1861-1865

Manuscript

Title: On the Use of Tobacco

Essay discusses the vileness of tobacco use and urges users to stop. Comments on the high monetary cost and ill health effects resulting from tobacco use. Invokes man's responsibility to God to "...obtain the mastery over your appetites."

GLC03523.10.240

6 April 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Loves her and acknowledges her letter. Tries to assuage her fears about the war, smallpox, and his distance from her. Assures her that "General Howe is not driving us thro' the Jersies into Pennsylvania." Discusses the character and rank of the recently arrived French officers. Says France will not enter the war, but will trade, "and will defend that Commerce by force." Is confident that Britain will try to disrupt this trade. Proclaims that he is sure it is "the Will of High Heaven that America should be great," and that is why "a powerful brave army...headed by a man of genius" does…

GLC02437.00566

31 March 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Loves her and thinks of her constantly. Thinks America will soon rise and Britain fall. Sees the recent arrival of arms as a positive sign from above. Feels the war has lost all virtue. If not for her he think he would not have the will to live. Decides to sell his horses to help William Knox raise money. Thinks Colonel Jackson can help with this, feels they are worth one hundred pounds, and hopes to sell them to a jockey named Cook.

GLC02437.00560

10 November 1862

Turner, Joseph Addison, 1826-1868

Newspaper

Title: The Countryman. [Vol. 3, no. 7 (November 10, 1862)]

The Evil Effects of Dancing.

GLC05959.02.05

31 July 1887

Adams, Anne Brown, 1843-1926

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander M. Ross

One letter addressed to Alexander Ross from Anne Brown Adams dated July 31, 1887. Mentions the health of her children and reading The Life of Frederick Douglass. Does not find truth in Douglass's account of meeting John Brown. Believes that Uncle Tom's Cabin is a suitable work to teach her children about slavery. Recounts that there was a false narrative in the biography which led her children to be skeptical of Frederick Douglass's biography.

GLC03007.15

2 December 1888

Adams, Anne Brown, 1843-1926

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander M. Ross

Wonders why there is so much evil in the world, is thankful for the good people she has known, and rejoices in the election of Benjamin Harrison as President. Has recently moved from Rohnerville to Petrolia. Wonders "why some people were ever permitted to be born into the world, They never seem to have a kind thought or do a good act, their lives are all wrong. Why did a good God create so much evil and so little that is really good, in the human race?" Despite this, feels lucky to have known some great men, "even if they are lost" too soon. On politics "greatly rejoiced with the results…

GLC03007.22

29 June 1890

Adams, Anne Brown, 1843-1926

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander M. Ross

Discusses bad weather, vaccination of her children, and the evil of most human beings. Recipient inferred from content.

GLC03007.26

1877-1900

Adams, Anne Brown, 1843-1926

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander M. Ross [Fragment]

Wonders why so much evil exists in the world and about the nature of good and bad and the inequality of rich and poor. Recipient inferred from content. Only the last two pages remain.

GLC03007.51

June 5, 1863

Swain, Julius Marshall, 1835-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horace

Written to his son Horace, from Georgetown, in Washington, D.C. Encourages him to study well and be good. Lists several maxims to live by, and encourages him not to smoke.

GLC00653.10.06

21 November 1864

Woolston, Benjamin A., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Woolston

Letter to Charles signed by both his mother, M. Woolston, and his father, who signed with his initials, B.A.W. His father tells him to try and save his money, and asks Charles to let him know if he is staying in a barrack or tents. His mother writes that she is happy to hear from him. Wants him to try to get detailed for a job in the camp because it will be safer for him. Asks if there are pickpockets there and advises him to keep all his clothes. Warns him, "keep out of bad company and shun all bad habbits such as gambling drinking whisky make no bets with any body for they know you are…

GLC03523.26.10

14 June 1804

Parker, Stephen, fl. 1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Strong

Tells about his terrible misfortunes, including a decadent, alcoholic son, a loss of property and money during the war, and the death of his wife as a consequence. Explains that his son, Colborn, was taken ill aboard an American naval vessel and would like to know whether this entitles his son to hospital care.

