February 4, 1926

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Typed manuscript signed

Title: [Analysis of the Lincoln-Douglas debates]

One typed document created by William H. Taft dated February 4, 1926. Pertains to the debate of slavery between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. Two lines inserted in Taft's hand on page 14 and numerous other corrections. Signed and dated by Taft on the last page.

GLC01488

1 June 1826

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Printed document signed

Title: [Commission of James W. Ripley as Captain in the Fourth Regiment of Artillery]

Engraved document signed by Adams as president and countersigned by James Barbour as secretary of war. Includes a paper seal. A note on the side signed by "R. Jones" indicated that it was "Registered Vol: 2 page 59" in the attorney general's office. Ripley later became a general in the Civil War.

GLC01492

1812/08/28

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Printed document signed

Title: Additional Instruction to the public and private armed vessels of the United States.

Signed as Secretary of State. In response to the repeal of British Orders in Council, instructs naval and privateering ships to assist, rather than obstruct, any American owned ships bringing British goods to the United States. Issued shortly after the start of the War of 1812. Compare to GLC01665.

GLC01494

July 20, 1861

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Informs his wife, Jane, of his travels from Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., through Alexandria with a company of 120 men, supported by artillery men from Rhode Island Governor William Sprague's "celebrated Rhode Island Battery." States that he is in camp south of Alexandria, and will march for Fairfax Court House in the morning en route to Bull Run. Reports that the previous day at Bull Run, the Union lost several hundred men, while Confederate forces lost over one thousand. Refers to the actions of the New York and Massachusetts 8th Regiments. Writes, "A Desperate fight has been…

GLC01505.01

July 10, 1863

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Informs his wife that he arrived in Washington, D. C. the previous day. Referring to his introduction to Colonel Windham, an Englishman, he states "I hate foreigners particularly the dutch- Windham offered me a very nice place but I asked to be sent to the field." Received orders to report to General [George] Mead[e]. States that only three officers (Solen, Carpenter, and Balk) of the 6th United States Cavalry were not killed, wounded, or captured. Describes injuries sustained by Balder, McQuisten, Claflin, Cram, Paulding, and Chaffee, stating that only 108 men are left in the regiment.…

GLC01505.02

June 17, 1801

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to David Lenox

Forwards papers to Lenox concerning British impressment of American seamen because they possibly allude to one such impressed citizen, John Stafford.

GLC01511

December 28, 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Montgomery Meigs

Lincoln is having Captain Asher R. Eddy relieved of duty as a Quarter Master in Springfield, Illinois because "a 'snarl' has somehow gotten up between him & [the State Government], which must be broken up." He asks Quartermaster General Meigs to replace Eddy and reassign him to an equally important post.

GLC01514

August 12, 1851

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William M. Lowry

Letter written as Congressman. Marked "Private" at the top of first page. Johnson relates that he is powerless to stop Lowry from being removed from his position as postmaster in Greeneville, Tennessee: "So you may consider the die as being cast." Mentions that an article will be released to the Nashville newspapers, such as the (Greeneville, Tennessee) Spy, regarding Lowry's removal. Counsels, "Do as Caesar did in the Roman Senate: adjust your robe and fall as decent as possible."

GLC01516

March 23, 1867

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sherman

Garfield argues that Dr. C. Woodworth, a nominee for postmaster of Trumbull County, Ohio, is nominated solely because he is an acquaintance of President Johnson: "It is only another evidence that the President is unwilling to listen to the wishes of the people." This contradicts the expressed wishes of the electorate in Trumbull County, who signed a petition to appoint Henry H. Townsend, a soldier. Declares, "I have received many letters and telegrams molesting against the appointment of Woodworth, and therefore respectfully recommend that his nomination be rejected by the Senate." Letter…

GLC01517

March 22, 1933

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ellison DuRant Smith

Letter concerns Smith's amendment to the farm bill of 1933. Worries that he may lose the support of organized farm forces. Advises him to discuss the bill with Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace. Date inferred from contents. Written on White House stationary.

GLC01520

December 26, 1961

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, 1917-1963

Typed letter signed

Title: to Nate White

President Kennedy informs White, the Business and Financial Editor of the newspaper "The Christian Science Monitor," that the Marshall Plan was implemented to "encourage the economic integration of Western Europe," not to establish Europe as a "band of followers." States that the economic markets of the United States and Western Europe have the combined resources to "rally men and nations to the cause of freedom the world over."

