1856

Object

Title: [Campaign ribbon on silk: "Old buck is coming"]

Faded pink silk ribbon with black ink images and text. Begins with an image of a buck (male dear), and the statement "Old Buck is Coming," referring to 1856 presidential candidate James Buchanan. Below the buck, the ribbon depicts blacks with knapsacks and a bear, apparently fleeing westward, with the exclamation "Fremont! Free Niggers! Off for the Rocky Mountains" (Buchanan's opponent, Senator John C. Fremont, argued that the government should prevent the spread of slavery into the new western territories). The next image on the ribbon portrays a pistol, and the exclamation "'National…

GLC05877

1963

Howard, Warren S., fl. 1963

Book

Title: American Slavers and the Federal Law: 1837-1862

Published by University of California Press. Discusses the illegal slave trade violated "mostly by Americans helping foreigners to carry slaves into Cuba or Brazil... also by Americans smuggling slaves into the states of the deep South."

GLC05879

1795

Wythe, George, 1726-1806

Book

Title: Decisions of cases in Virginia by the High Court of Chancery, with remarks upon decrees by the Court of Appeals, reversing some of those decisions.

Wythe's name is handwritten on title page as Chancellor of Virginia. Signed on inner front cover by James M. Whittle. Signed on title page by James Henry, 1795 (possibly the Virginia delegate to Continental Congress in 1780). Includes a multitude of cases. One page 132, contains a case alleging that the British government has not recompensated Virginia residents adequately, after stealing enslaved people. Richmond: printed by Thomas Nicolson

GLC05884

circa 1862-1863

Bumm, Harry, fl. 1862-1863

Broadside

Title: Democratic Creed!

National Union illustrated election broadside. "Democratic Creed! Love Creed! Love for Civilization and Niggers!... Worship of Southern aristocracy! Sneer for Northern Mechanics." An anti-slavery and anti-Democrat broadside for National Union candidate Harry Bumm. Appeals to the working class. Indirectly refers to the competition for jobs by freed Black labor in the North. The broadside quotes a supposed letter from Bumm's opponent for Philadelphia city treasurer, John Brodhead, to Jefferson Davis. Brodhead is said to have Southern sympathies and favor the institution of slavery over…

GLC05889

October 27, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Catharine Littlefield Greene

Discusses obtaining money and the assistance of Daniel Parker, Gouverneur Morris and the Marquis de Lafayette, as they were all friends with Catharine's late husband, Nathanael Greene. Provides some financial advice about the execution of General Greene's estate. Writes that she should first take inventory of the estates and enslaved people to be mortgaged and invest her money. Reports that this plan has been approved by Mr. Rutledge and Judge Pendleton. Retained draft, numbered "5" at top.

GLC02437.04399

8 November 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Littlefield Greene and Euphemia Morris Ogden

Two parts. First for Catharine Greene. Apologizes that something may prevent him from seeing her. Hopes she will "accept [his] sincere wishes for your happiness, and the happiness of your dear little family." Tells her that if she ever needs anything to ask him and he will do his best to accomplish it. Mentions her runaway servant, Ham [described in GLC02437.04021 as "molatto."] Second for Euphemia Ogden. Regrets not being able to see and play whist with her due to being "detained here by purpose more disagreeable than the employ [of] several apothecary vials." Wishes her well and that…

GLC02437.10215

17 April 1790

Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he has been laid up for the past week with the gout. Discusses a proposed congressional bill to regulate proceedings with the Indians. Gorham wants this to be extended to the Six Nations, stating "it is of great consiquence [sic] that more Indians should be kept in good temper - The more Southern Indians made application to them last Autumn to joyn with them in hostilities - but after a long consultation they refused - More overtures will undoubtedly be renewed & if some attention is not paid to them they may be successfull [sic]..." Says his son plans on settling down in that…

GLC02437.04588

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.

GLC05123

1861-1865 ca.