GLC02437.07860

circa 1750-1820

Manuscript letter

Title: to Elizabeth

Writes about a village and states that "their awkward attempts to appear what they are not, and never can be is amusing enough. For instance what do you think of Old Squire Gleason enacting the Beau and not only this but apearing [sic] the gallant gay Lothario and winning hearts and cruelly leaving them to break-"

GLC02437.08132

circa 1789-1795

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: Indian Expedition & Indian affairs generally

Knox's report as Secretary of War: "Congress were informed in their last Session of the efforts which had been made to accomplish a peace with the hostile Indians north of the Ohio. These having failed it became a duty of the Executive to take such measures, authorized by the laws as should exhibit our power to punish the depredations of the refractory tribes... Humanity however dictates the desire that the deluded Indians may be convinced of the destructive consequences of their obstinacy in persisting to wage war against the United States..." Emphasizes the importance of "an energetic and…

GLC02437.10354

14 June 1813

Hewson, John, 1744-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus Lincoln

After a long lapse in correspondence, Hewson is updating Lincoln on his family life. Mentions Lincoln's letter from May 1813. Also mentions that Lincoln's daughter lives in the house of his wife's sister and that she is weak in health, but happy in Philadelphia. Says they had an enjoyable visit with her. His wife just recovered from a painful illness that necessitated a six month confinement. Says he is weak and can only walk 50 yards before tiring after a three month illness. Says he only recovered because of his faith. Is glad a present he sent arrived safely. Thanks Lincoln for the…

GLC03849.01

4 July 1815

Hewson, John, 1744-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus Lincoln

Asks forgiveness for not replying to his last letter as he was ill. But says his health is as good and his morals as upright when they were on "the Island" (New York ) together (from a reference in another letter, it appears he escaped in October 1778). Relates what happened to him after they escaped. At 10 p.m. he went to the mouth of a creek which led to the sea. They had prepared a large boat, but not everyone in his party had arrived yet and they took a small canoe instead. There were five in the canoe and they stopped and ballasted it with sand before heading to the ocean. Says they made…

GLC03849.02

8 July 1817

Hewson, John, 1744-1821

Autograph letter

Title: to Rufus Lincoln [incomplete]

Says Lincoln's daughter reports his health is as good as can be expected. Hewson says his health has been poor since last winter and that he was confined to the house for eight or nine weeks. Says God wanted him to live in order to help his youngest son, who ruined his family through drinking, move westward to Ohio and work as a carpenter. He has bound him out to a master carpenter for two or three years to complete his training. Says his other son James was in the Hospital for one year at 4 dollars a week and he is to move west as well. A son-in-law has also gotten into debt and ran away and…

GLC03849.04

20 November 1819

Hewson, John, 1744-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus Lincoln

References Lincoln's letter of 6 June 1819. Says he is sorry that Lincoln's hearing is so bad and goes on to explain his temporary problems with hearing. Says he put drops of oil in his ear and took a piece of smooth wood and used that to clean out the wax from his ears. Claims he pulled out two or three pea-sized balls of wax from his ear and that he repeats this every few years. Says he is writing this small script without the aid of glasses, which are in his wig. Claims he read a newspaper article about putting drops of spring water in your eyes daily and that has preserved his eyesight.…

GLC03849.06

circa 1820

Hewson, John, 1744-1821

Autograph letter

Title: to Rufus Lincoln [incomplete]

Undated, circa date inferred from other letters in the collection. Note in pencil in different hand says page 13 is the last, but it is missing here. Pages numbered 5-12 so beginning and end of letter are missing. After escaping to New Jersey, probably in October 1778, from a reference in another letter, they went back to pick up their fellow escapees who could not swim and paid their helpers with the canoe they stole. They were forced to keep moving and were helped by farmers who supported the Revolution. Says this took place in Monmouth County where "General How made so many wigs by his ill…

