17 October 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of William North as an Adjutant General with the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army]

Partially printed engraved document signed by John Adams as President and countersigned by Secretary of War James McHenry. Engraved by Thackara & Vallance of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Features two detailed patriotic images. Docket signed by John Caldwell of the War Department.

GLC02516

12 December 1798

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Document signed

Title: [Privateer's commission for "the Concord"]

Signed by John Adams as President and countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Allows Ebenezer Sage and Benjamin Williams to outfit a privateer, the "Concord," to attack French shipping under a Congressional law passed on July 9, 1798. The 8 gun, 20 man crew will be captained by William Vandeursin. Allows the Concord to capture French ships on the high seas as well as recapture American ships seized by France. The American government sanctioned these actions at a time of heightened tension with France known as the Quasi War. Large embossed paper Seal of the United States at…

GLC02517.01

6 March 1801

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Document signed

Title: [Papers granting the ship "Hunter" voyage permission in four languages]

Countersigned by Secretary of State John Marshall, New York Port Collector Joshua Sands, and Notary Public John Wilkes. Partly printed document in four languages (French, Spanish, English, and Dutch). Papers give permission to Captain William Van Duerson, the commander of the ship "Hunter," to carry non-contraband goods to Demerara in British Guiana (present day Guyana). Written before Adams left the presidency on 4 March 1801, but countersigned in New York on 6 March 1804. Sands added a note that the new president, Thomas Jefferson, had approved the papers and allowed them to continue in…

GLC02517.02

1814/01-02/23

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Richard Rush.

Written to the son of his close friend Dr. Benjamin Rush in January 1814 and finished February 23. An early portion of the letter is in a Sternian style (stream of consciousness) concerning dreams while ill. Adams concludes, slightly tongue-in-cheek by mentioning a 3 vol. work on him by a Mr. Taylor.

GLC02518

16 April 1857

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Brown

Has "been more prospered within a very few days than I had before been," thanks to a $7,000 loan from George L. Stearns to be used towards a free Kansas. Hears "that one of 'Uncle Sam's Hounds was at Cleavland on my track;' and I have been hiding a little so as to let my track get cold." However has "no great fear of being caught" and says "I trust that God will send me back with Irons in rather than uppon my hands." Hopes to return home soon. Brown hid for a week in Boston to avoid the rumored United States Marshall.

GLC02519

7 October 1787

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Franklin, writing as president of the executive council of Pennsylvania, asks New York's Governor Clinton to aid in gathering evidence against conspirators in the Yankee-Pennamite war. The Pennamite Wars were organized (but not state-sponsored) battles between settlers from Pennsylvania and Connecticut who claimed land in the Wyoming Valley in northeast Pennsylvania. The day this letter was written, John Franklin, one of the Yankee leaders was sentenced by the Council of Pennsylvania to be kept in irons. The letter's verso and integral leaf show evidence that this is the original used in…

GLC02521

1 July 1863

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Manuscript document

Title: [Standing orders for the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg]

Clerical copy of the circular order for the Army of the Potomac for Gettysburg. Written before the battle took shape while Meade thought the major engagement would be fought at Harrisburg; orders a defensive stance. Explains the details this defensive position would take and provides specific orders for the movements of troops commanded by General Henry W. Slocum and General John F. Reynolds. Reprinted in Official Records Series I v. 27 pt. 3:458.

GLC02522

2 April 1799

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William North

Written by General Hamilton as commander of the Provisional Army to Brigadier General North. Says he has enclosed a letter from the Secretary of War that explains itself (the letter is not included here). Says he wishes to see North as soon he arrives in New York. Says if any measure is necessary for his temporary accommodation, in terms of a substitute, he will work with him. Says there is an immense need for someone to perform the duties of Adjutant General.

