Collection Search

Proposed amendments to the US Constitution (with transmittal)

Accompanied by a transmittal document 1795/12/15. Swem, Virginia Imprints 7834. Evans 29798. Signed by H. Brooke and John Stewart.

GLC01075

to Jefferson Davis

Confederate General Morgan writes an eloquent letter to Davis to urge him to return him to his command. "My sense of duty compels me to leave Richmond in order to place myself at the head of the remnant of my Old Cavalry Brigade, diminished as it is...

GLC01076

to John Hunt Morgan

Pencil copy of Special Order Number 44. Orders both Colonels Morgan and Scott to cross the bridge over the Kentucky river along the "Bryantsville and Nicholasville pike," and then burn the bridge. Signed as General E. Kirby Smith's Chief of Staff.

GLC01077

to Henry T. Clark

Polk writes to North Carolina Governor Clark about the recent act passed by the Confederate Congress authorizing the exportation of cotton across enemy lines in exchange for supplies.

GLC01078

[Signed endorsement, "J.D."]

Confederate President Jefferson Davis endorsement signed (with initials) on the top of the first page in pencil. "Sectry of Treasry - Has not this matter been attended to on a former letter? J.D." Written on a signed autograph letter from...

GLC01079

to Isabella Morrison Hill

Hill writes to his wife with general news. He discusses measles in the camp and the reception of his commission as Brigadier General in the Provisional Army. Also comments on two Union deserters who came with news of an advance, and remarks that "it...

GLC01080

Special orders no. 198: to Nathan G. Evans, ordering to Manassas

Labelled "Special Orders no. 198." Ordering Evans to Manassas Junction to report to Gen. Beauregard. Evans played an important part in the battle.

GLC01081

to Supreme Court re: requesting pardon

Requests the secretary of state make out a pardon for Henry Brasher for receiving stolen property. Brasher had been convicted in January 1796. Letter signed by Jay as governor of New York.

GLC01082

to Jeremiah A. Goodman

One letter written by Thomas Jefferson to Jeremiah A. Goodman dated July 30, 1817. Goodman was Jefferson's former plantation overseer at Poplar Forest. Item documents the cancellation of selling Sally, a three-year old enslaved child to Goodman....

GLC01084

to unknown

Briefly states that "sovereign states cannot rebel."

GLC01089

Indenture forming "Willard, Martin & Co." to buy stocks, bonds, gold a

Signed by all six partners of the firm. The "Indenture" (articles of copartnership) was to buy and sell stocks, bonds, gold and securities.

GLC01090

[Portrait of Harriet Beecher Stowe]

One portrait of Harriet Beecher Stowe taken by Sarony dated June 30, 1895. Inscribed to Frank Leonard. Signed twice, recto and verso after an excerpt from Uncle Tom's Cabin.

GLC01091

to Samuel Jarvis

Morse complains of problems with the mail. He lists books (and their prices) he obtained for Jarvis. Comments on politics in Europe and his hopes for peace in the War of 1812. Jarvis was rector of St. Michael's school in Bloomingdale, New York.

GLC01092

to William Pitt Fessenden

Colfax notes that he is not personally acquainted with Senator Fessenden, but they were both present at a previous National Convention. He hopes that instead of voting against the Clayton Amendment, Fessenden will allow it to pass, in hopes that its...

GLC01095

[Collection of two James Madison letters]

GLC01096

to Edward Burd

Summarizes cases heard in court. Addressed to Burd as the prothonotary of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

GLC01097

[Payment of salary to Benjamin Bartholomew]

Authorizes the treasurer for the county of Chester, Pennsylvania to pay Bartholomew 31 pounds and 12 shillings for 79 days attendance as a member of the house. Also three pounds, 16 shillings for mileage. Note on verso dated 12 October 1776 states...

GLC01098

to Samuel Townsend

Continental Congressman Duer orders Captain Townsend to send an inventory of the effects of Israel Seaman and William Crocker to "the Commissioners appointed for his County." Townshend had apprehended Seaman and Crocker earlier by order of the...

