April 26, 1841

Tyler, John, 1790-1862, Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Letter signed

Title: to Joshua Spencer

Letter 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

26 September 1794

Header Record

Title: Alexander Hamilton letter and engraving [Decimalized]

GLC02908

1763-1783

Engraving

Title: [Engraving of a young Alexander Hamilton]

Note signed by Frederick Reynolds indicates the image was engraved in mezzotint and printed in color. Accompanied (but unrelated to) GLC02908.01.

GLC02908.02

1900-1930

Guthrie, Bayard, fl. 1871

Typed document signed

Title: Record of John B. Guthrie, U.S.A.

Guthrie's son recounts his father's service record in the United States Army from 1868 to 1900, including being stationed on the "Indian frontier 1881-1884." During that time, he kept the field notes for an expedition against the Apache in New Mexico in 1882 (see GLC04589.01). Has a autograph addition at the bottom that indicates Guthrie also served "in the Choctaw country during the troubles in...1893." Date estimated from the end of John Guthrie's service to Bayard Guthrie's final appearance in the census records.

GLC04589.02

1900-1930

Guthrie, Bayard, fl. 1871

Typed letter signed

Title: to Sirs

John B. Guthrie's son indicates that he is sending his father's original field notes from an expedition against the Apache in New Mexico in 1882 (see GLC04589.01). Also indicates that at that time his father was a 1st Lieutenant in the 13th U.S. Infantry and acting as the Adjutant to Lieutenant Colonel George A. Forsyth. Date estimated from the end of John Guthrie's service to Bayard Guthrie's final appearance in the census records.

GLC04589.03

30 October 1849

Manuscript document

Title: The Chugg Water Journal [Vol. 1, no. 3 (October 30, 1849)]

Handwritten third issue of the self-described "largest paper printed at Fort Laramie." Comments on submitted, and in most cases, rejected, articles. Discusses the problems of their "Polemical Editor." Contains a letter pertaining to agriculture and precious metals, another on poetry, and a note on hunting. Reports on a fire at the juvenile infirmary. Written at Fort Laramie

GLC05067.02

1849

Painting

Title: [Watercolor of Indian family standing in front of a teepee]

Appears to be trimmed down. Associated with two 1849 issues of "The Chugg Water Journal" from Fort Laramie (see GLC05067.01 and GLC0567.02).

GLC05067.03

7 December 1759

Ellis, Henry, 1721-1806

Letter signed

Title: to William H. Lyttelton (marked "copy")

Georgia Governor Ellis responds to South Carolina Governor Lyttelton's letter about illicit trade with the Cherokee Indians occurring in Georgia. Expresses his desire to discipline those involved with selling arms and ammunition to the Cherokee. Mentions John Williams as one of the people who they have information on; Ellis indicates that he is "determined to treat him with Severity." Also notes that he has sent a circular letter to the merchants supplying the traders (see GLC05228.02) which he hopes will deter them. Discusses the possibility of enlisting the aid of the Creeks in…

GLC05228.01

7 December 1759

Ellis, Henry, 1721-1806

Letter signed

Title: to John Rae, Lachlan McGillivray, Francis McCartan, and others

Circular letter from Georgia Governor Ellis to the merchants and storekeepers in Augusta, Georgia. Informs the merchants that he has learned from South Carolina Governor William H. Lyttelton of their involvement in "a clandestine and most pernicious traffick with the Indians especially the Cherokees." Forbids them from supplying traders with arms, ammunition, and other goods for the Cherokee, "who must be considered in a state of actual War with us." Threatens prosecution and the loss of future Indian trade licenses. Copy sent with a letter to Governor Lyttelton (see GLC05228.01)

GLC05228.02

1861-1865

Engraving

Title: [Engraving of Ulysses S.Grant]

Accompanied an unrelated note written by Grant (see GLC06035.01).

GLC06035.02

January 18, 1861

Booth, William A., fl. 1861

Printed document

Title: Memorial to Congress, Adopted at a Meeting of Citizens at the Rooms of the Chamber of Commerce

Signed in print by William A. Booth as committee chair and twenty seven other New Yorkers. The memorial, printed a few months before the outbreak of the Civil War, was made in an effort to maintain peace. It appointed a committee that met on 26 January 1861 to make recommendations for "compromise" with the rebel states. That committee called for capitulation to the South on the issue of slavery. They proposed amendments to the Constitution limiting federal power over slavery and its extension into territories below the line of the Missouri Compromise. Also asserts that the Fugitive Slave…

GLC08932

4 January 1868

Higginson, Thomas W., 1823-1911

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wendell P. Garrison

Writes to Garrison, the son of William Lloyd Garrison, about the "Slave Songs" Garrison sent him: "I certainly ought to have acknowledged the receipt of the Slave Songs...I think that you and your wife (who was the pioneer) have great reason to be satisfied...I was very sorry, though, not to see the works militant music."

GLC08937

November 1840

Printed document

Title: [Illinois Poll Book for electors the election of 1840]

Partially printed precinct poll book for presidential electors in New Lessington, Illinois. Abraham Lincoln was listed among those running to be an elector (he lost). The names of registered voters are written (in the same hand) down the left side of the sheet. Lincoln is the tenth potential elector listed across the top, one of five Whig candidates. His name misspelled "Abram Lincoln." On the top of one side a hand-written name is crossed out and "Henry Celtney" is written above it. The Whigs fared poorly in the precinct, although Harrison ultimately won the presidency.

