1 January 1841

Thacher, James, fl. 1840-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Mease

Introduces his grandson James Thacher Hodge who will be in Philadelphia for the winter working on a geological survey of Pennsylvania. Comments on having his portrait done. Mentions that a Miss Frazar has donated $500 to their society.

GLC06513.02

18 January 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

1814/08/30

Committee of Correspondence of the City of Philadelphia

Printed letter

Title: to John Biddle

Indicates that the British attacked Washington, D.C., without any horses and may try to seize them wherever they land. Instructs Biddle to remove all horses from possible landing points for the British. The British had recently captured and burned Washington during the War of 1812.

GLC02978.02

7 March 1853

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary regarding a successful journey. Encloses public documents that require attention (not included). Is disappointed because Secretary of State William Marcy has not drawn up a Treaty of Extradition. Gadsden feels that his successful work in Mexico will be hailed in Washington. Reports that his recent meetings with Ward, Escandon, and L.S. Hargous, the U.S. Consul in Vera Cruz, have gone well and that he holds the upper hand. Mentions having dealt with the Mexican government regarding a treaty that is honorable to both parties. Asks Cripps to send the minutes of…

GLC03587.01

20 September 1847

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Matilda Mason

Responds to a previous letter from Matie, possibly a relative by marriage. Mentions mutual acquaintances, including a fellow soldier named Rhett. Relates that he occupies a suite of apartments belonging to Senora Santa Anna (wife of former Mexican leader Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna) at the National Palace. Discusses Senora Santa Anna's flowers at length. Supposes Mexico City's "principal people have fled..." Discusses characteristics and the layout of the city, including the position of the National Palace and museums. States that Bankhead (possibly Charles Bankhead) serves as the…

GLC08894

22 January 1782

Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de, 1725-1807

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Indicates that he received intelligence from his correspondent about the British receiving reinforcements from New York in Charleston, he is "of opinion that the reinforcement you have received from General St. Clair, must have put you in a position to withstand those newly arrived." Doubts the news that the British reinforcements come from Ireland. The rest (starting on p. 1) at the end of which appears the signature. A separate three pages(which measure 28 x 21.5 cm) records the solution to the cipher, which discussion military strategy in the Southern Campaign. The cipher also notes…

GLC08903

22 June 1901

Jackson, Giles B., 1853-1924

Typed letter signed

Title: to R. C. Burrow

Seeks information for the Negro Business League's attempt to document African-Americans who meet Virginia's voting requirements. Explains that "The Negro Business League of Va. is endeavoring to...assist the constitutional convention in deriving at a just and proper solution of the Negro problem in its deliberation." Asks Burrow, the Commissioner of Revenue of Virginia, for the names and addresses of all black businessmen in Virginia, and approximately how much they pay to the state in taxes and deeds. Signed by Jackson as secretary of the Negro Business League. Typed on stationary of the…

GLC08907

4 May 1861

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William W. McKean

Redirects a ship, the Niagara under Captain W.W. McKean, originally sent to blockade Charleston to the Gulf of Mexico to "take measures for instituting and carrying into effect a rigid blockade of the Mississippi and such other ports, especially Mobile, as the force under your command will admit." Sends a copy of President Lincoln's proclamation ordering a blockade (not included). Mentions other ships that will participate. Docketed twice. Marked "Copy."

GLC08908

1862

Blakeslee, Amos C., 1826-?

Diary

Title: [Diary of Civil War surgeon]

Medical diary by U. S. Army contract surgeon covering the Union hospitals in and around Philadelphia. The bulk of the entries appear between 14 September 1862 and 23 November 1862. Comments on his hospital work, in which he treated wounded soldiers, and records news received from the frontlines. On 14 September he notes a flood in Philadelphia in which "some lives were lost." On 15 September he indicates that General George McClellan "reported a glorious victory" and two days later records hearing about Colonel Miles's death and surrender to the Confederates at Harper's Ferry. On 7…

GLC08909

1813/07/27

Bowen, J., fl. 1813

Printed document signed

Title: [Exchange papers for American prisoner of war Joseph W. Clark]

Countersigned by Jn. Haines and W. Boothby, who along with Bowen were "Commissioners of His Majesty's Transport Service," and Thomas Gribble as agent for prisoners of war on parole at Ashburton, England. Certifies that Clark, a master of an American merchant vessel who had been on parole in Britain since 31 March 1813, has permission to return to the United States and outlines the conditions and mode of his transfer. He was to travel from Ashburton to Dartmouth and embark aboard the Jenny Cartel. Identifying biographical and descriptive information about Clark appears on the verso and…

GLC02247.02

circa 1878

Norton, Joshua Abraham, 1819-1880

Header Record

Title: [Two items relating to Joshua Abraham Norton, self-proclaimed emperor of the United States] [Decimalized]

Joshua Norton was an Englishman who came to America during the California Gold Rush of 1849 and proclaimed himself emperor of the United States. Mark Twain is said to have modeled the character of Huck Finn on Norton.

