10 May 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: Authority to affix the seal to pardon of James Brady, for theft of mail

Brady had been convicted of stealing from the mail and sentenced for two years imprisonment. After serving nearly two-thirds of his sentence, he was pardoned by Lincoln for penitent and exemplary nammer.

GLC03966

17 July 1860

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Jacob Smith for mail tampering].

Pardon is countersigned by Acting Secretary of State William Henry Trescot. After serving his sentence, Jacob Smith continued to be imprisoned in Philadelphia for nonpayment of his $500 fine. He was pardoned by Buchanan after this was petitioned by citizens of Dauphin County (where the offenses took place) and by Pennsylvania Senator William Bigler.

GLC03984

8 June 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Ebenezer Hazard

Washington requests a report on the general state of the United States Post Office from Hazard, the Postmaster General.

GLC04444

16 April 1843

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph note signed

Title: to J. H. Hodges

He answers a request concerning Dr. Sturgeon's post office. Written on a half sheet of paper. With offset from an engraving on the front, and a rubber stamp signature of previous owner on verso.

GLC04675.18

circa 1864

Gillespie, Elizabeth Duane, 1821-1901

Broadside

Title: [Announcement for the Central Fair Letter Boxes]

Gillespie, postmistress for the Central Fair, directs Fair participants to "Letter-Boxes, as a great convenience to all desiring to correspond with visitors to the Fair; as well as for letters to be delivered throughout the City, or at the Post Office for mailing." Summarizes mailing requirements and rates.

GLC04637

24 June 1805

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodorus Bailey

Secretary of State Madison discusses the arrangement to furnish American ministers abroad with newspapers and the problems with them not being received. Bailey was the postmaster of the city of New York.

GLC04890

4 June 1869

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sidney Webster

Discusses aspects of reconstruction, criticizing "the appointment of a Massachusetts negro to the office of Postmaster at Macon, Georgia." Inquires as to the well-being of Webster's family.

GLC04895

1860's ca.

Photograph

Title: Portrait of Reagan, Post Master General, C.S.A., Texas.

Painted or retouched cabinet card size photograph.

GLC05111.01.0368

1865

Photograph

Title: General Post Office in Washington D.C.

A view from across a dirt street of the post office in Washington D.C. Across the dirt streets, leading from brick sidewalk to brick sidewalk are stone crosswalks. The post office is constructed in a Georgian manner, on a street reminiscent of London. Inscription on verso: "Post Office Wash 1865." Numeric notation on verso: "164."

GLC05111.01.0874

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Post Office, New Berne, NC [split stereocard]

The image shows four people standing near a small white wooden post office. Inscription on image: "Post Office." Inscription on verso: "New Berne, NC."

GLC05111.01.1253

1950

Labarre, Linda J., fl. 1950

Engraving Signed

Title: Engraving of Henry Wells

One engraving of Henry Wells dated 1950. Bust portrait of Wells sketched by Linda J. Labarre from an image in the book American Express- A Century of Service published by Alden Hatch in 1950.

GLC08878.0827

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Portrait vignette of John Henninger Reagan, Postmaster, CSA [cabinet card]

The image shows a vignette portrait of John Henninger Reagan, wearing a civilian suit and looking to his left of the camera. Inscriptions on recto: "J. H. Reagan" and "C. M. Bell Washington, D.C." Inscriptions on verso: "Hon. J. H. Reagan" and "C. M. Bell Artist 459, 461, 463 &465 Penn. Avenue, Washington."

GLC05111.01.1381

23 September 1776

Moncada, Fernando de Rivera y, fl. 1775-1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Antonio Bucareli (in Spanish)

Insufficient horses and mules and the potential violence of Indians makes reliable mail service difficult.

GLC06287.07

January 27, 1805

Eustis, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Tells Hobart that his letter has been received and, as he requested, the enclosed item had been given to the Post Master General. Also, mentions that Hobart's recommendation for where to establish a post office will be considered.

GLC06313.04.002

21 June 1885

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W. F. Giles [?]

