1776

New York, Legislature

Broadside

Title: In Provincial Congress [calling for election of revolutionary government]

Possibly printed by John Holt. Evans 14934.

GLC02442

19 November 1788

Phillips, Samuel, 1752-1802

Broadside

Title: Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Commonwealth of Masachusetts set of resolutions to create separate districts within Massachusetts with representatives from each district. States the common dates for election of representatives and establishes that elected representatives must then vote for an assembly President and Vice President. Motion passed in the House of Representatives on November 20, 1788; Motion passed in the Senate on November 19, 1788. Signed by Samuel Phillips as jun. President, Theodore Sedgwick as Speaker, John Avery as jun. Secretary, and John Hancock. Writing on verso notes the meeting date and time for a…

GLC02444

26 June 1847

Birney, James Gillespie, 1792-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Leavitt

Birney, an abolitionist, writes to Leavitt, a reformer and minister in Boston. Has been asked to write columns for the Herald, a newspaper, and is allowed by the editor to freely express his opinions. Notes that Dr. Bailey (possibly Gamaliel Bailey) will not agree with what he has written. Writes, "I have but little faith in the constancy of some who stand prominent in this vicinity as abolitionists. I would not be surprised if some went off to the Democratic party before long." Remarks that Mr. Chase also contributes to the Herald (possibly referring to Salmon Portland Chase). In a…

GLC02448.02

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

December 21, 1788

Smith, Meriwether, 1730-1790

Manuscript document signed

Title: to the Freeholders of the County of Westmoreland

Announces Meriwether Smith's desire to become a representative in Congress for the district containing Essex County, Virginia, through the upcoming election, the first under the recently ratified Constitution. Cites his public service during the Revolutionary War and his desire to improve the Constitution.

GLC02450.18

circa March 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy. An estimated date of March 1780 is written in pencil at the top of page. Washington thanks Knox for three recent favors, including sending him a "Suit of the Hartford Manufacture." Discusses a recent election, noting that votes have been in favor of Mr. Adams (possibly John Adams). Comments on the severe weather, noting that it will prevent some members from attending an unspecified event (possibly Congress). Hopes Knox has recovered from a "painful disorder."

GLC02437.09436

1 August 1860

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Pitt Fessenden

Cameron, a United States Senator from Pennsylvania, informs Fessenden, a United States Senator from Maine, that Pennsylvania is as likely as Maine or Massachusetts to elect Abraham Lincoln as President and Hannibal Hamlin as Vice President in the 1860 election. Written from Lochiel, Cameron's Harrisburg residence. Fessenden served as a U.S. congressman (1841-1842) and senator (1854-1864; 1865-1869), and as Secretary of the Treasury (1864-1865). Docketed by Fessenden on verso.

GLC02490.03

29 April 1847

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Adam Beatty

Discusses President Polk's demand of all land above 26 degrees latitude, from the gulf to the Pacific Ocean. Writes that if a military candidate is necessary, he supports General Zachary Taylor for president. Beatty, of Mason County, Kentucky, had a long career as an attorney and judge. Written by Henry Clay from his estate, Ashland, in Lexington, Kentucky.

GLC02494.02

23 August 1844

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Laughlin

Mentions some proofs Edwin Polk obtained to be added to a publication about Ezekial Polk (James K. Polk's grandfather) and his service in the Revolutionary War. Advises that this be done soon. Asks when the full report of the proceedings of the convention will appear in the paper. Discusses the amount of space being devoted to political news in a certain newspaper. Offers advice and encouragement to Laughlin as a political supporter, "Defend briefly when necessary, but keep up the attack ... " Marked private at top of first page. Addressed to Laughlin in Tennessee. Two black and white…

GLC02496

25 December 1787

Butler, Zebulon, 1731-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathan Denison

Planned an election for battalion officers, but his men preffered to have him appoint battalion officers. Hopes Denison can inform him if this would be allowed under military law.

GLC02499.01

4 December 1872

Hoar, George Frisbie, 1826-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Hoar, a United States Representative from Massachusetts, discusses a political election with an unknown recipient. States "I do not know the votes in my district ... My opponent's name is George F. Verry. I do not think that anybody knows his politics."

GLC02504.22

30 December 1824

Van Rensselaer, Stephen, 1764-1839

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George W. Featherstonhaugh

Asks about acquiring "a quantity of tares" and mentions that "poor [Henry] Clay is quite low-spirited." Van Rensselaer cast the deciding ballot for John Quincy Adams in the 1825 House vote for President (1824 election) held shortly after this letter was written.

