circa February 12, 1825

Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. S. Garnett

Asks for a copy of a letter to Andrew Jackson, as well as a contract. Dated 12 February without a year, but probably written before 1825 as Secretary of War. Recipient's name is difficult to fully read.

GLC02504.06

3 July 1817

Rush, Richard, 1780-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Gales

Written by Rush as acting Secretary of State to Gales as a co-editor of the Washington National Intelligencer newspaper. Mentions an enclosed paper (not included) that contains an anecdote of President James Monroe. Says he knows it is correct, but has never seen it written like this before. Says Gales might want to include it in his newspaper. The incident Rush is referring to is unknown.

GLC02504.33

24 June 1820

Wirt, William, 1772-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Written by Wirt as Attorney General of the United States to Jefferson in retirement. Letter of introduction for Colonel Allen M. Lane, who was recently given a land bounty by Virginia for his services in the Revolution. Says the testimonials of his exploits in the war, as told by General George Washington, were recently before Jefferson. Says Chief Justice John Marshall's and Major Gibbon's praise make any further introduction superfluous, "since no one knows better how to value a soldier of the revolution." One bust engraving of Wirt included.

GLC02504.41

30 June 1870

Carpenter, Matthew Hale, 1824-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Signed by United States Senators Carpenter, Timothy Otis Howe, and Representative David Atwood, all from Wisconsin. Docketed by President Grant. The three Congressmen "earnestly recommend Hon James C. Hopkins, of Madison Wisconsin to be appointed District Judge of the United States for the Western Judicial District of Wisconsin, created by act approved June 29. 1870." They note that Hopkins is a fine lawyer, is familiar with the laws of the United States and the practice of Federal Courts, and is roughly 48 years old. Written on United States Senate Chamber stationery. With autograph…

GLC02505.05

10 August 1849

Clayton, John Middleton, 1796-1856

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Zachary Taylor

Secretary of State Clayton writes to the out-of-town Taylor that armed ships are heading towards Cuba. The Cabinet has drawn up a proclamation and he advises Taylor to expedite the signing of the document. Adds that Captain Hunter should be sent to the Chesapeake to monitor the movement against Cuba from Baltimore. Postscript says that the proclamation is enclosed (not included). Imprint on back reads "Satin."

GLC02505.08

20 August 1777

Harrison, Robert H., 1745-1790

Document signed

Title: [Receipt recording George Washington's repayment of a loan]

Harrison, Secretary to General George Washington, confirms Washington's repayment. Harrison writes from Neshaminy Camp, Pennsylvania.

GLC02505.22

3 July 1797

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Serving as Secretary of State, Pickering responds to a letter received Bourne. Relates some of President John Adams' diplomatic appointments, including Bourne's appointment as Consul General for the Batavian Republic. Informs Bourne of the appointment of John Beeldemaker as United States Consul to Rotterdam.

GLC02505.36

30 December 1824

Van Rensselaer, Stephen, 1764-1839

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George W. Featherstonhaugh

Asks about acquiring "a quantity of tares" and mentions that "poor [Henry] Clay is quite low-spirited." Van Rensselaer cast the deciding ballot for John Quincy Adams in the 1825 House vote for President (1824 election) held shortly after this letter was written.

GLC02505.40

22 May 1848

Adams, Charles Francis, 1807-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Jay

Calls Jay's attention to eulogies written on the death of Adams' father, John Quincy Adams. Notes that Americans are closely watching Europe, where "Change is now the rule and stability the exception." Jay was in London.

GLC02505.01

February 24, 1871

Morton, Oliver P., 1823-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Morton, a United States Senator from Indiana, writes to President Grant. Relates that Bryson Lilley, Esq., is an applicant for the position of Commissioner or Secretary to the Board of Commissioners under the new city government. Recommends Lilley, a "thorough Republican," noting that he is well qualified for the position.

GLC02467.18

25 March 1861

Wilmot, David, 1814-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry T. Kerr

Senator Wilmot discusses his recent failed attempts to call on President Lincoln and William H. Seward, Secretary of State. Notes that Seward had been dining with the French Minister when he called. Finally met with Lincoln and Seward in the morning of 25 March. Notes that the Consulship to Marseilles, France has been filled, suggesting that Kerr will be disappointed, since he hoped to apply for the position.

GLC02467.29

6 September 1860

Lane, Joseph, 1801-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Buchanan

Lane writes, "I respectfully withdraw my recommendation of Mr. Muller for a Pursership in the Navy, and ask the appointment of Mr. Lewis D. Watkins as a personal favor for which I would be extremely grateful."

GLC02469.10

14 April 1864

Blair, Austin, 1818-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Blair, Governor of Michigan, recommends William Hemingway from Michigan for the position of judge in the Montana Territory. Notes that Hemingway is a member of the Michigan State Legislature. Written on State of Michigan stationery.

GLC02467.05

5 March 1848

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. H. S. [Held]

Greeley discusses his decision not to publish a letter sent by [Held?] regarding the 1848 Presidential election. Writes, "Publishing your letter as you wish could have just one effect- to aid the nomination of Gen Taylor as the Whig candidate for the President. Do you desire that? If not, be thankful that I do not submit such letters as yours to the public. I am doing what I can to defeat Gen. Taylor's nomination, and taking what I believe the best way to do it. If he is beaten at all, it will be by the use of Mr. Clay's nerve." Marked "private" at the top.

