Collection Search

to an unknown recipient re: election of Jefferson as President

Offering his congratulations "on the election of Mr. Jefferson." The correct date is February (not July).

GLC03931

[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...

GLC03943

to Mrs. L. A. Arnold

"Stonewall" Jackson writes to his sister about his health, a foot injury, and a desire to return to the mountains. Mentions as Uncle Cummins in California. Would like to spend the summer with her. Addressed to Arnold in Beverly, Randolph County...

GLC03963

to John Winthrop

Member of the Court of Assistants Winslow writes to Royal Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Winthrop about a dispute over the area now known as Seekonk. Discusses Samuel Gorton, who was preaching to the Native Americans under the protection...

GLC04000

[Temperance document]

Urges Americans, especially young men, to refrain from drinking alcohol. Signed by Andrew Jackson, James Madison, and John Quincy Adams. Docket on verso.

GLC04006.01

A proclamation for the encouragement of piety, virtue, education & manners for the suppression of vice.

The closing text is in a scribal hand: "Given at the Council Chamber in Boston...by His Excellency's Command, with advice & consent of the Council...."

GLC04009

to Jane Pierce

Writes to his wife that he is glad he is given the opportunity to write before marching further inland. Discusses his duties and responsibilities. Describes his encounters with guerillas. Written as a brigadier general.

GLC04012

[Appeal to women of all nations for aid to the Armenians].

Draft for an appeal for aid for the Armenian persecution of 1894-1897. States that Turkish authorities will not interfere and Clara Barton is at her post. Howe adopted this cause in 1894. Title from content of the appeal.

GLC04014

to unknown re: gathering powder & lead for expedition against Indians

The document has water damage with losses to the text at center left, and with two small losses in the closing.

GLC04018

to Walter Taylor

Submits a report of the operations of his command, the Cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia from 28 March to 9 April 1865, the days leading up to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Detailed account of troop movements, skirmishes with Union forces...

GLC04019

to John M. Kell

Kell was first officer of the Alabama from 1862 to 1864. Writes to Kell to answer his question about taking the pardon, to thank him for naming his first-born son after him, and to tell him of the disposition of prize money from the ship. Semmes...

GLC04021

[Account of battle between C.S.S. Alabama and U.S.S. Kearsarge]

Writes about the battle between the C.S.S. Alabama and U.S.S. Kearsarge, which "took place in the English Channel, about seven miles distant from the port of Cherbourg, France on the 19th day of June 1864." On first and second pages, gives...

GLC04022

to Fanny Barrow

Thanks Barrow for the box of books she sent for her sons and states it arrived the day after her son William's birthday. She then writes of the impending Civil War, "Trusting that the gloomy cloud which hangs over our beloved country may soon be...

GLC04030

to Stephen A. Hurlbut

Grant, Commander of the Army and Department of the Tennessee, writes to General Hurlbut, Commander of the 16th Army Corps. Refers to news of Hurlbut's movements brought by General Lee (possibly Albert Lindley Lee). Instructs Hurlbut to coordinate...

GLC04036

to George Wood

Thanks Wood for sending a letter written by Secretary of State William H. Seward concerning a petition for government aid in constructing an overland international telegraph line. Remarks upon the rapid progress of the telegraph throughout the world...

GLC04080

to John W. Ellis

GLC04082

to Archibald Stuart

Complains to his father that Congress does not adequately support the military. Written as a student at West Point, states that the military appropriations bill may not pass, and upset military spending is always the first place the "watch-dogs of...

GLC04086

[Lincoln assassination reward poster]

Contains a message from the War Department advertising a $100,000 total reward for the capture of John Surrat, John Wilkes Booth and David Herold. Specifies amount rewarded for each capture: Booth ($50,000), Surrat ( $25,000), and Herold ($25,000)...

GLC04092

to Commissioners of the City of Washington

Notifies the commissioners that Washington sent the wrong enclosure in a recent letter to them, requests its return, and indicates that the correct one has been sent. The commission was superintending the construction of the city of Washington and...

GLC04103

[President Abraham Lincoln appoints William W. Ross as an agent for the Pottowatomie Indians in Kansas]

Countersigned by Caleb Blood Smith, Secretary of the Interior. Features embossed seal of the Department of the Interior.

GLC04206

to Alexander McDougall

Introduction of French engineer, Colonel Louis des Hayes de la Radiere, who was to superintend fortifications on the North (Hudson) River. Washington appointed de la Radiere to oversee the construction of the Hudson's Highlands in late 1777, but a...