GLC08938

17 September 1807

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Manuscript document

Title: [Slavery laws of the Indiana Territory]

Approved by Harrison and also signed by Jesse B. Thomas as Speaker of the House and B. Chambers as President of the Council (this is a copy). Title continues: "Laws of the Indiana Territory Comprising those Acts formerly in force and as Revised by Moses John Rice Jones and John Johnson and passed after amendments by the Legislature and the Original Acts passed at the first Session of the Second General Assembly of the said Territory ." Section labeled Chapter LXIV, "An Act Concerning the introduction of Negroes and Mullattoes into the Territory," which permits bringing slaves into…

GLC08939

22 May 1885

Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to Wendell P. Garrison

Writing to the son of William Lloyd Garrison, Purvis, an abolitionist and civil rights leader, answers several queries about the birth dates and places, deaths, and locations of important events among old guard abolitionists. He mentions James McCrummell, James Cassey, Joseph Sharpless, Mary Sharpless, and Frederick Hinton. Among the information he provides is his recollection that the "Declaration of Sentiments &c" was written at McCrummell's house. Also notes that he is glad to hear that Wendell has published the first volume of his father's biography.

GLC08943

1867-1868

Header Record

Title: [Two letters by Harrison Stearns, a former slave, to the wife of his former master] [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC08945

16 November 1867

Stearns, Harrison, fl. 1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Jane Ferris Stearns

In response to a letter from Mary, the wife of his former master, William F. Stearns, Harrison, a freed slave, offers condolence for William's death and inquires about a gift of land William promised him. Writes in part: "You said something bout conveying my lots to me. I had just write to mass Wiliam a little before his death...he promest to convey to me as soon as he could be satisfied that the laws of Miss. would allow colored people to hold land. Colored people has the same right to hold land as the white people."

GLC08945.01

January 14, 1868

Stearns, Harrison, fl. 1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Jane Ferris Stearns

Harrison, a freed slave, writes to Mary, the wife of his former master, William F. Stearns, to inform her that he received the deed for the gift of land William promised him (see GLC08945.01) and has had it recorded. Thanks her and indicates he will write to her in New York, where she is moving.

GLC08945.02

1893

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph note signed

Title: [Resignation as the Director and President of the Freedom Manufacturing Company]

Addressed to the companies Board of Directors. Accompanied by an (unrelated) engraving of Douglass by Augustus Robin of New York (see GLC08948.02).

GLC08948.01

1853

Griffiths, Julia, fl. 1895

Book

Title: Autographs for freedom

An anthology of signed articles, poems, etc., by men and women prominent in the anti-slavery movement. Includes Frederick Douglass's "The Heroic Slave." The signatures are in facsimile. Published by John P. Jewett and Company for the Rochester Anti-Slavery Society as a fund raiser. Edited by Griffiths, who signed (in print) in the preface: "On behalf of 'The Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society,' Julia Griffiths, Secretary."

GLC08949

10 October 1864

Mussey, Reuben D., 1833-1892

Manuscript document

Title: [Report on the status of U. S. colored troops in the Department of the Cumberland]

Detailed account regarding recruitment, military efficiency, and attitude of whites toward colored troops in the Department of the Cumberland. Mussey has just suceeded Major George L. Stearns as "commisioner for organization U. S. Colored troops in the Department of the Cumberland," so his report focuses largely on his predecessors tenure. Gives a general history of Stearn's tenure. States public sentiment first opposed recruitment of colored troops, but that Stearns worked to improve attitudes. Colored soldiers have performed well in limited duty. Discusses success of recruiting in…

GLC08951

2 September 1843

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Calvin Colton

Suggestions for a pamphlet opposing Abolitionists. "Shew that the agitation of the question in free states will first destroy all harmony and finally lead to disunion. That the consequences of disunion - perpetual War - the extinction of the African race - ultimate military despotism...The slaves being free would be dispersed throughout the union; they wd. enter into competition with the American, the Irish, the German, and the free Colored; reduce his wages; be confounded with him; & affect his moral & social standing...Show...That the object is to unite in marriage the laboring…

GLC08952

1846-1847

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Header Record

Title: Two orders by George McClellan during the Mexican War [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC08953

26 September 1846

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph document signed

Title: Order No 12

Orders to his company of engineers on board the "Clinton" stating that there is no smoking between decks, only officers are allowed in certain areas, roll calls will be at Reveille, Retreat, and Tattoo, inspections will be nightly, gives schedule for the day, and explains proper dress and schedule. Written on board the "Clinton" at sea, during the Mexican War. Remnants of what appear to me a nautical log are pasted on verso. A note explaining the document pasted on front.

GLC08953.01

4 May 1847

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph document signed

Title: Orders no 25

Orders his men to "lead the march to the enemy capital," of Mexico City, during the Mexican War. Warns his men not to straggle as "The impotent & cowardly enemy propose to wage the war of the assassin - war to the knife." Promises that soon they will recieve new clothing, rest and payment. It is clear that the weather has made many of McClellan's men sick and weak. Also signed by McClellan for Major General Worth.

GLC08953.02