2 November 1805

Bucklin, Sylvester Fuller, 1784-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Congratulates Hobart on completing his "Collegiate existence" and says Aaron is no longer his "fellow student" (at Brown University) but his friend. Shares his view of the relationship between classmates and mentions that they may never meet again. Also, Bucklin encourages Aaron by stating that he sees him "rising to eminence in the Law."

GLC06313.04.003

13 November 1805

Hobart, Benjamin, 1781-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Shares Aaron's sentiments about the death of Capt. Shaw and his brother. Questions "the tenure of life" and claims that "to live and die is all we have to do- but to die prepared ought to be our chief concern." Mentions that "things go on in their old course-" Mr. Sheldon and Mr. Pitman are still dueling, his friends are alright, and he is reading Blackstone and Coke upon Littleton. Send his regards to Salome and advises that if it will make her happy she can come and visit Providence. Mentions that although "it is not believed," it has been reported in Providence that "Spain has…

GLC06313.04.004

1865/10/21

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles J. Faukner re: defending presidential conduct

"I do not recollect a single important measure which I should desire to recall...."

GLC06316

1 September 1848

Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wilson Lumpkin

Here, Calhoun concurs with Lumpkin's views on nullification, the Union, and the differences between [the] North and the South. "The question between the North & South is ... a mere question of power. The pretext of bettering the condition of the Slave is laid asside. The only alternative left as is, shall we resist, or surrender, & thus in fact change condition with our Slaves." States that the South's condition is hopeless unless they can unite their parties. Feels that both candidates [presidential nominees Zachary Taylor and Lewis Cass] for election are useless. "What madness, to…

GLC06317

10 March 1862

Cunningham, John, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written from Camp Butler. Eyewitness account of the destruction wrought by the CSS "Merrimac" on 8 March 1862 and the battle between the USS "Monitor" & CSS "Merrimac" the next day. Includes a separate sketch (10.3 x 12.6 cm.) of profile views of the "Monitor" and "Merrimac" on one side of the sheet and 3/4ths view of the "Monitor" on the other. Addressed to "Dear Friend." Letter on blue sheets of paper, with ink map of Hampton Roads on page one. Very detailed account of the battle. Stains on many of the pages. Signed with spelling "Cuningham." The Battle of Hampton Roads was the…

GLC06318

1810/02/10

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caesar A. Rodney re: Napoleonic wars, general decline of public morality

A petition concerning the depreciation of Continental Currency and its effects on N.J.'s citizens. Written in Monticello

GLC06322

3 June 1781

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Written by Lafayette as commander of American forces in Virginia to General Greene as commander of the Southern Department. Lafayette is writing from his camp between the Rappahannock and North Anna Rivers. Updates Greene on the cat and mouse campaign he was undertaking against General Lord Cornwallis throughout Virginia. Says that Cornwallis's force is much larger than his, especially his cavalry, which outnumbers his 10 to 1. Tells Greene that Cornwallis landed at Westover instead of Richmond and has been attempting to outflank him. Thought he would have met up with General Anthony Wayne…

GLC06323

7 July 1858

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John J. Crittenden

Lincoln heard that Crittenden was going to write letters in support of Stephen Douglas for the Senate and Thomas L. Harris for the House of Representatives. Lincoln thinks this action would not be in Crittenden's character and asks him to pursue a "hands off" position for the election. Lincoln does not seek a letter supporting his candidacy, and requests that he be informed if Crittenden decides to give public endorsement to Douglas and Harris. Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works Of Abraham Lincoln. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1953), Vol. II 1848 - 1858, p. 483 - 489.

GLC06324

12 February 1819

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tench Coxe

Notes the receipt of the printed addition to Coxe's memoir on cotton and agrees with his ideas. Discusses the nation's agricultural prospects for cotton, grain, and tobacco, in regard to rival markets ("Britain seems intent on supplanting our cotton staple in her market") and political conditions in Europe. Indicates that he will ask Thomas Jefferson to review Coxe's article.

GLC06325

August 1794

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Draft introductory letter to French government]

Written by Monroe as American Minister to France, shortly after his arrival in the republic in August 1794. He replaced Gouverneur Morris. A draft of his introductory letter presenting his credentials and affirming his "profound interest which the government and people of America take in the success and prosperity of the French Republic." Expresses extreme pleasure with his assignment and expects relations between the two nations to improve.

GLC06326

9 July 1837

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catherine A. Pattison

Apologizes profusely for not writing back sooner and expresses his fondness for her and her friendship. States he has been consumed with perfecting his telegraph, which is "nearly ready to put into operation." Writes very personally and asks about Pattison's summer plans. Advises that if she goes to Saratoga, she should not expect to experience the same pleasures as last year, possibly referring to a former love. Discusses parties he has attended and mutual acquaintances. Addressed to Pattison in Troy, New York.

