May 2, 1858

Adams, John, fl. 1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Requesting permission to return to Liberia, John Adams states that he needs to return to personally report a death, or be liable for punishment under the laws of Liberia, of which he is a citizen. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Adams is not in the May 1857 list of crew members. Adams's name and the content of his note suggest that he was likely a "Krooman" - one of many native Liberians who were recruited by American and European ship's captains. The Kroomen were often expert swimmers and fishermen, and had valuable knowledge of local geography, language and customs.

GLC00722.36

August 4, 1863

Geary, John White, 1819-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edgar Cowan

Geary writes to Cowan, a United States Senator from Pennsylvania, in attempt to obtain a recommendation for his promotion to Major General. He cites his qualifications and the achievements of his brigades. He declares "I have received four honorable wounds, and have never left my command for a single hour (Except once when my left arm was badly shattered) to devote even one moment to my own private affairs, or like many that you and I could name, parade ... around Washington to make political capital and ensure promotion." Discussing his opinions on current policy, he states that "Patriotism…

GLC00673

February 4, 1860

Helper, Hinton R., 1829-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sherman

Helper, a Unionist and anti-slavery North Carolinian, writes to Sherman, an Ohio congressman, about his opposition to slavery as a "Southern Republican." He discusses his controversial book, 'The Impending Crisis of the South.' He writes "For good or for evil, the result of my labor in that regard is now before the public, and in the desire always to know and perform my duty I am not, in this matter, moved to any apology or regret whatever. As a Southern Republican, as far from apologizing for my opposition to slavery where it does exist (as well as where it has no existence) I frankly and…

GLC00657

January 14, 1863

Wise, Henry A., 1806-1876

Letter signed

Title: to Arnold Elzey

Retained copy of a letter to Elzey on which a pencil signature of Wise has been added by a secretary. General Wise (Confederate) describes a recent Union raid near White House, Virginia. He informs Major General Elzey, commander of the Department of Richmond, that during the raid, Union troops stole thirty cattle from William P. Taylor's farm. He discusses coordination with Colonel Tabb (possibly William B. Tabb) and Captain Wynn at locations such as Bush's Mill, N. Kent Court House, and the wharves at West Point in order to prevent further raids. He states "all the slaves of abandoned…

GLC00662

1855-1865

Header Record

Title: Two abolitionist letters and one newspaper [Decimalized .01-.03]

GLC00680

June 23, 1855

Stearns, George L. (George Luther), 1809-1967

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Johnson

Stearns, an abolitionist, asks if Reverend Johnson would like him to join him on a trip to Niagara.

GLC00680.01

November 28, 1863

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Knight

William Lloyd Garrison informs Knight that he has "no autograph of the revered Wilberforce to send" but will instead send "one of George Thompson, whose long continued and wonderfully efficient labors in the cause of freedom and humanity you so fittingly eulogise."

GLC00680.02

23 June 1865

Newspaper

Title: Liberator. [Vol. 35, no. 25 (June 23, 1865)]

GLC00680.03

1861-1864

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Henry S. Figures, F company, 4th regiment, Alabama, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .33]

Figures was a member of Law's Brigade, Longstreet Division, of the 4th Alabama Infantry. Letters mention prisoners from the "Star of the West," the Battles of Manassas, Yorktown, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, enslaved people, etc. Figures was killed at Battle of the Wilderness on 4 May 1864. Two of the letters (10 April 1861 and 25 April 1861) are on "Confederate States of America, War Department" stationery. Also includes 1867 burial card and a 6 page biographical manuscript (ca. 1890).

GLC00653.01

May 17, 1853

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lizzie Ellicott

Chastises her lightly for not replying to his note and gift sooner. Mentions that he was in Syracuse, New York and visited Gerrit Smith in Petersboro where he also gave a speech. Hopes to visit in July.

GLC00644

October 6, 1862

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896

Letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Lee

Confederate Major General Smith discusses troop activities and movements, including an attack on Union gunboats. Also discusses a requisition for "negroes to work upon the fortifications under recent act of the Legislature - When we get negroes the works will be finished rapidly to completion." Refers to the request of North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance "for more protection for the eastern portion of the state." Writes "The yellow fever at Wilmington will prevent the enemy from attempting anything in that quarter for some time to come - and during the epidemic the Troops had better be…

GLC00648

July 8, 1858

Winder, Edward L., fl. 1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Relates a conversation with British Naval Commander Wise regarding capture of a slave trading ship. Winder, an American sailor had been stationed on the British ship "Vesuvius," under the command of Wise. Wise told Winder that he had boarded a ship, convinced she was "a slaver," but "could not touch her" because she flew the American flag. When Wise warned the ship that he would inform the "Dale" of her presence, the American flag was brought down, and the captain surrendered. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at Porto Praya, Cape Verde. Edward Lloyd Winder, a Lieutenant in the United…

GLC00722.39

October 13, 1857-October 17, 1857

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter

Title: to V. McBlair

Writing to his wife, discusses attempts to catch a slave trader, life at sea, family matters, and religion. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea.

