1868/07/23

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel W. Crawford re: election of 1868, abolishing the office of General

"If Grant resigns after the election, Congress will abolish the office of General."

GLC06584

1871/08/11

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Ord re: his opinion of Ulysses S. Grant in war and politics

"His strongest & only safe card is his military career. At the game of politics I think he loses more than he gains, for he bends too much [to] importunity and listens to exparte statements." With two hole punches at left edge

GLC06423

1796/06/12

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Humphreys re: defending actions as president, longing for retirement

Marked private by Washington. Written to his former secretary, towards the end of his second administration, concerning his perseverance despite attacks upon him. "...the Gazette (which I presume will accompany the dispatches) will give you a pretty good idea of the state of Politics, and Parties in this country; and will shew you, at the same time (if Bache's Aurora is among them) in what manner I am attacked for persevering, steadily, in measures which, to me, appear necessary to preserve us (during the conflicts of the Belligerent powers) in a state of tranquillity. But these attacks,…

GLC06434

1832/11/27

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Blunt

Discusses an example of a British sailor executed for serving on an American ship during the war of 1812. Also discusses Andrew Jackson's election, de-emphasizing its importance, and comments that "the real difficulties of the Country are in another quarter," referring to slavery and the nullification crisis. Closes by quipping: "Van Buren seems to have got the start of Mr. Calhoun, but the whirligig of Time brings about its revenges."

GLC06312

1836/05/03

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Writes that Daniel Webster, in his attempt to gain control of the Senate, has destroyed his own ambitions to be President and any Senate opposition to Jackson. Has "no confidence in the present administration" regarding the national bank crisis and currency. Also discusses confirmation of Roger B. Taney as Chief Justice, and Henry Clay's continuing opposition to Jackson.

GLC06314

1837/02/25

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William H. Ellis

Written six days before the end of his second term as president. Jackson "Hopes he has administered the government to the approbation of the Democratic Republicans...The only desire I have now is, to see my beloved country prosperous and happy." Presents an "Eagle of his country" to Ellis' son, named after the President, and says he will pray for the boy.

GLC06321

1794? ca.

Paine, Thomas, 1725-1802

Object

Title: British "Conder" halfpenny token expressing anger against Thomas Paine

Recto: "End of Pain" [sic] with depiction of a figure hanging from a scaffold. Verso: "May the knave of Jacobin clubs never get a trick."

GLC06303

1907/11/26

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to Benjamin I. Wheeler

"Of course, advantage is taken of it to attack me, and therefore Taft... I fear that some of our capitalist friends really desire to be allowed to continue at present all the practices which were declared illegal over a year ago." Typed on the first and four page of a folded sheet of paper.

GLC06331.01

1804/09/11

Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elisha Babcock

Approves of the "Address of the Delegates from ninety seven Towns," which he calls a good beginning. Indicates that he is sending a pamphlet (not included) and describes it as the opposite of "poor John's [Adams] defence of the American Constitutions where every page contradicts the title." Asks that he be sent a newspaper.

GLC06330

1840/10/08

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Broadside

Title: Speech from "Jackson Festival" in Tennessee [election of 1840 on silk]

Promoting Van Buren. Printed on silk.

GLC06363

1840/05/23

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Manuscript

Title: to Gulian C. Verplanck re: draft of acceptance speech for presidential nomination

Draft of acceptance speech for Whig nomination for presidency.

GLC06405

1857/07/25

McLean, John, 1785-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Cass

Expresses his hopes that Robert Walker, the territorial governor of Kansas, would not use military force against the pro-slavery people of Lawrence, Kansas, and reflects on James Madison's wise refusal to send a military force to the Hartford Convention during the War of 1812. Insists that "One decision of a court will overturn all that [Kansas slavery advocates] could do," and cites the demise of the New Court party in Kentucky. Lewis Cass was then vice-president. McLean was a supreme court justice. Letter shows docketing in Cass's hand.

GLC06211

1793/07/20

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Manuscript

Title: Contemporary copy of Pendleton's brief autobiography

Originally written July 1793. Contemporary copy. Docketed on verso: "Concise history of Judge Pendleton's life written by himself. Copied." Six years before his death Pendleton outlined his biography, focusing mostly on his political career. In part: "I have often contemplated [my life]... as a rare and extraordinary instance and pathetically exclaimed 'Not unto me o Lord! Not unto me o Lord! but unto thy name be the praise..." It was first printed in the Richmond Enquirer 11 April 1818 which is the text for Mays, Letters and Papers of Edmund Pendleton, 2: 605-607.

