September 17, 1790

Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron von, 1730-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William North

Written by von Steuben as a retired Revolution officer to William North as a gentleman farmer in upstate New York. North was von Steuben's aide-de-camp during the Revolution. Translation is in the collateral file. Apologizes for tardy response. Discusses his memoirs that he presented to Congress. Says his friends think they will be very popular, but he is skeptical because of the misfortune that has befallen him since the Revolution. Recipient noted in letter. Note in collateral file says the letter is from 1790.

GLC00496.086

25 September 1776

United States. Continental Congress.

Manuscript document signed

Title: Certified extract of the minutes of Congress re: committee to buy blankets

Appointing a committee to buy blankets &c for troops. Names of members at end

GLC00496.090

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

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

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

July 21, 1787

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Huntington

Serving as Secretary of the United States Congress, Thomson sends a copy of a recently ratified treaty (not included) between the United States and Morocco to Samuel Huntington, the Governor of Connecticut. Requests that Huntington inform the Connecticut citizens of the treaty.

GLC00630

March 4, 1809

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

In his letter, Adams discusses Madison taking office, politics, and national divisions.

GLC00639.01

June 4, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Letter signed

Title: to the Convention of Maryland

Written by Hancock as President of the Continental Congress. Begins by saying "Our affairs are hastening fast to a Crisis; and the approaching Campaign will in all Probability, determine for ever the Fate of America." Says the King and Parliament has left no measure unemployed to accomplish their destruction. Says they are blockading the coast and about to pour in foreign troops. Says the affairs in Canada have "a melancholy Aspect" to them. Says it is likely the colonies will have to deal with Canada and the northern Indians as well as Great Britain. Sends resolves of Congress (not included…

GLC00639.12

November 9, 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Remsen, Jr.

Jefferson writes after a Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia had scattered the functions of the federal government through the countryside, and questions whether Congress could gather after voting to re-convene in Philadelphia. Question of seat of government. He looks forward to retirement as farmer and briefly discusses a threshing machine. The letter is docketed.

GLC00639.16

21 July 1861

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document signed

Title: [Authorization for Senator John Sherman to visit General McDowell's headquarters]

Winfield Scott authorizes Ohio Senator John Sherman to visit the headquarters of General Irvin McDowell during the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas). Also authorized and signed by Edward Davis Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General.

GLC00593

December 24, 1806

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses the plans and legislative process related to the construction of the Cumberland Road, from Maryland to Ohio. Fearing that his correspondent's state legislature may be out of session before approving the project, Jefferson sends a partial report from the commissioners of the National Road and the related act of Congress (neither included). Asks that the matter be put before the state legislature for approval in order to avoid a delay in construction. Probably addressed to a governor, possibly Pennsylvania Governor Thomas McKean (Pennsylvania lobbied for a different route than the one…

GLC00594

December 26, 1866

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James W. Wall

In the letter, James Buchanan is attacking Radical Republicans, whom he sees as self-destructive. Also discusses strengthening the Democrats in New Jersey, and Johnson's failed veto on the Civil Rights Act.

GLC00576

April 24, 1790

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Benjamin Rush sends James Madison a pamphlet and requests that he protect against it being published in a newspaper. He notes that he will send copies of the pamphlet to Thomas Jefferson in the upcoming week. Also sends a sermon by Richard Price. Describes the sermon as "pregnant with noble sentiments" and credits it with inspiring the idea of "your [Madison's] house addressing the national assembly & king of France" concerning the French Revolution. Discusses that he hoped for effects of such an address. Concludes: "The United States kindled the flame of liberty in Europe. It is highly…

GLC00580

July 6, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Cooper

Enclosing the Declaration of Independence, with personal notes to his friend and description of sabotage of a captured American ship. Cooper was town clerk of Boston. Also, discusses military matters.

