1828

Livingston, Edward, 1764-1836

Book

Title: A system of penal law for the United States of America ...

Title continues, "consisting of a Code of crimes and punishments; a Code of procedure in criminal cases; a Code of prison discipline; and a Book of definitions. Prepared and presented to the House of Representatives of the United States, by Edward Livingston." Printed by Gales & Seaton, Washington. Printed by order of the House of Representatives. First edition. Important legal work for the development of penal reform. Each section is paginated separately.

GLC04165

1 November 1836

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Richard W. Davis for cruelly and inhumanly beating a Negro in Georgetown].

Countersigned by Acting Secretary of State Asbury Dinkins. Pardoned by Jackson after serving his one-month prison sentence because Davis was unable to pay a fine of $10 and court costs, and on the recommendation of the judge and the district attorney that he was a fit subject for clemency.

GLC04211

3 March 1791

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [Act of Congress for management of district jails]

Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Signed in type by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate, and approved by George Washington as President. Details the results of the third session of Congress held in Philadelphia 6 December 1790. Resolves that each district should have a place and provisions to keep prisoners committed under the authority of the United States. The United States Treasury will pay the reasonable expenses of each district. See also GLC…

GLC04259

24 June 1848

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Document signed

Title: Pardon of John Paterson, John Smith & Peter Johnson, convicted of larceny on high seas.

Convicted of larceny on high seas; sentenced to 4 months imprisonment and a fine of $30 each. Pardoned after serving prison sentence, as "they are seafaring men, dependent upon their monthly wages for support, have no property, and are wholly unable to pay the fine...". (c/s James Buchanan)

GLC04470

9 May 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Mary Catharine Berry by Andrew Johnson]

She was convicted of larceny, and sentenced to one year. She was later pardoned because she was young at the time she committed the crime. (c/s W. Hunter)

GLC04474

5 November 1866

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of William Dulaney, convicted of larceny].

Dulaney, was convicted of larceny and sentenced to serve two years in imprisonment. He was later pardoned after serving almost a year of his prison term for good behavior and by recommendation of a number of citizens. Countersigned by acting Secretary of State William Hunter.

GLC04475

14 July 1830

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ebenezer Dole

Signed twice (once struck out) by the famous abolitionist editor Garrison to Dole. Was writing to thank Dole for the 100 dollars he sent. Garrison did not know Dole before he sent the money. Speaks of his prison time for libel in Baltimore a month before and compares it to slavery, saying how much better his condition was. Says "Ah! dear sir, how wide the difference!" He goes on to eloquently contrast a free person who is put in prison to a black slave on a plantation. Also says he is shocked that the North does not understand the horrors of slavery, "their prejudices were invincible -…

GLC04516

19 August 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of Arthur O'Bryan, who had been convicted in the District of Columbia of attempted bestiality in August 1857].

Pardoned by Lincoln near the end of his sentence because of his exemplary behavior in prison, because he had been decent and well-behaved, but was drunk when he committed the offense, and at the request of a large number of respected citizens. Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC04335

17 October 1780

Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Begins by stating that he is thankful no one can publish his letters after his death since he does not write any. Discusses the treason of Benedict Arnold and the British spy John Andre. Comments on the capture of Andre and wonders why Andre was not able to escape as he was on horseback and the three Americans on foot. Remarks on Arnold's escape, "But why, if Providence had the management of the whole, did she let Arnold escape. Perhaps to be hung afterwards by the Enemy for some act of traitorship against them. In this case he will have no apology left and all Parties will call him what…

GLC04454

11 October 1856

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frederick Brown & Jeremiah Brown

Leaving Kansas, his poor health, and the health of his sons. Says he is leaving Kansas "both on business: & to recover my health," as he is suffering from "Dysentary & Chill Fever." However, "I expect to go back should the trouble continue" Mentions his half-sister Fiorella Adair and her family. Says John Jr. "is very much broken down; & altered by his troubles" which included being beaten and imprisoned. Brown was also inclined to leave Kansas because he was a wanted man there, and because his homestead had been destroyed. Written to his brother Frederick and half-brother…

GLC04463.01

6 May 1861

Confederate States of America. Congress

Broadside

Title: An Act recognizing the existence of War between the United States and the Confederate States; and concerning letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods.

Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, approved this act 6 May 1861. States "Whereas the earnest efforts made by this Government to establish friendly relations between the Government of the United States and the Confederate States, and to settle all questions of disagreement between the two Governments upon principles of right, justice, equity and good faith, have proved unavailing by reason of the refusal of the Government of the United States to hold any intercourse with the Commissioners appointed by this Government for the purposes aforesaid... and whereas, by the acts and means…

GLC04284

25 September 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of Robert Welsh who in Washington, D.C. had been convicted on 28 July 1862 for passing counterfeit money].

Abraham Lincoln pardons Robert Welsh, who had been imprisoned in Albany, New York. Coutersigned by William H. Seward. Fragmentary pardon, lacking the top half.

GLC04529

11 May 1920

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Document signed

Title: [Presidential sentence commutation for Richard E. Polen, who was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon 7 December 1912]

Richard Polen was convicted in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia and sentenced to ten years in the State penitentiary at Baltimore, Maryland. The judgment was affirmed by the Court of Appeals and Polen began serving his sentence November 21, 1913. Wilson commuted his sentence to expire at once, no explanation given. Countersigned by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. Printed document with blanks filled in with type.

