6 August 1792

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Document signed

Title: [Circular letter to port collectors about payment of duties]

Printed circular letter about payment of duties when less than $50, and custom duties on brass, tea, etc. Signed by Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton.

GLC01639

September 1862

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Samuel G. French

A page extracted from his letterbook (signed twice) discussing the defense of North Carolina and Virginia. Informs French that "the people of Onslow County N.C." passed a resolution regarding the defense of North Carolina. The resolution was sent to President Davis, and Smith hopes "conflict between State and Confederate laws" can be avoided. Also inquires if French is prepared to defend "Weldon, Petersburg or Richmond," and the surrounding area. The letter is undated but sent to Zebulon Baird Vance as the Governor of North Carolina. Vance was inaugurated on September 8, 1862, so the letter…

GLC01641

May 18, 1862

Hardee, William Joseph, 1815-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sterling Alexander Martin Wood

Confederate General Hardee discusses the impending battle of Corinth. Explains that his sickness, and "the possibility that I might be unable to command this army corps," makes establishing a chain of succession vital. He thanks Wood for relinquishing his claim to command to Bushrod Johnson. Hardee then commanded the 3rd Corps, Army of the Mississippi.

GLC01642

January 7, 1865

Humes, William Young Conn, 1830-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George William Brent

Confederate General Humes discusses his request for 1,000 yards of cloth from the Army of Tennessee to distributed for sale among the officers of his division. He explains that his officers have never before drawn clothing from the government and that many of them are "almost destitute of clothing." Letter written from Humes Headquarters in Georgia.

GLC01643

February 1, 1815

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Levett Harris

Adams thanks Harris, the United States Charge d'Affaires in Russia, for obtaining and sending Adams' passport while Adams attended peace negotiations in Ghent. He refers to European peace proceedings in Vienna, stating that "The late symptoms of a coalition between France and England are the strongest guaranty of the continuance of Peace." He informs Harris that his wife, Louisa Catherine Adams, is in charge of several financial transactions in Adams' absence.

GLC01644

November 27, 1830

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Heaton

Harrison thanks Heaton for his continued support. He describes at length a "project" by "political friends" and others to denounce him so as to destroy his chances for election to the Senate. States that, "There is no one I believe who knows me that can for a moment entertain the opinion that I would change my political principles for personal advantage." Letter addressed to Heaton in Butler County, Ohio.

GLC01645

circa 1856

Speer, John, 1817-1906

Printed document signed

Title: [Petition to Governor John White Geary]

Speer and others sign the petition, directed to Governor Geary. Petitioners argue that a group of the Territory's best citizens are unjustly held in prison. The men were arrested for resisting the establishment of a pro-slavery government in Kansas. Signed by sixty five men, including Speer. Circa date based on the term of Geary's governorship of the Kansas Territory, which lasted less than one year.

GLC01647

August 3, 1882

James, Frank, 1844-1915

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anna Ralston James

In pencil, James writes to his wife regarding how much he misses her and their son, Robie. He speaks of a letter from Liv and says "we are all bound to have an opinion on every subject and let Liv have hers, and you, our friend, and myself will have ours." With an added note, he writes "This day is one ever to be remembered by [sic] 4 months ago to day Jesse was foully murdered." He signs the letter as Ben.

GLC01648

August 7, 1882

James, Frank, 1844-1915

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John N. Edwards

James expresses concern that Edwards has not written to him. Worries about his reputation while evading authorities, stating: " ... it is harder still to rest content beneath the harrowing reflection that ones character, his mind, his heart, his entire nature is misunderstood- misconstrued ... " Refuses to accept Missouri Governor Thomas Crittenden's offer of turning "State's Evidence" against comrades. Feels that stooping "so low as to place a comrades life....in jeopardy" was "beneath the dignity of a man or the principles of a Christian." Postscript mentions concern for the welfare of his…

GLC01649

July 8, 1898

Bates, John C., 1842-1919

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Joseph Wheeler

Bates writes, from "in front [of] Santiago," "I have swung my line forward so that it is now along the bluff next to the city. Am holding the 9th Mass. to cover any turning movement the enemy might make around my left flank. It was my intention, as soon as the truce was over, to feel out on the left to see if more advantageous positions could be secured. I should therefore be sorry to lose the 9th now. While I feel that I can make good use of them, the regiment will be returned to you at once if you say so."

GLC01650

September 1, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Lyons

Davis informs Lyons that General Robert E. Lee sent a dispatch indicating that General William B. Taliaferro was slightly wounded at Manassas Junction (during the second Battle of Manassas, AKA Bull Run). He does not want Lyons to be alarmed by "exaggerated reports." Lyons was a representative from Virginia in the Confederate Congress.

GLC01651

January 24, 1862

Pendleton, Alexander Swift, 1840-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rose Pendleton

Alexander "Sandie" Pendleton, Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson's aide, writes to his sister about his trip to Winchester, Virginia, from Romney, Virginia, where Confederate generals Richard Garnett and William Loring had their winter quarters. He asks her to send him clothes and boots (his shoes had been stolen). Discusses family correspondence and visits. Comments on the children playing around him as he writes. Letter written during Jackson's Shenandoah Valley campaign.

