1848

Emory, William H. (William Hemsley), 1811-1887

Book

Title: Notes of a military reconnoissance [sic] from Fort Leavenworth, in Missouri, to San Diego, in California, including part of the Arkansas, Del Norte, and Gila rivers.

Physical description of the flora and fauna of the American west. Inscription inside front cover reads, "Presented to Geo. Jarvis by his friend G.H. Starkweather Feby 25th 1851." Also includes Jarvis' book plate. As chief topographical engineer for Stephen W. Kearny's Army of the West during the Mexican War, Emory had been tasked with conducting a natural history survey on their 2000-mile march to secure California.

GLC00267.111

1860

Olmsted, Frederick Law, 1822-1903

Book

Title: A journey in the back country.

Volume III of Our Slave States. Previous documentation indicates this is a first edition. Published by Mason Brothers. Introduction begins: "This is the third volume of a work, the first of which was a narrative of a journey in the sea-board districts of the older slave States; the second, of a rapid tour west of the Alleghanies, and of a winter spent in Texas. This volume concludes and somewhat focalizes the observations of those, its narrative being, in part, of the hill-country people, and mainly of those who are engaged in, or are most directly affected by, the great business of the…

GLC00267.073

1850

King, T. Butler, 1800-1864

Book

Title: T. Butler King's report on California...

Title continues "Message from the President of the United States Title continues "Message from the President of the United States transmitting the report of T. Butler King, esq., heretofore appointed bearer of despatches and special agent to California." Butler describes at length the changes resulting in California from the Gold Rush, such as: how gold was discovered, how much has been mined, how many people migrated, and what has happened since. Discusses the economic possibilities and the sharing of California's wealth with the rest of the United States. Mentions a possible railroad…

GLC00267.132

1850

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Book

Title: California and New Mexico. Message from the President of the United States, transmitting information in answer to a resolution of the House...

(title continues)... of the 31st of December, 1849, on the subject of California and New Mexico. House Executive Document No. 17. Includes six fold-out maps, which appear to be in brittle condition. Opens with a message from President Zachary Taylor, concerning California: "...Any attempt to deny to the people of the State the right of self-government in a matter which peculiarly affects themselves, will infallibly be regarded by them as an invasion of their rights; and, upon the principles laid down in our own Declaration of Independence, they will certainly be sustained by the great mass…

GLC00267.133

circa 1861-1877

Woodbury & Page

Photograph

Title: Carte de visite view of two oxen pulling a cart

Imprint of Woodbury & Page on both recto and verso.

GLC00241.32

November 25, 1840

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Kimberly

Introduces John J. Audubon. Infers Audubon's dependence on the success of the quarto "Synopsis of the birds of North America," published 1839. Hand delivered by Audubon.

GLC00496.109

11 March 1768

Bartram, Moses, fl. 1768

Pamphlet

Title: Observations on the native silk worms of North America

Transactions of the American Philosophical Society (offprint). Pamphlet untrimmed and tied with rope.

GLC00496.411

August 31, 1836

Dickerson, Mahlon, 1770-1853

Letter signed

Title: to President of the Geological Society of New Haven

Indicates that preparations are being made for the Wilkes expedition, "an exploring & surveying Expedition for the Southern Ocean." Requests for advice on the "formation of a scientific Corps" and recommendations of suitable members. Needs men acquainted with many branches of science, which he lists; a philologist "to collect vocabularies of the different languages, and an artist to take the portraits of the natives." Also asks for suggestions about what "subjects of natural history" the corps should focus on in their research. The Wilkes expedition to Antarctica was the first attempt to…

GLC00507.01

1836

Header Record

Title: Letter and book concerning the Wilkes expedition [decimalized]

[decimalized 00507.01-507.02]

GLC00507

1836

Reynolds, Jeremiah N., 1799-1858

Book signed

Title: Address on the subject of a surveying and exploring expedition to the Pacific Ocean and South Seas. Delivered in the Hall of Representatives on the evening of April 3, 1836

Published by Harper and Brothers. Inscribed "With the compliments" and signed by Reynolds. Also signed by Edward Sanford, possibly the book's owner. Concerns the Wilkes expedition, the first attempt to organize the nation behind an expedition to explore outside the continental United States.

