30 August 1793

Varick, Richard, 1753-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexandre Hauterive

Reports the seizure of three French deserters but is compelled to discharge them due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

GLC08457

1828

Binns, John, 1772-1860

Pamphlet

Title: Monumental Inscriptions.

8 images of fictitious funeral monuments, each to a man executed by Jackson. The first six are for Tennessee militiamen executed in February 1815, after the Battle of New Orleans, for being deserters. The last two are for John Woods, a mutineer Jackson had executed during the Creek War. The imagined tombstones bear inscriptions detailing how each was a good man and soldier, and regardless of this, was "By the Orders of General Andrew Jackson, Shot to Death." Each monument was supposedly erected on 4 July, 1828. One reminds the reader "Let not the splendor of Military renown Blot out…

GLC08460

9 July 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Civil War order to hold a court martial]

Orders a Naval General Court Martial at Vicksburg aboard the steamer Choctaw on 10 July 1863. Indicates that the court will be composed of Captain H. Walke, lieutenant commodores James A. Greer, James W. Shirk, John G. Walker, and Frank M. Ramsey, and Assistant Adjutant Paymaster C.G. Sownders. Written on stationary of the U.S. Mississippi Squadron, Flag Ship Black Hawk.

GLC08529

28 December 1862

Newspaper

Title: New York times. [Vol. 12, no. 3514 (December 28, 1862)]

This prints Davis' retaliatory policy against Gen. Benjamin F. Butler's New Orleans policy. (This policy is mentioned in Jefferson Davis' speech, GLC# 699.)

GLC08752

6 July 1864

Newspaper

Title: New York times. [Vol. 13, no. 3988 (July 6, 1864)]

Vol. 13 no. 3988. Describes sinking of the CSS Alabama p.1, the suspension of habeas corpus in Kentucky, etc.

GLC08755

12 March 1867

Townsend, E. D. (Edward Davis), 1817-1893

Document

Title: [General order no. 16 to abolish the system of peonage in the Territory of New Mexico]

Transmits the act of Congress abolishing peonage in New Mexico "and other parts of the United States." States "that the holding of any person to service or labor under the system known as peonage is hereby declared to be unlawful, and the same is hereby abolished and forever prohibited in the Territory of New Mexico, or in any other Territory or State of the United States..." Issued by Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General, by order of Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

GLC08668

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

1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: The Truth from an honest man: The letter of the President. President Lincoln's Views.

President Lincoln's views on the principles involved in the Clement Vallandigham case. Prints correspondence between Lincoln and Erastus Corning in relation to a Democratic meeting held at Albany, New York 16 May 1863, called to protest the arrest and expulsion of Vallandigham based on the freedom of speech. Corning presided over the meeting. Includes the resolutions adopted at that meeting, and Lincoln's reply to Corning on 12 June 1863. Printed by King & Baird Printers. Same pamphlet as GLC 1265.19.

GLC08707

1862

Taney, Roger Brooke, 1777-1864

Pamphlet

Title: Decision of Chief Justice Taney in the Merryman case, upon the writ of habeas corpus.

Printed by John Campbell. Published by John Campbell. Second addition. Taney states "The Constitution provides, as I have before said, that 'no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law.' It declares that 'the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effect, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated' ... It provides that the party accused shall be entitled to a speedy trial in a Court of justice. And these great and fundamental laws, which Congress, itself, could not suspend, have been…

GLC08557

July 26, 1820

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Calhoun

Writes to Secretary of War Calhoun about the removal of intruders on Cherokee land on the Georgia frontier. Reports on the intense opposition Captain R.K. Call has faced from white settlers. Forwards a letter from Call (not included) in which he seeks authority to impose on "the border citizens," who suggested they will kill the Cherokee after the army leaves, a "speedy & examplory punishment if they should attempt to carry their threats into execution." Jackson wants the letter to be passed on to President Monroe. Docketed by Jackson.

GLC00114

1 May 1862

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

Broadside

Title: Proclamation

Institutes "the administration of Law Martial" in New Orleans, two days after it was surrendered to the Union. Terms include respect for the United States flag, punishment for aiding Confederates, harsh treatment for crimes against Federal, prohibition of public gatherings. "The armies of the United States came here not to destroy but to make good, to restore order out of chaos, and the government of laws in place of the passions of men." Same text as GLC04081.

GLC00171

18 March 1777

Howe, William, 1729-1814

Broadside

Title: Proclamation re: protection of property

British broadside meant to encourage renewed allegiance to the crown in New York and New Jersey.

GLC00178

March 14, 1868

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J.C. Underwood

Writes to Judge Underwood of the U.S. Circuit Court to confirm his receipt of a summons to testify in the treason trial, '"The United States vs: Jefferson Davis," and agrees to report on the postponed day of the case, April 14, 1868. Lee did not actually appear in court until November 27, 1868. Written while Lee was president of Washington College (later Washington and Lee). The circuit court at Richmond was not able to reach a consensus on the trial and registered their disagreement with the U.S. Supreme Court. On December 25, 1868, President Johnson issued a proclamation of unconditional…

GLC00199

October 31, 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fitz-John Porter

