15 November 1775

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Henry Lee

Adams outlines the government that he envisions for America, that it should have executive, legislative and judicial branches, similar to the colonial government of Massachusetts. He also argues for a bicameral legislature and insists that judges not have overlapping offices in the other branches. Adams draws to an end with comments about human nature and tyranny. He concludes "if such a Trifle will be of any service to you or any gratification of Curiousity, here you have it...." On the evening of 14 November 1775, Lee, a delegate to the Continental Congress from Virginia, visited Adams…

GLC03864

7 July 1864

Winslow, John Ancrum, 1811-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles D. Cleveland

Written from the U.S.S. Kearsarge by Commander Winslow, who replies to a congratulatory note from Charles Dexter Cleveland, the U.S. consul at Cardiff, Wales. Winslow had sunk the C.S.S. Alabama off the coast of France on June 19, 1864, one of the most vaunted naval successes of the war, and complains here of the adulation of the public. Winslow remarks, "I went to Paris, hoping for quiet, and found the reverse. I had become a Lion, & all the nonsense consequent on the position, followed and I ran away to my ship where I intend to stay… Now I have had hard service, on the Mississippi, but…

GLC03867.01

14 July 1864

Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Davies

Tells Captain Davies he will be unable to visit Cambridge for "some weeks," even though he would like to go. Says he will visit him if he finds the time to make it to Cambridge. Also thanks Mrs. Davies for the invitation. Semmes was writing from the "Parsonage, Belsize Park, London, N.W.," which was the home of the Rev. Francis W. Tremlett where he was staying. The parsonage was known locally as the "Rebel's Roost," from the number of Confederate naval officers, agents, and diplomats who visited. Semmes was not able to make it to Cambridge because he was about to embark on a six-week tour of…

GLC03867.02

2 April 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Godfrey Weitzel

Grant telegraphs instructions for what he thought might be the final assault on the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. "You need not assault in the morning unless you have good reason for believing the enemy are leaving. We have a good thing of it now and in a day or two I think I will be able to send you all the troops necessary." Weitzel, who commanded the XXV Corps of the Army of the James, comprising several brigades of U.S. Colored Troops, led the occupation of Richmond on the following day. Also addressed to A. James. Written in pencil on stationery of the Head Quarters Armies…

GLC03868

8 April 1833

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Cass

Writes to Secretary of War Cass to inform him that the Reverend Mr. Campbell of the Executive Committee of the Board of Foreign & Domestic Missionaries, who delivered this letter, was coming to talk with Cass about extending their missions to the Indians west of the Mississippi. Indicates that he has already "made known to him, that the Government cannot give permission, this must be obtained from the Indians, & when this is done, we will freely give our assent."

GLC03870

29 April 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document signed

Title: [President Abraham Lincoln appoints William W. Ross as an agent for the Pottowatomie Indians in Kansas]

Countersigned by Caleb Blood Smith, Secretary of the Interior. Features embossed seal of the Department of the Interior.

GLC04206

9 August 1931

Carver, George Washington, 1864-1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Grady Porter

Carver, a celebrated agricultural chemist, requests peanut vines from Porter, a researcher from a peanut processing plant in Columbus, Georgia. In an attempt to assist Porter in peanut planting and diagnosing peanut disease, Carver states that wilted vines are acceptable. Requests that Porter bring the vines next time he travels to Tuskegee. Comments on the large quantity of rain Tuskegee recently received. Written on Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute stationery, with an envelope containing the printed return address of the Director, Research and Experiment Station, Tuskegee…

GLC04207

1 November 1836

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Richard W. Davis for cruelly and inhumanly beating a Negro in Georgetown].

Countersigned by Acting Secretary of State Asbury Dinkins. Pardoned by Jackson after serving his one-month prison sentence because Davis was unable to pay a fine of $10 and court costs, and on the recommendation of the judge and the district attorney that he was a fit subject for clemency.

GLC04211

1878

Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887

Book signed

Title: United States Commission of fish and fisheries. Part IV. Report of the Commissioner for 1875-1876.

Includes sections: A. "An Inquiry into the decrease of the Food-Fishes" and B. "The Propagation of Food-Fishes in the waters of the United States." Printed by the Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. An extensive history of fisheries (including the Grand Banks) and whaling from the earliest times. Includes in Part II, The History of The American Whale-Fishery from Its Earliest Inception to the Year 1876, by Alexander Starbuck, 768 pages. With "Public Document. Free Senate US." bookplate on inside front cover signed by Senator William B. Allison for G. C. Van Allen.

GLC04213

1829

Book

Title: Statement on the Part of the United States, of the case... [Canadian boundary]

Concerning the dispute between the US and Britain over the border between Canada and Maine, which was arbitrated by the King of the Netherlands.

GLC04214

21 March 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Introduction of French engineer, Colonel Louis des Hayes de la Radiere, who was to superintend fortifications on the North (Hudson) River. Washington appointed de la Radiere to oversee the construction of the Hudson's Highlands in late 1777, but a dispute with General Israel Putnam, commander at the Highlands, caused de la Radiere to return to Washington's camp. Putnam went on leave in March of 1778 and General McDougall assumed his command. Shortly thereafter, Washington sent de la Radiere back.

GLC04215

18 September 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth M. Clymer

A one page note pasted in oblong direction on front pastedown of Barlow's Vision of Columbus. (The book is carried on inventory as GLC 4217.01.) Written as president of the Constitutional Convention. The Barlow book was printed in Hartford.

