February 2, 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Written on board the steamer J. H. Groesbeck. Notes the regiment is bound for Fort Donelson. Says he has comfortable quarters in a cabin with some other officers but the enlisted men are very crowded. Mentions that his colonel is under arrest for refusing to search the boat for escaped slaves. Notes he was put in charge of the contraband cook, who now wishes to go home with "Massa Magie."

GLC05241.09

5 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Praises his wife. Discusses the war, claiming it will reveal "cowardice treachery ingratitude." His is optimistic about the Continental Army's position in New York. He is in good spirits. Denounces the Continental Congress for not funding the army properly, arguing that a few minor defeats will benefit the revolution by forcing them to alter their administration of the war. He wants there to be a standing army. Argues that the militia spreads panic. Looks forward to "conjugal bliss" with Lucy at the end of the war.

GLC02437.00437

10 November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Lewis

Marked "copy." Discusses a financial settlement between Samuel Shaw and Daniel Parker. Writes that a Mr. George Joy, who bears this letter, was commissioned by Mr. Parker to settle his affairs with Mr. Shaw. Discusses signatures on an enclosed (not present) certificate regarding the settlement.

GLC02437.03331

1 January 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Tobias Lear

Knox says he received a letter from Abraham Ogden regarding Samuel Ogden and "the subject of the attorneyship of New Jersey." Knox thinks Samuel Ogden will gladly the accept the appointment. Knox mentioned the matter to Henry Jackson "with the request that he would state it to the President."

GLC02437.04815

14 August 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Two men, Jonathan Snook and O.B. Boughton have been sent to Michigan to recruit soldiers for the company. Churchill is well and "as fat as a stuffed chicken." The Cavalry took 26 "cotton burners or guerillas," all of whom will presumably be released on parole of honor, "as General Ross, the Commander of this Post, has a peculiar way of returning fugitive slaves." Churchill speculates that some generals have sympathy for the "poor slave holder and nigger driver." David McCord and David Tyler are to be discharged and sent home.

GLC03859.04

8 April 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Jeremiah] Wadsworth

Thanks Wadsworth for a salmon he sent. In reference to Wadsworth's request for clothing and shoes for the troops, tells him to acquire it and he will be paid out of the warrants he already received (see GLC02437.03509 for Wadsworth's letter). Reports that Colonel [David] Humphreys has arrived and can inform Wadsworth that Congress is considering the issue of the troops but nothing has been decided yet. Responds to Wadsworth's letter about the sale of damaged powder sold from West Point (see GLC02437.03512). States that Captain Price is in charge there. Knox trusts Price but he does not have…

GLC02437.03513

2 November 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wadsworth comments on an escaped enslaved person or servant: "Mrs. Greene left us last Monday for Charleston Via N York on the night before she went away- her molatto man servant Ham left her & has been heard of on his way to Boston. she wishes to regain him he has been a favorite from his infancy & brot up un the family- as damed a rascal as [ever] was unhanged- & if I could now get him to Georgia she would sell him... I will have some body bring him away privately for I am told to do it publicly is impossible in Boston." Notes that his cousin, James Wadsworth, and other anti-…

GLC02437.04021

1860

Miller, Chas D., fl. 1860

Pamphlet

Title: Gerrit Smith and the Vigilant Association of the City of New York

correspondence between Chas D. Miller, Samuel L. Barlowe and Royal Phelps

GLC08880.005

February 26, 1853

Hazelton, H.L., fl. 1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. B. Baker

Introduces his friend Watson Freeman, who is seeking the appointment of U.S. Marshal of Massachusetts. States "He is a very deserving man, & I am sorry to say is a Democrat; but still there is a redeeming trait - he is a staunch Union man..." Mentions Watson's loyalty as Deputy Sheriff and that he was a candidate in a few elections but lost.

GLC09028.03

January 1929

Harmon, George, fl. 1929

Pamphlet

Title: Douglas and the Compromise of 1850

GLC08880.142

4 January 1863

Parry, E., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: To "Dear Sir"

GLC09190.08

4 December 1850

Weeden, Henry, fl. 1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Watson Freeman

Weeden, a tailor with a shop at 10 Franklin Avenue in Boston, declines to repair Watson's coat by saying "With me Principle first - Money afterwards. Though a poor man I crave the patronage of no Being that would volunteer his services to arrest a Fugitive Slave...."