GLC00507.02

10 September 1840

Poinsett, Joel Roberts, 1779-1851

Printed document signed

Title: [Circular letter announcing the establishment of Smithsonian Institution]

Sends a copy of the constitution and by-laws of the National Institution for the Promotion of Science (the Smithsonian). Requests information on geography, natural history, and ethnology from the unknown recipient's area of the United States. Specifically requests information on Native Americans in the area.

GLC00573

1863

Moore, Marinda Branson, 1829-1864

Book

Title: The Geographical Reader for the Dixie Children

Published by Branson, Farrar & Co. A Confederate textbook of American geography that was written because the author "having found most of the juvenile books too complex for young minds, has for some time intended making an effort to simplify the science of Geography." Consists of 26 lessons, each about one or two columns in length. The first 10 are on the technical terms of geography and the last 16 are on specific places. Each Confederate state, as well as the border states of Missouri and Kentucky, has its own lesson, while no northern states are discussed. Includes 6 full page maps.…

GLC00566

1861

Hoyer & Ludwig, fl. 1860

Map signed

Title: New map of Virginia

Folding map with Jackson's (Stonewall) signature "T.J. Jackson" on the inside of what was once the outer wrapper/binding. Insets of Harpers Ferry and Norfolk Harbor. The map was printed by J.W. Randolph, drawn and colored by Husted & Nenning, and lithographed by Hoyer & Ludwig in Richmond, Virginia.

GLC00612.01

October 20, 1899

Galt, Francis L., 1831-1915

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McIntosh Kell

Francis L. Galt writes to congratulate Kell on his daughter's marriage and to request help in finding his own son a job in business. He mentions "the Charleston Reunion last spring" and a circular he has received from one of the men who attended, who intends to compile a history of Confederate naval narratives. He writes that "living here on the frontier of the National Capital we have been regaled with the excitement of the Dewey celebrations lately" and comments on the "decay of republican institutions." He mentions the Transvaal War and his memories of "our stay among the Boers...and our…

GLC00684.20

1858-1909

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Header Record

Title: Papers of George May Powell [decimalized]

The George May Powell collection contains personal and family correspondence. Also included are business papers relating to his Thirteenth Amendment anti-slavery photograph, his inventions, and his publications; a diary, letters, and essays regarding his post-war travel, and religious and pacifist correspondence and essays. The collection is divided into the following series: 1) correspondence with Emma C. Small, 1860-1868; 2) George May Powell Company business records (13th Amendment photo); 3) Post-war expedition to Egypt and Palestine diary, records, and maps; 4) American Christian…

GLC00687

January 13, 1622

Brandt, Sebastian, fl. 1600-1625

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Hovener

Brandt requests having the London Company send him supplies, and requests that his nephew (the son of Phillip Brandt) be sent to Virginia from Derbyshire. He mentions Admiral of the Jamestown District, John Pountis. Letter written in Elizabethan secretarial hand. Docket, in another hand, reads: "Sebastian Brands letter to Mr. Hojener 13 January }1622/1 That ther is Mynes of Gould and Silver and Copper in Virginia." It is unclear if the date is old style or new style.

GLC00708

circa November 1813

Gwinnett, Button, 1735-1777

Map

Title: [Map of Button Gwinnett's estate]

Hand sketched map of Gwinnett's estate in Georgia of 1450 acres showing the bordering properties. Mentions neighboring properties of James Spalding and Mary Maxwell. Circa date from typed label originally accompanying the document upon acquisition.

