January 20, 1855

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

Written from former President Tyler's plantation, Sherwood Forest, to his son Robert. Robert transmitted a letter from Mr. Buchanan (President James Buchanan, confirmed by docket). John returns the letter, encouraging Robert to respond in a way that would give Buchanan "an epitomy of the politics of the country without denouncing any party or any man." Discusses the Crimean War, remarking that at its beginning, most Americans were on the side of the Turks (Ottoman Empire, assisted by the British and French), but because of remarks made by Lord Clarendon and various British and French…

GLC03671

1856

Object

Title: [Campaign ribbon on silk: "Old buck is coming"]

Faded pink silk ribbon with black ink images and text. Begins with an image of a buck (male dear), and the statement "Old Buck is Coming," referring to 1856 presidential candidate James Buchanan. Below the buck, the ribbon depicts blacks with knapsacks and a bear, apparently fleeing westward, with the exclamation "Fremont! Free Niggers! Off for the Rocky Mountains" (Buchanan's opponent, Senator John C. Fremont, argued that the government should prevent the spread of slavery into the new western territories). The next image on the ribbon portrays a pistol, and the exclamation "'National…

GLC05877

7 May 1855

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

Written to his son. Attacks the racial and religious prejudices of the Know-Nothing Party, stating, "a secret society whose only avowed object is religious persecution, cannot endure." Mentions John Selden, Law, Colonel May, and Vanderbilt. He does not know why the address he delivered at Baltimore has not yet appeared in print. John Tyler was President of the United States from 1841 to 1845.

GLC05741

January 26, 1856

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Sankey Latty

Chase writes to "Latty" concerning republican politics and elections, the Know-Nothings, and immigration.

GLC00011

1855

Foster, William, 1772-1862

Pamphlet

Title: Know nothingism, or the American Party. By Franklin.

Published by E. W. Hinks and Company. Describes the Know-Nothing, or American Party.

GLC00267.195

12 July 1856

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James F. Babcock

Discusses the upcoming 1856 election. Comments that the press should be taking a firmer stance on the issues. Expresses hope to find ways to increase the chances of the Republican candidate, John C. Frémont. "This state [Connecticut] can be made certain for Fremont, and placed in a condition to sustain the cause of freedom for years, unless prevented by the bad conduct of the few leaders of the American party, who in their selfish purposes, would sacrifice the great principles in issue. . . " Warns that the American (Know-Nothing) Party can dominate the press and damage Fremont's chances.

GLC02128

25 November 1854

Burlingame, Anson, 1820-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H.E. Seclye

Burlingame, a future Massachusetts State Representative, discusses opportunities to lecture in front of an association led by H.E. Seclye. Informs Seclye that he is making arrangements to visit lyceums in New York.

GLC02504.05

5 April 1855

Safford, E.H., fl. 1850

Newspaper

Title: The Essex banner. [Vol. 21, no. 40 (April 5, 1855)]

Includes an extract of a speech by Henry A. Wise regarding the Know Nothing party.

GLC06143.24

1 September 1857

Broadside

Title: [Broadside supporting Know-Nothing party]

Supports the American, or Know-Nothing, Party in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Encourages all "who are in favor of 'Americans Ruling America!'" to send delegates to the Harrisburg Convention of September 1857.

GLC09342

1855

Broadside

Title: [Platform of Know-Nothing party]

Platform of the American, or Know-Nothing, Party, adopted by the National Convention, June 15, 1855, calling for severe limits on immigration, stricter naturalization policies, and restricting political office and public school teachers to Protestants.

GLC09343

11 August 1863

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Reprimanding Aaron for not writing more frequently--"...in reason of your long silence I am sometimes very uneasy." Richard continues to address the resistance of Charleston and the placing of heavy artillery guns mounted in front of Fort Wagner which will soon be within range of Fort Sumter. He hopes that Gen. Lee is receiving reinforcements, analyzes an article written by Aaron and suggests adding in a discussion of the "no [sic] nothing affair" and differences between the Puritan and the Catholic churches. Inquires if their are enough supporting troops in supporting distance of Richmond.…

GLC01896.056

28 June 1856

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses the prospects of the newly formed republican party in the election of 1856. Comments that some would like to see William Freame Johnston on the ticket but Welles hopes Johnston will withdraw. Also discusses the prospects of Millard Filmore, the Whigs, James Buchanan, and the Know Nothing Party, and comments on their various supporters. William Freame Johnston was nominated by the North American Party to run for vice president with John C. Fremont on the Republican ticket but withdrew.

GLC08161