19 June 1771

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Lee

Signed with initials "RHL". Describes the Regulator movement in North Carolina, a rebellion by backcountry farmers against lawyers, whose high legal fees and manipulation of debt laws were hurting them. North Carolina Governor William Tryon, although he claimed to agree with the insurgents, resorted to suppression by force: he "fell upon the unsuspecting multitudes and made great slaughter with cannons." The royal governor needed more than a thousand troops to defeat the Regulators at the Battle of Alamance on May 16, 1771.

GLC03719

6 November 1779

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Reed

Discusses difficulties obtaining clothing and related supplies. Wonders where French support is, but is unconcerned. "Our patience is fairly exhausted and we begin to doubt the Existence of the Count D'Estaing his Fleet and even Georgia or Carolina. It is certainly very unaccountable but the delay that he has met with is not I believe any great misfortune to us." Has unconfirmed reports of troop movements in New York.

GLC03720

12 July 1865

Lee, Stephen D., 1833-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver O. Howard

Howard was head of the Freedmen's Bureau. Asking for Howard's assistance in his pardon application. "I write this truly trusting the war has not changed your feelings towards me personally..."

GLC03722.01

22 August 1865

Lee, Stephen D., 1833-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver O. Howard

Howard was head of the Freedmen's Bureau. Lee reponds to Howard's letter (not present) of 26 July 1865 in which Howard declined to take an interest in his pardon application. He describes his motives in fighting for the Confederacy and refers to the South's failure.

GLC03722.02

26 June 1863

Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Disagreement over whether the replacement for a deceased officer in a Georgia regiment is to be elected or chosen by the President. Brown, who often believed Jefferson Davis exercised too much power, believed that the officer should be elected, however Seddon writes that Confederate law states he will be chosen by the President. Written on Confederate States of America War Department stationary.

GLC03723

19 April 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Document signed

Title: Appointment of Alexander H. Stephens as agent to treat with Va. (c/s Toombs)

Countersigned by Robert Toombs. Stephens was to negotiate Virginia's joining the Confederacy.

GLC03724

19 May 1831

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Switzer

Written from Ashland, Clay's estate, to Switzer at Union Bridge, Frederick County, Maryland. Replying to a request from Switzer, Senator Clay discusses his opinions on colonization and slavery. Refers Switzer to an address he gave to the Colonization Society of Kentucky in 1829. Argues for leaving the decision of emancipation up to individual states. Attests that slavery can only be justified in America by necessity, if at all, and that Congress has no power to establish a system of emancipation.

GLC03725

11 September 1779

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry re: efforts to persuade French to send reinforcements

Talks about his efforts to persuade France to reinforce D'Estaing's fleet, his discussions with Genet, his relations with Lee and Franklin, and describing Lafayette's arrival in Paris to plead America's cause.

GLC03726

October 1794

Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811

Document signed

Title: [Recommending pardon of Philip Holton for manslaughter].

Recommends pardon of Philip Holton because of his youth, his good character and his peaceable behavior. Written as chief judge of the general court of Maryland.

GLC03727

29 April 1779

Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Harwood

Written as Treasurer of Loans to Harwood, who was Commissioner of Loans at Annapolis, Maryland. Forwards a tally of William Hyde's loan office certificates, which he is sending (not included).

GLC03728

17 October 1787

Huntington, Samuel, 1731-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Connecticut's progress in raising troops for duty in the Northwest territory and the appointment of officers. Retained copy, as noted on docket. Written as governor of Connecticut to Knox as the Secretary of War.

GLC03729

27 November 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Pinckney re: fever in Philadelphia, failed negotiations with Indians

Talks about the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia, negotiations with the Northwest Indians, Citizen Genet, Lafayette and copper and silver metals for coinage. The federal government moved from Philadelphia to Germantown because of a yellow fever epidemic that lasted through the late Summer and Autumn. Failure of negotiations with Indian tribes led to the battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. Jefferson, in his capacity as Secretary of State, had previously requested the recall of Edmond Charles Genet because of his outrageous behavior as Minister to the United States. In 1792 Lafayette had…

GLC03730

6 August 1797

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Brant

Introduces his son, Thomas Morris, and asks Brant to help negotiate the purchase of land owned by the Seneca Indians

GLC03731

25 June 1785

Paca, William, 1740-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Hanson

Informs Hanson that he has been appointed Examiner General of Maryland.