GLC01652

December 26, 1864

Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances Lucretia Thomas

Letter addressed to Mrs. Thomas (possibly Frances Thomas, formerly Kellogg), wife of Union General George H. Thomas. Tower, chief engineer of the defenses of Nashville, describes the December 15-16 Battle of Nashville. Thomas, commanding Union forces at Nashville against Confederate General John Bell Hood. Referring to Thomas, he writes "to inform you how beautifully matters have transpired here since you left & how glorious the Gen has demolished the Rebel Army of Hood who had the presumption to fancy it in his power to besiege Nashville..." Mentions Generals John McAllister Schofield (…

GLC01654

7 May 1863

Manuscript

Title: [Casualties of Battle of Chancellorsville May 2 & 3, 1863]

Field report listing soldiers killed, wounded, and missing from the First Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers Infantry in the Civil War Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia. Contains the name, rank, and company of each soldier. Lists nine men as being killed on either 2 or 3 May 1863, 44 wounded with remarks on the injury sustained, and 42 identified as missing. Created at camp near Falmouth, Virginia.

GLC01655

December 3, 1755

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hunter

With autograph free frank. Franklin says that "By our late Act I am engag'd in the Disposition of the 60,000 pounds," money given to him by the Pennsylvania legislature to raise a militia for defense of the state's borders during the French and Indian war. He then asks about "a train of artillery, arms, etc." arriving in Virginia. A personal letter.

GLC01656

July 18, 1821

Carroll, Charles, 1737-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Samuel Cardell

Discusses being chosen as an honorary member of a literary society and states that he is honored to be among such distinguished ranks. Encloses a donation check for $100 to the Society. Letter written from Carroll's manor, Doughoragen, in Maryland.

GLC01658

March 9, 1794

Clinton, DeWitt, 1769-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses a Congressional bill passed for fortifying New York City. Believes that a civic project like this will bode the republican interest well. Mentions opponents of the bill and the heady task they have in defending their side. Questions the delay in building the fortifications since they are needed now and that in the time it takes for timber to be gathered and builders hired, the citizens will suffer. Writes that those against the bill were mostly from upstate and were led by General Schuyler and Mr. Van Rensselaer. Discusses the possible unconstitutionality of passing a bill…

GLC01659

20 August 1857

Lee, Stephen D., 1833-1908

Document signed

Title: [Discharge papers for Henry White]

Signed by Lee as mustering officer. Signed by Robert Duke Bradley as Captain, Florida Volunteers. States that White, who enrolled in Bradley's company of volunteers 21 February 1857, is discharged from service after serving his six month term. Describes White, who was born in Georgia, as having "Dark complexion, Black eyes, Black hair," and states that he was a farmer at the time of his enlistment. Partially printed on United States Volunteer Service stationery. Written at Fort Dade

GLC01660

February 28, 1854

Price, Sterling, 1809-1867

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of George Stewart, convicted of assault with intent to kill]

Stewart was convicted of assault with intent to kill; sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. Pardoned for "good and sufficient reasons". Encribed along top: "The State of Missouri." (c/s John M. Richardson). Pardon is printed on blue paper. Signed by Governor John M. Richardson and Sterling Price.

GLC01661

December 29, 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Ambrose E. Burnside

Lee writes a letter to Burnside discussing the fate of Capt. E. P. Lawton. Captain Lawton, apparently a Confederate being held in Alexandria and probably mortally wounded, had asked to be visited by his wife. Lee's letter acknowledges receipt of Burnside's offer of conveyance for Mrs. Lawton.

GLC01663

April 15, 1865

Imboden, John Daniel, 1823-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Gibbs

Confederate General Imboden encloses an approved application for leave for a man named Borlay (not present) and hopes the recipient (likely Colonel George Gibbs, de facto commandant of Andersonville) will be cured by his visit to Florida. Mentions Confederate prison department news and states he has heard General Daniel Ruggles was appointed Commissary General of Prisoners. Informs him of his request to obtain field command in Virginia again, with the implication that Gibbs could earn promotion to general and assignment to Imboden's position of commander of All Military Prisons West of the…

GLC01664

20 June 1862

Wood, Sterling Alexander Martin, 1823-1891

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Report on Battle of Shiloh]

General Wood's explanation of his own actions at the Battle of Shiloh, sent to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The report appears to be in response to negative testimony about Wood's conduct given by Judge Walters. Wood details all of his own actions during the battle, and denies the charges Walters has made. Wood describes the chaos that surrounded the entire battle, and the actions of himself and his regiment, mostly around Shiloh Church. Written at "Head Quarters 3d Brigade." The pages are joined by a ribbon.

GLC01666

September 30, 1854

McClellan, George B., 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

McClellan, Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, describes the Island of Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic) geographically and politically to Davis, Secretary of War. Relays information about Hispaniola obtained from the German explorer Sir Robert Hermann Schomburgk. Referring to Hispaniola, he states "there are no indications of either commercial or agricultural prosperity."

GLC01669

20 June 1776

Howe, Richard Howe, Earl, 1726-1799

Manuscript document

Title: Official French copy of Benjamin Franklin-Richard Howe letters [in French]

First letter dated 20 June 1776, written aboard the Eagle off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, is from Admiral Richard Howe to Benjamin Franklin. Encloses official dispatches (not present) outlining his mission of peace with the colonies. Mentions in his postscript that his brother, General William Howe, will act as a fellow peace commissioner. Franklin replies on 30 July 1776 from Philadelphia. Refuses the offers of a pardon in the case of the colonies' surrender, as outlined in the official documents referred to by Howe. Rejects the idea of surrender and excoriates the British Empire for what…

GLC01670

1675

Penn, William, 1644-1718

Pamphlet

Title: England's present interest discovered, with honour to the prince, and safety to the people.

Advocates religious freedom in England. With heraldic bookplate of Robert Cony. Published seven years before Penn's founding of Pennsylvania.

GLC01672