GLC02467.14

8 September 1877

Ramsey, Alexander, 1815-1903

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rutherford B. Hayes

Ramsey informs President Hayes that General Robert N. McLaren's term as Marshal of the District of Minnesota will soon expire. Recommends McLaren's recommission.

GLC02467.20

14 September 1868

Seymour, Horatio, 1810-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Seymour writes, "I deem the club system of the Union Democracy, now being organized by Mr Spencer & his associates in this & other States, to be very useful & necessary for the success of our cause. I am informed that the work has been sent to your county & I hope you will find it expedient to organize clubs in all your towns & that you will use your influence & energy for that purpose."

GLC02467.23

26 April 1858

Mason, James M., 1798-1871

Letter signed

Title: to George F. Gordon

Informs Gordon that former President John Tyler now lives in "Charles city Court House Virginia," where Tyler's home, Sherwood Forest Plantation, was located.

GLC02469.14

5 December 1816

Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

A friendly letter of introduction, revealing the intimacy between the Adams and Rush families. Adams was introducing Reverend Coleman, who was going to Washington to carry the presidential electoral votes from Massachusetts and to vacation as well. She believes they will get along well. Quotes William Cowper to describe him. Writes that her husband's hands hurt from the cold and from previous letter writing and that he sends his greetings. In GLC02852, John Adams uses "Colman" instead of "Coleman."

GLC02515

9 December 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: Amnesty proclamation and third annual message of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States ...

Title continues, " ... read in Congress, December 9, 1863." Early printing of the Amnesty Oath of December 8, 1863 which offered pardons to Confederates who would take a loyalty oath to the Constitution and to the Union of States. His third annual message presented a program for Reconstruction for the first time. With bookplate and deaccession stamp of Minnesota Historical Society on front cover.

GLC02536

27 November 1776

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Written by Major General Schuyler to Duane as a New York delegate to the Continental Congress. References Duane's letter that was delivered 26 November. Says he had to abandon the fortress on York Island because the enemy's strength was overwhelming. Defends his actions as the best he could have done in the situation confronting him. Compares himself favorably to Washington's defeat in New York in August 1776 saying "I wish Gen: Washington had adhered to his own opinion and rejected the Intemporate advice of people of more prowess than Wisdom. In such a situation of ours It is now Eligible…

GLC02544

17 October 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of William North as an Adjutant General with the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army]

Partially printed engraved document signed by John Adams as President and countersigned by Secretary of War James McHenry. Engraved by Thackara & Vallance of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Features two detailed patriotic images. Docket signed by John Caldwell of the War Department.

GLC02516

12 December 1798

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Document signed

Title: [Privateer's commission for "the Concord"]

Signed by John Adams as President and countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Allows Ebenezer Sage and Benjamin Williams to outfit a privateer, the "Concord," to attack French shipping under a Congressional law passed on July 9, 1798. The 8 gun, 20 man crew will be captained by William Vandeursin. Allows the Concord to capture French ships on the high seas as well as recapture American ships seized by France. The American government sanctioned these actions at a time of heightened tension with France known as the Quasi War. Large embossed paper Seal of the United States at…

GLC02517.01

6 March 1801

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Document signed

Title: [Papers granting the ship "Hunter" voyage permission in four languages]

Countersigned by Secretary of State John Marshall, New York Port Collector Joshua Sands, and Notary Public John Wilkes. Partly printed document in four languages (French, Spanish, English, and Dutch). Papers give permission to Captain William Van Duerson, the commander of the ship "Hunter," to carry non-contraband goods to Demerara in British Guiana (present day Guyana). Written before Adams left the presidency on 4 March 1801, but countersigned in New York on 6 March 1804. Sands added a note that the new president, Thomas Jefferson, had approved the papers and allowed them to continue in…

GLC02517.02

December 1857

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph manuscript

Title: "House divided" speech fragment re: slavery, Dred Scott, Kansas

A single page beginning "Why Kansas is neither the whole, nor a tithe of the real question." Written before the debates with Stephen A. Douglas, apparently in response to that Senator's Dec. 9, 1857 speech in opposition to Buchanan's State of the Union address (as suggested by Don Fehrenbacher, "House Divided," 89 ff.). Nicolay and Hay date the metaphor from Oct. 1858 while Basler assigns it to May 1858. Unpublished and unrecorded. Current dating is based upon Don E. Fehrenbacher's hypothesis that this speech responds to Stephen A. Douglas's speech in the Senate of 1857 Dec. 9 (Prelude to…

GLC02533

23 March 1798

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Broadside

Title: [Presidential proclamation for a national day of prayer]

Proclamation declaring national "day of Solemn Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer," with Timothy Pickering's free frank on verso. Adams wants Americans to pray for the protection of their country. Proclamation states that America is in a "hazardous and afflictive situation" and therefore asks all citizens to "offer their devout Addresses to the Father of Mercies." Prayer is needed because "the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God...the national acknowledgement of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which…

GLC02542.14