circa February 1817

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Draft of first inaugural address]

First draft of president-elect Monroe's inauguration address. Monroe gave the address, with substantial changes, on 4 March 1817, beginning the Era of Good Feelings. The speech was the first outdoor inauguration since Washington's in 1789. Monroe's draft has a generally positive tone, expressing happiness and confidence with America's present and future prospects. It was written to appeal to everyone and avoids confrontation. Begins by thanking his fellow citizens for their trust in him and says he hopes to be a useful public servant. Following in the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson's ideas on…

GLC03880

5 February 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Tallmadge

Notes that although the Culper spy ring [which he addresses as "he"] does not propose giving anymore information until the middle of March, he hopes if anything important comes up, he will be notified. Asks Tallmadge to communicate this. Samuel Culper was the code name for the spy network Tallmadge organized in New York City for Washington and in this letter, it is indicated as "C-- N.Y." Addressed to Tallmadge in the 2nd Regiment Light Dragoons, Durham, North Carolina. Severely foxed and discolored.

GLC03884

22 March 1784

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Johnston

In response to a 23 February 1784 letter from the assistant treasurer of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati, Washington returns certificates (not included), with his signature and seal, for three European members of the state society. As president of the organization, Washington advises Johnston that the certificates must be countersigned by the secretary general, Henry Knox.

GLC03885

03 October 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Huntington re: transmitting acts to organize the new government

Washington's letter also lists the acts and resolutions being transmitted, which are of an organizational nature.

GLC03886

14 April 1813

Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catherine Smith

Writes to her granddaughter that parting with the children was "a weight upon my heart." Mourns the death of a sister, who was not able to say goodbye to her husband and children. Thanks Catherine for her letter and says she is longing to see her new great granddaughter Caroline. She passes on the news that Catherine's spouse, Mr. Smith, will have the option of going to England as Secretary of Legation or returning to America. Forwards some letters from friends at Washington, and wishes her well.

GLC03889

29 March 1813

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

Adams, in retirement, to Rush, who was to die three weeks later. Forwarding a packet of eight papers on the revolution, including a letter from Vice President Elbridge Gerry and a letter of Benjamin Austin's to Gerry. These letters are not included here. Says he may show them to Carey (probably Philadelphia publisher Matthew Carey) if they help him with his plan. Mentions the incident around the Island of St. John's (Prince Edward Island) during the Quebec campaign in 1775 when Captains Selman and Broughton overstepped their orders and captured private property as well as prominent…

GLC03890

1845/07/15

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Tappan

Written as congressman. A beautiful and deeply felt letter. Concerning the opposition of abolitionists to his bill to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. Adams writes that with opposition from both abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates, he resorts to silence and inaction. He further writes that, consulting the "sortes biblicae" (randomly opening a bible to learn one's fortune or course of action), he found the passage where the Prophet [Nathan] advised King David that the Lord had not chosen him to build the Temple (2 Samuel 7: 2-13). He ends the letter here. (Adams died…

GLC03891

19 May 1876

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christopher C. Sniffen

Douglass writes to Sniffen, secretary for President Ulysses S. Grant. Informs Sniffen, "it will be convenient for me to call at the Executive Mansion on Monday Morning, and if I learn nothing from you meanwhile requesting otherwise I will call on Monday at eleven o. clock am."

GLC03893.01

1839/12/19

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Solomon Haven re: news from the capital and NJ, Clay expected to resign

Also reporting the (false) rumor that Clay would resign his Senate seat.

GLC03894

4 July 1866

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Envelope

Title: [Envelope addressed to C. H. Carter]

Addressed to Carter at Waterbury, Connecticut. Stamped with free frank in Washington, D.C.

GLC03895.01

8 June 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Oldham

Discusses construction materials and methods used at Monticello. Suggests that it would be better to use riven pine slabs than linen. Includes a drawing of six parallel lines to show how the boards can be laid out. Mentions that if Oldham needs more help than just Lewis (a slave), contact Mr. Gabriel Lilly, who will do the job for less money than Mr. John Perry, who charges one dollar a day.

GLC03897

1797/11/28

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle re: selling his town coach, after retiring as president

Washington writes that he will sell his town coach "for whatever it will fetch."

GLC03903

1790/08/25

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Printed document signed

Title: [Land indenture for the sale of lands owned by Washington in New York, on the Mohawk River]

Partially printed document cosigned by George Clinton (Washington's real estate partner) and witnessed and signed by David Humphreys and Tobias Lear. Land sold by Washington and Clinton to David Risley of Whitestown, New York. Describes the lot sold.

