1861/02/22

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis W. Pickens re: control over proposed attack on Fort Sumter

Written as President of the Confederate States. Pickens was governor of South Carolina. Also concerning the larger issue of who determines peace or war. Beauregard fired upon Fort Sumter six weeks after the date of this letter.

GLC01958

7 August 1864

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Gives a detailed description of the unsuccessful cavalry raids by George Stoneman and Daniel McCook, Jr. at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Both took place on the June 27, 1864 in accordance with Sherman's Order 42. Before the raids, Stoneman asked Sherman's permission to attempt to free union prisoners held in Macon and Andersonville after the battle. Sherman consented. McCook heroically led the raid against a superior force, and was mortally wounded. Sherman was criticized for this attack against General Johnston's entrenched forces, which resulted in heavy union casualties.

GLC01961

8 May 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to James Whitfield

Along with Mississippi Governor Whitfield, the letter is addressed to Bishop Robert Paine, James T. Harrison, and Dr. Sykes. Davis responds to their letter regarding the defense of Columbus, Mississippi. He assures them that he is concerned for the city (and northeastern Mississippi), and that he is engaging in activities to ensure the regions safety. He also expresses his sympathy for the sufferings of their people.

GLC01962

18 October 1849

Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas S. Jesup

General "Stonewall" Jackson asks General Jesup whether officers of light batteries should shod their horses at their own expense or at the expense of the public. Note on verso dated 20 October 1849 in unknown hand states that "Private horses of forage officers can be shod at the public shops - but no expenditure of money is authorized." Written at Fort Hamilton

GLC01964

1810/06/28

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: re: "Has America no soul?" and America's future

Written from retirement at Quincy, bemoaning the state of America, its manipulation by European politicians and its potentially great future. Adams asks whether "America has no soul" since no one jumps to its defense. He also foresees, like many contemporaries, the westward course of empire.

GLC01965

1862/12/06

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Maj. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith re: military matters, Gen. Burnside

GLC01966

1780/12/24

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: Orders re: to take charge as Commissary of Virginia militia

Signed as Governor of Virginia, mentioning troops being sent "to Fort Pitt on their way down the Ohio" when Indians were raiding the western borders. The close and "thirty thousand pounds" are in Jefferson's hand.

GLC01967

1914

Harding, Warren G., 1865-1923

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Address of W.G. Harding, Before Railway Business Association

Draft of a speech in which Harding reflects on the history of the railroad and his personal connection with it. He extols its benefits and its role in developing modern life, and argues the importance of maintaining it to the United States. He does not advocate government ownership of the railroads, though. Also discusses labor in regard to the rails. Written in pencil on half-sheets, with some additions in pen. Paginated 1-24, 1A, 2-9, "Final" and "2"; p. 21 is typed and noted to be a "later substitution." Signature written in the title (in the third person).

GLC01968

1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: The letters of President Lincoln on questions of national policy.

Reprint of six letters by Lincoln: June 13, 1863, to an Albany, New York Committee, discussing his interpretation of the writ of habeas corpus in the Vallandigham case; February 3, 1862 and October 13, 1862, to General George McClellan on the management of the war; August 22, 1862, to Horace Greeley concerning amnesty for southerners; August 7, 1863, to New York mayor Horatio Seymour regarding the New York City draft riots and the constitutionality of the Conscription Act; August 26, 1863, to the Springfield, Illinois and Syracuse Conventions, defending the Emancipation Proclamation.…

GLC01969

1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Pamphlet

Title: Report of the Secretary of State, on... commerce... in foreign countries

Published by order of the House of Representatives. Printed by Childs & Swain, with contemporary notes, notably on p. 7 and 13.

GLC01970

1865

Cannon & Holden (printers)

Book

Title: Executive documents. Convention. Session 1865. Constitution of North-Carolina, with amendments, and ordinances and resolutions passed by the convention session, 1865.

Prints reconstruction constitution of North Carolina. Index includes: Messages of Provisional Governor Holden to the convention, Report of public treasurer to the convention, Report of superintendent of insane asylum, Report of superintendent of the deaf and dumb and blind asylum, Constitution of the state of North Carolina, with amendments, Ordinances and resolutions passed by the convention session, 1865. Printed by Cannon & Holden, Raleigh, North Carolina. Clipping pasted inside front cover about the proposed 14th amendment to the United States Constitution.

GLC01973

8 August 1788

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Legal document granting power of attorney for John Paradise to Nathaniel Burwell]

Signed by John Paradise but written in Jefferson's hand, while Jefferson served as American ambassador in Paris. Paradise signs over his financial affairs, including the payment of his creditors to Burwell. Signed as a witness by Jefferson, William Short, and Philip Mazzei. Top of document is scalloped. With red seal of John Paradise.

