August 5, 1777

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio Gates

Written by Hancock as President of the Continental Congress to Gates as Commander of the Northern Department. Says enclosed resolutions (which are not included here) give him command of the army. Gates was in a struggle for control of the Northern Department with General Philip Schuyler, which he won on 4 August 1777 after storming into the halls of Congress to plead his case. His victory came partially because Schuyler had lost Fort Ticonderoga to General John Burgoyne's invading forces. Congress's resolutions ended the squabble for power and allowed Gates to concentrate on defeating…

GLC01498

March 9, 1866

Bell, T. S., fl. 1866

Typed letter

Title: to Andrew Johnson

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Bell, Bland Ballard, and W. C. Goodloe (possibly William Cassius Goodloe) request President Johnson to appoint Brisbin as a Colonel or Brigadier General in the Regular Army. These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

GLC01504.02.10

April 20, 1866

Reynolds, Joseph Jones, 1822-1899

Typed letter

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Major General (Joseph Jones) Reynolds informs Stanton, Secretary of War, that Colonel Brisbin served in the Department of Arkansas for the past five months and "has shown himself at all times an efficient, able and reliable Officer." These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

GLC01504.02.11

August 20, 1866

Hooker, Joseph, 1814-1879

Typed letter

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Major General Hooker recommends Colonel Brisbin "for the Colonelcy of one of the new colored regiments" to Stanton, Secretary of War. Praises Brisbin's service in the Civil War: "He served under me and has been one of the successful Generals of the War." These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

GLC01504.02.14

December 22, 1867

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Typed letter

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Captain James S. Brisbin informs General Grant, Secretary of War and Interior, that he has "not received the Brevets in the Regular Army generally conferred on regular officers, who held like rank in Volunteers during the late War." Recounts a list of the Generals he served under, engagements he participated in, and regiments he led. Stresses that he organized many colored regiments at a time when soldiers were desperately needed. States "a bill has been offered in Congress, which, if passed,…

GLC01504.02.15

January 12, 1868

Hatch, Edward, 1832-1889

Typed letter

Title: to James S. Brisbin

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. General Hatch states that he was informed of Brisbin's promotion following the death of Major Thompson, 4th Cavalry. Expresses regret at losing Brisbin's services, and instructs Brisbin to remain as a recruiter at Lexington, Kentucky until Hatch can send Brisbin's replacement. States "those [soldiers] sent us from Kentucky are far superior to recruits obtained in other States." These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

GLC01504.02.16

January 13, 1868

Hatch, Edward, 1832-1889

Typed letter

Title: to James S. Brisbin

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. General Hatch personally expresses his regret in losing General Brisbin as a recruiting officer in Lexington, Kentucky. Writes, "I think the Regiment is indebted to you more than any Officer." These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

GLC01504.02.17

August 27, 1916

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Treadwell

On his Sagamore Hill letterhead, Roosevelt thanks Treadwell for her letter to him and his wife. Written from, or just after a trip to France during World War I: "your letter brings vividly before my eyes the terrible suffering and high heroism of France, and the joy in service felt by you and the men and women like you. This war has shown that the right type of woman can do her full share of the work of war just as the right kind of man does his." He closes by condemning all pacifists as German collaborationists, and adds, "if I had my way I would disenfranchise all the pacifists of both…

GLC01518

January 19, 1933

Coolidge, Grace Goodhue, 1879-1957

Autograph note signed

Title: to Mrs. Glessner

Thanks her for her sympathy note about the death of her husband, Calvin Coolidge. "Although Calvin Coolidge can no longer speak to us in his calm, clear way, I feel his influence abides and will still lead us in plain paths." Written on mourning stationary.

GLC01522.01

August 24, 1946

Coolidge, Grace Goodhue, 1879-1957

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Holcombe

Sends a copy of an address by the late Chief Justice of Massachusetts because she felt Holcombe might be interested. Apologizes for the mildew on it.

GLC01522.02

January 26, 1947

Coolidge, Grace Goodhue, 1879-1957

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Holcombe

Writes that she is looking forward to seeing Holcombe and his wife on 19 February 1947. Written on stationary embossed with "Road Forks," the name of the house Grace Coolidge built for herself in Northampton, Massachusetts after the death of her husband.

GLC01522.03

11 December 1773

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Adams predicts a breach between America and Britain and writes that "Nothing, but equal Liberty and kind Treatment can Secure the Attachment of the Colonies to Britain." He argues that London's "Experiments" in public revenue will open trade to the Dutch or "will erect an independent Empire in America."

GLC01787

1770

Revere, Paul, 1735-1818

Engraving

Title: The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King-Street Boston on March 5th 1770 by a party of the 29th Reg.

Engraving of the Boston Massacre, hand-colored, first edition. Crispus Attucks is colored in, indicating that he was an African American. The depiction of the event and a poem printed below the engraving vilifies the British Army. The casualties, described as "unhappy sufferers," are listed at the bottom.

