1842/04/24

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Elliot re: inability to review Elliot's book

Returning Elliot's book "upon Politics and Law, Morals and Religion" and saying he is unable "to give my opinion upon its merits" because of "perpetual pressure of indispensable occupations and absorbing cares." He writes "I have read many of its pages and perceived much to commend and little if anything to reprove."

GLC07119

circa 1864

Object

Title: [Purple and blue "Union" paper folding paper lantern]

Lantern made from corrugated wove paper with cardboard top and base, hanging loop and internal metal candle holder. The paper is printed or painted with blue and purple (perhaps once burgundy or dark red), with the word "Union" printed twice as part of the design. Very fragile. Folded accordion style. Height if opened: approximately 23 cm.

GLC07096

19 September 1708

Bemis, James, 1690-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ephraim Bemis

Writes to his parents to relay that he is in good health. Implores them to arrange for his release from his duty as a soldier, fearing that if he does not return home soon he will lose his trade. Also notes an Indian attack on Casco Fort. Written from Casco Fort during Queen Anne's War.

GLC07097

21 March 1802

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Burdett

Written by Clay as a lawyer in Lexington, Kentucky, before he began his political career to Burdett as an attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio. References a previous letter by Burdett respecting Jim, a runaway slave whose status was in question. Says an answer was not necessary because he had already forwarded "a Copy of those papers on which Jim's right to his freedom is founded. He derives his title from an Indian ancestor who was in the early part of the last Century reduced to Slavery in Virginia, contrary to the laws of that State." The only difficulty of his claim arises from the uncertainty of…

GLC07098

21 November 1840

Baldwin, Roger Sherman, 1793-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodore Sedgwick

Discusses a two hundred page report (possibly of the Amistad case). Mentions Lewis Tappan, an abolitionist who supported the Amistad Africans' freedom. Discusses the authenticity of treaties admitted as evidence in the Amistad case at District Court. Refers to the Amistad Africans, whose recent importation to Cuba, reflected the violation of international and Spanish law. States that John Quincy Adams, who assisted with the Africans' defense, "Thinks the govt, when they see the record, may abandon their appeal without a hearing; as he is very confident they cannot hope to be successful.…

GLC07099

14 November 1793

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Adams as vice president to Lincoln after his unsuccessful mission to make peace with the Northwest Indians. Says he read with interest Lincoln's report on why peace was not achieved. Says the report fits with the facts he learned while in Europe and that he has not "the least difficulty in believing that you have develloped the true Causes of the Continuance of the Indian War." Praises America's policy of neutrality toward the European powers and says "while they are exhausted I hope we are safe." Says he is jealous of the English-Spanish alliance and would like to be able to work with France…

GLC07101

6 May 1781

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Sumter

Writes to General Sumter about Lord Cornwallis's movements, concluding that he is "rather inclined to think that he will leave everything here and move northward." Discusses the arrival of some supplies. Comments "I fully agree with you that vigorous measures are necessary to strike terror into our Enemies and give spirits to our own people." Written at "Camp 25 Miles Creek."

GLC07103

30 September 1821

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to James Breckinridge

Discusses the plans for construction and related finances at the University of Virginia. Proctor of the University Arthur Brockenbrough was involved in assessing the costs so that they could plan for the construction of a library.

GLC07106

1788/02/13

Livingston, Robert, 1708-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Duane

Comments on a visit by Major North, who he describes as "a Genteel young man." Notes an unconfirmed report that Massachusetts ratified the Constitution and hopes it will compel other states to do the same. Criticizes Robert R. Livingston for his role in attempting to evict mills from Livingston's (known as the third Lord of the Manor) property. Calls him "mill mad." Duane was serving as mayor of New York and was married to Livingston's daughter Mary (mentioned in this letter as Polle).

GLC07109

20 August 1815

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

Written by Madison as President to Rush as Attorney General. Asks advice on various problems the government needs to handle. Wants to know if it is proper to give naval protection against the "Carthaginian Corsairs" -- probably the Barbary powers. Madison thinks it is proper, but wants to make sure. Louisiana Governor William Charles Cole Claiborne wants to know if it is proper to use naval and military forces against Spanish provinces. Asks Rush for precedents and suggests talking to Secretary of State Monroe about his letter to the Spanish diplomat Louis de Onís. Also asks for suggestions…

GLC07110

27 August 1860

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

Tyler, former President of the United States, elaborates on the 1860 Presidential election to his son Robert. States that he discussed the election with Colonel William T. Withers of Mississippi. Expresses approval at the fusion of Stephen Douglas' and John Bells' supporters in New York, and declares "that in my view the defeat of Lincoln was the great matter at issue, and that all others were subordinate." Encloses a letter (not included) from General Foote, a Douglas supporter. Expresses his support of Presidential candidate John Cabell Breckinridge and Breckinridge's running mate Joseph…

GLC07112

1785

Header Record

Title: [Two items related to the Revolutionary War debts owed to Virginia by the federal government] [Decimalized]

GLC07114

1795/02/19

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne re: complaints about Mr. Skipwith

As Minister to the Netherlands he complains about a letter from Mr. Skipwith, "who must know perfectly well that I cannot command a farthing of public money for the application of which I am not expressly authorized." Adams also questions the authenticity of the Skipworth's letter. Adams fears that complying with the vague request for money will "lead to circumstances unpleasant to me, and dangerous to those we are disposed to serve."

