16 July 1827

Simpson, Michael T., fl. 1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. M. Haldeman

Relates the events of his visit to Jackson's farm in Tennessee. Describes Jackson as a "great American Cincinnatus," friendly, personable, and even-tempered. Says Jackson prefers a quiet life, "but will serve the people, if by them chosen." Calls Mrs. Jackson a "devout Christian" and "a lady in her manners," and praises her highly. Says that both are displeased by the insults they have taken during the campaign, but not angered.

GLC03199

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

19 August 1776

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holden Parsons

Written by Adams as a delegate to Continental Congress from Massachusetts to Parsons, who became a Brigadier General on 9 August 1776 and was to take part in the fighting at the Battle of Long Island on 27 August 1776. References Parsons's letters of 13 and 15 August 1776 and says his recommendations for appointments in the army will be considered by the Board of War, which Adams sat on. Also references Parsons observations of officers Patterson, Shepherd, and Brooks, but says he is unfamiliar with all of them. Says the issues of promotion make him "so vexed sometimes as almost to resolve to…

GLC04424

22 August 1828

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

Comments on "An Act for the relief of surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," Secretary of Treasury Rush's health, and the difficulty of his position. Anticipates Rush's resignation and thanks him for his service. Also discusses a classical essay by Rush's son, commenting on ancient Rome and the superiority of the statesman over the warrior. Docketed by Rush.

GLC04899

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Memorial to the men of Charleston who fought in Civil War [split stereocard]

Image of a monument dedicated "In Honor [to] the Men of Charleston" who fought in the civil war. A greek goddess, possibly Athena, stands over statues of a soldier and sailor. Truncated description of monument on verso. Numeric notation on verso: "231."

GLC05111.01.1193

1741

Middleton, Conyers, fl. 1741

Book

Title: The History of the Life of Marcus Tullius Cicero vol. 1

Two volumes, printed for the author. Collateral to GLC 747, John Adams to Rush, 1805 December 4, which attacks Hamilton as another Caesar while citing this life and "Tull's memoirs."

GLC05882.01

1741

Middleton, Conyers, fl. 1741

Book

Title: The History of the Life of Marcus Tullius Cicero vol. 2

Two volumes, printed for the author. Collateral to GLC 747, John Adams to Rush, 1805 December 4, which attacks Hamilton as another Caesar while citing this life and "Tull's memoirs."

GLC05882.02

1806

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Pamphlet

Title: Mr. Adams's Oration.

Elongated title on title page: "An Inaugural Oration, Delivered at the Author's Installation, as Boylston Professor of Rhetorick and Oratory, at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. On Thursday, 12 June, 1806." Adams explains "the immeasurable superiority of ancient over modern oratory...The assemblies of the people, of the select councils, or of the senate in Athens Rome were held for the purpose of real deliberation. The fate of measures was not decided before they were proposed. Eloquence produced a powerful effect, only upon the minds of the hearers, but upon the issue of…

GLC06255

1741

Middleton, Conyers, fl. 1741

Header Record

Title: The History of the Life of Marcus Tullius Cicero [2 vols.]

Two volumes, printed for the author. Collateral to GLC 747, John Adams to Rush, 1805 December 4, which attacks Hamilton as another Caesar while citing this life and "Tull's memoirs."

GLC05882

12 December 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Since arriving in Philadelphia, has tried to gather a party of about 30 artificers to give to Greene. Discusses Mrs. Greene's trip with their son George Washington Greene to visit Greene at the "high hills of Santee" (the Santee River in South Carolina, where Greene was stationed). Also mentions the recent birth of a son to him and Mrs. Knox, "whom I should name after you were not for the confounded name given by your [illegible] father - as it is I shall call him after some roman whose character I think you may like" (possibly referring to his son Marcus). Sends love to Colonel Williams…

GLC02437.01303

14 April 1782

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene to Major General Knox. References two letters from Knox. Congratulates him on the birth of his son. Asks how his godson is. In reference to the godchild says, "Such a set of responsers I believe never happened before. A quaker and Roman Catholick for the same Child. Which will you chuse[?]" Asks questions about the other Knox children. Says Mrs. Greene has arrived and given him an update on the social life in Philadelphia. Had not seen his wife in 2 years. Says, "She is kinder to me than I am just to her." Says the military situation is gloomy with the enemy…

GLC02437.01388

27 August 1860

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

Tyler, former President of the United States, elaborates on the 1860 Presidential election to his son Robert. States that he discussed the election with Colonel William T. Withers of Mississippi. Expresses approval at the fusion of Stephen Douglas' and John Bells' supporters in New York, and declares "that in my view the defeat of Lincoln was the great matter at issue, and that all others were subordinate." Encloses a letter (not included) from General Foote, a Douglas supporter. Expresses his support of Presidential candidate John Cabell Breckinridge and Breckinridge's running mate Joseph…

GLC07112

25 April 1836

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Letter signed

Title: to C.S. Knapp

Discusses at length the present state of the government and the unconstitutional and monarchal rule of the current president, Andrew Jackson. Quotes Edward Gibbons' "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," and George Washington. Expresses his views on democracy, the Constitution, and the principles of government. Ends by accepting the nomination for the presidency from the Anti-Masonic State Committee of Vermont, which Knapp headed.

