1858

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Pamphlet

Title: Message of the President of the United States, communicating a constitution for Kansas as a State, and presenting his views in relation to the affairs of that Territory.

United States 35th Congress, 1st session, Executive Document no. 21, Senate. Second half of pamphlet includes a proposed constitution for the state of Kansas. Article VII, on slavery, states "The right of property is before and higher than any constitutional sanction, and the right of the owner of a slave to such slave and its increase is the same, and as inviolable as the right of the owner of any property whatever."

GLC00267.168

1858

Green, James S., 1817-1870

Pamphlet

Title: [Senate report to accompany bill 161, including the Lecompton Constitution]

35th Congress, 1st session, Senate. Rep. Com. No. 82. Opens with a report submitted by Senator Green from the Committee on Territories. Includes a Constitution for Kansas, submitted by John Calhoun, President of the Kansas Constitutional Convention (this constitution is known as the Lecompton Constitution, intended to admit Kansas into the Union as a slave state). Includes the minority report, submitted by Senator Stephen Douglas, who states, "there is no satisfactory evidence that the constitution formed at Lecompton is the act and deed of the people of Kansas, or that it embodies their…

GLC00267.169

1856

Fisher, Sidney George, 1809-1871

Pamphlet

Title: Kanzas and the Constitution.

Printed by Damrell & Moore. Written by "Cecil," a pseudonym of Sidney G. Fisher. First published in the Philadelphia North American 31 July 1856, and copied into the Boston Daily Advertiser 18 August 1856.

GLC00267.164

February 16, 1833

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of Mr. Webster, in the senate, in reply to Mr. Calhoun's speech on the bill "Further to provide for the collection of duties on imports."

Response to John C. Calhoun's bill "Further to provide for the collection of duties on imports," which opposed the tariff bills passed. Webster attacks the states' rights language underlying Calhoun's resolutions, analyzes their language (and that of the Constitution) and argues that nullification is not provided for in the Constitution. First edition. Printed by Gales and Seaton.

GLC00267.018

May 28, 1854

Furness, William Henry, 1802-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Dawes Eliot

Reverend Furness, a prominent abolitionist and Unitarian clergyman, thanks Congressman Eliot for a speech he gave. Writes about a fugitive slave (possibly Anthony Burns, who was arrested on May 24, 1854 in Boston): "That Slave must not be sent back. I don't like the volunteer companies coming out for the accursed Fugitive Slave Law which violates the fundamental laws & liberties of the noblest Commonwealth on God's Earth, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is to be obeyed first before the U.S. God save her! If she goes down then Hope for a season bade the World farewell..."

GLC00468.01

December 4, 1823

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Gales, Jr.

Requests pamphlet containing the transactions of the great convention, and asks to become a subscriber to Gales' paper. Brings up political news.

GLC00496.271

September 11, 1824

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter

Title: to Augustus B. Woodward

Unsigned. The last page(s) are missing. Letter is incomplete. Woodward had written observations "addressed to the individual citizen" which the writer has given a hasty perusal. The writer notes that the Virginia Constitution should not be ascribed to Jefferson; the origin, he finds with George Mason, and the Declaration of rights "was substantially from the same hand" (i.e., Mason's). He ascribes the preamble of the VA. Constitution to Jefferson. The letter breaks-off in mid-sentence. The letter ends: "with a view to correct the faults of the existing Constitution, as well as to obtain the…

GLC00496.605

February 13, 1864

Virginia, Constitutional Convention, 1864

Pamphlet

Title: Constitution of the State of Virginia, and the Ordinances Adopted by the Convention which Assembled at Alexandria, on the 13th Day of February, 1864.

Printed by D. Turner, printer to the state. This constitution was passed by the loyal government of the state of Virginia, in exile in the North during the Civil War. The most notable change from earlier constitutions was the abolition of slavery in an official way by the state. Also includes an official repudiation of the Confederate government, and states that any officeholder under that government was barred from public office.

GLC01065

January 23, 1776

Massachusetts Colony Legislature

Broadside

Title: By the Great and General Court of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay: A Proclamation.

This document explains the Revolutionary views of the House of Representatives of the colony of Massachusetts Bay. The writing covers the philosophy behind Massachusetts as a colony and as a free state. Signed at end: "God Save the People"

GLC00905

1781

Morris, Roger, fl. 1781

Book signed

Title: The Constitutions of the several independent states of America [...]

Roger Morris's copy, signed on t.p. Bound in contemporary calf. Howes C716, Evans 17390, Sabin 16086. First edition limited to 200 copies.

GLC00912

March 13, 1837

Whittier, John Greenleaf, 1807-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Joseph May

Greenleaf invites May to the quarterly meeting of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in Lynn, Massachusetts. He indicates that "Stanton, Garrison, Loring, Sewall, everybody wishes thee to be with us on the occasion." Mentions a Missouri statement from years ago against admitting Missouri as a slave state.

GLC00979

June 4, 1821

Pinckney, Charles, 1757-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Gales, Jr.

Written by Pinckney, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, as a Congressman from South Carolina to Gales, an editor of the National Intelligencer newspaper. Letter marked "Confidential." Sending along a copy of his speech against the prohibition of slavery in Missouri. He regrets that it has taken so long because he has been travelling. He wants his speech to appear in one issue of the paper and gives directions so that it will be as mistake-free as possible when it is printed. He hopes they like it and that they will notice "some observations as to the dependence of the Eastern & Northern…

GLC00852

1805-1863

Murphy, David, 1769-1844

Header Record

Title: [Items related to the Murphy family of Missouri] [Decimalized .01- .81]

Contains account books, numerous receipts, and letters related to the Murphy family of Missouri. David Murphy's signature appears on many of the receipts, and the collection includes his will and materials related to a local election.

