July 25, 1861

Jones, Samuel, 1819-1887

Autograph note

Title: A congratulatory address from Generals Joseph E. Johnston and Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard to Confederate soldiers following the Battle of First Bull Run

Confederate general Samuel Jones has written "For the 8th Rgt. Ga. Volunteers" on the verso of a copy of a congratulatory address from Generals Joseph E. Johnston and Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard to Confederate soldiers following the Battle of First Bull Run, actually requesting this to be read to the troops. The address has been secretarially signed by Johnston and Beauregard, and by Thomas G. Rhett as assistant adjutant general. Beauregard declares "One week ago a countless host of men organized into an Army with all the appointments which modern art and practiced skill could devise…

GLC02691.07

19 December 1801

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: [to Robert R. Livingston]

Says Convention of Mortefontaine, as exchanged by William Vans Murray, arrived on 9 October 1801. President Jefferson had it sent to the Senate for advice and consent since the French ratification was not pure and simple in the ordinary form. No action had yet to be taken, especially since many members were absent. Believes delay will not be long and hopes this will not cause a problem with the French government. There are some questions about a duty placed on American tobacco and hopes that "unreasonable and inconvenient" regulations on both sides can be corrected. Worries that British…

GLC02899

17 July 1858

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of Hon. Abraham Lincoln, delivered in Springfield, Saturday evening, July 17, 1858.

Discusses the disadvantages faced by the Republican Party in the upcoming election. Traces the development of his attitudes toward slavery and equality, expressing his conviction that the South's reliance on slavery was engaged in a conspiracy to nationalize slavery and strip White people as well as Black people of their civil rights. States that the Kansas-Nebraska bill was the beginning of this. Urges that slavery be placed on the course of "ultimate extinction." Attacks Stephen Douglas and defends himself by stating that he supports the principles of equality put forth in the Declaration…

GLC02955

3 December 1859

Kossuth, Lajos Von, 1802-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letter of reference for Alexis Ludvigh]

Writes, "The bearer Mr. Alexis Ludvigh native of Hungary, County of Szepes, is going to the United States America [sic] with the consent of his parents, and the intention to make the States his adoptive home. I am well acquainted with his father, who being one of the Representatives of the people to the national assembly of Hungary 1848 has so much signalised [?] himself by his resolute patriotism, and firm democratic principles, that I selected him to the important trust of a Civil Commissioner of the government with the main army. He is now in exile like myself; and prefers to see his son…

GLC02869.01

January 12, 1904

Walker, John Grimes, 1835-1907

Typed letter signed

Title: to Thomas Gibbons

Thanks Gibbons for his gift of a smoking jacket as a "New Year's remembrance." Describes his enjoyable visit to the Isthmus during November and December. Discusses the new republic of Panama, recently declared independent from Colombia, and proclaims it "fairly on its feet." Comments, "A good deal of opposition [to the canal treaty] has developed [in the Senate], all caused by a desire of the Democrats to make political points to be used in the next Presidential canvass against Mr. Roosevelt and the Republican party." Believes the treaty will ultimately be ratified, perhaps in early…

GLC02763.04

1876

Evarts, William Maxwell, 1818-1901

Autograph manuscript

Title: Working draft of the "Centennial oration" delivered at Philadelphia

Original working draft of his speech at the Exposition, accompanied by William M. Evarts ALS to Joseph R. Hawley 3 p. 12/1/1875 and Joseph R. Hawley DS 7/6/1876 officially thanking Evarts for the oration. [Delivered at exposition celebrating the centennial of the Declaration of Independence.]

GLC03407

02 June 1776

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Landon Carter re: calling for America's independence, troubles with Britain

Written as delegate to Congress from Virginia. Docketed with comments by Carter, the recipient.

GLC03421

4 July 1798

Dayton, Jonathan, 1760-1824

Autograph letter

Title: to John Adams

Date inferred from Adams' announcement of Washington as commander of Provisional Army on 2 July 1798. Also inferred from his response to this document, which was on 6 July 1798 (GLC 3866.01). Creator inferred from handwriting of Jonathan Dayton. New Jersey branch of Society of Cincinnati expresses "our entire satisfaction with his Administration of the Government, & in particular as it relates to the injuries & insults which have been received from the French Republic." Asserts that America needs be vigilant to defend its independence.

