30 August 1861

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: An Act to perpetuate testimony in cases of slaves abducted or harbored by the enemy, and of other property seized, wasted, or destroyed by them. No. 270.

Appears to be a circular. Possibly created in Richmond, Virginia. Gives orders for the procedure slave owners may follow when their slaves are abducted or harbored. Notes that the Confederate States are not liable to make compensation for Confederate citizens' property that is lost or destroyed.

GLC06607

17 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General Orders: No. 287

Signed by H. L. Scott. Republication of General Orders, No. 20, declaring Martial Law. Discusses the code of conduct for military personnel. Written from the National Palace of Mexico. Duplicate of GLC00911.15.

GLC06608

1886

Pamphlet

Pamphlet

Title: "Mormon" women's protest.

Title continues: "an appeal for freedom, justice and equal rights. The ladies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints protest against the tyranny and indecency of federal officials in Utah, and against their own disfranchisement without cause. Full account of proceedings at the great mass meeting held in the Theatre, Salt Lake City, Utah, Saturday, March 6, 1886." This is a record of the protest held when it was apparent that the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887 would withdraw the right of suffrage from Utah women. Printed in Salt Lake City by the Deseret News. Flake, C.J. Mormon bib…

GLC06609

1796

Tucker, Henry St. George, 1780-1848

Book

Title: A Dissertation on slavery with a proposal for the gradual abolition of it...

[Complete title] "A dissertation on slavery with a proposal for the gradual abolition of it, in the State of Virginia." First edition. With contemporary notations on and a page of manuscript notes dated 1836 in front. Tucker's argument was urgent, and prophetic: "The author [considers] the Abolition of Slavery in this State, as an object of the first importance, not only to our moral character and domestic peace, but even to our political salvation." The Dissertation had originated as a series of lectures at the College of William and Mary. Clarkin, Mathew Carey, A Bibliography 283; Sabin…

GLC06610

February 12, 1803

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston

Revolutionary War general Horatio Gates, replying to a letter from Livingston, American minister to France, discusses the Haitian Revolution, the Louisiana Purchase, Napoleon, and other French notables. Writes, "I greedily devour every line that comes from your Pen, & View with anxiety the predictions you make upon the present appearance of the political conduct of The Great Man" (referring to Napoleon). Discusses Napoleon's intentions to conquer the seas and all nations, noting "This no friend to Civil Liberty can wish to see accomplished." Relates that James Monroe,…

GLC06611

January 22, 1849

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Willis A. Hodges

Discusses arrangements at North Elba, and upcoming plans for this African American farming settlement. Says money is being raised to help the "infant colony," urges residents not to lay out plots yet, but instead cut wood. Also discusses the conduct of the residents, saying "Do not let any one forget the vast importance of sustaining the very best character for honesty, truth, industry, and faithfulness. I hope every one will be determined to not merely conduct as well as the whites; but to set them an example in all things." Brown planned on moving up to North Elba in the spring, and…

GLC06615

28 December 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Document signed

Title: to Senate of the Confederate States of America

Sends a draft of instructions (not included) for sending a diplomatic minister to Mexico. Asks the senate for advice on whether a minister should be sent and, if so, on the terms laid out.

GLC06619.01

28 December 1863

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Confederate Secretary of State Benjamin sends draft instructions (not included) for a proposed diplomatic minister to be sent to Mexico, on which Davis then sought the Confederate Senate's advice (see GLC06619.01). Recommends secrecy to avoid the United States trying to thwart their efforts. A list of dates and related administrative actions chart the progress of the resolutions until they were agreed to on 5 January 1864.

