January 10, 1848

Manuscript letter

Title: to Daniel Webster

An unknown author informs Webster that the "Government and Country are approaching a crisis." Reports that the United States will face great financial difficulty by the end of 1848. Complains of the financial strain placed on the United States caused by the Mexican War (1846-1848) and the Revenue Tariff of 1845. States that the market of the United States is deprived of food and predicts closures in French ports and changes in the British economic market. Complains about Secretary of the Treasury Robert J. Walker's Tariff of 1846 which moderately lowered many rates, but which many…

GLC01946.67

4 April 1863

Linthion, C.S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James A. Washington

General Richard B. Garnett has ordered that Wortham's battalion move its position and await further orders. At bottom is an autograph note signed by Washington, to Wortham, reading "I will wait for you here. Come as quickly as possible. No news." Written two miles outside of Washington, D.C. After receiving the note, Washington forwarded it to Wortham, and added his note at the bottom. James A. Washington was a Colonel in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry, in command of George Wortham, ranking just above him. General Richard B. Garnett would be killed exactly three months later while…

GLC02233.20

17 May 1863

Wortham, George, fl. 1823-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James S. Wortham

Writes his father saying his regiment is leaving for Virginia, his application for a furlough was denied, and he is temporarily in command of the regiment. Informed by a General that he "cannot be spared from the field," but he expects to be granted a furlough soon. Wortham is in command of the Regiment because Colonel Washington is sick. Adds, "P.S. May 19th I have just learned where we are going to. It is Virginia. We have been waiting here since the 17th for transportation and do not know when we can get off - perhaps tonight, perhaps not in two or three days…."

GLC02233.22

28 July 1863

Burch, James Anderson, 1829-1906

Autograph document signed

Title: [Court Martial proceedings in the case of John Absher for being absent without leave]

Details court martial proceedings of John Absher, who pled guilty to the charge of "absence without leave," but attempted to defend his conduct, saying he was unable to return in time due to poor health. Records specifics of the charge, testimony from the trial, and resulting sentence. Despite Absher's defense, he was sentenced to "be bucked with a stick ¾ of an inch in diameter and gaged for twenty days two hours in the morning and be compelled to stand in the stocks two hours in the evening of each day." James A. Burch was a Captain in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry. Later served…

GLC02233.32

3 August 1863

Cherry, John H., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wortham

Cherry's boat was taken from him and he asks that Wortham return it as Cherry is poor and crippled and depends on the boat. Written at "WnSton, North Carolina," possibly Winston-Salem or Washington. "My boat (a very nice one, which I would not take $1000 for at these times) was taken from me at my moorings here and as I am a poor man, Col, the Yankees having destroyed all my property in their raid through here under Genl Foster and as I have been for 2 yrs & am now a cripple and had it (the boat) as a dependence mainly I respectfully hope that you will (taking in consideration my…

GLC02233.34

25 May 1864

Ayers, D.A., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wortham

Ayers, searching for African-Americans with his cavalry, so far has "arrested but one negro...and he was not armed." Believes more are between Jamesville and Washington and will continue to search. Excerpt: "…I have been driving faithfully all day and have not arrested but one negro that I have found in the woods and he was not armed, though I have him with me yet. I have correct information from some of the Negroes and they were between Jamesville and Washington, some of them having stolen a canoe and crossed the River about Hyman's Ferry 4 miles above Plymouth. I am going to drive…

GLC02233.41

12 May 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox [incomplete]

Colonel Jackson discusses military details, noting that "the Court," (referring to the Court of Massachusetts) has ordered the draft of every seventh man from towns that have not met enlistment quotas. Has persuaded the court to allow drafted men to choose which regiment they will join. Notes that General George Washington has ordered him to send weekly reports of his (Jackson's) proceedings. Wants Knox to apply to George Washington to give an order on his behalf for arms and accoutrements. Asks Knox other military advice, noting, "as I have never been in the Service I wish to be as…

GLC02437.00591

1894-1927

Smithsonian Institution Building (Washington, D.C.)

Photograph

Title: Gown worn by Edith Roosevelt displayed on mannequin.

Pencil note on back: "From Smithsonian Institute Gown Collection."

GLC07002.91

28 November 1827

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Relates to his brother-in-law that en route to New York, the steamboat on which the Websters travelled could not leave the New London, Connecticut harbor due to stormy weather. Reports that because of his wife Grace's ill health, they decided to instead take a coach to New Haven on Monday morning 26 November 1827. Requests Paige to manage a business transaction likely related to his law practice in Boston. Bottom quarter of second page missing. Year written in pencil at a later date.

GLC01946.06

20 February 1828

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Requests to hear about his brother-in-law's visit to Hartford, Connecticut. Complains that he has not received mail beyond Baltimore, and blames the stagecoach drivers. Reports that the stagecoach got into an accident going to Baltimore while carrying Associate Supreme Court Judge Joseph Story. States that he has a visitor and stops writing. Returns to report that the visitor was New York lawyer David Ogden. Year written in pencil at a later date.

GLC01946.08

April 12, 1829

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Informs his brother-in-law that he has made it through "this most melancholy occasion." Appears to be speaking of the 10 April 1829 death from a heart attack of his 47-year-old brother Ezekiel. States that "Mrs. W. [probably his brother's wife] bears all with incredible patience and resignation" and that the "whole community seems most deeply impressed" and "shocked by the occurrence." Refers to several friends and family who attended the occasion, including the Levys, Mr. Kelly, and Ellen. Seal intact.

