November 1840

Printed document

Title: [Illinois Poll Book for electors the election of 1840]

Partially printed precinct poll book for presidential electors in New Lessington, Illinois. Abraham Lincoln was listed among those running to be an elector (he lost). The names of registered voters are written (in the same hand) down the left side of the sheet. Lincoln is the tenth potential elector listed across the top, one of five Whig candidates. His name misspelled "Abram Lincoln." On the top of one side a hand-written name is crossed out and "Henry Celtney" is written above it. The Whigs fared poorly in the precinct, although Harrison ultimately won the presidency.

GLC08938

17 September 1807

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Manuscript document

Title: [Slavery laws of the Indiana Territory]

Approved by Harrison and also signed by Jesse B. Thomas as Speaker of the House and B. Chambers as President of the Council (this is a copy). Title continues: "Laws of the Indiana Territory Comprising those Acts formerly in force and as Revised by Moses John Rice Jones and John Johnson and passed after amendments by the Legislature and the Original Acts passed at the first Session of the Second General Assembly of the said Territory ." Section labeled Chapter LXIV, "An Act Concerning the introduction of Negroes and Mullattoes into the Territory," which permits bringing slaves into…

GLC08939

22 May 1885

Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to Wendell P. Garrison

Writing to the son of William Lloyd Garrison, Purvis, an abolitionist and civil rights leader, answers several queries about the birth dates and places, deaths, and locations of important events among old guard abolitionists. He mentions James McCrummell, James Cassey, Joseph Sharpless, Mary Sharpless, and Frederick Hinton. Among the information he provides is his recollection that the "Declaration of Sentiments &c" was written at McCrummell's house. Also notes that he is glad to hear that Wendell has published the first volume of his father's biography.

GLC08943

1867-1868

Header Record

Title: [Two letters by Harrison Stearns, a former slave, to the wife of his former master] [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC08945

16 November 1867

Stearns, Harrison, fl. 1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Jane Ferris Stearns

In response to a letter from Mary, the wife of his former master, William F. Stearns, Harrison, a freed slave, offers condolence for William's death and inquires about a gift of land William promised him. Writes in part: "You said something bout conveying my lots to me. I had just write to mass Wiliam a little before his death...he promest to convey to me as soon as he could be satisfied that the laws of Miss. would allow colored people to hold land. Colored people has the same right to hold land as the white people."

GLC08945.01

January 14, 1868

Stearns, Harrison, fl. 1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Jane Ferris Stearns

Harrison, a freed slave, writes to Mary, the wife of his former master, William F. Stearns, to inform her that he received the deed for the gift of land William promised him (see GLC08945.01) and has had it recorded. Thanks her and indicates he will write to her in New York, where she is moving.

GLC08945.02

1893

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph note signed

Title: [Resignation as the Director and President of the Freedom Manufacturing Company]

Addressed to the companies Board of Directors. Accompanied by an (unrelated) engraving of Douglass by Augustus Robin of New York (see GLC08948.02).

GLC08948.01

1853

Griffiths, Julia, fl. 1895

Book

Title: Autographs for freedom

An anthology of signed articles, poems, etc., by men and women prominent in the anti-slavery movement. Includes Frederick Douglass's "The Heroic Slave." The signatures are in facsimile. Published by John P. Jewett and Company for the Rochester Anti-Slavery Society as a fund raiser. Edited by Griffiths, who signed (in print) in the preface: "On behalf of 'The Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society,' Julia Griffiths, Secretary."

GLC08949

10 October 1864

Mussey, Reuben D., 1833-1892

Manuscript document

Title: [Report on the status of U. S. colored troops in the Department of the Cumberland]

Detailed account regarding recruitment, military efficiency, and attitude of whites toward colored troops in the Department of the Cumberland. Mussey has just suceeded Major George L. Stearns as "commisioner for organization U. S. Colored troops in the Department of the Cumberland," so his report focuses largely on his predecessors tenure. Gives a general history of Stearn's tenure. States public sentiment first opposed recruitment of colored troops, but that Stearns worked to improve attitudes. Colored soldiers have performed well in limited duty. Discusses success of recruiting in…

GLC08951

2 September 1843

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Calvin Colton

Suggestions for a pamphlet opposing Abolitionists. "Shew that the agitation of the question in free states will first destroy all harmony and finally lead to disunion. That the consequences of disunion - perpetual War - the extinction of the African race - ultimate military despotism...The slaves being free would be dispersed throughout the union; they wd. enter into competition with the American, the Irish, the German, and the free Colored; reduce his wages; be confounded with him; & affect his moral & social standing...Show...That the object is to unite in marriage the laboring…

GLC08952

1846-1847

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Header Record

Title: Two orders by George McClellan during the Mexican War [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC08953

26 September 1846

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph document signed

Title: Order No 12

Orders to his company of engineers on board the "Clinton" stating that there is no smoking between decks, only officers are allowed in certain areas, roll calls will be at Reveille, Retreat, and Tattoo, inspections will be nightly, gives schedule for the day, and explains proper dress and schedule. Written on board the "Clinton" at sea, during the Mexican War. Remnants of what appear to me a nautical log are pasted on verso. A note explaining the document pasted on front.

GLC08953.01

4 May 1847

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph document signed

Title: Orders no 25

Orders his men to "lead the march to the enemy capital," of Mexico City, during the Mexican War. Warns his men not to straggle as "The impotent & cowardly enemy propose to wage the war of the assassin - war to the knife." Promises that soon they will recieve new clothing, rest and payment. It is clear that the weather has made many of McClellan's men sick and weak. Also signed by McClellan for Major General Worth.

