17 September 1787

Constitutional Convention, 1787

Document signed

Title: United States Constitution. Printed Dunlap & Claypoole edition inscribed to Jonathan Williams

One printing of the United States Constitution by Dunlap & Claypoole dated September 17, 1787. This printing of the Constitution is missing the last two pages cutting off after the second paragraph of the sixth article. It is a members printing of the Constitution by Dunlap & Claypoole, inscribed by Benjamin Franklin (as President of Pennsylvania) to Jonathan Williams Sr., a successful Massachusetts businessman and husband to Franklin's niece, Grace Harris Williams. The members printing was intended to be distributed to state governments and influential Americans. This printing…

GLC03585

1777/05/27

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to nephew Jonathan Williams re: belief in ultimate success of American cause

Franklin states that "You and your Country are engag'd in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage." Franklin also mentions Williams' son John in Nantes. Franklin concludes: "I continue amazing well and hearty for my Age, and hope to live to see the End of these Troubles, and our Country establish'd in Freedom, when it will soon become great and glorious, by being the Asylum of all the Oppress'd of Europe, and the Resort of the Wealthy who love Liberty...." (Stored as open folio)

GLC04430

October 13, 1776-1782

Kościuszko, Tadeusz, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Requests provisions promised by Quarter Master General Thomas Mifflin. Written on October 13.

GLC04630

14 December 1852

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ralph Wardlaw

Writes to thank Wardlaw for his invitation to visit Scotland. Mentions her surprise at the success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," her belief that the work was divinely inspired, and her hope that its popularity shows Christ has mercy to the cause of abolishing slavery. States she will visit Scotland and notes that she is currently working on a "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin." Stowe published the "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin" in 1853 and shortly after left America for a tour of Europe. She visited England, Scotland, France and Switzerland and was met by crowds in each place. Ralph Wardlaw (1779-1853)…

GLC04631

1860/06, 1881

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Photograph

Title: Platinum print by Alexander Hesler & George P. Ayres, image from 1860 with flyer

Blind copyright stamp of Ayres dated 1881. Accompanied by a Ayres promotional flyer which notes: "I have two negatives. [....] These were taken at Springfield Ill. in June 1860 immediately after Mr. Lincoln's nomination to the Presidency."

GLC04698

1835

Prud'homme, R., fl. 1835

Engraving

Title: Alexander Hamilton.

Engraved from the original miniature by Arch. Robertson. From the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans, conducted by James B. Longacre and James Herring under the superintendence of the American Academy of the Fine Arts. Accompanied Alexander Hamilton letter (GLC04842.08.01).

GLC04842.08.02

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Wagon fording the Rappahannock River

A wagon, loaded with people and pulled by oxen, is emerging from fording the Rappahannock River, while what appears to be a colored regiment stands guard. Inscription on verso: "Fugitive Negroes fording Rappahannock River." Numeric notation on verso: "83."

GLC05111.01.0926

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Benjamin Franklin Butler as major general, seated, right profile

Imprint on recto "Gurney & Son Photo N.Y." Graphite inscription on verso "23" "+." Photographers imprint on verso: "Photogaphic Artists J. Gurney & Son, 707 Broadway N.Y."

GLC05111.02.0264

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Camp scene

Image shows an African-American man standing in front of two steaming kettles. In the background is a set of train tracks, an A-frame tent, a log cabin, and a wood building surrounded by barrels and other supplies. Graphite inscription on verso "2.50--" "19." Photographers imprint on verso: "Published by E. & H. T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. Manufacturers of the best Photographic Albums."

GLC05111.02.1354

June 3, 1782

Kościuszko, Tadeusz, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Ko´sciuszko, a colonel and engineer in the Continental Army, discusses military preparations for the Yorktown campaign. Comments on his earthworks and the need for more troops to protect them. Written "at Colo. Mayens."

GLC05545

1801/02/20

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Print

Title: Stipple engraving after R. Peale engraved by C. Tidout

Printed by M. Carey. Full title: "Thomas Jefferson. President of the United States." The text at bottom quotes the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths...."

GLC05669

18 November 1863- October 1864

Woodlin, William P., fl. 1863-1864

Diary

Title: [Diary of an African American soldier in 8th Regiment United States Colored Troops, Company G]

Woodlin's brief entries describe camp life, his service with the regimental band as a horn player, several battles, the weather, equal pay with white soldiers, and the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment, among many other topics. He describes his part in the siege of Petersburg, Virginia, where his regiment arrived two months after fighting began. The middle section of this journal includes blank leaves, followed by several pages of notes and lists. The diary was rebound, but includes the separated original cover.

GLC06599

2 December 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes that his wife, Olive, has gone to Fort Donelson with two of his children. Has been appointed Captain of Company Division 16th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry. Expresses his satisfaction at fighting alongside former slaves -- "iff it is glorious to enlist the oppressed it is certainly doubly so to be privelidged to lead them against their oppressors." Describes a school system he has instituted to give the black soldiers literacy skills so "they will be well prepared to appreciate the sweet boon of freedom" after the war. Plans to bring his wife to live with him in winter quarters.

