February 5, 1841

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Stuart

Letter is written in blue ink. Discussing Illinois and Sangamon county politics, Lincoln says he and some others would like Bat Web (Edwin B. Webb) as District Attorney. He concludes by alluding to the "locos" (Democrats) in the upcoming congressional elections.

GLC01210

1835

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Book signed

Title: Oration on the Life and Character of Gilbert Motier De Lafayette

Title page continues: "Delivered at the request of both Houses of the Congress of the United States, before them, in the House of Representatives at Washington, on the 31st December, 1834." Published by Gales and Seaton. Signed by Adams and inscribed to Gayton P. Osgood. Cover is contemporary ribbed red morocco.

GLC01238

October 28, 1775

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ellen Lothrop

Letter written by Warren, the well known Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary writer, to her friend Lothrop. Says she will leave politics for others to discuss and that she only has warm feelings for the circle of friends in Fairfield (where Lothrop is). Fears she will spend a very lonely winter, but would not want her husband back if would hurt the American cause. Year inferred from contents. Mrs. Warren is confident she will avoid bloodshed in her area and expects Providential intervention "to save the injured distressed Americans." Says the bearer of this letter will relate the news that…

GLC01189.01

May 19, 1826

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles F. Mercer

Acknowledges the letter from Mercer by Mr. Hawkins. States he is satisfied with the work of the Committee of Claims in the House of Representatives on his refund requests from his time overseas. Discusses possible publication of the documents pertaining to his claims. In the postscript he qualifies his desperate financial state: "In fact I have been plac'd in a situation, fraught with so many difficulties & delicacies, that I have not known how to act in it." Recipient inferred from handwriting of docket, which is the same as a docket on GLC01134, a letter from Monroe to Mercer. Letter…

GLC01192

February 1, 1777

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Hancock sends resolutions by the Continental Congress (not included) relating to measures to suppress a Tory insurrection in Somerset and Worcester counties in Maryland. He orders General Smallwood to stand ready to execute the forthcoming orders. Letter signed by Hancock as President of the Continental Congress.

GLC01205.01

February 25, 1777

Peters, Richard, 1744-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Letter written by Peters as secretary to the Continental Board of War to Brigadier General Smallwood. Says that he is sending a circular letter written by the Board with an enclosed resolve from Congress (the resolve is not included, but the circular letter is on verso). He requests his assistance as the matter is pressing. Says letters have been sent to Colonels Gist and Richardson as a matter of course and are not meant to countermand any orders he may have given them in regard to the Tory expedition. Congress wants to keep its previous promise to assist Maryland with the insurgents, but…

GLC01205.03

May 14, 1871

Stephens, Alexander Hamilton, 1812-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Haldeman

Discusses an upcoming Pennsylvania Democratic Convention with Haldeman, a United States Representative from Harrisburg. Expresses concern regarding issues which might be addressed at the Convention, stating "Is not the most present and absorbing question ever submitted to the people any where whether ours is a Gov't of Laws or bayonetts ... the Democracy then must array itself against Usurpation -- against Centralism -- against Despotism in any shape and form ..."

GLC01219

January 31, 1865

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Photograph

Title: Anti-Slavery Constitutional Amendment Picture

One photograph montage dated January 31, 1865 entitled, "Anti-Slavery Constitutional Amendment Picture." Reverse side contains a key for each senator photographed. Those photographed had voted to prohibit slavery. (see another copy in the Powell collection GLC00687, and in GLC07033; Powell designed the photograph.)

GLC01230

May 22, 1866

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses Mercur

Cameron responds to a letter from Mercur, a United States Representative from Pennsylvania. He denies recommending W. Clark for political appointment. Referring to the debate regarding reconstruction between Congress and President Andrew Johnson, he states "the contest now, between congress & the President in my mind, is very far above all personal considerations. Congress must be sustained or the rebels, who have been murdering our kindred will control and destroy the Government."

GLC01232

December 6, 1927

Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933

Pamphlet signed

Title: Message of the President... to the two Houses of Congress...

State of the Union address, signed by Coolidge at the conclusion.

GLC01132

January 21, 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Trumbull

Written by Washington as commander of the American army around Boston to Trumbull as Governor of Connecticut. Trumbull was the only colonial governor to join the patriot cause. References his hasty dispatch of January 19, 1776. Says he forgot to inform Trumbull that he will give troops heading north to Canada a month's pay in advance, on behalf of Congress. Trumbull had previously offered to send a regiment of Connecticut troops to Canada and Washington suggests they also be advanced a month's pay, to help them make the arduous journey, provide for families being left behind, and to avoid…

GLC01138

28 August 1789

J. Dunlap and D.C. Claypoole, 1784-1790

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania packet, and daily advertiser. [No. 3300 (August 28, 1789)]

Prints seventeen proposed amendments to the Constitution. Reports on activities in the House of Representatives and news from around the country and Europe. Contains many advertisements.

