1774 - 1788

United States. Continental Congress.

Header Record

Title: Journals of Congress [decimalized]

Set lacks vol. 4. Vol. 2 (Philadelphia, 1776) includes the Declaration of Independence.

GLC00219

1777

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Journals of Congress. Containing the proceedings in the year, 1776

Strand of blond hair originally laid-in p.296-297 now in paper folder in back.

GLC00219.02

1865

Baker, Godwin & Co.

Pamphlet

Title: The unjust judge. A memorial of Roger Brooke Taney, late Chief Justice of the United States.

Contains a critical review of Taney's career and his decision in the Dred Scott case, where he upheld the existing slavery laws. Discusses the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as they relate to the issue of slavery in the United States.

GLC00267.060

1850

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Book

Title: California and New Mexico. Message from the President of the United States, transmitting information in answer to a resolution of the House...

(title continues)... of the 31st of December, 1849, on the subject of California and New Mexico. House Executive Document No. 17. Includes six fold-out maps, which appear to be in brittle condition. Opens with a message from President Zachary Taylor, concerning California: "...Any attempt to deny to the people of the State the right of self-government in a matter which peculiarly affects themselves, will infallibly be regarded by them as an invasion of their rights; and, upon the principles laid down in our own Declaration of Independence, they will certainly be sustained by the great mass…

GLC00267.133

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Carte de visite view of Independence Hall, Philadelphia

GLC00241.04

circa June 1863

Donopley, D.W., fl. 1863

Broadside

Title: Men of the Keystone State, rally for its defence!

Recruitment broadside in Pennsylvania published during Lee's invasion of the North in 1863, seemingly before the Battle of Gettysburg. Created by Captain D.W. Donopley of Company L of the First Regiment of the Washington Guard under Colonel William F. Small. Printed by King & Baird of 607 Sansom Street in Philadelphia. References Pennsylvania's role as the site of the creation of the Declaration of Independence and claims it is imperative that recruits join because it was the place where "'Liberty' was first proclaimed 'throughout the land, and to all the inhabitants thereof,' must not…

GLC00492

circa 1830

Villers, Charles Pelham, 1802-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Villiers, a British politician and lawyer, writes to an unknown recipient. He discusses a mutual friend possibly Sembish. He mentions The Examiner, a London newspaper. He also discusses British politics, and an "engagement with the Yankees." He writes, "I am afraid that the prevailing feeling in America is agst us- They see in our treatment of those colonies only a continuation of the same misgovernment that led to their own independence." Date previously inferred.

GLC00496.242

October 24, 1775

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

May have been source for Declaration of Independence's list. Cosigned by George Wythe and Silas Deane, with an autograph manuscript signed copy of the resolution signed by Charles Thomson. Also, discusses compiling British hostilities. The letter was with congressional resolve.

GLC00505.01

18 October 1775

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph document signed

Title: Congressional resolve to appoint committee to compile list of hostilities

Appointed John Adams, Silas Deane and George Wythe to the committee.

GLC00505.02

1837

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Pamphlet signed

Title: An oration delivered before the inhabitants of the town of Newburyport, at their request, on the sixty-first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1837.

Inscribed on front cover: "John Connell Esq. from John Quincy Adams" Discusses the history of the independence movement; finding support from the Declaration of Independence; attacking nullification and states rights; condemning slavery; supporting free speech, etc. Pale blue paper cover. Printed by Morss and Brewster.

GLC00506

September 23, 1824

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

A long letter on politics, foreign relations, Pickering's relationship with John Adams and others, and attacks on him in print. Extensively discusses the politics surrounding his "Review of the Adams & Cunningham Correspondence." Comments on the relationship of his review to the writing of his memoirs. Also goes into detail about the personal attacks made against him in the newspapers. Discusses the political ambitions of Edward Everett, then a professor at Harvard. Among the prominent figures discussed are Jefferson and Adams, John Quincy Adams, Alexander Everett, and Edward Everett. A…

GLC00570

July 6, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Cooper

Enclosing the Declaration of Independence, with personal notes to his friend and description of sabotage of a captured American ship. Cooper was town clerk of Boston. Also, discusses military matters.

GLC00595

April 18, 1790

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Benjamin Rush

The letter discusses corruption and Adam's unhappiness as Vice President. He is very affectionate towards Rush. Also discusses beliefs on government and other reflections.