GLC03904

7 August 1862

Marshall, Humphrey, 1812-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Marshall believes "unless Col Morgans movement into Kentucky formed part of a plan of invasion intended to be permanent and effective, it would do harm instead of good." Thoroughly details his plan for such an invasion of Kentucky. Thinks Colonel John Morgan's raiding actions are ineffectual for creating armed resistance to Union control. Instead feels that if he launches a sustained invasion Kentucky residents will join him by the thousands, and he will be able to take Kentucky, and even move against Ohio. Letter mentions numerous officers including Confederate Major General William Wing…

GLC03906

2 November 1815

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moses Abbott

Written by Monroe as Secretary of State. Monroe apparently owes Abbott a substantial debt, saying he will pay to his order five hundred dollars by Mr. Dabney next week and the balance in 90 days. Says his farms in Albemarle and Loudoun Counties in Virginia have been "miserably deficient," and that the current harvest will hardly pay for the expenses of the plantations. Asks Abbott to communicate with Dabney and to get back to him without delay. Asks to send the letter marked "private" and in another envelope. Monroe had gotten himself into substantial debt, which he was not able to get out of…

GLC03908

15 January 1784

Washington, Martha, 1731-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah S. Boudinot

Writes about the pleasure of returning to domestic life after the termination of the Revolutionary War. Congratulates Boudinot on returning to her own home after a seven year exile and on the improved health of her daughter, Susan Boudinot. States, "The difficulties, and distresses to which we have been exposed during the war must now be forgotten. We must endevor to let our ways be the ways of pleasantness, and all our paths Peace." Mentions that she would love to have the Boudinots visit Mount Vernon as she has not the strength to undergo another journey. Comments on the health and…

GLC03909

25 March 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Robert Barnett by Abraham Lincoln]

Barnett was arrested during the New York Draft Riots and convicted of discouraging enlistments, he was pardoned due to poor health. Endorsed on verso on the date of Lincoln's death. (c/s F.W. Seward)

GLC03912

25 November 1861

Buchanan, Franklin, 1800-1874

Document signed

Title: to Lewis Doughty

Receipt from the Confederate States Navy Department for $518.18 for repairs and equipment for Confederate gunboats. Payment made to Lewis Doughty, who signed this document twice, of the Marine Railway Co. Marks down work on 9 ships and the supplies of wood needed to repair them. Approved by Captain Franklin Buchanan, who signed the receipt. Also signed by boatswain W.H. Face. Marked at top as "In Triplicate." Buchanan was a Confederate admiral. In 1845-47, he served as the first Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, followed by notable Mexican-American War service. In 1859-61,…

GLC03914

24 December 1823

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: [Instructions to James Brown, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to France]

Written by Quincy Adams as Secretary of State to Brown as American Ambassador to France. Lists 14 items he included with instructions, including: a commission for his post, a letter of credence to King Louis XVIII, full powers for negotiating commerce and navigation issues, a cypher to send coded messages, a letter of credit to the banks in Amsterdam to carry out his duties and draw his salary, various legal books, a passport, full powers to negotiate an end to slave trade, and a letter for Albert Gallatin, who he was replacing in France. Spells out salary and expense issues in detail and…

GLC03922

22 February 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Marked Cipher at top and copy on verso. Grant writes to the Secretary of War that he had a 100 gun salute fired yesterday for the capture of Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina, and has sent out Stanton's order to have it repeated.

GLC03923

1868/01/14

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

Autograph letter

Title: to Andrew Johnson re: ceasing to be Secretary of War ad interim

Probably a retained draft. Grant has blotted and overwritten numerous words. He claims that he cannot serve because of the Senate's "Act Regulating the Tenure of Certain Civil Officers."

GLC03924

1867/10/03

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman re: Indian Peace Commission. Signed with initials

GLC03927

24 April 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Philip St. George Cocke re: organizing Virginia's forces, Virginia's borders

Written two days after Lee accepted command of Virginia's forces. Noting that an invasion of Virginia would be considered an act of war. With an initialed postscript.

GLC03874

17 November 1859

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [$10.00 Check to Mary Todd Lincoln]

Check signed by Lincoln payable to "wife." Printed in blue ink, drawn on the Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance Company. Printed by Richards & Smith.

GLC03875

22 July 1860

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George C. Latham re: encouraging Robert's friend to reapply to Harvard

Lincoln writes to his son's friend, who had been rejected by Harvard. He writes a letter of encouragement: "It is a certain truth, that you can enter, and graduate in, Harvard University; and having made the attempt, you must succeed in it. 'Must' is the word. [....] In your temporary failure there is no evidence that you may not yet be a better scholar, and a more successful man in the great struggle of life, than many others, who have entered college more easily. Again I say let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed." According the Lincoln's…

GLC03876