April 18, 1790

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Benjamin Rush

The letter discusses corruption and Adam's unhappiness as Vice President. He is very affectionate towards Rush. Also discusses beliefs on government and other reflections.

GLC00704

March 17, 1864

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John M. Forbes

James A. Garfield writes to Forbes after he visited and made a speech in Boston. He thanks him for his support. In lieu of an apparently requested copy of the speech he made (for which Garfield states he made no notes), he sends a similar speech (not included) on the confiscation of rebel property. He mentions that "The edition of 30,000 is almost exhausted" and suggests revising it for "publication by the society to which you referred." Letter written on stationery of the House of Representatives. Prior to his election, Garfield had served as an officer in the Union Army.

GLC00655.14

July 21, 1890

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Gilder

Theodore Roosevelt discusses the publication of the enclosed editorial (not included) on Civil Service and the good work several Congressmen have done.

GLC00655.17

November 16, 1865

Spinner, Francis Elias, 1802-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moses Fowler Odell

Francis Elias Spinner, United States Treasurer, responds to a telegraph and a letter from Odell, a former United States Representative from New York. He laments the suicide of Preston King, stating: "While his heart was overflowing with human kindness toward all men, he was rigidly just. No consideration of comfort or interest to himself or the warmest friendship for others, could for a moment sway him from the pursuit if what he believed to be right." Letter written on Treasury Department stationery. Docketed on the upper right corner of the last page.

GLC00669

18 April 1776

Hart, John, 1708-1780

Document signed

Title: [Certification of attendance]

Certifies that John Pope has attended the meeting of the New Jersey Committee of Safety in New Brunswick as a member. Authorizes payment of three pounds, 18 shillings for 13 days. Note on verso signed by Pope certifies he received payment. Examined and allowed by Jesse Hand and Silas Condict.

GLC00659

June 7, 1894

Longstreet, James, 1821-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William J. Fowler

General Longstreet discusses the reconstruction policies of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson with Fowler, a judge in Boston, Massachusetts. He states "The independent action of President Johnson, was the error that lead the grave troubles that came to the south, and to the north afterwards. Had Congress been called in extra session after the surrender, affairs would have been arranged in a way that would have been, as promptly accepted as was the independence policy" of President Lincoln.

GLC00671

10 June 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph document signed

Title: [Resolution to equalize pay of troops]

Resolution of Congress to equalize pay of the troops in the Middle Department with that of those in the Eastern Department. Passed by the Continental Congress in response to George Washington's 8 June 1776 letter stating that Congress had intended such a resolution, but had not yet passed it.

GLC00782.07

January 17, 1810

Revere, Paul, 1735-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Revere

Discusses Nathaniel Macon's anti-tariff bill in Washington, D.C. and its potential consequences for the Embargo Act of 1807. Also discusses business matters and the health of their family. With a diagram drawn on the verso. Joseph was Paul's son.

GLC00782.18

October 24, 1814

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Callender Irvine

The secretary of state informs the commissary general of purchases that an appropriation of $60,000 had been made to him for contingency expenses for the execution of the War of 1812.

GLC00786

November 14, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to the Convention of Maryland

Enclosing a letter from James Searle regarding possible attack by British fleet. On November 13, 1776 Searle spotted about one hundred British ships off the point of Sandy Hook at Long Branch, New Jersey. He immediately wrote to Thomas Wharton Jr., chairman of the Pennsylvania Council for Safety and warned him that the ships seemed to be heading southward. The letter caused great worry in Congress. Hancock sent letters to assemblies in all of the Southern states, and enclosed a copy of Searle's letter as well. However, the British fleet Searle saw was heading for Britain. Letter also notes…

GLC00779

11 September 1777

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Martin Eichelberger as first lieutenant].

Cosigned by Charles Thompson.

GLC00782.05

October 2, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Letter signed

Title: to the Assembly of New Jersey

President of the Continental Congress Hancock reminds the Assembly of New Jersey of the requirement that they provide the military with physicians to certify surgeons and their assistants. If New Jersey does not comply, it will risk losing representation in Congress. Several other states were called upon to take the same action.

