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to Edwin M. Stanton
June 4, 1863
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
One letter from Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton dated June 4, 1863. Regarding suspending the publication of the anti-war Chicago Times.
GLC00001
An Act making Provision for the Reduction of the Public Debt.
August 12, 1790
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
Official act of Congress, signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Enacts provisions made by the second session of Congress on 4 January 1790 for deceasing the national debt of the United States. Printed names of Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg...
GLC00003
Emancipation Proclamation
January 1, 1863
Wide margined copy of the Leland-Boker "authorized" edition, produced for raising money at the Philadelphia Great Central Sanitary Fair in June 1864. The Sanitary Commission engaged in hospital and other charitable work during the Civil War; it was a...
GLC00004
[Letter and Newspaper][Decimalized .01- .02]
January 25, 1862 - August 04, 1863
Letter from Lincoln to General Hurlbut not to order subpar guns, and a issue of Scientific America with a cover story on guns.
GLC00005
to Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut.
August 4, 1863
Lincoln tested the firing mechanism of automatic navy rifles and found it faulty; he tells Hurlbut not to order the guns. (Hurlbut) Convicted of embezzling funds and money from the National Bank of Baltimore.
GLC00005.01
To the inhabitants of the State of New York
December 23, 1776
Jay, John, 1745-1829
Delivered at Fishkill, New York, to the state's constitutional convention shortly after the American defeats at Long Island, Manhattan and White Plains, and a few days before Washington surprised the Hessians at Trenton. As such, Jay addressed his...
GLC00006
to Nahum Capen
February 24, 1862
Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869
Less than a month after being appointed Secretary of War, Stanton makes a thinly-veiled attack on Lincoln's economic policies. Excerpt: "No public man, in times like these, can fail to have both his words and acts misunderstood & any one is...
GLC00008
Commission of George A. Williams.
July 11, 1856
Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869
Partially printed standard commission form for George A. Williams as first lieutenant of the United States Army. Signed by both Pierce and Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of War. "I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate...
GLC00010
to Alexander S. Latty
May 30, 1854
Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873
Urges him to sign and circulate a petition concerning slavery he is working on with Senator Benjamin Franklin Wade. Writes "...it is time to have a Democracy of the People against the Oligarchy of the Slaveholder. So sir, I pray you, If our call...
GLC00018
[Promotion of Joseph R. Smith to Second Lieutenant in the Second Regiment of Infantry].
January 1, 1824
Monroe, James, 1758-1831
Countersigned by Secretary of War Calhoun. One bust engraving of George Clinton, first governor of New York, two bust engravings of James Monroe, and one bust engraving of John C. Calhoun included.
GLC00019
to Samuel D. Ingham
March 8, 1830
Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
Writes that Martin Gordon, a customs agent, was accused by traders of being too rigid in adherence to his duties. Jackson tells Ingham to admonish Gordon, advise him to be more lenient, but also hear his side of the story. Writes, "...whilst we...
GLC00021
[Authorization for the Secretary of State to affix the United States seal to President Lincoln's proclamation]
November 19, 1864
A docket in pencil indicates that this document refers to a proclamation to lift a blockade from ports in Virginia and Florida. This document is printed and all handwritten text is underlined.
GLC00030
to Thomas M. Randolph
May 5, 1805
A business letter concerning the management of Monticello while Jefferson served as president. Jefferson writes that he cannot increase an employee's wages from 60 pounds to 100, and asks Randolph to find a replacement. Thomas Randolph and Jefferson...
GLC00032
[Society of Cincinnati membership certificate for George Ogier]
March 31, 1787
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Countersigned by Henry Knox. Washington as president of the Society of the Cincinnati, attests to the membership of George Ogier. Partially printed. Notations in bottom left and right corners stating artisans of print as Aug. L. Belle, Del. and J.J...
GLC00033
to Jabez True
January 10, 1849
Hamlin, Hannibal, 1809-1891
Informs that Rufus McIntire has been appointed marshal of Maine and states that President James Polk advised him of this beforehand. Mentions former President John Tyler and Zachary Taylor, who would be inaugurated president two months after this....
GLC00034
to Thomas Jordan
January 15, 1862
Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893
Lists eight items he intends to have General Samuel Cooper pay special attention to during his inspection. Advises Jordan not to cast blame on anyone when talking to Cooper. Notes accusations against himself that he is usurping power. Venting his...
GLC00039
[Presidential pardon of a group of Quakers for refusing to bear arms in militia].
November 20, 1816
Madison, James, 1751-1836
Countersigned by Secretary of State James Monroe. Intended for Joseph Hollingsworth, William Ellicott Jr. and Sr., Thomas Hartley, Levi Hartley, Samuel Hartley Jr., and Seneca Parry, who were arrested in Maryland. Partially filled out.
GLC00043.02
to Thomas Rutter
December 27, 1811
Secretary of State Monroe transmits to "The Marshal of the District of Maryland" a printed copy of the record of the third Congress of the United States. Monroe states that he knows Rutter will find it gratifying since Rutter "participated in the...