GLC06327

27 August 1837

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catherine Pattison

Mentions visiting Boston, Plymouth, and Cape Cod where he made a search for the relics of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. Updates her on the progress of the telegraph. Reports that the telegraph is testing well but expresses some anxiety over being beaten to the punch. " ... I have reason to fear that other nations will have taken the hint, and will rob me both of the credit and the profit." Mentions what is being printed in journals about the issue. Comments on visiting her and tells her he loves receiving her letters. Discusses the works of Hannah More, an English evangelical writer…

GLC06328

1865-1870

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Header Record

Title: Letter and engraving of Samuel F. B. Morse, inventor of the telegraph [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC06329

1804/09/11

Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elisha Babcock

Approves of the "Address of the Delegates from ninety seven Towns," which he calls a good beginning. Indicates that he is sending a pamphlet (not included) and describes it as the opposite of "poor John's [Adams] defence of the American Constitutions where every page contradicts the title." Asks that he be sent a newspaper.

GLC06330

25 September 1777

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Varick

Writes that he is pleased that General Benedict Arnold will remain and believes Arnold was ill treated by Continental General Horatio Gates at first Battle of Saratoga, 19 September 1777. Gates and Arnold clashed over strategy and Gates removed Arnold from second-in-command. " ... my gallant friend, General Arnold, has determined to remain until a battle shall have happened or Gen. Burgoyne retreats ... [Gates] will probably be indebted to him for the glory he may acquire by a victory, but perhaps his is so very sure of success that he does not wish the other to come in for a share of it…

GLC06332

21 May 1865

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. Copper

Sherman defends the terms of surrender he gave to General Joseph Johnston, discussing his "Memorandum" (i.e., Johnston's surrender agreement), and claiming the document was written "quickly." Sherman writes that "Sam [U.S. Grant] never saw or heard about it." He further notes that it was "a mere naked memorandum for the new President [Andrew Johnson] to manipulate and give me what I had a right to ask some definite idea of the status of the surrendered army." Sherman claims that he didn't think it would be publicized. Written in a camp near Alexandria, Virginia, on stationary marked "Head-…

GLC06334

December 1841

Manuscript

Title: Locomotives for Saint Louis

Includes three pages of illustrations: a pen and ink drawing of steam engine "The Isaac Newton" and drawn maps of city blocks in St. Louis (possibly a site plan for railroad headquarters). Includes cost estimates for the building project, payroll estimates, and staff regulations.

GLC06336

1802

Header Record

Title: Legal documents pertaining to the Easter Plot of 1802 [Decimalized .01-.16]

An archive of legal documents related to the Halifax County, Virginia trial of slaves following Sancho's Rebellion, also known as the Easter Plot of 1802. Includes six indictments, five mittimus warrants, one arrest warrant, and four writs of summons. Sancho, a participant in Gabriel's Rebellion of 1800, instigated a slave uprising intended to take place on or around Good Friday 1802. The ferment spread through southern Virginia (including Halifax County), and northeastern North Carolina. In his book "Gabriel's Rebellion: The Virginia Slave Conspiracies of 1800 & 1802," Daniel…

GLC06338

27 June 1862 circa

Hancock, Winfield Scott, 1824-1886

Manuscript document signed

Title: "Extract from General Hancock's official report of the Battle of 'Garnett Hill' June 27th 1862"

Signed with notation by Hancock beginning "A correct extract of my official report." Reports on subordinate officers meriting praise for their action at the Battle of Garnett Hill, including General W.T.H. Brooks. At this brief engagement, Hancock met and repulsed an attack by Robert Toombs and the Georgia troops, and held this position until near the close of the day. The official copy of the report was sent to Leonard D. H. Currie.

GLC06339

1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: The Execution of Mrs. Surratt and the Lincoln assassination conspirators

Contemporary print of the famous Brady negative, showing the bodies hanging. Printed with red margin mounts by Taylor and Huntington. Brady photograph catalog list on back of the mount.

GLC06341

10 May 1860

Majors, Alexander, 1814-1900

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt of military supplies]

Majors, notable Western pioneer and originator of the Pony Express, confirms receipt of sugar and molasses. States that the supplies were delivered to him on order from Major General Stewart Van Vliet, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Fort Butler, New Mexico, is written on this document, possibly indicating that the supplies are to be sent there.

GLC06342

9 July 1845

Roebling, John Augustus, 1806-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Linton

Requests Linton send him about 1000 bushels of cement as soon as possible for the grouting of the old piers which were part of the project to build the first suspension bridge, the Allegheny Suspension Bridge at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Also informs that the undertaker of the Marine Hospital needs 1500 or 2000 bushels of cement as well. There is a note on the verso of the address leaf written later citing information about Roebling from John Bach McMaster's History of the People of the United States.

GLC06344

6 November 1917

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ruth Patton

Writes to his mother regarding his political aspirations and having met several congressmen who were less than gentlemanly. Mentions hearing that one congressman was at Patton's parent's wedding. Adds that he has gone horse-back riding and is hunting wild boars today. He writes, "I expect to be a major any day now which shows that this is a great war."

GLC06345

11 May 1780

Wyllys, George, 1710-1796

Broadside

Title: [Connecticut policy toward enlisting men in Continental army]

Discusses the tax benefits of those towns having reached a quota of enlisted residents and the responsibilities of those persons who have not yet enlisted.

GLC06347

1850-1882

Header Record

Title: [Three letters from John Brown's family] [Decimalized .01-.03]

Three letters from John Brown's family relating to various subjects, mostly family affairs.

GLC06348