20 December 1885

Melville, Herman, 1819-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Billson

Thanks Billson, an English admirer, for two volumes of the English poet James Thomson, including "Essays & Phantasies," "Bumble," "Indolence," and "The Poet." Praises Thomson's writing, " ... each is so admirably honest and original and informed throughout with the spirit of the noblest natures ... " Laments that the works would have to be cut down to appeal to popular taste. Remarks on Thomson's lack of fame and dismisses literary fame as cheap. "And it must have occurred to you as it has to me, that the further our civilization advances upon its present lines so much the cheaper…

GLC05260

13 April 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Discusses Fries' Rebellion in Pennsylvania (a taxpayer revolt against the first federal property tax), a recommendation for a commission, and reorganization of the army.

GLC05261

6 August 1812

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel B. Malcolm

Remarks upon Malcolm's decision to keep himself free of a political party and asks if he has considered the consequences. ". . . this Maxim, has rarely failed to annihilate the Influence of the Man who adopts it and very often exposed him to the tragical Vengence of all Parties." Thoughtfully examines the need for political parties despite their evils. Discusses at length "These two Tyrants... Fashion and Party." Comments that he is sorry Malcolm has left his practice and the bar and would like to see his publications. Condemns the practice of dueling in America stating it is carried…

GLC05262

1823/05/09

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter signed

Title: to unknown re: reflecting on his Presidency (signed after illness)

Signed with a very shaky hand, apparently after suffering a stroke. Important letter in which Adams reflects on the foreign affairs of his presidency, especially the Quasi War and the convention of 1800. "... there was war between St. Dennis [i.e., France] and St. George [Britain], [and] each had an army in America constantly skirmishing with each other, and both of them constantly stabbing me with lancets, spikes and spears. [M]y sole object was to preserve the peace and neutrality of the country, and thank God, I obtained [it], at the loss of my power and fame, with both sides."

GLC05263

1813/09/15

Perry, Oliver Hazard, 1785-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William H. Harrison

Requests funds for the maintenance of prisoners during the War of 1812. Written aboard the schooner Ariel.

GLC05264.02

27 April 1835

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Letter signed

Title: to George A. Waggaman

Massachusetts Senator Webster informs Waggaman, a former Senator from Louisiana, that Webster's friend, Mr. Loring, will be visiting New Orleans. Commends Loring to Waggaman's notice.

GLC05264.04

1880 ca.

Blaine, James Gillespie, 1830-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James E. Fitch re: transmittal letter with enclosure, on a decision, w/ cover

GLC05264.05

1948/07/08

Dewey, Thomas Edmund, 1902-1971

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mary M. McBride re: thanks for letter, radio

On stationery as governor.

GLC05264.06

June 11, 1952

Photograph signed

Title: [Thomas E. Dewey]

Half length black and white portrait inscribed to Harry Stern.

GLC05264.07

10 June 1820

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caesar A. Rodney

Written as Speaker of the House. Acknowledges Rodney's letter of 22 May 1820. Rodney asked Clay to hold off on retiring from the House of Representatives, but Clay is adamant, saying "I have reasons, altogether of a private nature, for retiring from the H. of R. which if it were worth while to trouble you with them, I think you would admit justifys my resolution." Says he believes in the maxim of one belonging to his country, but says now is not the time to sacrifice himself since he predicts the country will be at peace for the short term. Believes there is interesting matters to take care…

GLC05265

16 March 1755

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Franklin

Writes to his brother regarding an unscrupulous blackmith and the ensuing trouble from his shoddy handiwork. Asks his brother to tarnish the smith's name. Franklin ends with a pun on the smith's supposed regard for the 8th Commandment: "Thou shalt not Steel."

GLC05267

26 November 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Smith Hamilton

Grant, commander of the Army and Department of the Tennessee and commander of the 13th Corps, organizes troop movement in preparation for his Vicksburg campaign. Orders Hamilton to be prepared to move with his entire command southward, except for one regiment of General John McArthur's Division now in charge of contrabands. Discusses the movement of troops commanded by McArthur and Isaac Ferdinand Quinby. Writes that William Tecumseh Sherman will be leaving Memphis, Tennessee, and will arrive at Holly Springs, Mississippi the same day as Grant's forces. Discusses details regarding the…

GLC05268

1844/02/22

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin F. Butler

Thanks Butler, who in 1815 defended Jackson's actions at New Orleans. Says that no matter how the Senate rules he knows the measures he took were necessary and that "I acted in the defence of New Orleans with the purest principles of a patriot." Relates his poor health and confidence that Van Buren will be the Democratic Nominee for President. When Jackson was defending the city of New Orleans he imposed martial law, ignored habeas corpus, executed deserters, and suspended the state legislature, actions for which Judge Hall fined him $1,000. The Louisiana legislature chose to refund the…

GLC05271

23 November 1780

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Lawson

Written by Jefferson as Governor of Virginia to Brigadier General Lawson of the Virginia Militia concerning a possible raid. Expects the raid to be south and says General Nathanael Greene would like troops sent in that direction. Reports that Baron Friedrich von Steuben is in Richmond and hopes to receive support from Lawson. Says von Steuben would like to meet and confer about supplies if it is possible. Wants Lawson to call at his house and von Steuben will be sent for. Was addressed to Lawson in Petersburg, Virginia.

