01 March 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: An act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes

Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. With an unusual free frank for the printer, Childs and Swain of New York.

GLC00696

17 September 1807

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Manuscript

Title: An Act concerning the introduction of Negroes & Mulattoes into this Territory

One clerical copy of a document entitled, "An Act concerning the introduction of negroes and Mulattoes into this Territory," dated September 17, 1807. Pertains to Black enslaved people over the age of 15, in the Indiana Territory which the government had split into 14 sections. Relays the territories mandates for fees and requirements to enslave Black people in Indiana. Notes that if a person is enslaved under the age of 15, it is lawful for a Black man to remain enslaved until the age of 35 and a Black woman to remain enslaved until the age of 32. Black children born from the aforementioned…

GLC00697

5 December 1863

Davis, Robert S., 1832-?

Printed document

Title: [General orders No. 46 concerning the recruitment of non-white troops]

States "The recruitment of colored troops has become the settled purpose of the Government. It is therefore the duty of every officer and soldier to aid in carrying out that purpose, by every proper means, irrespective of personal predilection." Instructs recruitment to proceed "so that as few of the negros as possible shall become chargeable either upon the bounty of Government or the charities of the benevolent, and at the same time to do justice to those who shall enlist ... " Discusses the possibility of equal pay for white and non-white troops. Issued by Davis as Major and Assistant…

GLC00698

18 August 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States

Address on state of Confederacy and conduct of the war. In the hand of Burton Harrison, Davis's private secretary and signed on last page by Davis.

GLC00699

1864

National Union Free Convention

Broadside

Title: The two roads to peace

Broadside printing of the Chicago Democratic and Baltimore Republican Party platforms for the 1864 election.

GLC00701

1864

National Union Free Convention

Broadside

Title: President Lincoln and General Grant on Peace and War.

Promotes the Union cause. Reprints an interview with Lincoln titled "Mr. Lincoln's view of Democratic strategy," and a letter of General Grant dated 16 August 1864 to E.B. Washburne. Grant's letter informs that the Confederacy is very weak and losing men each day. Also printed is the verses to a song, "On the Chicago Surrender." Same broadside as GLC05556.

GLC00702

October 21, 1861

Price, Sterling, 1809-1867

Document signed

Title: [Confederate/Union prisoner of war cartel for exchange of prisoners]

Details exchange terms agreed upon by Quin Morton, who signed for Union General John C. Fremont, and Confederate General Sterling Price, who commanded the Missouri State Guard. Includes Confederate prisoners captured at Camp Jackson, Missouri on 10 May 1861 and Union soldiers captured since then. The Confederate commander of Camp Jackson was General Daniel [written as David in document] M. Frost whose name is first on the cartel along with another Confederate general, John Bowen, who died during the Vicksburg campaign. The cartel lists terms and name and rank of exchanged prisoners of…

GLC00703

April 18, 1790

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Benjamin Rush

Also discusses corruption and his unhappiness as Vice President. Very affectionate towards Rush. Beliefs on government and other reflections.

GLC00704

August 17, 1861

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. A. Collins

Grant discusses surrounding Rebel forces and writes that he only has the power to appoint two officers. These two men will be his aides-de camp, and he wishes to appoint John A. Rawlins and "Thompson" from his previous command. Also states "The papers no doubt have informed you that my command has been hemed in here by overwhelming numbers! The Rebels have been close to us with numbers much larger than ours but so far they have considered prudence the better part of valor. It is to late for them now. I am reinforced to about thribble my former strength and more are coming." Also thanks…

GLC00705

April 25, 1934

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Typed letter signed

Title: to Lewis L. Strauss

Concerns the Rindge Land business, the financing and outlook of investing in "The richest soil in California." Also mentions tenant-related issues, particularly keeping land in the hands of white farmers rather than Asian tenants. Typed on personal stationery. With an autograph and initialed postscript pertaining to a possible visit by Strauss.

GLC00707

28 May 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Passport for whaling ship Contest].

Countersigned by Secretary of State Seward. Issued to Captain Norton of the whaling ship "Contest" for a trip to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The pass indicates that the Contest is from the U.S. but not involved with the Civil War; it asks that the ship be allowed to travel freely. Contest left port on May 30, 1862 and returned on August 5, 1864, with 208 barrels of sperm oil, 691 barrels of whale oil, and 9,500 lbs. of whale bone. Copies in English, German, French, and Spanish. Signed and stamped by James Taylor, Notary Public. Features paper seal. Signed in New Bedford, MA.

GLC00709

05 November 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of John Woodcock].

GLC00710

23 January 1879

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Robert A. Adams].

