December 11, 1773

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Adams predicts a breach between America and Britain and writes that "Nothing, but equal Liberty and kind Treatment can Secure the Attachment of the Colonies to Britain." He argues that London's "Experiments" in public revenue will open trade to the Dutch or "will erect an independent Empire in America."

GLC01787

September 24, 1776

Folsom, Nathaniel, 1726-1790

Letter signed

Title: to Artemas Ward

Letter signed as chairman of the Committee of Public Safety as the Exeter Committee of Safety prepares for war. Reports that one thousand men are marching towards New York to serve in Washington's army. Has sent this letter as an express to Boston to determine whether ammunition should be sent along with New Hampshire's troops.

GLC01460

December 28, 1870

Howard, Oliver Otis, 1830-1909

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodore Roosevelt, Sr.

Thanks him for an invitation to the celebration for the emancipation of Rome by Italian forces. In 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War, Napoleon III withdrew his troops from Rome. Italian troops moved into the city, and Rome voted for union with Italy in October 1870. Howard was commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau from 1865 until 1872. Signed as Brigadier General and Commissioner of Freedmen.

GLC01464

July 15, 1879

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. M.A. Bosbyshell

Douglass cannot help Mrs. Bosbyshell obtain the postage stamps she asked for. Advises her to apply to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the President of Liberia, or the Post Master General of Bolivia.

GLC01467

August 1, 1801

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed letter signed

Title: to Consuls and Commercial Agents of the United States

Circular letter instructing the recipients to issue only the enclosed sample Sea-letter (not included) to vessels so that ships owned by American citizens could be identified (and property protected) and fraud from forged seals and sea-letters could be prevented. Also discusses issuing certificates of health to avoid unnecessary quarantines and the consuls' duties relating to the relief of seamen. Letter signed as Secretary of State.

GLC01470

8 November 1879

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal for commutation of sentence imposed upon Isaac Jacobson].

Partly printed document signed as President.

GLC01472

April 7, 1853

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lizzie Ellicott

Jocular letter where he talks of mutual acquaintances, taking a trip east in June, and other trivial matters. Promises her that when he becomes President, Mr. Pike will receive a diplomatic appointment "and you shall enjoy old world sights for me."

GLC01473

14 July 1832

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Samuel J. Bayard to as Clerk of the Commission]

Appointing Bayard as Clerk of the Commission for "carrying into effect the Treaty of limits between the Untied States and the United Mexican States," a treaty establishing the border. Countersigned by Secretary of State Edward Livingston. Affixed with paper seal of the United States.

GLC01475

7 June 1866

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of Patrick Joyce Jr. and John Handley, convicted of larceny].

On March 1866, Patrick Joyce Jr. and John Handley were convicted of larceny, sentenced to serve a one year imprisonment. Pardon was requested by the Mayor of Washington and a large number of respectable citizens Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC01476

December 4, 1786

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Refers to Washington's resignation as head of the Order of the Cincinnati. Describes a settlement he left after receiving a request to take command of the Massachusetts state militia, which was needed to suppress Shays' Rebellion. In response to a question from Washington, Lincoln discusses Shays' Rebellion in detail: the anger it is arousing, its causes, his expectation of bloodshed, the role of debt, and the rebellions current advantages. He writes that "In Short the want of industry economy & common honesty Seem to be the causes of the present commotions." Includes a postscript note…

GLC01478

November 7, 1786

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Washington writes to Lincoln asking for a report on Shays's rebellion. He writes "Are your people getting mad?"

GLC01479

June 30, 1881

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Telegram

Title: to wife

Manuscript telegram entirely in the hand of the telegrapher, concerning personal matters. Written on Executive Mansion Telegram stationery. Telegram to wife, in clerical hand, 2 days before being shot.

GLC01480

April 20, 1813

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Monroe

Letter written in his neatest hand. Adams thanks Secretary of State Monroe for a favorable report concerning his son's diplomatic service, at St. Petersburg, and alluding to the appointment of his son to peace commissioner. John Quincy had been appointed peace commissioner on April 17, with Russia as mediator between the U.S. and Britain, but the attempt proved abortive. However, young Adams remained and was eventually part of the peace commission the negotiated at Ghent. John Adams seems to be recalling his own diplomatic service during the Revolution as a peace commissioner and how it…

GLC01481

August 18, 1807

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caesar A. Rodney

Letter written as President to his Attorney General. Recipient from address leaf. Free franked. Written in Monticello. Discusses transmitting documents for trial of Aaron Burr.

