15 November 1789

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Ben, possibly Benjamin Hichborn, and Sam Gardner, will consider Knox's unspecified proposal. Reports that Captain Thomas Vose, who was overseeing affairs on Knox's Maine lands, was in town the previous week. Vose fears that a ship sailing from the St. George River was lost at sea. Adds that Knox's coachman, William, was on board. Notes that the people who live on Knox's land are late in their payments because of Brown's petition, and they will not make any payments as long as the petition's status is uncertain in the [General] Court. Encloses a letter from William Frost (not…

GLC02437.04415

24 June 1787

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that "[t]he people are all at Meeting, and from a dead silence, the streets are all in an uproar, with the cry of fire - fire - fire - the Bells are ringing, & the streets thronged with men." Mentions that the town is in uproar but now the fire has been put out. Briefly touches on Massachusetts politics, mentioning appointments of [Thomas] Dawes and Benjamin Hichborn. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03588

22 April 1787

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he has received the two letters he sent, regarding the disbandment of the troops. States that "it is a cruel business - but I know it will give you pain, shall say nothing at this time on that subject." Discusses upcoming dinner plans. Also mentions a fire in Boston's Malt House.

GLC02437.03532

8 May 1787

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lists the elected representatives for "the town," likely Boston. Informs that the making of the hats for two artillery companies will be delayed due to a fire. This will delay the marching of the two companies for a few days.

GLC02437.03546

February 13, 1805

Wilde, Samuel Sumner, 1771-1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a petition, currently in front of the Legislature, about the recent loss of the Hallowell Academy. Writes that an accident demolished the building, and hope the Legislature will provide some assistance. Thinks they will help the academy, but hopes Knox might recommend the measure to members of the Legislature whom he knows. Also discusses recent heavy snows.

GLC02437.07908

January 11, 1838

Haughton, Richard, 1799-1841

Newspaper

Title: Atlas. [Vol. 6, no. 164 (January 11, 1838)]

Most prominent on this page is a report on the debate of "Calhoun's resolutions" concerning the parameters of the "gag rule," which was renewed by the senate annually between 1836 and 1844. The debate touches on states' rights, free speech, and secession, and provides an example of how the Senate avoided direct consideration of slavery by instead debating how they should discuss slavery. Contributions are made by senators John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, James Buchanan, and Thomas Morris, among others. The page also includes a resolution by Martin Van Buren urging U.S. citizens not to…

GLC05508.025

3 October 1789

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses settling his account with the Paymasters Office. Mentions having written to Knox several times and has yet to receive a reply. Describes current financial difficulties, including suffering the loss of a saw mill in a fire. Noted as written in Passamaquady, which is most likely in the vicinity of Passamaquoddy Bay in present-day Maine.

GLC02437.04377

July 12, 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Pardon of the owners of the Steamer "Osiris," convicted of endangering lives of passengers by not having sufficient amount of life preservers.

Convicted of endangering lives of passengers by not having sufficient amount of life preservers; sentenced to pay $500 fine and additional $71.30 for violation of U.S. transportation safety law of 30 August 1852 [5th Section]. Conditionally pardoned, in that the $500 fine be remitted while the law violation penalty [$71.30] and other court costs be paid. (c/s W.L. Marcy)

GLC00043.18

May 20, 1813

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hancock Taylor

Expresses his disappointment that they have not yet taken offensive action against "some of the Indian Towns on the Wabash." Indicates that the rains had caused the delay. Discusses other news, including the appointment of Brigadier General Benjamin Howard to command in the Indiana Territory (and all the forces west of the Mississippi), General Green Clay's defeat at the siege of Fort Meigs, Commodore Isaac Chauncey and Brigadier-General Zebulon Pike's capture of York (the capital of upper Canada), and Pike's demise in an explosion. Notes that the Indians continue to steal horses, but no…

GLC00040

1865

Schneck, B. S. (Benjamin Shroder), 1806-1874

Pamphlet

Title: The Burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Printed by Lindsay & Blakiston. Fourth edition. Account of Reverend B.S. Schneck, D.D., an eyewitness and sufferer of the burning of the city. With corroborative statements from the Rev. J. Clark, Hon. A.K. McClure, J. Hoke, Esq., Rev. T.G. Apple, Rev. B Bausman, Rev. S.J. Niccolls, and J.K. Shryock, Esq. Also includes a plan of the burnt portion of the town.