GLC08953.02

8 September 1847

Scott, H.L. (Henry Lee), 1814-1886

Printed document signed

Title: General orders - No. 281.

Proceedings of a Court Martial for 29 soldiers accused & convicted "of desertion to the enemy" during the Mexican War. The men, all privates, all pleaded not guilty, all were sentenced "to be hanged by the neck until dead." Three, who deserted before war began, and four others, had their sentences commuted to fifty lashes and being branded. Another was remitted because his son, "remained faithful to his colors." The remaining men were executed on 10 September 1847.

GLC08954

May 1863

Calvin, Agnes, fl. 1863

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Petition of a free black to become a slave of a master of her choice]

Petitions for the right to choose her master. States that since she is "a free person of Africa descent" she is entitled to "choose a master for herself and two said children," and the "petitioner makes choice of J.S.H. Hossack to become her master." Though free, Calvin has been struggling so badly to get by that she is willing to have a master of her choosing in exchange for subsistence for herself and her family. Petition made "to the honorable B. W. Gray." Signed by Calvin wih her mark. For related documents see GLC03840, GLC06375, and GLC09123.

GLC08955

January 20, 1865

Pennsylvania State Equal Rights' League

Broadside

Title: Memorial of the Pennsylvania State Equal Rights' League, to the Legislature of Pennsylvania

Asks that the government force companies operating public trolleys to allow black passengers. Public trolleys run by private companies had been routinely barring black passengers from their cars. Signed in text by a number of citizens, including Jonathan C. Gibbs as chairman.

GLC08957

1792

Header Record

Title: Letter regarding Congressional order and broadsheet of the order [Decimalized .01-.02]

Letter from Alexander Hamilton to Simeon Baldwin requesting compliance with a Congress' order to compile all federal salaries, and a broadsheet with the order printed out.

GLC08960

6 November 1917 circa

N. Y. State Woman Suffrage Party

Broadside

Title: How to vote for woman suffrage amendment, election day, November 6th, 1917

Instructs voters which box to check on the ballot in order to vote in favor ammending the New York State Constitution to allow women the right to vote.

GLC08961

1910 circa

New Jersey Woman Suffrage Association

Broadside

Title: Plain Facts for the Working Man

Encouraging working men to vote for women's suffrage. Argues that letting their wives vote will improve their own situation. States that the wife, who has so many responsibilities, can better take care of the home and the family, if she has the vote.

GLC08962

1915 circa

Woman Suffrage Party of the City of New York

Broadside

Title: Votes for Women! The Woman's Reason

List of arguments for why women should be allowed to vote, including "Because women must obey the laws just as men do, They should vote equally with men. Because women pay taxes just as men do, thus supporting the government, They should vote equally with men. Because women suffer from bad government just as men do...Because women are citizens of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, and women are people, they should vote equally with men."

GLC08963

1915 circa

Woman Suffrage Party of the City of New York

Broadside

Title: Women in the home

Argues that a woman's place may be in the home, but that she can perform these domestic duties much better if allowed the vote, since she will have greater control outside events that influence her housekeeping, such as public health and clean food. "ALONE she CANNOT make these things right. WHO or WHAT can?...the City Government...DO THE WOMEN ELECT THEM? NO, the men do. So it is the MEN and NOT THE WOMEN that are responsible" for the ills of their household. "MEN are responsible for the for the conditions under which the children live, but we hold WOMEN responsible for the results of…

GLC08964

6 December 1880

Clarke, William Penn, fl. 1880

Document signed

Title: to Mrs. Lebreton Deschapelles

Clarke, an attorney, discusses the case of Mrs. Deschapelles, who claims that her late husband (possibly Emmanuel Lebreton Deschapelles) suffered property damages from federal forces during the Civil War. Informs Deschapelles that if her husband "never took an oath of allegiance to the United States, and never voted or otherwise discharged the duties of a citizen of this country, but regarded himself as a Frenchman, then his claim can be considered by the Commission ..." Requests Mrs. Deschapelles immediate reply. Written on Clarke's professional stationery.

GLC02943.03

24 April 1863

Hincks, Edward W., 1830-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Nichols

Asks Nichols to convert the enclosed check for $1200 (not present) into U.S. 5-20 coupon bonds. Advises that he can probably get them at the Howard Bank and, if not, in Boston.

GLC03212.01

3 January 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Written by Burgoyne, captured British General in charge of the Convention Army to Heath, American General in charge of the district where Convention Army is located. Says Heath made no objection to sending a person to Rhode Island to get money for the Convention Army, so he has made arrangements to do so. To avoid delays he would like Heath's permission to send David Geddes, acting paymaster, to Rhode Island. Promises he will return within a specified time. Asks for an escort for Geddes from Providence back to Cambridge. Hopes to hear from him by that evening or next morning. In a different…

GLC04764.45

February 1778

Henley, David, 1749-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [George Washington?]

Written by Colonel Henley as the former commandant of the Prospect Hill barracks near Cambridge, Massachusetts, which housed the captured British Convention Army. Recipient is inferred from the title "your Excellency" used toward the end of the letter. Henley was about to be sent before a court martial for allegations of murder and abusing British prisoners during his tenure at Prospect Hill. Says he left his business behind in Virginia to follow him into war out of purely selfless reasons. Says he does not now "have an Opportunity to blead" because he was placed in a command he did not want…

GLC04764.62