December 10, 1786

Stephen, Adam, 1718-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio Gates

Describes his visions of lava flows, overflowing oceans and ghosts (sounds almost Blakean). Mentions places all over the globe and gives strange account of manufacturing snowshoes from a pattern from Greece. Stephen as Major General in the Revolution led a division which accidentally fought troops of Anthony Wayne at Germantown, was accused of intoxication, and was subsequently dismissed in 1777. Seller's description says he apparently became insane after this.

GLC02021

10 October 1778

Gaylord, Moses, Mrs., fl. 1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: Mrs. Moses Gaylord

Connecticut Revolutionary War soldier's letter to his wife in West Hartford. Mentions that there is not much news. Says a flag of truce was flown after a packet of materials came in from Congress. Suspects that it involves the exchange of 500 French troops in New London. Describes the fortifications at Fort Griswold and Fort Trumbull. Says he saw several privateers and captured ships in the harbor. Says they will fire their cannons from the forts on 17 October in remembrance of Burgoyne's surrender on 17 October 1777.

GLC02023

22 October 1862

Parsons, Mosby Monroe, 1822-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander E. Steen

General Parsons writes to General Alexander E. Steen: "I am desirous of meeting you and Col. Shaver at my room this evening... " (possibly referring to Colonel Robert G. Shaver).

GLC02026

13 June 1865

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

Endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement authorizing U.S. Navy to store munitions at Fort Mifflin]

Document signed by Commodore Henry K. Hoff as Inspector of Ordnance. Written to Commander Henry Alexander Wise as the Chief of Bureau of Ordnance. Marked "No. 272" Says there is enough room for 500 barrels of powder in the magazine at Fort Mifflin. Contains several dockets on the recto of second page. There is a second signature of Hoff as well as a note with the illegible signature R. Julick of the Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance that says General Alexander B. Dyer was asked about storing powder in Fort Mifflin. There is a note dated 14 June and signed by General Dyer saying the…

GLC02027

1862

Holmes, fl. 1862

Broadside

Title: Attention! Company! [Recruiting broadside for New York 156th Infantry]

Announcment made by Lieutenant Holmes, the recruiting officer of the regiment. His first name could not be discovered. Printed by Hommel's Power Press Printing in Kingston, New York. Depicts large eagle holding scroll reading "The Union must be preserved." Recruits are asked for Captain P.H. Decker's company of Colonel Erastus Cooke's regiment. Headquarters is at the Ulster County House, in Kingston. Dated from the first year the regiment was mustered into the Union Army. Was previously folded into quarters. Small hole at the bottom was repaired.

GLC02028

21 June 1865

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Mercer Brooke

Written by Acting Rear Admiral Lee as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Brooke, a former Confederate naval officer seeking amnesty. References that the preceding page of this letter was a copy of the letter he sent to the president on his behalf. Says he would have lauded his abilities as a seaman, navigator, and hydrographer, but thought to dwell too much on them would be a cause of complaint against him. Claims that "I have felt that if I had not been sent out of the country in the fall of 1860 that I might have helped to save some of my honest Navy friends who were so cruelly misled…

GLC02029.02

15 April 1865

McClees, J.E., fl. 1855-1865

Broadside

Title: Announcement of death of Lincoln

Announces the death of President Lincoln to the soldiers at the U.S. General Hospital. Signed on verso by Jacob Campbell, Company S, 2nd Regiment, PA with a short note bidding farewell to the "sacred evil of old Virginia."

GLC02030

3 August 1862

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Marked unofficial. Brigadier General Hayes writes, as Lieutenant Colonel of the 23rd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, to Scammon, his superior, as commander of the 1st Brigade. Expresses his disappointment over the detention of a Mr. Landcraft and a Mrs. Roberts. States, "I believe Mr. L is a good man and friendly to us and our cause." Of Mrs. Roberts he states, "has a rebel husband, but she is a lady and a mother. Her detention is needless, therefore cruel and I think disgraceful. Mr. L we can keep on suspicion, no great harm done, but to prosecute Mrs. R. is a business that I want to be…

GLC02032

17 July 1862

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Writes to Scammon, his superior and colonel commanding the 1st brigade, concerning safeguarding Union loyalists in West Virginia. Mentions a Mr. Caldwell, who wants to get his family out of Mouros. Describes his plan to follow them and asks for approval. "...I will take say six or eight Cos of 23rd & 20 of Capt. Gilmore's Cavalry and two waggons and go after them. Leave here so as to cross the ferry soon after dark - go say five miles and bivouac..." Hayes signs as Lieutenant Colonel, 23rd Infantry. Docketed by Scammon. Written at Camp Green Meadows- located between New River and…

GLC02033

1865/04/03

Lard, A.P., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C.W. Rugg

Describes his entrance into Richmond and the cheering which the Union flag received. Envelope with 3 cent (1861) pink stamp, postmarked.

GLC02034.01

November 10, 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Photograph signed

Title: [Carte de visite on U.S.S. Hartford with Capt. Drayton]

Carte de visite depicting Farragut and Drayton standing near a steering wheel. Also signed on verso by Capt. P. Drayton.

