1813/07/19

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Appointment of Levett Harris to secretary to legation at St. Petersburg, Russia]

Signed by Madison as President, countersigned by Monroe as Secretary of State. The official appointment was as "Secretary of the Mission Extraordinary of the United States" and the diplomatic mission was for the purpose of "entering into negotiations at St. Petersburg, with Great Britain, of and concerning a Treaty of Peace and of Commerce." The Treaty of Ghent was negotiated and ended the war of 1812 in late 1814.

GLC02322

15 December 1838

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Harvey

Expresses his optimism for the Democratic party in the upcoming elections. "I think the prospects for the democratic party have rarely been more cheering. We have many great advantages over our opponents." Goes on to say that the Democratic party is united on several principles while the opposition is not. States that, "Under such circumstances I entertain no fears for the result. We must triumph." Written as Senator from New Hampshire.

GLC02327

1 October 1872

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horace Rublee

Thanks Rublee for gifts and hospitality on his recent trip to Switzerland. Discusses President Ulysses S. Grant's reelection contest, declaring, "I see the President daily and he takes things as easy as though he had no interest in the Contest that now captivates our newspapers." Also states he might send his daughter to Europe over the winter and will have her stop in to see Rublee and his wife. Written on Headquarters Army of the United States letterhead.

GLC02332

January 24, 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to James Clinton

Apologizes for not being able to extend Clinton's furlough any longer. There is a shortage of officers, so Clinton must return as soon as possible. Possibly written in the hand of Tench Tilghman, Washington's aide-de-camp.

GLC02336

13 May 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

In reply to McHenry's letter of 2 May 1799. Written as commander of Provisional Army created during the fear of a French invasion to McHenry as Secretary of War in the Adams Administration. They are attempting to find the best candidates to fill openings in the officers' ranks. Washington claims he does not know the rising generation of Virginia as he did when the Revolution broke out since he does not leave home very often. Wants to know if McHenry believes it is proper for the War Department to send out a request for applications that can be reviewed, otherwise he does not know how they…

GLC02337

1915/12/14

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Typed letter signed

Title: to R. Fulton Cutting

Asks Cutting to join Herbert Hoover's enlarged Commission for the Relief of Belgium during World War I.

GLC02339

26 December 1799

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Appears to be a retained draft. Written by North as Adjutant General of the Provisional Army with the rank of brigadier general (a position he held 1798-1800) to an unknown recipient. Says if "you are too full, ask Mrs. Duane for a pail of butter." Mentions that he has a sleigh and horses at Duanesburgh doing nothing and that the recipient can use them. Says he is not settled in yet, but says they are doing well. Says they are planning a "great show here on the 31st - funeral honors to the memory of Gen. Washington" (who died on 14 December) on 31 December. Mentions other friends.

GLC02341

5 March 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: Act for making farther and more effectual provision for the protection of the frontiers of the United States

Signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Decided at the first session of the second Congress held at the city of Philadelphia on 24 October 1791. Lists the salaries and allowances for officers and recruits. Mentions employing Indians for compensation. Printed with names of Jonathan Trumbull as the Speaker of the House, John Adams as the Vice-President, and George Washington as the President.

GLC02342

6 January 1840

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Solomon Haven

Discusses political and social news. Mentions that the state legislature will meet tomorrow and that there is a movement toward legal reform, which he feels in necessary. Briefly comments on national and state debts. Written as member of Congress.

GLC02344

19 February 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roscoe Conkling

Replies to Conkling's letter criticizing the reputation of Caleb Lyon. Lincoln remarks that, "his nomination to some respectable office was repeatedly urged upon me certainly by two, if not three Senators of the highest standing; and your letter contains the first imputation I ever heard against his moral character."

GLC02345

circa 1920

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Signature

Title: [Hoover's signature on White House card]

White House card.