GLC00782.06

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

circa 1860

Wilson, Henry, 1812-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Wilson, a Republican Senator from Massachusetts, replies to a previous note sent by an unknown recipient. Provides a list of Republicans who might be interested in anti-Democratic Party ideas, including Maine Governor Israel Washburn, Jr. Reports that he has prepared a speech to be presented in Newark, New Jersey to reveal that the Democratic party "is hostile to the interests of the free White Laboring men." Letter written on Republican Headquarters stationery. The date printed on the stationery is 1860. Washburn went on to serve as governor of Maine (1861-1863). Possibly a personally penned…

GLC00789

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

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

March 27, 1828

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel Hugunin, Jr.

Marked "private and inofficial" at the top of the page. Referring to trade between the United States and Great Britain, Secretary of State Clay informs Hugunin, a Representative from New York, that "sound policy requires that there should be the freest and most unshackled competition between the vessels of the two countries in any trade that may be tolerated on the Lakes ..." Discusses an Act passed on 1 March 1, 1823 concerning colonial ports and trade between Britain and America. Refers to a resolution recently moved by New York Representative Daniel Dewey Barnard concerning trade between…

GLC00754

October 2, 1844

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Wilkins

John Tyler acknowledges the receipt of Pennsylvania Congressman Wilkins' letter and thanks him "for the Kindness furnished Mrs. Tyler to New York." He desires Wilkins quick return to Washington, D.C. so that he can expedite the removal of the Choctaw Indians, because Tyler fears "Mr. Crawford is inclined to present impediments, from a misapprehension of the true position of things."

GLC00655.07

March 6, 1824

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John D. Godman

Letter discusses the upcoming presidential election. Speculates on the contest between himself, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and William H. Crawford. Thinks it certain that the election will be decided in the House of Representatives (it was). Between himself and Crawford, he guesses that whoever wins New York will be considered by the House along with Adams and Jackson. Predicts that if he makes to the House, he will win; otherwise he suspects Adams will win. Comments on other states and possible outcomes. Discusses how Godman and his other political supporters in Philadelphia can…

GLC01028

November 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript

Title: Manuscript draft: [Sixth annual address to Congress]

Washington asserts the constitutional authority of the federal government during the Whiskey Rebellion. Written by GW's secretary Bartholomew Danbridge, on Washington's personal stationery, extensively corrected by Washington and signed by him at the end. Over 210 words struck by GW and 157 added. With docketing by John Jay on the verso of the last page.

GLC01054

3 October 1778

Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795

Broadside

Title: Manifesto and proclamation to the members of the Congress

Double-column format. Issued by the British Peace Commissioners Lord Carlisle, Sir Henry Clinton and William Eden after the failure of their peace initiative. Offered a general amnesty and pardon with internal self-government and the repeal of Parliamentary taxation. Bibliographic reference: Evans 15832.

GLC01032

1795

Northwest Ordinance

Pamphlet

Title: An Ordinance for the government of the territory of United States, northwest of the river Ohio

One printed copy of "An Ordinance for the government of the territory of United States, northwest of the river Ohio" dated 1795. Details new laws on property rights. This printing comes from the first section of Laws of the Territory of the United States North-West of the Ohio. The Northwest Ordinance guaranteed residents' property rights as well as other rights such as trial by jury and freedom of religion. Article VI states that slavery will be prohibited in the Northwest Territory.

GLC01042

December 13, 1790

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Pamphlet

Title: Report on public credit. Appendix Treasury Department, March 4, 1790

Written by Hamilton as an appendix to his Public Credit report and issued six weeks later. He recommended raising duties on imported liquor and enacting an excise tax on domestic Whiskey. (This tax eventually led to the Whiskey Rebellion).

GLC01044

23 September 1789

Fenno, John, 1751-1798

Newspaper

Title: Gazette of the United States. [No. XLVII (September 23, 1789)]

Reports on the Senate proceedings and prints twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution, an early form of the Bill of Rights. Reports on a debate in the House of Representatives on judicial salaries. Contains news from Europe, including the French Revolution, with a report on France's new Constitution. Features a continuation of a printing of "The Right Constitution of a Common Wealth Examined." Also contains a continuation of Noah Webster's criticisms of Edward Gibbon's "History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

GLC01063