9 July 1852

Douglas, Stephen Arnold, 1813-1861

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, Delivered in Richmond, Virginia, July 9, 1852.

Supports Franklin Pierce as the Democratic presidential candidate. Gives a summary of Pierce's achievements and qualifications for the position of president: "Hence, as democrats, we invite the most rigid and strict scrutiny into the public and private character of Franklin Pierce and William R. King." Talks of why General Winfield Scott of the Whig party would not be a good candidate. Also does not speak well of the Whig party in general: "Not content with depriving men of their bread, they turn them away with a tarnished name." Printed most likely by the Richmond Examiner, who wrote the…

GLC00267.189

1852

Beals, Greene & Co., (Boston, Mass.)

Pamphlet

Title: The Whig charge of intolerance against the New Hampshire Democracy and Gen. Franklin Pierce.

Written in response to rumors and allegations from the Whig party that Franklin Pierce is religiously intolerant. States that "[i]n American political contests the seraching questions out to be ever, as to a candidate, 'Is he honest? is he capable? Is He Faithful to the Constitution?' while an approach to any thing like the popery cry of the British Tory party, or an appeal to a sect as such, ought to be severely denounced as violative of the spirit of our institutions." Includes amendments of the Constitution concerning religion, Whig opposition, vote of the towns, letters and the Whig'…

GLC00267.191

1856

Dix, William Giles, ?-1898

Pamphlet

Title: The Presidency: a reply to the letter of Hon. Rufus Choate to the Whig Committee of Maine.

Printed by John P. Jewett and Company. A pro-Fremont campaign document. Supports John C. Frémont in the Presidential election. Criticizes Millard Fillmore.

GLC00267.204

July 16, 1772

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Warren

Letter written by Adams, a future signer of the Declaration of Independence, as member of the Massachusetts legislature to Warren, also a member of the Massachusetts legislature. Says the session is over and the resolves, including one asking the King to rescind Governor Hutchinson's salary, have passed. Says he will send him a copy of the resolves if he promises not to publish them. Expresses his friendship with Warren, who he says was with him when the Tories cursed him at a commencement speech at Cambridge and at another occasion when "Confusion to me & my Adherents was given as a…

GLC01215

1776

Stearns, Samuel, 1741-1809

Autograph manuscript

Title: The North-American's Almanack, and Gentleman's and Lady's Diary

Printed by I. Thomas of Worchester, B. Edes of Watertown, and another printer (name lost to text loss) in Cambridge. With interleaved and bound-in diary of Reverend Joseph Lee of Concord containing accounts of his daily life. Most important entries deal with troop movements around Crown Point and Ticonderoga. The printed portion includes advice on health of soldiers and descriptions of a Tory and a Whig. Lee was tried by his fellow citizens as a Tory in April 1775 and confined to his farm until June 1776. During his confinement he was ignored by the rest of Concord and shot at by passing…

GLC01846

1850

Broadside

Title: Read and ponder the Fugitive Slave Law!

A large anti-Whig broadside, attacking Samuel A. Elliott of Boston, and re-printing the Fugitive Slave law. Emphasis added with capital letters in some sections. Declares that the law is against the Constitution, habeas corpus and Christianity. States that the law, "...tramples on the Constitution, by its denial of the sacred rights of Trial by Jury, Habeas Corpus, and Appeal..." Appeals to the public, "Freemen of Massachusetts, Remember, that Samuel A. Elliott of Boston, voted for this law, that Millard Fillmore, our Whig President approved it..." Contains three columns, a large banner…

GLC01862

December 22, 1843

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Francis Hamtramck Claiborne

Advises that he had communicated Claiborne's wishes to A. V. Breur of the House of Representatives and believes he will give the matter proper attention. Comments on the Whig dominance in the state of Tennessee, "...Tennessee cannot long continue to occupy her present false and unnatural political position." Expresses his hopes for the 1844 presidential election, "The Democracy of the state were never more confident of success, and are preparing for the great contest of 1844."

