May 26, 1960

Reagan, Ronald, 1911-2004

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harold Ward

Quotes Barry Goldwater stating that the Herlong-Baker bill (concerning tax reform) can only be gotten out of committee through a letter-writing campaign. He rejects the idea of a third party of economic conservatives, saying that he joined the Republican party after being a life-long Democrat because, "we could...by our very numbers force the party to be the organ for Economic conservatism." Letter written on personal stationery.

GLC00782.17

November 13, 1915

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to William R. Castle

Writes to the assistant dean at Harvard (later founder of a professional consular service of the United States). Roosevelt encloses an article (not included) from the November 1915 Metropolitan magazine which had been vetted by James Brown Scott, an expert on international law. Roosevelt condemns isolationism, pacifism, Wilson's neutrality policies, and American indifference to Germany's August 1914 invasion of Belgium in violation of the Hague and Geneva Conventions. Includes interlinear editing and manuscript comments by Roosevelt. Letter written on Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York,…

GLC00782.19

March 31, 1950

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972

Typed letter signed

Title: to Dean Acheson

A personal letter to Acheson, then secretary of state. Responding to a letter of Acheson dated March 28, and enclosing a copy of his previous day's press conference. Mentions Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenberg and Henry Stimson as arguing from the same position on an issue as Acheson, and castigates Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy as a pathological liar and Nebraska Senator Kenneth Wherry as a blockheaded undertaker. Letter on White House stationery.

GLC00782.22

February 13, 1949

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peggy Fabian

He writes to a young lady with his "hope that you grow up a staunch American woman - and a lady." Letter written on personal stationary.

GLC00793

April 1, 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

In hand of Ely S. Parker, Seneca Indian Chief, who was Grant's Secretary, per Charles Hamilton. Letter reports of victory near Appomattox.

GLC00639.21

June 19, 1812

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to William Plumer

Circular letter notifying the governor of New Hampshire of the declaration of war made against Britain, officially beginning the War of 1812. Letter sent with copies of the act declaring war and a report of the Committee of Foreign Relations (not included). Signed as Secretary of State.

GLC00639.22

[ April 1789 ]

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph manuscript

Title: Inaugural address [leaf from 1st draft of discarded first inaugural = pp.36-37]

Concerning foreign relations, American trade, manufacture and defense. This was a first draft which Washington later discarded. The manuscript was disassembled by Jared Sparks and leaves or clippings were given away as samples of GW's handwriting. Sparks regarded the document as unimportant since Washington had not actually used this draft. See also GLC 1589 and 4443.01.

GLC00639.25

April 14, 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Washington writes that he had sent to General McLean (commanding at Niagara) communications of Sir Guy Carleton including the proclamation of the King for the cessation of hostilities and a "New York newspaper, containing articles of general pacification between all belligerent parties." In closing, Washington alludes to reports of problems at the Wyoming, PA settlement, which he hopes are "without foundation."

GLC00639.26

December 11, 1775

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to John Tayloe

Washington discusses the sale of the Mercer estate and the siege of Boston. He writes "I have no doubt that you... as well as others are wondering how it happens that two armies almost in stone's throw of each other should keep so long from action." He explains "that we cannot get to them and they do not choose to come to us...." With a postscript signed "G.W." Washington concludes by discussing the stalemate between British and American forces in Cambridge.

GLC00639.27

January 23, 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Pres. of the Convention of New Hampshire

Washington pleads for the troops allotted to the state of New Hampshire and argues that "nothing but their [i.e., British] ignorance of our number protects us." The second leaf is not conjugate.

GLC00639.28

August 18, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Marquis de Lotbiniere

A kind letter in which Washington thanks the Marquis for his friendly sentiments. New York's ratification of the Constitution had been uncertain. Docketed on verso of second leaf. Lotbiniere's letter is in Library of Congress's Washington Papers. Noted but not published in Fitzpatrick 30:56n.

GLC00639.29

March 12, 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

With Clinton's docket and note in another hand on page 2. Washington says that the "army has been pretty well supplied" since previously asking for supplies. The letter also answers complaints about Israel Putnam's command on the Hudson River. Washington says the charges, which he has had from other persons, embarrassed him because they arose from "want of judgement [rather] then any real intention to do wrong."

GLC00639.30

April 5, 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Wharton, Jr.

