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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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4 May 1847

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph document signed

Title: Orders no 25

Orders his men to "lead the march to the enemy capital," of Mexico City, during the Mexican War. Warns his men not to straggle as "The impotent & cowardly enemy propose to wage the war of the assassin - war to the knife." Promises that soon they will recieve new clothing, rest and payment. It is clear that the weather has made many of McClellan's men sick and weak. Also signed by McClellan for Major General Worth.

GLC08953.02

8 September 1847

Scott, H.L. (Henry Lee), 1814-1886

Printed document signed

Title: General orders - No. 281.

Proceedings of a Court Martial for 29 soldiers accused & convicted "of desertion to the enemy" during the Mexican War. The men, all privates, all pleaded not guilty, all were sentenced "to be hanged by the neck until dead." Three, who deserted before war began, and four others, had their sentences commuted to fifty lashes and being branded. Another was remitted because his son, "remained faithful to his colors." The remaining men were executed on 10 September 1847.

GLC08954

May 1863

Calvin, Agnes, fl. 1863

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Petition of a free black to become a slave of a master of her choice]

Petitions for the right to choose her master. States that since she is "a free person of Africa descent" she is entitled to "choose a master for herself and two said children," and the "petitioner makes choice of J.S.H. Hossack to become her master." Though free, Calvin has been struggling so badly to get by that she is willing to have a master of her choosing in exchange for subsistence for herself and her family. Petition made "to the honorable B. W. Gray." Signed by Calvin wih her mark. For related documents see GLC03840, GLC06375, and GLC09123.

GLC08955

20 January 1865

Pennsylvania State Equal Rights' League

Broadside

Title: Memorial of the Pennsylvania State Equal Rights' League, to the Legislature of Pennsylvania

Asks that the government force companies operating public trolleys to allow black passengers. Public trolleys run by private companies had been routinely barring black passengers from their cars. Signed in text by a number of citizens, including Jonathan C. Gibbs as chairman.

GLC08957

1792

Header Record

Title: Letter regarding Congressional order and broadsheet of the order [Decimalized .01-.02]

Letter from Alexander Hamilton to Simeon Baldwin requesting compliance with a Congress' order to compile all federal salaries, and a broadsheet with the order printed out.

GLC08960

1915 circa

Woman Suffrage Party of the City of New York

Broadside

Title: Women in the home

Argues that a woman's place may be in the home, but that she can perform these domestic duties much better if allowed the vote, since she will have greater control outside events that influence her housekeeping, such as public health and clean food. "ALONE she CANNOT make these things right. WHO or WHAT can?...the City Government...DO THE WOMEN ELECT THEM? NO, the men do. So it is the MEN and NOT THE WOMEN that are responsible" for the ills of their household. "MEN are responsible for the for the conditions under which the children live, but we hold WOMEN responsible for the results of…

GLC08964

circa 1852

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to T. P. Chandler

Writes about speaking in the Senate: "Had I made that speech, I would have taken a vacation of a week or more. Now I wait the Civil Appropriation Bill, when I shall move an Amendment, that nothing be paid [to] the execution of the Fug. Sl. Bill, but that the same be repealed. On this I shall speak [in] a night." Marked Senate Chamber. Addressed to [T.] P. Chandler. Circa date inferred from content.

GLC02095.03

22 February 1857

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Azariah Smith

Thanks him for his letter. Plans to leave for Washington, D.C., "simply to vote" presumably in Senate. After Washington, Sumner plans to travel to Europe "in search of that complete restoration which I have not yet found at home."

GLC02095.05

21 December 1859

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Arnold B.] Johnson

Written "to Johnson," possibly his secretary Arnold B. Johnson. Writes that he lost his pocketbook on the journey from Washington to Philadelphia and believes it was stolen. States that it contains a draft for $1800, and discusses the process by which he will stop payment. Instructs Johnson to assist him by procuring a new draft for the same amount.

GLC02095.06

7 June 1860

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [John] K. Wiggin

Written from the Senate Chamber. Discusses autographs and thanks Wiggin for preparing engravings: "The Milton autograph was photographed by C. H. Brainard who has copies- I suppose. I have none... I am glad to know that the Engravings are framed, & ready to give me a welcome on my return."

