1839-1844

Jones, William, fl. 1823-1860

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Plantation Book]

Plantation account book of William Jones, the owner of a cotton plantation in the vicinity of Jonesville, Liberty County, Georgia, near Savannah. Also mentions planting rice, but cotton appears to be the main staple of the plantation. Gives a nearly day-by-day account of the operation of his plantation. The book was kept as a record of planting, harvests, weather, preparation of ground, allocation of slave labor, crop yields, prices realized, and other agricultural matters. Provides extremely little on Jones's personal life. No systematic listing of slaves on the plantation is provided, but…

GLC03703

21 September 1838

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to editor of Quincy Patriot

Written as Member of Congress. A report to his constituents regarding petitions made concerning the right to petition and its suppression through the Gag Rule, abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia and the slave trade in the US, his opposition to the admission of Texas, a condemnation of the "fraudulent" Treaty of New Echota which removed the Cherokee Indians and a bill for suppressing duelling between representatives. Pages are stained.

GLC03707

14 August 1779

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Signed by Jay as President of Congress to Clinton as the Governor of New York. Closing in Jay's hand. Circular letter. Congress is informing the country that the British are reinforcing themselves. Says 7,000 troops are coming from Europe and another 3,000 from the West Indies. Claims America's allies - mainly the French - are concerned that better preparations were not made for a vigorous campaign. Says America needs to exert itself more. Wants Clinton to comply with Congress's wish to have battalions filled and militia ready. Says forces might be called forth to operate offensively.

GLC03709

6 September 1796

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Mifflin

Discusses the issue of Connecticut claimants to the Western Reserve lands taking refuge from Pennsylvania authorities by entering New York State. Expresses his opinion that the states have relations between them far more intimate than those between separate nations. Believes that new laws are necessary to handle the relations and that laws already in place do not properly address the issue of the intruders. Informs that the Attorney General Josiah Ogden Hoffman, will return soon and Jay will turn this problem over to him.

GLC03710

20 February 1787

Huntington, Samuel, 1731-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bowdoin

Connecticut Governor Huntington expresses his approval of the suppression of the insurgents (involved in Shays rebellion). Agrees to cooperate with Massachusetts Governor Bowdoin in apprehending insurgents hiding in Connecticut and not supplying them with arms or provisions. Reassures Bowdoin that the people of Connecticut "detest the lawless and violent courses which insurgents have taken." Indicates "copy" on the upper left hand corner.

GLC03711

[ 08 ] December 1880

Document signed

Title: Certifying vote of Georgia presidential electors for Winfield S. Hancock

Document signed by James C. C. Black, Richard E. Kenner, Samuel D. Bradwell

GLC03713

26 March 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Barry

Hancock, Thomas McKean, Richard Henry Lee, John Alsop, Joseph Hewes, Robert Morris, and Edward Rutledge sign as members of the Marine Committee (all but Alsop went on to sign the Declaration of Independence). Hancock et al. inform Captain Barry that the Committee of Safety has ordered four provincial armed boats to assist Barry in "taking, sinking, destroying, or driving off" a British man of war. Instructs Barry, Captain of the Lexington, to coordinate signals with the vessels sent to assist him.

GLC03714

1861-1889

Booth, Thomas R., fl. 1861-1908

Header Record

Title: [Collection of diaries and letters] [decimalized]

Thomas Rogers Booth served as Civil Engineer, Clerk in the office of the Adjutant General (1863-1864) and Captain of Commissary of Subsistence of Volunteers (1864-1865). He was a railroad engineer from New Castle, Delaware. The wartime diaries were written from Washington, D.C., and include that city's reactions to wartime news. The 32 letters include one concerning Zachary Taylor's election, written while a cadet at West Point. Booth left the Academy in 1851 (his resignation was accepted by future General Seth Williams). The letters also include correspondence with wartime acquaintances…

GLC03347

30 May 1934

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Typed document signed

Title: [Press release of speech delivered on Memorial Day at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania]

Signed at end as President. Speech mentions the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg and Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War. Stresses the importance of uniting the country. Gives particular attention to the part played by George Washington as Continental Commander-in-Chief, president of the Constitutional Convention, and President of the United States. Calls upon Americans to heal "ancient passions" and not to begrudge benefits to other regions and individuals. Marked "Confidential until Released," by Stephen Early, Assistant Secretary to the President.

GLC03352

22 July 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Stephen Moylan

Written by General Washington to Colonel Moylan as commander of the First Pennsylvania dragoons. References Moylan's letter of 21 July 1777. Encloses a letter he asks Moylan to forward to General David Forman (known by the nickname of " Black David" among the Jersey loyalists, owing to his excessive cruelty toward those who did not favor the Revolution). Wants Forman to tell him if the British fleet has gone out to sea. Wants Forman to send his dispatches to Moylan, who is supposed to forward them to Washington by express. Document has large losses of paper, although not to the text. Later…

GLC03353

28 January 1834

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Acknowledges receipt of a catalog and states that "The Librarian alone is authorized to purchase for the law library of the United States." Pasted to support board.

GLC03360

15 July 1808

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Persoon re: thanking Persoon for gift of botanical book

GLC03362

20 April 1813

Armstrong, John, 1755-1816

Letter

Title: to Joseph Haslet

Writes to the governor of Delaware to relay that he is happy to hear that the state's legislature has drafted a battalion of Delaware militia into United States Army to fight in the War of 1812. Armstrong was the current secretary of war.