GLC06761

1848/04/24

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Letcher re: explaining his opposition to War of 1812

Explaining his opposition, as "a student of law & a very young man," to the declaration of war against Great Britain at the beginning of the War of 1812, which "however, did not prevent me from sustaining the war... as an individual and as a member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania." Letcher was serving as a Democratic delegate for president and seeking information. Buchanan was not nominated in 1848 (Polk was)

GLC06771.01

1838/02/16

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William L. Macy re: speech of John C. Calhoun

GLC06780

1835/12/10

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Letter

Title: to Benjamin Pierce re: postscripts on letter of B.K., Gen. Jackson & his cabinet

Two postscripts by Frnaklin and a Free Frank (as member of Congress) written on the letter of his brother B.K. Pierce to their father Benjamin. "Genl. [Andew] Jackson... stands second to no man... but the situation in the Cabinet... Genl. J. has vetoes."

GLC06938

1832/10/20

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Helm re: buying slaves and speculating on election results

"We have cheering political news from Penns[ylvani]a, demonstrating that the state has left [Andrew] Jackson." Clipped on left margin with loss to salutation and addressee. Written from Henry Clay's estate, Ashland, in Lexington, Kentucky.

GLC06947

1738/05/04

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Broadsheet

Title: Postscript to the Pennsylvania Gazette

The "Dear Ned" political allegory printed by Benjamin Franklin. An interesting letter, full of allegory, which speaks of injustices and deceptions but not specifically alluding to particular individuals.

GLC06957

1843/02/17

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James W. Breedlove

Jackson believes Clay is the author of "The Kentuckian on Martial Law". "Can anyone doubt but that Clay is.... 'Behind' ....This dirty, unmanly, and unjust proceeding?" A pencil note on p. 3 "in relation to my asking to be named as Coll[ector]" (see .07).

GLC06789.06

1856/10/25

Miller, Daniel L., fl. 1856

Broadside

Title: One Hundred Dollars Reward. Shall extension of slavery be prohibited? [election]

A comparison of Democratic Buchanan/Breckinridge platform to Republican Fremont/Dayton platform with historical background. Prints quotations from Jefferson, Washington, Madison, Polk, and the Constitution. For anyone who can disprove the statements in the broadside, the author offers: "One hundred dollars reward. Let every voter examine and judge for himself!" Poses the question: "Has Congress the Constitutional right to prohibit slavery and polygamy in the territories" and offers the candidates views on the issues.

GLC06814

1807/04/21

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Dearborn re: recommending W.Duncanson for Librarian of Congress

Jefferson, writing to his Secretary of War, discusses nominations for various posts, particularly W. Duncanson for Librarian of Congress, because of his distressed condition. "He was in the worst days of terror, one of the 4 or 5 who alone stood their ground as republicans in Washington and Georgetown. [....] He is warm in temper, and on account of some communications with Col. Smith in Miranda's affair and perhaps some acquaintance with Burr, might, I fear be rather unpopular with the members [of Congress]; but my confidence is that he vowed to be, & has been, an honest man in all his…

GLC06826

1876/02/12

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter

Title: to Crafts J. Wright re: vehement denial of claims that Davis started the war

Signature removed. Davis denies that he "instigated and precipitated" the Civil War, and that he "left the U.S. Govt. to be made Presdt. of the Confederate Govt." Davis also addresses the questions of "Negro" Troops and exchange of "Negro" prisoners. With asterisked noted written upside down at top of p. 7.

GLC06784

1860/11/08

Hunt, Andrew, fl. 1860

Broadside

Title: To The Voters of Jefferson County [Secession]

In bid to be representative at Virginia Secession Convention.

GLC06785.02

1842/08/01

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James W. Breedlove re: his anger about Sen. Conrad's attack on him

"The attack of Mr. Conrad in the United States Senate upon me...He had hitherto in all his public speeches approved my course..." Requests History of Judge Martin and declares....the reign of the Whiggs will terminate with the present Congress, when honest men will again be brought into power...." The letter has some severe bleedthrough, affecting legibility.

GLC06789.03

1842/10/03

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James W. Breedlove re: Martin's history of Louisiana, Clay's attacks on him

Jackson mentions receipt of Judge Martin's history of Louisiana and describes his belef that Henry Clay influenced the writing of Morten and the attack on Jackson by Senator Conrad: "should Mr. Conrad take back his slander and do me justice, he will be spared."

GLC06789.04