7 March 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to the poor financial situation of Mr. Tracy, presumably Nathaniel Tracy. Relates that Major Gibbs pursued Tracy into another state to collect a debt. Discusses a petition before the Massachusetts general court related to Knox's Maine lands. Mentions those who were present for the committee meeting, commenting that "Brown is an artfull suttle designing fellow and held on like a bull dog- he made a thousand false representations & told a number of damn'd lies in order to gain his point-" Adds that Brown misconstrued dealings between the petitioners and Knox's agent, "to call for the…

GLC02437.04535

February 23, 1866

Bryant, William Cullen, 1794-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bradford R. Wood

Bryant, editor of the New York Evening Post, replies to a letter from Wood, former Representative from New York. Discusses Black suffrage: "I utterly detest the narrow principles of that party which denied equal rights to any of our fellow men on account of race. The right of suffrage is the due of the negro as well as of the white man... But it does not follow from this, that we may employ any means we choose in conferring this right." Regarding Black suffrage, advocates the opinions of Trumbull and Fessenden (probably Senators Lyman Trumbull and William Pitt Fessenden) as opposed to the…

GLC06631.01

11 July 1865

Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to F. A. Angell

General Butler writes to Angell in Brooklyn, New York. "A mans right to self government is inherent and inalienable. It does not depend on the degree of his intelligence or on other accident. It is the correlative of self defence. Is the negro a man? But it is said that the negro will vote as his late master directs, and thus increase his master's political power. Be it so... I do not see how he or we are worse off if the negro votes with him [the master]... we gain and can loose nothing by giving the negro the right of suffrage."

GLC06660

15 April 1805

Stickney, B. F., fl. 1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Refers to a constitutional amendment and states that Mr. Crownershield said it was not well managed in New Hampshire. Remarks on American jurisprudence and the problem of relying on British precedents to decide cases, " ... ransacking the huge piles of musty volumes to find monarchical precedents to decide cases in a republican government." Asks Langdon if he believes it would be advantageous to attempt to affect a reform in the legislation of New Hampshire.

GLC06536

1917

Catt, Carrie C., 1859-1947

Book

Title: Women Suffrage by Federal Constitutional Amendment [inscribed]

Inscribed to Congressman Robert Crosser. First edition published by National Woman Suffrage Publishing. Inscribed "To Congressman Robert Crosser, Compliments, Carrie Chapman Catt"

GLC06891

13 March 1788

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Carrington, a Continental Congressman from Virginia, reflects on Massachusetts' adoption of the Constitution (in February 1788) and what it will mean for Virginia: "The decision of Massachusetts is perhaps the most important event that ever took place in America, as upon her in all probability depended the fate of the Constitution- had she rejected I am certain there would not have been the most remote chance for its adoption in Virginia- the demoniac spirit has within a few weeks passed from the few in whom it was generated, to the mass of the people & rages in such a manner as to give…

GLC02437.03821

2 October 1866

Baily, Joseph, 1810-1885

Autograph letter

Title: to Edwin McMasters Stanton

Working draft of letter of Baily, a former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, to the Secretary of War Stanton regarding President Andrew Johnson's reconstruction policies. Informs Stanton, Secretary of War that "the union party at this time is stronger and more determined and resolute than it ever was; and will be carried by the majorities ... The people also demand equality of representation in Congress ... will this be the case if the rebel states are admitted with out a change in the Constitution?" Argues that citizens of the North insist on ratification of a proposed amendment that…

GLC05512

1953

United States. Supreme Court

Pamphlet

Title: [Supplemental brief from the United States Supreme Court regarding Brown v. Board of Education]

Brief prepared on behalf of the United States for reargument by Attorney General Herbert Brownell, J. Lee Rankin, Philip Elman, and other attorneys at the Justice Department. Devoted to information regarding the case of Oliver Brown, et. al. v. Board of Education of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, et. al. Title mentions four other cases. Includes a preface discussing the Fourteenth Amendment with respect to its effect on racial segregation in public schools. Contains five sections exploring the limits of judicial power in deciding the constitutionality of racial segregation in public…

GLC05160

1791

Carey, Stewart, and Co. (publishers), fl. 1791

Book

Title: Constitutions of the United States of America [adds Vermont]

"The Constitutions of the United States; according to the latest amendments; to which are annexed, the Declaration of Independence; and the federal constitution; with the amendments thereto. This edition contains the Constitution of Vermont, not in any former one."

GLC05166

1804

Duane, William John, 1780-1865

Pamphlet

Title: Report of a Debate in the Senate of the United States [12th Amendment]

Major changes in electoral process for Presidential and V.P. elections (twelfth amendment). Printed by William Duane.

GLC05325

May 28, 1953

Einstein, Albert, 1879-1955

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rose Russell [in German]

Signed with initials. Speaks about the spirit of the Constitution and the Fifth Amendment during the McCarthy hearings and argues that "it is a misuse of congressional immunity to carry out practices which rightly belong to the competence of the judicial and police authorities." Possibly a draft. Transcript and translation available.

GLC05322

1871

Moses, Franklin Israel, 1838-1906

Pamphlet

Title: Opinion of Chief Justice Moses... Negro Bond Case

Retroactive use of 13th Amendment to cancel sale of slaves.