GLC01099

Whither bound?

Inscribed to his son James Roosevelt and dated June 1926. Signed twice, once in the presentation note on the free front endpaper and once on the titlepage. A lecture at Milton Academy on the Alumni Memorial Foundation, 18 May 1926. Published by...

GLC01101

to William T. Sherman

Telegram to General William T. Sherman above which Grant has penned a note requesting a member of his staff at City Point, Virginia, to send the dispatch in cipher to General Sherman at Goldsboro, North Carolina, regarding his progress, the flight of...

GLC01102

to James Bridge

Adams wishes to become reacquainted with his old friend from Harvard. Adams provides an outline of his history abroad since he last wrote Bridge in September 1794. He discusses travel to Holland, England, and Prussia, while serving the Unites States...

GLC00958.11

to Elias Shipman & others

An important letter responding to their protest about the dismissal of Elizur Goodrich in favor of Samuel Bishop. Goodrich was a "midnight" appointee of Adams, two weeks before leaving office. An important letter defending the care with which he...

GLC00964

to David B. Campbell

Lincoln replies to Illinois Attorney General Campbell and discusses his unpopular stand on the Mexican War. Mentions a speech on internal improvements and another in support of Zachary Taylor that would constitute the close of his Congressional...

GLC00965

to Simon Cameron

Lincoln writes to Secretary of War Cameron to express his desire to accept a fifth regiment from Michigan. He is referring to the 16th Michigan Volunteers, under Colonel T.B.W. Stockton. Lincoln seeks Cameron's approval of this action.

GLC00966

to John Polson

Washington replies to a letter from Polson delivered by Captain Samuel Milford, stating that he did not receive a letter Polson claimed to have sent. He reports that all information regarding Polson's land on the Great Kanawha River is communicated...

GLC00967

to John Quincy Adams

Letter written by Monroe as President to an unnamed recipient. The recipient is likely John Quincy Adams, however; this is inferred based on the content and on information in John Quincy Adams diary, discussing his meeting with Monroe on this topic...

GLC00969

[Draft letter]

Discusses appointing a governor to Havana, Cuba. Written in pencil on Executive Mansion letterhead. Some words have been retouched by another hand.

GLC00970

to Harvey D. Gibson

Wilson informs Gibson that he has selected him to serve on the National War Finance Committee. Indicates that the Red Cross was about to "appeal to the American people for additional funds to carry on its work" during World War I. Letter written on...

GLC00972

Invitation for the President of the National Agricultural Convention

McCormick, inventor of the reaping machine, invites the President of the National Agriculture Convention to attend a demonstration of the machine. He indicates that the convention is assembled in Washington, D.C. Includes an initialed postscript...

GLC00974

An Act repealing, after the last Day of June next, the duties heretofore laid upon distilled spirits imported from abroad, and laying others in their stead; and also upon spirits Distilled in the United States, and for appropriating the fame.

This document explicates the taxes to be imposed on spirits within the United States. These excise taxes sparked the Whiskey Rebellion. Approved specifically by George Washington, as President, John Adams, as Vice President, and Frederick Augustus...

GLC00980

to Governor Clinton

Seeking advice on various appointments from the Governor. In part: "To you I need not make the observation that of all the duties imposed on the Executive head of a government, appointment to office is the most difficult & most irksome..." He goes on...

GLC00986

to his Holiness, Pope Pius IX

Letter of credence for Rufus King as U.S. Minister to Papal States.

GLC01000

to James Bridge

Invitation to visit him. Marked at top: "Copy of letter in the possession of Miss H. North, N. Y." (19th C. copy).

GLC00958.12

Scrapbook/letterbook: other letters collateral to correspondence

Includes letters from Bridge's other classmates from Harvard.

GLC00958.13

Report... relative to... the support of the public credit...