GLC03866.02

2 January 1851

Adams, Charles Francis, 1807-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Augustus Stansbury

Adams writes to Stansbury, editor of the "Free Soil Courier" in Burlington, Vermont. Attests "the report of what I said at the Convention in the eighth District, which nominated Mr. Mann, is misrepresented, as every thing is misrepresented which comes from the free soil men" (possibly referring to Horace Mann). Seeks to explain his position to Stansbury, arguing that he did not denounce the Democratic Party, but "I did intimate very distinctly that with the other class in both parties, the old, resolute, proslavery set, who consider the maintenance of the country to depend upon the…

GLC03863

15 November 1775

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Henry Lee

Adams outlines the government that he envisions for America, that it should have executive, legislative and judicial branches, similar to the colonial government of Massachusetts. He also argues for a bicameral legislature and insists that judges not have overlapping offices in the other branches. Adams draws to an end with comments about human nature and tyranny. He concludes "if such a Trifle will be of any service to you or any gratification of Curiousity, here you have it...." On the evening of 14 November 1775, Lee, a delegate to the Continental Congress from Virginia, visited Adams…

GLC03864

1864

Manuscript

Title: [Pro-Lincoln campaign speech by a Union army officer who commanded the 15th corps, 2nd division] [incomplete]

Reminds the soldiers of the necessity of the Civil War and why they are fighting, " ... the suppression of the Rebellion and the preservation of American Liberty." Urges the soldiers to vote for the Union ticket and influence their friends and family to do the same. "Upon the result of this election depends the fate of this government. Defeat the Union Ticket and the Union goes to atoms. Elect it - a speedy peace will follow and our Union will be saved and once more happy." Warns soldiers to be aware of traitors and conspirators. A fragment, lacking beginning and end. Paginated 6…

GLC03738

circa February 1817

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Draft of first inaugural address]

First draft of president-elect Monroe's inauguration address. Monroe gave the address, with substantial changes, on 4 March 1817, beginning the Era of Good Feelings. The speech was the first outdoor inauguration since Washington's in 1789. Monroe's draft has a generally positive tone, expressing happiness and confidence with America's present and future prospects. It was written to appeal to everyone and avoids confrontation. Begins by thanking his fellow citizens for their trust in him and says he hopes to be a useful public servant. Following in the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson's ideas on…

GLC03880

May 4, 1757

Livingston, Philip, 1716-1778

Document signed

Title: [Witnessing 200 pound bond for manumission of slave]

Legal document for the posting of a bond for the manumission of the slave Ann. Signed as witnesses by the Aldermen and Justices of the Peace for the City and County of New York: John Cruger, Simon Johnson, Francis Gilpin, Philip Livingston (the Declaration of Independence signer), Leonard Lispenard, and William Coventry. Ann was previously owned by Eve Scurlock, a tavern keeper, who had recently died. Her will freed Ann. John Vanduersen, a cordswain, and Peter Burger, a cooper, paid the bond necessary to manumit her. Posting a bond was a condition of freedom for slaves after the revolt in…

GLC03943

1857

Howard, Benjamin C., 1791-1872

Book

Title: Report of cases argued and adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States. December term, 1856.

Published by William M. Morrison and Company. Includes report on Dred Scott v. Sandford.

GLC04394

1860

Taney, Roger Brooke, 1777-1864

Pamphlet

Title: The Dred Scott Decision

A pamphlet containing Taney's ruling in the Dred Scott case, as well as two articles asserting the inferiority of "the negro race." One is an introduction by Van Evrie stating "the Supreme Court, in the Dred Scott decision, has defined the relations, and fixed the status of the subordinate race forever-for that decision is in accord with the natural relations of the races, and therefore can never perish. It is based on historical and existing facts, which are indisputable, and it is a necessary, indeed unavoidable inference, from these facts." The other is an essay by Cartwright entitled "…

GLC04393

May 2, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Printed document

Title: Message rallying troops before an anticipated battle at Corinth, with illegible signature

Calls on the "Soldiers of Shiloh and Elkhorn" to "drive back into the Tennessee the presumptuous mercenaries collected for our subjugation." Tells his men "We are about to meet once more, in the shock of battle, the invaders of our soil, the despoilers of our homes, the disturbers of our family ties. Face to face, hand to hand, we are to decide whether we are to be freemen, or the slaves of those who are free only in name...Let the impending battle decide our fate, and add one more illustrious page to the history of our Revolution; one to which our children will point with noble pride,…

GLC04593

14 August 1936

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Typed document signed

Title: Address of the President at Chautauqua, N.Y.