GLC00410

October 2, 1870

Lee, Mary Custis, 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Norvell Caskie

Mary writes of her husband Robert E. Lee's sudden illness. "He has taken very suddenly & alarmingly ill after a day of rather harrassing mental fatigue but is now better & the Dr. gives us good hope he will soon be well again though he is still confined to his bed & indeed lies in our dining room where he was taken sick & we have been unable to move him up stairs..." Mentions that it has been raining for days and that floods have carried away bridges and people's winter supplies. She informs that there is a break on the Central railroad and many people visiting in town have…

GLC01440.01

October 7, 1870

Lee, Mary Custis, 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Norvell Caskie

She updates Caskie on her husband Robert E. Lee's illness. " ... Dr. Madison says that the Genl has neither paralysis or apoplexy but is suffering from tension of the nerves of the head connected with his former illness." She advises that in case Caskie has not heard from "dear Mother," that she is fine and safe from the dangers of the flooding that has occurred in the area. Letter written shortly before Lee's death.

GLC01440.02

10 May 1882

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Discusses a book by General Alexander Stewart Webb, published originally in May 1881, called The Peninsular; McClellan's Campaign of 1862. Writes that though he has not read the book, he has heard through others that "under the cloak of 'friendship' etc etc. Webb has done very unfriendly things..." Wishes Hunt would write about the Peninsula Campaign. Writes that his own manuscript, or memoirs, was destroyed in a fire, but that he plans to rewrite it. Mentions a letter from Grant (possibly Ulysses S. Grant).

GLC02382.071

2 April 1844

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Letter signed

Title: [General orders pertaining to the deaths of Thomas Gilmer and Beverly Kennon]

Perry signs as Commander of Naval Forces on the West Coast of Africa. Transmits a copy of two general orders issued following the death of Thomas W. Gilmer, late Secretary of the Navy. Transmits the orders to commanding officers of vessels attached to the African Squadron. On verso, contains a general order issued 29 February 1844 issued by Lewis Warrington, Secretary of the Navy. Warrington orders flags at half mast, firing of guns, and the wearing of crepe on sailors left arms and swords in memory of Gilmer, who was killed 28 February 1844 by a bursting gun aboard the U.S.S. Princeton…

GLC02430

7 November 1883

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Discusses what he calls a travesty of justice regarding a Court of Inquiry held in the case of Lieutenant Ernest Albert Garlington. Garlington led the Greely Relief Expedition expedition in the Arctic. The expedition failed, and in the process the ship Proteus was destroyed after Garlington sailed into Smith Sound, Newfoundland. Hunt's son was a member of another one of the Greely Relief Expeditions. Written at Fort Laramie.

GLC02382.050

October 15, 1864

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to J.H. Spotts

Letter written in clerical hand, but signed by Rear Admiral Porter as commander of the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron to Commander Spotts as commander of the USS "Pawtuxet." Says a steamship belonging to the navy left Point Lookout for Hampton Roads on October 8, 1864 in the midst of a gale from the northwest. It is assumed she was driven ashore on the Eastern shore of the Chesapeake or has foundered. Orders Spotts to search for her and to make inquiries with other vessels along the way. Wants to see him before he starts the mission. Commissioned in February 1864 as USS Malvern, she was…

GLC01545.03

4 March 1843

Stockton, Robert Field, 1795-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ericsson

Discusses moving the boilers on the Princeton a few feet from the aft to make more room for the engines. Mentions being held in Philadelphia because a friend has been ill for weeks. Impression in upper left corner reads "Jessup & Brothers."