GLC04215

to Lord George Germain

Written by Clinton as Command of Chief of British forces in America to Germain as British Secretary of State for the American Colonies. Detailed report of his recent activity. Says he evacuated Philadelphia on 18 June 1778. Details the problems of...

GLC04283

[Authority to affix the seal to a treaty with the Shoshonee Goship Indians].

Lincoln authorizes a treaty with the Shoshonee Goship (Goshute) Bands of Indians dated October 12, 1863. The treaty was made at Tuilla Valley, Utah Territory. Brigadier General P. Edward Connor, commander of the military district of Utah, and...

GLC04328

to Oliver Evans

Requests that Evans try out his engine against Watt's and promises that if Evan's's is in any way superior, there will be a good deal of interest in the engine.

GLC04331

to D. Lawrence Groner

Discusses a book that Groner mailed to Rutledge. Remarks that it reminded him of scenes from his childhood in eastern Tennessee.

GLC04352.06

to Henry W. Halleck

Ulysses S. Grant writes to Major General Henry W. Halleck in Washington, D.C. concerning Confederate General Pierre G. T. Beauregard's trip west to gather General John B. Hood's army in order to bring them against Union General William T. Sherman...

GLC04357

to Joseph Cabell

Concerns difficulties in getting the Virginia legislature to approve the establishment of the University of Virginia and its general educational system. Asks Cabell to sign a report regarding the college's finances (GLC04108.02), then deliver it to...

GLC04108.01

Estimate of the objects of application.

Lists itemized costs and subscriptions relating to the establishment of the University of Virginia. Enclosed with his letter to Cabell (GLC 4108.01).

GLC04108.02

to William J. Hardee re: reporting while on picket, capturing Yankee pickets

Written in pencil.

GLC04113

By the United States of America in Congress assembled a proclamation, declaring the cessation of Arms, as well by sea or land, agreed upon between the United States of America and his Britannie Magesty ; and enjoying the observance thereof

New Hampshire printing of the Congressional proclamation concerning the final ratification of the peace treaty. New York would not be evacuated until November 1783. Signed by J Searson as Deputy Secretary and M. Weare as President of New Hampshire...

GLC04117

Proclamation by Mexican Pres. Barragan making Los Angeles a city (in Spanish)

Broadside proclamation printed in Spanish, raising Los Angelos in Alta California from a "pueblo" (village) to a "ciudad." Proclamation of the President of Mexico.

GLC04127

[Broadside recruiting African Americans for military service]

Color recruitment broadside depicting a Union soldier holding a United States flag with an attached banner declaring "Freedom to the Slave." In the background on one side, African American troops march holding a United States flag bearing the words...

GLC04198

to Ulysses S. Grant

Confederate commander Bragg tells Grant that "As there may still be some non-combatants in Chattanooga, I deem it proper to notify you that prudence would dictate their early withdrawal". Grant received this brief letter while preparing to attack...

GLC04208

to unknown

Invites the unknown recipient to inspect a new iron bridge he designed. "We have erected our Experiment Rib and Struck the Center." With engraving.

GLC04218

Independent chronicle and the universal advertiser. [Vol. XIX, no. 987 (September 27, 1787)]

Prints a copy of the Constitution and reports activities at the Constitutional Convention. Also contains an article on "the Means of promoting Federal Sentiments in the United States," various news items, and advertisements. This was a special...

GLC04221

Printed land grant certificate with 6 lines writing by Austin, to Amos Edwards

Printed certificate no. 135 for land on Galveston Island. "Probably the earliest obtainable Texas imprint." Printed by G.B. Cotten. (Streeter 9).

GLC04246

Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company printed power of attorney (12-10-1830)

Followed by a later power of attorney sending John Mason to lobby Mexico to change its colonization law. Also signed by Anthony Dey, William H. Sumner, George Curtis and others. From the Papers of Anthony Dey.

GLC04250

to Anthony Taylor

Says he just arrived in New Rochelle. Received Taylor's letter with the news of the death of Colonel Joseph Kirkbride. Claims he has lost "my best friend." Paine befriended Kirkbride, a well-known patriot and fellow Quaker, when he lived in...

GLC04281

to his sister

Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia Culpepper mentions his arrival in Boston, his impressions, and a near shipwreck. Claims success in governing Virginia. An addendum is dated 5 October 1680.

GLC04298

to Loving friend

Written while he was under indictment for treason and hiding in England. Reviews the history of Pennsylvania's government since his departure in 1684, lamenting about his failure to find fit administrators and the division between the upper and lower...