Speech focuses on peace, America as a good neighbor to other nations, and preventing war internationally. Discusses the causes that produce war such as fanaticism, racial hatreds, and religious intolerance. Finishes with, "We believe in democracy; we believe in freedom; we believe in peace. We offer to every nation of the world the handclasp of the good neighbor. Let those who wish our friendship look us in the eye and take our hand." Same speech as GLC05193.

GLC04599

25 December 1886

Mahone, William, 1826-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. F. Strickland

Mahone replies to correspondence from Reverend Strickland in Des Moines, Iowa. Notes that he has not forgotten Strickland's former request. Writes, "I would hope the God given Spirit of Liberty may never tire- not before, its blessings are freely enjoyed by the human race every where, and civilization has accomplished the fare measure of its mission: not until, man woman and child are free to enjoy the fruits of their own labor: It is that the sacrifices of blood, which a... Civil Contention between the sections of our great Country imposed, may duly be remembered as a contribution to…

GLC04733

1799

Doggett, Simeon, fl. 1799

Pamphlet

Title: An Oration delivered at Taunton on the 4th of July

GLC10152

5 September 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Gardiner

Knox has observed that some of the public is suspicious of whether the theatre can contribute to the "good of the community." Supports Gardiner's defense of the theatre, writing that "the theatre may exude and confirm the most elevated and pure love of general liberty, as well as local attachment." Discusses "Republican government controlling the theatre."

GLC02437.05598

4 January 1790

Williams, J., fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions moving his family to settle in America and discusses the revolution in France. Encloses (not included) letters to [Samuel] Shaw that he has left open for Knox to also read. Writes about the French Revolution, it "supports itself to admiration. What a few years since would have been called the enthusiastic Fables of political madmen is now supported by stubborn Fact. France is perhaps the nearest to a democracy of any Government in the Universe, preserving only a monarch at the head of it pro forma, with no more to do with this composition than the diamond Button has with his…

GLC02437.04463

circa 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Paper on the United States Constitution]

Knox's views on government and how the Articles of Confederation are not effective. Pages 5-8 constitute a redraft of pages 1-4. Sewn binding.

GLC02437.03650

December 14, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox says he wrote Lafayette "several letters" expressing his affection for him. Says America as a nation believes the same thing and that "you must not regard [such expressions] as compliments but the language of sincerity." Goes on to say "Our independence is now established and we feel the warmest gratitude to all the means what have contributed to effect it." Reports that "The English have at last left us to ourselves, with the full expectation that we shall not know how to govern the ship of state and that we must apply to the Steady and well experienced pilots of Britain." Says "Our…

GLC02437.02830

20 July 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that has noted Knox's previous letter, which indicates that artificers are working hard on wagons and tumbrils. However, "At the same time, I am sorry to inform you, that, they will fall far short of your expectations, in this particular owing to the great portion of time which has been taken up, in making the necessary repairs of the carriages, of those Pieces, that were brought from Philadelphia, to this place, many of which were in a wretched state." Writes that he is "chagrined" to find that a Lieutenant Fisk has resigned to avoid a Court Martial. Adds that the bearer of the…

GLC02437.01495

October 15, 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox writes that he is thankful to be able to send this letter by Count de Moustier, who was returning from his time as French minister to America. He will enclose the diplomas for the French officers in the Society of the Cincinnati. Says "The importance of the revolution in France is astonishing - one looks round in amazement and asks is it not a delusion, can it be true? This is a new Lesson to the Gods of the earth that there [distinction] is but a phantom of the imagination that an [illegible] people will know and ought to repress the abuses and oppressions of their rulers." Asks for…

GLC02437.04391