1750

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Book signed

Title: Discourses concerning Government... Vol. 1. by Algernon Sidney

Vol. 1 only, by Algernon Sidney. Printed by G. Hamilton and J. Balfour. 8vo. Signed by 3 generations of the Rush family: Benjamin Rush (the Signer of the Declaration on front pastedown), Richard Rush (his son 1780-1859, on p. iii), and a namesake "Benjamin Rush/1860" (Richard's son, on front loose endpaper) The last named descendant has written a note annotating the Signer's signature "My grandfather, B.R. / 1860."

GLC07138

1777/08/08

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton re: reporting Battle of Oriskany

Writing to Governor Clinton, providing early reports of the costly British ambush of General Herkimer and an American contingent at Oriskany on 6 August. "I wish it was in my power to march a body of men to the relief of Fort Schuyler [i.e., Fort Stanwix], but I have unfortunately none to send..." Schuyler had alienated New England by detaching regiments for Fort Schuyler and, in fact, had been (unknown to him) been relieved of his command by Congress two days before the date of this letter. Horatio Gates was despatched to meet Burgoyne.

GLC07140

1836/03/29

Green, Rawleigh B., fl. 1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Green re: news of the fall of the Alamo

Written to his brother in Virginia. "The condition of Texas is now calamitous indeed... unprepared for the army now invading her... & she has not the semblance of an army on the field."

GLC07141.01

1836/04/03

Green, Rawleigh B., fl. 1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Green re: Texas land deals

"The public lands...will be such as a capitalist could purchase to advantage...certainly a good investment unless the abolition questions should affect it."

GLC07141.02

1788/01/09

United States. Constitution

Document

Title: The Constitution of the United States [Connecticut ratification act printing]

Ratification of the U.S. Constitution, printing the Constitution, with the act of the Connecticut Convention, ratifying it 9 January 1788 at end. Connecticut was the fifth state to ratify the new Constitution. This is presumed to have been printed at Hartford where the convention voted by a 3 to 1 margin to ratify. A variant in the Preamble reads "in / order to" while this copy reads "in or- / der to." Evans 21523; Bristol B (variant); Sabin 15493.

GLC07142

19 August 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. James Mease [incomplete]

States that he has received his letter and will answer the two inquiries he posed on the subject of the mould board for a plow at Monticello. Describes in detail design modifications that can be made to the mould board to improve the plow's results. Comments that though the plow will be improved, the results will not be as aesthetically pleasing as the original. Lower right corner of page is missing. There is some text loss, including half of Jefferson's signature.

GLC07145

31 December 1808

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to William Henry Harrison

Asks Harrison, then governor of the Indiana Territory, to help pass laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to Indians, in hopes that it will remove a "great obstacle to their acquiring industrious habits." Also notes that the general government policy towards the Indians was "to endeavor to render them friends, and, in time, perhaps, useful members of the nation."

GLC07156

10 July 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [John A. Gurley intends to establish a civil government for Arizona]

Signed by Lincoln on 11 July 1863. Brigadier General Edward Canby informs Major General Schofield that John A. Gurley, the Governor of Arizona, will be passing through the Missouri Territory. Requests that Schofield, stationed in Missouri, provide Gurley with an escort. States that Gurley and his party intend to organize a civil government for the Arizona Territory; Lincoln approves this intention.

GLC07158

8 September 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edmund Randolph

Signed with initials ("G.W.") President Washington states that a painful disorder prevented him from replying sooner to a letter from Randolph. Discusses the lottery of the deceased Colonel Byrd, stating that one of the associates of this lottery, Thomson [Mason?], was authorized to manage the distribution of the lottery prizes. Reports that Edmund's uncle, Peyton Randolph, was also one of the Lottery's associates. Referring to a governmental post sought by a Mr. Powell, states that "under my best information and a full view of all circumstances I shall endeavor to the best of my…

GLC07161

1864/05/10

Latimer, George, fl. 1864

Broadside

Title: Appeal for prayer and thanksgiving "Union liberty and victory. Thanks to God"

Pottstown, Pa. printing by a local minister, rector George Latimer, of Lincoln's appeal for a day of prayer and thanksgiving after the fighting in the Wilderness

GLC07165

April 27, 1865

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Manuscript signed

Title: Copy of farewell address to his personal and general staff

Addressed to Major Henry Bryan, his assistant adjutant and inspector general. Marked "copy." Entire document appears to be in the same hand. A later biographical note about Henry Bryan is written on verso in ink.

GLC07152

1848

Hickey, William, fl. 1848-1853

Book signed

Title: The Constitution of the United States of America.

Third edition. Published by T. K. & P. G. Collins. Signed by Jefferson Davis on both the first and rear pastedowns. Provides a history of the Constitution, with other documents, state papers and statistics.

