June 25, 1865

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Typed letter

Title: to Edward Davis Townsend

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. General Meade recommends the promotion of Captain Brisbin in the regular army based upon distinguished service with his Regiment in the Army of the Potomac. These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

GLC01504.02.04

June 29, 1865

Pleasonton, Alfred J., 1824-1897

Typed letter

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. General Pleasanton recommends to Stanton, Secretary of War, that General Brisbin be retained at his current post based on his meritorious service in the campaigns of Antietam and Gettysburg. Adds that he has recently been "actively employed in organizing colored troops in Kentucky" and will therefore "prove a very useful officer to be retained in this branch of the service." These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

GLC01504.02.05

April 26, 1841

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Letter signed

Title: to Joshua Spencer

Signed by Tyler as President and Daniel Webster as Secretary of State. Tyler offers information concerning Canadian Alexander McLeod to Spencer, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York. States that Henry Fox, Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain, transmitted an official communication to the United States Government stating that McLeod, accused of murdering several Americans, was acting as a military agent under orders.

GLC01512.01

April 7, 1798

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Walton Morris

Warns of attempt to plunder the North American Land Company. Advises William not to provide information concerning the company, unless requested in writing. Written from debtor's prison after the collapse of the company. With a rare copy of the original prospectus from 1795 (see GLC01528.02).

GLC01528.01

March 8, 1749

Pepperrell, William, 1696-1759

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Coade

Requesting payment of a bill. Written at Spring Garden.

GLC01541.04.01

December 1857

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph manuscript

Title: "House divided" speech fragment re: slavery, Dred Scott, Kansas

A single page beginning "Why Kansas is neither the whole, nor a tithe of the real question." Written before the debates with Stephen A. Douglas, apparently in response to that Senator's Dec. 9, 1857 speech in opposition to Buchanan's State of the Union address (as suggested by Don Fehrenbacher, "House Divided," 89 ff.). Nicolay and Hay date the metaphor from Oct. 1858 while Basler assigns it to May 1858. Unpublished and unrecorded. Current dating is based upon Don E. Fehrenbacher's hypothesis that this speech responds to Stephen A. Douglas's speech in the Senate of 1857 Dec. 9 (Prelude to…

GLC02533

18 January 1863

Southgate, William Wallace, 1834-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. W. Southgate

Written by a soldier in the 12th Vermont Militia. Argues that soldiers generally oppose the emancipation of enslaved people. Mentions James Ewell Brown [Jeb] Stuart's Cavalry charge upon them but says it did not turn into anything as they were rerouted. Envelope dimensions 6.5 x 10.8 cm. Graphic language warning: Includes expletive racial slurs when referring to Black people.

GLC02617

September 1, 1864

Ingalls, Rufus, 1818-1893

Letter

Title: to Montgomery C. Meigs

Copy of GLC02649.17 with slight textual variations. Ingalls, Brigadier General and Chief Quartermaster of the Armies operating against Richmond, writes to Major General Meigs, U.S. Army Quartermaster General, to add to his annual report a commendation for the Medical Department and hospital system under Dr. Thomas A. McParlin.

GLC02649.20

18 August 1861

Hopkins, David, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear brother and sister

Hopkins, a sailor on board a Union ship, replies to a letter from his brother and sister [N. N. and Lacey Hopkins?], of Ashtabula County, Ohio. Discusses problems with the mail. Notes that he feels better than he has in years, despite a persistent cough. Offers his views on the war, declaring that "there are many wrongs to be righted besides the one done to the negro race." Attests that sailors are in worse condition than the enslaved people of the south. Doesn't believe slavery is the underlying cause of the war. Mentions a statement made by Henry A. Wise (Governor of Virginia 1856-…

GLC03043

7 September 1791

Davis, Ignatious, 1759-1828

Broadside

Title: Thirty Dollars Reward

Printed by John Winter of Frederick-Town (now known as Frederick), Maryland. Broadside which announces Ignatious Davis's offer of a 30 dollar reward for Arch, an enslaved man seeking refuge. He is described as "a handsome Negro Lad ... About twenty years of age ... of yellow complexion, talks sensible and artful, but if close examined is apt to tremble." Says he is undersized, active, and has small legs. Also has a ridge or scar on the back of his neck. Describes the clothing he was wearing when he absconded on 22 August 1791. Says he will pay the full reward if Arch is found to be over 60…

GLC03157

16 January 1863

Lewis, Amos, 1785-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Seth Lewis

Lewis writes an eloquent letter to his nephew Seth, in Marshall, Michigan. Comments on the Civil War, his good health, and his ability to make a good living despite "the high prices of all we have to buy and the low rates of what little we have to part with." Discusses family, noting that of three relatives in the army, none have been harmed. His son, Eber, is due to visit, and his daughter, Esther, is a matron in the Springfield, Missouri hospital. Writes again 21 January, noting that Eber arrived. Requests a copy of the newspaper, "The Statesman," if Seth can afford it. Relates that…

GLC03229.01

17 September 1787

Constitutional Convention, 1787

Document signed

Title: United States Constitution. Printed Dunlap & Claypoole edition inscribed to Jonathan Williams

