3 November 1873

Dodge, Mary Abigail, fl. 1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Ward

Response written to Mr. Ward, her publisher and a minister. Mr. Ward apparently disliked an article Dodge sent him because he disagrees with religious interpretations in the text. Dodge defends her beliefs and criticizes that ministers compel people to search the Scripture but at the same time want people to believe only what they say. She claims she is not mad at Ward, because he spoke his mind, but she will not alter her manuscript.

GLC05508.087

circa 1920-1930

Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [What can one possibly say...]

Written on imprinted card: "What can one possibly say that / if they have been in any way / needy or unhappy one prays that the / future has compensation in store." Date of document assumed because Doyle's interest in spiritualism emerged after the death of his son in WWI.

GLC05508.088

circa 1880

Doyle, Charles Hastings, fl. 1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written as a P.S. enclosing a prayer book for his God Son, adding that he cannot not think of a more appropriate Christmas gift. In an additional P.S., Hastings writes that the prayer book will not be acceptable in the United States, because it is British and offers prayers for the Royal Family. He asks what his God Son would like to have. Signed "Hastings Doyle."

GLC05508.089

circa 1880-1890

Draper, William H., fl. 1880-1890

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: The Lord Knoweth them that are His

This hymn espouses that all people enter God's care when they die, whether they are buried in their local graveyard or on a distant battlefield.

GLC05508.090

17 October 1934

DuPont, Pierre Samuel, 1870-1954

Typed letter signed

Title: to George Vaughan

Responding to a letter written by Vaughan, DuPont sees the general failure of religious teaching as an evil to be combatted. He admits that he may not be the best person to offer advice since he does not attend church, but asserts that he is a believer in the fundamental principles of religion. He thinks that if a spiritual awakening were to be successful, it would have to come from professional men who are well respected in the community.

GLC05508.091

21 May 1931

Dunedin, Herbert, fl. 1931

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin Gaskell

When asked how to explain God to a child, Dunedin rhetorically asks if it would "not be enough to tell a child that God is his Creator...the author and giver of all good." He says to demonstrate unseen forces by wind, electricity, and thoughts. He also recommends using Proverbs 20:27, "the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord," to instruct on conscience. Written from Auckland Castle, in County Durham, England.

GLC05508.093

17 October 1966

Edmonds, Walter Dumaux, 1851-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marshall E. Bean

Written in response to a letter from Bean. Edmonds has been moved by Bean's "unostentatious courage," but is not sure he can comfort him. He writes that he does not believe in God the way the Churches do, but believes in a force of good. He encloses a story that was once printed in the "Atlantic" and which may bring him some comfort.

GLC05508.094

8 December 1897

Eliot, Charles William, 1834-1926

Typed letter signed

Title: to Rev. E.M. Fairchild

Written in response to a letter from Fairchild. Elliot agrees that the Roman and Anglican churches do not recognize the equality of sexes in their marriage rituals. He wishes that advocates of gender equality were not so determined to assert that the sexes are alike. Eliot views denominational strife as just one part of the conflict between individualism and socialism. He mentions changes to the Kansas educational system that he thinks are detrimental.

GLC05508.095

2 May 1962

Eliot, T.S. (Thomas Stearns), 1888-1965

Typed letter signed

Title: to George Urban

On the stationary of Faber and Faber. Elliot claims he is too busy to make a broadcast on Radio Free Europe in Eastern Europe. He also rejects Urban's proposal that Elliot speak on religious persecution, because he has not known it himself.

GLC05508.096

13 August 1815

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his grandson

Congratulates his grandson's wife's safe delivery of a baby boy. Advises that the child be taught piety and virtue from a very young age, so it will stay with him always. He also urges the mother to nurse the baby and "not suffer any silly ideas of the polite to prevent her discharging this duty to which nature & nature's God require." The recipient possibly may be George G. Channing, with whom Ellery corresponded for many years. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of…

GLC05508.097

8 December 1863

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Minister of Peru

Cautions the government of Peru not to return to Monarchy.

GLC05327

1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: [The Address of the Religious Society called Quakers, from their Yearly Meeting for Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware...].

Also represents Quakers in western Maryland and Virginia. Composed at a September 9, 1789 meeting and issued by the meeting's clerk, Nicholas Waln. Addressed to the President of the U.S. The Quakers offer support and prayers for Washington's Presidency, and note freedom of religion "among the choicest of blessings." Washington's undated reply appears at the bottom. It expressing thanks, praises the Quakers, and supports the idea of religious freedom. Printed by Daniel Humphreys.