GLC00704

November 20, 1861

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry S. Randall

Greeley writes to Randall, a biographer of Thomas Jefferson, about the relative qualities of Jefferson, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Alexander Hamilton. Expresses thanks for Randall's "vindication of Jefferson from the personal calumnies which had somewhat blackened his reputation." He expresses his reverence and love for Jefferson as the author of the Declaration of Independence but wishes Randall had "let him have some venial faults" to make him appear more human. He indicates that he has greater admiration for Hamilton, who he attributes greater responsibility "In building a…

GLC00935

1774

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Pamphlet

Title: 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 recorded in the Declaration of Independence and said to have brought him to the attention of delegates as a talented writer.

GLC00962

July 18, 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports no news from Boston and a feeling of security there. Explains that all news from New York comes from the bi-weekly post deliveries. They keep hoping to hear "something grand from you[r] quarter." General George Washington's call for troops from Boston to go to New York has made the people alarmed, but Jackson sees it in a positive light because it will compel the raising of more local troops to replace those leaving. Smallpox will prevent some troops from marching for New York. Mentions that Colonel John Glover's men will march to New York. Reports that the Declaration of…

GLC02437.00382

18 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Remarks on Henry's talent for burlesquing William's writing. Expresses sympathy for Lucy's situation, in which she has to stay in Connecticut away from Henry. Offers to leave the bookstore in someone's care and go to Fairfield to bring Lucy back to Boston. Mentions that the Declaration of Independence will be read in Boston on the day of this letter's writing. Remarks that he heard the British sailed up the Hudson, which they did on 12 July 1776, and conjectures "it to be by way of experiment." Mentions that Captain Harry Johnson came in from Halifax. Also mentions that two persons were…

GLC02437.00383

July 15, 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Responds to a letter from Lucy in which she remonstrated Henry over their recent separation in which she left New York and went to Connecticut. Henry is "both grieved an angry" because Lucy blames Henry for her inconveniences even though it is in her "power instantly to remedy them." Moreover, if she does not like it there, it is within her power to go elsewhere. Warns her against anyone contradicting his advice. Urges her to use her "own good sense and see that there can be no essential difference as you have a carriage and Horses, between coming [to New York] from New Haven or…

GLC02437.00375

15 July 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wants Knox to write more frequently to keep him updated on activities in New York. Remarks that "at Last the grand Question of Independence is determined and I hope every true American will support it with his Life and Fortune." Comments on smallpox afflicting the Continental troops and the lack of news about the privateer he discussed in his previous letter (GLC02437.00370). Date of 15 July 1776 from docket. Header of letter only dated July 1776.

GLC02437.00376

4 July 1864

1st Regiment North Carolina Union Volunteers

Document

Title: [Invitation to a 4th of July celebration sponsored by the Ist Regt. N.C. Union Volunteers]

Printed invitation requesting Renshaw's presence at a 4th of July celebration at Fort Macon. Includes an "Order of Exercise" listing a variety of activities for the day, including music, prayer, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a fireworks performance at "8 1/2 o'clock, PM." Written at Fort Macon.

GLC02254.21

January 25, 1779

Harcourt, fl. 1763-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Madam]

He expresses regret that she has been so sick and unable to travel, but is glad that she is feeling better now. He compares the English and the French. He mentions Lord Chatham's declaration to never acknowledge the independence of America, which, in Harcourt's translation, is fishing for a royal office.

GLC01794.14

February 16, 1856

Parker, Theodore, 1810-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel P. Banks

Congratulates him on his "success in helping achieve the first victory which the North has won over the South since 1808, when the slave trade with Africa was abolished. I might better say, the first victory of freedom over Slavery since the Declaration of Independence -- for there was no fight in 1808." Banks was a member of Congress from Massachusetts. In 1856 he declined the presidential nomination of the American party.

GLC02509.10

2 August 1776 circa

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Broadside

Title: Declaration of Independence [Charleston, 1776]

Unrecorded and unique. Endorsed on verso. Peter Timothy was printer to the colony of South Carolina, and later to the state of North Carolina. News of the Declaration was received Aug. 2. Timothy's broadside follows Dunlap with minor variants of capitalization, spelling and punctuation.

GLC00959

4 July 1827

Broadside

Title: Order of excercises, at the celebration of the fifty-first anniversary of American independence

Inlcudes a reading of the Declaration of Independence along with hymns and prayer.

GLC06143.23

11 June 1877

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William J. McDonald

"I beg to acknowledge the receipt from you, of the handsome volume, entitled 'Constitution, Rules and Manual'….I find it embraces, besides the subjects indicated by the title, the Declaration of Independence 1776, the Articles of Confederation 1778, the famous Ordnance of 1787…most valuable to Every American, especially to Officers of the Army. I should be pleased if Congress would provide…a copy…to every Post - for it would ensure an exact compliance with the Laws and historic precedents which have contributed to the growth and development of the Government and Country." To William J.…

GLC09385