Folio. Evans 22998 (2298?). Authored by Hamilton, called by DAB "one of his greatest state papers." First printing. Bookplate of Jolen [Johanne] White and ownership signature of William Henderson, a New York Federalist, manufacturer and friend of...

GLC00960

to Daniel Hale

John Jay asks Secretary of State Hale to prepare a pardon for Robert MacBraire. MacBraire had been convicted of assault with intent to rob, and sentenced to pay a $25 fine and serve 9 months in prison. Letter written by Jay as governor of New York.

GLC00961

A summary view of the rights of British America

8vo. 2d edition reprinted by Dunlap. Evans 11351, Howes J79, Sabin 35918, Streeter Sale 2: 754. With authorship noted on titlepage in a contemporary hand. There are twenty copies of Dunlap's printing recorded. Seminal for Jefferson's thoughts...

GLC00962

to Daniel Call

Jefferson states that he received the decree against the Henderson's and is satisfied with it. He discusses the legal proceedings against his neighbors, the Henderson family, who built a mill and dam downstream from Jefferson's mill and dam on the...

GLC00963

[Civil War Songbook]

Contains lyrics to several martial, sentimental, religious and romantic songs. Titles include "John Brown Song" (usually called "John Brown's Body") "Sung by Fletcher Webster's Regiment in Boston [sic]," "Traitor, Spare That Flag," "Oh, For a Home...

GLC00968

[Two items relating to Woodrow Wilson] [Decimalized .01- .02]

GLC00971

to John G. Walker

Wharton discusses the "disposition of forces under my command" with Major General Walker. He comments on their locations and plans to move. He intends to go to Black River. Confederate Major General Wharton commanded the cavalry in the Trans...

GLC00973

to Arthur Lee

Francis Lightfoot Lee warns his brother, then on a diplomatic mission with Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane to obtain aid from France during the American Revolution, about the intrigue surrounding the recently recalled Deane. Indicates that Deane...

GLC00975

Letters to William B. Rochester regarding establishment & closing of the Bank of United States [decimalized .001-.040]

Forty letters written as President of the Bank of the United States to William B. Rochester, who intended to establish a new branch of the bank in Buffalo, New York. Letters are regarding the re-chartering of the Bank of the United States as Biddle...

GLC00976

to William Goddard

Walton writes about defense preparations in Georgia. He advises that a full board of devoted men has been assembled and are in very good spirits. Indicates that they have prepared several fire vessels to defend against the British navy and erected a...

GLC00977

to John Dennison Baldwin

Dana discusses his recollection of an anti-slavery convention and his support for President Abraham Lincoln. Dana was currently U.S. district attorney for Massachusetts, appointed by Lincoln.

GLC00978

to Samuel Joseph May

Greenleaf invites May to the quarterly meeting of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in Lynn, Massachusetts. He indicates that "Stanton, Garrison, Loring, Sewall, everybody wishes thee to be with us on the occasion." Mentions a Missouri statement...

GLC00979

Broadside re: bringing rioters to justice [Whiskey Rebellion]

GLC00981

to David Redick

Judge Addison discusses punishing those involved in the Whiskey Rebellion who have signed submission papers. Contends, in regard to whether the offenders should be tried in federal or state court, that "our common view is...to have a specifick...

GLC00982

to Thomas Rodney

Written by Rodney, an eventual signer of the Declaration of Independence, as Speaker of the Delaware Assembly to an unknown recipient, most likely Thomas Rodney. Says he wrote recipient on September 17, 1774. Says he was probably concerned about a...

GLC00983

to Robert Tyler

John Tyler writes to his son about visiting a friend and his health. He remarks that he would be happy to see Robert's friend win the governorship. Comments that, " ... the preservation of our institutions depends on the maintenance of the sound...

GLC00984

to James McHenry

Senator Carroll informs McHenry, Secretary of War, that Senator Rufus King intends to move resolutions in Congress related to the 1796 United States Presidential election. He reports in detail the number of votes currently held by each Presidential...