GLC01974

7 March 1862

Hill, Daniel H., 1821-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isabella M. Hill

Relates accounts of his long a hard marches. Says General Thomas Jackson's "situation is very, very, very critical," as he is being pressed by the Union army, and hopes he is "fortunate in extricating himself." While McClellan and the bulk of the Union army was attempting to take Richmond from the South, Hill and Jackson were charged with defending the Northern approach to the Confederate capitol, from which the Union also threatened. Says "It seems strange that your Father should have two son-in-laws holding the advance posts of a great Army. Perhaps, such a thing never occurred before…

GLC01977

September 9, 1842

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Elections in Sangamon County, Illinois, for State Representatives...

Said to have been presented to his fiance Mary Todd, listing election results for 1832, 1834 and 1836. Lincoln has signed his name three times, once for each time he ran. Attested by clerk Noah W. Matheny, pages 2-3, with seal on p. 3. See Sandburg, Lincoln Collector, p. 141, and H. Pratt, Lincoln Day by Day, for 9/9/1842. Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. (New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 1953), Vol. I 1824 - 1848, p. 297-299

GLC01978

1861/04/29

Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Letcher re: building railroad between Strasburg & Wincester

Jackson recommends building the railroad for military purposes.

GLC01979

1775/04/10; 1776/01/01; 1786/05

Header Record

Title: [Three pieces of currency from the colonial and early republic periods. Decimalized].

GLC01980.05

1927

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Object

Title: Gold liberty coin

Coin ca. 32 mm diameter. Collateral to FDR gold order

GLC01983.03

1793/03/02

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [An act appropriating funds to purchase two lots for building the Mint].

Signed as Secretary of State.

GLC01984

21 April 1792

Russell, Benjamin, 1761-1845

Newspaper

Title: Columbian centinel. [Vol. 17, no. 12 (April 21, 1792)]

Discusses the recent actions of Congress relating to the establishment of the United States Mint. Describes the actions as: "An act establishing a mint and regulating the coins of the United States."

GLC01984.02

1801 ca.

Object

Title: [Jefferson Indian Peace medal]

Based on Houdon's bust of Jefferson. Copies of this medal were given by Lewis and Clark to Indians they met on their expedition. See Alfred L. Bush, Life Portraits of Thomas Jefferson, p. 13; Noble E. Cunningham, Jr., The Image of Thomas Jefferson in the Public Eye, pp. 73-78.

GLC01984.03

3 October 1830

Findlay, William, fl. 1830

Manuscript document

Title: [Clerical copy of the surety bond for William Findlay as Treasurer of the United States Mint]

Signed clerically by Findlay, Robert Smith, and Francis R. Shunk. The Mint Act of 1792 required employees of the Mint to furnish sureties. Findlay was the fifth Treasurer of the United States Mint, and served in that office from 1827 until 1841.

GLC01987

13 November 1787

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Massachusetts state pardon for Scripture Frost for counterfeiting coin]

Frost was sentenced to stand in pillory for 1 hour and to 2 years hard labor. Conditionally pardoned excepting that Frost pay a 25 Pound ($40) fine. Signed and sealed by John Hancock as governor. Written by Secretary to the Governor John Avery, Jr. Includes pieces of Continental currency.

GLC01988

1860

Clark & Company, fl. 1860

Object

Title: Liberty $5 coin: Pike's Peak gold. Denver. Five D. [by Clark & Co.]

Gold coin, collateral to Lincoln letter ending private coinage, GLC 1989. This coin comes from the last series minted privately at Denver by [Gruber] Clark & Co.

GLC01989.02

1833/01/24

Biddle, Nicholas, 1786-1844

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Appleton re: instructions on bank funds as Jackson dismantles bank

Written as president of the Bank of the United States to Appleton, President of the Office of Discount and Deposit, Boston. Biddle explains that "the loans in the remoter offices, particularly in the South and West, are gradually diminishing, and the fund[s] transferred into the more manageable form of domestic bills of exchange." Biddle explains that this policy will provide more funds for circulation in the Atlantic offices, where more money was needed. This was the very policy that angered President Jackson, who felt money should be kept in the originating region.

GLC01994.02

January 15, 1909

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Typed letter signed

Title: to Ernest R. Ackerman

President-elect Taft agrees with New York Congressman Ackerman that Lincoln's face ought to be put on coins and stamps, but he cannot aid this process until after his inauguration. Written on personal stationery from Augusta, Georgia.

GLC01995