Header Record

Title: Stereocards, mostly Anthony War Views, O'Sullivan, etc. [decimalized]

271 stereocards primarily E. & H. T. Anthony's "War Views," and "Prominent Portraits." Other publishers include Timothy O'Sullivan, G.W. Pach and Taylor & Huntington. See separate database for a complete listing of images. Highlights include a "War Views" image entitled "Wounded Indians" (#1) "The Home Guard" (#2), Elmira Prison Camp (#3), "Colored Army Teamsters (#4), "Slave Pens at Alexandria" (#75-76), and various images from battles through-out the war. Portraits of various generals including U. S. Grant (#146-165, some Cold Harbor and presidential) and William T. Sherman (#135-…

GLC05137

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: In civilian suit, vignette bust portrait

Graphite inscription on recto "Owen Lovejoy." Imprint on recto "Williamson, Brooklyn." Graphite inscription on verso "Owen Lovejoy."

GLC05111.02.1439

1805

Wood, Samuel, 1760-1844

Broadside

Title: Injured Humanity; Being A Representation of What the Unhappy Children of Africa Endure from Those Who Call Themselves Christians

Printed broadside on terrible conditions of slavery and the slave trade in the West Indies. Wood, a prolific Quaker-reformist publisher, printed and sold the broadside out of his office at 362 Pearl Street in New York. Describes the sale, horrendous working conditions, and punishments of the slaves. Seven graphic vinettes depict slaves being whipped, sold, and tortured. There is no date of creation on the broadside, but the printing date was discovered as 1805 through research.

GLC05113

1837

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

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of Salmon P. Chase, in the case of the colored woman Matilda

Speech given before an Ohio court, arguing for the freedom of a slave named Matilda. Argues that Matilda should be free now that she is in Ohio, and argues that the Fugitive Slave Act is unconstitutional. Matilda had been brought before the court by a writ of habeas corpus. She had been working as a servant for Chase's client, when it was discovered she was an escaped slave.

GLC05114

1860

Elliott, E. N., fl. 1860

Book

Title: Cotton is king, and pro-slavery arguments; comprising the writings of Hammond, Harper, Christy, Stringfellow, Hodge, Bledsoe, and Cartwright, on this important subject, by E. N. Elliott...

(title continues)... With an essay on slavery in the light of international law, by the editor. 908 pages of text followed by 4 pages of advertisements at the end of book. Contains prints of some authors whose works are included. Printed by Pritchard, Abbot & Loomis. Includes prefaces to the first, second, and third editions. Includes articles or books by David Christy, Albert Taylor Bledsoe, Thornton Stringfellow, and others.

GLC05115

1854-1858

Pamphlet

Title: Pamphlets related to the extension of slavery and the Kansas-Nebraska dispute [Decimalized .01-.20]

GLC05116

1846

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Book

Title: The narrative of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Written by himself.

Third English edition. Contains a frontispiece print of Douglass. Printed by Joseph Barker. Includes a preface to the second Dublin edition, preface to the first American edition, and a letter from Wendell Phillips (22 April 1845). Narrative is followed by an appendix and "American Slavery," a "Report of a public meeting held at Finsbury Chapel, Moorfields, to receive Frederick Douglass" (22 May 1846). Last pages contain information on the American Anti-Slavery Society for the "Friends of the Slave."

GLC05117

1850

Tappan, Lewis, 1788-1873

Pamphlet

Title: The fugitive slave bill: its history and unconstitutionality

Gives various arguments why the Fugitive Slave bill should be declared unconstitutional. Also tells the story of James Hamlet, a mulatto arrested under the law despite protests that he was not a slave. Eventually Hamlet was returned to freedom. Full title reads: "The Fugitive Slave Bill: its history and unconstitutionality; with an account of the seizure and enslavement of James Hamlet, and his subsequent restoration to liberty." Printed by William Harned. First edition. With handwritten notes in an unknown hand in pencil on pages 24-6, 28, 30, 32, 24 and 36.

GLC05118

1839

Weld, Theodore Dwight, 1803-1895

Book

Title: American slavery as it is: testimony of a thousand witnesses.