GLC01892

February 22, 1850

Smith, Caleb B. (Caleb Blood), 1808-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ewing

Recommending William D. Shepherd for a clerkship, and enclosing a petition signed by many Indiana Whigs supporting this promotion.

GLC02320.02

23 August 1851

Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written from "White Hall," Clay's estate. Clay, an emancipationist, replies to a letter from an unspecified recipient. Possibly discussing his run for Governor as an anti-slavery candidate in 1851, writes, "The number of votes cast for the anti-slavery candidates is small- I believe my vote is about thirty five hundred... The causes of my small vote are the inherent difficulties of the movement; Old party organization, and the violent misrepresentations by the Whig party of my views." Declares, "...slavery is the disturbing cause of old partyism everywhere... the time is near if not now-…

GLC02448.05

February 4, 1847

Corwin, Thomas, 1794-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James A. Briggs

Ohio Senator Corwin informs Briggs that he showed Mr. W. an article in the Cleveland, Ohio newspaper, The Plain Dealer. Refers to an enclosed note from Mr. W. (not included). Informs Briggs that debate regarding the "3 Million Appropriation Bill" will be opened the following day by Georgia Senator John Berrien. Declares that the Whig side of the House of Representatives will fully object to the bill.

GLC02505.11

22 September 1844

Crittenden, John Jordan, 1787-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles A. Drake

Kentucky Senator Crittenden declines an invitation to a Whig meeting in Boonville, Missouri from Drake, future Missouri Senator and fellow Whig. One black and white bust engraving of Crittenden included.

GLC02505.13

5 March 1848

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. H. S. [Held]

Greeley discusses his decision not to publish a letter sent by [Held?] regarding the 1848 Presidential election. Writes, "Publishing your letter as you wish could have just one effect- to aid the nomination of Gen Taylor as the Whig candidate for the President. Do you desire that? If not, be thankful that I do not submit such letters as yours to the public. I am doing what I can to defeat Gen. Taylor's nomination, and taking what I believe the best way to do it. If he is beaten at all, it will be by the use of Mr. Clay's nerve." Marked "private" at the top.

GLC02467.14

24 October 1848

Stevens, Thaddeus, 1792-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to S. [Gallary ?]

Discusses current politics, noting a tie in the House of Representatives over an unspecified issue. Mentions Democrats, a political struggle, and the standing of the Legislature. Notes that he will be at the Columbia House immediately after the election, and will be glad by that time to leave the State of Ohio. Probably written in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where Stevens lived. Recipient's name is illegible.

GLC02467.26

June 28, 1845

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Cooper

Informs Cooper, a Gettysburg lawyer and former Congressman, of his presidential aspirations for 1849. Expects President James Polk to attempt to run for a second term. States that Polk and Cave Johnson, Postmaster General, conspire to remove and appoint men to office. Discusses the political appointments and aspirations of Supreme Court Associate Justice John McLean, Congressman George McDuffie, Andrew Jackson, Whig Party founder and North Carolina Senator Willie Person Mangum, Georgia General Duncan Lamont Clinch, Kentucky Senator John Jordan Crittenden, Delaware Senator John Middleton…

GLC00145

November 4, 1838

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. F. Cox

William Henry Harrison urges Cox to reconsider his decision not to attend an upcoming convention for he is relying on his influence to " ... counter act certain sinister movements which were apprehended." Discusses his presidential prospects in Ohio for the 1840 election. "I knew enough of the foolish Conduct of some of the leading Whigs to make me believe that they had imbibed very erroneous notions in relation to the Whig strength in the State. But greatly as I lament the result, It has smoothed my way greatly in this State." Mentions that many men have avowed to give up on Henry Clay as a…

GLC00112

February 11, 1854

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander S. Latty

Comments that he is saddened to hear of Judge Latty's poor health. Talks of local politics and feels that the cities of Williams, Paulding, and Defiance, Ohio will be carried by the Independent Democrats in the fall elections. Remarks that the Whigs will cooperate with the Independents and Liberals. Suggests the names of some men to write to. Chase refers to Stephen A. Douglas and the Kansas Nebraska Bill in a fragmentary postscript, "Fair chance now of killing the striped snake Douglas has brought into Congress." Addressed to "My dear friend." Recipient identified based upon provenance.

