1812-1873

Header Record

Title: Collection of 45 items from the archive of Nathaniel Williams [Decimalized]

GLC03545.24

circa 1880 - 1889

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Fragment of speech on the Civil War and its aftermath]

Fragment of a speech at a Civil War commemorative event, probably given in the 1880s with pages numbered 2-10, and 12-13. Sherman discusses the Civil War, national debt, race relations, and General Ulysses S. Grant. "Some of the Witnesses of a Fierce Civil War, which left half a million of graves; an untold amount of human pain and Anguish; a Million of Widows and orphans left to struggle in a Cold World ... " He denounces those who argue that the Civil War should be forgotten. "I would not for the World renew the Angry passions of that period of time, nor do I question the personal…

GLC03546

June 1865 ca.

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: [Hanging of Henry Wirz]

With pencil notes on verso: "752" and "XXVIII."

GLC03596

1864

United States. Sanitary Commission.

Book

Title: Narrative of privations and sufferings of United States officers & soldiers while prisoners of war in the hands of the Rebel authorities.

Title continues, "Being the Report of a Commission of Inquiry, appointed by the United States Sanitary Commission. With an Appendix, containing the Testimony." Reprints the report of the Commission of Inquiry, appointed by the U.S. Sanitary Commission. Printed by King & Baird Printers, Philadelphia. Includes woodcuts of starving Union POWs, based on photographs. Original printed paper wrapper, as issued.

GLC03597

14 September 1863

Ewing, Thomas, 1829-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ewing

General Ewing, commander of the District of the Border (Kansas-Missouri), writes to his father following the Lawrence Massacre. States "I have received your two letters from Washington, and am glad to be assured that the demoniac ravings of the rabble in Leavensworth over the Lawrence Massacre and their threats of ill directed vengeance, have only created with the Administration contempt for the base demagogues who make the excitement their stock in trade." Writes that United States Senator, James Henry Lane, criticized General John McAllister Schofield following the Massacre and Ewing's…

GLC03599

10 December 1866

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lionel A. Sheldon

Garfield, then a U.S. congressman from Ohio, discusses reconstruction and the refusal of the southern states to ratify the 14th amendment, which had been drafted to combat opposition to federal policies towards freedpeople. He writes, "It is a great pity that the southern states do not adopt the Constitutional amendment." States that if they would adopt it, reconstruction could be completed before the end of winter. Remarks that stronger measures are needed against the south if they do not adopt it, "Even to the extent of declaring the southern states reduced to territories and organizing…

GLC03605

10 March 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Joseph Jones Reynolds as major general of volunteers]

This document approves the appointment of Joseph Jones Reynolds to Major General of Volunteers by Abraham Lincoln and President. Edwin Stanton countersigns as Secretary of War. Decorated by engravings at the top and bottom of the document which were done by J.V.N. and C.H. Throop. Accompanied by a blue paper seal. Docketed the same date.

GLC03614

28 February 1862

Greene, Evvert, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Rose

Discusses troop movements, Lincoln controlling trains, and expectations for a difficult war. Says that he does not know what plans are, but that Union forces are advancing, and seem to be concentrating for an upcoming attack. Feels "the time has now come to strike between now and the first of may you can expect to hear of fighting on a large scale." Notes "The president has taken possession of the Railroads that run from Washington and know Passengers are allowed to travel on them for several days." Expects "harder fighting than the most of the people think and probably it will take…

GLC03616

20 May 1870

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to Ambrose Thompson

Admiral Porter sends Thompson some letters (introductions) and indicates he will send fifty more the next day. Written on Navy Department stationery. Thompson, a wealthy shipping magnate, was noted for his Civil War backing of a plan to colonize Panama with freed African-Americans.

GLC03619.02.15

2 April 1917

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Broadside signed

Title: A message calling for war with the imperial German government in defense of American rights

Subtitled "Delivered by President Woodrow Wilson to the Congress of the United States of America on Monday, April the Second, in the year nineteen hundred seventeen."

GLC03621

30 December 1804

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

States that it is impossible for him to testify in a trial in Hartford, Connecticut on 2 March 1805. Remarks that he believes it unlikely that the court will not accommodate his time restraints as he is serving a public duty. Asks that if the trial has to be heard, the recipient must draw up and send him an affidavit so that he can sign it.