GLC04299

Setting date for first election & commencing proceedings under U.S. Constitution

Printed broadside signed as Sec. of Congress.

GLC04300

to Robert Fulton

Adams states that Levett Harris, then handling U.S. affairs in Russia, has learned from the Russian Minister of the Interior that Fulton is in danger of losing his "patent of exclusive privilege for his Steam-Boat invention" in Russia because he has...

GLC04334

Union Pacific Railroad. Photographical. Illustrations.

One photograph album entitled, "Union Pacific Railroad. Photographical. Illustrations," taken by Andrew J. Russell dated April 1869. Consists of 50 albumen photographs of views along the route of the Union Pacific Railroad from Omaha, Nebraska to...

GLC04348

to Ferdinand Grand

Writes to Grand, a banker, about the repayment funds used for diplomatic purposes. Also noted additional funds may be needed. Adds the comment: "God grant us peace that we may no longer be plagued with so many demands for money."

GLC04350

to Robert Fulton

Agreeing with Fulton that "the diamons [sic] in the quarries of science are inexhaustable" and commenting "perseverance will succeed; indolence never can."

GLC04351

to John Sullivan

Transmits a copy of the proceedings of the Massachusetts ratifying convention for the Constitution. Notes that the Convention recommended amendments and alterations to the Constitution.

GLC04362

to William S[tephens] Smith

Written by General Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Smith as commander of the post at Dobbs Ferry, New York. Discusses the problems of trading with British-occupied New York City and the issue of states ignoring the "barrier between us and the enemy...

GLC03770

to Robert E. Lee

Reviews confederate military position on the eve on Gettysburg. Discusses General U.S. Grant's entrenchment at the Mississippi and attempt to take Vicksburg from General Joseph Johnston. Mentions the need to reinforce Johnston with troops from...

GLC03778

to Charles A. Morton

Commander in Chief of the Army Sherman writes to Colonel Morton regarding the destruction incurred on Sherman's March to the Sea. He discusses the term "Sherman's Monuments" for the chimneys left after houses burnt down, claims that he never...

GLC03780

to John E. Wool

Major General McClellan writes to Major General Wool regarding Yorktown. He discusses the strength of enemy positions, reports of Joseph E. Johnston's arrival in Yorktown, the possibility of a union attack near Yorktown, his lack of troops, and his...

GLC03781

to John C. Kelton

Describes organization of his forces in preparation for fighting near Corinth. Lists which Divisions will go with which Generals and where they will be positioned "Maj. Gen. Sherman commanding on the right, Maj. Gen. Ord in the center, and Brig. Gen...

GLC03786

to Lorenzo Thomas

Accepting his promotion to Major General of Volunteers, and enclosing his oath of office (GLC03801.01).

GLC03801.02

to Henry W. Halleck

Recommending Brigadier General Gouverner K. Warren for nomination as Major General. Warren would soon receive the promotion. Clerically signed with Meade's name. Also signed by David C. Wager, Assistant Adjutant General. Written on stationery of...

GLC03801.03

to Thomas Chamberlain

Requesting a five day leave of absence "to go to Washington & Baltimore on business." Requesting the leave from his brother, who ranked below him but was the Acting Adjutant of their company.

GLC03801.04

[Notification to George H. Thomas of his appointment by President Lincoln to Brigadier General of Volunteers]

Partially printed document issued by the War Department. If Thomas accepts the appointment, he is instructed to return an oath enclosed with the letter. Thomas is also instructed to report to Brigadier General Robert Anderson for orders.

GLC03816.01

to George Henry Thomas

Partially printed document informing Thomas that he has been appointed Brigadier General by the President of the United States. Signed by Stanton as Secretary of War. A note at the bottom of the page indicates that Thomas accepted this appointment...

GLC03816.02

to John Fitzgerald

General Washington discusses legal matters regarding his disputed land holdings on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, with his former aide-de-camp. Refers to a forthcoming survey of the Potomac River, necessary for a canal-building enterprise he sought to...

GLC03818

Herald Extra. [(April 23, 1861)]

Headlines reads, "Very latest by telegraph his afternoon. Rebellious excitement in Maryland and Virginia. Northern students sent home. 14000 troops at Washington. Vessels arming for the Blockade." Reports on various events related to the 19 April...

GLC03838

Resolutions for immediate enlistment of 4,240 men to serve 3 years

Accompanied by a blank military appointment.

GLC03761

(Massachusetts-Bay) Resolution providing for exchange of bad gunpowder

GLC03762

Resolution by the Virginia House of Delegates that a state cannot be made a defendant

A state cannot be sued by individuals, opposing the Supreme Court case Chrisholm v. Georgia.