GLC07006.05

28 May 1864

Fletcher, Francis H., 1841-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob C. Safford

Fletcher, a black soldier in the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, complains bitterly of the inequality of treatment and pay between the white and black soldiers. "Just one year ago to day our regt was received in Boston with almost an ovation, and at 5 P.M. it will be one year …in that one year no man of our regiment has received a cent of monthly pay all through the glaring perfidy of the U.S. Govt." He references an act for equal pay passed in 1864, "All the misery and degradation suffered in our regiment by its members' families is not atoned for by the passage of the bill for equal…

GLC07345

24 November 1846

Lowrie, Walter, 1784-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Auld

Lowrie, a former United States Senator from Pennsylvania, informs Auld that Henry Richardson of England has sent him 150 pounds sterling for the purchase of Frederick Douglass. Asks that the legal transfer papers of Douglass from Thomas Auld to Hugh be included with Douglass's freedom papers, and that the freedom papers be examined and confirmed by a lawyer (Meredith) in Baltimore. Lowrie does not wish to be connected to the transaction, noting that his involvement has been unpleasant from the beginning.

GLC07484.03

1864

Stebbins, Lucius, fl. 1864

Print

Title: Reading the Emancipation Proclamation

One lithograph dated 1864. Depicts black family gathered around a black soldier reading a newspaper. The family all look to the soldier in varying stated of shock and hope as he reads the emancipation proclamation. Present are eleven people including a mother and two children who is kneeling and praying in the center of the image.

GLC07595

6 December 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Fragment of Lincoln's last State of the Union address concerning the thirteenth amendment]

An 11-line fragment of his last Annual Message to Congress dealing with the failure of Congress to pass the thirteenth amendment and recommending they reconsider: "At the last session of Congress a proposed amendment of the Constitution [inserted above: abolishing slavery throughout the United States,] passed the Senate, but failed for lack of the requisite two thirds vote in the House of Representatives. Although the present is the same Congress, and nearly the same members, and without questioning the wisdom or patriotism of those who stood in opposition, I venture to recommend the…

GLC08094

1861-1865

Header Record

Title: Confederate acts concerning prisioners of war and the use of slaves or free negroes for the war [Decimalized .01-.10]

GLC08979

15 February 1864

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: Joint Resolutions in reference to the treatment of colored troops

Confederate act resolves that the abolition of slavery is against the rules of war and that former slaves who are captured while fighting for the Union will be returned to their masters. States "emancipation of the negro slaves within the Confederate States by the enemy, is not among the acts of legitimate war; but is...among such acts as 'putting to death all prisoners in cold blood.'" With war department stamp.

GLC08979.05

31 March 1864

Fleetwood, Christian, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Gibbs

Civil War letter of one of first African-American soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and the first honored by the Smithsonian, to "Mother Gibbs." "…the expedition brought in altogether 502 contrabands. I had the good fortune of being instrumental in freeing fifty or more of them…I had the pleasure of depriving our southern brethren of over fifty contrabands, four or five horses with carts, wagons etc [?], five or six teams with carts and a considerable part of their good temper. For all of which I am truly thankful."

GLC09405

1883

Johnson, Fry, & Co., fl. 1825-1873

Engraving

Title: Thomas Jefferson

One print of President Thomas Jefferson dated 1883. Engraved by Johnson, Fry & Co.

GLC08878.1198

June 28, 1780

Home, James, fl. 1780

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Home

James, a British soldier aboard the Europe, writes to his father. Discusses the mail. States he has been a week in [New] York and Long Island. Mentions that German mercenary General Wilhelm Knyphausen took Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Comments that Knyphausen was to attack General Washington but Continental General Stirling (British Brigadier General Thomas Stirling) was wounded and the surgeon wanted to amputate his leg. Knyphausen's plans were disrupted and he lay inactive until Continental General James Clinton drew the troops from the Jerseys. During the retreat, the Americans killed a…

GLC01450.045

1755-1763

Nourse, James, 1731-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio Gates

Discusses Major Gates' son, comments on the law requiring giving arms to the militia, and mentions Colonel George Washington twice.

GLC01450.264

1776

Johnston, Francis, 1749-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Persifor Frazer

Says he should have waited for Frazer in the morning, but was indisposed. Did not sleep well last night because David Matthews "a Capital Tory (no less than the present Lord Mayor of N York" was quite loud next door. He was accompanying Matthews as a prisoner to meet General Washington. Asks Frazer for a "duplicate of the general abstract for my use," and says he will meet him at Mr. Airey's. David Matthews was the Tory Mayor of New York from 1776 to 1783. He was implicated in a plot to murder or kidnap George Washington, and arrested by the Colonial Army on 22 June 1776. He quickly…

GLC01450.457.01

November 9, 1779

Warren, James, 1726-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Discusses "A new Constitution of Government now forming by the Convention at Camebridge," referring to the debate over the Articles of Confederation. "The people seem convinced of the necessity of a new form of Government," but progress is slow. Fears what may happen if this convention adjourns. Says Adams and Dana will sail soon and that three ships are ready for Comte d'Estaing or General Washington.

GLC01450.528