Possibly a first edition. Published by the American Anti-Slavery Society. Weld asserts, "A majority of the facts and testimony contained in this work rests upon the authority of slaveholders, whose names and residences are given to the public, as vouchers for the truth of their statements... Their testimony is taken, mainly, from recent newspapers, published in slave states." Includes contents and thorough index of privations, punishments, cruelties and objections to abolition.

GLC05119

18 August 1862-11 September 1864

Green, Joseph F., 1811-1897

Manuscript document

Title: [Letter books of Captain Joseph Foster Green of the USS Canandaigua] [word processed inventory available]

Three letter books from the USS "Canandaigua," belonging to Captain Joseph F. Green, the Commander of the Charleston Blockade Squadron. Volume 1 covers 18 August 1862-25 September 1863. Volume 2 covers 25 September 1863-30 April 1864. Volume 3 covers 30 April 1864-11 September 1864. Volumes 1-2 are the same size (34.3 x 21.3 cm.) while the third volume is different (32.4 x 20.3 cm.). These letter books contain copies of his official correspondence as commander of the Charleston Squadron in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Most deal with administrative matters, statistical…

GLC05126

February 1, 1861

Campbell, Robert C., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Beale

Campbell, representing Galveston, Texas at the state Secession Convention, transmits several ordinances (not included) regarding Texas' secession to Beale (possibly Campbell's cousin). Declares "The Union is defunct -- dead, never to be revived. No concessions now would occasion its reconstruction. The South can not be conquered ... The cost has been counted and we are ready to pay it ... Had simple equality been conceded, the South would have submitted to every other wrong."

GLC05127.01

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Slave Pen, Alexandria, Va

E. & H. T. Anthony, publisher. Negative by Brady & Co., Washington. Union soldiers stand at the iron gate to the slave pen. Inscription on verso: "Emma G. Griggs From my Husband."

GLC05137.075

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Slave Pen, Alexandria, Va

E. & H. T. Anthony, publisher. Negative by Brady & Co., Washington. A black woman holding a basket stands in front of the slave pen. Two men stand behind the iron gate.

GLC05137.076

27 August 1860

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

Tyler, former President of the United States, elaborates on the 1860 Presidential election to his son Robert. States that he discussed the election with Colonel William T. Withers of Mississippi. Expresses approval at the fusion of Stephen Douglas' and John Bells' supporters in New York, and declares "that in my view the defeat of Lincoln was the great matter at issue, and that all others were subordinate." Encloses a letter (not included) from General Foote, a Douglas supporter. Expresses his support of Presidential candidate John Cabell Breckinridge and Breckinridge's running mate Joseph…

GLC07112

5 March 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Authority to affix seal to additional article to slave trade treaty with Britain]

Partially printed document. Lincoln signs an official State Department warrant ordering the Secretary of State to affix the Great Seal of the United States to "my ratification of the Additional Article to the slave trade treaty between the United States and Great Britain, of the 7th April 1862." Written in a secretarial hand.

GLC07083

2 April 1828

Key, Francis Scott, 1779-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John H. B. Latrobe

Concerning an American Colonization Society legal settlement arising from the transportation of cargo and colonists. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and member of the society, brainstorms ideas for diminishing their liability. Latrobe was also a lawyer. 1 black and white bust engraving of Key included. Written in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

GLC07100

5 August 1862

Henry, Patrick, 1843-1930

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John J. Pettus

Writes to the Governor of Mississippi about Rankin county, Mississippi, which is in very bad condition due to a lack of able bodied men. They fear a slave uprising. "In our county the able bodied men have been so reduced by volunteering and drafting that the militia is not only greatly reduced, but the people are insecure from an outbreak of our blacks." Asks him to do what he can by using his position as Chief Magistrate of the state. Says there are hardly any guns or ammunition. Gives his advice to remedy the situation. This includes furnishing powder and ball to the board of police of…

GLC07082.03