GLC03732

23 May 1794

Williams, William, 1731-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Trumbull

Opposes the repeal of a statute which allocates proceeds from Connecticut's land sales in the Western Reserve for the support of religious ministers. Williams was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. At the time of this letter he was County Court Judge of Windham, Connecticut.

GLC03733

2 June 1786

Livingston, William, 1723-1790

Manuscript document signed

Title: An Act for defraying sundry Incidental Charges

Appropriations bill signed by New Jersey Governor Livingston and co-signed by Benjamin Van Cleve as Speaker of the Assembly. Lists several persons to be paid or reimbursed. Most of the payments go to members of the Privy Council or the Assembly for attending sessions. There are several payments for the transport of prisoners. Also pays for the room rentals for the council and assembly to meet. Docket says the bill was read three times in both the council and assembly and was passed. Includes a small ribbon in mylar in the folder.

GLC03734

12 May 1780

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Philip Mazzei] re: Virginia loan in Europe & British blockade of Charleston

Written as Gov. of Virginia. Jefferson alludes at the end to his hopes that Gen. Benjamin Lincoln would hold Charleston, but his hopes were dashed in the event.

GLC03735

20 February 1862

Halleck, H.W. (Henry Wager), 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Scott

Reports on capture of Clarksville, Curtis' defeat of Price, desire for stores and steamboats, and the need for Buell to move urgently. States "have taken Clarksville," Tennessee, as well as "large supplies." General Samuel Curtis "has again defeated" General Sterling Price. Asks if Buell is moving on Clarksville, by which he probably means Nashville, since Clarksville has just been captured and Nashville is the next major Union objective. Says "If he will not move, I shall try to carry out my plans without him. Hesitation & delay are losing us the golden opportunity. Can't you…

GLC03736

1875

Whitman, Walt, 1819-1892

Book signed

Title: Memoranda During the War [presentation copy to J.Q.A. Ward]

Inscribed on a printed "Remembrance Copy" notice. To Ward from "his friend the Author."

GLC03737

1864

Manuscript

Title: [Pro-Lincoln campaign speech by a Union army officer who commanded the 15th corps, 2nd division] [incomplete]

Reminds the soldiers of the necessity of the Civil War and why they are fighting, " ... the suppression of the Rebellion and the preservation of American Liberty." Urges the soldiers to vote for the Union ticket and influence their friends and family to do the same. "Upon the result of this election depends the fate of this government. Defeat the Union Ticket and the Union goes to atoms. Elect it - a speedy peace will follow and our Union will be saved and once more happy." Warns soldiers to be aware of traitors and conspirators. A fragment, lacking beginning and end. Paginated 6…

GLC03738

12 August 1805

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Fisher re: acknowledging book on military tactics

Letter written in the third person, thanking Fisher for the book on military tactics, and noting "It would be great presumption in him [i.e., TJ] to hazard an opinion on a work the subject of which he has been less conversant in than any other." Written in Monticello

GLC03739

27 June 1864

Cochran, S.C., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William M. Stone

Cochran writes to Major Stone at Mobile, Alabama. Draws Stone's attention to the case of James L. Godbold, "who before the passage of the last Exemption Act applied for exemption from military service under the 20 negro law, & paid $500." Notes that Godbold has not received exemption, and deserves a refund of the $500 he paid. Requests Godbold's receipt, which was previously sent to Stone. Also mentions the "meat-law." Contains a Confederate stamp.

GLC03740

28-29 March 1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Parents re: soldier's letter recounting details of Sherman's march

Unsigned letter, describing Sherman's march from Savannah, through Georgia and the Carolinas from 1/29/1865.

GLC03741

1861-1862

Smith, William Wallace, fl. 1861-1862

Header Record

Title: to Asa Smith

Letters from William Smith to his brother Asa Smith. The Smith family appears to be from Newton, Massachusetts. See GLC03681.01-.03 for letters by Asa Smith to his mother on the battle between the USS "Monitor" and the CSS "Merrimac."

GLC03742

5 April 1865

Header Record

Title: Letter and printed document related to the fall of Richmond during the Civil War [Decimalized .01-.02]

See descriptions in GLC03744.01-02

GLC03744