GLC06614

19 October 1880

Pusey, Edward, fl. 1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

He writes the news of several men who are in missions or learning the gospel. He also writes of his work "investigating the fulfillments of prophecy as to the Philistine cities, [illegible], Edom, Assyria," and his study of a Cuneiform inscription and Egyptology. Addressed to "My dear Lord".

GLC05508.209

22 March 1782

Cutting, John Browne, fl. 1782-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thoughts on various topics of the day, including the ways people understand the war and military strategy; shifting American perceptions of the war, especially those of people in Massachusetts; financial problems and supply shortages; squabbles among political leadership; the structure of the new government; taxes; and religion. Congratulates Knox on the arrival of his new son, musing, "Pray what kind of features has the late additional young gentleman? Do they indicate peace or war? Has his brow the military scowl of defiance, or do smiles of pacification expand in rosy dimples? If an…

GLC02437.01374

May 15, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Marked "Copy." Letter in a secretarial hand. Says that Joel Barlow, later known as one of the Connecticut Wits, will deliver this letter. Knox identifies Barlow as the author of "The vision of Columbus," a long epic poem in heroic couplets. Barlow went to Europe as an agent for a company that wanted to sell western lands to French emigrants. Knox says Barlow is traveling with the son of Nathanael Greene, George Washington Greene, who is to study with Lafayette in France. Says Catharine Greene and Colonel Wadsworth have written him on the subject of "Master Washington's education," and he will…

GLC02437.03874

3 January 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written by Brigadier General Henry Knox to his brother William Knox. References receiving several letters from William before he left Boston, but that they took a long time in arriving. Reports on several merchant ships that have been captured. Mentions the birth of another son: "I am happy to inform you that our domestic happiness encreases. Mrs Knox has presented me with another fine boy who was born on the 20th ultimo. he is almost the image of Harry, except that his limbs are rather longer. We name him Marcus Camillus, after a roman republic character to which I early became attached."…

GLC02437.01323

August 1777

Henry, David, 1710-1792

Magazine

Title: The Gentleman's magazine. [August 1777]

Excerpt of the magazine, including pages 354- 404. Contains several letters pertaining to Generals George Washington and William Howe (British) discussing the exchange of prisoners. Includes various letters to Urban, the editor, pertaining to Granville Sharp's "Tract on the Law of Nature," Edmund Smith's translation of Longinus, the invention of reflecting quadrants, and medical issues, among various other topics. Printed by David Henry at St. John's Gate, in London.

GLC08865

January 31, 1778

Walpole, Horace, 1717-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Discusses French criticism of her History and likens the ideal of a free America to that of ancient Israel. With Macaulay's note on p. 3 "I should not have..." Hopes that "a System of genuine Freedom may arise in America."

GLC01799

10 June 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son. Thanks him for his letter with its "serious and just observations on the all conquering power of death." His "dear Aunt Burt" has "gone to join with the redeemed." "Judge Dana has come to Newport to wait upon his wife and Sarah Ann and Mr. Channing." Has enjoyed their company, and wishes George had been there to join them. Is now sending George Euclid's Elements, and recommends he study it. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until…

GLC02300.23

19 June 1791

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Vice President Adams to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's letter of 10 June. Is happy Knox is pleased with his situation at Bush Hill. Hopes to hear soon "of the Birth of a peaceable son of Mars." Says he did not know about the paragraphs in the New York newspapers. Just heard of the "Lyes" from New Haven yesterday. Does not think the criticism originated with Roger Sherman or Ezra Stiles. Says "The Preface to [Thomas] Paines Nonsense has occasioned much Speculation. It is thought rather early for Electioneering. My head I thank God is not easily diverted from its…

GLC02437.05014

August 12, 1851

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William M. Lowry

Letter written as Congressman. Marked "Private" at the top of first page. Johnson relates that he is powerless to stop Lowry from being removed from his position as postmaster in Greeneville, Tennessee: "So you may consider the die as being cast." Mentions that an article will be released to the Nashville newspapers, such as the (Greeneville, Tennessee) Spy, regarding Lowry's removal. Counsels, "Do as Caesar did in the Roman Senate: adjust your robe and fall as decent as possible."

GLC01516

24 March 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Requests a certificate from Washington for Winthrop Sargent, who Knox describes as "really clever and... an excellent artillery officer." Promises to procure limestone when the weather improves. Discusses Washington's refusal of a gift from the Legislature of Virginia. States, "My jealousy for your fame is so high, that I should prefer seeing you cincinnatus like, following your plow rather than accepting the least pecuniary reward for services, which fairly challenge the approbation of posterity, but thank the supreme God, you are happily placed above the necessity of receiving any…

GLC02437.03118

27 November 1776

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Written by Major General Schuyler to Duane as a New York delegate to the Continental Congress. References Duane's letter that was delivered 26 November. Says he had to abandon the fortress on York Island because the enemy's strength was overwhelming. Defends his actions as the best he could have done in the situation confronting him. Compares himself favorably to Washington's defeat in New York in August 1776 saying "I wish Gen: Washington had adhered to his own opinion and rejected the Intemporate advice of people of more prowess than Wisdom. In such a situation of ours It is now Eligible…

GLC02544

November 21, 1811

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

The letter discusses depression, Iroquois warrior, and death.

GLC00496.001