20 April 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph document

Title: [Commendation for service]

Describes a soldier's courage under fire and bravery in the face of the enemy. According to the Monroe Papers, these are remarks made by Monroe during the presentation of a sword to Richard M. Johnson for service during the War of 1812.

GLC00496.069

June 5, 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Possibly written to President Monroe's lawyer. Involves a financial claim Mr. Coffin held against Monroe, who disparagingly refers to Coffin as a "adventurer, without talents, & therefore an impostor." Monroe paid Coffin $35 for four busts, but Coffin claims to be owed more. Because Monroe is president, he feels it best to settle with Coffin, and calls going before a magistrate a "last course." Monroe sends a check for the amount of the claim, giving his correspondent authority to settle the matter, and asks that it be done without altercation.

GLC00496.071

5 March 1830

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Land Indenture between Burr Powell, William Noland and Lewis Berkley].

William Nolan and his wife deeded a tract of land in Loudoun County Virginia on May 17, 1822 to Burr Powell and Thomas R. Mott. In order to satisfy a debt owed to Lewis Berkeley, Nolan "has resolved to release all equity of redemption in the lands" and requests that Powell convey the land to Berkeley, who had also paid Noland and Powell. Thomas R. Mott had died and was not involved in this indenture. Notes by Justice of the Peace James Monroe and Abner Gibson, representing the Trustees of the Peace for Loudon County verify the transaction.

GLC00496.074

August 4, 1824

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C.J. Nourse

The letter is regarding movement of soldiers and plans to cease recruiting. Taylor was a Colonel in the 1st Regimental Infantry. Nourse was a major in the Army.

GLC00496.089

October 25, 1834

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McGill

In the letter, declines invitation to speak about public affairs. Docket has the name Thomas D. McGill.

GLC00496.092

circa July 1838

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Speech fragment on the proposed annexation of Texas]

Report of Adams to his constituents on events in the 25th Congress, intended for newspaper publication. Adams mentions the speech of Vermont Congressman William Slade, which so offended southerners that they walked out. Discusses annexation of Texas, abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, duplicity of administration and Southern slave states as well as the suspension of the rules of the House of Representatives for debate. Beginning on 16 June 1838, Adams filibustered Congress for three weeks, giving up the floor only when Congress adjourned for the summer recess. He spoke…

GLC00567

May 1865 ca.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Photograph

Title: Embossed patriotic portrait of Abraham & Mary Lincoln by Alden [carte de visite]

Probably post-assassination portrait of the Lincolns, trimmed to ovals and enclosed in embossed frames surmounted by two flags and an eagle, and the great seal of the U.S. underneath. Photograph and art work by A. E. Alden.

GLC00559.15

1863

Moore, Marinda Branson, 1829-1864

Book

Title: The Geographical Reader for the Dixie Children

Published by Branson, Farrar & Co. A Confederate textbook of American geography that was written because the author "having found most of the juvenile books too complex for young minds, has for some time intended making an effort to simplify the science of Geography." Consists of 26 lessons, each about one or two columns in length. The first 10 are on the technical terms of geography and the last 16 are on specific places. Each Confederate state, as well as the border states of Missouri and Kentucky, has its own lesson, while no northern states are discussed. Includes 6 full page maps.…

GLC00566

September 23, 1824

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

A long letter on politics, foreign relations, Pickering's relationship with John Adams and others, and attacks on him in print. Extensively discusses the politics surrounding his "Review of the Adams & Cunningham Correspondence." Comments on the relationship of his review to the writing of his memoirs. Also goes into detail about the personal attacks made against him in the newspapers. Discusses the political ambitions of Edward Everett, then a professor at Harvard. Among the prominent figures discussed are Jefferson and Adams, John Quincy Adams, Alexander Everett, and Edward Everett. A…

GLC00570

November 15, 1860

Bethune, James N., 1803-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul Semmes

Discusses the meeting of the legislature in Milledgeville, Georgia on the issue of secession. Writes that the general consensus in Milledgeville is one of resistance. States that Georgia Senator Benjamin Hill is demanding that Lincoln enforce the fugitive slave law. If the laws are not enforced, Hill will "help us dissolve the Union and we will all go together." Informs that "Many prominent men who have been here to force violent Union Men are now openly and strongly for immediate Secession." Written on blue paper. Georgia seceded from the Union on January 19, 1861. Bethune was a prominent…

GLC00572.14

5 October 1860

Hambleton, James P., 1830-1897

Newspaper

Title: The Southern Confederacy. [Vol. 3, no. 30 (October 5, 1860)]

Articles on the 1860 presidential election, most focusing on Stephen A. Douglas. Also details the cotton crop in the south. Hambleton is listed as editor and proprietor.

