16 April 1783

North, Frederick, 1732-1792

Letter signed

Title: to Friedrich Riedesel

Orders Riedesel, the commander of Hessian troops in Canada, to prepare to return to Europe in accordance with the provisional peace treaty made to end the American Revolution. Written at Whitehall.

GLC06635

6 September 1762

Amherst, Jeffery Amherst, Baron, 1717-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sir William Johnson

Written by Amherst as Governor-General of British North America, a title he earned after his forces captured Fort Ticonderoga and Montreal during the French and Indian War, to Johnson, a subordinate of Amherst's. Passing along information on British victory at Havana from Lord Albemarle, Commander of the British army. The attack was part of Britain's offensive against Spain when she entered the war in support of France late in 1761. The British government's response was immediately to plan large offensive amphibious operations against Spanish overseas possessions, particularly Havana, the…

GLC06636

10 December 1778

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Thompson

Updates Thompson on family news. States that his sister has told him that Fitch has not paid his debt yet and advises Thompson to consult a lawyer to recover the money owed. Asks him what price he can get for selling his house. Hopes to see Thompson next spring if his army service does not take him to the field. Gives love to the rest of the family. Addressed to Thompson as a merchant in New Haven, Connecticut. Free franked by Arnold.

GLC06637

2 May 1863- April 6 1865

Manuscript document

Title: Nominal Lists Casualties, Company Orders, Detailed officers and enlisted men, officers absent and present not on duty

Roster of 120th regiment New York Volunteer Infantry. Written on inside cover, in pencil, "The Regiment enlisted 2000 men but returned home unable to muster more than 350 - such had been the work of bullet and desease." First thirteen pages list officers and enlisted men "absent and present." Remaining pages list "killed, wounded and missing." Includes action at Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and Petersburg. The last entry, "Pursuit of Lee's Army," written three days before the surrender at Appomattox. Bound in reverse leather.

GLC06638

8 January 1862

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Letter signed

Title: to editor of the New York World

Wants to correct an "erroneous impression" from an article in his newspaper on his superintending of construction of an ironclad ship (the USS "Monitor") on behalf of Bushnell & Co. Says he is in fact making the ship "to my own plans approved by a special board of naval officers" under an agreement with the Secretary of the Navy dated 4 October 1861. Says he has been joined by "a few loyal and spirited citizens" who think "an impregnable floating battery will prove an important auxiliary at the present crisis."

GLC06639

1 August 1917

Dalzell, J.M., fl. 1867-1917

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: The Blue and Gray of 1867.

A song opposed to reconciliation with the South, praising the loyalty, honor and bravery of Northern soldiers, while condemning the treason of Confederate soldiers. The song was originally written the same year that the Reconstruction Acts passed Congress. This is a handwritten copy of the original.

GLC06640.02

15 April 1899

Fontaine, Lamar, 1829-1921

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary C. Day

A graceful acknowledgement of Day's letter of thanks for receiving "All Quiet on the Potomac." He writes in part: "It is a gratification to an old crippled Reb to receive such as womanly letter as yours." He closes by wishing her a long and peaceful life and a content death.

GLC06640.03

14 October 1826

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles B. Haddock

Replies to a previous inquiry from Haddock, his nephew, regarding the first settlers of New Hampshire. States that Nathaniel Adams' 1825 book, 'The Annals of Portsmouth', adds little to general knowledge on the history of New Hampshire. Offers his opinion on how religion and politics shaped the history of New England.

GLC06641.02

9 October 1863

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Poem

Title: Sonnet to Liberty.

"Know this, O man, whate'er thy earthly fate-/God never made a tyrant nor a slave:/Woe, then, to those who dare to desecrate/His sacred image! - for to all He gave/Eternal rights, which none may violate;/And by a mighty hand th'oppressed He yet shall save." Signed and dated Boston, October 9th, 1863.