GLC00722.58

1858

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter

Title: to V. McBlair

Letter to his wife discussing life at sea and his visit to Liberia. Upon arrival in Liberia, McBlair's ship "Dale" gives the young nation a twenty-one gun salute. In Monrovia, the Liberian capital, McBlair meets with President Benson and former President Roberts, both of whom he speaks highly of. He discusses the "sleepy disease," which has killed one of his men. Also discusses family matters. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea. Stephen A. Benson served as president of Liberia from 1856-1864. Joseph Jenkins Roberts was the first president of Liberia, from 1848-1856, and again…

GLC00722.59

1858

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

Writing to his wife, he discusses British pressure regarding American suppression of the slave trade, as well as his daily operations at sea, family affairs, and religion. He hopes to return to the United States by the first of December and believes "The worst of our work however is over on this coast." William McBlair signs with his initials. In part: "Dined yesterday ashore with our Consul...I am very busy making up my reports &c to leave here for the Commodore; I shall sail this afternoon for the Canaries...The Secretary has posstively promised that we shall be in U States by 1st…

GLC00722.60

March 1859

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

To his wife, discussing his dislike of the British, the death of a United States Consul in Sierra Leone by "homicide," and the island of Goree, a former center of the African slave trade. He states he is "Anti-Anglais," calling the British "National Pirates" on the African coast. He discusses his dinner with a French captain, commenting on their culture and the bad food. Also mentions the foolishness of the Liberian Secretary of State and complains about Navy food. He closes in expectation of orders to return home, which would soon arrive. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" off Goree,…

GLC00722.65

1885

Hovenden, Thomas, 1840-1895

Print

Title: The last moments of John Brown

Etching on vellum, based on Hovenden's 1884 painting depicting John Brown kissing a black baby while on his way to the gallows. The painting was based on an incident reported in the New York Tribune, that later proved to be apocryphal. Printed by George Gebbie.

GLC00737

January 1, 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: Emancipation Proclamation [California printing, Cheesman copy]

One of three color lithographic broadsides. Printed by L. Nagel and copyright by "F.S. Butler, 1864." Presented to Lincoln for signing by David Williams Cheesman. Signed on back: "Property of Mrs. Maria Cheesman/ Phoenix/ Oregon." See Eberstadt, "Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation," New Colophon (2d Series, 1950) no. 19. The broadside, according to Eberstadt, was "executed by a fourteen-year-old boy. Benjamin F. Butler, who was a California pioneer of 1849 and established the first lithographing plant on the West Coast, may have been the boy's father." (p. 337)

GLC00742

1857

Ruffin, Edmund, 1794-1865

Pamphlet

Title: The political economy of slavery

First edition of Ruffin's pro-slavery pamphlet, signed by Andrew Johnson. Johnson writes on the cover "Send this to my room with my mail." The pamphlet was published in 1857, Johnson most likely signed it in 1858. Untrimmed edges. Lacking wrappers. Printed by Lemuel Towers. Likely signed in Washington D.C. Reads in part: "Judging from the early existence and continued duration of the institution of domestic slavery-its almost universal extension-its beneficial influence in subduing barbarism and savage indolence and ignorance-in inducing the culture and improvement of the earth, and…

GLC00774

13 April 1820

Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery

Document signed

Title: [Preamble and resolution]

Printed petition signed by William Rawle as President of the Abolition Society and [Benjamin] Williams as secretary. Sent to Jacob H. De Witt, member of the House of Representatives from the 7th District of New York. Petition states that the society unanimously passed a resolution for the exclusion of slavery from the Missouri Territory. Written during the Missouri Compromise debates. States "We deem this a proper occasion to declare, that with a deep conviction that slavery is inconsistent with moral principle, national interest, and above all, with the Christian dispensation." Says the…

GLC00777

circa 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George C. Whiting

Franklin Pierce discusses the pension for the widow of Navy Commander Samuel Larkin. He mentions testimony given on the cause of his death which showed that Larkin contracted the disease while on duty in Africa. Paper watermarked "Joynson/1856." Letter written during Pierce's presidency and docketed "President Pierce."

GLC00655.09

24 September 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document

Title: General orders no. 139.

Preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation published for the Army War Department printing, removed from a compilation of general orders. Noted on pages 117-120 are the orders that all people enslaved in the south will be freed. Beginning on Page 120 but not complete is General Orders No. 140, order respecting Special Provost Marshals and defining their duties. Printed circa 1863.

GLC01024

3 April 1865

Eden, R.C., fl. 1865

Newspaper

Title: Grant's Petersburg progress. [Vol.1, no.1 (April 3, 1865)]

Union occupation newspaper announcing the capture of Petersburg: "Petersburg Ours! We are here! Hallelujah!" Prints the official surrender correspondence, describes Black celebrating as the "colored population." Brief report that Union forces had taken Richmond that same morning.

GLC01022

February 13, 1864

Virginia, Constitutional Convention, 1864

Pamphlet

Title: Constitution of the State of Virginia, and the Ordinances Adopted by the Convention which Assembled at Alexandria, on the 13th Day of February, 1864.

Printed by D. Turner, printer to the state. This constitution was passed by the loyal government of the state of Virginia, in exile in the North during the Civil War. The most notable change from earlier constitutions was the abolition of slavery in an official way by the state. Also includes an official repudiation of the Confederate government, and states that any officeholder under that government was barred from public office.

GLC01065

July 24, 1839

Dresser, Amos, 1812-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hiram Wilson

Dresser writes to Reverend Wilson who is expecting two enslaved people seeking emancipation in Canada through the underground railroad. He writes, "I rejoice in the privilege of handing over to you two more Daughters of affliction who can tell you their own tale of suffering. They are in pursuit of a home which I trust they will find in Queen Victoria's Dominions. The young girl is very quick... in almost any kind of business & with the right kind of training I hope may be brot to Christ & made useful in the world Perhaps you will want her in your family." He asks for the names of…

GLC00867