GLC02494.10

21 November 1862

Hershman, J.T., fl. 1862

Newspaper

Title: Camden confederate. [Vol. 2, no. 4 (November 21, 1862)]

Schedule of the South Carolina Railroad. Proclamation of Governor Francis Wilkinson Pickens, including 10 resolutions ordering all "white residents" to be put under arms in a militia immediately and the draft of all men ages 18 to 45. Asked to be printed twice in the newspapers. Letter to the editor is glad that the patrol system has been kept up without compulsion. Description of the reception and burial of General J. B. Villepigue, his staff, and 10 privates in Camden. Also two short articles: one on the death of Lieutenant Edward P. Niles and another on the body of Lieutenant H. M.…

GLC08494

26 April 1864

Greeley & McElrath, 1841-1866

Newspaper

Title: New-York daily tribune. [Vol. XXIV no. 7191 (April 26, 1864)]

Reports on the Union surrender of Plymouth in North Carolina. Mentions that the Confederates murdered the African American Union troops after the surrender but states that this can not be verified. Prints other war news. Reports on the 38th Congress, 1st session. Includes news from New Orleans and Mexico. Prints a legislative address of the Union members of the Assembly to the electors of the state of New York along with news from Albany. Reports the number of deaths in New York City for the week and breaks down the list by men, women, children, the cause of death, and nationality. On…

GLC08720.10

20 April 1906

Mack, Silas W., fl. 1906

Typed letter signed

Title: to Clara W. Mack

Writes to his mother in Canada describing the San Francisco earthquake. Says half of the chimneys at the Hotel Del Monte crumbled and damaged the roof. One chimney crashed through a newlywed's room and killed both the bride and groom. Reports there is over a $1,000,000 in damages, 350,000 people are homeless, and countless dead, mostly resulting from the fire that erupted after the quake. Continues to discuss the damages that took place and also mentions San Francisco is under martial law. Worries about the market falling due to people withdrawing their money from the banks. Assures her…

GLC08697

27 October 1917

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Header Record

Title: to Herbert Hoover [Decimalized .01- .02]

Discusses the starvation relief in Europe and Hoover's part in its management. Expresses his support and advises Hoover as to the next steps in food distribution abroad. Discusses rationing. Stamped on page one by the U.S. Food Administration, received 30 October. Pages two and four have been written vertically by Theodore Roosevelt. Accompanied with photograph. [decimalized .13.01 - .13.02]

GLC00162.13

September 18, 1808

Randolph, John, 1773-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances Bland Coalter

Written by Randolph as a Virginia Congressman to his sister. Writes after learning she has been ill and hopes to visit the warm springs at which she is recuperating. Says he would have been home sooner but an unexpected demand for money left him without the means to pay for his passage home until after the court session was over. Tells her "This fact is for yourself alone; for altho' I am not ashamed of my poverty, I do not choose that it should be unnecessarily disclosed." Although he wanted nothing more than to visit her, he claims that the expedition "like everyone other which [my desire…

GLC00496.212

September 20, 1817

Webb, Mary, fl. 1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Ratledge

Webb, on the Island of Saint Helena while Napoleon was there, writes to her friend in London. Mentions a recent earthquake on the island. Refers to mutual acquaintances. Discusses ordering goods from the India Company. Comments that her daughter is her only female comfort, that she made a mistake in bringing only female servants, and complains of the lack of British goods on the island. Writes "the gaiety of this place is sickening to say nothing of the dissipation- We often often talk of the many pleasant hours you have suffered us to pass in your presence and the recollection affords me…

GLC00496.250

June 11, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Written part in pen, part in pencil. Reports on conditions in the South after the Civil War. Frank was travelling to Arkansas to help his twin brother Gerrit who was in trouble with the law. Says he knows he wrote recently, but since he is stuck in "this God forsaken hole" he is going to write another. He mentions meeting a Confederate soldier who thought he was his twin brother Gerrit. The former soldier was released from prison the week before and Frank relates his story. He reports that many people know his twin brother, Gerrit. He says "they say Warren [Arkansas] never saw so exciting a…

GLC00686.20

October 21, 1782

Allen, Paul, 1742-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa Waterman

Allen informs Waterman of the return of "our Brother Capt Joseph Cashman." Says Mr. Cushing's child "the sicked child that ever I saw." News arrived from Newfoundland of the "Royal George" sinking in port, and 1,300 people dying. Around eight hundred people actually died when the ship sank in Spithead, England. Indians are reporting that the French have taken three British ships of the line. Refers to Allen as his "brother."

GLC01450.242