GLC06643

24 April 1832

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to M. Clerc-Lasalle [in French]

Lafayette's letter in French during the reign of Louis Philippe. Partial translation available. Provides advice to a friend of Clerc-Lasalle's on moving to America. Tells him about land policies in America and that his friend should learn English. Expresses anger at Louis Philippe's administration in France. Louis Philippe came to power with Lafayette's approval in 1830, but by 1832 he was claiming the King had broken earlier promises. Despite his waning influence and Louis Philippe's commitment to reform, he continued to fight the King until his death in 1834. Says all benefits of the 1830…

GLC06644

20 July 1782

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Discusses his financial hardships and fear of France's growing power. Hopes Morris can sell his estate for him, since his debts are mounting due to high taxes and low profits. Also hopes Morris can help him secure funds he is owed by a Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina. The Rutledge family was a very prominent one in South Carolina. Is upset by Congress' claim that "they will have no peace however salutary until their good allies assent." Worries that this policy will lead to our aiding the French so greatly that they will come to dominate the globe, and become America's new oppressor.

GLC06645.02

22 November 1885

Herndon, William H., 1818-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Kirk

Gives a friend his perceptions of Abraham Lincoln as a thinker, man, and statesman. He writes in part that Lincoln was "in the best sense of the word..., a deep, thorough and persistent thinker and a great reader of the political history of his country ... he was honest - prudent - far seeing - sagacious - he was cautious - conservative ... " He goes on to say that Lincoln had not reached his full mental maturity as he was assassinated at only 56 years old. Mentions that Lincoln also had negatives as he was not a perfect man, but does not list them.

GLC06648.01

10 September 1948

Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969

Typed letter signed

Title: to Harry A. Lee

Offers congratulations on a friend's marriage. Addressed to Lee in San Francisco, California. On personal stationary printed with initials DDE.

GLC06649.03

4 December 1917

Haig, Douglas H., 1861-1928

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Simpson Atmore

Letter regarding Franco-American alliance and role of U.S. on western front.

GLC06651.02

6 April 1797

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus King

References many letters he has received from King and others. Pickering writes as Secretary of State to King as American Minister to Britain. Expresses anger at the French Directory over exclusion of American representatives in XYZ affair. Says French seizures of American ships has taken on a systematic quality. Says there is "one consolation, that they have weaned us from our undue attachment to France." Claims sentiments in America are turning against the French Revolution after recent events. Mentions the scandal with Ira Allen of Vermont, Ethan Allen's younger brother. Ira Allen…

GLC06652

27 April 1865

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Manuscript document

Title: [General Order No. 18]

Announces that by the terms of the surrender of 26 April 1865 between Union General William T. Sherman, and Confederate General Johnston, the officers and men of the army must not take up arms against the United States. Reports that duplicate muster rolls will be made, then troops will march to their respective states and disband, keeping personal property. Ends by saying that events in Virginia have made it the duty of the General to stop further bloodshed and devastation. Clerical signature of Johnston. Written from headquarters of the Army of Tennessee. Also signed as official by A. H…

GLC06654.01

April 26, 1865

Butler, Matthew Calbraith, 1836-1909

Autograph document signed

Title: to Pierre T. Beauregard

Telegram instructing Beauregard to notify the commander of the 6th corps which camped 18 miles from Danville last night that the truce between Union General William T. Sherman and Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston has resumed. On verso is an autograph note of Beauregard to Confederate General Lunsford L. Lomax, "1:10 PM Genl Johnston who is now on his way to confer with Genl Sherman in advance of Hillsboro directs as follows: 'Notify commander of 6th Corps (Federal) camped last night 18 miles from Danville that truce has been resumed between Genl Sherman and himself.'" Signed with…

GLC06654.02

7 December 1875

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John P. Nicholson

Possibly to John Page Nicholson, who published many essays on Civil War related topics. Discusses an article published by a Colonel Chesney in the "Fortnightly." Defends himself against Chesney's accusation that he (Johnston) exaggerated Federal losses. Attests that on pages 357 and 358 of his own narrative, his estimates of killed and wounded depend on the difference between the testimony of newspapers and prisoners. Also notes that it would have been impossible to beat troops as skilled as those led by General William T. Sherman "with insignificant losses like those reported by their…

