11 April 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Broadside

Title: Al pueblo sensato de Mexico. Proclama [in Spanish]

"To the sensible town of Mexico. A Proclamation." States that Americans are not enemies of peaceful Mexicans and that they respect their religion. Discusses martial law and the power of the army to prosecute offenders. Also mentions that all food and supplies needed by the soldiers will be paid for in full, unlike the guerillas who have ransacked villages and stolen property. Adds that vendors will have the protection of the U.S. Army.

GLC04070

1878

Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887

Book signed

Title: United States Commission of fish and fisheries. Part IV. Report of the Commissioner for 1875-1876.

Includes sections: A. "An Inquiry into the decrease of the Food-Fishes" and B. "The Propagation of Food-Fishes in the waters of the United States." Printed by the Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. An extensive history of fisheries (including the Grand Banks) and whaling from the earliest times. Includes in Part II, The History of The American Whale-Fishery from Its Earliest Inception to the Year 1876, by Alexander Starbuck, 768 pages. With "Public Document. Free Senate US." bookplate on inside front cover signed by Senator William B. Allison for G. C. Van Allen.

GLC04213

15 December 1861-30 December 1861

Goldsborough, John Rodgers, 1808-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. J. R. Goldsborough

Commander Goldsborough writes to his wife from the U.S. Steamer Florida, on blockading duty near Charleston, South Carolina. Notes the arrival of the stone fleet, comprised by ships filled with stone, sand, and other heavy materials sent to blockade Charleston Harbor (page 13). Mentions other captains and steamers. Comments on the arrival of the Confederate ship Lady Davis (20 December), which remained beyond Union fire to observe events taking place in the harbor (page 27). Dreads their first Christmas apart. Reports sailing to Port Royal, South Carolina, 28 December 1861. Includes…

GLC04216

3 September 1830

Brown, Owen, 1771-1856

Document signed

Title: Almon Kingsbury petition for tavern licence

Petitioning the Court of Common Pleas in Portage County, Ohio for a tavern license. State their opinion that "a tavern is needed at the center of Hudson...that the house lately occupied by Owen Brown Esqr...would constitute a favorable stand for said tavern, and that Almon Kingsbury who now occupies said house is a suitable person to keep said tavern." Signed by Owen Brown and 13 others, including Gideon Mills, Oliver Brown, Heman Humphrey. Title from docket.

GLC04463.06

24 March 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Josiah Quincy

Written just one week after Continental forces captured Boston. Thanks Quincy and the nation for their praise, saying "To obtain the applause of deserving men, is a heart felt satisfaction - to merit them, is my highest wish. If my conduct therefore...hath merited the approbation of the great Country, I shall esteem it one of the most fortunate & happy events of my life." Despite the joy of his victory, Washington cautions that the Americans must remain on guard. Worries about the British fleet at "Nantasket Road." But is more afraid of spies, "There is one evil I dread, & that…

GLC04442

8 June 1798

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frederick Jacob Wichelhausen

Letter forwarded to Wichelhausen, American Consul in Bremen, by Rufus King, American Ambassador to Britain. King's signature appears on the address. Secretary of State Pickering says he received Wichelhausen's letter of 16 January 1798 as well as several other letters and states he is providing diligent service. Comments on Wichelhausen's idea of issuing certificates to American merchant ships that state no British goods are being carried in order to counter a French decree of seizures. Says the French decrees are contrary to international law and will only be countered with force and…

GLC04439

1794

Coxe, Tench, 1755-1824

Book

Title: A View of the United States in a series of papers...

First edition. Contains papers on commercial policy, American manufactures, cotton industry and conditions in Pennsylvania. Copy owned by Joseph Humphreys Jr. with bookplate of Historical Society of Pa. References: Evans 26829 and Sabin 17307.

GLC04396

1803

Ross, James, fl. 1803

Book

Title: The Speeches of Mr. Ross and Mr. Morris...in the Senate...[right of deposit, La]

Published by Bronson & Chauncey. Speeches by Federalist senators from Pa. and NY 2/24/1803 urging a declaration of war on Spain, seizure of West Florida and New Orleans, and fortification of the Mississippi because of Spain's ending rights of deposit in New Orleans. References: DAB 16: 178, Shaw and Shoemaker 4996.

