May 20, 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

"Hon Mr. Wadsworth of Ky. wishes five hundred arms for reasons which he will explain to you. Unless you know some strong objection, please let him have them. Yours truly, A. Lincoln."

GLC00746

September 19, 1779

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

Adams had returned from France, and comments upon the importance of having an American in Paris "who knows somewhat of the affairs of America, as well as Europe...." Letter also mentions the fight for independence and French negotiations.

GLC00748

May 16, 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to L. J. Cist

L. J. Cist replies to a letter initially directed to Representative Henry Taylor Blow of Missouri requesting Lincoln's autograph for the benefit of the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair. In response, President Lincoln writes "I am glad to give it, in the hope that it may contribute, in some small degree at least, to the relief and comfort of our brave soldiers."

GLC00749

05 March 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Authorization to affix United States seal to a treaty]

President Lincoln authorizes Secretary of State William H. Seward to affix the United States Seal to a treaty between the United States and Britain. States the Treaty, signed 1 July 1863, settles the claims of the Hudson's Bay and Puget's Sound Agricultural Companies.

GLC00750

March 27, 1828

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel Hugunin, Jr.

Marked "private and inofficial" at the top of the page. Referring to trade between the United States and Great Britain, Secretary of State Clay informs Hugunin, a Representative from New York, that "sound policy requires that there should be the freest and most unshackled competition between the vessels of the two countries in any trade that may be tolerated on the Lakes ..." Discusses an Act passed on 1 March 1, 1823 concerning colonial ports and trade between Britain and America. Refers to a resolution recently moved by New York Representative Daniel Dewey Barnard concerning trade between…

GLC00754

December 6, 1869

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

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of John Stafford, Martin Johnson and Andrew Melvin].

GLC00757

June 18, 1812

Hamilton, Paul, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Rodgers

The Secretary of the Navy informs Commodore Rodgers that war has been declared against Great Britain, officially starting the War of 1812. Indicates that Rodgers is entitled to use his four vessels for attack and defense. Asks him to await further instructions from New York, but permits him to attack British cruisers near Sandy Hook, if the opportunity arises, after which he should return to port. Instructs him to relay these orders to Commodore Stephen Decatur.

GLC00758

June 24, 1831

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Decatur

Andrew Jackson rejects Susan Decatur's request and dismisses her complaints firmly but politely. Decatur had asked the President to install an acquaintance of hers in a governmental position. He refuses to do so, saying he needs the best man to do the job.

GLC00762

1878-1892

Lansing, Edwin Y., fl. 1878-1892

Manuscript

Title: Letterbook of outgoing correspondence with memoirs of military

Containing pressed copies of Lansing's letters and an account of his military career, pp. 73-78 (5/19/1882). These include military letters as clerk in the Depot Quarter Master Dept (1870s), business letters and family letters to his brother Abraham in Albany, NY. The letters are written from Vancouver Barracks, Washington Territory (1878-86), Los Angeles, Cal. (1886-92) and close in retirement in Jeffersonville, Ind. (1892). The final letters close accounts in Los Angeles.

GLC00768.02

1857

Ruffin, Edmund, 1794-1865

Pamphlet

Title: The political economy of slavery

First edition of Ruffin's pro-slavery pamphlet, signed by Andrew Johnson. Johnson writes on the cover "Send this to my room with my mail." The pamphlet was published in 1857, Johnson most likely signed it in 1858. Untrimmed edges. Lacking wrappers. Printed by Lemuel Towers. Likely signed in Washington D.C. Reads in part: "Judging from the early existence and continued duration of the institution of domestic slavery-its almost universal extension-its beneficial influence in subduing barbarism and savage indolence and ignorance-in inducing the culture and improvement of the earth, and…

GLC00774

30 August 1862

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Petition to President Lincoln recommending "the immediate removal of George B. McClellan from the Command of any army of the United States," signed by Chase, Stanton, and Smith. These three members of Lincoln's cabinet feel "constrained to urge this by conviction that after a sad and humiliating trial of twelve months and by the frightful and useless sacrifice of the lives of many thousands of brave men and the waste of many millions of national means he has proved to be incompetent for any important military command." Also cites "recent disobedience" and a failure to aid General Pope at…

GLC00776

18 March 1859

United States War Department

Document signed

Title: Appointment of Thomas Ward as cadet at West Point with instructions

Signed on front by John Floyd as Secretary of War. Blue paper. With instructions for qualification for admissions, exercises and extract of regulations.

GLC00778.01

January 21, 1860

United States War Department

Document signed

Title: Appointment no. 47 of Thomas Ward Cadet

Blue sheet folded, signed by Floyd as Secretary of War.

