1825

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

States that a rumor is circulating regarding Virginia Congressman John Randolph's challenge to duel Webster. Instructs his brother-in-law Paige to alleviate his wife Grace's concern if Randolph's challenge is printed in the newspapers. Assures Paige of his safety, stating "There is not a gentleman in Washington whose bones are all safer in his skin than mine are." Hopes Paige can send him a letter from Randolph dated 1816 or 1817, possibly Randolph's first challenge to duel Webster. Marked copied and private. Year added in pencil at a later date.

GLC01946.03

1 January 1845

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed letter

Title: to William H. Seward

Informs Seward why he did not support Henry Clay, the Whig Candidate, in the Presidential election of 1844. Presents an argument as to why the Liberty Party did not support Clay: "Mr. Clay would not have been defeated, had he done his duty. If he had, as soon as he learned that he was put in nomination, publicly washed his hands of the blood of duelling and slavery, he would have been elected." In the Presidential election of 1844, opponents of slavery were faced with a dilemma: whether to vote for Whig candidate Henry Clay, or support Liberty party candidate James G. Birney, and…

GLC04717.12

26 July 1804

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Was exceedingly happy to receive Knox's last letter, and he and his family hope to have letters from the Knoxes more frequently. Does not believe his health permits traveling, including visiting Knox, but asks whether the Knox family might be able to visit the Ogdens next winter. Writes, "The unhappy death of poor [Alexander] Hamilton has thrown all this part of our Country into a State of real sorrow: He certainly is very much to be lamented. He was really a great and good man, and I fear has not left many like him behind. [Aaron] Burr is not now visible; He will however soon return to New…

GLC02437.07872

1802

Book

Title: A View of the Political Conduct of Aaron Burr, Esq. Vice-President of the United States

Printed by Denniston and Cheetham.

GLC03107.05332

12 October 1848

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Garrett Moore

He reports his journey and arrival. He describes travel and boarding arrangements. Mrs. Livingston is unwell. A man was killed there in a duel the previous week, but was promptly caught.

GLC04191.24

16 June 1841

Cook, William B., fl. 1841-1842

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Ward

Cook ALS 6/16/1841 1 p. re: challenge

GLC02145.28.01

16 June 1841

Ward, Thomas, fl. 1841-1842

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Cook

Ward ALS 6/16/1841 1 p. + docket re: finding seconds

GLC02145.28.02

16 June 1841

Ward, Thomas, fl. 1841-1842

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Ward

Cook ALS 6/16/1841 1 p. + addr. re: proposing 2 gentlemen

GLC02145.28.03

16 June 1841

Ward, Thomas, fl. 1841-1842

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Cook

Ward ALS signed "TWW" [6/16 or 6/17/1841] 1 p. + docket

GLC02145.28.04

18 June 1841

Ward, Thomas, fl. 1841-1842

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Cook

Ward ALS 6/18/1841 1 p. + addr.

GLC02145.28.05

02 October 1842

Ward, Thomas, fl. 1841-1842

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Ward

Cook ALS 10/2/1842 1 p. + addr. re: withdrawing challenge.

GLC02145.28.06

12 July 1804

Malcolm, Catherine Schuyler, 1781-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: My dear brother

Catherine writes her brother, Philip Jeremiah Schuyler, concerning their father's reaction to the death of Alexander Hamilton. She also writes that he is to hasten to New York in order to comfort their sister Elizabeth and give her any assistance he can. Catherine asks that Philip let them know as soon as he arrives.

GLC09631

April 1846

Document signed

Title: [List of slaves]

"A Schedule of the negro slaves, the separate property of Obedience Aurelia Runnels, wife of Hiram G. Runnels," lists 29 slaves by name, age, sex and complexion. This may have been produced in anticipation of an imminent duel between Hiram Runnels and Mississippi legislator Volney Howard so that her property would not be affected if her husband should die.

GLC09344

22 July 1862

Gardner, Horace B., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Nellie

Horace B. Gardner writes to Nellie Boardman, referring to an ambrotype of himself that he includes with the letter. He writes of his previous night's guard duty, and he describes Warren H. Knights's attempted, and two other soldiers' succesful, desertions. Gardner describes a duel between a Union officer and a civilian. He says that his regiment has been put in General Pope's division and must be ready to move at any time. This letter is on plain paper with multicolor Magnus White House Views patriotic envelope. Written at Fort Frederick (also known as Fort Albany).

