12 April 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: An act to erect a light-house on Montok point in the state of New York

Signed by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Describes the steps to be taken before construction, such as the appointment of a caretaker and the appropriation of funds. Printed below the act are Speaker of the House Jonathan Trumbull's and Vice-President John Adams' names. Also printed is President Washington's name designating approval of the act on 12 April 1792. Enacted by Congress on 24 October 1791.

GLC03396

February 25, 1890

Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901

Document signed

Title: [Ratification of extradition convention with Great Britain and Ireland]

Authorizes the Secretary of State to affix the seal of the United States to Harrison's ratification " ... of the original and exchange copy of extradition convention with Great Britain and Ireland supplementary to the Tenth Article of August 9, 1842 and full Power to make the same." One black and length bust engraving of Harrison included.

GLC03397

January 30, 1846

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John MacKay

Written as Captain of Topological Engineers working on the defenses of New York City harbor. Written in a playful manner typical of his other letters to MacKay, a close friend. Lee worries about MacKay's lingering illness and hopes the warm Gulf air may improve his health. He discussed at length a recent snowfall and the festive atmosphere of the city. He comments merrily on the ladies and a sleigh ride down Broadway in a large "omnibus" sled where he offered a woman his seat rather than his lap since, "it would not sound well if repeated in the latitude of Wash[ingto]n that I had been…

GLC03324

30 November 1859

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Samuel Cooper

Written as Colonel. Cooper was Adjutant General. Written two days before John Brown's execution.

GLC03326

7 March 1781

Marion, Francis, 1732-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Saunders

Written by Marion as Brigadier General of militia and a well-known partisan to Saunders as a Royalist Captain in the British Army and commander of the garrison at Georgetown, South Carolina. Marion writes with anger that Captain John Postell was taken prisoner by Saunders. Postell was travelling under a flag of truce to work out details of prisoner exchange. Demands satisfaction and claims he will retaliate against any British prisoners of war. Also expresses dismay that Saunders is treating prisoners harshly. Says Captain Clark was held in circumstances where he could not stand up or stretch…

GLC03332.01

3 March 1781

Ervin, John, fl. 1781

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Saunders

Written by Ervin as a lieutenant colonel in Francis Marion's brigade of partisans to Captain Saunders, a royalist in command of the garrison at Georgetown, South Carolina. Ervin sent this note by Captain James Postell and Lieutenant William Futhey to ask for a prisoner exchange. Postell was subsequently taken prisoner despite the flag of truce because Saunders claimed he was in violation of a parole given him after the American defeat at Charleston in May 1780.

GLC03332.02

27 September 1782

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin

Informs Franklin that Congress has instructed him to try to borrow four million dollars from the French King, and discusses how Franklin might attain it. Says Congress wishes Franklin to assure the King that Americans once shared the "English Prejudice against all things french" but that "by degrees almost every Trace of it has been effaced." Worries the French may reply "the nation which will not help itself does not merit the Aid of others." Tells Franklin to remind them it would be foolish to invest so much in the colonies only to abandon them so close to being successful. Relates how…

GLC03333

28 July 1872

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Turner

Mosby misspells Greeley's name.

GLC03334

17 July 1816

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph document signed

Title: [Check for $50 to William A. Colman drawn on the Bank of Columbia]

Signed by President Madison. Verso signed by Colman noting his receipt of the payment. One bust engraving of James Madison included.

GLC03338.01

6 September 1846

Santa Anna, Antonio López de, 1794-1876

Letter signed

Title: [In Spanish]

Signed as General and President of Mexico.

GLC03340

9 January 1876

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Conness

Commander in Chief of the Army Sherman writes to Conness about the quarrel he had with Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton over the terms of Confederate General Joseph Johnston's surrender in 1865. Sherman suggests that he may have acted wrongly. " ... I do not profess to be infallible, or more than mortal. I have made some fearful mistakes in life which in a retrospect would be corrected, among them in regard to Mr. Stanton." Admits that he felt Stanton was trying to destroy him, " ... because he supposed I was not acting in full harmony on the then policy with the Negros - And failing…

GLC03341.01

February 4, 1876

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Conness

Commander in Chief of the Army Sherman writes to Conness recounting information that he has learned about Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. He comments on Stanton's maneuvering to boost General Joseph Hooker and "pull me down." Sherman remarks, "There is one fact that has since come to my Knowledge, which I long suspected, that there existed a Combination to sweep me into oblivion before the War closed." Mentions revising his memoirs to include this information, "I would not have put in the Memoirs any of that, only I thought to have avoided it would have been a confession of Wrong - I…

GLC03341.02

February 11, 1876

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Conness

Commander in Chief of the Army Sherman writes to Conness discussing his memoirs. Mentions that although his Memoirs are subject to criticism, he felt he had to express his opinions. Despite the criticisms, he states, " ... I am sure I am not jealous or malicious, and I feel the greatest possible love for my old Comrades in Arms ... " Except General Joseph Hooker, about whom he expresses his feeling that Hooker constantly finds fault in others. Remarks that he does have a high opinion of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton's administration, but that both Stanton and General Henry Halleck…

GLC03341.03

1860

Drew, Thomas, fl. 1860

Book

Title: The John Brown invasion; an authentic history of the Harper's Ferry tragedy, with full details of the capture, trial, and execution of the invaders, and of all the incidents connected therewith. With a lithographic portrait of Capt. John Brown, from a photograph by Whipple.