GLC02505.40

3 March 1801

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus King

Written by Ellsworth as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to King as American Minister to England. Ellsworth was selected by Adams as one of three peace commissioners that was sent to France in 1799. The team of diplomats successfully negotiated the Treaty of Mortefontaine, which freed the United States from its treaty obligations dating from the Revolution. Ellsworth developed a kidney ailment afterward and was in Bath trying to recover his health. Thanks King for sending him a packet of information. In reference to the tie in the electoral college of the election of 1800, Ellsworth says…

GLC02505.17

22 March 1847

Douglas, Stephen Arnold, 1813-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. C. French

Announces his intention to accept a seat in the United States Senate and presents his resignation from the House of Representatives from the 30th Congress.

GLC02467.13

15 August 1859

Trumbull, Lyman, 1813-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thurlow Weed

Senator Trumbull writes to Weed, a political figure from New York. Relates that he will soon travel to Washington, D.C. to look into publications issued by the Republican committee, "& when these shall need funds to meet liabilities which have been incurred." Reports that E. Dodd (possibly United States Representative Edward Dodd) instructed Trumbull to call on Weed "as funds were receded, to the extent of two thousand dollars." Requests funds, and instructs Weed to write to him at the Astor House in New York City.

GLC02467.27

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

1 October 1836

Hicks, Thomas H., 1798-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Williams

Discusses the upcoming elections in Maryland. Feels the people of Baltimore and the state of Maryland will realize and hopefully exceed their expectations. Written to Williams in Baltimore.

GLC02467.15

14 September 1868

Seymour, Horatio, 1810-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Seymour writes, "I deem the club system of the Union Democracy, now being organized by Mr Spencer & his associates in this & other States, to be very useful & necessary for the success of our cause. I am informed that the work has been sent to your county & I hope you will find it expedient to organize clubs in all your towns & that you will use your influence & energy for that purpose."

GLC02467.23

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

3 December 1864

Yates, Richard, 1815-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bod

Yates, Governor of Illinois, replies to a letter from [Bod?]. Possibly referring to a political race against Elihu Washburne, a United States Representative from Illinois, writes: "I suppose from what I heard that a majority of the members in Washburne's District will vote for him on first ballot, but if I am correctly informed they would prefer his not being a candidate- that they are at heart for me- and that as to their being transferred to any other than to me is an impossibility- Washburne stands no show you may set that down." Notes that Medile knew nothing of the publication of an…

GLC02467.30

5 December 1816

Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

A friendly letter of introduction, revealing the intimacy between the Adams and Rush families. Adams was introducing Reverend Coleman, who was going to Washington to carry the presidential electoral votes from Massachusetts and to vacation as well. She believes they will get along well. Quotes William Cowper to describe him. Writes that her husband's hands hurt from the cold and from previous letter writing and that he sends his greetings. In GLC02852, John Adams uses "Colman" instead of "Coleman."

GLC02515

13 May 1805

Webster, Noah, 1758-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Silliman

Webster mentions books he has received from Messrs. Bull & Co., and so no longer requires from Silliman. Asks Silliman to look for other specific books. Webster also mentions the majority by which Jonathan Trumbull had won the recent Connecticut gubernatorial election. Addressed to Silliman in England. Address leaf contains the note that this is a duplicate letter sent by the ship Polly. These books helped Webster in compiling his 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. Two black and white bust engravings of Webster included.

GLC02513

December 1857

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph manuscript

Title: "House divided" speech fragment re: slavery, Dred Scott, Kansas

A single page beginning "Why Kansas is neither the whole, nor a tithe of the real question." Written before the debates with Stephen A. Douglas, apparently in response to that Senator's Dec. 9, 1857 speech in opposition to Buchanan's State of the Union address (as suggested by Don Fehrenbacher, "House Divided," 89 ff.). Nicolay and Hay date the metaphor from Oct. 1858 while Basler assigns it to May 1858. Unpublished and unrecorded. Current dating is based upon Don E. Fehrenbacher's hypothesis that this speech responds to Stephen A. Douglas's speech in the Senate of 1857 Dec. 9 (Prelude to…

GLC02533

1837-1908

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Header Record

Title: Robert H. Stafford Collection [Decimalized .01- .98]

Stafford enlisted as a sergeant in the 12th Alabama infantry. Contains letters and newsclippings about the Peninsula Campaign, advance into Maryland, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Early's raid on Washington, D.C. Preliminary inventory included.

GLC02618

1838

Texas Republic

Manuscript document signed

Title: Republic of Texas, Austin county election results

Listing returns from Austin County for the election of President, Vice President, Senator and Representatives for the Repubic.

GLC02581