1864

Serz, John, 1808-1881

Engraving

Title: Abraham Lincoln President of the United States signing the Emancipation Proclamation

Black and white engraving showing Lincoln seated at a table with the Holy Bible, facing forward with a handwritten copy of the Emancipation Proclamation in his left hand. Engraved by John Serz after a painting by W. E. Winner. Published by John Dainty in Philadelphia. Marked as a "Proof".

GLC03531

1865

Botticher, Otto, 1811-1866

Print

Title: Sherman at Savannah, Ga.

Lithograph of original painting by Lieutenant Colonel Otto Botticher. Published by John C. Buttre at No. 48 Franklin Street in New York. Printed by the Major & Knapp, Eng. Mfg & Lith. Co. at 449 Broadway in New York. Depicts line of Union officers on horseback reviewing a straight line of Federal troops on the right with Savannah in the background. The officers are all on the same plane. From left to right they are: Brigadier General Jordan, Brevet Colonel L.G. Estes, Major General Judson Kilpatrick, Major General Joseph A. Mower, Major General Peter J. Osterhaus, Major General Frank…

GLC03532

8 January 1822

Story, Joseph, 1779-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Williams

Declines to write a recommendation to President James Monroe because of a disagreement. He writes, "... at present I am in very ill humour with the President for refusing an office to a Brother of mine (the only one of profit I ever asked for any one of the family)." States that he will not write to the President or any of his department heads until he receives an explanation.

GLC03545.11

10 December 1866

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lionel A. Sheldon

Garfield, then a U.S. congressman from Ohio, discusses reconstruction and the refusal of the southern states to ratify the 14th amendment, which had been drafted to combat opposition to federal policies towards freedpeople. He writes, "It is a great pity that the southern states do not adopt the Constitutional amendment." States that if they would adopt it, reconstruction could be completed before the end of winter. Remarks that stronger measures are needed against the south if they do not adopt it, "Even to the extent of declaring the southern states reduced to territories and organizing…

GLC03605

10 March 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Joseph Jones Reynolds as major general of volunteers]

This document approves the appointment of Joseph Jones Reynolds to Major General of Volunteers by Abraham Lincoln and President. Edwin Stanton countersigns as Secretary of War. Decorated by engravings at the top and bottom of the document which were done by J.V.N. and C.H. Throop. Accompanied by a blue paper seal. Docketed the same date.

GLC03614

2 April 1917

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Broadside signed

Title: A message calling for war with the imperial German government in defense of American rights

Subtitled "Delivered by President Woodrow Wilson to the Congress of the United States of America on Monday, April the Second, in the year nineteen hundred seventeen."

GLC03621

2 April 1796

Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Bayard

Boudinot, director of the United States Mint, transmits Bills of Exchange (not included) to London to pay Bayard for copper imported to the United States. Reports that President George Washington refused to submit papers regarding negotiations with Great Britain to the House of Representatives (possibly referring to John Jay's Treaty). Refers to a recent speech praising Washington delivered by a Mr. Erskin (possibly Thomas Erskine) in London. Forwards a portrait of Washington (not included) for Erskin. Discusses family matters at length. Reports that "the British carrying the War so…

GLC03627

15 April 1873

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

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Joseph Woodyard, convicted of failing to cancel revenue stamps on empty spirit-casks.

(c/s Hamilton Fish)

GLC03634

May 14, 1780

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Hamilton, serving as General George Washington's aide, asks Duane, a member of the Continental Congress, to help expedite a congressional action supplying Washington's army in anticipation of the arrival of a French fleet in June, 1780. Indicates that Washington will gladly consult with the Committee, but the Committee's powers should be framed so that such consultations will be infrequent and the military operations "trusted to as few as possible." Also notes the whims of Lafayette, who "wishes Congress to pass some resolution of thanks" for the captain of the frigate which carried him to…

GLC03636

28 May 1801

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Eppes

Writes to his daughter about her health, his desire for Maria's presence in capital, and planning for her to visit. Waterstaining slightly obscures the text.

GLC03641

[ 10 December 1807 ]

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph manuscript

Title: to NJ Legislature re: domestic & foreign affairs, gratitude [incomplete]

Dating from Bergh, Collected Writings of TJ, v. 16: 294-96. The last two paragraphs are lacking from this document. Discusses the Embargo Act (obliquely).