GLC02729

circa 1878

Bradley, James, fl. 1783

Photograph

Title: [Cabinet photograph of Joshua Abraham Norton]

Signed "Emperor Norton." Three-quarter profile photograph of a seated Norton. He is wearing an officer's uniform.

GLC02729.01

30 August 1814

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph document signed

Title: [Committee of Defence authorization for Dr. Robert M. Patterson to lead a Corps of Field Engineers]

The committee, empowered by the General Committee of Philadelphia, made Patterson the chief engineer and organizer of the corps and charged them with "the Defence of the City and its Environs."

GLC02978.01

1814/08

Committee of Defence (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Autograph document

Title: [Call for applications to join a Corps of Field Engineers for the defense of Philadelphia]

Calls for 100 men to serve as artillerists. Indicates pay will be the same as artificers in the United States Army. The committee was authorized to raise the corps by the General Committee of Philadelphia.

GLC02978.03

1814/08

Committee of Defence (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Autograph document

Title: [Announces that the Corps of Field Engineers will fortify the defenses of Philadelphia]

Indicates that a company of artillery will be devoted to building a defense of ports and obstructing the British army's approach during the War of 1812. The company would be outfitted with tools. They would come from the Corps of Field Engineers, which had been raised by the Philadelphia General Committee of Defence and led by Dr. Robert M. Patterson as the chief engineer (see GLC02973.01 and GLC02973.03).

GLC02978.04

1814/08/31

Fonciu, John, fl. 1814

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision of Fortifications indispensable to the defense of Philadelphia] [French]

Fonciu, a French officer who had lived in Philadelphia, was Jonathan Williams' chief assistant in the volunteer association of field engineers organized by Philadelphia's Committee of Defence.

GLC02978.05

1814/09/02

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph note signed

Title: [Request for John Biddle to report to Dr. Robert M. Patterson and join the Corps of Field Engineers]

Biddle is identified as a member of the topographical engineers. Patterson had been appointed the chief engineer and organizer of the corps (see GLC02978.01) by the Philadelphia Committee of Defence. Williams signed this letter as "Chief Engineer."

GLC02978.06

1814/09/03

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph note signed

Title: [Request for Dr. Robert M. Patterson to continue building a fortification]

Asks Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, to "direct & continue the operations on the heights next of Schuylkill [River] without delay.

GLC02978.07

1814/09/04

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Tells Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, that a man named Jonathan Jones, who knows the local terrain, can provide assistance to the topographical engineers. Also notes a man named Spencer Sargeant will be retained for communication purposes, possibly as a secretary.

GLC02978.08

1814/09/15

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Requests that Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, report whether or not a man named Dr. Paschall consented to having his grounds entered and upon what terms. Also asks him to report on others who had consented to have their grounds occupied and works built upon them by the Corps of Field Engineers. See GLC02978.10 for Patterson's response.

GLC02978.09

1814/09/15

Patterson, Robert M., 1787-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Williams

Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, reponds to Williams' request (see GLC02978.09). Indicates that Dr. Paschall refused to allow works to be built upon his land, but may consent if the works are not near his buildings, which he feared would be destroyed in an attack. Also reports that another man, Judge Lloyd, consented to works being built upon his grounds.

GLC02978.10

1814/09/10

Goodman, John, fl. 1814

Broadside

Title: General Committee of Defence For the City and Liberties of Philadelphia

Applauds the formation of the Volunteer Associations for the Defence of the City and County of Philadelphia and outlines the authority vested in the Committee of Defence. Indicates that the rules governing its formation are prescribed by law, that voluntary service does not replace military obligations, and only those not currently in the military can come under the direction of the committee, volunteering imposes no additional duty and will not require any services that would not be required by the militia, and if volunteers exempt from the militia wish to remain exempt then they…

GLC02978.11