February 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to state governors

Circular letter urging state governments to maintain strong militias in accordance with the militia system adopted by Congress through an act in 1792 (GLC01959). He comments that having the nation armed is especially important because rights "most essential to our welfare have been violated, and an infraction of treaty committed," referring to French maritime infractions. The letter is accompanied by a pamphlet concerning the militia system (GLC04626.02).

GLC04626.01

January 18, 1848

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred O. Nicholson

Supports Lewis Cass' concept of popular sovereignty, enabling each new state to vote whether or not to allow slavery, believing that this is the best way to extend and protect slavery. "It seems to me for the south to admit that the federal Government has the power to establish slavery where it does not now, exist, (that is in the territories) is conceding all that the most ultr & Wilmot proviso man desires - for if the Government can establish, in slave territory now free, it can abollish it in a territory where it does exist...Our true position in my opinion, is, to deny all power to…

GLC04628

December 21, 1848-3 January 1849

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph document signed

Title: [Copy of bank correspondence as Comptroller]

Retained copy of bank correspondence written to various correspondents from the Comptroller's office.

GLC04579

14 August 1936

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

Typed document signed

Title: Address of the President at Chautauqua, N.Y.

Speech focuses on peace, America as a good neighbor to other nations, and preventing war internationally. Discusses the causes that produce war such as fanaticism, racial hatreds, and religious intolerance. Finishes with, "We believe in democracy; we believe in freedom; we believe in peace. We offer to every nation of the world the handclasp of the good neighbor. Let those who wish our friendship look us in the eye and take our hand." Same speech as GLC05193.

GLC04599

13 April 1936

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

Typed document signed

Title: [Address of the President to the Young Democratic Club of Maryland]

Discusses the challenges facing young men and women at the bottom of the Great Depression. Gives some solutions to improving unemployment problems such as finding ways to keep children in school longer and curtailing working hours. Urges the young adults to consider the future of the country. "There cannot be too many Americans thinking about the future of America. Our country richly endowed in body, mind and spirit still has need of many things. But I am certain that one of its chief needs today is the releasing and the enlistment of the spirit of youth." Press release of the speech,…

GLC04600

2 January 1794

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ross

Asks Ross for a loan of $450. Written the day after Jefferson resigned as Secretary of State. The loan may have been used to help pay off some of the debts Jefferson incurred while secretary or to help with a major building project he began at Monticello in the spring of 1794. Docketed by Ross, indicating that the money had been loaned in cash.

GLC04615

24 June 1805

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodorus Bailey

Secretary of State Madison discusses the arrangement to furnish American ministers abroad with newspapers and the problems with them not being received. Bailey was the postmaster of the city of New York.

GLC04890

22 August 1828

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

Comments on "An Act for the relief of surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," Secretary of Treasury Rush's health, and the difficulty of his position. Anticipates Rush's resignation and thanks him for his service. Also discusses a classical essay by Rush's son, commenting on ancient Rome and the superiority of the statesman over the warrior. Docketed by Rush.

GLC04899

12 August 1826

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Printed document signed

Title: [Ohio land grant to Robert Parks of Harrison County, Ohio]

Partially printed document granting Robert Parks seventy nine acres in Steubenville, Ohio. Signed by John Quincy Adams as President and countersigned by George W. Graham as Commissioner of the General Land Office. Certificate No. 1251. Recorded in Vol. 3, p. 207. Features remnants of a paper and wax seal.

GLC04900.03

4 December 1839

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Solomon G. Haven

Discusses a debate at the opening of the 26th Congress. When New Jersey's representative seats were contested and the House was unable to count a full quorum to make necessary organizational decisions, issues such as states' rights and nullification entered a premature dialogue in the House of Representatives. He begins with the comment, "Here we are yet debating an impalpable abstraction." A member from Georgia, Cooper, "is now enlightening us on the sovereignty of the states, alias nullification." Fillmore compares the beginning of the 26th Congress, to the birth of a baby. He calls…

GLC04906

9 March 1841

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of James P. Smith].

Smith, convicted of larceny, was pardoned under the recommendation of judge and jury due to his youth and good character.

GLC04911

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 April 1821

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Benton

Written by Monroe as President to Benton as the overseer of his properties in Loudoun County, Virginia. Says he has written to Harrison in Alexandria, Virginia and will have 20 barrels of herring and five of shad sent. If instructions need to change, he tells Benton to send the letter to him first and he will forward it to Harrison. Because of the prospect of war with Naples in Europe, Monroe discusses speculating in flour. Says price will likely rise and says he wants to hold it back from the market. Asks Benton to handle this because if he became involved it might get into the newspapers…

GLC04926

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

1786

Jeffries, John, fl. 1790

Book signed

Title: A Narrative of the Two Aerial Voyages of Doctor Jeffries... (George Washington's copy)

"A narrative of the two aerial voyages of Doctor Jeffries with Mons. Blanchard; with meterological observations and remarks...." Printed for the author. Small folio format, signed on the titlepage by George Washington. Handsome tree-calf binding. With handsome frontispiece engraving of Jeffries. Jeffries had been a Loyalist who went to England where he pursued research on air, its properties and balloons. After this flight, he went to Paris, dined with Franklin and met John Paul Jones. He returned to Boston in 1790. In 1794, Blanchard came to America and in Philadelphia, with…

GLC04936

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

December 9, 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln re: reprimanding Col. Gibson (Yorktown, British POW)

The document is overall stained, especially on verso. Written to Sec. of War Benjamin Lincoln. Reprimanding Col. Gibson for allowing a British officer, Dr. Thomas Shield, to leave Yorktown. Shield was surgeon of the 87th Regiment, British Army.

GLC04942

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

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

18 April 1801

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Pitcairn

Discusses their correspondence, personal matters, and politics. Mentions the "Silesian letters" and comments on the cession of Louisiana to Florida. Pitcairn was stationed at Hamburg. Sealed with black mourning wax.

GLC04900.01

16 December 1815

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph Pitcairn

Written in the hand of Louisa Catherine Adams, requests that Pitcairn purchase and send Adams a copy of Johann Bode's "Uranographia," which contains "the most complete exposition of the starry Heavens, that has ever been exhibited." Mentions writing to Secretary of State James Monroe to obtain an appointment for Mr. Mowbray as Consul of the United States at Leith. Pitcairn was the U.S. consul in Hamburg. .

GLC04900.02

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