circa 22 February 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Broadside

Title: President Jefferson Davis's Inaugural Address

Extra printing of Davis's speech from the Richmond Enquirer. The address was delivered on 22 February 1862. The paper was then published by Tyler, Wise & Allegre. Bottom of document mentions the evacuation of Nashville on February 22.

GLC05557.02

1864 ca.

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Union Martyrs. [Photographs of Union generals killed during the war (maquette)]

"Union Martyrs." Maquette of 17 trimmed CDVs of Union Generals killed in the Civil War, mounted on board (as a maquette) for reproduction by photographic studio. Attributed to Brady studio by previous owner. Each mounted with a white curling border, and each with the general's name written in ink.

GLC05558

7 January 1836

Halleck, H.W. (Henry Wager), 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Miller

Describes his early impressions of West Point. Describes it as "one of most delightful places on earth" in the summer, attracting crowds and steeped in Revolutionary War history that gives the place "a shade of venerable grandeur." In contrast, it is cold, lonely, and monotonous in the winter. He is critical of the institution, writing "The education we acquired is the highest order but the habits usually contracted are decidedly bad... I think it very doubtful about my remaining here to complete the course." Indicates that he recently finished his first year exam. Disapproves those "men…

GLC05560

9 December 1758

Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 1708-1778

Letter signed

Title: to Stephen Hopkins

Addressed to Governor Hopkins "& Compy of Rhode Island." Relays requests and information on a planned invasion of Canada during the French and Indian War. Describes the rationale for the invasion to carry "War into the heart of the enemy's possessions" and orders that troops be raised. Specifies that the troops should rendezvous at Albany, New York, and be prepared to begin the invasion by 1 May 1759. Outlines the general plans for the invasion. Grants authority to issue commissions and indicates that the King will provide arms and supplies, but the Provinces must supply "…

GLC05562

12 June 1819

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Manuscript signed

Title: To the Editors of the National Intelligencer

Defends himself against General James Winchester's attack on his character and conduct in the command of the North Western Army in the War of 1812 Ohio campaign. Concerns who was to blame for sending out a detachment of the army beyond the reach of support. The detachment was almost completely destroyed by the British and Indians. Includes a copy of a letter written to Harrison by Samuel G. Hopkins and dated 24 February 1813 that supports his views. With corrections and an autograph endorsement signed by Harrison on pages 11 and 12.

GLC05565

1828

Broadside

Title: An account of the bloody deeds of General Jackson

Broadside with four woodcuts. The first shows an officer, likely Jackson, ordering an execution squad to "Fire!!" on six militiamen. In the second two Jacksonian officers, one ordering "F-F-Fire!" against a kneeling man in front of his coffin, saying "O God!! My poor mother," while another, probably Jackson, exclaims "Blow ten balls thro' the d-d rascal." The third depicts Jackson dueling with Charles Dickinson, saying as he shoots, "I'll have your heart's blood." The fourth is a simple coffin illustrating "The Case of Neil Cameron." The text summarizes the events depicted, and a number…

GLC05566

November 18, 1818

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Manuscript document signed

Title: "Commencement" address to Congress

Commencement Message of President Monroe to both houses of Congress. Begins with positive assessment of America's situation and a discussion of a trade agreement with Great Britain. Then gets into relations with Spain, the real thrust of the speech. Defends recent American actions against Florida. Says that Spanish territory in North America is poorly policed, claiming "the government of Spain, has scarcely been felt." Says criminals and marauding Indian tribes have used Florida as a base to attack the United States. Says Spain could have prevented problems by ceding the territory to America…

GLC05569

circa 1850s

Longfellow, Henry W., 1807-1882

Manuscript document

Title: [Allegorical verses on slavery]

Written in Harriet Beecher Stowe's hand. Her clipped signature ("H B Stowe") has been pasted to the end of the poem. Despite being in Stowe's hand and having the addition of Stowe's signature, both poems are actually 1842 works on slavery by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the first being a poem in five stanzas dedicated to William E. Channing. The second in three stanzas is titled "The Warning."

GLC05570

1775/05/15

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph document signed

Title: Resolution of Congress dealing with the British occupation of N.Y.

GLC05571

1783/11/23

Mifflin, Thomas, 1744-1800

Letter signed

Title: to John Dickinson re: announcing treaty and calling for ratification

Signed as President of Congress. Docketed on free frank.