GLC01450.600

14 December 1788

Sumner, Job, 1754-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses the proposed Constitution of Georgia (not included). Notes that three members from each county are appointed to meet at Augusta in January: "I shall only say, that from the disposition of the People, and in particular that of their members of the Convention, from this County, I think the Constitution will be totally rejected- should this be the Case, we shall then have to make a better one..." Discusses the Articles and the power of the Governor. Comments on relations with American Indians in Georgia: "When we get a permanent Peace with the Indians, and a good Government, I think…

GLC02437.04053

17 December 1786

Shepard, William, 1737-1817

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has enclosed a copy of a letter (refer to GLC02437.03378) he received from Governor [James] Bowdoin. "I would beg you to keep it to yourself, as I do the original. This does not mention it, but Major Shepard informs me that his Excellency wished me to write to you for permission to take one thousand or fifteen hundred Stands of arms from the Arsenal at Springfield, as well as ammunition adequate to the purpose, if they should be wanted in the decision of the question whether we are to have the satisfaction of living under a Constitution and fixed, permanent and known laws, or under the…

GLC02437.03382

6 June 1867

Anthony, Susan B., 1820-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles James Folger

Written by Anthony as Corresponding Secretary on stationery of the American Equal Rights Association. Folger was a delegate to a convention to consider amendments to the the New York State Constitution. Inquires how she might present to the convention petitions "asking the enfrancisement of women and black men not worth $215." Pleads with him to "champion the question of impartial suffrage" and asks how women suffragists might be able to address the convention.

GLC04360.033

7 July 1867

Anthony, Susan B., 1820-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles James Folger

Written by Anthony as Corresponding Secretary on stationery of the American Equal Rights Association. Folger was a delegate to a convention in Albany that was amending the New York State Constitution. Tells him that Lucy Stone and others will come to Albany on the following day "with the expectation that you will be able to secure a hearing for advocates, before the committee of the whole, on Tuesday evening -- but please understand, I don't want our hearing until after Geo. Wm. Curtis shall have made his speech". Discusses her desire to see the word "man" in the Constitution replaced with…

GLC04360.034

circa 1868-1876

Document

Title: Republican Ticket [for New York]

Republican Ticket [for New York]. Lists the electors for Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax in the 1868 election. Also includes a referendum to vote for or against calling a Convention to form a new Constitution.

GLC04360.060

17 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox there has been a hearing before the committee regarding taxes. Discusses which lands are part of the patent (possibly referring to the Waldo patent lands) and any taxes related to the land. Speaks of a tax being unconstitutional and the possibility of creating a new one. Describes the hearing as being long and with many debates. Also asks whether they should give Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) a fee for his opinion.

GLC02437.06123

22 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses completing a map of the eastern country for the government. Notes the map takes in a corner of the patent. Mentions possibly having to extend boundary lines (possibly on the Waldo patent) to make up for deficiencies. Informs Knox the committee for the taxes decided to deduct money from heirs. Reports the act may be repealed as being unconstitutional and Knox most likely will not have to pay. Reports Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) will be accompanying him to the committee to hear the patent petition (possibly part of the Waldo patent lands). Provides and update…

GLC02437.06125

1790

Subscribers and merchants of New York

Broadside

Title: Petition to the Legislature of New York

The subscribers and merchants of New York ask the Legislature to reconsider a law requiring all Port Wardens to be the masters of vessels. They describe the rule as unconstitutional, and beyond the Legislature's power.

GLC03107.05310

3 April 1856- 4 April 1856

Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of Hon. Jacob Collamer of Vermont, on affairs in Kansas. Delivered in the Senate of the United States, April 3 and 4, 1856.

Printed at the Congressional Globe Office. Regarding Kansas, Senator Collamer states, "...I am not prepared at this moment to go at length into my reasons for believing as I do, that the best, the shortest, and the most quiet way is to admit that people with their constitution, and end the trouble." In extremely frail condition, fragmented, and disbound.

GLC05116.11

8 March 1858

Bocock, Thomas S., 1815-1891

Pamphlet

Title: The Kansas question. Speech of Hon. Thomas Bocock, of Virginia, in the House of Representatives, March 8, 1858.

Printed at the Congressional Globe Office. Bocock, a U.S. Representative from Virginia, declares: "I do not know what will be the effect of a refusal to admit Kansas under the Lecompton constitution. I am not authorized to speak the views of Virginia... But I will say this... that, although hand join in hand to prevent, the destiny of Virginia, for once and for all, for now and forever, is indissolubly united with that of her sister States of the South."

GLC05116.20

February 15, 1821

Robbins, Josiah, 1766-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Informs Hobart that he received his letter and the certificate, and that he followed through with his directions, which related to port collections. Also discusses an appointment for the post office. Notes that he perceives that Hobart (as a member of Congress) has not progressed much with the "Missouri Business," referring to the Missouri Compromise. States his own opinion on the matter: Missouri "had not ought to be admitted unless that article in he[r] Constitution which I think repugnant to the Constitution of the U States, should be expunged." The "article" Robbins mentioned was…

GLC06313.04.112

January 12, 1821

Smith, Albert, 1793-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Discusses matters related to the postal service in Massachusetts. Explains that the roads are blocked with snow and no post rider can deliver the mail through the towns. Referring to the Massachusetts constitutional convention of 1820, he notes that "the doing of the convention [is] the theme of conversation in every circle, nor will it subside (in my oppinion) without more noise."

GLC06313.04.092