GLC01483

8 October 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Authority to affix the seal to letter of marque to R. B. Forbes]

Authorization signed by President Lincoln for the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to a letter of marque granted to the propeller "Pembroke," owned by R.B. Forbes. Document was previously framed and discoloration has occured where the document was exposed to the sunlight.

GLC01484

April 19, 1844

Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Silas M. Stilwell

Encloses further respite of execution for David Babe, alias William Brown. Silas M. Stillwell was the U.S. Marshall at New York.

GLC01486

February 4, 1926

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Typed manuscript signed

Title: [Analysis of the Lincoln-Douglas debates]

One typed document created by William H. Taft dated February 4, 1926. Pertains to the debate of slavery between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. Two lines inserted in Taft's hand on page 14 and numerous other corrections. Signed and dated by Taft on the last page.

GLC01488

1 June 1826

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Printed document signed

Title: [Commission of James W. Ripley as Captain in the Fourth Regiment of Artillery]

Engraved document signed by Adams as president and countersigned by James Barbour as secretary of war. Includes a paper seal. A note on the side signed by "R. Jones" indicated that it was "Registered Vol: 2 page 59" in the attorney general's office. Ripley later became a general in the Civil War.

GLC01492

July 20, 1861

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Informs his wife, Jane, of his travels from Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., through Alexandria with a company of 120 men, supported by artillery men from Rhode Island Governor William Sprague's "celebrated Rhode Island Battery." States that he is in camp south of Alexandria, and will march for Fairfax Court House in the morning en route to Bull Run. Reports that the previous day at Bull Run, the Union lost several hundred men, while Confederate forces lost over one thousand. Refers to the actions of the New York and Massachusetts 8th Regiments. Writes, "A Desperate fight has been…

GLC01505.01

July 10, 1863

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Informs his wife that he arrived in Washington, D. C. the previous day. Referring to his introduction to Colonel Windham, an Englishman, he states "I hate foreigners particularly the dutch- Windham offered me a very nice place but I asked to be sent to the field." Received orders to report to General [George] Mead[e]. States that only three officers (Solen, Carpenter, and Balk) of the 6th United States Cavalry were not killed, wounded, or captured. Describes injuries sustained by Balder, McQuisten, Claflin, Cram, Paulding, and Chaffee, stating that only 108 men are left in the regiment.…

GLC01505.02

June 17, 1801

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to David Lenox

Forwards papers to Lenox concerning British impressment of American seamen because they possibly allude to one such impressed citizen, John Stafford.

GLC01511

December 28, 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Montgomery Meigs

Lincoln is having Captain Asher R. Eddy relieved of duty as a Quarter Master in Springfield, Illinois because "a 'snarl' has somehow gotten up between him & [the State Government], which must be broken up." He asks Quartermaster General Meigs to replace Eddy and reassign him to an equally important post.

GLC01514

August 12, 1851

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William M. Lowry

Letter written as Congressman. Marked "Private" at the top of first page. Johnson relates that he is powerless to stop Lowry from being removed from his position as postmaster in Greeneville, Tennessee: "So you may consider the die as being cast." Mentions that an article will be released to the Nashville newspapers, such as the (Greeneville, Tennessee) Spy, regarding Lowry's removal. Counsels, "Do as Caesar did in the Roman Senate: adjust your robe and fall as decent as possible."

GLC01516

March 23, 1867

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sherman

Garfield argues that Dr. C. Woodworth, a nominee for postmaster of Trumbull County, Ohio, is nominated solely because he is an acquaintance of President Johnson: "It is only another evidence that the President is unwilling to listen to the wishes of the people." This contradicts the expressed wishes of the electorate in Trumbull County, who signed a petition to appoint Henry H. Townsend, a soldier. Declares, "I have received many letters and telegrams molesting against the appointment of Woodworth, and therefore respectfully recommend that his nomination be rejected by the Senate." Letter…

GLC01517

March 22, 1933

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ellison DuRant Smith

Letter concerns Smith's amendment to the farm bill of 1933. Worries that he may lose the support of organized farm forces. Advises him to discuss the bill with Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace. Date inferred from contents. Written on White House stationary.

GLC01520