GLC03849.08

1733

Zenger, John P., 1697-1746

Newspaper

Title: New-York weekly journal. [Vol. 932, no. 9 (December 31, 1733)]

Argues that reverence should be paid only to those who are worthy of it, regardless of rank and social status. States that men in high offices and with good titles (such as bishops or lords) should not be respected if their actions are unworthy of their office or title. Includes a foreign affairs section which reports the death of Major John Cornforth, the French siege of Luxembourg, and updates on the War of Polish Succession. Also includes sections for New York news, entries and departures of the New York customs house, and advertisements.

GLC06108.01

14 March 1815

Lovett, John, 1761-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Van Rensselaer

Informs that the bank bill has passed. Expresses his opposition to charter of second Bank of United States being granted. Talks negatively about the methods used to get the bank bill passed. Remarks, "In these days, I find, it is a very easy thing to become Rich, but I shall die Poor - so be it - I am sickened & disgusted at what I see, & believe; but do not know." Mentions his grandmother, who raised him and told him to "Do right & fear not." Expects that William H. Crawford will be nominated for President by a Republican caucus. Written as member of Congress. Addressed to…

GLC04309.01

2 September 1843

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Calvin Colton

Suggestions for a pamphlet opposing Abolitionists. "Shew that the agitation of the question in free states will first destroy all harmony and finally lead to disunion. That the consequences of disunion - perpetual War - the extinction of the African race - ultimate military despotism...The slaves being free would be dispersed throughout the union; they wd. enter into competition with the American, the Irish, the German, and the free Colored; reduce his wages; be confounded with him; & affect his moral & social standing...Show...That the object is to unite in marriage the laboring…

GLC08952

1778

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Autograph letter

Title: to [David Henley]

Written by General Phillips as an officer under General John Burgoyne to Colonel Henley, former commander of the Prospect Hill barracks where many of the captured Convention troops were situated. Henley was brought before a court martial due to allegations of murder and mistreatment of British soldiers. Recipient is inferred from the content of the memorandum written above the letter. Memorandum says "Col: Henley wrote a letter to G: Ps:," which apologized for his improper use of language. "G: Ps:" is probably General Phillips. The letter below the memorandum is an answer to Henley's apology…

GLC04764.71

1865

White, Erskine Norman, 1833-1911

Pamphlet

Title: The personal influence of Abraham Lincoln : a sermon preached on the national fast-day, Thursday, June 1st, 1865 by Erskine N. White

Published by John A. Gray & Green Printers. The pamphlet was "published by request." Discusses the moral examples and principles Lincoln set upon the country and the world. Discribes Lincoln as a " man of the people" and praises his leadership and character.

GLC02913.07

20 October 1855

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James M. Maitland

Informs his brother that his nine year old daughter recently died, and many friends as well. Discusses the high price of corn. Also speaks of political matters, writing "I can feel as much for suffering humanity as any abolitionist at least, but I think we should be just before we are mercifull and ought not to degrade twenty five milion white men for the purpose of elevating three million blacks, God the creator has for some wise purpose placed unmistakeable marks of distinction between the two races, and we have not right to try to alter what he has done, again Bretheren who hold slaves (…

GLC03523.10.014

January 17, 1854

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Ann Maitland

Addresses letter to "My Dear Companion" from the House of Representatives, Columbus Ohio. Confides in his wife that he misses her and their children greatly and that he is sorry to hear of the death of so many of their acquaintances. Reports "There is a great amount of wickedness perpertrated in this City and in all Cities. There are many tempations the unwary are often caught and drawn into...I have enjoyed myself in a religious point tolerably well the seductions of satan have no charms for me." Small letter dated 18 January on the last page, noting that he is going to try and take a train…

GLC03523.10.007