land from the Second Congress of the United States to Rufus Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Green of the Ohio Company of Associates. Authorized by Jonathan Trumbull, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Richard Henry Lee, President pro tempore of the Senate. Approved by President George Washington on 25 April 1792.

GLC04939

January 19, 1825

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas H. Williams

Circular letter summoning Mississippi's Senator Williams (and the rest of the Senate) for the inauguration of John Quincy Adams on 4 March 1825.

GLC04948

20 October 1708

Oliver, Thomas, fl. 1708

Manuscript document signed

Title: [A Memorial of the State of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England to Queene Anne during Queen Anne's War]

A petition from the Massachusetts colonists requesting help in quelling the hostile Indians allied with the French during Queen Anne's War. Gives insight into the conflict's costs upon New England. Discusses the Indians' barbarity and the French setting prices for scalps. Describes their need of aid and the ineffectiveness of regular troops against the Indians. Asks Queen Anne to enlist the help of Mohawks and other friendly Indian nations. Comments on trade, French holdings, and the supply of masts for ships. Signed by Oliver as clerk of the House of Representatives.

GLC04891

January 23, 1882

Young, Ann Eliza, 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written to the chairman of an anti-Mormonism meeting to be held in Farwell Hall, Chicago. The former wife of Brigham Young denounces Mormonism as a "Political, social and religious monstrosity." Young left Mormonism eight years earlier and welcomes the public sentiment against it. She criticizes the Mormon hierarchy and the bigotry of Mormon men toward the women of Utah. She decries polygamy and its effects on women, and believes that if given the chance, Mormon women will rebel against the system that they have been innocently born into. The meeting Young refers to occurred on 22…

GLC04893

4 June 1869

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sidney Webster

Discusses aspects of reconstruction, criticizing "the appointment of a Massachusetts negro to the office of Postmaster at Macon, Georgia." Inquires as to the well-being of Webster's family.

GLC04895

January 12, 1849

Hunter, B.B.B., fl. 1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Young Mason

Writes from the Border Post Office about the effect of gold in California and announces his plans to be among the miners shortly. Asks Secretary of the Navy Mason to put in a good word with the President so he may receive an appointment once he arrives in California. With note by Mason on address leaf, replied on 16 February 1849.

GLC04897.04

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

29 October 1760

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Perkins

Hancock writes to Reverend Perkins, his step-father. Hancock has not yet received communication from Perkins, and writes to let his family know that he is well. Hancock discusses the death of King George II and the impending coronation of George III.

GLC04908

1776

Watson, James, fl. 1974

Print

Title: Sir Jeffery Amherst [mezzotint by James Watson, after Joshua Reynolds]

Sold by Ryland and Bryer at the Kings Arms, in Cornhill. Printed by J. Watson. Sir Jeffery Amherst (Smith IV, 1488.2). Mezzotint based on a painting by Joshua Reynolds. "Knight of the Most Honorable Order of Bath, Governor of Virginia, Colonel of His Majesty's 15th & 60th Regiments of Foot, Lieutenant General & Commander in Chief Of His Majesty's Forces in North America from 1758 to 1764." He is posing with a map entitled "Plan of the Island of Montreal & its Environs." The background is largely dominated by dark clouds, although a river crowded with large boats is visible in the…

GLC04951

9 May 1794

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert R. Livingston

Monroe, Senator from Virginia, urges Livingston, Chancellor of New York, to accept Washington's offer to succeed Gouverneur Morris as Minister Plenipotentiary to France. Tells Livingston it will be good for the party if he accepts. Says "the effect of you're. declining cannot be perceived." Ultimately, Livingston declined the honor because he did not want the Chancery Court to go to someone of differing political beliefs and because he did not think he could work well with the Washington Administration. Monroe himself was eventually selected to go to France.

GLC04822

November 26, 1818

Header Record

Title: [Patent for Jacob Bromwell's improvement of the wheat fan, or winnowing machine and J.Q. Adams and Engraving of James Monroe and James Monroe]

Document signed by John Quincy Adams and James Monroe, 1 engraving of John Quincy Adams, and 3 engravings of James Monroe.

GLC04823

22 June 1775

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Captain Daniel Morgan]

Partially printed document signed by Continental Congress President John Hancock and co-signed by Charles Thomson as Secretary to Congress. The writing in the document's body was done by General George Washington. Document appoints Daniel Morgan as "Captain of a Company of Riflemen."

GLC04825

May 1, 1787

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [George Washington] re: explaining his absence from the Convention

Misdated May. McHenry writes the Convention's president, Washington, that he was unable to attend the opening sessions because his brother lay ill. He did attend in August and kept a private record of proceedings.

GLC04842.29

January 17, 1797

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Document signed

Title: Land grant transferring land from Capt. Gallohill Minnis to Richard Means

Signed by George Washington as President and countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State. Includes handwritten description of the boundaries of the property. Docket on verso signed by James McHenry as Secretary of War on January 16, 1797. Also docketed and signed by the Chief Clerk at the Department of State. Features paper and wax seal.

GLC04842.39

February 1, 1796

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Wolcott

Responds to a previous letter from Wolcott announcing the death of Samuel Huntington, Governor of Connecticut. Informs Wolcott that "At the same time that I regret the loss of so worthy a character, I cannot but feel consoled; that the Administration of the Government of that State has fallen into such good hands as yours." Refers to attacks made upon his Presidential Administration, declaring that "If the enlightened, and virtuous part of the Community will make allowances for my involuntary errors, I will promise they shall have no cause to accuse me of wilful ones." Confirms the…

GLC04861

15 June 1781

Nelson, Thomas Jr., 1738-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Harrison

Accepts the appointment as governor of Virginia. States that first he must settle some matters relating to the army with Major General Marquis de La Fayette. Reports that they are in pursuit of the British army which is moving down the James River. Written from camp near Watson's Tavern, Fluvanna County, Virginia. Addressed to Harrison as speaker of the House of Delegates.

GLC04827

January 25, 1781

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Morris

Written by Captain North as Inspector General in Virginia to Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a New York State Senator. References Morris's letter of 1 January 1781. Sends his opinions on Virginia at the beginning of the campaign in that state. Criticizes the leadership of Governor Thomas Jefferson saying "Our Situation since we are here has not been so happy as it might be ... if the Head is in trouble, the members can not enjoy themselves." Goes on to say that he might think North Carolina in trouble, but "This State has every thing in its power but does nothing."…

GLC04829

3 December 1782

Paca, William, 1740-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacques Renee de la Villebrune

Seeking assistance in ridding Chesapeake bay of British barges. Written after the last battle of the American revolution has taken place, after hostilities have ceased, and after the British have already signed a preliminary peace treaty.

GLC04830

4 August 1791

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter signed

Title: [Treasury Department circular].

Discusses payment of public debt and Department of the Treasury matters, including a procedural change aimed at reducing fraud. Accompanied by engraving (GLC04842.08.02).

GLC04842.08.01

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

27 March 1858

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Denver

Writing as President of the United States, Buchanan congratulates Denver, Governor of the Kansas Territory, on his excellent standing with the Territory's citizens. States that the issue of admitting Kansas to the Union will be addressed the following week by the Senate and House of Representatives. Declares that the defeat of the Lecompton Bill, admitting Kansas as a slave state, "would alarm the fears of the Country for the union, reduce the value of property, and injuriously interfere with our reviving trade." Reports that Georgia and Alabama will hold state conventions if Kansas is…

GLC04695