GLC01868

23 December 1791

Pintard, John, 1759-1844

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The first part, at the top, is a note from John Pintard, explaining that he is sending Knox five thousand dollars in gold to Knox, per Duer's request. The note on the bottom is from William Duer, referring to the sum Pintard is sending, and mentioning that he will be sending more money on the following Tuesday. Pencil calculations on verso.

GLC02437.05271

12 April 1792

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wrote Knox this morning from New York, but has heard news of several misfortunes on his way to Newark, so wanted to write again. Reports that many of their business associates, including Mr. [Walter] Livingston and Mr. [Richard] Platt, are in serious financial difficulty. Visited Mr. [William] Duer to retrieve a note, but Duer told him he paid the note to Mr. [John Marsden] Pintard and thereby settled his account. Will visit Pintard tomorrow to see if this is actually true. Sends love from himself and his wife to Mrs. Knox and the children. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no…

GLC02437.05408

12 April 1792

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's letter but wanted to wait until he arrived in New York City before he responded. Declares that he has never seen a place in so much distress. Explains that Mr. [Alexander] Macomb is under so much stress that he has "gone beyond redemption, and must begin the world again." Has heard that before Saturday more than forty noteworthy people will "stop" (meaning stop payment to their creditors, thereby declaring bankruptcy). Discusses a recent visit with Mr. [William] Duer. Duer requested that Ogden transport a financial note to Mr. John Pintard, but Ogden did not want to oblige…

GLC02437.05412

1769/07/28

Iroquois Nation

Document signed

Title: Six Nations. Document signed with the holograph totems of 14 chiefs.

A reciept acknowledging the final payment for land ceded by the Six Nations at the Treaty of Fort Stanwix. With the loss of these lands the Six Nations eventually dispersed: the Mohawk and Cayuga to Canada, the Oneida to Wisconsin, while the Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora stayed in upstate New York.

GLC02548

3 December 1859

Kossuth, Lajos Von, 1802-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letter of reference for Alexis Ludvigh]

Writes, "The bearer Mr. Alexis Ludvigh native of Hungary, County of Szepes, is going to the United States America [sic] with the consent of his parents, and the intention to make the States his adoptive home. I am well acquainted with his father, who being one of the Representatives of the people to the national assembly of Hungary 1848 has so much signalised [?] himself by his resolute patriotism, and firm democratic principles, that I selected him to the important trust of a Civil Commissioner of the government with the main army. He is now in exile like myself; and prefers to see his son…

GLC02869.01

May 1770

Revere, Paul, 1735-1818

Print

Title: A view of part of the town of Boston in New-England and Brittish Ships of War landing their troops 1768

One of two copies known to be signed by colorist Christian Remick, and engraved by Paul Revere. Originally framed in worn edge scallop frame and old glass, with frame cut-down for the print. Propaganda print showing disembarkation of British troops. Reproduced in Brigham p. 79-85 (measurements are for frames)

GLC02873

1725/10

Livingston, Robert, 1654-1728

Manuscript document

Title: Prices of imports from the West Indies

Lists prices of West Indian and African enslaved people, rum, sugar, molasses, and other items.

GLC03107.01732

July 16, 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [John Langdon].

Discusses contracting for guns, military preparations, and the Declaration of Independence. Remarks that independence was proclaimed in the army at New York last Wednesday and a statue of King George III was taken down and cast into bullets, "... for the destruction of this tools of tyranny. May every one of them be properly commissioned." Informs that in a few days 20,000 men will be assembled at New Jersey in addition to the army of York. Writes the Declaration "has had a glorious affect has made these Colonies all alive, all the colonies forming governments. . ."

GLC03186

1857-1858 ca.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph manuscript

Title: Speech fragment on slavery and American government

Probably part of a speech, beginning in the middle of a word. Lincoln emphasizes how America's affirmation of natural rights has made the nation into a wiser, stronger, happier and more progressive country.

GLC03251

1682

Visscher, Nicholas, fl. 1682

Map

Title: Novi Belgi Novaeque Angliae [New Netherland and New England]

This map marks the culmination of Dutch surveys of their possessions in what became New York and New Jersey. Cartouche includes panorama of New York City (New Amsterdam). Engraved map, handcolored. See R. V. Tooley, The Mapping of America, p. 285 no. 6.

GLC03582

1860/06, 1897

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Photograph

Title: Mammoth platinum print enlarged & printed by Ayres from Hesler negative

Ayres's copyright blindstamp has been made twice in the image. Inscribed, signed and dated by Ayres in ink on the reverse: "Copyright, 1897. Enlarged from the original negative owned by Geo. B. Ayres, Artist, Philadelphia." Ostendorf 26. The negative was made in Springfield on 6/3/1860 by Alexander Hesler. George B. Ayres bought the studio with contents. The photograph has been sepia-toned.

GLC04347

1869/05/10

Russell, Andrew J., 1829-1902

Photograph

Title: Joining of the rails at Promontory Point [Russell #227]

GLC04481.01