GLC06619.02

circa 1864

Scrapbook

Title: [Union autograph and sentiment album]

Includes thirty-five autographed quotations and sentiments, and ten signatures. This collection was possibly prepared for sale by the United States Sanitary Commission at the April 1864 Metropolitan Fair, held in New York City. The sentiments and autographs are written on separate pieces of paper inlaid into the album. Includes signatures and quotations contributed by John Pierpont, J. G. Holland, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Fred A, [Coggins?], Richard Henry Dana, Alfred Billings Street, Thaddeus Stevens, William Lloyd Garrison, Lydia Maria Child, Horace Greeley, John B. [Gerysh?], John G…

GLC06620

16 June 1865

Keckley, Elizabeth, fl. 1818-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James B. Bradwell re: mementos of Jefferson Davis

These mementos belonged to Keckley, a freed slave and onetime seamstress to Mrs. Davis and later to Mrs. Lincoln. They include a "Bedstead taken from the House of Jefferson Davis, four (4) days after the evacuation of the city" and "some other curiosities... a piece of cloth taken from the desk of Jeff. Davis in the rebel capital -- the other a piece of the covering of the door of the rebel capital." She asks for the return of the bedstead. Judge Bradwell apparently knew Keckley through the Lincolns.

GLC06890

1915 circa

Header Record

Title: [Materials related to "The Capture of John Brown"] [decimalized .01-.03]

Items accompanying Avey's book: the original publisher's prospectus signed by James Collin as publisher's agent, small printed leaflet facsimile of Brown's last written words (included with the book, according to the note written on it), and a photograph of Brown's widow's house in California. The prospectus notes "Avery... was learning the watchmaker's trade in Charlestown, Jefferson County, Virginia in 1859 in the days of the John Brown troubles. He heard John Brown's trial and those of his associates. He saw him and his six men executed."

GLC06806.02

16 June 1863

Swords, J. M., fl. 1863

Newspaper

Title: The Daily citizen. [June 16, 1863]

News at Vicksburg, (false) reports of victory at Port Hudson. Support for General Pemberton. Geometric red and gray pattern.

GLC06812

1864

Broadside

Title: Who shall be Vice President? George Pendleton vs. Andrew Johnson [1864 election]

GLC06815

1804

Moore, Clement Clarke, 1779-1863

Pamphlet

Title: Observations upon certain passages in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on Virginia

Title continued: "...which appear to have a tendency to subvert religion, and establish a false philosophy." An attack on Jefferson's Notes, by the clergyman better known for his poem "The Night Before Christmas."

GLC06819

1863

Wormeley, Katherine P., fl. 1863

Book

Title: The United States Sanitary Commission: A Sketch of its purposes and work

First edition published by Little Brown. Inscribed in pencil on the titlepage by S. W. Bridgham to "Mrs. Ives." Wormeley was a prominent organizer of women's aid societies in New England during the Civil War. She also served on U.S. Sanitary Commission hospital ships along the Virginia peninsula. She became "Lady Superintendent" of the Lowell General Hospital in September 1862, but poor health forced her to give up the position. She wrote this book in order to raise money for the Boston Sanitary Fair. The work describes the Commissions' evolution and relief efforts. Wormeley gives…

GLC06820

1865

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Pamphlet

Title: The equality of men before the law, claimed and defended in speeches...

Title continued: "by Hon. William D. Kelley, Wendell Phillips and Frederick Douglass." Lacks original wrappers, stab-stitched. Douglass' speech was made to the annual Anti-Slavery Convention. Blockson Collection 2779. Schomburg 324.15-K. USE WITH CARE.

GLC06831

1878

Flipper, Henry O., fl. 1878

Book

Title: The Colored Cadet at West Point. Autobiography of Lieut. Henry Ossian Flipper...

First edition printed by Homer Lee & Co. Flipper, while not the first African-American to attend West Point, was the first to graduate. He was assigned to the all-black 10th Cavalry Regiment. Accused of embezzling army funds at Fort Davis, Indian Territory, he was exonerated but convicted of lying in a court-martial and dishonorably discharged. Flipper kept trying to clear his name until his death in 1940, but it was not until 1976 when he was officially exonerated. On 19 February 1999 President Clinton pardoned Flipper. LCP Negro History no. 143, Brignano 76, Schomburg D81-528,…

GLC06832

1899

Lynk, Miles V., 1871-1957

Book

Title: The Black troopers ... in the Spanish American War

Complete title: "The black troopers or the daring heroism of the Negro soldier in the Spanish-American War." Lacks front free endpaper. Illustrated with lithographed drawings. Self-printed book of M.V. Lynk. Work notes this author as African-American but does not note this book in his bibliography. Lacks free front endpaper. Lynck was a doctor. Hampton catalog 2868. Not in Work or Blockson collection.