GLC07627

February 4, 1789

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette anxiously awaits ratification results of the U.S. Constitution, discusses debates between himself, Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson and "Common Sense" [Thomas Paine] regarding the need for Constitutional amendments, and stresses the importance of "the General's" [George Washington's] acceptance of the presidency. He begins by updating Knox on European affairs, saying that they are "too much Entangled together for me to give you an Exact description." He mentions that the Ottoman Empire, with the assistance of Great Britain, is attacking both the Russians and Austrians, and that Britain fears…

GLC02437.04105

April 26, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Contemporary secretarial copy of a letter sent to Lafayette. Knox references Lafayette's letters from November 1787 and February 1788. Says that "The Convention by you Mr. Jefferson and Common Sense [Thomas Paine], judge wisely respecting the New Constitution requiring some amendments & of the time they should be effected." Of the Constitutional Convention says "The unanimity of the former convention may be regarded as a rare evidence of the empire of reason." Believes there will not have to be another convention. Says it is likely that nine states will accept the constitution over the…

GLC02437.03860

13 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Rufus King

Discusses the possible ratification of the United States Constitution by New York: "I have received no letters from Colonel Hamilton or any others of the convention, that will warrant the idea in any degree- but there has been a buz for a few days past that the convention would adopt the constitution and afterwards state strongly some material amendments..."

GLC02437.03934

October 6, 1788

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Pendleton urges the speedy adoption of the Constitution, undelayed by proposed amendments. He discusses the location of the capital, federal elections, war in Europe, and rumor of imprisonment of Marquis de Lafayette.

GLC00099.134

September 2, 1789

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter includes congratulations on the passage of the Bill of Rights, and mentions the expected ratification of Constitution.

GLC00099.136

May 11, 1932

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Joseph Burzenski.

Convicted of violating prohibition. Pardoned because he helped stop an escape. Burzenski's name has been blotted-out once at the top. (c/s Wm. D. Mitchell [AG])

GLC00045.41

1852

Beals, Greene & Co., (Boston, Mass.)

Pamphlet

Title: The Whig charge of intolerance against the New Hampshire Democracy and Gen. Franklin Pierce.

Written in response to rumors and allegations from the Whig party that Franklin Pierce is religiously intolerant. States that "[i]n American political contests the seraching questions out to be ever, as to a candidate, 'Is he honest? is he capable? Is He Faithful to the Constitution?' while an approach to any thing like the popery cry of the British Tory party, or an appeal to a sect as such, ought to be severely denounced as violative of the spirit of our institutions." Includes amendments of the Constitution concerning religion, Whig opposition, vote of the towns, letters and the Whig'…

GLC00267.191

January 31, 1865

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Photograph

Title: Anti-Slavery Constitutional Amendment Picture

One photograph montage dated January 31, 1865 entitled, "Anti-Slavery Constitutional Amendment Picture." Reverse side contains a key for each senator photographed. Those photographed had voted to prohibit slavery. (see another copy in the Powell collection GLC00687, and in GLC07033; Powell designed the photograph.)

GLC01230

28 August 1789

J. Dunlap and D.C. Claypoole, 1784-1790

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania packet, and daily advertiser. [No. 3300 (August 28, 1789)]

Prints seventeen proposed amendments to the Constitution. Reports on activities in the House of Representatives and news from around the country and Europe. Contains many advertisements.

GLC01129

1865

Cannon & Holden (printers)

Book

Title: Executive documents. Convention. Session 1865. Constitution of North-Carolina, with amendments, and ordinances and resolutions passed by the convention session, 1865.

Prints reconstruction constitution of North Carolina. Index includes: Messages of Provisional Governor Holden to the convention, Report of public treasurer to the convention, Report of superintendent of insane asylum, Report of superintendent of the deaf and dumb and blind asylum, Constitution of the state of North Carolina, with amendments, Ordinances and resolutions passed by the convention session, 1865. Printed by Cannon & Holden, Raleigh, North Carolina. Clipping pasted inside front cover about the proposed 14th amendment to the United States Constitution.

GLC01973

1829

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Broadside

Title: President's message

An Extra of the Hartford Times, reporting from telegraph the text of Jackson's first State of the Union. The address discusses what will be many of the major issues during his Presidency. Discusses removal of Native Americans, questions the constitutionality of the Bank, and decries corruption in governmental office. Suggests an amendment to keep close Presidential elections from being decided by Congress. Also covers foreign affairs, the tariff, finances, military and other domestic matters.

GLC02009

January 15, 1811

Smith, Robert, 1757-1842

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Secretary of State Smith sends a cover letter with a copy of a proposed constitutional amendment (not included) banning persons holding foreign titles from public office to the New Hampshire legislature. The amendment did not pass.

GLC01623

January 29, 1919

Creel, George, 1876-1953

Newspaper

Title: Official U.S. Bulletin. [Vol. 3, no.524 (January 29, 1919)]

Newspaper published daily by order of the president by the United States Committee of Public Information. Contains the text of the eighteenth amendment, which established the prohibition of alcohol. Accompanied by a statement by acting Secretary of State Frank L. Polk. Also contains various other news items, reports on congressional and supreme court proceedings, agricultural and industrial information, and a list of casualties reported among United States forces overseas.

GLC01668