2 June 1853

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Fitzhugh (Rooney) Lee

Personal letter to his son concerning his approaching manhood. Lee asks if he will be ready to meet its demands. He advises him that he has the means to educate and support his children but that Rooney Lee should select his own course. He uses Rooney's older brother George Washington Custis Lee as an example to follow. Lee discusses Rooney's chances of getting into West Point, and is doubtful that he will get an appointment. Lee indicates that he may be denied for medical reasons because of a childhood injury that resulted in the loss of part of his fingers. Lee's letter stresses…

GLC03325

16 March 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Promotion of James B. McPherson to Major General of Volunteers]

Official document promoting McPherson to Major General of Volunteers beginning October 8, 1862, signed by President Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Partially printed from an engraving, with blanks filled in by hand. Features two detailed patriotic scenes and a blue paper seal from the War Office. Docketed at top by Adjutant General L. Thomas on March 16, 1863.

GLC03327

27 December 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of William Fugitt, who in the District of Columbia had been convicted of horse stealing in July 1860].

Pardoned by Abraham Lincoln near the end of his sentence since he was a youth of 17 years at the time of his conviction, he was believed to be a tool of older criminals, and at the petition of citizens. Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC03328

January 14, 1803

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Header Record

Title: Letter to William Jarvis and copied letter from Samuel Snow to Madison [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC03329

1 November 1805

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jarvis

Secretary of State Madison discusses wine, crops, Dolley's health, and problems with Europe. Jarvis was American consul at Lisbon.

GLC03330

17 June 1810

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jarvis

President Madison thanks Jarvis, United States Consul in Portugal, for a flock of Merino sheep. States that both he and former President Thomas Jefferson encourage the propagation of Merinos for the public good. Informs Jarvis of recent election results.

GLC03331

30 March 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Printed document signed

Title: [Authority to affix the seal to a treaty with Umpqua Indians and the Calapooia Indians in the Umpqua Valley]

Partially printed document signed as President. Treaty made on 29 November 1854. One bust engraving of Franklin Pierce included.

GLC03335

1838 - 1841

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Book signed

Title: The Globe Extra v. 5 #19, 24-25, v.6 #1, 3-10, 12-27 re: campaign of 1840

Including vol. 4 nos. 19, 24-25 and vol. 6 nos. 1, 3-10 and 12-27. Printed by Blair and Rives.

GLC03336

1828

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Book signed

Title: A System of penal law for the U.S.A. ... by Edward Livingston

Signed twice by Polk. Printed by Gales & Seaton.

GLC03337

14 March 1828

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Monroe in retirement to an unknown recipient, but the collateral file has paperwork that says it is to Tench Ringgold. That cannot be confirmed, although it is possible. Ringgold was a well known Republican politician in Washington, D.C., and was serving as U.S. Marshall for the District of Columbia when this letter was penned. He was also active in helping Monroe receive reimbursement from the government for Monroe's previous diplomatic work. Says at the insistance of his friends in Albemerle County, Virginia, he has had his memoirs printed in pamphlet form. Is sending a copy to…

GLC03338.02

14 November 1890

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Johnson re: work on civil service reform

Written as Civil Service Commissioner

GLC03339

29 November 1812

Tallmadge, Benjamin, 1754-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Comments on McHenry's retirement. Describes Baltimore as "almost ruined, as a place suitable for Gentlemen who loved [George] Washington & inbibed his sentiments." Comments on congressional activities, the failure of a bill proposed by congressman (and former Maryland governor) Robert Wright, the House's passage of a bill raising army pay and protecting soldiers with debt. Also mentions early defeats in the War of 1812: "Our Northern & Western Armies seem to be doomed to misfortune and Disgrace." McHenry was a former secretary of war. Tallmadge was then a Connecticut congressman.

GLC03342

20 June 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to William Livingston

States he had already received the intelligence Livingston sent to him. Not aware if the fleet brought with it either troops or Henry Clinton. Notes "The Enemy remain in the same position upon the point." Signed as Commander in Chief of American Forces. Written three days before the Battle of Springfield.

GLC03343

[ 17 December 1781 ]

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Magistrates of Philadelphia re: his respect for civil authority & liberty

Washington writes that he feels pleased by their praise and notes how he has endeavored to avoid violating liberty and civil authority. Written six months before being approached by Lewis Nicola with a plan to make Washington the king of the United States.