GLC07153

May 1778

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

A long letter from member of the Continental Congress (1776-1781, 1783-1785) and signer of the Declaration of Independence William Ellery to New Hampshire member of the Continental Congress (1776-1779) William Whipple which reprises events from the fall of 1777 to the present time and discusses British mistreatment of prisoners of war, morale and current events in the progress of the American Revolution. Notes that Howe was moving from Philadelphia; "I am just this moment informed that our army will halt this winter in Valley Forge." Addressed to Whipple in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Free-…

GLC07154

19 November 1798

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Inspector General Alexander Hamilton writes to Governor of New York John Jay about the importance of engineers in planning the defense of Philadelphia against possible attack duing the threat of war between the United States and France in 1798. Accompanied by the address leaf, which has been trimmed to a single panel.

GLC07155

24 November 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mathilda M. Rhett

Thanks her for her letter and updates her on current events of the Civil War. "Much is to be done & yet our invaders have everything their own way. It will not be so always & our turn will come some day. They have complete control of the waters, our inland seas furnish them with every facility for savaging our coast, which will delight them to do." Writes that he misses his wife and mentions his children.

GLC07157

17 July 1816

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Baron Jean Guillaume Hyde de Neuville

Madison as President to Hyde de Neuville as French Ambassador to the United States. References Hyde de Neuville's letter of 12 July 1816. Madison is pleased with the positive sentiments of France relayed by Hyde de Neuville. Says he is glad King Louis XVIII "cherishes friendly dispositions and liberal views towards" us. Returns positive wishes for the future of France and hopes "the French people may enjoy all the just advantages external and internal, of a regular & free Constitution." Docket is in French.

GLC07159

1791/03/11

Van Schaack, Henry, 1733-1823

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown [incomplete]

Writes at length on the relationship between church and state, particularly in regard to unconstitutional tax assessment and the use of public funds to build a Congregational meeting house in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Discusses the Constitution, referring to the second article of the Bill of Rights as it pertains to religion, and his memory of debates at the Constitutional Convention.

GLC07160.01

16 April 1776

Van Schaack, Henry, 1733-1823

Autograph letter

Title: to his brother [incomplete]

Writes to his brother about the shipment of goods, family matters, and a difficult boy working as his clerk, named Johnny. Discusses legal issues pertaining to the division of a land patent in Kinderhook, New York. Incomplete and not signed. Possibly a retained copy. Henry had a brother named Peter Van Schaack, who is possibly the recipient of this letter.

GLC07160.02

26 October 1791

Stillman, Rev. Dr., fl. 1791

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Van Schaak

Thanks him for his letter. Regrets that he suffers so much persecution on account of his "adherence to the Episcopal Church." Reminds him that current law protects the free exercise of religion. Stillman is possibly Samuel Stillman, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Boston from 1764 to 1807.

GLC07160.03

1791/12

Van Schaack, Henry, 1733-1823

Autograph letter

Title: to Loring Andrews

Writes a letter to the editor of the Western Star to condemn the practice of using public funds to pay for parish teachers linked to denominational majorities. Such taxation and town treasury appropriations, he charges, violate the constitutional protections of minority denominations. Grounds his objection in the Massachusetts constitution and its Bill of Rights.

GLC07160.04

14 December 1794

Danforth, Joshua, 1759-1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Van Schaack

Advises that there are certain expenses that must be taxed on the Congregationalists. Requests information on the damages and costs resulting from a suit against the town. Sends two Philadelphia newspapers containing the speech of Mr. Sedgwick on the motion of Mr. Fitzsimmon's "relative to self created societies." Asks for New York newspapers in return. Note on verso, "One of my Philadelphia papers is mislaid - I cannot find it."

GLC07160.05

1792

Van Schaack, Henry, 1733-1823

Autograph document

Title: [Notes on taxation and establishment of churches in Massachusetts]

Notes outlining his arguments against the practices of taxation and appropriation of public monies to fund construction of meeting houses and payment of teachers for denominational majorities. Cites the state constitution and its Bill of Rights. In general, Van Schaack records quotes from the constitution, axioms regarding the separation of church and state, and personal readings of the two, in the left-hand column. In the right-hand column appear specific instances that violate his principles, and other details relating to religion in Massachusetts. Page four has four points to be included…

GLC07160.06

1810/11/03

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ezekiel Bacon re: free-trade in turbulent Europe

Written while serving as American minister to Russia. "Neutrality . . . alone will preserve our independence." Folio.

GLC07162

1775

Almon, John, 1737-1805

Book

Title: The Remembrancer, or impartial repository of public events [2d edition]

GLC07163

1861-1877

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Header Record

Title: Letters 1st Cal. Regt. re: camp life; southerners; McClellan; slavery [decimalized]

Collection of 60 ALS by Foot Soldier, in first Ca. Regiment. "It is turned into a war to put money in political pockets and to free the niggers;" Lincoln: "His mind is not able to comprehend the simple game of checkers let alone the war like game of chess." Charleston; Maryland, Winchester; Richmond, Deserter Executed; with 8 collateral letters and gold nuggets (0.2 ounces) accompanying #7.

GLC07164