GLC00711

September 12, 1860

Nichols, William Augustus, 1818-1869

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Joseph Hardee

Letter signed by Assistant Adjutant General William A. Nichols, addressed to Hardee at West Point. Informs Hardee that General Paul J. Semmes's request for a Sergeant to be appointed to assist with the instruction of his command has been endorsed by the Secretary of War. Nichols was brevetted Union brigadier general in 1864 and major general in 1865.

GLC00715.07

October 6, 1862

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Avery

Confederate General Breckinridge discusses a possible position on his staff for Avery, which would have to be as a voluntary aide. Congratulates on his freedom "from Yankee bondage" and his hopes to meet Avery "often in the progress of our great and just struggle."

GLC00713

July 24, 1862

Longstreet, James, 1821-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry A. Wise

Writes to Brigadier General Wise of D. H. Hill's Division, Army of Northern Virginia. Confederate Major General Longstreet (in reply from a letter from Wise of the day before) tells Wise that he will suggest to Commanding General Robert E. Lee that troops from Wise's brigade be preferred in troop exchanges with the Union. He adds that in the meantime he will send two brigades to support his picket line. "I am sending two Brigades down to occupy the ground from New Market to the Darbytown road. This I think will enable you to reduce your picket guards to some extent, and enable you to get…

GLC00714

1852-1863

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of Paul J. Semmes, 2nd Regiment, Georgia, infantry [Decimalized .01-.11]

Letters and documents re: Georgia militia & secession (less .5) [decimalized .01-.11]

GLC00715

January 23, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Henry Chase

Retained copy. Writes to Major Chase about some telegrams sent and received. Regrets that he cannot go to Pensacola right now because of business. Informs that 20 years ago he was a brigadier general in the militia in eastern Georgia but was removed to the western part of the state. He is now only commissioned as a captain. He is happy they have renewed their friendship, which began at West Point in 1857.

GLC00715.01

March 26, 1861

Winston, F.S., fl. 1861

Letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Informs Semmes that his life insurance policy covers him while in service during war. On printed stationery of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Docketed with note signed with initials by Semmes.

GLC00715.02

1852

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Memorandum book]

Signed and dated on front cover by Semmes, 26 June 1852. Concerns a trip to Arkansas to purchase a planation and to enslave people to work on the cotton crops. Records that he left to go to Memphis on June 28, 1852. Keeps an account of his finances. Makes notes on land for sale and pertinent details such as the county, crops, etc. On page two he writes, "Look at the negroes bought by Fawlks." He later writes, "Mr. Morey engages to buy negroes for me at $10 per head...all acclimated & good negroes accustomed to making cotton…" On 2 August 1852 he details what he is looking for in a…

GLC00715.03

March 22, 1853

Clemons, W.G., fl. 1853-1860

Letter

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Letter signed by five members of the Columbus Guards electing Semmes captain of the company. The letter and the signatures are all written in the same hand. On blue lined paper.

GLC00715.04

1855

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Pamphlet

Title: Infantry tactics.

Semmes wrote this for the Columbus Guard, of which he was captain. Concerns "Rules for maneuvering a detached company by the rear rank; and from the front rank to the rear rank, and reciprocally, when in march; together with general rules and instruction, for a detached company and a Battalion; in conformity to Scott's system of Infantry Tactics; and the general regulations for the Army." Inscribed on the front cover by Jno E. Davis to John A. Quitman, Mexican War General and governor of Mississippi. Two blue Confederate States of America 5-cent stamps are housed with pamphlet. In blue…

GLC00715.05

August 7, 1860

McMurran, Joseph, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

McMurran, a Virginia military man and editor of a paper in Christiansburg, Virginia, asks Semmes for a copy of his published work "Infantry Tactics." Docketed by Semmes. McMurran entered the 4th Va. Cavalry in 1861 and eventually achieved the rank of sergeant major. He was wounded in action at Gettysburg and then Winchester.

GLC00715.06

September 29, 1860

Aleix, P.O., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: Recommendation letter for A. Kleber

Confirms that A. Kleber served as Sergeant instructor of the 1st Company of Chasseurs a Pied de la Louisiane. Praises him as one of the best instructors of light infantry tactics. Paul J. Semmes was planning on hiring Kleber, a mercenary who served in the French Army, to train his troops. Aleix signs as 1st Lieutenant, 1st Company C. a P. [Chasseurs a Pied or Louisiana Foot Rifles].

GLC00715.08

16 November 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: Southern Guard.

Broadside of the Southern Guard, announcing that Semmes has been elected to the command and will proceed to organize a brigade. Includes a dramatic speech by Semmes praising the South and urging secession. With transmittal letter (see GLC 715.09.02), which is published in the broadside.

GLC00715.09.01