An attempt to compile a wide variety of contemporary sources in order to present a balanced view of the events surrounding the raid on Harpers Ferry. However, portrays Brown as a hero and states that the purpose of the book is to "combine in these pages every fact and incident relating to the event, which the friends and admirers of the man would wish to preserve, as mementoes of the simplicity of his character, the nobility of his purposes, the disinterestedness of his motives, the sublime heroism of his deeds, and the remarkable piety by which he was governed and sustained." Compiled by…

GLC03346

16 August 1862

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Discusses Battle of Baton Rouge and Bragg's planned invasion of Kentucky. Expects Bragg's invasion to be a success, "I feel that you will reach the Ohio River, if you don't do more." Would join Bragg, but cannot leave his own command, which has been reduced from 8,000 to 2,500 men. States "I did the best I could at Baton Rouge, and with inferior forces whipped them soundly. Under the circumstances it was impossible to accomplish more than we did." Written just after the Battle of Baton Rouge, where the Confederates were actually defeated by a force of equally small size in their attempt…

GLC03348

1862 ca.

Vannerson & Jones

Photograph signed

Title: [Carte de visite of Braxton Bragg]

Oval salt-print carte de visite showing Bragg in uniform signed on the mount. The mount is darkening to a faint purple color.

GLC03349

29 October 1863

Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his cousin

Asks for help advertising for information regarding Lieutenant John H. Maury, captured below Vicksburg 27 January 1863. Maury was in England, possibly outfitting the raider CSS Savannah. John Herndon Maury, son of Matthew F. Maury, disappeared 27 January 1863 on a late-night scouting expedition on the Warrenton Road. Only the evidence cited in this letter was found; Grant and other Union officers said they could not find him among the captured. After the war an eyewitness reported that the younger Maury had been murdered that night by bushwackers.

GLC03350

1864

Dunham, W. H., fl. 1864

Diary

Title: [Diary of soldier W. H. Dunham, with drawings]

Diary of W. H. Dunham, a soldier in Company D, 20th Ohio, during the Atlanta campaign. Entries cover period 1 April - 16 September 1864, and document Sherman's March to Atlanta and the Battles of Atlanta and Jonesborough. In the first part of the diary he describes his post as a surgical nurse in an army field hospital, discussing amputations, surgeries and deaths. At the start of the Atlanta campaign, Dunham was transferred to the front and fought in the Battle of Atlanta. Contains a vivid account of the decisive battle of Jonesborough, 1 September 1864. Pasted into the diary are 11…

GLC03351

1866

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Book signed

Title: Mr. Buchanan's administration on the eve of rebellion [inscribed, with telegram]

Inscribed to Dr. James R. Speer, With telegram glued to front pastedowns, to Speer, announcing Buchanan's death.

GLC03354

06 March 1868

Fairchild, Lucius, 1831-1896

Document

Title: Joint resolution, no. 16.

Title continues, "Instructing our Senators and requesting our Representatives, to adhere to the policy of the loyal people of the Republic, as adopted by Congress." The Wisconsin legislature condemns Johnson for firing Edwin M. Stanton. Proclaims support of Stanton.

GLC03355

January 22, 1864

Winder, John H., 1800-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smith

Writes to the governor of Virginia about the release of a prisoner of war, F.A. Winston, who was charged with "disloyalty" and sent from Lynchburg with two Yankee deserters. Discusses the regulations concerning those charged with disloyalty. On dark blue paper. Winder was a brigadier general in the Confederate army. In May 1862, President Jefferson Davis placed him in command of Richmond. He was also given the task of organizing care for all Union Army prisoners east of the Mississippi.

GLC03356

February 22, 1863

Tracy, Edward Dorr, 1833-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Matt] Steele

General Tracy writes to Steele, his brother-in-law. Notes that Mr. Atwood will transmit this letter. Sends a "written sketch" of his deceased friend, Dr. Fearn, with instructions for Steele to pass it on to an editor if he deems it worthy of publication. Promises to write to his sisters, and requests a servant.

GLC03357

January 30, 1864

Tyler, Daniel, 1799-1882

Letter signed

Title: to William Buckingham

Written by Union Brigadier General Tyler from "Head Quarters Delaware District." Discusses Colonel Fish of the 1st Connecticut cavalry, who has been accused of misconduct.

GLC03358

January 21, 1781

Deane, Silas, 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Searle

Apprises Searle, then a commissioner to France to negotiate a loan for the State of Pennsylvania, of his upcoming journey to America. Hopes to see Searle in Passy (in Paris) the following day, where Deane indicates he will dine and take leave of Benjamin Franklin. Deane and Franklin were on a diplomatic mission in France during the American Revolution.

GLC03359

1889

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Book signed

Title: Uncle Tom's cabin

Inscribed by Stowe to Edward W. Seymour, dated June 27, 1890, with quotation from Psalms 72:12, "He shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor, & him that hath no Helper." A later edition, printed by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Edward Woodruff Seymour was a Connecticut politician and state supreme court justice from Litchfield, Connecticut, Stowe's home town.

GLC03363