August 28, 1823

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas I. Wharton

Discusses at his position in favoring emancipation 25 years earlier and how his continuing feelings defeated him at the polls several times due to the interest and demand of continuing to enslave people. Writes, "My opinion is unchanged...the African portion of the community is not so large as to make any hazard to the purity & safety of Society by a gradual and prepared emancipation of the offspring." Also discusses the political situation especially as it was affecting his first candidacy for president in the 1824 presidential election. He assesses the support he might have and…

GLC00509

6 May 1865

Taylor, Richard, 1826-1879

Broadside

Title: General Order No. 54

Printed broadside of Confederate General Richard Taylor's surrender to Union General Edward S. Canby on 4 May 1865 at Citronelle, Alabama. Under the terms of the surrender officers retained their sidearms and horses, but property and equipment were to be turned over to the Federals, and the men were paroled to return home safely. The orders were issued from the headquarters of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and Eastern Louisiana.

GLC00512

November 3, 1781

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Davies

Written by Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a legislator in the Virginia Assembly to Davies as Commissioner of the Virginia War Office in Richmond. Asks Davies to see that arms taken from militiamen at Gloucester, probably used at the battle of Yorktown, be returned to them. Says near 200 arms were taken from the militia and they have returned home unarmed. Says the situation leaves 40 miles along the shores of his county "exposed to the ravage of piratical vessels." Says General George Weedon told him that the government detained the arms to furnish militia rotations,…

GLC00513

May 12, 1857

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Brown

Writes to his wife enclosing a draft for thirty dollars from Gerrit Smith and his wife, Ann Carrol Fitzhugh Smith. Part of the money is to be used on presents, the rest on expenses. She must try and make the money last, since he does not know how soon he can send more. Advises her to exchange the money for gold, and hopes to ship her foodstuffs. Asks her to keep the house neat, as some of his supporters may pay her a call.

GLC00516

17 February 1787

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Broadside

Title: A Proclamation: [amnesty offer to Shays's rebels]

Offers pardons to Massachusetts citizens who participated in Shay's Rebellion (1786-1787). Document includes a printed seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Printed by Adams and Nourse. Noted in Ford no. 2474.

GLC00518

October 15, 1822

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Gibson

Appeal to Gibson for an increase in the salary of the indebted Captain Thornton, who Jackson assures is an excellent officer.

GLC00519

January 28, 1844

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James T. Armstrong

Advice to West Point Cadet James Trooper Armstrong concerning studies and subordination. Hopes that Armstrong will follow after his father General Robert Armstrong, and his grandfather, John Armstrong Jr.

GLC00520

March 30, 1863

Forrest, Nathan Bedford, 1821-1877

Letter signed

Title: to Earl Van Dorn

Reports that local citizens have complained about property destruction by Confederate troops. Claims that their men are doing more harm than if the Union forces were there. Recommends replacing officers and moving the troops. Argues "As a general thing there ought to be a change, and that soon, as the complaints are becoming loud & Heavy."

GLC00521

April 25, 1814

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rachel Jackson

Informs his wife that he has returned "from the junction of the Coosee and Tallapoosee" and that "The Creeks are conquered, some submitting unconditionally, and other whose crimes are great flying towards Pensacola. Outlines his travel plans before he can return to Nashville. Written from camp near Fort Williams.

GLC00522

March 23, 1816

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to William H. Crawford

Reports to Secretary of War Crawford on examining forts in the south. Sends a letter from General Smith (not included) "communicating the probability of an Indian War, and the previous arrangements necessary to meet such disturbances. Discusses wanting to manage the authority to order supplies. Urges Crawford to intervene to make sure the southern companies are filled. Date from postmark. Extensively docketed by recipient.

GLC00523

March 1, 1827

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hardy M. Cryer

States that he wishes to visit Cryer and old friends in Sumner County, but does not want any parades or "speech making." With the Presidential Election fast approaching, Jackson is taking much criticism, and does not want to attract more, so asks for a low key welcome. Address leaf contains a number of columns of addition.

GLC00524

11 April 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Header Record

Title: General Orders no. 9 [decimalized: order with pass]

GLC00526

11 April 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Document signed

Title: General Order No. 9

Lee's farewell orders to his troops, written the day after his surrender to Grant. Docketed "General R. E. Lee's Farewell Orders." Written from Appomattox Court House, Virginia. This version is said to be one of the second group made out by Lee's secretary, Charles Marshall. (The handwriting of the text is Marshall's.)

GLC00526.01

10 April 1865

Williams, John Henry, fl. 1865

Document signed

Title: Parole pass for Sgt J. H. Williams of Co. B 15th Regt S. Carolina Vols.