GLC03763.01

Document opposing Supreme Court decision (Chisholm v. Georgia) that a state may be sued

Signed by George Wyllys and Docketed by Samuel Huntington.
Dated the second Thursday in October, i.e., the 10th.

GLC03763.02

Diary kept at Algiers re: lodging, business, etc.

Diary kept from February to April.

GLC03767.01

to Tristram Dalton re: voyage across the Atlantic and arrival at Glasgow

Written to his business partner.

GLC03767.02

Inventory of Lear's household

GLC03767.03

to Thomas R.R. Cobb re: Congress meeting in a few days, defense of Col. Benning

Noted as Private at top.

GLC03768

to Daniel Butterfield

Commander Military Division of the Mississippi Sherman writes to General Butterfield to discuss preparations for the campaign against Atlanta and problems with rail transportation. He also comments on the high quality of General Thomas Hooker's...

GLC03779

to William S. Cardell

Jefferson asks Cardell to thank the American Academy of Language & Belles Lettres for giving him an honorary membership. Comments on the role of language in the advancement of science, making references to England and France, and contends that...

GLC03785

to James M. Mason re: Jefferson Davis' imprisonment, his law career in England

Cross-written on p. 1. Benjamin mentions that Pres. Johnson is intimidated by the Radical Republicans from releasing Davis. He mentions his legal career in England and says he saw Slidell in Paris.

GLC03787

[Delay of execution for Edward Johnson for two weeks].

Signed by Governor of Massachusetts Hancock and countersigned by Secretary of the State John Avery. Johnson was to be hanged for burglary but "humbly supplicated for further time to prepare for death." Suspension of his sentence was granted for two...

GLC03792

[Sentence of four prisoners for attempting to escape confinement].

Countersigned by Judge William Perkins. Sentence of Thomas Port, John Carny, John Payn and Peter Rodgers to lashings for attempted escape. Each of the prisoners plead guilty and received "thirty nine stripes on their naked backs."

GLC03793

Order of Battle

Organizational chart of General LaFayette's battle plan for reconnaissance down the west side of the Hudson River. Includes references to Brigadier Generals Hand, Poor, and Parsons, and Major Generals Lord Stirling (William Alexander), St. Clair, and...

GLC03796

Atlas til Freherre Klinkowströms Bref Om De Forenta Staterna [In Swedish]

The prints of various sizes are stitched in original blue paper wrapper. Includes lithographs of the White House, cut-away views of Fulton's steamboat the "Chancellor Livingston," and six aquatint views of Philadelphia and New York's Broadway. There...

GLC03799.01

Oath of office

Partially printed oath of office for appointment as a Major General, signed by Warren.

GLC03801.01

to Frederick Locke

Asks for a 20 day leave of absence to recover his health following Gettysburg.

GLC03801.05

to Braxton Bragg

Davis tells General Bragg that he is glad Bragg's threat of force against the Georgia State Railroad to forward arms and ammunition did not need to be carried out. Notes that the Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown, who had complained about Bragg's...

GLC03803

to John Adams re: forwarding letter, affairs in France, Assembly of Notables

A diplomatic dispatch to Adams, mentioning the secrecy surrounding the Assembly of Notables, French revenue and the status of Protestants in France.

GLC03814

to Cotton Tufts re: political matters: state debts, excise bill

Written as Vice President. In closing, Adams writes "[t]he Note inclosed in your Letter I burned as you directed as soon as I had read it: but not untill it had made too deep an Impression on my heart as well as Memory. -- What shall I do, with that...

GLC03861

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...

GLC03864

to Richard Rush

A friendly letter of introduction, revealing the intimacy between the Adams and Rush families. Adams was introducing Reverend Coleman, who was going to Washington to carry the presidential electoral votes from Massachusetts and to vacation as well...

GLC02515

to Henry Dearborn

President Madison writes to General Dearborn, commander of the United States army during the War of 1812, to discuss war plans and British policy. He also mentions problems with Massachusetts Governor Caleb Strong, who had refused to call out...

GLC02538

to Rufus King

Marshall, Secretary of State, writes to King, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States in England. Discusses violations of Jay's Treaty (concluded in 1794 between the United States and Great Britain), including impressment, debts, and seizure...

GLC02539

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...

GLC02544

The opinion of Justice Peter V. Daniel of the United States Supreme Court in the famous Dred Scott case.