GLC02523

10 May 1777

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Captain's commission for William North]

Partly printed document signed by Hancock as President of Continental Congress and co-signed by Charles Thomson as Secretary of Congress. This commission gives William North the rank of captain. A later note at the top of the document, by North's son, says "This Commission went with my father in his bosom through the War of the Revolution." The condition of the document attests to this note. It's been folded many times and has been repaired. The docket on verso is faded and hard to read.

GLC02524

6 August 1777

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Resolve of Congress on General Gates's call for militia]

Written in the hand of William Churchill Houston as deputy secretary of the Continental Congress. Signed by Continental Congress President Hancock. It is noted that this is a copy from the Journals of Congress. Resolve issued in the aftermath of the fall of Fort Ticonderoga to the British. On 2 August 1777 Gates was given the permission of Congress to requisition from each state's militia the number of men he felt was necessary to defend against General John Burgoyne's advance. This resolve was sent to help Gates in his recruitment saying it is "impossible, in the present Circumstances of…

GLC02525

1830/10/18

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Header Record

Title: Letter by Andrew Jackson and engraving of him [Decimalized .01-.02]

A letter by President Andrew Jackson to Hardy M. Cryer, and an engraving of Jackson by A. B. Walter.

GLC02526

4 May 1798

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William North

Written by Jay as Governor of New York, offering a U.S. Senate seat to North. He was being offered the seat vacated by Judge John S. Hobart who had accepted a judgeship for the District of New York. Is very pleased to be able to offer this honor to North saying it is "a proper Mark of Respect to the opinion of the many members of both Houses, whose Votes would have assigned that place to you last winter, had not Judge Hobart been a Candidate." Would like an answer with the return of the express.

GLC02528.01

25 June 1798

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William North

Arrived in New York on 23 June 1798 and received North's letter of 22 June 1798. Written by Jay as Governor of New York to North as Senator from New York. North wrote soliciting advice on foreign affairs from Jay. Says the French alliance of 1777 should be considered void, but advises that a declaration of war should be avoided. Says war must seem unavoidable and necessary before the general public will give its approval of such drastic measures. Regrets the drastic measures of the Jacobins in France. Believes Elbridge Gerry's decision to remain in France after the XYZ Affair, while done out…

GLC02528.02

13 October 1803

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William North

Written by Jay in retirement to North, a former brigadier general and U.S. Senator working on his farm. Says he received North's letter of 22 September 1803 which stated Mr. Verplank would not authorize North to pay the creditors of Mr. DuBois's estate from the sale of his land. North had requested Jay's advice on how to proceed. Jay says he cannot form a proper judgment having not seen the papers concerning the trust. Says he should submit the matter to "two of our most eminent Counsellors at Law, and steadily and strictly follow their advice."

GLC02528.03

1786/05/04

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Page re: insights on England after visit: "that nation hates us"

Written while serving as U.S. Minister to France. Jefferson encloses a pamphlet (apparently Notes on the State of Virginia; not included), thanks Page for a steady stream of political news from America and records his observations upon returning from a visit to England. Jefferson comments that Notes on the State of Virginia "were written in haste & for his [i.e., Francois Barbe-Marbois] private inspection." based on his visit to England, Jefferson makes general observations on English farming, gardening, architecture and manufacture. Jefferson finds most disturbing the hatred of…

GLC02529

18 March 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Platt

Discusses the preliminary drawings of an artillery building at West Point which will include an ordnance store and a crane projecting from the building's pediment. Knox requests another building to serve as a laboratory.

GLC02531

24 November 1778

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Alexander

Laurens, as president of congress, writes to the Earl of Stirling about the distribution of "the Treaties of Amity & Commerce & of Alliance" with France and trade relations with the United Provinces. He also bemoans the loss of virtue and unity which America had in 1775, decrying avarice and profiteering.

GLC02532

1858/07/03

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Newspaper

Title: New-York weekly tribune. [Vol. 17, no. 877 (July 3, 1858)]

Lincoln speech at Republican State Convention, printed in the New-York Herald Tribune, vol. XVII no. 877. Speech appears on page 3 under the section "Republican Principles", titled "Speech of Hon. Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, at the Republican State Convention, June 16, 1858." This early printing shows the national attention Lincoln received for the speech of June 16, despite his loss to Douglas. Greeley endorses the speech in an editorial on page 4.

