25 June 1864

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wood

Thanks Wood for sending a letter written by Secretary of State William H. Seward concerning a petition for government aid in constructing an overland international telegraph line. Remarks upon the rapid progress of the telegraph throughout the world and mentions the first telegraph message, chosen by 18 year old Annie Ellsworth, "What hath God wrought." Comments that although he had predicted the telegraph would go around the world, he did not expect to live to see it happen. Expresses satisfaction that though many have tried to improve upon his system, the "Morse System," is still used…

GLC04080

1 May 1862

Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Broadside

Title: Proclamation

Institutes "the administration of Law Martial" in New Orleans, two days after it was surrendered to the Union. Terms include respect for the United States flag, punishment for aiding Confederates, harsh treatment for crimes against Federal, prohibition of public gatherings. "The armies of the United States came here not to destroy but to make good, to restore order out of chaos, and the government of laws in place of the passions of men."

GLC04081

1861/05/31

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to John W. Ellis

GLC04082

28 September 1888

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Sarony

Encloses a check for a photograph taken by Sarony. Sherman calls the photograph "exactly right" and says he will have it framed to place with photos of General Ulysses S. Grant and Philip Sheridan.

GLC04084

1864 ca.

Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881

Photograph

Title: 6th plate ambrotype, cased

GLC04085

3 February 1854

Stuart, James Ewell Brown, 1833-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Archibald Stuart

Complains to his father that Congress does not adequately support the military. Written as a student at West Point, states that the military appropriations bill may not pass, and upset military spending is always the first place the "watch-dogs of the Treasury" make financial cut backs.

GLC04086

23 October 1791

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Requests a foreign appointment in Europe. Hopes the sea voyage will restore his health. Remarks that he does not want to deprive James Madison of the post, if he or another qualified person desires it. Hopes Jefferson will recommend him to President Washington. Also discusses shipping and commerce with Britain, relaying information from the debate in the Maryland legislature, of which McHenry was then a member. Docketed by Jefferson

GLC03802

4 December 1862

Gray, William H., 1810-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Justin Morrill

Discusses country's current financial position, per Morrill's request. Details poor state of U.S. finances, explains the "very grave objections" to President Lincoln's recommendation of a general banking law, and offers possible alternatives. "Our present debt is about 700 millions…The Government requires large additional sums…To place the whole security for the circulation of the country in the hands of a bureau at Washington, subject to the political changes to which it must be subject, is a matter to cause most serious apprehension." Morrill, a Republican Congressman from Vermont, was the…

GLC03806

1841

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Pamphlet

Title: Argument of John Quincy Adams, before the Supreme Court of the United States : in the case of the United States, appellants, vs. Cinque, and others,...

... (title continues) Africans, captured in the schooner Amistad, by Lieut. Gedney, delivered on the 24th of February and 1st of March, 1841: with a review of the case of the Antelope, reported in the 10th, 11th, and 12th volumes of Wheaton's Reports. Published by Seth Williston Benedict. Reprinted in 1969 by Arno Press, also available on microfilm.

GLC03809

17 August 1861

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Printed document signed

Title: [Notification to George H. Thomas of his appointment by President Lincoln to Brigadier General of Volunteers]

Partially printed document issued by the War Department. If Thomas accepts the appointment, he is instructed to return an oath enclosed with the letter. Thomas is also instructed to report to Brigadier General Robert Anderson for orders.

GLC03816.01

27 October 1863

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Printed document signed

Title: to George Henry Thomas

Partially printed document informing Thomas that he has been appointed Brigadier General by the President of the United States. Signed by Stanton as Secretary of War. A note at the bottom of the page indicates that Thomas accepted this appointment 2 November 1863, the day he received this notification.

GLC03816.02

30 March 1862

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

To an unnamed Union General hoping he improves from his wounds and stating his importance to the Union cause. Addressed simply to "Dear General," who was recently wounded while fighting Stonewall Jackson's forces. States that his recovery is essential to the Union's success in the war. Docket notes "A friendly letter."

GLC03817.01

20 February 1868

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Document signed

Title: [Deed of sale of excess military sites]

Allows for the sale of lands, buildings, and improvements surrounding Harper's Ferry. Grants conveyance of property to Catharine E. Stipes.

GLC03817.02

23 July 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Fitzgerald

General Washington discusses legal matters regarding his disputed land holdings on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, with his former aide-de-camp. Refers to a forthcoming survey of the Potomac River, necessary for a canal-building enterprise he sought to undertake as the first President of the Potomac Company. Expresses concern that he will be unable to simultaneously handle legal matters at both locations.