GLC00043.03
February 23, 1813
Secretary of State Monroe transmits a printed copy of a notice to foreign nationals living near coastal areas. Rutter was marshal of Maryland from 1804 to 1817.
GLC00043.04
March 12, 1813
Secretary of State Monroe elaborates on what course of action is to be taken involving "peculiar and extraordinary cases of hardship, and where the character and deportment of the parties entitle them to peculiar consideration..." Rutter was marshal...
GLC00043.05
November 13, 1816
Secretary of State Monroe asks the Marshal of Maryland for details of the cases against Joseph Hollingsworth, William Ellicott Jr. and Sr., Thomas Hartley, Levi Hartley, Samuel Hartley Jr., Seneca Parry. These men were Quakers who had refused to bear...
GLC00043.06
[Transmittal letter for blank pardon form].
Possibly for a group of Quakers arrested for refusing to bear arms. Writing as secretary of state.
GLC00043.07
December 7, 1816
President Monroe urges U.S. Marshal Rutter to promptly list the names of the customs officers who must appear as trial witnesses in Richmond in the case of the Brig Romp.
GLC00043.08
[Presidential appointment of Thomas Rutter as Marshal for the District of Maryland].
November 22, 1816
Countersigned by Secretary of State James Monroe. Appointment is from 22 November 1816 until the end of the next session of the Senate of the United States.
GLC00043.09
[Pardon of Joseph Richmond for embezzlement]
October 30, 1835
Countersigned by Secretary of State John Forsyth. Deputy postmaster of Middletown, Maryland, Richmond was convicted of embezzling the U.S. Mail in November 1834 and was sentenced to ten years in prison. Richmond, young and of previous good...
GLC00043.10
[Pardon of Robert Baker for engaging in the slave trade].
March 30,1846
Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849
Countersigned by James Buchanan. Baker, 1st mate on the Brig "Montivedio", was convicted of engaging in the slave trade between Africa and Brazil and sentenced to serve 6 months in prison and pay a $500 fine and court costs. Pardoned after serving...
GLC00043.11
Pardon of George Miles, convicted of mutiny aboard the Barque "Agnes." Also, includes petitions and receipts.
July 13, 1847
Miles, "...convicted of a revolt on board of the barque 'Agnes'..."; sentenced to pay a $1 fine and courts costs [$25], and be imprisoned for ten days. Pardoned after serving his prison sentence since he was too poor to pay his fine. (c/s James...
GLC00043.12
Pardon of Lewis Huskey alias Edward Cairns, convicted of mutiny aboard the Barque "Agnes." Also, includes petitions and receipts.
Huskey [a.k.a. Cairns], "...convicted of a revolt on board of the barque 'Agnes'..."; sentenced to pay a $1 fine and courts costs [$25], and be imprisoned for ten days. Pardoned after serving his prison sentence since he was too poor to pay his fine...
GLC00043.13
Pardon of William Jenkins alias William Ryall, convicted of counterfeiting. Includes petitions and transmission letters.
September 24, 1850
Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874
Convicted of passing counterfeit coin; sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Pardoned for "...divers good and other sufficient reasons...". (c/s Daniel Webster)
GLC00043.14
Pardon of Daniel Brown, convicted of counterfeiting.
April 5, 1851
Convicted of passing counterfeit coin; sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Pardoned for "...divers other good and suffiecient reasons...". (c/s W.S. Derrick)
GLC00043.15
Pardon of John Alguner, convicted of counterfeiting.
November 17, 1851
John Alguner convicted of passing counterfeit coin. Executive clemency granted by Millard Fillmore, pardoned for "...divers other good and sufficient reasons...". Countersigned by Daniel Webster, Acting Secretary of State. Accompanied by a paper seal...
GLC00043.16
Pardon of August Kesling, alias August Kesting/Kestenger, convicted of transmitting forged federal documents.
July 28, 1854
Convicted of transmitting forged federal documents; sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Pardoned for "...divers other good and sufficient reasons..." (c/s William L. Marcy)
GLC00043.17
Pardon of the owners of the Steamer "Osiris," convicted of endangering lives of passengers by not having sufficient amount of life preservers.
July 12, 1855
Convicted of endangering lives of passengers by not having sufficient amount of life preservers; sentenced to pay $500 fine and additional $71.30 for violation of U.S. transportation safety law of 30 August 1852 [5th Section]. Conditionally pardoned...
GLC00043.18
Pardon of George Kirk, Edward Burr, & George Carroll, convicted of defrauding the revenue.
May 3, 1858
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
Convicted of defrauding the revenue; each sentenced to pay a $400 fine and court costs and to be confined until paid. All pardoned due to their inability to pay fine. Signed by James Buchanan. Countersigned by Lewis Cass. Accompanied by a paper seal.