GLC07117

1861/01/15

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Isaac W. Hayne re: urging South Carolina to defer hostilities

Urges S.C. to defer hostilities toward Fort Sumter: "Our people feel that they have a common destiny with your people and expect to form with them in that convention a new confederation and provisional government. We must and will share your fortunes, suffering with you the evils of war, if it can not be avoided." Signed by: Jefferson Davis, Lewis T. Wigfall, John Hemphill, D.C. Yulee, Stephen R. Mallory, (Davis), C. C. Clay Jr., Benjamin Fitzpatrick, A. Iversen, John Slidell, and Judah P. Benjamin, et al.

GLC07078

5 March 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Authority to affix seal to additional article to slave trade treaty with Britain]

Partially printed document. Lincoln signs an official State Department warrant ordering the Secretary of State to affix the Great Seal of the United States to "my ratification of the Additional Article to the slave trade treaty between the United States and Great Britain, of the 7th April 1862." Written in a secretarial hand.

GLC07083

March 1861, 1920

Fay, Herbert Wells, fl. 1920

Photograph

Title: Cabinet card issued by Herbert Wells Fay, circa 1920 with legend on verso

Retouced variant of Ostendorf O-41 with features strengthened. Based off of a wet plate negative negative taken by McNulta, March 1861, just prior to Lincoln's departure for Washington, D.C.

GLC07090

1865/07/24

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: Parole of West H. Humphreys for participating in Confederate government

A former TN Attorney General and Federal Judge who was impeached for taking similar positions in Confederate government; also cleared on charge he ordered confiscation of Johnson's property. Scribal document on Executive Office stationery.

GLC07092

1861/02/02

Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Laura Jackson Arnold re: secession and preservation of the Union

"But if after we have done all that we can do for an honorable preservation of the Union, there shall be a determination on our part by the free states to deprive us of our rights which the fair interpretation of the constitution... guarantees to us, I am in favor of secession."

GLC07079

31 December 1862

Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Robinson Boteler

Writes to Boteler, the representative of Virginia's 10th District to the Provisional and First Regular Confederate Congresses (who also would serve on his staff when Congress was not in session) and addresses him as "colonel." Discusses the issue of sending troops to protect the Shenandoah valley. Jackson tells him that "I have repeatedly urged upon Genl. Lee the importance of protecting the Valley, and upon more than one occasion have apologized to him, from a conviction that I was apparently forgetting my position and encroaching upon the prerogatives of my commanding general." Feels that…

GLC07080

1851, 1889, 1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: Robert E. Lee letter to his son George W.C. Lee and three collateral letters. [Decimalized .01-.04]

GLC07081

7 February 1860

Munford, George W., 1803-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William B. Hartley

Discusses financial matters related to an account for $12,953.95. Munford held a position in the office of the first auditor of the U.S. treasury and was Virginia's secretary of state. Hartley was business agent for Connecticut arms manufacturer Samuel Colt.

GLC07082.01

March 12, 1888

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. T. Lawsing

Replies to an inquiry about the origins of the name "Stonewall" for General Thomas J. Jackson after the 1st Battle of Manassas (Bull Run). Refers him to his article titled "Bull Run" and published in the Century. Remarks, "Most of us wore our old U.S. Uniforms at the Battle [of Bull Run] with our state buttons instead of the old ones." Informs that he was the first brigadier general appointed in the Provisional Army of the Confederacy, and was the 5th full General appointed after the Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) on July 21, 1861.

GLC07082.02

5 August 1862

Henry, Patrick, 1843-1930

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John J. Pettus

Writes to the Governor of Mississippi about Rankin county, Mississippi, which is in very bad condition due to a lack of able bodied men. They fear a slave uprising. "In our county the able bodied men have been so reduced by volunteering and drafting that the militia is not only greatly reduced, but the people are insecure from an outbreak of our blacks." Asks him to do what he can by using his position as Chief Magistrate of the state. Says there are hardly any guns or ammunition. Gives his advice to remedy the situation. This includes furnishing powder and ball to the board of police of…

GLC07082.03

13 September 1864

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Grant, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army responds to President Lincoln's letter of 12 September (refer to GLC07084.01). Writes "It has been my intention for a week...to see Sheridan and arrange what was necessary to enable him to start Early out of the valley."

GLC07084.02

16 March 1865

Parker, Ely S., 1828-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John

Gives an update on news near the end of the war to an unknown friend named John. Reports that Charleston, Georgetown, Fort Fisher, Wilmington and Confederate General Benjamin Butler have all fallen. Also writes about Union General Philip A. Sheridan's march through the Shenandoah Valley where he captured Charlottesville and Stauton. Remarks on the campaigns of Union Generals George H. Thomas and Edward R. Canby, "Of Thomas I regret to say that he is a slow coach...His tardiness has rather a tendency to disjoint our nose. Canby has also been very slow in commencing the Execution of his…

GLC07085