GLC04285

May 1835

Knapp, Alfred, fl. 1835

Broadside

Title: An Act for the Government and regulation of seamen [for "Lady Washington"]

Printed official act by the United States Congress outlining restrictions and regulations which will apply to Seamen in the Merchants' Service. Authored by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice President of the U.S. and President of the Senate, George Washington as President, and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Enacted January 4, 1790 and printed by Joseph H. Buckingham, sold by John G. Tilton in Newburyport. On verso, printed and handwritten agreement between Alfred Knapp, master of the brig "Lady Washington" of Newburyport, and…

GLC04543

1783

Book

Title: The Dealer's companion and trader's assistant

GLC04542

circa 1920-1940

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. D. Cooper

Discusses his concern that an increase in milk prices will harm the health of poor in New York. Furthermore, he contends that the decrease in consumption will hurt the dairy industry. Desires the support of Cooper's committee.

GLC04568

28 August 1812

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: Additional Instruction to the public and private armed vessels of the United States

Printed letter signed by Secretary of State James Monroe. Orders that public and private armed vessels are not to stop American merchant ships coming from British ports with British goods because of the "alledged" repeal of the British Orders in Council. Asks that merchant ships be assisted and says that cargoes can be dealt with on arrival. The Orders in Council were repealed on 16 June 1812, two days before Congress declared war. The news arrived too late to influence events.

GLC04675.03

21 July 1823

Yates, Joseph Christopher, 1768-1837

Autograph endorsement

Title: to James Monroe

Letter from Yates as Governor of New York to Monroe as President. The letter seems to be in a secretarial hand and signed by Yates. Docketed by Monroe on verso. Forwarded to Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, who also docketed the letter. Neither Monroe's nor Adams's signature is on the document. Yates wrote to express outrage over a British law passed on 5 August 1822, which restricted American free trade down the St. Lawrence River at Quebec. Asks that negotiations be entered with Britain and if they are unsuccessful to retaliate by creating additional duties on British bottoms. Repairs…

GLC04682

January 13, 1807

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Law

Endorses the plans of Benjamin Latrobe for a canal on the eastern and western branches of the Potomac. Describes the proposed canal. Compares it's potential to bolster commerce to the Duke of Bridgewater's canal in Manchester (which Fulton had studied while in England). Discusses the canal's expected cost and how it will be recovered through the canal's commercial advantages. Fulton concludes by deeming the project fiscally superior to the proposal to construct a bridge. Law was possibly involved with appropriations for public works in Washington, D.C.

GLC04687

1 May 1865

Parker, Isaac C., 1838-1896

Autograph document signed

Title: [State of Missouri v. Henry Reed].

Signed by the grand jurors on docket. Grand jury warrant for "keeping a store open on Sunday" and for "not observing the Sabbath." Parker was a Member of Congress from Missouri from 1871 to 1875. Signed as Circuit Attorney.

GLC04670

1823-1832

Mayo, Isaac, 1791-1861

Header Record

Title: Letters as commander of USS Grampus off Cuba re: piracy, slave ships, Lafayette [Decimalized .01-.24]

Written to or from Mayo. Includes mention of capture of a slave trader off the coast of Haiti. Also includes pamphlet, report of Congress on Cuba.

GLC04604

1780s?

Wright, James, fl. 1780

Broadside

Title: James Wright, of Haverhill... [Merchant will not sell sugar due to slave labor]

Printed at Bury by P. Gedge, Agent to the Sun Fire Office.