George Washington forwards a letter from Mrs. Mary Pemberton to Wharton, President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Pemberton had requested a passport for wagons with supplies for her husband, Israel Pemberton, and other Philadelphia Quakers exiled to Virginia. Suggests indulging her request.

GLC00639.31

March 8, 1789

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abigail Wolcott Ellsworth

Ellsworth, a Senator from Connecticut, reports to his wife, who he calls "Nabby," concerning the first Presidential election. States that "the Votes for the President-& Vice-President are not yet opened, but there is no doubt of-General Washington's being chosen to the first office & Mr. John Adams of Boston to the latter." States that a public building was erected and finished for the new national leaders.

GLC00641

December 12, 1823

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas I. Wharton

Discusses his recent election to Speaker of the House, alludes to its possible effect on his presidential run in the election of 1824, and explains that his political opponents desire to form a caucus. Also notes his improving health. Remarks on foreign affairs, particularly "the affairs of Spanish America," which had resulted in the declaration of the Monroe Doctrine ten days earlier. Clay argues: "Physically we can not, morally we may interfere in the affairs of Europe; and the great sheam [sic] of moral power would not be small nor unfelt."

GLC00645

July 10, 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George A. Washington

In the letter, George Washington discusses Pennsylvania troops mutiny and Treaty of Paris. Docketed on page 4 by his nephew. Also mentions Congress moving to New Jersey. The letter is in very poor condition from severe mold damage (inactive).

GLC00652

October 27, 1851

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

John Tyler writes to his son, Robert Tyler. He discusses the defeat of Judge Campbell, who had been rejected because he was a Roman Catholic: "to make a man's religious opinions the test for office is to break down the fairest and most beautiful pillar of the Constitution." He believes the Presidential election remains an open contest, and that his support of the tariff of 1842 would be a suitable point on which Robert Tyler might speak. He believes that Millard Fillmore is likely to obtain the Whig nomination. John Tyler was President of the United States from 1841 to 1845.

GLC00639.24

October 29, 1788

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Trist

One letter addressed to Eliza Trist from James Madison dated New York, October 29. Discusses his travel plans and health. Also mentions a man named John, whom Madison arranged to be placed in the Almhouse (center for the homeless). Mentions Edmund Randolph, William Grayson, and Thomas Jefferson. Trist was the daughter of a woman who ran a Philadelphia boarding house where Madison and Jefferson frequently stayed. Signed "Js. Madison Jr."

GLC00647

5 March 1928

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Typed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Oscar George Foellinger as Hoover's agent and attorney in Indiana]

Witnessed by "B.J. Nash" and "George Akerm." Foellinger was to help Hoover enter the Indiana primary for the Presidential election of 1928. Atypically signs his full name, "Herbert Clark Hoover."

GLC00728

1868

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph signed

Title: Managers of the House of Representatives of the impeachment of Andrew Johnson

A composite picture by Brady with signatures of Benjamin F. Butler, James F. Wilson, Thaddeus Stevens, George S. Boutwell, Thomas Williams, John A. Logan and John Armour Bingham. These men were elected by the House to serve as managers of the impeachment proceedings against President Johnson in 1868. See smaller version of image accompanying manuscript document, GLC05274.

GLC00734

05 June 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of Edward Stevenson who had been convicted in Massachusetts in May 1858 of counterfeiting].

Edward Stevenson was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln because he had served out his sentence, but was unable to pay his fine he remained incarcerated. Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC00741

25 November 1935

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Miguel Lujan (c/s Homer S. Cummings [AG])

Pardon restoring civil rights. Pleaded guilty to importing sotol; pardoned since he was unable to pay the fine.

GLC00743

January 13, 1818

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Patrick Neady for an unspecified felony]

Countersigned by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams. Neady had been convicted in Washington in December 1817. Pardoned after the jury and the judge in the case recommended mercy.

GLC00744

February 20, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Griffith

George Washington discusses his uncertainty as to whether he is fit to be the school's Chancellor. Also mentions Presidency of William and Mary College.

GLC00745

December 4, 1805

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

John Adams writes concerning his and George Washington's administrations by referring to those "melancholly books" such as "Tully's Memoirs" and "Cicero's Life" from which he compares the first and second triumvirates to Hamilton's "Schemes, to get rid of Washington, Adams, Jay and Jefferson, and monopolise all power to him Self."

GLC00747