GLC05578

24 September 1779

Bartlett, Josiah, 1729-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Bartlett, a former Continental Congressman, writes to Whipple, a member of Congress. Mentions John Langdon, a Continental Congressman who, in 1776, became a naval agent for Continental prizes. Refers to the disastrous Penobscot Expedition (in the Penobscot Bay, present-day Maine) led by Commodore Dudley Saltonstall. States "The Misfortune at Penobscot has thrown the Sea Coasts this way into a Consternation ... The Sailors who returned from Penobscot make the most grevious complaints of the Conduct of Capt. Saltonstall ... I Believe the whole fleet and army were struck with an Universal…

GLC05579

17 February 1689

Danforth, Thomas, fl. 1689

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Frost

Writing to Major Charles Frost in Kittery, Maine, at the beginning of King William's War (1689-1697), Provincial Governor of Massachusetts Thomas Danforth orders him to go to Boston and gather troops: "You shall in all places and by all ways & means to your power take, kill, & destroy ye enemy without limitation of place or time as you shall have opportunity." Mentioned is Lt. Simon Willard (1605-1676). In the margin is a recommendation to Frost of a "Lt. Andrews". It is not known if the date on the piece is old style or new style. Docket reads: "To Maj. Charles Frost in [illegible]…

GLC05580

1778/02/25

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. Hollingsworth re: order to purchase or seize food

[At height of Valley Forge supply crisis.]

GLC05581

1667/07/05

Williams, Roger, fl. 1640-1667

Autograph document signed

Title: [Report of a meeting to elect envoys from the Colony of Rhode Island to King Charles II].

Also signed by William Brenton, William Raulston, Benedict Arnold, and John Froster. William Dyer and John Green were asked to serve as envoys "in the name & behalfe of the whole Colony."

GLC05582

19 May 1812

Macon, Nathaniel, 1758-1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Reports that James Madison was nominated for president and Langdon for vice president by Republican Congressional Caucus. Congratulates Langdon and describes his nomination as "made without the solicitation or intrigue of any one of your acquaintances, I consider it made purely on principle." Hopes Langdon will accept the nomination. Macon was a North Carolina congressman. Langdon declined the nomination.

GLC05899.01

21 May 1812

Gallatin, Albert, 1761-1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Urges Langdon to accept the nomination for vice president, claiming that "Your not declining the nomination to the vice presidency is, in my opinion, essential to Union, Republicanism and the public welfare." Heaps praise on Langdon. Earnestly exhorts him to take the nomination for the public good and to avert the creation of factions in the party, "which will lead to toryism and perhaps worse consequences." Langdon declined the nomination.

GLC05899.02

22 May 1812

Smilie, John, 1741-1812

Letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Cosigned by William H. Crawford and Charles Cutts. On behalf of the Republican members of Congress, informs Langdon of his nomination for the vice presidency. Comments on the difficulties facing the nation, claiming that "In this awful period of arms, & calamities, when the whole system of nature appears to be convulsed, the Republic has a right to the service of its citizens." Urges him to consent to the nomination. Langdon declined the nomination.

GLC05899.03

29 May 1812

Varnum, Joseph B., 1751-1821

Autograph document signed

Title: [Extracts from the proceedings Republican presidential and vice presidential nominating convention]

Records the process by which James Madison and John Langdon were nominated for president and vice president for the election of 1812. Also indicates the failed attempt to nominate Elbridge Gerry for vice president: "[O]n counting the ballots... for John Langdon 64 for Elbridge Gerry 16..." Langdon declined the nomination.

GLC05899.05

8 June 1890

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to May Delany

To "the daughter of the daughter of my friend who sheltered me forty and five years ago, when I was a man without a country, a stranger and or sojourner, with little money and few friends, shall now have my autograph. No effort of memory is required to recall the welcome visit of yourself and your precious mother at that dingy hotel overlooking the Thames...." Hopes to meet up with Delany later in the summer, if she passes through Washington D.C. (Douglass had a home in D.C. called "Cedar Hill"). Writes, "I have grown somewhat old in this fierce tropical climate but I am still quite wide…

GLC05906

12 November 1921

Harding, Warren G., 1865-1923

Pamphlet signed

Title: Address of the President... at conference on limitations of armament

"Address of the President of the United States at the Opening of the Conference on Limitation of Armament at Washington." Disbound.

GLC05907

1868/05/18

Colfax, Schuyler, 1823-1885

Document

Title: Congressional subpoena of W. S. Huntington re: impeachment of Andrew Johnson

Countersigned by Edward McPherson.

GLC05908.01

1868 ca.

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: [Andrew Johnson]

Imprint on verso.

GLC05908.02

1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: [Lewis Powell]

Carte de visite of Lincoln assassination conspirator Lewis Powell. Inscription on mount shows known aliases "Payne, Wood, Hall," and reads "arrested as an associate of Booth in the conspiracy." Powell had attempted to kill William H. Seward.

GLC05909

17 September 1942

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Document signed

Title: Pardon of California judge Gavin Craig convicted in Italo Petroleum case

The judge was convicted of "Conspiracy to endeavor to obstruct justice...." in the Italo Petroleum Case. With pardon attorney's warrant and file of supporting original petitions.

GLC05912

1903/06/12

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to Senator William P. Frye re: sending report, punishment for Col. Dickey

Sending report on Col. Dickey's case which "calls for exemplary punishment."

GLC05913.02