GLC06656

29 July 1774

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Letter signed

Title: to Ezekiel Williams

Written by Adams as a member of the Massachusetts General Court (he would join the First Continental Congress on 5 September 1774) to Williams as Deputy Commissioner of Prisoners in Connecticut and a Sheriff for Hartford County. References Williams's letter of 25 July 1774. Says the letter was referred to a committee in Boston that was appointed to receive donations for the relief of the poor. Thanks him for the town of Wetherfield, Connecticut's donation of 34 3/4 bushels of wheat, 248 of rye, and 390 of Indian Corn. The donation was made because of the closing of Boston Harbor. Claims "…

GLC06657.01

October 25, 1774

Boston (Mass.). Committee of Donations

Broadsheet

Title: [Request for donations for the poor of Boston]

Broadside listing the twenty six members of the committee (including Samuel Adams, Thomas Boylston, and John Adams) seeks donations in accord with their mission to relieve the "Poor, suffering by means of the Act of Parliament, commonly called the Boston Port-Bill." Discusses the plans and projects supported by the committee. Accompanied Samuel Adams's letter to Ezekiel Williams seeking a donation (see GLC06657.01). The verso mentions a meeting on 25 October 1774 in which ten members joined the committee; their names are listed.

GLC06657.02

February 23, 1776

Wolcott, Oliver, 1726-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ezekiel Williams

Written by Wolcott, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a Continental Congressman from Connecticut, probably to Ezekiel Williams as Connecticut Commissioner of Prisoners and Wolcott's son-in-law. Notes already in Past Perfect said this document is from the papers of Ezekiel Williams, which could not be confirmed from the collateral files. But the content of the letter makes Williams a likely recipient. Wolcott says he forgot to mail a previous letter requesting a list of prisoners. Is now asking for an updated list in order to liquidate Connecticut's accounts with Congress.…

GLC06659

11 July 1865

Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to F. A. Angell

General Butler writes to Angell in Brooklyn, New York. "A mans right to self government is inherent and inalienable. It does not depend on the degree of his intelligence or on other accident. It is the correlative of self defence. Is the negro a man? But it is said that the negro will vote as his late master directs, and thus increase his master's political power. Be it so... I do not see how he or we are worse off if the negro votes with him [the master]... we gain and can loose nothing by giving the negro the right of suffrage."

GLC06660

3 May 1862-28 May 1863

Hudson, John Morley, fl. 1862-1863

Manuscript document

Title: Journal of the U.S. ship Shepherd Knapp

Written by Hudson as Acting Master on the USS "Shepherd Knapp." Signed at least five times by Hudson, including once on the cover. A note on the inside cover says he lived on Franklin Avenue at East Brooklyn, New York (the second house on the right above Van Buren Street -- he later moved up Franklin Avenue above Myrtle Street). Several doodle drawings, presumably by Hudson, are also on the first few pages of the book. Before the journal begins he provides a list of nine prizes which appear to have been taken by his squadron. Hudson reported for duty on the "Shepherd Knapp" at the Brooklyn…

GLC06664

6 December 1780

Dunlap, John, 1747-1812

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania packet, or, the general advertiser [No. 686 (December 6, 1780)]

Prints the Continental Congress's proclamation of a day of "public Thanksgiving and prayer." There is also an article on national fiscal matters and "Doctor Shippen's Vindication" for charges of neglect to soldiers during the American Revolution. Contains other news from around the colonies and many advertisements.

GLC06665

27 November 1780

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

A personal letter by Adams as a Continental Congressman to his friend and protege, Gerry, a former member of Congress who decided to take a seat in the Massachsetts House of Representatives. Writes concerning his plans to retire from Congress and his fears that human nature is "too debased to relish the republican principles" on which the new American government is being founded. He worries about "political idolatry" and the corruption of Americans. Docketed by Elbridge Gerry.

GLC06667