1800

Pamphlet

Title: Communications from several states... respecting the Alien & Sedition Laws

(Virginia Resolves) [Full title] "Communication from Several States, on the Resolutions of the Legislature of Virginia, Respecting the Alien and Sedition Laws...." First edition printed by Meriwether Jones by order of the Virginia Assembly. Old paper wrapper.

GLC05770

1787 - 1788

Loudon, Samuel, 1727-1813

Magazine

Title: The American Magazine.

Contains six monthly issues. Billed as "Containing a Miscellaneous Collection of Original an other Valuable Essays, in Prose and Verse, and Calculated both for Instruction and Amusement." A quote underneath the title reads: "Science the guide, and truth the eternal goal." A table of contents appears for each issue, on p. 1, 65, 129, 193, 273, and 353. There are several articles on contemporary political issues. In the December issue, notable articles appear on Bills of Rights, principles of government and commerce, education, and a "London review of John Adams's defense of the…

GLC03462

29 August 1789

Fenno, John, 1751-1798

Newspaper

Title: Gazette of the United States. [No. XL (August 29, 1789)]

Reports on the activities in the House of Representatives. Contains articles on sugaring, constitutional government, trade, and proposed constitutional amendments (preface to the Bill of Rights). Two acts passed by Congress also appear on p. 4, the first pertains to the governance of the Northwest Territory and the second provides for the payment of expenses associated with treaty negotiations with Indians and the appointment of a commissioner for managing negotiations. Contains a continuation of "The Right Constitution of a Commonwealth examined."

GLC03175

03 December 1790

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: regrets Moustier's return to Europe, Bill of Rights

Written as Secretary of State. Jefferson actually had helped engineer Moustier's recall after his stormy tenure as French ambassador.

GLC03280

October 1788

Rhode Island. General Assembly

Broadside

Title: State of Rhode-Island, and Providence-Plantations. In General Assembly, October Session, 1788.

This document is a copy of a proposed amendment to the proposed Constitution that was distributed to town-clerks throughout Rhode Island to provide information about what progress was being made towards ratification. This particular broadside contains an amendment proposed by the General Assembly of New York. The document was printed in Providence, Rhode Island by Bennett Wheeler and is docketed on verso.

GLC03610

January 1799

Addison, Alexander, 1759-1807

Broadside

Title: Liberty of speech, and of the press: a charge to the grand juries of the county courts of the fifth circuit of the state of Pennsylvania

Article by Alexander Addison supporting the Sedition Act. Document is ripped along the side.

GLC04072

1822

Meredith, William Morris, 1799-1873

Pamphlet

Title: A statement, by James C. Biddle and William M. Meredith, of the Philadelphia Bar.

Covers free press versus fair trial.

GLC06232.02

circa 1813

Forten, James, 1766-1842

Pamphlet

Title: Letters from a man of colour, on a late bill before the Senate of Pennsylvania.

An eloquent response to a bill in the Pennsylvania senate to stop the emigration of people of color into the state. Forten wrote anonymously, signing his letters "A Man of Colour." Five letters respond to the Pennsylvania bill, arguing that Pennsylvania has been a refuge for emancipated Black people have unalienable rights set forth in the Declaration of Independence, which are protected by the Constitution. Forten writes, "The dog is protected and pampered at the board of his master, while the poor African and his descendant, whether a Saint or a felon, is branded with infamy, registered…

GLC06046

27 November 1919

Grimké, Francis J., 1850-1937

Pamphlet

Title: The race problem, as it respects colored people and the Christian Church, in the light of the developments of the last year.

Signed on title page by C.G. Neall. Reverend Grimke, the son of a wealthy white planter and a slave, delivers a discourse at a Thanksgiving service held at the Plymouth Congregational Church in an unspecified city. Examines the unrest following World War I. Discusses African Americans' lack of civil rights, stating "we are here also, not only as American citizens, but as colored American citizens- as citizens, and yet not citizens- citizens with rights guaranteed to us in the Constitution, but with those rights but very imperfectly recognized" (p. 3). Argues that African Americans should…

GLC06122

1785-1812

Langdon, John, 1741-1819

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Autograph letterbook of outgoing correspondence, most 1785-88, 1805-8 & 1811-12

Including letters to John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Thomas Pickering, John Sullivan, Charles Thomson, James Bowdin, and other State governors regarding military affairs, state customs regulations and the need for interstate coordination, appropriations for the Continental Congress. The need for a stronger central government, the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

GLC05896

26 October 1791

Stillman, Rev. Dr., fl. 1791

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Van Schaak

Thanks him for his letter. Regrets that he suffers so much persecution on account of his "adherence to the Episcopal Church." Reminds him that current law protects the free exercise of religion. Stillman is possibly Samuel Stillman, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Boston from 1764 to 1807.

GLC07160.03

14 December 1794

Danforth, Joshua, 1759-1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Van Schaack

Advises that there are certain expenses that must be taxed on the Congregationalists. Requests information on the damages and costs resulting from a suit against the town. Sends two Philadelphia newspapers containing the speech of Mr. Sedgwick on the motion of Mr. Fitzsimmon's "relative to self created societies." Asks for New York newspapers in return. Note on verso, "One of my Philadelphia papers is mislaid - I cannot find it."