GLC03623

January 13, 1807

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Dearborn

Asks Secretary of War Dearborn to "give the necessary orders for measuring the velocity of the waters of the Mississippi" by tracking the speed with which a wooden board tied to a line is carried away. He adds, "I hope this work will promote the interest of the country." Fulton, newly returned to the United States after twenty years in Europe, shared in the nation's enthusiasm for developing the vast territory recently acquired through the Louisiana Purchase (negotiated by his business partner Robert Livingston). Fulton was aware that steam-powered vessels on the Mississippi and its…

GLC03624

2 April 1796

Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Bayard

Boudinot, director of the United States Mint, transmits Bills of Exchange (not included) to London to pay Bayard for copper imported to the United States. Reports that President George Washington refused to submit papers regarding negotiations with Great Britain to the House of Representatives (possibly referring to John Jay's Treaty). Refers to a recent speech praising Washington delivered by a Mr. Erskin (possibly Thomas Erskine) in London. Forwards a portrait of Washington (not included) for Erskin. Discusses family matters at length. Reports that "the British carrying the War so…

GLC03627

15 April 1873

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Joseph Woodyard, convicted of failing to cancel revenue stamps on empty spirit-casks.

(c/s Hamilton Fish)

GLC03634

May 14, 1780

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Hamilton, serving as General George Washington's aide, asks Duane, a member of the Continental Congress, to help expedite a congressional action supplying Washington's army in anticipation of the arrival of a French fleet in June, 1780. Indicates that Washington will gladly consult with the Committee, but the Committee's powers should be framed so that such consultations will be infrequent and the military operations "trusted to as few as possible." Also notes the whims of Lafayette, who "wishes Congress to pass some resolution of thanks" for the captain of the frigate which carried him to…

GLC03636

28 May 1801

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Eppes

Writes to his daughter about her health, his desire for Maria's presence in capital, and planning for her to visit. Waterstaining slightly obscures the text.

GLC03641

[ 10 December 1807 ]

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph manuscript

Title: to NJ Legislature re: domestic & foreign affairs, gratitude [incomplete]

Dating from Bergh, Collected Writings of TJ, v. 16: 294-96. The last two paragraphs are lacking from this document. Discusses the Embargo Act (obliquely).

GLC03642

January 22, 1809

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph document signed

Title: [Order to Militia officers to enforce the Embargo Act]

Indicates that a ship near Maryland and Virginia intends to violate the Embargo Act and orders it seized. The order was issued at the instigation of Charles Simms, a collector of customs in Virginia.

GLC03643

1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Book signed

Title: Message from the President...communicating discoveries made...by...Lewis & Clark

GLC03644

December 29, 1780

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard K. Meade

Lafayette discusses selection of an American envoy being sent to France. Congress had decided to send an envoy extraordinary to France to secure a loan and improve supply shipments. Lafayette tried to help Alexander Hamilton attain this post, but failed. Says that all admitted Hamilton was the "best calculated for this mission," but "he is not very popular" and not a "Southern Man" so he was not chosen by the Congress. Instead John Laurens was selected. Inform his "very good friend" that a French officer will soon be arriving to meet Meade. He is happy to hear from Martha Bland that Meade…

GLC03647

28 February 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to pardon John Mardes].

GLC03648

09 August 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: to Edward Canby re: orders to allow exportation of Texas cotton

GLC03649

10 October 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Levi Underwood

Convicted of larceny and sentenced to one year in prison. Justice associates suggested Executive clemency, and recommended a pardon. Levi was granted a full and unconditional pardon by Lincoln (c/s Seward)

GLC03650

1824

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph manuscript

Title: Supreme Court Opinion, Osborn et al. v. the Bank of the U.S.

The case upheld the primacy of Federal law over the states. Not in Rhodes' calendar of Marshall's papers (1969). Compare: writings (1839) 315-42, Dillon, Complete Constitutional Decisions of Marshall, (1903) 466-511, and other sources.

GLC03653

January 14, 1818

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Henry F. Doyhar for keeping a billiard table without a license].

Countersigned by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams. Fined $150. Pardoned because of his misunderstanding of the licensing requirements and his indigent circumstances.

GLC03655