GLC06833

1842

Channing, William Ellery, 1780-1842

Pamphlet

Title: The duty of the Free States, or remarks suggested by the case of the Creole

In original wrappers. Channing argues in favor of the slaves who had taken over the Creole, a slave ship. Steering towards the British West Indies, they won freedom under British law, even though the U.S. attempted to reclaim them. Blockson Collection 9370, Dumon p. 36.

GLC06835

1788

Pamphlet

Title: The Constitution of the Pennsylvania Society for ... the Abolition of Slavery

Rest of title: "and the relief of free Negroes, unlawfully held in bondage, begun in the year 1774 and enlarged... To which are added the Acts of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania for the gradual abolition of slavery." First edition, printed by Francis Bailey. The Second year's Constitution of the Society. Disbound. Evans 21831.

GLC06836

1843

Lattimer, George, fl. 1843

Pamphlet

Title: Massachusetts Congress "House No. 41" [slave case]

Account of slave case of George Lattimer. First and only edition. Original wrappers. Lattimer, a free black Boston resident, had been arrested on application of James Gray of Norfolk, Va., as his escaped slave. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, acting as Circuit Judge, had Lattimer detained. Many Bostonians were outraged, and a meeting at Fanueil Hall voted that disunion was preferable to returning slaves. With the threat of massive civil disobedience, Gray sold Lattimer to a group of Bostonians for $400. A result of this incident (included in this pamphlet) was the passage of "An Act to…

GLC06838

1879

Pettit, Eber, fl. 1879

Book

Title: Sketches in the history of the Underground Railroad...

Title continued: "Comprising many thrilling incidents of the escape of fugitives from slavery and the perils to those who aided them." First edition, with mounted albumen photograph frontispiece of Pettit. Original publishers brown cloth. Pettit was one of the chief conductors of the Underground Railroad. Not in Blockson Collection. Schomburg 326.973F-P, Work p.338.

GLC06839

1869

Tubman, Harriet, 1822-1913

Book

Title: Scenes in the life of Harriet Tubman / by Sarah H. Bradford

First edition printed by Moses. The story of Tubman, an escaped slave who became a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. She made more than nineteen trips into the south, rescuing 300 people. During the Civil War, she served as a nurse and spy. Royalties from this book paid off the mortgage on her home when she married Nelson Davis, an African American Civil War veteran. Exlibris stamp of the Phillis Wheatley Library. Blockson Collection 3950, Schomburg 326.93-B. Including engraving of Tubman.

GLC06840

1836

Stuart, Charles, fl. 1836

Book

Title: A memoir of Granville Sharp

First edition; early publisher's cloth. Includes Patrick Reason's first published portrait engraving. Reason was an black artist. Collateral to Lincoln manuscript GLC 5302, referring to Granville Sharp.

GLC06841

11 April 1865

Newspaper

Title: Richmond Whig. [Vol. 1, no. 7 (April 11, 1865)]

Union-occupation issue, covering the fall of Richmond shortly before and the surrender of Robert E. Lee two days before. The front page contains biographical sketches of Confederate generals killed at Richmond or Petersburg, or who played an important role, including A.P. Hill, William H. Fitzhugh Lee, Gen. Pegram. On page 8 appears the correspondence between Lee and Grant, giving the terms of surrender at Appomatox. An article "The Duty of the North" by Henry Ward Beecher pleads pardon for the rebels. INK BLURRING from poor registry of the printer's forms. UNOPENED.

GLC06843