Daniel's original manuscript of his opinion on the Dred Scott case, bound into a book. Daniels, a passionate slavery advocate, argues that slavery had more protection under the Constitution than any other form of property. He supports the majority...

GLC02546.01

Address of the late General George Washington, to the citizens of the United States, on declining a re-election to the office of president.

An early broadside printing by Hudson and Goodwin. In this speech, George Washington declines a re-election to the office of President and offers counsel on governance to the country. Two signatures on verso.

GLC02557

[Texas Declaration of Independence]

Declares that a "Free, Sovereign, and Independent Republic" has been constituted by the people of Texas. The Dr. Paul Burns copy, listed in the Thomas Taylor census Texfake as #2 of authentic copies. Printed by Baker and Bordens, San Felipe de Austin...

GLC02559

Address to officers with General orders 3/11/1783 & Newburgh address

A contemporary transcript written by an unknown soldier on the leaves of a stitched pamphlet. Contains the anonymous "Address to the Officers of the Army" calling the army's general officers to a meeting (a mutinous situation) (pp. 1-12), Washington...

GLC02624

to D. W. Burroughs

Pierce, writing as a United States Senator from Vermont, responds to a letter from Reverend Burroughs. In reference to their conflicting views on slavery, promises to send Burroughs a copy of the United States Constitution, as he requested. Writes...

GLC02634

to Lieut. G. W. Smith re: awaiting ratification of the treaty with Mexico

Written as Captain of Engineers regarding preparations for the engineer corps to leave. Mentions McClellan ("McClelland").

GLC02641

Fremont's proclamation

Issued from Headquarters of the Western Department. Fremont, department commander, declares martial law over the state of Missouri to counteract "the total insecurity of life, and the devastation of property by bands murderers and marauders, who...

GLC02654

[Authorization to affix the seal of the United States to the envelope of a letter addressed to Kamehameha V, King of the Hawaiian Islands]

Partially printed document directs the Secretary of State to affix the seal of the United States to a condolence letter addressed to Kamehameha V for the death of King Kamehameha IV, his brother. Kamehameha IV had sought closer ties with the United...

GLC02661

Letters to his mother in the American Expeditionary Force, with Pershing [Decimalized .01- .79]

Dawes joined the AEF in France to monitor finances, based upon a recommendation of the Secretary of Treasury. Most of the letters are to his mother. Postwar letters are mostly from Chicago, where he was President then Chairman of a bank, and then...

GLC02679

to Samuel Hooper

Banks, commander of the Military District of Washington, Army of the Potomac, discusses the furlough of Private Sherrin of the 2nd Massachusetts (Banks appealed for Sherrin's furlough on behalf of Hooper, and the furlough was denied). Mentions many...

GLC02689

to Isaac Trimble

General Beauregard, commanding the Confederate Army of the Potomac, writes to General Trimble, commander of forces located at Evansport, Virginia. He states "It is more than probable that either another naval expedition is contemplated by the...

GLC02690

Document re: purchase of cotton from Augustus Wright by agent Hanson Risley

Signed by Lincoln on page 3; countersigned by Hanson A. Risley as special agent and by Green Adams as government purchasing agent. "I, Hanson A. Risley, Agent for the purchase of products of insurrectionary States, on behalf of the Government of the...

GLC02691.04

to Susie B. Goodwin

Writes to her sister about family news and the weather. Describes a visit made to her home by the Lincoln family. Speaks critically of Mrs. Lincoln's ability to control her son and remarks on the poor behavior of Tad, "Sonny" whom she feels is...

GLC02695

to James Monroe re: correspondence with Jedediah Morse

Written to President Monroe and docketed by him. Jefferson asks Monroe to consider his letter to Morse and forward or suppress it. Morse wanted to establish a Society for the improvement of Indians, which Jefferson did not approve. Written in...

GLC02708

[Copy of military discharge of Lucius T. Stanley]

Discharges Stanley upon the expiration of his term of service in the 107th New York Volunteers, where he spent two years first as a clerk and later as an assistant topographical engineer. Made in accordance with Special Orders No. 43. Written near...

GLC02710.45.01

[Appointment of David Rittenhouse commissioner for subscriptions of the Bank of United States]

Signed by George Washington as President, countersigned by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Appoints Rittenhouse one of the commissioners to seek subscriptions for the first Bank of the United States. Seal on left side.

GLC02717

[Appointment of William North as an Adjutant General with the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army]

Partially printed engraved document signed by John Adams as President and countersigned by Secretary of War James McHenry. Engraved by Thackara & Vallance of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Features two detailed patriotic images. Docket signed by John...

GLC02516