1861/04/26

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: Authority to affix the seal to commission of Norman B. Judd as commissioner

To "A Full power authorizing Mr. Norman B. Judd, to negotiate a convention, with the Gov't. of Prussia, on the subject of the rights of neutrals & belligerents in time of war." Judd, a Chicago attorney, was closely involved in Lincoln's election to the presidency. Judd expected a cabinet position but was instead appointed Minister to Prussia, a post he held until 1865.

GLC07134

1864/01/14

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: Affix seal to the pardon of Confederate officer Benjamin C. Robertson

Robertson was a Confederate officer from Tennessee. Lincoln had requested the pardon from Attorney General Edward Bates the day before (see Basler, 2d suppl. 87). The circumstances for the pardon are unknown. Unfortunately Robertson died before receiving the pardon.

GLC07135

1776/01/13

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph endorsement

Title: [Report to continental Congress]

Manuscript copy of Philip Schuyler letter (probably made for forwarding to Washington), with 4 line endorsement by Washington: "Copy of Genl Schuyler's Letter to the Contl. Congress. 13th Jan. 1776." Schuyler announces the death of Richard Montgomery to John Hancock and asks for 3000 troops to send to Canada. He proposes to march to Tryon County against Tories there. Schuyler's letter was received January 17 (Burnett, Letters to Delegates 1: 317 note 4); two days later, Congress voted to send several battalions to Schuyler.

GLC07139

1775/02/02

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rev. M. Morton re: seeking payment from tardy tenant of George Fairfax

"I could be no neighbor to a person who bore the Character you (justly, or unjustly....) did, there is no reason why Col. Fairfax (a third person) is to have the same Card to play over again next year in pursuit of another tenant." Washington acted as steward for Fairfax.

GLC07143

1763/11/21

Gage, Thomas, 1718-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sir William Johnson re: Indian raids on Virginia Frontier

Writing five days after taking over as Commander in Chief writing to Johnson as Supterintendent of Indian Affairs. In part: "... I have received a letter form the Council of Virginia complaining of the Depredations of the Northern Indians on the Frontiers of that Province..., I enclose you a copy of the said letter; begging the favor of you to return me an answer thereto...."

GLC07127

1778/03/05

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton re: complaints about a French officer; fortifying Hudson

Responding to complaints about a French officer Col. Louis la Radiere, the engineer engaged in works for the Hudson Highland defenses. "We could wish to avoid offence to any foreigners...we would treat them with all possible respect: but we must not sacrifice, or hazard our safety, from a point of delicacy."

GLC07128

1775/07/13

Germain, George Sackvile, Viscount Sackville, 1716-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown re: evaluating British commanders in America; campaign

A remarkably outspoken letter written three months after Lexington. He evaluates commanders and vows that now further accommodations are now possible: "We will soon have very interesting news from Boston, as I never can believe that Howe will be subject to be block'd up in that town...." He adds "I confess I am in no humour to treat lite. The Colonies have felt the power of this Country, their insolence would be insupportable if any accommodation now took place. Lord North must see the necessity of making them sue for Pardon, and when that happens, I shall not wish for any preasures [?] of…

GLC07129

1746/07/24

Johnson, William, 1715-1774

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Glen

Written in perceptible haste at the height of King George's War, probably from Fort Oswego. "... there is an Onondaga Indian now come from Canada... says that... there was an Army of the french &ca, ready to march towards these parts, In order he says to cutt of, & destroy the people & settlements of Burnets feild [sic], and also all the Mohawk River down to Schenectady."

GLC07132

1860/05/30

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James M. Waite re: his true first name, Abraham

An intriguing letter, no doubt in response to one of the many letters Lincoln received after he became a presidential candidate. In full: "You ask for my true ch(r)istian name. It is Abraham."

GLC07133

[1775]/11/13

Montgomery, Richard, fl. 1775-1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert R. Livingston re: his victory at Montreal, need for support

Written on the day he succeeded in taking Montreal: "I have courted fortune and found her kind." Now planning his attack on Quebec, he requests support from Livingston and the Continental Congress: "It will be absolutely necessary to throw a considerable Body of Troops into this Province as soon as the ice will bear. General [Charles] Lee should have this important command. Quebec if it dont fall before Winter must be attacked early in the Spring before succours can arrive." Montgomery, a son-in-law of Livingston, had easily captured a lightly protected Montreal, but his campaign of Quebec…

GLC07136

1782/07/28

Morgan, Daniel, 1736-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene re: lack of pay and hardship due to army service

A letter to his former commander concerning his situation and back pay owed to him and to the Continental soldiers who served under him. He thanks Greene for the recommendation of a Captain Osborn. He complains about the compensation from the state of Virginia: "Our assembly gave the officers certificatyes [sic] for two years pay, which was to be paid out of the money arising from the sales of the confiscated property [of Loyalists]...[.]" Morgan writes that the Assembly had made an act to raise 3,000 men with a bounty and clothing, which he remarks "would have been sufficient to have…

GLC07137

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