GLC05329

January 22, 1863

Faxon, William, 1822-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. A. Harwood

Written by Chief Clerk Faxon to Commodore Harwood. Tells Harwood that the "'Monitor' was launched January 30th, 1862 - Contest with the 'Merrimac,' March 9th - Foundered on the night of 30th Decr. 1862." (The "Merrimac" sank on 11 May 1862; the "Monitor" was lost at sea on 30 December of that year.) Says Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles and his wife will be pleased (he does not specify why) "for there is no vessel he speaks of with such affection as the 'Monitor.'" Says he received a telegram from Admiral Lee that one of the ironclads [possibly the Weehauken] is now entering Hampton Roads…

GLC05331.03

30 June 1864

Document signed

Title: Quarterly return of deceased soldiers of company

Reports that African American soliders John Jackson, Shadrick Ham, Benjamin Dobson, George Washington [II] and Anderson West died from disease at Fort Smith, Arkansas. States that Henry Whittle died from an accident at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, that Irvin Wilson drowned at Fort Smith, and that Doctor Randall died from disease at Fort Smith. This document is partially printed.

GLC05336.04

17 August 1867

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank H. Alfriend

Noted at top "Strictly Confidential." Discusses events of 1850, 1857-8-9 and 1860-61. He argues that repeal of the Missouri Compromise logically allowed nullification of other things as well. Blames abolitionism. Argues that the South had to withdraw rather than work against Lincoln because eventually it would be outnumbered whatever it did. includes justification for "The exercise of the sovereign right of state revocation of its Grants and withdrawl from the union." Alfriend was author of The Life of Jefferson Davis. Marked "Strictly Confidential" at the top. Written a few months…

GLC05344.01

30 December 1776

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Patrick Henry?]

Gerry, a Continental Congressman, discusses an unspecified request and an appeal brought before Congress. Informs Henry, Governor of Virginia, that he will ask Congressional President John Hancock why the appeal has not been presented to Congress and will attempt to "move it as early as possible." States "We have just heard from General Washington, that he cross'd Delaware just above Trentown, ye Evening after Christmas with 2500 men, attacked ye Enemy who were posted with about 1500 men in ye Town about 8 oclock ye next Morning, routed them & took 750 prisoners that are brot over ye…

GLC05346

8 June 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Pollock

States that upon receiving Pollock's previous letter, he was engaged in a business meeting with the director of the Potomac Company at Shenandoah Falls, Virginia. Declines Pollock's request for recommendation to Esteban Rodriguez Miro y Sabater, the Governor of Louisiana. Declares that such a recommendation would be improper, stating "I have never had the Lever of a personal acquaintance ... with the Governor- I do not feel myself authorized to take a greater latitude of freedom in this respect than any other unknown private citizen."

GLC05454

10 September 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of John G. English for rebellion].

Signed by Andrew Johnson as President. Countersigned by William H. Seward as Secretary of State. English's plantation was in Aberdeen, Mississippi. White seal on second page. Document was originally folded into sixths.

GLC05460

4 November 1827

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Creighton, Jr.

Provides a copy of a statement "which took place in the Senate," discussing allegations of a deal between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay to win Adams the presidency in 1824, in which an investigation into the matter was refused. Asks that it be published.

GLC05462

3 May 1887

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sherman

Writes to his brother regarding his travel plans for the next week or so. States he will go to Washington to attend the meeting of the Army of the Cumberland and the unveiling of the Garfield statue, then he must go to Philadelphia. Informs that he will be at John's house on Wednesday 11 May. Discusses other personal and family matters. Discusses his Wolseley letter arguing that Ulysses S. Grant was a superior strategist over Robert E. Lee. "My Wolseley letter seems to be received generally with favor, but the South and England may not relish it. " The Wolseley letter involved a dispute…

GLC05465

June 1781

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Lafayette reports on his activities and strategy fighting Cornwallis in Virginia. Notes that he has avoided general actions and adds laconically that "His Lordship [Cornwallis] seems to have given up the Conquest of Virginia." Explains that the American forces were smaller, a fact they had to keep secret. Discusses military movements. Docketed and dated by someone named Jared Sparks.

GLC05467

21 March 1910

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sam Chapman

Refers to Gettysburg. Contrasts differing reports of Henry Heth and Ambrose Powell Hill about going to Gettysburg after some shoes.

GLC05470

16 June 1889

Lillie, Gordon William, 1860-1942

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. C. Morgan

Written on stationery of Pawnee Bill's Oklahoma Colonization Company. Informs Morgan of his plans to establish a settlement (possibly the colony which was later known as "Pawnee Bill's Old Town and Trading Post" in Oklahoma). Advises Morgan that a dry goods or cigar business will prove the most lucrative in the established town.

GLC05476

28 October 1841

Seneca chieftains

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Petition to New York Governor William H. Seward signed by 58 chieftains of the Seneca Tribe]

Requests that the $500 annuity paid by the state, be paid only to the trusted chiefs listed. The annuity had been misused by chiefs favorable to the Ogden Land Company, and the money embezzled by the man to whom it had been paid. Endorsed by Seward with his initials. Written at Cattaraugus Reservation.

GLC05487

1887

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Pamphlet signed

Title: Report of the Admiral of the Navy

Printed by the Government Printing Office. Disbound but retaining original blue covers. Signed on covers to Hon. E.S. Tobey.

GLC05488