GLC03642

January 22, 1809

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph document signed

Title: [Order to Militia officers to enforce the Embargo Act]

Indicates that a ship near Maryland and Virginia intends to violate the Embargo Act and orders it seized. The order was issued at the instigation of Charles Simms, a collector of customs in Virginia.

GLC03643

1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Book signed

Title: Message from the President...communicating discoveries made...by...Lewis & Clark

GLC03644

09 August 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: to Edward Canby re: orders to allow exportation of Texas cotton

GLC03649

10 October 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Levi Underwood

Convicted of larceny and sentenced to one year in prison. Justice associates suggested Executive clemency, and recommended a pardon. Levi was granted a full and unconditional pardon by Lincoln (c/s Seward)

GLC03650

January 14, 1818

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Henry F. Doyhar for keeping a billiard table without a license].

Countersigned by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams. Fined $150. Pardoned because of his misunderstanding of the licensing requirements and his indigent circumstances.

GLC03655

January 21, 1860

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McNeil re: foreseeing civil war

Written while on vacation. Argues that Civil War is inevitable unless the Democrats regain control of the government

GLC03660

20 March 1879

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Michael Cramer re: his round-the-world trip

GLC03595

1861-1864

Lyman Family

Header Record

Title: [Lyman family letters] [Decimalized .01- .32]

The three Lyman brothers came from Delaware, Ohio. They enlisted in the 18th U.S. Infantry Regiment and served in the Army of the Cumberland in Tennessee and Mississippi. The collection also includes letters from Sergeant Nelson Pierce, a friend from Delaware, Ohio, who died on 1 January 1863 from wounds sustained in the Battle of Stone River; Fred Bundy who was probably another neighbor; and George Ellis, whose relationship with the Lymans is not known. Ellis served in the Union Navy and saw action at Corinth, Mississippi, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. Letters also describe the…

GLC03606

1839-1875

Reynolds, Joseph, fl. 1839-1875

Header Record

Title: [Collateral collection of 18 items containing mostly printed general orders detailing other commissions and appointments of General Reynolds.] [decimalized]

Includes official notifaction of Joseph J. Reynolds commission to major general of volunteers, dated November 29, 1862, signed by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. The only letter in the collection (#16) describes various improvements to the city of San Antonio. GLC 3614 is the official commission of Joseph J. Reynolds, signed by Abraham Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, to the rank of Major General. This collateral collection contains mostly printed general orders detailing other commissions and appointments of General Reynolds. Reynolds, a West Point…

GLC03614.02

21 August 1818

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Tudor

Adams argues repeatedly from James Otis's work concerning Parliament's attempt to exercise control of the American colonies. He concludes with the statement "[t]hat Parliment had not Authority over America in any case Whatever."

GLC03625

31 August 1815

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eustis re: treaty of Ghent, Napoleonic wars, and threat of Barbery

Discusses the Treaty of Ghent, Napoleonic Wars, threat of Barbary pirates, and the new Netherlands consititution. Re: the Napoleonic Wars, Adams writes: "France is a conquest, and as a conquest will be treated."

GLC03626

1 April 1851

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Chase writes to an unknown recipient, apparently the editor of a weekly Ohio newspaper, the "Democratic Standard." Chase remarks that the recipient excerpted his letters for publication in the paper, and suggests several edits, including reducing his name to "S. Chase," noting "I never liked Salmon as a name for a human." Compliments the recipient's recent article on the next Whig candidate for president. Argues that the next nomination for the presidency must be made by a compromise between William H. Seward in the Senate and Badger, Dawson, Bell, and others from the South (possibly…

GLC03629

22 September 1839

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to McKinstry Griffith

Writing as a cadet at West Point, Grant offers self-consciously romantic comments to his cousin about the Hudson Highlands. He also complains about "a few of the drawbacks," such as insufficient blankets and money, difficult lessons, the lack of familiar faces or women, tight clothing, and eight demerits he received that very day for missing church. Earliest known Grant letter.

GLC03632

5 July 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Birdseye McPherson

Written near Vicksburg, Mississippi at Headquarters of the Department of the Tennessee. Grant, Commander of the Army and Department of the Tennessee, writes to General McPherson, commanding the 17th Corps one day after Vicksburg was seized by the Union. Writes "When families of Officers or Citizens wish to leave the City, either with or after the Confederate Army leaves, and have private carriages of their own they may be permitted to do so..." Directs McPherson to instruct his quartermaster to deliver a horse to Colonel Dockery, because the Colonel's horse was one captured from Champion…

GLC03633