GLC00216

1856

Parker, Joel, 1816-1888

Pamphlet

Title: The true issue, and the duty of the Whigs: an address before the citizens of Cambridge, October 1, 1856.

Also titled "An Address before the Citizens of Cambridge." Printed by James Munroe and Company.

GLC00267.165

December 29, 1828

Fox, Charles Richard 1796-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Pringle

Discusses an etching entitled "Mr. Fox and his Friends" by William Lane housed at Holland House. Fox thinks it would be fitting for an upcoming work and says his father has no objection to having it engraved. Whigs depicted in the etching include William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire; William Wentworth Fitzwilliam, 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam; John Crewe, 1st Baron Crewe; Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl of Bessborough; Henry Richard Vassall Fox, 3rd Baron Holland; John Fitzpatrick, 2nd Earl of Upper Ossory; Richard Fitzpatrick; Dudley Long North; Andrew St John, 13th Baron St John; Lord Robert…

GLC00496.157

April 25, 1780

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Mumford

Written by Parsons as a Major General in Continental Army to Thomas Mumford, a merchant from Groton, Connecticut. Mumford was also the brother-in-law of Parsons's staff officer Silas Deane. Tells Mumford his son was waiting at home after having escaped from a prison ship in New York Harbor. Mentions that he was grossly abused and "closely confined" on board. After 14 days of confinement he was liberated to the city by a Mr. Walter and just as he was about to board Joseph Chew's ship, which was to take him to New London, Connecticut, for a prisoner exchange, he was taken away and carried to…

GLC00496.075.08

March 4, 1809

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

In his letter, Adams discusses Madison taking office, politics, and national divisions.

GLC00639.01

November 12, 1848

Van Valkenburgh, Loty, fl. 1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh

Written to Frank when he was 13 years old by his sister Loty who seems to be somewhere in the western part of the South. Frank is referred to as "Master" in the address. Frank is separated from his family (GLC00686.19 says he is at "the Academy") and Loty is writing him to alleviate his loneliness. Loty seems to have been married recently and writes of understanding about homesickness: she says "I have learned that contentment is the only true happiness." Goes into further reminisces about her old home. Mentions that the church is 6 miles away and that services are only every other week. Says…

GLC00686.02

October 27, 1851

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

John Tyler writes to his son, Robert Tyler. He discusses the defeat of Judge Campbell, who had been rejected because he was a Roman Catholic: "to make a man's religious opinions the test for office is to break down the fairest and most beautiful pillar of the Constitution." He believes the Presidential election remains an open contest, and that his support of the tariff of 1842 would be a suitable point on which Robert Tyler might speak. He believes that Millard Fillmore is likely to obtain the Whig nomination. John Tyler was President of the United States from 1841 to 1845.

GLC00639.24

1 January 1845

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed letter

Title: to William H. Seward

Informs Seward why he did not support Henry Clay, the Whig Candidate, in the Presidential election of 1844. Presents an argument as to why the Liberty Party did not support Clay: "Mr. Clay would not have been defeated, had he done his duty. If he had, as soon as he learned that he was put in nomination, publicly washed his hands of the blood of duelling and slavery, he would have been elected." In the Presidential election of 1844, opponents of slavery were faced with a dilemma: whether to vote for Whig candidate Henry Clay, or support Liberty party candidate James G. Birney, and…

GLC04717.12

15 August 1848

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed letter

Title: To J. K. Ingalls, editor of the Landmark, New-York

Smith writes, "I hardly need say, that I am deeply interested in the present movement against the extension of slavery; and that I infinitely prefer the election of the candidates, who are identified with it, to the election of the Whig and Democratic candidates. Gen. Taylor and Gen. Cass are proslavery candidates. Mr. Van Buren and Mr. Adams are antislavery candidates. The former are the shameless tools of the slave-power. The latter bravely resist it."

GLC04717.14

1 November 1854

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed letter

Title: to William Goodell

Expresses his opinion that the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 will benefit the Whig party.

GLC04717.20