GLC03818

10 March 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal for warrant on the pardon of Jonathan C. Boyle].

GLC03824

22 December 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document

Title: to the Army of the Potamac

Printed executive order congratulating the Army of the Potomac for bravery during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Lincoln writes that "Although you were not successful, the attempt was not an error, nor the failure other than an accident."

GLC03825

22 October 1864

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Autograph document signed

Title: [Pass permitting Virginia farmer Benjamin Hummer to bring crops into Washington]

Permits Benjamin Hummer, a farmer from Virginia, to bring his produce to Washington to sell. Also permits him to bring his family, and return with necessary goods. Written on stationery of the War Department. The envelope is an official Secretary of War envelope, also signed by Stanton. Noted at top as "Good for 80 days."

GLC03826

29 May 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Broadside

Title: [Proclamation announcing North Carolina has a Republican form of government]

Proclamation announcing North Carolina has a Republican form of government, and appointing William W. Holden as provisional governor, who duty it shall be to subscribe rules and regulations for the purpose of altering or amending the U.S. Constitution. Signed in type by President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC03827

10 March 1864

Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Steele, commander of the Department of Arkansas, writes to Lieutenant General Grant, commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi (just before Grant became commander-in-chief of the United States Army). Corresponded with Generals William Sherman and Nathaniel Banks regarding an expedition against Shreveport, Louisiana. Remarks, "they are both mistaken in regard to the strength of my command and also in regard to the situation of affairs in my Dept." Intends to transmit copies of his correspondence with Banks. Declares, "The forces under Banks will make Kirby Smith run without a…

GLC03834

23 April 1861

Newspaper

Title: Herald Extra. [(April 23, 1861)]

Headlines reads, "Very latest by telegraph his afternoon. Rebellious excitement in Maryland and Virginia. Northern students sent home. 14000 troops at Washington. Vessels arming for the Blockade." Reports on various events related to the 19 April 1861 Baltimore Riot, during which secessionists attacked Union soldiers passing through the city. Discusses a town meeting held in Calais' Horton's Hall, where "The vast assemblage was animated by one sentiment and that a determination to sustain the Government in the present emergency." States that citizens of Cockeysville, Maryland reported…

GLC03838

24 June 1880

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Document signed

Title: [Order to Secretary of State to accredit James Longstreet as Minister to Ottoman Empire]

President Hayes orders Secretary of State William M. Evarts "to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to envelope containing letter accrediting James Longstreet as Minister President to the Ottoman Empire." Longstreet, a prominent Confederate General and military advisor to Robert E. Lee, became a Republican after the war, angering the populace of the mostly Democratic South. His allegiance to the Republican Party earned him choice positions of patronage, including the ambassadorship to the Ottoman Empire. He only served for one year in Turkey before returning to America to take…

GLC03843

7 December 1882

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letter to Perry Mason & Co.]

Discussing possible articles McClellan might write for "The Youth's Companion." McClellan has been asked to write military articles for the magazine, and discusses the style and content of the articles, which he wishes to write about famous historical generals. "The Youth's Companion" was a magazine, intended for the whole family, containing articles on a wide variety of subjects. The magazine was published by Perry Mason & Co., but the name Perry Mason was a fictional one created by the publishers. Daniel Sharp Ford was the real publisher of the magazine. Four holes punched on the…

GLC03853

1862

Handy, L.C., fl. 1861

Photograph signed

Title: Carte de visite of Fitz-John Porter

Colonel in the U.S. Army from May 14, 1861. Brigadier General Vol. May 17, 1861. Major General Vol. July 4, 1862. With autograph note and bio on verso. Image ca. 1862, printed ca. 1890.

GLC03854

05 May 1958

Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969

Typed letter signed

Title: to William F. C. Ewing re gathering support for plan to modernize Defense Dept.

Typed on White House stationery and signed in initials, "D.E." Interestingly, Eisenhower compares the intended role for the Sec. of Defense to "corporate practices" and closes by noting "I am sending this letter, or one nearly identical, to a number of my good friends in the business world."

GLC03862

16 January 1798

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Commissioners of City of Washington

Congratulates the board on obtaining a $100,000 loan from the state of Maryland. Referring to their activities superintending the construction of Washington, D.C., suggests the commissioners present a "full and candid statement on the whole in a Memorial to Congress."

GLC03865