GLC01129

May 22, 1826

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles F. Mercer

Letter to Mercer, a Virginia Congressman. Acknowledges Mercer's letter from May 20, 1826. Monroe was seeking a refund of his expenses in France during the Louisiana Purchase negotiations over 20 years before. States that he understands Mercer did not send documents to the House of Representatives because it would not be proper for them to be published at this time. He hopes to get copies of the documents for his own files and presumes Samuel Ingham, a Pennsylvania Congressman and chairman of the select committee of the Committee of Claims considering Monroe's request, probably has them.…

GLC01134

April 19, 1777

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel and Robert Purviance

Morris, chairman of a Congressional secret committee, acknowledges receipt of correspondence from the Purviance brothers, merchants in Baltimore, Maryland. Transmits inventories (not included) of two prize vessels, discusses a recent purchase of flour (possibly for military use) conducted by the Purviances, and relates that the committee will not purchase the prize vessels. Refers the Purviances' previous request regarding military clothing to James Mease, appointed in 1776 as clothier general. Referring to Captain James Nicholson, in command of the ship Virginia, states "It would give us…

GLC01135

July 17, 1787

Jones, John Paul, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jean Crevecoeur

Jones, noted for his leadership in both the American and Russian navies, encloses a separate letter (not included) for Crevecoeur, French consul in New York. Relates that he recently returned to New York from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the company of General St. Claire (possibly Arthur St. Claire, Governor of the Northwest Territory). States that he repaid a loan from Crevecoeur through Mrs. Ellsworth, and transmits a letter (not included) from Mrs. Ellsworth to Crevecoeur. States "I have the pleasure to make you my compliments on your being nominated (at my request) by the President to…

GLC01145

19 April 1784

United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles

Document signed

Title: Report on lagging attendence at Congress, recommendations

Recommends that the state appoint more representatives to Congress.

GLC01153

20 July 1865

Ordway, K.G., fl. 1855-1865

Object

Title: [Congressional mourning ribbon]

Black ribbon with gold trim and fringes. There is a white rosette sewn on to the top with a gold sequence star and two sequence stars on the black part of the ribbon directle below the rosette. The entire ribbon is covered in black transparent silk. Originally accompanied by a letter from K.G. Ordway, the ribbon's designer and an inauguration day admission card for March 4 1865.

GLC01423.01

14 August 1777

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Samuel Nicholson as Commander of Frigate Deane]

Signed by Hancock as President of the Countersigned by Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress.

GLC01450.001

December 24, 1779

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Wheelwright as Commander of the privateer ship The Neptune]

Countersigned by Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, and John Avery.

GLC01450.002

4 March 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: Inaugural address of the President of the United States, on the Fourth of March, 1861.

Lincoln focuses on increasing his support in the North while attempting to not further alienate the South. He references four important documents: Henry Clay's 1850 Speech on compromise, Webster's reply to Hayne, Andrew Jackson's proclamation against nullification, and the U.S. Constitution. Marked Senate executive document No. 1, special session. Disbound but boxed.

GLC01264

19 March 1777

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Promotion of George Clark to Second Lieutenant of a Company of foot in the seventh Pennsylvania regiment].

Countersigned by Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson. Official document promoting Clark. Partially printed, with blanks filled in by hand. Hancock signed as President of the Continental Congress.

GLC01253

1860

Follett, Foster and Company, fl. 1860

Book signed

Title: Political debates between the Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas

One book entitled, "Political debates between the Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas" dated 1860. Item is a printing of the speeches between Abraham Lincoln and Stepehen Douglas from June 1858 to October 1858. Speech topics covered were slavery; states rights; abolition; and the intentions of the forefathers on who they viewed as equal in the Constitution. Inscribed in pencil by Lincoln to "Hon. S.H.Treat."

GLC01301

January 11, 1881

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fitz-John Porter

Johnston, at the time of this letter was a representative from Virginia, refuses to contribute to a memorial for George Armstrong Custer. Letter written on Congressional stationery.

GLC01359

1802

United States. Congress (7th, 1st session : 1801-1802)

Book

Title: Acts passed at the first session of the seventh Congress...

Blue boards (as issued?) with extensive doodles and inscriptions made by the clerks of Orange County, NY

GLC01360

January 18, 1866

Wade, B.F., 1800-1878

Manuscript signed

Title: [Extract from a speech regarding Wade's opposition to President Andrew Johnson's reconstruction policies]

Wade elaborates on his unwavering political stance, especially supporting the patriotism and loyal of black Americans who served gallantly in the Civil War. States: "Now Sir I say to President Johnson, to the Democratic party, and to the people of the United States, that I will never yield the controversy -- until all men in America shall stand upon an equal footing -- equal before the law in every respect ... I was one of those who was an early advocate of bringing those colored people into your army invoking their aid to put down the rebellion ... Would I lend my voice and vote to induce…

GLC01407