26 October 1864

Wright, Horatio G., 1820-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louisa M. Bradford Wright

Major General Wright replies to a letter from his wife while "In the field," following the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia. Mentions an enclosed dispatch (within the letter from his wife) from General Philip Sheridan. Referring to Sheridan's dispatch, writes, "It is highly colored, naturally enough perhaps, for he had come up from Winchester thro' the crowd of skulkers who had fled from the battle field! but when he arrived, the lines were forming, the retreat of all who would fight (and those who always run away...) had been arrested, and the preparations for an offensive movement had been…

GLC04065

13 June 1781

Tilghman, Matthew, 1718-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Special Council for the Eastern Shore

Advises that he just heard that the new Maryland Eastern Shore Executive was established and was given the utmost power. Informs that the British fleet with Benedict Arnold aboard has been sited. Also mentions that the British army is south of the James River and reports briefly on fighting in South Carolina. States that he cannot speak of Assembly business because no one has a good plan to get more money.

GLC04066

7 February 1881

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Taylor

Regrets his inability to attend a Mexican War reunion. Reminisces about the war and expresses his feeling that veterans should be remembered and honored.

GLC04068

30 August 1861

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wallace J. Ford

Camp Chase was located in Columbus, Ohio. Lieutenant Colonel Garfield replies to a letter from Ford, apparently serving as his personal secretary. Discusses buying a horse, stating "From what I have seen since I came into camp I am satisfied that I must have a much better horse than I at first intended- to be up front with the times- From what you say of the old horse he is just what I want... I know enough of the service to know that I must have a no 1 horse at whatever cost- So reckon the old horse mine." Instructs Ford regarding sale of a carriage and "Billy," perhaps another horse.…

GLC04069

11 April 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Broadside

Title: Al pueblo sensato de Mexico. Proclama [in Spanish]

"To the sensible town of Mexico. A Proclamation." States that Americans are not enemies of peaceful Mexicans and that they respect their religion. Discusses martial law and the power of the army to prosecute offenders. Also mentions that all food and supplies needed by the soldiers will be paid for in full, unlike the guerillas who have ransacked villages and stolen property. Adds that vendors will have the protection of the U.S. Army.

GLC04070

1774/06

Broadside

Title: (Boston Covenant). Calling for cessation of all trade with Great Britain

Blank form, leaving empty the name of the town. Calls for a complete cessation of trade with Britain until repeal of the Boston Port Bill.

GLC04071

January 1799

Addison, Alexander, 1759-1807

Broadside

Title: Liberty of speech, and of the press: a charge to the grand juries of the county courts of the fifth circuit of the state of Pennsylvania

Article by Alexander Addison supporting the Sedition Act. Document is ripped along the side.

GLC04072

1807

Broadside

Title: Direct Tax

Broadside on New Hampshire taxation regarding the Louisiana Purchase. Concerns the cost of the Louisiana purchase, with a table showing the proportionate cost per county of the $15 million bill, and describing how the Embargo Act makes it difficult if not impossible to pay France without a special tax. The writer, "Americanus," also warns of the threat of European war.

GLC04073

1854

Bingham, George Caleb, 1811-1879

Print

Title: The County election [hand colored engraving, mezzotint and roulette by Sartain]

GLC04074

1856

Bingham, George Caleb, 1811-1879

Print

Title: Stump Speaking

Text underneath image reads, "Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by Geo C. Bingham Esq. in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the southern District of New York." Text underneath title reads, "This print from the original Painting by Geo. C. Bingham Esq. is respectfully Dedicated to the Friends of American Art, by the Publishers Goupil & Co."

GLC04075

1778/06/17

United States. Continental Congress.

Autograph document signed

Title: Extract from minutes of Congress to suppress dangerous correspondence

GLC04079

25 June 1864

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wood

Thanks Wood for sending a letter written by Secretary of State William H. Seward concerning a petition for government aid in constructing an overland international telegraph line. Remarks upon the rapid progress of the telegraph throughout the world and mentions the first telegraph message, chosen by 18 year old Annie Ellsworth, "What hath God wrought." Comments that although he had predicted the telegraph would go around the world, he did not expect to live to see it happen. Expresses satisfaction that though many have tried to improve upon his system, the "Morse System," is still used…

GLC04080

1 May 1862

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

Broadside

Title: Proclamation

Institutes "the administration of Law Martial" in New Orleans, two days after it was surrendered to the Union. Terms include respect for the United States flag, punishment for aiding Confederates, harsh treatment for crimes against Federal, prohibition of public gatherings. "The armies of the United States came here not to destroy but to make good, to restore order out of chaos, and the government of laws in place of the passions of men."

