21 December 1816 - 3 February 1817

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph manuscript

Title: To the Senate & House of Reps of the U. S.

Fragments of two messages to the House of Representatives of the United States. The first concerns an "act to authorize payment for property lost, captured, or destroyed by the enemy while in the military service of the U. S. & for other purposes ... " Date of 21 December 1816, written in pencil in an unknown hand at a later time. Second page is a message to the Senate and the House of Representatives about his decision to sign the Tariff Act of 1816 which protected American industries from British competition.

GLC05279

1815/01/11

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Monroe discusses the establishment of a standing militia. He also criticizes the Hartford Convention, arguing that it may lengthen the War of 1812. Authorizes military protection for the Springfield Arsenal, should it be necessary. A half-sheet of paper is glued onto the original letter's 3rd page. General Henry Dearborn, then the senior major general in the United States Army in command of the northeast, was possibly the recipient.

GLC05280

1815/09/14

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Unknown.

Discusses his ill health, Napoleon's demise and a treaty with Algiers

GLC05281

1777/12/28

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to William Alexander re: use of terror tactics

To "Lord" Stirling. Use of terror tactics against those "furnishing the enemy with provisions."

GLC05286

27 July 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Burgess Ball

President Washington discusses the construction of a tilt hammer. Relates that the United States Government may be interested in purchasing a tract of land from Ball, upon which to establish an arsenal. Discusses the character of Hyland Crow, who served as an overseer on Washington's Union Farm after Washington left to serve as President in 1789. Notes that if Ball hires Crow as an overseer on his own farm, he must be strict. Praises Crow's understanding of the farming business, but also received frequent reports of Crow's hasty temper, ill treatment, and frequent absence from his post.…

GLC05287

8 July 1796

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Marshall

Marked private. President Washington offers the Ministry of France to Marshall. Says it was necessary to recall Monroe, the current minister. Hopes he will accept the offer as soon as possible. Post script says he wants Marshall to see him when he goes to Philadelphia for the session of the Supreme Court. Ultimately, Marshall declined the offer. Washington was angry at Monroe's inability to control French rage over the Jay Treaty of 1795.

GLC05288

1801/02/11

Sedgwick, Theodore, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W. Williams re: Jefferson-Burr election crisis

Written as Speaker of the House during the Jefferson-Burr election crisis. "15 ballots have been taken & no election."

GLC05301

1864

Header Record

Title: Letter of Henry J. Raymond and Abraham Lincoln's Cooper Union Address pamphlet [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC05303

1779

Muller, John, 1699-1784

Book

Title: A treatise of artillery.

First American edition of this work, based on the second London edition. This copy was owned by Paul Revere, but not marked as such. Dedication reads: "To his Excellency George Washington...General Henry Knox...and the Officers of the Continental Artillery." Printed in Philadelphia by Styner and Cist, in Second-Street, for John Norman, engraver. Evans 16378.

GLC05306.02

6 June 1846

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: Special Requisition

Countersigned Colonel James B. Walton. Approval of ordnance and ordnance stores for Captain Shaw's C. Company, Washington Regiment.

GLC05309

23 December 1795

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Carrington

Thanks him for earlier letters. Discusses official appointments. States that the Senate has denied the appointment of John Rutledge as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Informs that the Department of War is still unfilled and he is waiting for more information before he fills either appointment. Marked private on first page.

GLC05310

circa 23 August 1876

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to T. R. H. Johnson

No year cited, but preliminary research suggests the year of publication. Thanks Johnson, editor of The Monthly Elevator, for a bound volume recently sent. Remarks that the Elevator, an African American journal, is "laying the foundation of a literature which will in time reflect credit upon our long oppressed and benighted people." A pencil note at the top states, "An Encouraging word from Hon. Frederick Douglass." Enveloped addressed to Johnson in Washington, Pennsylvania. Includes a three cent stamp.

GLC05312

16 December 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

States he is stuck on the Susquehanna River because of low tide and bad winds. Takes the opportunity to discuss administration of the Provisional Army. Says War Department should only communicate with a concentrated military leadership, or else it will get bogged down in details. Says he is not the best person to contact about day to day military affairs because he will not personally lead the army unless an actual military engagement seems likely. He wants McHenry to communicate with General Thomas Pinckney, the commander in the south and with General Alexander Hamilton in the north. General…

GLC05319

5 February 1825

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Document signed

Title: [Certifying copyright for the 1825 enlarged edition of Nathan Daboll's Schoolmaster's Assistant].