GLC04544

22 April 1919

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Document signed

Title: [Presidential commutation of the sentence of Otto Bruno Reichelt, convicted of violating the Espionage Act on 4 October 1918]

Reichelt was convicted in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, for violation of the Espionage Act of June 15, 1917, and sentenced to eight years in the State Penitentiary at Baltimore, Maryland. Wilson commuted his sentence to end at once, no reason given for clemency. Countersigned by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. Printed document with blanks filled in with type.

GLC04549

19 July 1860

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of John Day for manslaughter in July 1852].

Countersigned by Acting Secretary of State William Henry Trescot. Day was convicted in July, 1852. Buchanan pardoned Day near the end of his sentence for his valuable assistance to the wardens in maintaining order in the penitentiary. Day's service was attested to by Warden C. P. Sengstack, previous wardens I.B. Ellis and Thomas Thornley, and on the report of District Attorney Robert Ould. 2 black and white bust engravings of James Buchanan included.

GLC04550

18 April 1895

Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Arnold Catlin re: commuting sentence of Howard Buner rather than pardon.

Commuting sentence 1 year and 3 months instead of an unconditional sentence due to the character of the offense. Catlin's assurance that Buner would receive a job immediately after his released helped to sway Cleveland's decision for the better.

GLC04551

2 July 1845

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Document signed

Title: [Remitting sentence of Daniel Linkins and Augustus Lucas, who had attempted to assist a prisoner escape].

Countersigned by Secretary of State James Buchanan. Linkins and Lucas had both been sentenced to serve 20 days in prison and pay a $50 fine. Following Lucas' release from prison, Polk decided to also pardon Linkins. 1 black and white bust engraving of James K. Polk included.

GLC04553

1836

American Anti-Slavery Society, 1833-1870

Broadside

Title: Slave Market of America.

American Anti-Slavery Society broadside regarding the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. The text quotes scripture, the Declaration of Independence, the federal Constitution, state constitutions, and news accounts. Illustrated with nine woodcuts. The woodcuts include the signing of the Declaration (based on Trumbull), a map of the capitol district entitled "The Residence of 7000 Slaves," a picture of the capitol building, three pictures of public prisons including one captioned "Jail in Washington, Sale of a Free Citizen to pay his Jail Fees," and three pictures of "Private…

GLC04557

1 January 1865- 11 August 1865

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Diary

Title: [Diary of a soldier 2nd Brigade Band, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps, during Petersburg Campaign]

States that his band played out the old year and in the new 1 January. 2 January, mentions "Rebs threw a shell at us while playing the Star-spangled Banner at Div Hd. Qrs shelling continued for some time afterwards. Notes that his band performs and practices nearly every day. 12 January, notes that a flag of truce has been sent by Confederates, with a sealed communication for General Ulysses S. Grant. 17 January, notes that Fort Fisher, North Carolina, was taken with 1400 prisoners. After celebrating, his band was practicing when they were "astonished By music out-side of the tent, which…

GLC04562

1861-1866 circa

Colfax, Schuyler, 1823-1885

Photograph album

Title: [Photograph album of Major Schuyler Colfax]

Album belonging to Schuyler Colfax with over one hundred cartes des visite of New York, Washington, famous policians and other sights. Includes forty outdoor cartes of New York City by E & H.T. Anthony; 16 of Washington and environs by Gardner and by Gardner & Gibson; 12 of Richmond by George O. Ennis; and 5 of Boston by John Soule; 26 portraits by Anthony (Grant, Farragut, Sherman, etc.), Lee and Jefferson Davis by Vannerson and Jones, etc. The album is full calf with beaded decorations and brass clasp edges with all edges gilt, with silver beads sewn over original leather on cover…

GLC04689

1840

Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885

Pamphlet

Title: A history of the Amistad captives: being a circumstantial account of the capture of the Spanish schooner Amistad, by the Africans on board...

(title continues)... their voyage, and capture near Long Island, New York; with biographical sketches of each of the surviving Africans; also, an account of the trials had on their case, before the district and circuit courts of the United States, for the district of Connecticut. Published by E. L. & J. W. Barber. Compiled by Barber, member of the Connecticut Historical Society. Contains a fold-out wood cut depicting the death of Captain Ramon Ferrer on board the Amistad (refer to GLC04295 for the individual wood-cut). This book was reprinted in 1969 by Arno Press and is also…

GLC04574

1887

Finch, W. B., fl. 1887

Photograph

Title: [Albumen photograph of Crow Indian prisoners]

Shows Crow Indian prisoners after uprising guarded by soldiers with rifles. Includes Crazy Head, Knows his Coos, Jeff Bull, The Bank, Looks with His Ears, Big Hail, Carries His Food, and The Rock. Inscribed "#21" on mount.

GLC04591

9 March 1841

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of James P. Smith].

Smith, convicted of larceny, was pardoned under the recommendation of judge and jury due to his youth and good character.

GLC04911

16 July 1851

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac G. McKinley

Buchanan voices his support for the Fugitive Slave Law, enacted under the Compromise of 1850. Believes the law will be the deciding issue in the upcoming election, and that the Democrats should strongly support it. He writes: "The great issue...ought to be: the maintenance of the fugitive slave law without modification." Another central issue must be "the repeal of our State law denying the use of our jails for the detention of fugitive Slaves." Worries that the South is already distressed, and will become more so if the Fugitive Slave Law is attacked. Mentions a Colonel, possibly Bigler…

GLC04903

September 27, 1830

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wiliam Wilberforce [in French]

Lafayette inquiries on the slave trade in France & America. He alludes to Wilberforce's attempts to have Lafayette freed from prison. Docket is in English, in Wilberforce's hand. Letter has been transcribed in English. Wilberforce as the recipient is confirmed by the content of the letter and the handwriting of the docket.

GLC04802