GLC00595

October 14, 1784

Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, 1730-1794

Letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Written by von Steuben in retirement after resigning his commission in March 1784 to Hancock as Governor of Massachusetts. Says he is writing to secure his prospects for a satisfactory retirement. Says he is waiting to hear if the United States government will provide him with monetary support for his service during the Revolution. Says he is tired of the "bussle of ambition" and hopes for rest, but wants to remain in America as a citizen. If he is not made a citizen he will have to return to Europe. Lists his merits, even though he says it is "an undelicate task." Says "It is the practice…

GLC00598

December 8, 1812

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Benjamin Rush

"The history of the hobby horse" -page 4 (Adams's humorous name for the story he tells in this letter). Free frank on page 4. The letter also discusses the dream of American glory and early history.

GLC00599

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph signed

Title: Cartes de visite (signed): portraits of Congressmen by Gardner

1=J. W. Patterson (Rep.-NH), 2=George Readroos (Rep.-DE), 3=A. H. Ceragin (Rep.), 4=Henry Lane (Sen.-Ind.), 5=William Stewart (Rep.-NE), 6=William B. Allison (Sen.), 7= E. H. Rollins (Sen.-NH)

GLC00558

October 5, 1866

Foster, Lafayette Sabine, 1806-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Wakeman

Foster, a U.S. senator from Connecticut, discusses his views on reconstruction with Wakeman, a lawyer. Foster says that he would restrict the right to vote to those with "capacity and virtue," but that it would be "arbitrary, unjust, and tyrannical to make any discriminations…on account of color…" He writes extensively about the rights, especially voting rights, of the "negro," and he states "There is no more sense in talking of a man's natural right to vote, than there is in talking of his natural right to be the Chief Justice, or the President of the United States…It is dangerous to commit…

GLC00544

December 9, 1861

Van Valkenburgh, David H., ?-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

Written at Camp Barry near Washington D.C. References his father's earlier letter. Says he has not written often because he knows the letters he writes to his wife are read by everyone. He is glad to hear that his father might visit Washington. He wishes he could have seen some of the reviews, but says he will see some if he comes as 100,000 troops are to winter in the vicinity of Washington. Says he has "seen McClellan he is a noble looking man but seems young for the responsibilities that rest upon his shoulders, but they all think him competent to fill the place." Says the city has…

GLC00686.06

August 3, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Robert B., 1821-1888

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Signed "Robt" by Congressman Robert Van Valkenburgh. Writes to his mother to tell her he has just returned to Washington after a trip to Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, and then to Elmira, Albany, and New York. Says his health is better than it has been in two years. When he was in Bath, New York, he sold his house and lot to Julia and Mary [Ramsey] and the rest of his real estate to other parties. Hopes to know what he will do in a couple of weeks. Also included is a note to his mother from brother Frank, which is all about family or friends. A note in what appears to be a third hand is…

GLC00686.23

January 13, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit writes to his mother as a prisoner of war in Ohio. He says it has been a long time since he heard from her and that he has wanted to write to her earlier, but was travelling around so much he was unable to tell her where to reply until now. He reports that he arrived at Johnson's Island after stints as a prisoner in Kansas and Camp [Merlow]. He explains that his current situation is better: "Here we are as well treated as could be expected - have good fare - comfortable bunks & as much exercise as we desire." He has met a number of New York men in the prison as well as some…

GLC00686.13

circa 1860-1870

Van Valkenburgh, Robert B., 1821-1888

Sculpture

Title: [Plaster bust of Robert Bruce Van Valkenburgh]

Lifesize gilded plaster bust of Robert with a few areas of gilt loss.

GLC00686.37

1858-1909

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Header Record

Title: Papers of George May Powell [decimalized]

The George May Powell collection contains personal and family correspondence. Also included are business papers relating to his Thirteenth Amendment anti-slavery photograph, his inventions, and his publications; a diary, letters, and essays regarding his post-war travel, and religious and pacifist correspondence and essays. The collection is divided into the following series: 1) correspondence with Emma C. Small, 1860-1868; 2) George May Powell Company business records (13th Amendment photo); 3) Post-war expedition to Egypt and Palestine diary, records, and maps; 4) American Christian…

GLC00687

01 March 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: An act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes

Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. With an unusual free frank for the printer, Childs and Swain of New York.

GLC00696