Notes that Samuel Green, stereotype printer, is granted copyright to Nathan Daboll's Schoolmaster's Assistant a "plain, practical system of arithmetic,... adapted to the United States." Marked "No. 687." Written while Adams was Secretary of State.

GLC05320

1803/10/17

Broadside

Title: Twelfth Amendment, with notes, and draft of speech to the legislature at bottom

12th Amendment with notations. The draft speech at the bottom of the page is the beginning of the speech GLC 5321.02.

GLC05321.01

1803/10/17

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph document

Title: [Speech in favor of the twelfth amendment]

Pickering argues that the proposed twelfth amendment, which would reform the Electoral College, would help realize the intent of the framers and give the Constitution "stability and duration." Referring to the contentious, drawn-out presidential election of 1800, he asks who would have answered for the consequences, if a president had not been elected by March 4th, and the Constitution had thus run out. He notes that the framers expected amendments, and points out that "it is a well known fact that the amendments already incorporated into the constitution have greatly increased its friends."…

GLC05321.02

1820-1890

Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

Header Record

Title: Collection of two items pertaining to James Fenimore Cooper [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC05258

1895/03/06

Crane, Stephen, fl. 1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Billson re: drinking exploits in Galveston, Texas

Drinking exploits with the Mayor of Galveston and the editor of "Galveston News." With TLS of Sam H. Penland re: Crane's visit. Written at Galveston

GLC05259

20 December 1885

Melville, Herman, 1819-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Billson

Thanks Billson, an English admirer, for two volumes of the English poet James Thomson, including "Essays & Phantasies," "Bumble," "Indolence," and "The Poet." Praises Thomson's writing, " ... each is so admirably honest and original and informed throughout with the spirit of the noblest natures ... " Laments that the works would have to be cut down to appeal to popular taste. Remarks on Thomson's lack of fame and dismisses literary fame as cheap. "And it must have occurred to you as it has to me, that the further our civilization advances upon its present lines so much the cheaper…

GLC05260

13 April 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Discusses Fries' Rebellion in Pennsylvania (a taxpayer revolt against the first federal property tax), a recommendation for a commission, and reorganization of the army.

GLC05261

6 August 1812

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel B. Malcolm

Remarks upon Malcolm's decision to keep himself free of a political party and asks if he has considered the consequences. ". . . this Maxim, has rarely failed to annihilate the Influence of the Man who adopts it and very often exposed him to the tragical Vengence of all Parties." Thoughtfully examines the need for political parties despite their evils. Discusses at length "These two Tyrants... Fashion and Party." Comments that he is sorry Malcolm has left his practice and the bar and would like to see his publications. Condemns the practice of dueling in America stating it is carried…

GLC05262

1823/05/09

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter signed

Title: to unknown re: reflecting on his Presidency (signed after illness)

Signed with a very shaky hand, apparently after suffering a stroke. Important letter in which Adams reflects on the foreign affairs of his presidency, especially the Quasi War and the convention of 1800. "... there was war between St. Dennis [i.e., France] and St. George [Britain], [and] each had an army in America constantly skirmishing with each other, and both of them constantly stabbing me with lancets, spikes and spears. [M]y sole object was to preserve the peace and neutrality of the country, and thank God, I obtained [it], at the loss of my power and fame, with both sides."

GLC05263

1813/09/15

Perry, Oliver Hazard, 1785-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William H. Harrison

Requests funds for the maintenance of prisoners during the War of 1812. Written aboard the schooner Ariel.

GLC05264.02

27 April 1835

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Letter signed

Title: to George A. Waggaman

Massachusetts Senator Webster informs Waggaman, a former Senator from Louisiana, that Webster's friend, Mr. Loring, will be visiting New Orleans. Commends Loring to Waggaman's notice.

GLC05264.04

1880 ca.

Blaine, James Gillespie, 1830-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James E. Fitch re: transmittal letter with enclosure, on a decision, w/ cover

GLC05264.05