GLC04614

20 October 1708

Oliver, Thomas, fl. 1708

Manuscript document signed

Title: [A Memorial of the State of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England to Queene Anne during Queen Anne's War]

A petition from the Massachusetts colonists requesting help in quelling the hostile Indians allied with the French during Queen Anne's War. Gives insight into the conflict's costs upon New England. Discusses the Indians' barbarity and the French setting prices for scalps. Describes their need of aid and the ineffectiveness of regular troops against the Indians. Asks Queen Anne to enlist the help of Mohawks and other friendly Indian nations. Comments on trade, French holdings, and the supply of masts for ships. Signed by Oliver as clerk of the House of Representatives.

GLC04891

27 March 1858

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Denver

Writing as President of the United States, Buchanan congratulates Denver, Governor of the Kansas Territory, on his excellent standing with the Territory's citizens. States that the issue of admitting Kansas to the Union will be addressed the following week by the Senate and House of Representatives. Declares that the defeat of the Lecompton Bill, admitting Kansas as a slave state, "would alarm the fears of the Country for the union, reduce the value of property, and injuriously interfere with our reviving trade." Reports that Georgia and Alabama will hold state conventions if Kansas is…

GLC04695

28 October 1778

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Williamson

A retained working draft (see strikeouts and docket). Written by McHenry as an aide-de-camp to General Washington to Dr. Williamson as a merchant importing medicines in Edenton, North Carolina. Williamson began a partnership with his brother to import medicines through the British blockade from the West Indies. Claims to have poor intelligence on the enemy in New York, but proceeds to give some details of their situation. Says 150 vessels, including 15 ships of the line, sailed from Sandy Hook on the 19 and 20 October 1778. Says they appear to be bound for Britain. Was only carrying home…

GLC04701

19 March 1794

Livingston, Robert L., 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Written by Chancellor Livingston to New York Governor Clinton. Encloses petition at the request of Dr. Robinson (not included). Mentions seeing Clinton's family. Mentions political controversy involving himself and William P. Van Ness. It involves the unpopular removal of someone from office (the name cannot be deciphered - Benthingsen?) Wants Clinton to clarify the situation for him. Says Egbert Benson is going to come forward with the story for the newspapers and wants to be able to meet it. Wants to know if Clinton recollects him ever recommending the person. If he or other members of the…

GLC04772.04

4 June 1775

Hewes, Joseph, 1730-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Johnston

Mentions Captain Gilles, who transmitted previous correspondence between Hewes and Johnston. Discusses the Colonies' (specifically North Carolina's) ability to finance and sustain a military conflict. Writes "I fear we shall be obliged [text loss] Promise for our Colony much more than it [can?] perform, perhaps, more than it is able to bear, when a Country loses its [hade?], when its Ports are all shut up and all exportation ceases, say, will there be value enough found on that Country to bear heavy Taxes with patience suppose a Country under such Circumstances was to raise an Army, how is…

GLC04790

31 August 1779

Brice, James,1746-1801

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer

Document certifies that Daniel St. Thomas of Jenifer, a futuer signer of the U.S. Constitution, took the oath called for under the "An Act to resrict the Deleages of this Sate in Congress from enegaging in any Trade either foreign or domestic." Signed by Brier "of the Council." List of numbers is added up on verso.

GLC04795

13 November 1778

Jones, John Paul, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Jones, Captain of the U.S.S. Ranger, informs Morris, a Continental Congressman, of recent events in France. Reports that in June, a highly esteemed gentleman (who Jones does not name) wrote him a secret letter promising him command of a large ship; the gentleman also indicated that the Ranger was to sail to the United States under another captain. Mentions the involvement of the Prince of Nassau (possibly Prince Charles Otton), and Monsieur de Sartine, head of the French Navy, in procuring the ship. Relates that Sartine promised him the command of several French vessels, but Sartine's…

GLC04797

1786

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to Armand-Charles-Augustin de La Croix de Castries [in French]

Memorandum written to de Castries. Manuscript concerning efforts to strengthen the alliance between the United States and France through trade and more substantial means. It was probably written after 15 June 1786, the date Jefferson wrote a letter to Lafayette about making Honfleur a free port. The contents fit in with Lafayette's other commercial initiatives during early summer 1786. Date inferred from Lafayette Papers, Robert Crout.

GLC04799