GLC09028.01

3 December 1852

Smith, Albert, fl. 1852

Manuscript letter

Title: to Franklin Pierce

Smith writes to Pierce, the newly elected President of the United States, seeking Watson Freeman's appointment as U.S. Marshal. He lists Freeman's qualifications stating, "Mr. F has been, since he was first permitted to vote - for thirty-five years an active-hard working and unwavering democrat - never in a solitary instance having swerved from his fidelity ... and hence the opposition to him of abolitionists - free soilers, & coalitionists." Also describes Freeman's conduct in a recent case where slave owners were arrested for trying to reclaim their slaves. Mentions that Freeman posted…

GLC09028.02

March 1857

Freeman, Watson, fl. 1827-1857

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Buchanan

Copy of Watson's letter to Buchanan asking to be reappointed as U.S. Marshal. References his service as marshal for the last four years. Describes the case of fugitive slave Anthony Burns. "...the people of Boston, who witnessed the battering down the door of the Court House, & the murder of one of my deputies, standing by my side, by a mob of two thousand abolitionists in their attempt to rescue from my custody the Slave Burns." States he did not leave his post for eight days and that he has received anonymous death threats. Mentions that his father, a merchant in Boston, invested all…

GLC09028.04

14 March 1857

Suttle, Charles F., fl. 1857

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Buchanan

Written to President Buchanan to show Southern support for U.S. Marshal Watson Freeman and Massachusetts District Attorney Benjamin F. Hallett. Signed by Suttle, former owner of Anthony Burns, Henry C. Ward, President of the Democratic Association of Alexandria, R. M. Smith, Editor of the Alexandria Sentinel, William D. Massey, Mayor of Alexandria, George P. Wise, Ex Mayor, and D. Funsten. The Southern supporters first apologize for interfering and then ask that the Freeman and Hallett are kept in office. They reference the two men's professional conduct during the Anthony Burns case. "...…

GLC09028.05

16 March 1857

Smith, W.T., fl. 1857

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Buchanan

Smith writes to President Buchanan as a friend of Charles F. Suttle (owner of fugitive slave Anthony Burns), to support U.S. Marshal Watson Freeman and District Attorney for Massachusetts Benjamin F. Hallett for reappointment. States that Suttle desires an interview with the president. Marked as a copy.

GLC09028.06

25 May 1857

Freeman, Watson, fl. 1827-1857

Manuscript letter

Title: to Aaron V. Brown

Letter to the Postmaster General recommending Colonel Isaac H. Wright to the office of postmaster of Boston. Mentions that Wright upheld the Fugitive Slave law and was one of the first to offer assistance during the arrest of fugitive slave Anthony Burns in 1854. Writes "On the day of the rendition, the 2d of June, Col. Wright's cavalry corps constituted the head of the Brigade column, and by his judicious conduct and unremitted energy he did much to preserve the peace, and prevent the fanatical mob from breaking forth into acts of violence against the posse under my direction." Marked as a…

GLC09028.07

9 April 1858

Dinsmore, D.L., fl. 1858

Autograph document signed

Title: [Arrest Warrent for Cally a slave]

An Arrest warrent for Cally a slave belonging to Archer Campbell for murder of a white person named John W Roberts

GLC08381.01

circa 1858

Autograph document

Title: [Regarding runaway slaves]

A document that seems to state that Slave Catchers should not kill the runaway slaves to keep them from escaping. Not signed or official.

GLC08381.02

21 September 1858

Goodbelt, David, fl. 1858

Autograph document signed

Title: [Summons]

Summons for L G Appleton, William Dougherty, Joel Simmons, Rufus Willis, King Nichols, John Brown, and L.J. Warren, to give evidence for the defense

GLC08381.03

21 September 1858

Goodbelt, David, fl. 1858

Autograph document signed

Title: [Summons]

Summons for Joseph Terry, Ino Parker Jr, and John Miles, to give evidence for the defense

GLC08381.04

22 September 1858

Goodbelt, David, fl. 1858

Autograph document signed

Title: [Summons]

Summons for John Miles, to give evidence for the defense

GLC08381.05

22 September 1858

Goodbelt, David, fl. 1858

Autograph document signed

Title: [Summons]

Summons for Archibald Wodward, Jacob Warren jr., Jacob Warren Sr., N. Browne, D.O. Warren, A.J. Warren, William Milson, to give evidence for the defense

GLC08381.06

23 September 1858

Goodbelt, David, fl. 1858

Autograph document signed

Title: [Summons]

Summons for Thomas J. Gailey to give evidence for the defense

GLC08381.07

23 September 1858

Goodbelt, David, fl. 1858

Autograph document signed

Title: [Summons]

Summons for Allman to give evidence for the plaintiff

GLC08381.08