GLC00985

to Joseph Clarke

Hancock writes to Treasurer Clarke that he must deny his request for a loan, as the state is too burdened with debt. " ... the Situation of our publick Funds, & the large Calls for Money by Loans for the Service of the State, makes it impossible to...

GLC00987

to Henry Curtis

Tyler discusses a carriage he is selling to Curtis. States that he will accept a mule Curtis has as partial payment. He mentions that his wife Letitia's health is still poor.

GLC00988

to Joseph Clay

Written by McKean as Governor of Pennsylvania to Clay as a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania. According to the docketed note of McKean, this is a retained rough draft of a letter to Clay. References Clay's letter of November 15, 1804. Clay claims...

GLC00989

[Confederate act to authorize the exportation of produce and merchandise]

Passed by the Confederate Congress, Thomas Bocock as speaker of the House, and R.M.T. Hunter as president pro tempore of the Senate and approved by Davis as president. Authorizes the export of government-owned "cotton, tobacco, and other produce and...

GLC00990

to Tazwell W. Newman

Discusses Colonel Newman's request for supplies and supply issues more generally. Also comments on the movements of a few regiments. With a brief postscript noting supplies taken by Major J. L. Brown. Zollicoffer was a brigadier general in the...

GLC00991

to Mary K. Buckner

Confederate general Buckner writes to his wife, states that he is on his way to Indianapolis, where he was interred at Camp Morton after surrendering Fort Donelson to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. States that his staff is with him. With an...

GLC00992

[Appointment of Thomas Dingley as Massachusetts militia captain]

Partially printed document signed by Perez Morton as deputy secretary of the council. Other signers from the Massachusetts Bay Council included: James Otis, W. Spooner, Caleb and Thomas Cushing, B. Chadborn, Moses Gill, John Whitcomb, Jedediah...

GLC00993

[Appointment of Second Lieutenant Enos Briggs]

Document of the Congress of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay appoints Enos Briggs a second lieutenant of a Company of Foot. Signed by James Warren, President of the Congress and Samuel Freeman, Secretary of the Congress. On verso is note written by...

GLC00994

to Henry Remsen

Written by Otis as Secretary of the United States Senate to Remsen as principal clerk of Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Otis says he will send five copies of the journals of the First Congress and says he will send eight additional copies in...

GLC00995

[Rhode Island laws]

Signed by Ward as Rhode Island Secretary of State. Printed set of laws passed by the legislature and Nicholas Cooke, Governor of Rhode Island. Second page lists members of the legislature. Each page lists resolutions and laws and each paragraph has a...

GLC00996

[Appointment of John Collins as a Rhode Island delegate to the general congress]

Signed by Greene as governor of Rhode Island, countersigned by Henry Ward as secretary of state. Commissions Collins to represent Rhode Island in the general congress in Philadelphia until ratification of the Articles of Confederation.

GLC00997

to Russel Alger

Draft copy, no place or date. Edwards, Brevet Major General U. S. Volunteers, writes to Alger as Secretary of War. He discusses a medal wrongly awarded by the War Department to a private for the capture of General Custis Lee at the Battle of Sailor's...

GLC00998

to Andrew H. Foote

Bixby, seeking a mail contract, asks Foote to recommend him to Postmaster General Montgomery Blair. He notes that Flag Officer Davis has already written such a letter. He adds that in the event of his flotilla being turned over to the navy, and there...

GLC00999

Speeches By Oliver Wendell Holmes, Junior.

Inscribed to philanthropist Charles Fairchild and signed with initials "O. W. H." With autograph explanatory notes on Civil War persons mentioned in his speeches, including W. Putnam, W.F. Cabot, James Lowell, General Charles Lowell, Paul Revere...

GLC01001

to William J. Hardee

Handwritten telegram sent by Confederate General Hill stating that he needs two thousand arms, and that nine hundred men arrived from the west but one half of them have deserted.

GLC01002

[Collection of Oliver D. Pratt, L company, 1st battalion, 4th regiment, Massachusetts, cavalry] [Decimalized .01-.03.12]

Contains 2 diaries and 12 letters.