Parole pass for Williams, printed in the field, roughly a quarter sheet of paper. The signature is faded but the rest of the document is quite clear. Accompanied by collateral newsclippings concerning Williams. Written at the Appomattox Court House

GLC00526.02

1777

Fisher, Samuel R., fl. 1777

Header Record

Title: Journal of the Quakers exiled to Virginia. [Decimalized .01-.02]

[decimalized 00527.01-00527.02]

GLC00527

02 September 1777 - 31 December 1777

Fisher, Samuel R., fl. 1777

Manuscript

Title: Journal of the exiled friends in Virginia.

Daily journal of one of the company of Quakers suspected of disloyalty, detained, and exiled from Pennsylvania to Winchester and Stauton, Virginia during the Revolutionary War. Contains details of the imprisonment and removal from Philadelphia, mentions sympathizers met along the way, and comments on life in Virginia. Includes various letters, petitions, and official orders made regarding the case. Composed by the group as a whole, and probably intended as their official account. Also takes place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

GLC00527.01

1848

Gilpin, Thomas, fl. 1848

Book

Title: [Exiles in Virginia: with observations on the conduct of the Society of Friends during the Revolutionary War].

A compilation of the official papers of the government and the edited transcription of the journal written by exile Samuel Fisher and others about the Philadelphia Quakers who were exiled to Virginia in 1777 and 1778. Gilpin was a son of one of the exiles.

GLC00527.02

[ 06 August 1787 ]

Constitutional Convention, 1787

Document

Title: Constitution [printing of first draft, docketed by James Wilson]

First two leaves in facsimile, with docketed wrapper. Committee of Detail printing. First draft. Wilson chaired the Committee of Five which drafted this copy of the Constitution. With one correction in Wilson's hand. Docket on blank wrapper: "Report of the Committee of five. Later docket beneath: "Above endorsement is in the handwriting of Hon. James Wilson -- so his grand-daughter Miss Emily Hollingsworth tells me. Sept. 1. 1866 - Effingham B. Morris." Printed by Dunlap and Claypoole

GLC00528

1786 - 1901

Header Record

Title: Collection of letters of the Presidents [decimalized]

[decimalized 00529.01-00529.08]

GLC00529

July 14, 1786

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Comments on an impending lawsuit. Discusses Virginia Governor Patrick Henry's recent request to Congress for assistance against the Indians and the problems it poses for the federal government : "as the ultimate decision of Congress upon the propositions presented to them in a report...hath been contrary to the sense of the State and may perhaps be the subject of investigation as to its propriety upon the principles of the federal compact." Describes the present states of the government as deranged. Also discusses the accusation that he might have a personal interest in the lands…

GLC00529.01

May 15, 1789

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Searle

Written by Adams as vice president to Searle, a former Continental Congressman, who was involved in business in Philadelphia. Says he is happy to hear of Searle's success and happiness in business. Says it was one piece of good news he has received recently and claims, "My Correspondence has Served to little other purpose than to pour out before me the Griefs Complaints and Distresses of my Friends and the Friends of their Country, whose Ruin has been accomplished in Part by the turn of affairs at the Revolution and in part by the bad Policy of our Country, Since the Peace. " Asks Searle not…

GLC00529.02

May 13, 1812

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Plumer

Discusses his isolation and the lack of fresh news, his criticisms the writings of a man named Walsh (probably Robert Walsh), his opposition to War of 1812, and his inability to write openly because his letters are opened and read in transit. Adams was then minister to St. Petersburg. Plumer was then Governor of New Hampshire. Document paginated 285-88 at top center.

GLC00529.03

February 21, 1842

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. C. Paige

Discusses slavery and Union in relationship to politics. States, in part: "Whilst we cling to the Union we must yield to our sister states all that was intended to be secured to them by the Constitution." Also discusses publication of the letter. Marked "Private."

GLC00529.04

October 19, 1847

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. C. Wood

Writes to his son-in-law, a U.S. Army surgeon in Baltimore, about the presidential campaign, with doubt about his chances. In regard to the congressional debate over slavery, expresses his hope that a compromise will be achieved, since the outcome will lengthen or shorten the life of the Union. Written from camp near Monterrey, Mexico during the U.S.-Mexican War.

GLC00529.05

November 7, 1851

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ezra B. Chase

Buchanan states his position on slavery and the legal implications of enlsaved people seeking emancipation. Buchanan strongly supports the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act, and believes it will reduce sectional strife. He is "decidedly in favor of 'the finality' of the compromise measures" and finds that the Compromise favors the North, except for the Fugitive Slave Law. Mentions the Democrats of Pennsylvania repealed a law preventing jails providing shelter to enslaved people on the run. Has received many congratulations from the South for his work on this cause. Concludes…

GLC00529.06