GLC02534

15 December 1778

Livingston, Robert, 1708-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his son [possibly his son-in-law, James Duane]

Discusses a snow storm that may work to the American troops' advantage as the roads are impassable. Mentions a food shortage and the rising costs of provisions. Assures the recipient that his family, under Livingston's care, is healthy. Asks about the developments in Congress and whether any news has arrived from France, England, or Spain. Wonders whether the British will allow the war to continue for another year. Encloses a letter for recipient's brother Robert (not included) and wishes him a happy holiday.

GLC02537.01

18 April 1779

Livingston, Robert, 1708-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Writes to his son-in-law about the state and activities of his iron works, where they were producing pig iron for Colonel Hay, Colonel Lewis, and General Schuyler. Mentions an upcoming meeting with the Governor of New York, in which he will let him know that "in case of no assistance no blame shall fall on me this is doing all what in reason can be Expected of me by my Country, at this critical moment." Also mentions inflation and the price of foodstuffs.

GLC02537.02

13 April 1781

Livingston, Robert, 1708-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Writes to his son-in-law with family news. Discusses being "greatly pestered with a band of robbers." Requests news from the southern front in the American Revolution, specifically if Nathanael Greene was successful against Lord Cornwallis and accounts of Benedict Arnold's activities. Mentions his hopes for aid from the Dutch and that "English pride may be curbed and brought to reason."

GLC02537.03

22 June 1865

Bailey, D.C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary E. Bailey

States that he is grateful and thanks God that he and his family have been safe from sickness and harm. Reports that a part of his regiment is in Madison and will probably be there for some time. He hopes that if he is to stay long somewhere, it is in a town that he is familiar with. Gives instructions on plowing around the potato crop, killing weeds, and shoeing his horses. He is being kept in a camp near Tennally Town, Washington D.C. to defend the city while the Lincoln assassination trials are going on. Reports that all the testimony from the trial has been taken. Hopes that the…

GLC02664

11 July - August 1863

Bachelder, John B. (John Badger), 1825-1894

Sketchbook

Title: [Sketchbook with drawings and notes on the Gettysburg campaign] [word processed inventory available]

Signed by Bachelder on the first blank page, "Jno. B Bachelder, Print Publisher, no. 123 Washington St. Boston." Drawings, pencil and watercolor sketches, and notes on the Gettysburg campaign. Includes sketches of Hanover Junction, PA, 11 July 1863; Rock Ridge Devil's Den Round Top, 23 July 1863; Gen. Meade's Headquarters, 19 August 1863; and Fair Oaks, 31 May 1862, but possibly drawn later. Other sketches include houses, fields, and the road into Gettysburg. 11 drawings total, many blank pages, some pages removed. Bound in black book marked "Sketch Book."

GLC02670.01

5 August 1869

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Document

Title: [Land deed for Sioux Indian Trust Lands]

Signed clerically. Also signed by L . Bunnitt as Secretary and M. Granger as Recorder of the General Land Office. Certifies that David S. Salisbury has paid for a tract of land from the Sioux Indian Trust lands. Marked no. 849.

GLC02671

1861-1864

Adjutant General's Office

Book

Title: General orders affecting the volunteer force. Adjutant General's office

The volume contains 3 years of the General Orders, for the years 1861, 1862, and 1863. Published by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. An index for each year is included. Inscriptions for Lt. Col. Barton at Fort Richardson, Virginia in November 1864 are included on front and back covers. Barton was the commander of the 3rd Brigade of the 22nd Army Corps. General Orders No. 1, dated January 2, 1863, is included announcing the Emancipation Proclamation. It is signed in print by Abraham Lincoln. Charts and graphs throughout, including some folded charts. Number of pages in the…

GLC02676