GLC02095.07

16 December 1862

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Letter signed

Title: to A. M. Knapp

Replies to a request from Knapp, in Boston, for written works. States that he has no more to distribute. Informs Knapp that he can obtain copies of "Emery's work" at [Burnham's] bookstore in Boston. Written from the Senate Chamber.

GLC02095.10

12 April 1863

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Mentions Mr. Woodman and a provostship. Writes "Charleston is to be taken on the field of battle - by beating their armies," a reference to the unsuccessful ironclad attack on Fort Sumter 7 April 1863 undertaken by Union admiral Samuel F. DuPont.

GLC02095.11

5 October 1863

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Arnold] B. Johnson

"The 'water-closet' is one of the gifts of modern civilization, & must always be taken into account when you select a house." Written to Johnson in Washington, D.C.

GLC02095.13

8 March 1871

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John T. Hoffman

Writes to the Governor of New York and encloses a letter (enclosure not included). States he does not know anything of the writer nor of the case, but transmits the letter because it concerns a human life.

GLC02095.15

10 April 1872

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Edward W.] Kinsley

Marked private. Written from the Senate Chamber. Complains about the Boston press being hard on him, criticizes President Ulysses S. Grant's attempt to annex Santo Domingo, and rails against Grant's leadership in general: "I did not write to promote any personal interest. I have none. I am a candidate for nothing. I desire no office. But I am not insensible to misrepresentat[ion] & injustice. Never was the Boston press so hardened & her[2]metically sealed against even Fair Play where I am concerned. Even [Slack] cannot do justice to me.This madness for Grant upsets every thing. All…

GLC02095.16

31 December 1872

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph note signed

Title: to Elliot C. Cowdin

Wishes Cowdin a happy New Year. Addressed to Cowdin in New York.

GLC02095.17

10 March 1874

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Edward W.] Kinsley

Criticizes Buenaventura Baez, President of the Dominican Republic. Kinsley apparently informed Sumner of a dinner for Baez. He states in full, "A Dinner to Baez! Why not invite the murderer of the Virginius crew? At least please read an authentic account of him. Doubtless he is one of the worst men of our time." Marked Senate Chamber.

GLC02095.18

1860

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Pamphlet

Title: The barbarism of slavery. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, on the Bill for the admission of Kansas as a free state.

Given in the Senate, 4 June 1860. Condemns slavery as barbaric and criticizes various pro-slavery arguments, including that slavery was not upheld by the United States Constitution. Published by Thaddeus Hyatt, Washington, D.C. Printed as the clergy edition. With advertisements on the wrappers.

GLC02095.21

18 June 1862

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Printed document

Title: [Senate resolution submitted by Charles Sumner]

Appeals to the people to manifest their loyalty by ceasing to fight or work for the rebels, and putting their resources into supporting the Union. States that the government will reciprocate. Writes, "...it is the further duty of the government of the United States to maintain all such loyal people, without distinction of color or class, in their rights as men, according to the principles of the Declaration of Independence." Marked 37th Congress, 2d Session, Mis. Doc. No. 104.

GLC02095.22

1865

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Pamphlet

Title: Protection of Freedmen: Actual Condition of the Rebel States. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts ...

Title continues, "... on the bill to maintain the freedom of the inhabitants in the states declared in insurrection and rebellion by the proclamation of the President of July 1, 1862; delivered in the Senate of the United States, December 20, 1865." Printed at the Congressional Globe Office, Washington, D.C.

GLC02095.23

1866

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Pamphlet

Title: The equal rights of all; the great guarantee and present necessity, for the sake of security, and to maintain a Republican government, ...

Title continues, " ... Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, in the United States Senate, February 6 and 7, 1866." Printed at the Congressional Globe Office, Washington, D.C. Untrimmed and unopened.

GLC02095.24

18 May 1858

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph note signed

Title: [Quotation of Charles Sumner on the struggle to end slavery]

Complete quotation reads: "Our cause is nobler even than that of our Fathers, in as much as it is more exalted to struggle for the Freedom of others than for our own."

GLC02095.26