GLC01003

Collection of two items related to Abraham Lincoln and Lazarus Whitehead Powell [Decimalized]

GLC01011

[Petition for promoting Colonel Andrew Wood Denison].

Lincoln submitted this petition to Secretary of War Stanton. Fifteen prominent men from Maryland signed the petition asking that Colonel Denison be promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers. The petition recounts Denison's service to the Union...

GLC01012

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...

GLC01024

to Amos Kendall

Jackson writes to the former Postmaster General, also Jackson's close friend and biographer. Jackson relates how he learned that nullifiers secretly sent an agent to Great Britain for aid during the Nullification Crisis of 1832. "... the nullifiers...

GLC01025

[Collection of letters from Oliver D. Pratt to his brother Albert S. Pratt] [Decimalized .01-.12]

Includes nine dated autograph letters signed, and three undated or fragmentary autograph letters (two are signed). Pratt served in Col. L, 1st Battalion, 4th Massachusetts Cavalry. Includes fighting in Charleston, South Carolina, and Petersburg...

GLC01003.03

[Diary of Horace A. Smith, 3rd NY Cavalry]

Autograph manuscript signed. Smith served in Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd NY Cavalry, "Van Allen's Regiment." Diary kept in ink and pencil with later pencil pagination. Includes ink drawings of Camp layouts at Poolesveille, Md. and Harpers Ferry...

GLC01004

5th Corps original field orders of the last campaign

Retained letterpress copies of over 200 original field directives pasted into a bound manuscript. Copies are of the original orders sent to the 5th Corps, or V Corps, Army of the Potomac. Almost all orders were issued by General Meade and almost...

GLC01005

[Diary aboard the U.S.S. Nantucket]

Allen was an officer on the USS "Nantucket" during and before the bombardment of Fort Sumter. The diary appears to have been written within days of the actions. Includes manuscript pencil and ink "Sketch of Charleston Harbor and fortifications," and...

GLC01006

[5 Documents pertaining to the surrender of CSS Atlanta to Union ironclads] [decimalized .01-.05]

Documenting the surrender and prisoner transfers of a Confederate ironclad steamer. Webb was commander of the CSS "Atlanta," which surrendered to Union ironclads. Documents include lists of officers and crew. The CSS "Atlanta" was an ironclad ram...

GLC01007

List of blockade runners with ALS and photograph [decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01008

Vessels captured within the limits of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron

Ledger book lists 42 ships captured from South Carolina to Florida with inclusive dates of October 3, 1863 to May 5, 1865. Six columns listed as: Prize (name of the vessel), Class, Whom captured, Where captured, Where sent, and Remarks. Occasionally...

GLC01008.01

Letter to his mother and photograph of Byron P. Drowne [Decimalized .01- .02]

Letter from 16-year-old Drowne to his mother, written on the USS "Catalpa" off Charleston. Accompanying photograph.

GLC01008.02

[Ordnance used by ships during siege of Vicksburg]

Ordnance book listing supplies used by Union ships Pensacola, Sportsman, Fearnot and Storehouse. Documents ordnance issued and ordnance used. Dated March 31- August 1863.

GLC01009

[General Orders acknowledging soldiers' bravery in the capture of Forts Morgan and Gaines, Alabama]

General Granger relates his appreciation to officers and soldiers. Writes "In the midst of danger you have been brave; under the severest exposure and fatigue you have been patient... continue to cherish all those virtues of discipline and courage...

GLC01010

[Collection of Creed A. Lay, A company, 40th regiment, Illinois, infantry] [decimalized]

Lay was served in the 40th Regiment, Ill. volunteers. Collection includes 64 items including 32 letters, 25 envelopes, 2 metal lapel pins, and 5 miscellaneous items. Letters include many original envelopes, some with patriotic designs, a cut-out...