Last name of recipient is illegible. Takes responsibility for his former law partner's death at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain under Sherman's command. "McCook was my law partner and I caused his death. I have already written his child the exact truth...." Informs that he is trying to obtain an appointment for the orphaned daughter of McCook. Describes a dilemma Ulysses S. Grant relayed to him during his presidency. Grant apparently agreed to find a position for a veteran fired by his postmaster General Creswell, but was not aware the former soldier was severely disabled by war wounds…

GLC06340

18 March 1861

Reagan, John H. (John Henninger), 1818-1905

Letter

Title: [Circular letter announcing Confederate post office policy]

Printed Circular Letter marked "No. 2." Issued from the first Confederate Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama by Reagan, the first (and only) Confederate Postmaster General. Dealing with issues of transition from the Federal postal service to the Confederate postal service. Says the Confederate government will not interfere with any existing contracts until it assumes "entire control of its postal affairs." Says liability of present contractors in the United States will also be decided when the Confederates take over the postal system. Says if the United States cuts off mail service before the…

GLC05987.10

29 September 1789

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has just heard that Mr. [Samuel] Osgood has been appointed Postmaster General. Wonders whether it would be appropriate to submit a proposal to be Postmaster of Philadelphia. Explains that Knox is the only person to whom he is presenting the idea, and would like Knox's opinion before he proceeds.

GLC02437.04370

6 September 1783

Hoffman, Nicholas, 1736-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he will send all of Knox's letters to his brother, William Knox, by a passenger on a ship headed to the same place, most likely, London, England.

GLC02437.02474

17 June 1926

Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933

Document signed

Title: [Presidential commutation for Arthur Franzblau, convicted of mail fraud 24 February 1924 in New York]

Arthur Franzblau was convicted of using the mails in a scheme to defraud in the U.S. District Court of Southern New York and sentenced to one year in the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia. He appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals on 2 February 1924 where his case was still pending. Coolidge commuted his sentence to one day in the custody of a U.S. Marshal; no reason given. Countersigned by William D. Mitchell, Acting Attorney General. Printed document with blanks filled in with type.

GLC07326

24 June 1792

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I wish you to send me a copy of your conditional transfer to Colo [William] Duer, as from what you have written I am at a loss to determine exactly the principles of it... [the] embarrassment that has attended this business from the first movement of it, to the present hour, has rested on my shoulders and been conducted with an exertion on my part, which nothing but its prospects of emoluments for you and myself would have induced me to persevere." Further discusses finances and property deals, mentioning Royal Flint, Nathan Jones, and Madame de Leval. In closing, writes, "this…

GLC02437.05515

15 September 1793

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Also includes copies of letters Jackson wrote to Captain Vose on 14 and 15 September. Contains 3 Jackson signatures. References Knox's letters of 5 and 7 September. Is happy Knox has given up the idea of building the large house this fall. Says Vose cannot determine the spot to build upon yet. Wants Knox to make a visit to help determine the house's placement. Sent Vose $200 and various supplies yesterday. The copies of the letters to Vose state that Jackson will get supplies and carpenters ready for the spring. Also says "I conclude you [Vose] will consent to make an addition to the…

GLC02437.05923

19 July 1789

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has received Knox's recent letters and is happy to hear that Knox's son's health is improving. Discusses the best way to send letters to Knox now that new rules are in place. Describes the recent "Commencement at Cambridge" (possibly referring to Harvard University), in which the Governor appeared. Has enclosed some newspapers. Writes that soon "the Officers for the Collection of the Revenue will be appointed," and he is "really anxious" because so many people are applying for those positions. Mentions that their Wednesday evening club is at an end, as several members have moved out to…

GLC02437.04295

27 July 1787

Humphreys, David, 1752-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to Knox about his last trip to Portsmouth and Boston. Says he was present and "highly delighted" with most of the "Academic Excercises" held at the University of Cambridge [Harvard], including one by a young Mr. [John Quincy] Adams, who "distinguished himself by a manly & dignified oration on public Credit." Also discusses the government, saying "We are gladdened with Reports that the federal Convention is likely to adopt almost unanimously some energetic form of Government, & that it is made so palatable, there are hopes entertained, that it will be swallowed by the People…

GLC02437.03624

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Large collection of relics from Andersonville Prison Camp, labels illegible

Imprint on recto "Brady & Co. Washington." Graphite inscription on verso "**Book" "A display of relics from the Andersonville prison camp. The top round piece is a checker board. Just above the lower shelf is a piece of the 'Andersonville dead line,' at the bottom is a mailbox flanked by 2 plates." Photographers imprint on verso: "M. B. Brady & Co. National Photographic Portrait Galleries. No 352 Pennsylvania Av. Washington, D.C., & New York."

GLC05111.02.0970

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Large collection of relics from Andersonville Prison Camp, labels legible

Image shows assorted personal items, a checkerboard, mailbox, plates, utensils and a piece of the "Andersonville Dead Line." Imprint on recto "Brady & Co. Washington." Graphite inscription on verso "**Book" "67-ADM" "209" "1651." Photographers imprint on verso: "M.B. Brady & Co. National Photographic Portrait Galleries. No. 352 Pennsylvania Av. Washington, D.C. & New York."

GLC05111.02.0971