GLC02035

26 August 1863

Broadside

Title: The Draft in Berks County

Extra from the "B. & S. Journal" -- the Berks and Schuylkill Journal. Broadside lists men drafted in the first Northern draft by town, with occupation, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Lists the names of men from 16 different towns. Mentions number of men enrolled in the draft and the number drafted above the names. Was previously folded.

GLC02036

2 January 1843

Gragg, John W., fl. 1843

Autograph document signed

Title: [Bill of sale to Andrew Johnson for a slave girl named Dolly]

John W. Gragg sells Dolly to Andrew Johnson for $500. Gragg signs with his mark, an "x." Cosigned by William M. Lowry, a witness. Dolly is "aged about nineteen years." Docket was written and signed by Andrew Johnson.

GLC02041

1865/01/10

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis, re: the waning strength of Confederate forces

Signed as commander in chief of Confederate forces. Lee comments particularly and generally about the positions held by his generals and the weakened condition of all armies.

GLC02042

6 March 1830

Biddle, Nicholas, 1786-1844

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Rochester

As President of the Bank of the United States, Biddle clarifies some rules and regulations concerning lending funds. Explains that the security of two responsible, known persons is necessary and advises Rochester, a banker in Buffalo, New York, to look for parties near him to whom he can resort.

GLC02044

December 31, 1817

Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elihu Chauncey

Writes concerning his bank balance. States that he sent a messenger to the bank who reported his balance to be $3614.49 which worries him because he wrote a check yesterday for $10,000. Asks Chauncey to check on this and if his balance is really below $10,000 to hold the check until he can sell some stock to make up the difference. Remarks at the end, "But I hope all Trouble will be saved, by finding that my funds are sufficient, as I can hardly think it possible that I could have been guilty of so great a blunder." Post script note states, "The public Debt will be carried to my Credit, I…

GLC02045

1813/12/28

Brown, Jacob, 1775-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Newbould

General Brown forwards $300 to pay interest on a bond. Notes that his quarters are good and that supplies are coming to his town. Indicates that he is not worried by the enemy forces in the vicinity and welcomes an attack, because it would "give me another chance for acquiring military reputation and of promoting the honor...of my Country." In a postscript, seeks Newbould's candid opinion of the army.

GLC02047

February 21, 1891

Cooke, Jay, fl. 1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to F. N. Barrett

Responding from a letter from Barrett, a journalist, who had requested permission to print a letter from him. He has no objection to the publication of the letter "if names were suppressed." Advocates free-coinage of silver. Written on personal stationery and marked private.

GLC02048

20 July 1792

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Document signed

Title: [Circular letter to port collectors]

Printed circular letter signed by Hamilton as Secretary of Treasury. Points out common errors in customs collection.

GLC02052

circa April 1870

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Document signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant re: petition for executive clemency for Mrs. William Mason

Autograph note signed as Governor of Ohio, appended to a petition (and character testimonial) for Mrs. William Mason (nee Sarah Anderson), jailed for postal fraud. Also with the notes and endorsements of the U.S. Judge, Marshall and Sheriff, all on the second page.

GLC02053

13 June 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Parole releasing prisoner of war Augustus Powell to his father's custody]

Releases Powell, a prisoner of war at Alton, Illinois to his father, John M. Powell. Written on Executive Mansion stationery. Pencil autograph endorsement signed by E.M. Stanton, Secretary of War, states this was referred to General Hitchcock (Ethan Allen Hitchcock, a Union general). Reads: "Allow John M. Powell, bearer of this, to have custody of his son, Augustus Powell, now prisoner of war at Alton, he John M. Powell, being responsible for the good behavior of the son, & for his return, if required. A. Lincoln."

GLC02054

20 June 1792

Russell, Benjamin, 1761-1845

Newspaper

Title: Columbian centinel. [Vol. 17, no. 29 (June 20, 1792)].

Benjamin Russell listed as the printer and publisher, located on State Street. Discusses the newly established United States Mint, enacted by the United States Congress on Monday October 21, 1791 and approved by the President May 8, 1792. Lists Jonathan Trumbull as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard Henry Lee as President pro tempore of the Senate, George Washington as President of the United States, and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State.

GLC01998.02

1816/03/19

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to Robert Patterson

Signed as Secretary of State to the Director of the Mint, Patterson. The Mint, in Philadelphia, was being repaired. It was unaffected by the British invasion of Washington.

GLC02002

29 March 1922

Harding, Warren G., 1865-1923

Typed letter signed

Title: to Edna Sheldon Blair

President Harding rejects Blair for appointment as a civil service commissioner, "in view of the fact that there is one woman serving on the Board already I have not thought it preferable to consider a woman applicant for the vacancy." Concludes that he will be "glad when the suitable opportunity offers to grant you the recognition you deserve." Written on White House stationery.

GLC02008

8 August 1807

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [Land grant for Toppan Webster].

Countersigned by Secretary of State James Madison. Grants 100 acres to Webster, an assignee of Samuel Jess, on the basis of the act of Congress appropriating land for former soldiers and for the society of the United Brethren. The act had been approved by the fourth Congress in June 1796. Signed as President of the United States.

GLC02010