February 16, 1847

Missouri, Legislature

Printed document

Title: Memorial of the general assembly of Missouri, requesting that efforts be made by negotiation with the British government, to procure the restoration of fugitive slaves.

29th Congress, 2d session. Senate document no. 150. Missouri requests a measure for negotiations with England to prevent slaves escaping to Canada. Printed by Ritchie & Heiss, printers.

GLC00267.137

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

November 7, 1851

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ezra B. Chase

Buchanan states his position on slavery and the legal implications of enslaved people seeking emancipation. Buchanan strongly supports the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act, and believes it will reduce sectional strife. He is "decidedly in favor of 'the finality' of the compromise measures" and finds that the Compromise favors the North, except for the Fugitive Slave Law. Mentions the Democrats of Pennsylvania repealed a law preventing jails providing shelter to enslaved people on the run. He has received many congratulations from the South for his work on this cause. He concludes…

GLC00529.06

November 15, 1860

Bethune, James N., 1803-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul Semmes

Discusses the meeting of the legislature in Milledgeville, Georgia on the issue of secession. Writes that the general consensus in Milledgeville is one of resistance. States that Georgia Senator Benjamin Hill is demanding that Lincoln enforce the fugitive slave law. If the laws are not enforced, Hill will "help us dissolve the Union and we will all go together." Informs that "Many prominent men who have been here to force violent Union Men are now openly and strongly for immediate Secession." Written on blue paper. Georgia seceded from the Union on January 19, 1861. Bethune was a prominent…

GLC00572.14

9 January 1851

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed document

Title: Anti-Fugitive Slave Law Meeting. At a large meeting of persons from various parts of the State of New York, held in the City of Syracuse...

(title continues)... January 9th 1851, and of which Frederick Douglass was President, the following resolutions and address were unanimously adopted. The address is the same, and, with an inconsiderable exception, the Resolutions are the same, as those, which were reported by Gerrit Smith to the State Convention held in said City, January 7th, 8th, 9th, 1851.

GLC04717.16

13 March 1855

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed letter

Title: to William Henry Seward

Smith writes to Seward, a United States Senator from New York. Praises Seward's intellectualism and philanthropic spirit. Notes that Seward's recent speech on the Fugitive Slave Act "does not, in all respects, come up to my expectation of what would fall from you on such as occasion." Questions Seward's dedication to abolition. In closing, writes "I own, that you stand, as an antislavery man, very far above most of our statesmen. But I would have you stand still farther above them."

GLC04717.21

1 October 1857

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed document

Title: Address reported by Gerrit Smith to the Jerry Rescue Convention, held in Syracuse October 1, 1857.

Regarding William "Jerry" Henry, who had been arrested under the Fugitive Slave Law in Syracuse in 1851, and rescued by local citizens. Smith commends the rescue, claiming no Christian can disapprove of the rescue. Discusses his disappointment in the Republican party's lack of adherence to abolition. Asks "whether we all recognize the obligation to rescue every Jerry."

GLC04717.26

March 1859

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed document

Title: Personal Liberty Bill

Begins with a list of the foremost duties of the New York Legislature: to close the dramshops, to prevent withholding suffrage from Black men, and to protect the "weary and heart-broken fugitive slaves" within State limits. Includes an excerpt of a speech by Smith, arguing that the Constitution of the United States should not be interpreted as a pro-slavery document: "The Constitution is not for Slavery unless they who adopted it meant it to be for Slavery. But there can be no evidence that they so meant, unless there is evidence that they saw Slavery in the Constitution."

GLC04717.27

27 August 1859

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Printed letter

Title: to John Thomas, Esq.

Smith declines Thomas's invitation to preside at the anniversary of the Rescue of Jerry, who had been arrested in Syracuse under the Fugitive Slave Law and freed by local citizens in 1851. Informs Thomas, Chairman of Jerry Rescue Committee: "The Rescue of Jerry was a great and glorious event... But those who achieved it, and I include in this number all who cheered it on and rejoiced in every step of its progress, have, with few exception, proved themselves unworthy of the work of their own hands." Worn through in the upper left corner.

GLC04717.29

January 21, 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Writes from Headquarters of the 78th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. He asks her to write at least once a week. They have received marching orders, but heavy rains made the river rise and they may not be able to move. He spent last night playing a game "with a very pretty young lady. You must not yet be jealous about it, although I begin to think I have some right to go about among the girls as you have almost [quit] writing to me." A runaway slave from Spencer County is employed by the Colonel. He does odd jobs, dances and makes speeches. Plans to stay with the regiment and go back to…

GLC05241.06

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

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

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