15 December 1855

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas H. Seymour

Ambassador to Great Britain Buchanan reports on the Crimean War. Comments on the Diana, Russian Admiral Putiatin's ship, which was wrecked "on the Japanese seas." Promises to relay any information concerning W. Kavalesky. Has not heard anything from Lord Wodehouse. Currently awaiting the Czar's answer to the peace terms offered by Austria and presumably accepted by France and England. Comments that the British "seem determined, if possible, to regain the prestige which they have lost in the last two campaigns," and were expanding their navy in anticipation of a third campaign.

GLC05461

7 January 1840

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Document signed

Title: [Orders for transport of the Amistad captives]

Countersigned by John Forsyth as Secretary of State. President Van Buren writes to Norris Wilcox, Marshal of the District of Connecticut. States: "The Marshal of the United States for the District of Connecticut will deliver over to Lieutenant John S. Paine, of the United States Navy, and aid in conveying on board the schooner Grampus, under his command all the negroes late of the Spanish schooner Amistad, in his custody under process now pending before the District Court of the United States for the District of Connecticut. For so doing this order will be his warrant."

GLC05636.01

1 May 1908

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of George W. Peters, who deserted the navy on 27 March 1897 by Theodore Roosevelt]

Deserted the vessel the "Puritan" who re-enlisted twice--28 March 1898 and 5 September 1901 aboard the Richmond--as George W. Rogers, and served normally until discharged. Pardoned based on service to country and recommendation of the Acting Secretary of the navy. Partially handwritten. Accompanied by discharge pouch (housed separately). Countersigned by Charles J. Bonaparte.

GLC05653.01

1900

Wilson, Herbert Wrigley, 1866-1940

Book

Title: The downfall of Spain: Naval History of the Spanish-American War

With long note of James E. Carr, Jr., regarding his receiving this book on loan. Carr's bookplate affixed to front cover.

GLC05642

3 April 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Privateer commission for the schooner "Adventure" of Exeter, New Hampshire].

President of the First Continental Congress John Hancock signed this privateer commission authorizing Commander of the Adventure James Johnson to capture British vessels and cargo.

GLC05659

1854

Foote, Andrew H. (Andrew Hull), 1806-1863

Book

Title: Africa and the American Flag. By Commander Andrew H. Foote. U.S. Navy, Lieutenant commanding U.S. Brig. Perry on the Coast of Africa, A.D. 1850-1851.

Signed by Rear Admiral Semmes on the inner front cover. 390 pages of text followed by 18 pages of advertisements. Includes lithographs as illustration. Published by D. Appleton & Co. Discusses Western European and American interests in the African coast.

GLC05675

January 15, 1866

Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Johnson

Letter draft written in prison by the former commander the CSS "Alabama" to the President defending himself against all charges. Discusses the surrender agreement at Greensboro, the definition of treason, the United States Constitution, and his unlawful imprisonment. "The commerce of half a world was at my mercy, and the passions of men North and South, were tossed into a whirl wind by the current events of the most bloody and terrific war the human race had ever seen." Extensive corrections throughout. President Johnson in May 1866 directed that Semmes, while unpardoned, could not hold…

GLC05590

19 March 1776

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Page

He is happy to hear the mutinous spirits of the soldiers have been subdued and hopes it can be prevented in the future. Remarks, "the putrid fever rages so much in the Norfolk fleet . . ." Discusses officers' commissions and appointments. Hopes some arrangements will be made for procuring salt. Remarks that the men are governed by their present feelings and will riot when the need for salt arises. Expresses concern that not all the Continental troops are under Colonial direction.

GLC05587

12 May 1798

Cabot, George, 1752-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Williams

Cabot, former United States Senator, informs Williams that he "must decline the Secretaryship of the Navy; to this determination I was ultimately brought by a full conviction that I cou'd not go through the labor of an office so difficult ... in estimating the forces that cou'd be employed to overcome the obstacles in a path hitherto untrod in this country I assure you that my mind constantly resorted to you as the principle, & if I cou'd have been induced to take upon myself so weighty an engagement I shou'd have relied greatly upon your assistance in every part of the performance of it…

GLC05588.01

28 December 1874

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Raphael Semmes

Writes to Semmes about "my recollection of the capture of the Whaling Ship Levi Starbuck." Gives a detailed description of the events leading up to the ship's capture and the situation of the Levi Starbuck's prisoners on board -- "I most solemnly hold that no prisoners on board of the Alabama were treated with severity" but "greater restrictions were necessary...perhaps confinement in irons." Mentions that a man named Whitney claims that "the loss of the use of his hands" occurred while he was imprisoned on the Alabama and calls the accusation "simply absurd." Writes that Whitney…

GLC05591

1861-1865 ca.

Header Record

Title: Cartes de visite of Farragut, Porter and Worden [decimalized]

Carte de visites of Admirals David G. Farragut, David D. Porter and John L. Worden.

GLC05595

1863

Jacobs, E., fl. 1863

Photograph signed

Title: David Glasgow Farragut

Depicts Farragut standing 3/4 length in Napoleonic pose, holding cap and wearing sword. Pencil inscription on verso (not DGD's writing) "Presented 1863 sent from N.O. [New Orleans]." Signed on mount and verso. Photographer imprint on verso.

GLC05595.01

1865

Willard, O.H., fl. 1865

Photograph signed

Title: Porter and Gen. Meade

Title from verso. Depicts David Dixon Porter and George G. Meade seated facing each other on opposite sides of small round table. Porter's hat is on the table. Meade wears one star. Photographer imprint on verso. Signed on mount.