GLC04217

1787

Barlow, Joel, 1754-1812

Book

Title: The Vision of Columbus; A Poem in Nine Books [part of GLC 4217]

Supplemental record for book holding a George Washington letter. USE WITH CARE. With a 12 page subscribers' list which includes George Washington, Lafayette, Franklin (6 copies), Thomas Paine, Louis XVI, many other prominent figures. This work was later enlarged in 1807 to "The Columbiad," a lengthy epic poem on America. With a flattering dedication to Louis XVI. 1 black and white bust engraving of Joel Barlow included.

GLC04217.01

1 January 1844

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph document signed

Title: Statement Showing expenditures on account of Magnetic Telegraph

Details the amount of money drawn from the Treasury, expenditure, and the balance left for the magnetic telegraph. Morse signed as Superintendent of the Electro Magnetic Telegraph. Entire right edge of paper is damaged with paper loss.

GLC04234

1870/03

Document

Title: Unclaimed 1870 IRS tax notice for George William (incomplete), with 1 cent stamp

GLC04242

4 March 1809

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Broadside

Title: National Intelligencer Extra.

Printing of James Madison's first inaugural address and announcement of his inauguration. Docketed on verso.

GLC04244

1857-1859

Emory, William H. (William Hemsley), 1811-1887

Header Record

Title: Report on the United States and Mexican boundary Survey...

House Executive Document no. 135 (25th Congress, 1st Session). Two volumes printed in three, with 5 maps and charts, 346 plates and numerous lithographic illustrations. Report comissioned by the Secretary of Interior; survey conducted by William H. Emory. Includes wood cuts and wood engravings in text and inserted engraved and lithographed plates. Subjects of the lithographed plates include flora, fauna and native inhabitants. Contents: Vol. 1: Geographical reports, with views or places and native Americans. -- Vol. 2: Botany of the boundary. -- Vol. 3: Zoology of the boundary.…

GLC04249

1848

Mexico, Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores

Pamphlet

Title: Tratado de paz, amistad, limites y arreglo definitivo entre la Republica mexicana y los Estados-Unidos de America [In Spanish]

Title continues "Concluido por los plenipotenciarios en Guadalupe Hidalgo el 2 de febrero, ratificado en Washington el 10 de marzo, y en Querétaro el 30 de mayo de 1848." Bilingual Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ending the Mexican War. First complete edition with the added protocols in Spanish and English. References: Cowan 252; Howes M565.

GLC04257

3 March 1791

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [Act of Congress for management of district jails]

Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Signed in type by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate, and approved by George Washington as President. Details the results of the third session of Congress held in Philadelphia 6 December 1790. Resolves that each district should have a place and provisions to keep prisoners committed under the authority of the United States. The United States Treasury will pay the reasonable expenses of each district. See also GLC…

GLC04259

1861 ca.

Lewis, R.A., fl. 1861

Photograph signed

Title: Carte de visite of Robert Anderson

GLC04202

1897

Porter, Horace, 1837-1921

Book

Title: Campaigning with Grant

Published by The Century Co. in New York and printed by The DeVinne Press. The two volumes contain 32 chapters, which cover the period from Grant's move to the eastern theatre in 1864 until Lee's surrender in 1865. Contains tipped-in autographs, letters and photographs of Civil War figures. Front of volume one has clipped signature of Grant. Throughout the pages of the two volumes can be found: 1 page ALS of Captain Horace Porter, 1 page ALS General Winfield Scott Hancock, 1 page ALS of Ely Samuel Parker, 2 page ALS of General Andrew Atkinson Humphreys, 1 page ALS of General Adam Badeau,…

GLC04203

[1783]

Barnard, Edward, fl. 1783

Book

Title: The new... history of England from the earliest period...

Printed for the Author and published by Alex. Hogg. Imprint date is "1782" but history ends at 1783.

GLC04204

1744

Horsmanden, Daniel, 1694-1778

Book

Title: A Journal of the proceedings in the detection of the conspiracy [New York slaves]

Full title: "A Journal of the Proceedings in the Detection of the Conspiracy formed by some White People in conjunction with Negro and other Slaves, for burning the City of New-York in America, and murdering the Inhabitants." Published in New York by James Parker. Howes H652, Sabin 33058. Horsmanden presided over the trial and later served on New York's Supreme Court. Fullest account of the so-called Negro Plot of 1741, based on depositions. Reprinted in 1971 by Beacon (see GLC 4205.02)

GLC04205.01

20 November 1863

Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Confederate commander Bragg tells Grant that "As there may still be some non-combatants in Chattanooga, I deem it proper to notify you that prudence would dictate their early withdrawal". Grant received this brief letter while preparing to attack Bragg's nearby forces at Chattanooga. Grant's endorsement reflects his obvious skepticism of Bragg's motives. In his memoirs Grant discussed this particular letter. He immediately realized Bragg sent the letter to deceive him, and eventually decided the letter was sent to stall Grant and allow Bragg to perform other military maneuvers. The letter…

GLC04208

28 August 1864

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Otis Howard

Sherman, commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi, writes to General Howard during the Atlanta campaign. Instructs Howard to join forces with General George Henry Thomas. Writes "I dont think the enemy yet understand our movement. They had made no effort to stop us..." Relates that General Schofield (possibly John McAllister Schofield) reported a possible enemy threat. Instructs Howard to go up the Newman Road in case of heavy battle. Written in pencil.

GLC04209