GLC00658.02

May 6, 1849-June 16, 1849

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his sister while suspended from duty and awaiting Court Martial aboard the Albany. He describes surrounding islands of Santo Domingo and Navarro with stories of landscape and native islanders. He arrives at Aux Cayes, Haiti, on June 11, 1849 and learns that "the Frigate Raritan had sailed from there ten days since for Port au Prince." On June 16, 1849, writes of the Albany's move to St. Iago de Cuba, where he is allowed to go ashore after four months confinement. He feels like "quite a new being" and reports to his family that he will reach Pensacola by "the…

GLC00684.02

1861-1865

Wolcott, Laurens W., fl. 1861-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Laurens W. Wolcott] [Decimalized .01- .38]

Wolcott served as Lieutenant in the 52nd Illinois Infantry, D Company. He served with General Sherman on his march to the sea & in the Battle of Atlanta. The collection includes a General Order with battle map on verso, a coat of arms, an appointment order and war-time and post-war photographs (including a formal portrait). Collection includes 33 letters, 4 photographs and 2 miscellaneous items.

GLC00653.11

circa December 25, 1864

Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900

Map

Title: [Pencil illustration depicting the area near Nashville, Tennessee]

Autograph map depicts roads, rivers, fortifications and estimated troop numbers and locations near Nashville. Tower, chief engineer of Union defenses at Nashville, possibly transmitted this map with a letter (refer to GLC00849.01) to William P. Fessenden, Secretary of the Treasury.

GLC00849.02

December 25, 1864

Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900

Map

Title: Battles before Nashville December 15 & 16, 1864 between U. S. Army commanded by Major Gen'l G. H. Thomas and Rebel Forces under Gen'l Hood

Autograph (lithograph) map entitled "Battles before Nashville 15 & 16 December 1864 between U. S. Army commanded by Major Gen'l G. H. Thomas and Rebel Forces under Gen'l Hood." Tower, chief engineer of Union defenses at Nashville, possibly transmitted this map with a letter (refer to GLC00849.01) to William P. Fessenden, Secretary of the Treasury. The date of the map in the records corresponds to the date of this letter. Depicts the position of troops, hand colored to signify different days of the battle and generals participating in the fight. Documents rebel forces and the location of…

GLC00849.03

1764-1771

Britain, Infantry 54th

Manuscript

Title: Records of accounts, mentions Pensacola, Fla.

Repaired. With description laid-in. page numbered 81 includes a print of Gibraltar.

GLC01450.454

March 17, 1777

Butts, Thomas, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his cousin

Butts is glad to be back in England, where thinking is not a crime worthy of tar and feathering. Butts left Gravesend, New York on the ship "Thomas" on July 17, 1776. Gives account of his attempted voyage to England. Says they had an uneventful journey until the 9th week, when they met a 70 ton sloop that easily caught up to them because of the bad sailing condition of the "Thomas." The sloop raised the Union Jack and said they were sailing from Virginia under the orders of Lord Dunmore to stop Americans from fishing on the banks. They wanted the Captain, a man named Bell, to take his boat…

GLC01450.613

14 September 1787

Pettit, Charles, 1736-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Recommends Major Reading Howell, the bearer of this letter, who is collecting materials in order to create an accurate map of Pennsylvania. Writes, "It has been suggested that some surveys taken for the use of the Army during the War, & now supposed to be lodged in the War Office, may be particularly useful on this occasion." Asks for Knox to give Howell access to the War Office surveys and maps. See GLC02437.03665 for related document.

GLC02437.03663

15 April 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Discusses Congress's proposed disbandment of the troops according to the resolve of Congress dated 21 October 1786. States that although he feels for the men who have made the military their life, "the public were utterly unable to support them by reason of the non compliance of all the states excepting Virginia with the requisition for that purpose..." He feels that if Congress decides to appoint a new Inspector General, they will choose Sargent. However Major William North, the current Inspector General, may just continue in the post. Comments that he has no information on a map of Sargent'…

GLC02437.03523