GLC01013

Collection of Daniel G. Winegar, B company, 95th regiment, Illinois, infantry [Decimalized .001-.189]

This collection consists exclusively of correspondence from Daniel G. Winegar, to his wife Elvira in Belvidere, Ill. Winegar enlisted as a private in August 1862, and was mustered into Co. "B" of the 95th Illinois infantry in September of that year...

GLC01014

List of killed & wounded at the battle of Gettysburg Pa. July 2nd & 3rd 63

Manuscript field report of killed, wounded, and missing from the 1st Massachusetts Infantry. Most likely written while at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Includes comments such as "coward" and "d-d good soldier" after a few names.

GLC01015

Diary and Photograph of Benjamin F. Thomas [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01016

General orders, no. 112

Praises his men, the "Fighting Fourth" Division of the Army of the Tennessee, for their actions after the battle of Corinth. Hurlbut's men arrived after the Confederate assault on the city had been repulsed, but he praises their actions against the...

GLC01017

Manuscript journal and letter book

Bulk, 1765-1769 on Stamp Act Congress; some pages cut out. In four sections: 1) Correspondence of CT and Philadelphia Merchant's Committee, re: Stamp Act, 1765-1766; 2) Resolves of colonies re: Stamp Act Congress, with minutes of the Congress from...

GLC01018

to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Colonel in the First Georgia Battalion who was severely wounded and captured during the Battle of Savannah in December 1778, to Lincoln as commander of the Southern Department. Walton...

GLC01019

[The laying and completion of the Pacific cable]

Two volume scrapbook covering the completion of the Pacific cable linking North America to Hawaii, Australia, and the South Pacific. Includes cablegrams charting progress of the cable and sending congratulations from officials in places along the...

GLC01020

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...

GLC01021

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...

GLC01022

[Virginia Military Institute diploma for W. O. Yager]

Printed diploma signed by several future Confederate Generals, including Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson, who taught at the Virginia Military Institute as a professor of natural philosophy. Tied with blue ribbon with blue embossed paper seal. Also...

GLC01023

to Jefferson Davis

Written less than a week after the Battle of Cold Harbor, June 1-3, 1864, where Union General Ulysses S. Grant defeated the Confederates. Lee attempts to anticipate Grant's next move and warns of another major engagement. Lee notifies Davis of his...

GLC01026

to David Howell

Jefferson attacks the Federalists as favoring hereditary rule. Free franked. He mentions that public news draws him from reading Tacitus and Horace, which he calls "more agreeable reading." He also mentions Gov. Fenner of Rhode Island. Jefferson...

GLC01027

to John D. Godman

Letter discusses the upcoming presidential election. Speculates on the contest between himself, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and William H. Crawford. Thinks it certain that the election will be decided in the House of Representatives (it was)...

GLC01028

to Fitzhugh Lee

As brigadier general, from the headquarters of the Army of Observation. Tells Col. Fitzhugh Lee to hold his position until his column passes him en route to join Robert E. Lee on the south side of the Chickahominy River. Letter written in pencil.

GLC01029

to Mary Wood

He writes to his sister about his activities in Canada at Fort George and elsewhere in the northern campaign during the War of 1812. Also discusses the heroism of their brother, Eleazor D. Wood, at Fort Meigs, as recounted by General William Henry...

GLC01043.02

to Eleazor D. Wood

Transmits a brevet commission to the position of lieutenant colonel for Wood's service in the Battle of Lundy's Lane near Niagara Falls on July 25, 1814. One black and white bust engraving of John Armstrong included.

GLC01043.05

to nearest relatives of Eleazor D. Wood

Circular letter from the Adjutant General's Office signed by Jones as aide-de-camp. Requests a copy of the brevet commissions conferred by President Madison during the War of 1812. Wood had been brevetted lieutenant colonel on August 19, 1814 (see...

GLC01043.06

[Appointment of Eleazor D. Wood to major in the corps of engineers]

Madison signed as President and countersigned by John Armstrong as Secretary of War. The commission was a brevet for Battle of Lundy's lane near Niagara Falls.

GLC01043.07