GLC00572.18

February 7, 1778

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Gerry, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Continental Congressman from Massachusetts, writes from York, where the Continental Congress was convening. Dismisses rumors of a possible plot to undermine Washington's authority, but stresses the need to guard against internal dissension within the army. Writes, "I know not ye Source of the Uneasiness which We are speaking of, but it would not be any Ways surprizing to me to find ye Enemy at ye Bottom of ye Dispute & if they did not originate it, they will certainly promote it unless ye officers of ye Army should wisely prevent it…

GLC00619

March 31, 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin L. Baker

Acknowledges receipt of his note delivered by Edwin's brother John. Refuses to let "Joe" [Joseph Baker] transfer to a higher position within the army and resign his present post because of the precedent it might set among the servicemen. "The objection is the setting of examples by which every body in all arms of the service, are set to studying whether they can not squirm round into a position more satisfactory to themselves. A rule, to cut off this, is a necessity." Written on Executive Mansion stationery. The envelope is free franked in Lincoln's hand.

GLC00622

2 October 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Commission of David Farragut as a captain in the U.S. Navy]

Partially-printed document on vellum signed by President Franklin Pierce and countersigned by James C. Dobbin as Secretary of the Navy. Note on margin signed by J.B. Hardin: "Registered No. Four - the lowest number of the same date takes rank.". Features two detailed patriotic scenes and a paper seal.

GLC00626

December 20, 1901

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to F. Marion Crawford

Theodore Roosevelt declines to intervene in pardon application. He writes that he does not ask for pardons unless he is personally familiar with the case and would not want to impose on NY Governor Odell due to awkwardness.

GLC00629

2/5/1864

Everett, Edward, 1794-1865

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Address delivered to the Putnam Phalanx in praise of volunteer militia]

Welcomes the Putnam Phalanx, from Hartford, Connecticut, to Boston. Offers words of praise regarding volunteer militia groups, discussing their historical significance and the involvement of George Washington and John Adams in implementing the militia system. Credits the volunteers for eliminating the need for a gigantic standing army. Commends the "Yeoman soldier, who never looked back but once, after putting his hand to the plough, & that was when he left it in the furrow, at the tidings of Lexington & Concord."

GLC00633.01

May 16, 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles H. Russell

The letter is regarding raising 14 regiments and reinforcing Ft. Monroe. Marked "Private."

GLC00635

April 18, 1881

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel J. Kirkwood

Garfield writes to Secretary of the Interior Kirkwood to introduce Dr. Mark Hopkins, of Williamstown, Massachusetts, who "has been appointed by a number of the churches to represent their Indian affairs." He asks that Hopkins be interviewed. He indicates that Hopkins also wants to introduce Kirkwood to "General Alden of Troy, N.Y." Written on White House Stationary.

GLC00637

19 October 1861

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Notice of suspension of habeas corpus in Boston to Justin Dimick].

Scott quotes an Abraham Lincoln document suspending the writ of habeas corpus, countersigned by William H. Seward. Scott empowers Brevet Colonel Dimick to do the same in Boston. Also signed by Assistant Adjutant General E.D. Townsend.

GLC00638

May 27, 1820

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter is concerning sending Journals of Constitutional Convention. Written at the Department of State.

GLC00639.03

March 3, 1837

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: To the Inhabitants of the 12th Congressional District of Massachusetts

Discusses the attempts to censure Adams' conduct through the "Gag Rule," the machinations of House Speaker Polk, and attempts to expel Adams.

GLC00639.05

June 26, 1809

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Dougherty

Complains about the mail taking a long time to arrive. Discusses sheep and gives advise on the amount of ewes and rams to purchase. Explains that he would like to assist him in purchasing the sheep but the heavy debt he incurred while president is crippling him. He must now pay it out of the his profits and will have to sell part of his estate. Reports that he has received his quilt from Mr. Carr. Mentions a ram that he will send for the last week of August and says that he will mate him in September, so the lamb will be born in February, as January is usually the severest month.

GLC00639.15

02 October 1801

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: Appointing Robert R. Livingston Minister to France

Countersigned by Madison as Secretary of State. Livingston was appointed to gain secured access to New Orleans, by purchase if necessary. However, Livingston exceeded his instructions by buying the Louisiana Territory.

GLC00639.17

March 29, 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

The letter discusses false reports of the Siege of Vicksburg. "I fear --in fact, I believe--the dispatch you mentioned is utter humbuggery...."

GLC00639.20

September 22, 1862

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Rosecrans

Wishes to move on Tupelo, destroy the railroad there, and also destroy all enemy boats on the Yazoo river. Says he may move to Columbus to improve his communications.

GLC00624