GLC04081

1861/05/31

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to John W. Ellis

GLC04082

28 September 1888

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Sarony

Encloses a check for a photograph taken by Sarony. Sherman calls the photograph "exactly right" and says he will have it framed to place with photos of General Ulysses S. Grant and Philip Sheridan.

GLC04084

1864 ca.

Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881

Photograph

Title: 6th plate ambrotype, cased

GLC04085

3 February 1854

Stuart, James Ewell Brown, 1833-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Archibald Stuart

Complains to his father that Congress does not adequately support the military. Written as a student at West Point, states that the military appropriations bill may not pass, and upset military spending is always the first place the "watch-dogs of the Treasury" make financial cut backs.

GLC04086

23 October 1791

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Requests a foreign appointment in Europe. Hopes the sea voyage will restore his health. Remarks that he does not want to deprive James Madison of the post, if he or another qualified person desires it. Hopes Jefferson will recommend him to President Washington. Also discusses shipping and commerce with Britain, relaying information from the debate in the Maryland legislature, of which McHenry was then a member. Docketed by Jefferson

GLC03802

4 December 1862

Gray, William H., 1810-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Justin Morrill

Discusses country's current financial position, per Morrill's request. Details poor state of U.S. finances, explains the "very grave objections" to President Lincoln's recommendation of a general banking law, and offers possible alternatives. "Our present debt is about 700 millions…The Government requires large additional sums…To place the whole security for the circulation of the country in the hands of a bureau at Washington, subject to the political changes to which it must be subject, is a matter to cause most serious apprehension." Morrill, a Republican Congressman from Vermont, was the…

GLC03806

1841

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Pamphlet

Title: Argument of John Quincy Adams, before the Supreme Court of the United States : in the case of the United States, appellants, vs. Cinque, and others,...

... (title continues) Africans, captured in the schooner Amistad, by Lieut. Gedney, delivered on the 24th of February and 1st of March, 1841: with a review of the case of the Antelope, reported in the 10th, 11th, and 12th volumes of Wheaton's Reports. Published by Seth Williston Benedict. Reprinted in 1969 by Arno Press, also available on microfilm.

GLC03809

17 August 1861

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Printed document signed

Title: [Notification to George H. Thomas of his appointment by President Lincoln to Brigadier General of Volunteers]

Partially printed document issued by the War Department. If Thomas accepts the appointment, he is instructed to return an oath enclosed with the letter. Thomas is also instructed to report to Brigadier General Robert Anderson for orders.

GLC03816.01

27 October 1863

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Printed document signed

Title: to George Henry Thomas

Partially printed document informing Thomas that he has been appointed Brigadier General by the President of the United States. Signed by Stanton as Secretary of War. A note at the bottom of the page indicates that Thomas accepted this appointment 2 November 1863, the day he received this notification.

GLC03816.02

30 March 1862

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

To an unnamed Union General hoping he improves from his wounds and stating his importance to the Union cause. Addressed simply to "Dear General," who was recently wounded while fighting Stonewall Jackson's forces. States that his recovery is essential to the Union's success in the war. Docket notes "A friendly letter."

GLC03817.01

20 February 1868

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Document signed

Title: [Deed of sale of excess military sites]

Allows for the sale of lands, buildings, and improvements surrounding Harper's Ferry. Grants conveyance of property to Catharine E. Stipes.

GLC03817.02

23 July 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Fitzgerald

General Washington discusses legal matters regarding his disputed land holdings on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, with his former aide-de-camp. Refers to a forthcoming survey of the Potomac River, necessary for a canal-building enterprise he sought to undertake as the first President of the Potomac Company. Expresses concern that he will be unable to simultaneously handle legal matters at both locations.

GLC03818