GLC02665.03

April 1807

Smith, Philander, 1764-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jedediah Smith

Informs his brother in Massachusetts that their brother Philetus has died of an inflammatory illness. Comments on family members and his finances. Says he has withdrawn from public life for he is tired of the ignorance of both Democrats and Federalists. Discusses Aaron Burr's conspiracy and states that General James Wilkinson has denounced Burr as a traitor. Describes in detail Burr's attempted West Florida expedition and the subsequent capture of Burr. States that most inhabitants in the area feel the victory over Burr was overblown by the government. Indicates that he was foreman of…

GLC04601.03

18 December 1779

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Describes a trip to Portsmouth. Also discusses visiting the House of Commons, where he heard a debate in which Charles Fox and Lord North spoke. North closed his speech by hoping "that the Eyes of Europe would soon be opened, & see the necessity of supporting that Ballance of power in defence of which G. Britain has spilt so much blood & spent so much treasure." Fox criticised the "Ministry & their measures - & such a torrent of oratory I had no conception of..." Notes that the evening laid the "foundation of Mr Adams Duel."

GLC02549.09

circa 1784-1806

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Excerpt of a letter discussing national conflict] [incomplete]

Advocates a peaceful settlement in a national conflict. Hopes that the outcome will not be like a duel in the army "in which both parties expired." Waterstained, making ink blurry and difficult to read. Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10279

6 September 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Has received news that a fleet has blocked the port of Boston. Notes that Admiral Parker (possibly Sir Hyde Parker) has arrived at "the Hook" with several ships ("the Hook" may refer to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, or another point in New Jersey near New York City). Reports that General [Nathanael] Greene praised the service of Knox's friend "Harry" [Henry Jackson]. Comments on other military matters, including a proposed duel between General Horatio Gates and James Wilkinson, who served under Gates. Remarks on the court martial of General Charles Lee for his conduct at the Battle of Monmouth.

GLC02437.00725

22 October 1861

A.F. Crutchfield & Co., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: Daily express. [Vol. 11, no. 252, whole no. 3793 (October 22, 1861)]

Operations at Hatteras, Reported fight in fleming County, Kentucky, Letters written between Honorable Wm. Lake & Col. H.C. Chambers, Stating the reason for the fatal duel between them, killing Mr. Lake.

GLC05959.74.24

circa 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Note regarding a duel between Samuel Blachley Webb and William Livingston]

Fragment. Relates, "a negotiation in the newspapers will most probably terminate the affair... The affair originates about Miss Wyckham."

GLC02437.00682

16 September 1772

Longman, Thomas, 1731-1797

Manuscript document

Title: [Invoice of goods]

List of books on a variety of subjects sent from London to Boston. Items include dictionaries, a history of duelling, devotionals and military dictionaries.

GLC02437.08295

3 December 1862

Reynolds, J. L. (James Lawrence), 1814-1877

Newspaper

Title: Confederate Baptist. [Vol. 1, no. 10 (December 3, 1862)]

An article titled "On Dueling" examines the dangers of dueling with a religious context. A brief comment encourages the patriotism and responsibility of participating in the war, while another one promotes peace. A treatise on "Truth" is based on the essays of Lord Bacon. An article (title missing) about baptism of infants draws a reply, concurring that babies do not need baptism. Other articles include a sarcastic joke regarding Lincoln's [preliminary] Emancipation Proclamation, report of Yankees "butchering" slave children, and an essay called "Morally Blind" vilifying Benjamin Butler.…

GLC05959.39.07

1713/02/11

Livingston, Robert, 1688-1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: death of Mary Winthrop Livingston

Robert informs his father of the death of Mary Winthrop (John Livingston's wife), and also that the Duke of Hamilton and Lord Moon have killed each other in a duel. He mentions that he is waiting news from England regarding the Palatins, and urges his father to take action regarding the money due to him by the government.

GLC03107.00993

1804/02/19

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown re: protecting independent judiciary, trial of judges; attacking Aaron Burr

"It is an axiom with me that he will be the most dangerous chief that Jacobism can have."

GLC06019

1826/09/05

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard K. Call

Attempts to reconcile a quarrel between General Call and Colonel Joseph M. White before it becomes violent. Two black and white full length seated engravings of Andrew Jackson included.

GLC03926