GLC05272

13 June 1795

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Extract of a letter from J. Blair to Thomas Jefferson]

Original letter from Williamsburg, Virginia, and dated 13 June 1795. Jefferson records the details of a complicated stock trade in Philadelphia.

GLC05273

25 May 1849

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elisha Embree

Writes that he has heard that the General Land Office is going to be given to Illinois and that Thomas Ewing, the Secretary of the Interior, wants Justin Butterfield to be appointed. Lincoln advises that this would be a great mistake. "I give you my word, the appointment of Mr. B will be an egregious political blunder. It will give offense to the whole whig party here, and be worse than a dead loss to the administration of so much patronage." Lincoln then recommends himself or his candidate for the position. Lincoln was not granted the position.

GLC05276

21 December 1857

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jesse K. Dubois

Writes to Dubois, the Illinois State auditor, to get him to accept a $90,000 temporary settlement offer for property taxes due the state of Illinois from the Illinois Central Rail Road Company. Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works Of Abraham Lincoln. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1953), Vol. II 1848 - 1858, p. 429

GLC05277

12 August 1790

Sherman, Roger, 1721-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Huntington

Reports to the Governor of Connecticut about the actions of Congress in the most recent session. Encloses notes on the acts and laws passed (not present). Informs him of the provision for funding domestic debt and states that though both Houses agreed, it was not the favored decision of either. Remarks upon state debt, "The assumption of the State debts, will ease all the States of a burthen of direct taxation, and put the other branches of revenue under one direction." He also mentions the bills for defending the frontiers, regulating the Post Office, and ongoing negotiations with "…

GLC05282

30 September 1861

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philemon Ewing

Comments on the lack of discipline among volunteer union soldiers and how they terrorize the local population. Sherman also expresses concern for his weak military situation, and fears its exploitation by confederate Generals Simon B. Buckner and Kirby Smith.

GLC05283

1838/03/25

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas S. Jesup

In a private letter, General Taylor writes to his superior, General Jesup, about plans for suppressing the Seminole Indians in the second Seminole War. Commends Jesup's plan to "forward the Indians & Negroes in question to Tampa" and then on to Fort Pike, especially because it will halt "any improper interference on the part of whites." Mentions recent murders near Fort Lauderdale and agrees that the Seminoles were the perpetrators and suggests that "they ought to be put to death in some way as a terror to others of their nation." Notes learning that Jesup had ascertained "the exact…

GLC05284

1839/03/21

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Letter signed

Title: to William Davenport

Notes Davenport's meeting with Florida Governor Richard Call, but wishes he had gotten definitive information on the location of Seminoles "who lately committed murders near Tallahassee." Reveals his frustration over the Seminole Indians style of guerrilla warfare and their ability to elude the Americans in the everglades. Explains plans to alter American tactics, to canvas central Florida and flush the Seminoles out. Discusses the legislature's efforts to raise additional militia soldiers and his hopes for an end to the war and safety in Florida. Comments on his plans in east Florida,…

GLC05285

February 12, 1788

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: balanced government under the Constitution

Adams mentions his Defence (just received by Rush) and writes "It is an opinion here that they [the volumes] contributed Somewhat to to restore permanent Tranquility to this Commonwealth, as well as Suppress the pestilent County Conventions, Insurrections and Rebellion." He continues to argue that balanced government is the only way to protect the laws and secure "Liberty, Property, Life and Character...." Adams also mentions Rush's expectation that he will have higher office, "[y]ou tell me my Labours are only beginning, Seven and Twenty years have I laboured in this rugged Vineyward and am…

GLC05289

19 October 1835

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tristam Burges

Denies he is the source of political rumor that Burges "complained of the Treachery of the Whig Party...The party [whom] I had heard that they had dealt treacherously with you in the Senatorial Election." Explains how he heard about the "Treachery" in the election from the newspaper and "public notoriety."

GLC05290

9 August 1853

Bean, Roy, 1825-1903

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Order requiring Roy Bean to answer charge of assault with intent to kill]

Cosigned by A.W. Hope and John Foster as securities. Bean awaits judgment, held by the county of San Gabriel for the City of Los Angeles to answer a charge of assault with intent to kill. Bail set at five hundred dollars. Seals intact.

GLC05291

21 September 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to [D.W. Lewis]

Discusses his relationship with Robert A. Toombs, his former Secretary of State. Six months earlier Davis had failed to give Toombs a military promotion and he subsequently resigned. Praises Toombs for helping free the south from "A union so odious to our people." Explains that he was reluctant to promote Toombs to Brigadier Admiral because of his concerns in placing a civilian with no field experience in such a high rank. Rebuts the perception that he was biased in favor of officers trained in military academies. Acknowledges Toombs's service in Florida but notes that his name was never…

GLC05293