GLC03344

1865

Bingham, John Armor, 1815-1900

Book

Title: Trial of the conspirators for the assassination of president Lincoln, &c. Argument of John A. Bingham, Special Judge Advocate, in reply to the arguments of the several counsel for Mary E. Surratt, David E. Herold, Lewis Payne, Geroge Atzerodt, Michael O'Laughlin, Samuel A. Mudd, Edward Spangler, and Samuel Arnold, charged with conspiracy and the murder of Abraham Lincoln, late president of the United States

Published by the Government Printing Office. Accuses the conspirators of aiding the rebellion and undermining the Constitution and the laws of the nation. Also makes accusations regarding the involvement and instigation of Jefferson Davis (president of the Confederate States) and other rebel leaders. Asserts that everyone involved with the conspiracy is guilty by way of "common design." Bingham argues that there should be no distinction between those were simply involved in the plotting of the conspiracy and those who carried out the vicious attacks.

GLC03345

1861-1889

Booth, Thomas R., fl. 1861-1908

Header Record

Title: [Collection of diaries and letters] [decimalized]

Thomas Rogers Booth served as Civil Engineer, Clerk in the office of the Adjutant General (1863-1864) and Captain of Commissary of Subsistence of Volunteers (1864-1865). He was a railroad engineer from New Castle, Delaware. The wartime diaries were written from Washington, D.C., and include that city's reactions to wartime news. The 32 letters include one concerning Zachary Taylor's election, written while a cadet at West Point. Booth left the Academy in 1851 (his resignation was accepted by future General Seth Williams). The letters also include correspondence with wartime acquaintances…

GLC03347

30 May 1934

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

Typed document signed

Title: [Press release of speech delivered on Memorial Day at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania]

Signed at end as President. Speech mentions the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg and Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War. Stresses the importance of uniting the country. Gives particular attention to the part played by George Washington as Continental Commander-in-Chief, president of the Constitutional Convention, and President of the United States. Calls upon Americans to heal "ancient passions" and not to begrudge benefits to other regions and individuals. Marked "Confidential until Released," by Stephen Early, Assistant Secretary to the President.

GLC03352

22 July 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Stephen Moylan

Written by General Washington to Colonel Moylan as commander of the First Pennsylvania dragoons. References Moylan's letter of 21 July 1777. Encloses a letter he asks Moylan to forward to General David Forman (known by the nickname of " Black David" among the Jersey loyalists, owing to his excessive cruelty toward those who did not favor the Revolution). Wants Forman to tell him if the British fleet has gone out to sea. Wants Forman to send his dispatches to Moylan, who is supposed to forward them to Washington by express. Document has large losses of paper, although not to the text. Later…

GLC03353

January 28, 1834

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Acknowledges receipt of a catalog and states that "The Librarian alone is authorized to purchase for the law library of the United States." Pasted to support board.

GLC03360

15 July 1808

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Persoon re: thanking Persoon for gift of botanical book

GLC03362

20 April 1813

Armstrong, John, 1755-1816

Letter

Title: to Joseph Haslet

Writes to the governor of Delaware to relay that he is happy to hear that the state's legislature has drafted a battalion of Delaware militia into United States Army to fight in the War of 1812. Armstrong was the current Secretary of War.

GLC03366

5 September 1854

Pierce, Jane M., 1806-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anne

Writes that she hopes Anne's injured hand is recovering and asks her to write again when she is able. Hopes she is keeping busy with household duties. Laments over the death of Alfred, her nephew, and expresses sympathy for her sister Mary Aiken's loss. Mentions that she and Franklin Pierce were at Capon Springs, West Virginia, which was pleasant, but the journey was tiring. Comments on her health and that of Mr. Pierce. Gives regards to Mr. Wentworth. Postscript mentions that Mr. Smith has been at the White House. Explains that Captain Benbow, his family, and Anne's uncle have…

GLC03375

10 October 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Orders Hodgdon, the Superintendent of Military Stores of the United States Army, to deliver clothing and arrange for a coach. Indicates that President George Washington's "waggon will be ready in the morning." Washington was going to western Pennsylvania to command the army in the Whiskey Rebellion. Written from the War Department.

GLC03377

9 January 1834

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Discusses Connecticut politics. Believes that a man named Asa Child will again try to get his name on the Central Committee by the Democratic convention. Warns Holabird to guard against this as Child " ... is an artful fellow, and will make use of means to fortify himself and weaken his opponents that some men would not suspect." Comments on the nullification issue, "Great efforts are making by the nullifiers to alienate the South from the administration. In Virginia I think it likely they have had some success ... " States that the administration must take a firm stance or else "they…

GLC03390.03

12 April 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: An act to erect a light-house on Montok point in the state of New York

Signed by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Describes the steps to be taken before construction, such as the appointment of a caretaker and the appropriation of funds. Printed below the act are Speaker of the House Jonathan Trumbull's and Vice-President John Adams' names. Also printed is President Washington's name designating approval of the act on 12 April 1792. Enacted by Congress on 24 October 1791.

GLC03396