GLC00043.19
Pardon of Thomas Wilson, convicted of 2 counts of assault weapon against crewmen on the Schooner "Exchange."
December 30, 1859
Convicted of 2 counts of assault [one with a dangerous weapon] aboard the Schooner "Exchange" while at sea; in one case, sentenced to 1 year and 3 months imprisonment and in the case involving weapon, sentenced to 2 years hard labor and to pay $1...
GLC00043.20
[Presidential pardon of Rasmus Benson who in Maryland in September 1862 was convicted of inflicting cruel and unusual punishment on a seaman].
December 16, 1862
Pardoned by Abraham Lincoln because Benson had been imprisoned for failure to pay the fine, because Benson's offense against the Criminalizing Mutiny on the High Seas Act (March 3, 1835, c. 40, sec. 1 and 2) was of a technical nature, and because the...
GLC00043.21
Pardon of William B. Philips, convicted of embezzling money from the post office.
October 19, 1870
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Convicted of embezzling money from the post office; sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and to pay a $3454.78 fine. Pardoned for his "...good character, pliable nature, poverty, the punishment already suffered, and the fact that his bondsmen have paid...
GLC00043.22
Pardon of Samuel Cooper.
June 28, 1879
Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893)
Convicted of embezzlement from the mails; pardoned since he behaved well, the crime was a first offense and he was a good Union soldier. (c/s Wm. M. Evans) One black and white bust engraving of Rutherford Birchard Hayes included.
GLC00043.23
Pardon of Justus J. Gude, convicted of stuffing the ballot box.
June 30, 1879
Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893
Convicted of putting tickets in ballot box (stuffing it), while serving as an election judge in a Baltimore congressional election; sentenced to 1 year imprisonment and a $5 fine. Pardoned since further imprisonment would endanger his life. (c/s...
GLC00043.24
Presidential Pardon collection no. 2. [Decimalized .01-.07]
1862-1865
Various
[Lincoln and Johnson] [decimalized 00044.01-00044.07]
GLC00044
[Presidential pardon of Felix Mullen, who had been convicted in February 1862 in the District of Columbia of burglary].
July 24, 1862
Felix Mullen was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln because Lincoln had been petitioned by the jury who had tried the case, who told him that they rendered their verdict upon a misconception of the law. Also his conduct while incarcerated had been good. In...
GLC00044.01
[Presidential pardon of Henry Buschrae, who had been convicted in the District of Columbia of larceny in June 1861].
January 13, 1863
Buschrae was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln because he had served nearly all of his sentence, because he had been well behaved in prison, because he had been of good character and was drunk when he committed the larceny, because he had "served...
GLC00044.02
[Presidential pardon of Albert Horn, who had been convicted in New York in October 1862 of fitting out the ship, City of Norfolk, for trade in slaves]
May 21, 1863
Horn was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln because, on the testimony of the physician of the county jail of New York and that of Dr. A. Jacobi, professor in the New York Medical College, and by Dr. T. S. Edwards of New York that Horn was suffering from...
GLC00044.03
[Presidential pardon of James Dillion, who in New York City had been convicted in June 1860 of mutiny on board the William F. Storer].
November 9, 1863
James Dillion was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln near the end of his sentence because of his good behavior while incarcerated in Sing Sing Prison, on the petition of citizens, and on the recommendation of the U. S. District Attorney for the Southern...
GLC00044.04
[Presidential pardon of Peter Columbus who, in August 1864 in the Northern District of New York, had been convicted of perjury].
November 25, 1864
Peter Columbus was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln because he had been sufficiently punished while incarcerated at the Monroe County, New York, Penitentiary and at the petition of citizens. Countersigned by William H. Seward.
GLC00044.05
[Presidential pardon of George M. Murrell of Lynchburg, Virginia, who had participated in the Confederacy].
July 3, 1865
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875
George M. Murrell is pardoned by Andrew Johnson conditonal on his taking the oath of 29 May 1865, that he no longer make use of slave labor, and that he pay all costs of any proceedings against him in the past. Printed document with blanks filled in...
GLC00044.06
[Presidential pardon of I. H. Payne of Fauquier County, Virginia, for taking part in the rebellion].
August 24, 1865
Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward. Payne is pardoned by Andrew Johnson conditional on his taking the oath of 29 May 1865, that he no longer make use of slave labor, and that he pay all costs up to the date of acceptance of this...
GLC00044.07
[Society of Colonial Wars membership application for I. H. Payne]
Circa 1865
unknown, 1808-1875
A application to be part of the Society of Colonial Wars, includes geneological line for the applicant as well as a description of the service of his ancestor
GLC00044.07.02
[Leather Valise/Pouch]
Unknown
A transmittal envelope for pardon of Payne. There is a seal on the back.
GLC00044.07.03
Lather valise/pouch contained a pardon for Payne and a transmittal envelope and letter. GLC00044.07.01-.03
GLC00044.07.04
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