One printing of the United States Constitution by Dunlap & Claypoole dated September 17, 1787. This printing of the Constitution is missing the last two pages cutting off after the second paragraph of the sixth article. It is a members printing of the Constitution by Dunlap & Claypoole, inscribed by Benjamin Franklin (as President of Pennsylvania) to Jonathan Williams Sr., a successful Massachusetts businessman and husband to Franklin's niece, Grace Harris Williams. The members printing was intended to be distributed to state governments and influential Americans. This printing…

GLC03585

1777/05/27

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to nephew Jonathan Williams re: belief in ultimate success of American cause

Franklin states that "You and your Country are engag'd in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage." Franklin also mentions Williams' son John in Nantes. Franklin concludes: "I continue amazing well and hearty for my Age, and hope to live to see the End of these Troubles, and our Country establish'd in Freedom, when it will soon become great and glorious, by being the Asylum of all the Oppress'd of Europe, and the Resort of the Wealthy who love Liberty...." (Stored as open folio)

GLC04430

October 13, 1776-1782

Kościuszko, Tadeusz, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Requests provisions promised by Quarter Master General Thomas Mifflin. Written on October 13.

GLC04630

14 December 1852

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ralph Wardlaw

Writes to thank Wardlaw for his invitation to visit Scotland. Mentions her surprise at the success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," her belief that the work was divinely inspired, and her hope that its popularity shows Christ has mercy to the cause of abolishing slavery. States she will visit Scotland and notes that she is currently working on a "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin." Stowe published the "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin" in 1853 and shortly after left America for a tour of Europe. She visited England, Scotland, France and Switzerland and was met by crowds in each place. Ralph Wardlaw (1779-1853)…

GLC04631

1860/06, 1881

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Photograph

Title: Platinum print by Alexander Hesler & George P. Ayres, image from 1860 with flyer

Blind copyright stamp of Ayres dated 1881. Accompanied by a Ayres promotional flyer which notes: "I have two negatives. [....] These were taken at Springfield Ill. in June 1860 immediately after Mr. Lincoln's nomination to the Presidency."

GLC04698

1835

Prud'homme, R., fl. 1835

Engraving

Title: Alexander Hamilton.

Engraved from the original miniature by Arch. Robertson. From the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans, conducted by James B. Longacre and James Herring under the superintendence of the American Academy of the Fine Arts. Accompanied Alexander Hamilton letter (GLC04842.08.01).

GLC04842.08.02

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Wagon fording the Rappahannock River

A wagon, loaded with people and pulled by oxen, is emerging from fording the Rappahannock River, while what appears to be a colored regiment stands guard. Inscription on verso: "Fugitive Negroes fording Rappahannock River." Numeric notation on verso: "83."

GLC05111.01.0926

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Benjamin Franklin Butler as major general, seated, right profile

Imprint on recto "Gurney & Son Photo N.Y." Graphite inscription on verso "23" "+." Photographers imprint on verso: "Photogaphic Artists J. Gurney & Son, 707 Broadway N.Y."

GLC05111.02.0264

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Camp scene

Image shows an African-American man standing in front of two steaming kettles. In the background is a set of train tracks, an A-frame tent, a log cabin, and a wood building surrounded by barrels and other supplies. Graphite inscription on verso "2.50--" "19." Photographers imprint on verso: "Published by E. & H. T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. Manufacturers of the best Photographic Albums."

GLC05111.02.1354

June 3, 1782

Kościuszko, Tadeusz, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Ko´sciuszko, a colonel and engineer in the Continental Army, discusses military preparations for the Yorktown campaign. Comments on his earthworks and the need for more troops to protect them. Written "at Colo. Mayens."

GLC05545

1801/02/20

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Print

Title: Stipple engraving after R. Peale engraved by C. Tidout

Printed by M. Carey. Full title: "Thomas Jefferson. President of the United States." The text at bottom quotes the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths...."

GLC05669

18 November 1863- October 1864

Woodlin, William P., fl. 1863-1864

Diary

Title: [Diary of an African American soldier in 8th Regiment United States Colored Troops, Company G]

Woodlin's brief entries describe camp life, his service with the regimental band as a horn player, several battles, the weather, equal pay with white soldiers, and the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment, among many other topics. He describes his part in the siege of Petersburg, Virginia, where his regiment arrived two months after fighting began. The middle section of this journal includes blank leaves, followed by several pages of notes and lists. The diary was rebound, but includes the separated original cover.

GLC06599

2 December 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes that his wife, Olive, has gone to Fort Donelson with two of his children. Has been appointed Captain of Company Division 16th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry. Expresses his satisfaction at fighting alongside former slaves -- "iff it is glorious to enlist the oppressed it is certainly doubly so to be privelidged to lead them against their oppressors." Describes a school system he has instituted to give the black soldiers literacy skills so "they will be well prepared to appreciate the sweet boon of freedom" after the war. Plans to bring his wife to live with him in winter quarters.

GLC07006.05

28 May 1864

Fletcher, Francis H., 1841-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob C. Safford

Fletcher, a black soldier in the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, complains bitterly of the inequality of treatment and pay between the white and black soldiers. "Just one year ago to day our regt was received in Boston with almost an ovation, and at 5 P.M. it will be one year …in that one year no man of our regiment has received a cent of monthly pay all through the glaring perfidy of the U.S. Govt." He references an act for equal pay passed in 1864, "All the misery and degradation suffered in our regiment by its members' families is not atoned for by the passage of the bill for equal…

GLC07345