GLC07160.05

1792

Van Schaack, Henry, 1733-1823

Autograph document

Title: [Notes on taxation and establishment of churches in Massachusetts]

Notes outlining his arguments against the practices of taxation and appropriation of public monies to fund construction of meeting houses and payment of teachers for denominational majorities. Cites the state constitution and its Bill of Rights. In general, Van Schaack records quotes from the constitution, axioms regarding the separation of church and state, and personal readings of the two, in the left-hand column. In the right-hand column appear specific instances that violate his principles, and other details relating to religion in Massachusetts. Page four has four points to be included…

GLC07160.06

7 March 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to the poor financial situation of Mr. Tracy, presumably Nathaniel Tracy. Relates that Major Gibbs pursued Tracy into another state to collect a debt. Discusses a petition before the Massachusetts general court related to Knox's Maine lands. Mentions those who were present for the committee meeting, commenting that "Brown is an artfull suttle designing fellow and held on like a bull dog- he made a thousand false representations & told a number of damn'd lies in order to gain his point-" Adds that Brown misconstrued dealings between the petitioners and Knox's agent, "to call for the…

GLC02437.04535

January 11, 1838

Haughton, Richard, 1799-1841

Newspaper

Title: Atlas. [Vol. 6, no. 164 (January 11, 1838)]

Most prominent on this page is a report on the debate of "Calhoun's resolutions" concerning the parameters of the "gag rule," which was renewed by the senate annually between 1836 and 1844. The debate touches on states' rights, free speech, and secession, and provides an example of how the Senate avoided direct consideration of slavery by instead debating how they should discuss slavery. Contributions are made by senators John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, James Buchanan, and Thomas Morris, among others. The page also includes a resolution by Martin Van Buren urging U.S. citizens not to…

GLC05508.025

1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: [The Address of the Religious Society called Quakers, from their Yearly Meeting for Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware...].

Also represents Quakers in western Maryland and Virginia. Composed at a September 9, 1789 meeting and issued by the meeting's clerk, Nicholas Waln. Addressed to the President of the U.S. The Quakers offer support and prayers for Washington's Presidency, and note freedom of religion "among the choicest of blessings." Washington's undated reply appears at the bottom. It expressing thanks, praises the Quakers, and supports the idea of religious freedom. Printed by Daniel Humphreys.

GLC05329

May 28, 1953

Einstein, Albert, 1879-1955

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rose Russell [in German]

Signed with initials. Speaks about the spirit of the Constitution and the Fifth Amendment during the McCarthy hearings and argues that "it is a misuse of congressional immunity to carry out practices which rightly belong to the competence of the judicial and police authorities." Possibly a draft. Transcript and translation available.

GLC05322

February 4, 1789

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette anxiously awaits ratification results of the U.S. Constitution, discusses debates between himself, Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson and "Common Sense" [Thomas Paine] regarding the need for Constitutional amendments, and stresses the importance of "the General's" [George Washington's] acceptance of the presidency. He begins by updating Knox on European affairs, saying that they are "too much Entangled together for me to give you an Exact description." He mentions that the Ottoman Empire, with the assistance of Great Britain, is attacking both the Russians and Austrians, and that Britain fears…

GLC02437.04105

October 6, 1788

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Pendleton urges the speedy adoption of the Constitution, undelayed by proposed amendments. He discusses the location of the capital, federal elections, war in Europe, and rumor of imprisonment of Marquis de Lafayette.

GLC00099.134

September 2, 1789

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter includes congratulations on the passage of the Bill of Rights, and mentions the expected ratification of Constitution.

GLC00099.136

1789

Cushing, William, fl. 1789

Book signed

Title: Acts passed at a Congress of the United States of America...

Containing the Bill of rights. This copy annotated by Assoc. Supreme Court Justice William Cushing; Collation: pi A-B4 C4(-C4)D-Z4 2A1 2B-2C4. With adverts. First 8vo edition and first unofficial edition of Acts passed at a Congress. Cushing's notes concern division of Congress' and the Supreme Court's powers; revenues collectors, etc.

GLC00447

28 August 1789

J. Dunlap and D.C. Claypoole, 1784-1790

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania packet, and daily advertiser. [No. 3300 (August 28, 1789)]

Prints seventeen proposed amendments to the Constitution. Reports on activities in the House of Representatives and news from around the country and Europe. Contains many advertisements.

GLC01129

13 December 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bacon

Discusses the Waldo patent. Refers to difficulties in having the patent authorized by the Legislature of Massachusetts. Mentions struggles with settlers who believe they have claims upon the land.

GLC02437.04437

January 12, 1789

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he had delayed writing in hopes that some more events worth mentioning would occur, but they have not, and he cannot justify delaying any longer. Assumes that their mutual friend [Henry] Jackson has acquainted him with the federal elections in Massachusetts, the results of which are very pleasing. Writes, "no Anties yet nor will there be more than one & his influence very small! The Governor is his Message urges amendments, but the Committee of the two Houses will not echo this sentiment." Mentions that General [Benjamin] Lincoln has just been offered a salary to serve as…

GLC02437.04089

1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: The Truth from an honest man: The letter of the President. President Lincoln's Views.

President Lincoln's views on the principles involved in the Clement Vallandigham case. Prints correspondence between Lincoln and Erastus Corning in relation to a Democratic meeting held at Albany, New York 16 May 1863, called to protest the arrest and expulsion of Vallandigham based on the freedom of speech. Corning presided over the meeting. Includes the resolutions adopted at that meeting, and Lincoln's reply to Corning on 12 June 1863. Printed by King & Baird Printers. Same pamphlet as GLC 1265.19.

GLC08707