GLC01946.11

8 March 1834

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Discusses legislative action regarding the Bank of the United States, including introduction of the Massachusetts Resolutions before the Senate. Notes that the House majority remains small, and that Senate support should be stronger, but that John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay are acting unpredictably regarding the measure.

GLC01946.17

13 October 1839

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Relates his European travels to his brother-in-law. States that Samuel Jaudon, his friend and former cashier of the Bank of the United States, is having financial difficulty but is "on his legs." Complains of the high rate of interest for Americans when drawing English capital, claiming it is the goal among certain British banks to "defuse and decry American credit." Continues writing on 16 October to discuss his departure for Paris, delayed so he could "put letters by the Queen" (likely Queen Victoria). States that Jaudon completed his loan 15 October. Recipient inferred from content.

GLC01946.18

February 2, 1840

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Informs his sister-in-law that he forwarded her previous letter to his wife. States that he received news from Paige's father, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Joseph Story. States he has settled in with Mr. Curtis (possibly New York Representative Edward Curtis), and Mr. Evans (possibly Maine Representative George Evans), as well as his French and law books. Docket states that this letter contains an enclosing from "La'Salle" (not present).

GLC01946.19

11 November 1841

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Offers this letter to his sister-in-law with a gift. Hopes she values the gift beyond its "material & the workmanship." Offers the gift to assure her of his "constant and affectionate regard."

GLC01946.21

circa 1842

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Writes to his sister-in-law, enclosing a note of introduction for British foreign minister Lord Alexander Ashburton and James Paige, Harriette's husband. Instructs Harriette to have the note "sealed and presented on [Ashburton's] arrival." States, "You will hear that the the [sic] Treaty is done! and I am almost done, too," referring to the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, which defined the North Eastern boundary between the United States and Canada and resulted in a lasting peace agreement between Britain and America. Reports that the only issue not negotiated with Ashburton was that of…

GLC01946.22

29 August 1842

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

States at the top of the letter, "1 o'clock- Tariff passed," likely referring to the Tariff of 1842, which returned duties to what they had been before the Compromise Tariff of 1833. Thanks his sister-in-law Paige for the sixth "mouchoir," or handkerchief she had recently given to him. Informs Paige of his travel plans through Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Nashua, New Hampshire, and Marshfield, Massachusetts. Requests Paige to find a "good natured woman" to cook for him now and then; states that he prefers a white woman. Records that this letter was written at 1 o'clock. 1842 written…

GLC01946.23

27 March 1844

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Describes a service he attended the previous evening to his sister-in-law. Discusses the form used in the book of Habakkuk, stating that the "passages ... present ... a remarkable instance of the Hebrew form of Poetic composition." Quotes 3 Habakkuk, verses 17 and 18. Suggests Harriette read Bishop Lowth's writings on Hebrew Poetry, which for Webster "opened ... quite a new view of the beauties of the prophetical & practical parts of the Old Testament." Signed and docketed on the back by Paige.

GLC01946.28

2 October 1844

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Reports to his sister-in-law Paige that he enjoys the company of her husband, James William Paige, in Philadelphia. States that he plans to venture into the Mining District of Pennsylvania and hopes James will join him. Relates that he went to a party the evening before with James at the home of John Morin Scott, Mayor of Philadelphia.

GLC01946.29

1845

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Thanks his brother-in-law for sending a beautiful basket. States that he went with his son Edward Webster to a pond where they acquired some ducks to send to Paige. Referencing the killed ducks, declares it "murderous, & hardly fair sport; but it shows how things are done, down here in Marshfield." 1845 written on this document in pencil at a later date.

GLC01946.30

1845

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Declines a dinner invitation to his sister-in-law's house in favor of an invitation to Mr. Ward's (possibly Thomas Ward, the Boston agent of the Baring Brothers banking firm in England) where he plans to meet Mr. Granville Harcourt Vernon, English Parliamentary figure and son of the Archbishop of York. States that Vernon had an evening with the Webster's at Mr. Baron Parke's. Reports that Vernon's sister, Miss Harcourt, married Colonel Molcomb, son of Sir John Molcomb. October 1845 written in pencil on this document at a later date. Document comes with an envelope with an address, an…

GLC01946.31

20 November 1846

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Requests that his brother-in-law Paige accept a case of port wine, now in Boston, in Paige's store. States that the wine will improve with Paige's care. Instructs Paige to send one case to Marshfield, Massachusetts, where Webster owned a residence.

GLC01946.33

1 April 1847

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Informs his sister-in-law that he and others were distressed upon receiving her letters and two notes from Mary Blatchford regarding an accident that involved Mr. Blatchford (possibly Richard Blatchford, Webster's close friend and business associate). The back of this document includes a note and a docket, likely by Harriette Story Paige. 1 April 1847 written on this document in pencil at a later date.

GLC01946.34

January 31, 1848

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

States to sister-in-law Paige that he and his wife, Caroline LeRoy Webster feel uneasy about the health of his daughter, Julia Webster. Reports that he has written to his son, Daniel Fletcher Webster, to notify him of Julia's ill health, and that they do not want Julia to realize that they are alarmed. Letter and docket marked private.

GLC01946.39

November 20, 1833

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Informs his sister-in-law that he sent her several epitaphs, likely written for his deceased family members. Requests the birth and death dates of his first wife, Grace Fletcher Webster. Instructs Paige to look over the epitaphs and suggest alterations to him. Hopes to "make a better sentiment" for his deceased son, Edward Webster. 1850 written at the top of this document in pencil at a later date.

GLC01946.46