GLC03366

5 September 1854

Pierce, Jane M., 1806-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anne

Writes that she hopes Anne's injured hand is recovering and asks her to write again when she is able. Hopes she is keeping busy with household duties. Laments over the death of Alfred, her nephew, and expresses sympathy for her sister Mary Aiken's loss. Mentions that she and Franklin Pierce were at Capon Springs, West Virginia, which was pleasant, but the journey was tiring. Comments on her health and that of Mr. Pierce. Gives regards to Mr. Wentworth. Postscript mentions that Mr. Smith has been at the White House. Explains that Captain Benbow, his family, and Anne's uncle have…

GLC03375

10 October 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Orders Hodgdon, the Superintendent of Military Stores of the United States Army, to deliver clothing and arrange for a coach. Indicates that President George Washington's "waggon will be ready in the morning." Washington was going to western Pennsylvania to command the army in the Whiskey Rebellion. Written from the War Department.

GLC03377

9 January 1834

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Discusses Connecticut politics. Believes that a man named Asa Child will again try to get his name on the Central Committee by the Democratic convention. Warns Holabird to guard against this as Child " ... is an artful fellow, and will make use of means to fortify himself and weaken his opponents that some men would not suspect." Comments on the nullification issue, "Great efforts are making by the nullifiers to alienate the South from the administration. In Virginia I think it likely they have had some success ... " States that the administration must take a firm stance or else "they…

GLC03390.03

12 April 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: An act to erect a light-house on Montok point in the state of New York

Signed by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Describes the steps to be taken before construction, such as the appointment of a caretaker and the appropriation of funds. Printed below the act are Speaker of the House Jonathan Trumbull's and Vice-President John Adams' names. Also printed is President Washington's name designating approval of the act on 12 April 1792. Enacted by Congress on 24 October 1791.

GLC03396

25 February 1890

Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901

Document signed

Title: [Ratification of extradition convention with Great Britain and Ireland]

Authorizes the Secretary of State to affix the seal of the United States to Harrison's ratification " ... of the original and exchange copy of extradition convention with Great Britain and Ireland supplementary to the Tenth Article of August 9, 1842 and full Power to make the same." One black and length bust engraving of Harrison included.

GLC03397

[1867]

Bingham, John Armor, 1815-1900

Autograph manuscript

Title: Unpublished draft resolves anticipating Johnson's impeachment trial

Written as member of Congress. Date inferred from content. Bingham helped impeach Johnson.

GLC03399

22 August 1817

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: To the Inhabitants of the town of Saco

Written by Monroe as President during his tour of the country after his victory in the election of November 1816. This tour echoed the famous tours of America President George Washington made in 1789 and 1791. The tour inaugurated what is known as the Era of Good Feelings. This letter expresses pleasure at the respectful greeting he had in Saco, Massachusetts, in the District of Maine (Maine did not join the Union as a separate state until 1820). Monroe was in Saco on 15 July 1817, but this letter is written over a month later from Boston and directed to William Moody, a tavern owner and…

GLC03400

10 January 1895

Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Parkinson re: cheapest land trade he ever made

GLC03418

19 February 1808

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to William Pinkney

Indicates that he is sending a series of gazettes reporting on congressional proceedings, which "will give you a view of our internal affairs." Explains the route by which Mr. Nourse will deliver them to London so that Pinkney can arrange other correspondence to Paris and his own government. Discusses a previous letter concerning the Embargo Act of 1807 and a British decree made on 11 November 1807. Also comments on communications from David Erskine, the British Minister Plenipotentiary, concerning Napoleon's Berlin Decree, the British retaliation, and their effects on neutral maritime…

GLC03419

15 March 1781- 9 May 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Pickering's letterbook]

Inventory attached. Contains two alphabetical lists of recipient's names. One eight page list is attached to the inner front cover by string and measures 23.2 x 19 cm. The other list is bound in as part of the letterbook. Contains letters to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Baron von Steuben, among various others. Letters within this book were created in various locations, and most were written by Pickering. The last, written to Pickering, is attached to the inner back cover. Includes an envelope attached to the inner front cover containing a transmission letter dated 30…

GLC03425

1860

Drew, Thomas, fl. 1860

Book

Title: The John Brown invasion; an authentic history of the Harper's Ferry tragedy, with full details of the capture, trial, and execution of the invaders, and of all the incidents connected therewith. With a lithographic portrait of Capt. John Brown, from a photograph by Whipple.

An attempt to compile a wide variety of contemporary sources in order to present a balanced view of the events surrounding the raid on Harpers Ferry. However, portrays Brown as a hero and states that the purpose of the book is to "combine in these pages every fact and incident relating to the event, which the friends and admirers of the man would wish to preserve, as mementoes of the simplicity of his character, the nobility of his purposes, the disinterestedness of his motives, the sublime heroism of his deeds, and the remarkable piety by which he was governed and sustained." Compiled by…

GLC03346

16 August 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Discusses Battle of Baton Rouge and Bragg's planned invasion of Kentucky. Expects Bragg's invasion to be a success, "I feel that you will reach the Ohio River, if you don't do more." Would join Bragg, but cannot leave his own command, which has been reduced from 8,000 to 2,500 men. States "I did the best I could at Baton Rouge, and with inferior forces whipped them soundly. Under the circumstances it was impossible to accomplish more than we did." Written just after the Battle of Baton Rouge, where the Confederates were actually defeated by a force of equally small size in their attempt…

GLC03348