GLC00778.02

01 April 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Thomas Ward, Second Lieutenant in 1st Regiment Artillery]

Commission of Thomas Ward as a Second Lieutenant in the First Regiment of Artillery, beginning on June 11, 1863. Signed by Abraham Lincoln, countersigned by E. M. Stanton as Secretary of War. Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General, note reads "Recorded Volume 18 page 38 - Adjutant General's office, April 4, 1864". Features a paper seal from the Office of War and two patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.04

01 June 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Thomas Ward as First Lieutenant in 1st Regt Art.]

Commission of Thomas Ward as First Lieutenant in the First Regimental Artillery. beginning on June 18, 1864. Signed by Andrew Johnson as President and countersigned by Edwin M. Stanton as Secretary of War. Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General, note reads "Recorded Volume 18 page 122 - Adjutant General's Office June 1, 1865". Features a paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.05

20 August 1866

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Thomas Ward as First Lieutenant, brevet]

Commission of Thomas Ward as First Lieutenant by brevet, beginning on June 3, 1864. Stamped signature by Andrew Johnson as President, countersigned by Edwin M. Stanton as Secretary of War. Awarded for "gallant and meritorious services at the Battle of Cool Arbor [sic], Virginia." Mistake for Cold Harbor. Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General, note reads "Recorded Volume 5 page 34 Adjutant General's Office August 20, 1866". Features a paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.06

20 August 1866

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Thomas Ward, Second Lieutenant in 1st Regt Artillery]

Commission of Thomas Ward as Second Lieutenant in First Regiment Artillery, beginning on March 13, 1865. Stamped signature by Andrew Johnson as President, countersigned by Edwin M. Stanton as Secretary of War. Given "for good conduct and gallant services during the war." Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General, note reads "Recorded Volume 5 page 34. Adjutant General's Office August 20, 1866". Features a paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.07

December 20, 1876

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

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Thomas Ward, Captain in the First Regt. Artillery]

Appointment of Thomas Ward as Captain in the first Regiment of Artillery, beginning on November 1, 1876. Signed by Ulysses S. Grant as President, countersigned by James D. Cameron ("J.D. Cameron") as Secretary of War. No reason given for promotion. Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Adjutant General, reads "Recorded Volume 21 page 260. Adjutant General's Office December 21, 1876". Features a paper seal from the Office of War, and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.08

08 July 1884

Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Thomas Ward, Assistant Adj. General with rank of Major]

Appointment of Thomas War as Assistant Adjutant General with the rank of Major, beginning on June 28, 1884. Signed by Chester A. Arthur as President, countersigned by Robert T. Lincoln as Secretary of War. No reason given for promotion. Docketed at top by Acting Adjutant General, reads "Recorded Volume 22 page 593. Adjutant General's Office, July 8, 1884". Features a paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.09

11 September 1893

Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Thomas Ward, Asst. Adj. General with rank of Lieutenant]

Appointment of Thomas Ward as Assistant Adjutant General with rank of Lieutenant, beginning on August 31, 1893. Signed by Grover Cleveland as President, countersigned by L.A. Grant as acting Secretary of War. Docketed at top, reads "Recorded Volume 24 page 547. Adjutant General's Office September 11, 1893". Features paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.10

May 29, 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

Written to South Carolina's governor, Pickens in response to Pickens concerns about the city of Charleston. Lee writes in part, "The loss of Charleston would cut us off almost entirely from communication with the rest of the world and close the only channel through which we can expect to get supplies from abroad now almost our only dependince. [.... ] Let it be distinctly understood by every body, that Charleston and Savannah are to be defended to the last extremity. If the harbours are taken, the cities are to be fought street by street and house by house as long as we have a foot of ground…

GLC00751

28 June 1919

Paris Peace Conference, 1919-1920

Document signed

Title: Peace Congress, Versailles 1919, Session of 28 June 1919: Agenda. Signature of the Treaty of Peace between the Allied and Associated Powers and Germany

Printed souvenir program signed by Wilson, Lansing, Balfour and others, including Paderewski (Polish premier and pianist) and the new leaders of the new nations of Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia.

GLC00752

14 March 1777

Hart, John, 1708-1780

Autograph document signed

Title: [Act of Assembly constituting a Council of Safety]

Written by Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as speaker of the New Jersey Assembly. Also signed by Stevens as Vice President of the New Jersey Assembly. Establishes a committee of safety to govern New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. Lists members of the newly created Council of Safety, including among others, John Cleves Symmes, Silas Condict, Dick Samuel, and Nathaniel Scudder, who were all members of the Continental Congress. Has 10 sections that describe how the council will work. Allows the body to operate under a quorum of five and appoints the governor as…

GLC00753

28 February 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Printed document signed

Title: An Act making Appropriations for the Support of Government for the Year one thousand seven hundred and ninety three.

Sets the federal budget for the year at $1,589,044.72. Lists the salaries to be paid to members and employees of government, the amount of their expenses, such as stationary, to be covered, and other costs of the federal government, such as the Indian Bureau. Gives the President the power to borrow money from the Bank to pay off these expenses. Signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State.

GLC00755

November 11, 1853

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis M. Hays

Encloses a draft for $100 (not present). States he did not receive Hays' letter dated October 12th until yesterday as he was out of town.

GLC00756