Lee provides a brief list of his recollections of the events during the Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) August 29-30, 1862 in response to a request from Union General Fitz-John Porter. Union General John Pope refused to take the blame for the defeat, and charged Porter with misconduct at the Second Bull Run for not following his orders. Porter was placed under house arrest and was convicted. To aid his defense, Porter wrote to everyone involved in the battle and requested their recollections. Written while Lee was president of Washington College, later Washington and Lee. Excerpt: 1st.…

GLC00214.01

September 1878 - June 1887

Porter, Fitz-John, 1822-1901

Header Record

Title: Collection of Porter letters [Decimalized .01-.14]

Most of the letters in this collection are to Captain (sometimes Colonel) Julius Walker Adams, a noted engineer and cousin of President John Quincy Adams. Porter discusses the reevaluation of his conduct at Second Manassas by a special commission in 1878 and 1879. The commission, headed by General John M. Schofield, submitted a report 19 March 1879, exonerating Porter from previous charges. In the 1880s, Porter's sentence was officially reversed, and under a special act of Congress, his commission was restored (with no back pay due). Fitz John Porter (1822-1901) fought in the Mexican War…

GLC00214.02

1861

Whiting, William H., 1824-1865

Book signed

Title: Army regulations, adopted for the use of the Army of the Confederate States, in accordance with late acts of congress

Signed "Wm H C Whiting" on title page with note "Brig Genl C.S.A." Also a autograph note signed "Jas H Hill" by James Hill, Whiting's staff officer and Assistant Adjutant General. Published by West & Johnston. This book of regulations revised from the U.S. Army regulations of 1857 also includes an act for the organization of the Confederate Army and the Articles of War for the Confederate States of America.

GLC00480

18 March 1905

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of Charles A. Doyen, found guilty of violating Article 22 of Navy Code on 20 July 1901 in a court martial]

Doyen, a Major in the U.S. marine Corps, had a court martial convened to try him by the Commander-in-Chief of the North Atlantic Station on board the U.S.S. Alabama. He was sentenced to have his grade reduced two numbers and be publicly reprimanded. Theodore Roosevelt pardoned him due to request by the Sec. of Navy. Partially handwritten. Countersigned by Attorney General William H. Moody.

GLC00511

October 5, 1865

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Willard

Gideon Welles informs Willard, the Warden of the State Prison at Wethersfield, Connecticut, that he is ordering him to imprison five sailors convicted of capital crimes: Wesley B. McLane, James Wilson, James Brown, James Stivers, and Francis Johnson. Details the causes of their convictions and the length of their sentences.

GLC00517

October 5, 1780

Penn, John, 1741-1788

Letter signed

Title: to Jethro Sumner

Written by Penn, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a Continental Congressman to Brigadier General Sumner in North Carolina. Informs Sumner that the militia must serve three months from the time they were at headquarters, not counting the time they were absent from their regiments since the defeat. Mentions insubordinate soldiers by saying, "those Men that are refractory ought to be informed that they must be obedient to the Laws of their Country." States that the board has written to Colonel Polk to furnish provisions for Sumner. Tells Sumner that Colonel Daniel Morgan and…

GLC00621

October 5, 1863

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Henry S. Hewit will report to Washington, as ordered, in accordance with a notice to delinquents. Defends Hewit's conduct, and says if he was delinquent it was due only to a misunderstanding, but states he will report to "the 'Military Commission'" anyway. Envelope addressed by Grant.

GLC00543

April 1865

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Header Record

Title: [Deposition of Edwin M. Stanton and related legal documents] [decimalized]

Six documents relating to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton's deposition as a defense witness in the case of John Benjamin (plaintiff) vs. Robert Murray and Jacob H. Perkins (defendants), being heard before the New York Supreme Court. The case, and Stanton's deposition, concerned Lincoln's 1862 call for a draft and Stanton's order to arrest anyone discouraging enlistment. At the top left of each page is the identifier "761-A" (the number is stamped; "-A" is handwritten), followed by a stamped page number (beginning with 86 and ending with 108). Documents (decimalized .01-.06) held together…

GLC00720

June 1, 1857

Cummings, A. B., fl. 1857-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Reports that two crewmen, Charles Moore and John Duggin, were caught drunk and fighting, and that Duggin was also insubordinate. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," off of Funchal on the island of Madeira. Cummings was a lieutenant aboard the "Dale."

GLC00722.10

3 November 1857

Kennard, Joel S., 1819-?

Manuscript document

Title: to William McBlair

Requesting that he be relieved of his suspension, so that he may resume watch duty. States that he would like to "refer the injustice with which I have been treated, to the Commanding Officer of the squadron." A copy, with Kennard's name clerically signed. Written at sea, on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Joel S. Kennard was a lieutenant on board the "Dale"; he later served in the Confederate Navy.

GLC00722.17

November 6, 1857

Kennard, Joel S., 1819-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Acknowledging his mistake "in refusing to do duty" and requesting that he now be "relieved from suspension."

GLC00722.18

November 11, 1857

Pelot, Thomas P., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Reporting the events that led to the British capture of the slave trading ship "Clara B. Williams," which had been falsely flying the American flag. The crew is being sent to Sierra Leone to be tried. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," on the Congo River. This incident was another example of a slaver flying American colors to avoid being seized by the British Navy. Once HMS "Alecto" officers had boarded the vessel, however, they quickly realized the ship was a slaver and began towing it to the 'Dale." The master threw his false ship's papers and colors overboard and was thus able to…

GLC00722.21