GLC05595.02

1864

Fawx, Gustavus V., fl. 1864

Photograph signed

Title: Carte de visite, vignette bust portrait by Russian photographer, signed verso

Portrait with imprint of Russian photographer, signed on back "Paris 1864"

GLC05596.09

January 28, 1857

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James C. Dobbins

Letter to the Secretary of the Navy recommending Mr. Wharton for a Lieutenancy in the Marine Corps.

GLC05603.01.04

1 January 1842

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maunsel White

Jackson writes from Hermitage, his estate. Thanks White for a recent present of "sugar, syrup & oranges," characterizing the oranges as "the finest I ever saw." Expresses relief that White's family escaped a dreadful disease that swept through New Orleans the previous summer (possibly yellow fever). Assures White he (Jackson) will be a good host to White's British friend Joseph Courey, should Courey decide to call. Discusses business pertaining to a cotton shipment. Writes, "Our situation with England at present is critical. But a firm & energetic course if adopted by our…

GLC05614

17 July 1862

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

To an unknown recipient (name is illegible), apparently a journalist. Wants the recipient to reply to the enclosed letter (not included) and tell his friends that he has no manual to spare. Says to tell that "You can say that I will furnish you with materials for an article on the great revolution in naval warfare resulting from the Monitors and the inevitable downfall of England as a great naval power which means: as a great power at all!" due to his invention.

GLC05294

14 August 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel Brodhead

General Washington discusses Colonel Bowman's apprehension regarding British progress with General Brodhead, stationed at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania. States "what men can be spared from the Garrison of the upper Country- St. Johns- Montreal and Quebec are now acting in conjunction with the Indians upon the Mowhawk River, where they have lately done considerable mischief." Discusses the strain on supplies, stating "you will be very happy if you can adopt any expedient to supply yourself without depending wholly upon the Commissary in a regular way." Mentions the praiseworthy conduct of…

GLC07702

1808

Broadside

Title: 5000 American Seamen detained on board British vessels!

Alerts citizens to British impressment, American prisoners in France, "Algerine Piracy and Barbarity," and the relocation of American families to Canada, and blames it all on the Embargo Act of 1807. Urges "a hearty vote for the ANTI-EMBARGO and FEDERAL REPUBLICAN TICKET" in the election of 1808.

GLC07703

13 March 1776

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Encloses articles (not present) in reply to McDougall's questions about Seamans wages. Informs that a model of a pike will be sent to him. Hopes that he has received word of the resolution of Congress restraining military officers from offering oaths to inhabitants as a test. Remarks, " ... to impose a Test is a sovereign Act of Legislation - and when the Army becomes our Legislators, the People that moment become Slaves."

GLC07489

18 November 1780

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Jay agrees to attend to Mr. Warren (the son of the late General Joseph Warren, killed at Bunker Hill), should he visit Madrid. He also refers to passage of the Massachusetts Constitution and asks Gerry to send him a copy. Jay states that he has been "led to entertain high Expectations of your form of Government." Docketed by Gerry. Gerry's draft autograph letter response is penned in the left margin to Jay. Gerry writes back from Marblehead, Massachusetts on 20 September 1781, enclosing a copy of Massachusetts' new constitution and some newspapers [not present]. He concludes by predicting…

GLC07490

27 November 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James E. Montgomery

Written by Admiral Farragut to Major Montgomery as Acting Adjutant General and Chief of Staff. Says Montgomery's note of that morning arrived as he was going ashore to get "a small Brass" cannon at Fort Morgan that Captain Williamson promised him, but he was unable to get it as the captain was not there. Is glad Montgomery has helped made working with the army easier. Says "I urged the taking of Mobile Bay 30 months ago and was put off from time to time by the pressure of the enemy, and difference of opinion at Washington and so I continued the blockade in sunshine and storm until Genls.…

GLC07665

7 January 1790

Copeland, Moses, fl. 1786-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes on behalf of the inhabitants of Warren and other neighboring towns concerning the "Division of the Destricks [sic] of the Navil [sic] offers Department ... " There appears to be a disagreement regarding the use of the port of delivery and the river for transport. Asks Knox to use his influence on behalf of the town's inhabitants, as they heavily depend on the use of the river for business.

GLC02437.04466

19 October 1781

Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805

Manuscript document

Title: [Articles of capitulation settled at Yorktown]

List of articles dictating the surrender of Cornwallis (Lieutenant General of Britain) to George Washington, the Count de Rochambeau (Lieutenant General of the French army), and the Comte de Grasse (Lieutenant General of the naval armies of France). Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Henry Knox's aide de camp. Shaw has penned the signature "Thomas Symonds." Shaw apparently also attempted to create with the same pen a look-alike signature of Cornwallis. Symonds was the commander of British naval forces in the York River. Article one indicates that the garrisons of York and Gloucester,…

GLC02437.09555

15 July 1791

Zollickoffer, John Conrad, 1742-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Fears he is bothering Knox by continuing to bring up the status of Captain [Denis Nicholas] Cottineau [de Kloguene]'s claim to be admitted as a member of the Society of the Cincinnati (he spells it "Sincinaty"). Says he wrote twice to Knox, but has not received a response. Reports that Cottineau writes Zollickoffer from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, whenever he can, for this information. Hopes Knox can find some information "by which means Capt. Cottineau would be more easier than he appears." Mentions that Cottineau reported, in his letter of 25 May 1791, that the General of Hispaniola wrote to…

GLC02437.05065