GLC01521

June 9, 1811

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Williams

Burr writes about his trial for conspiracy against the United States. States that the vindictive temper and conduct of Judge Thomas Rodney have induced him to withdraw from public view. Remarks that he will continue to submit to civil authority as long as he is assured he will be treated with the same rights as other citizens. Wants to be informed of the arrest charges and bail. Requests assurance that he will not be sent out of the territory or subjected to any military authority. Note on address leaf signed by Caesar A. Rodney and dated June 9, 1811 reads, "a base calumny by a traitor to…

GLC01524

February 25, 1792

Blodget, Samuel, Jr., fl. 1792

Document signed

Title: [Land deed for future site of Washington, D.C.].

Countersigned by Jacob Welsh. Partly printed document, "Obligation. No. 289," deeds a lot of land in the future city of Washington to John Dewhurst. The exact location of the lot will be determined after the city's design is laid upon the land known as "Jamaica Farm," formerly owned by Philip R. Fendall, and currently owned half by the government of the United States and half by Samuel Blodget.

GLC01527

1932/02/25

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

Document signed

Title: Pardon-related: Respite of execution for Benjamin Gordon

Signed as New York State governor. Gordon was a murder convict.

GLC01457

June 12, 1816

Clinton, DeWitt, 1769-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Taylor

Clinton writes that Robert Grey's offense of grand larceny was so aggravated as to force him to avoid recommending his pardon without other mitigating circumstances. Letter written as gubernatorial candidate to the lieutenant governor of New York. Recipient's docket on address leaf.

GLC01459

March 7, 1788

Morris, Lewis, 1726-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Lewis V. Morris

Lewis Morris writes to his son, Colonel Lewis Morris. Discusses the violent debates back-and-forth in Albany and New York, and writes that he believes the majority of New Yorkers are against the new Constitution. Also, mentions debates over the Constitution.

GLC01461

February 7, 1833

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gen. Charles Gratiot

Requests funds for improvements needed to make the St. Marks River more easily navigated.

GLC01462

June 16, 1845

Gaines, Edmund Pendleton, 1777-1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Thomas Aspinwall

Gaines seems to welcome war with England. Also, mentions potential war with England over Oregon, and concerns about Texas.

GLC01463

December 12, 1840

Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thurman Fessenden, John Underwood, and Samuel Tisdale

Fessenden, Maine Senator-Elect, thanks members of the New England Society of the City of New York for an invitation to attend the Society's anniversary on December 22, 1840. Declines the invitation, which commemorated the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Offers these sentiments on the anniversary: "The spirit of the Pilgrims- Trust in God, and unwavering constancy of purpose. With that spirit our Country's liberties were won. Without it they cannot be preserved."

GLC01465

February 24, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Knox recommends a Mr. Payton for work. Mentions Payton's "great distress owing to some peculiarly unhappy circumstances in his family," and suggests there might be an available post "within the Quartermaster or Commissary[']s line" under General Lincoln's patronage. Letter written at the time of Shays' rebellion. Signed as Secretary of War.

GLC01466

17 July 1782

Carleton, Guy, 1724-1808

Document signed

Title: [Authorization for payment to General William Howe's forces in New York]

Dating from the final months of British occupation of New York during the American Revolution. To Deputy Paymaster William Deane Poyntz. Countersigned by W. Morgan. Payment of 246 pounds, 19 shillings, and 4 pence sterling for the provisions of Howe's 23rd Regiment of Foot. Money to be paid to Paymaster Captain James Drury. Partly printed document, numbered 38.

GLC01468

May 8, 1814

Brown, Jacob, 1775-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Edward Mitchell

Major General Brown notes receiving Colonel Mitchell's letter reporting the British capture of Oswego, New York, at the Battle of Big Sandy during the War of 1812. Indicates that he is satisfied with Mitchell's actions against the superior British forces. Discusses military plans and mentions the location of the enemy fleet, directs an express be established. "…with this reinforcement you will be able to make the enemy pay dearly…"

GLC01469

1867/04/19

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

Endorsement signed

Title: [Promotion request: presumably to Edwin Stanton]

A.N. Preston, acting assistant adjutant general of the District of Mississippi, details his qualifications for promotion; the top portion of his request is missing, so the addressee and date are unknown. Brevet Major General Thomas J. Wood adds his recommendation on January 10, 1867. W. T. Sherman recommends Preston's promotion on January 15. The request is signed and forwarded to the Secretary of War by Grant on April 19, 1867.

GLC01471

April 16, 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Letter written as President to Secretary of War McHenry. Concerning Adams' interpretation of the Constitution concerning military appointments. Adams remarks "I never understood the Constitution. To suppose that the President has power to appoint Judges and Ambassadors... and not officers in the Army... is... very embarassing to the public service." Remnants of wax seal on address leaf. Docketed by McHenry.

GLC01477

March 10, 1794

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Seymour

Letter written as Vice President. The letters discusses preserving neutrality between England and France.

GLC01482