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

1858

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

Writing to his wife, he discusses the route for his voyage to the Canary Islands, his thoughts on religion and scripture, and the future of their children. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea.

GLC00722.61

1858

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

To his wife discussing naval life and family matters. He discusses his movements and activities at sea. He notes that some Liberians misspell their names, including a young boy he has taken on board the ship to help for a time. He states that he is getting along well with the commodore, and with his new first lieutenant, Edwin Winder. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea. Letter dated June 24, 1858 - 20 July 1858.

GLC00722.62

1858-1859

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

To his wife, discussing family and life at sea. He has received small gifts of gold jewelry for his family from a local governor and a native chief. He hopes he will return home in May, and says the weather has cooled recently. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at sea. Letter dated December 25, 1858 - January 14, 1859.

GLC00722.63

February 7, 1859

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

To his wife, discussing attendance at state dinners and a Liberian church service. He enjoys the state dinners, and does his best to create good will with other nations. He enjoys the church service, though much of it feels very foreign to him. He also mentions an old childhood playmate, and offers some reflections.

GLC00722.64

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

January 10, 1855

Irving, Levin H., fl. 1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Thanking the officers of the "Dale" for help acquiring "a situation," thanks to "a friendly recommendation." Irving, according to the docket, was a sailmaker. Docket may be in McBlair's hand. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at sea.

GLC00722.67

January 8, 1856

Barclay, John, fl. 1856

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Barclay recommends finding a harbor as soon as possible. He says the crew is worn down by a long voyage and inclement weather, and there are not enough supplies to provide for them. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at sea. Barclay was the surgeon and health officer.

GLC00722.68

March 15, 1858

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Discussing events at Saint Helena since McBlair left. A friendly letter, sent via Captain Goodridge of the U.S.S. "Hazard." Name of the signer is illegible.

GLC00722.69

September 27, 1858

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Sends letters and information, and thanks McBlair for a dog given as a gift. Letter written from Saint George's Castle, also known as Elmina Castle, a former prison and center of the African slave trade. Name of signer is illegible.

GLC00722.70

circa 1858

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward L. Winder

Stating that Captain McBlair has given permission for a sick man to be given medical treatment aboard the ship. Offers to pay for anything the man requires. Appears to be signed with the name "Mace." Written on half sheet. Probably written after June 1858.

GLC00722.71

1857

Manuscript document

Title: Commanders Stationery for the U. S. Sloop War "Dale"

A list of the stationery items belonging to the captain of the U.S.S. "Dale," including envelopes, letters and other items.

GLC00722.72

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.…

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

23 - 28 September 1776

Pemberton, James, 1723-1809

Manuscript signed

Title: Extracts from minutes of our yearly meeting of Pennsylvania & New Jersey, held in Philadelphia by adjournments from the 23rd day of the ninth month.

One copy of a meeting minutes dated September 23-28, 1776. States that Quakers should not participate in governments active in war, or contribute to the promotion of war through business or other activity. Condemns all forms of slavery and indentured servitude, and requires all Quakers to free anyone so held. All need to support religious education for children. Clerical copy certified by James Moon. Extracted and prepared by James Pemberton, clerk to the yearly meeting.

GLC01021

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

19 August 1844

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Document signed

Title: General Order no. 17, re: Texas question and possibility of more service

Docketed. Directed to the African Squadron; received on Oct. 19.

GLC00896

24 April 1863

Sandoz, Joel H., fl. 1840-1864

Newspaper

Title: The Opelousas courier. [Vol. 11, no. 23 (April 24, 1863)]

Union occupation newspaper published by Opelousa. Telegrams describe changing conditions of who is winning the battle in Jackson. Poem dedicated to the Union Army and Navy. Fugitive slave ad. Gray floral and tile pattern on wallpaper verso.

GLC00899

1 January 1863

Broadside

Title: Chronicle-extra.

News-sheet printing the Emancipation Proclamation with news from New Orleans, New York and Louisville. Heading states, "Slavery Forever ABOLISHED in the United States of America!!"

GLC00902