GLC02346.02

1861/01/27

Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elise Bragg re: eye-witness account of secession of Louisiana

Written on state Executive Mansion stationery, and also mentioning the replacement of the Federal flag by "the Goose [sic, Pelican] was hoisted in its stead"

GLC02282

1861/04/08

Arthur, B.F., fl. 1860-1863

Manuscript document signed

Title: Copy of... resolution approving appointment of Beauregard by Pickens

Written as clerk of the South Carolina secession convention.

GLC02284

1861/04/19

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Gov. John Letcher re: asking Virginia to join CSA and sending Stephens

Signed as President of the Confederacy. Also sending Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens to negotiate alliance.

GLC02285

4 March 1858

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William P. Fessenden

Praises a speech of Fessenden and mentions that in order for the Republicans to win the election in 1860, they will need to keep together on their own principles. Comments on the opinions of Stephen Douglas, "The Douglas notion of a popular Sovereignty incapable during the whole period of territorial existence of freeing itself from slavery and then, at the initiative of State existence indifferent whether slave or free, but only asking the privilege of saying which, will never do to form a party upon." Written as Governor of Ohio on State of Ohio, Executive Department stationery.

GLC02286

13 December 1859

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Requests that recipient inform him if he has written to Mr. Morris to demand the engines with the late improvements. Also asks if recipient has sent them his letter.

GLC02287

1781/06/16

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry re: neutrality, French alliance, and his anti-British feelings

Written as U.S. Minister to the Netherlands. The first part recommends the bearer, Mr. Le Roy, desirous of commercial connections in America. Adams deprecates the idea of armed neutrality and concludes: "you must not entertain the most distant Idea of Peace while there is one British Soldier alive and at Liberty in America."

GLC02292

1785/07/06

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry re: frustrations and doubts on British commercial treaty

Written as U.S. Minister to Great Britain after formally presenting his credentials to George III. Enclosing letters (not included) "sent to Mr. Jay in Cypher." America had been flooded with British imports after the Revolution, but Congress was not permitted to enact protective tariffs. Instead, various states enacted tariffs.

GLC02293

23 October 1815

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Thanks him for his letter, which included a letter from William Cobbett to Niles. He loves clergymen "because they are often sociable and sensible men," but "the priesthood seems to have something militant and belligerent in its nature." Remarks that Edmund Burke and Samuel Johnson seemed to have supported the idea of religious primacy. Adams had been President of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Smith was Adams's son-in-law and his former secretary.

GLC02295

30 September 1791

Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John E. Howard

Writes to the governor of Maryland to formally accept the appointment of chief judge of the Supreme Court. States he will come to Annapolis on Monday.

GLC02296

28 August 1864

Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888

Letter signed

Title: to Wesley Meritt

Union General Sheridan, Commander of the Middle Military Division and Army of the Shenendoah, writes to Merritt, Commander of the 1st Division Cavalry Corps. States that General William Woods Averell informed him through a scout that Martinsburg, Virginia (present-day West Virginia) is unoccupied by Confederate troops. Writes: "Send out at early dawn parties in the direction of Bunker Hill if it is possible for them, to get through and ascertain whether or not the enemy's infantry are all moving, or have gone, towards Winchester... Prompt information from you, early in the day, may save my…

GLC02297.01

6 April 1860

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Messrs. Bond & Lear

Meade signs as Captain of Topographical Engineers. Discussing telescopes, writes: "I...am aware that in increasing the field, other things remaining the same, we lose power. I have no doubt the glass you are now having made will be satisfactory in all respects..." Requests chronometers, watches, and almanacs. Inquires as to the procurement of a "[Detorsion?] Bar" (for a portable declinometer) in London.

GLC02297.02

February 28, 1865

Warren, Gouverner K., 1830-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hollen Richardson

Marked confidential. Writes to Colonel Richardson as Major General. Warren, with General George Meade's agreement, feels that the drilling required to undertake a secret plan suggested by Richardson will arouse the suspicion of the enemy. On stationary of Head-Quarters, Fifth Army Corps.

GLC02297.03

18 February 1865

Richardson, Hollon, 1835-1916

Letter

Title: to Gouverneur K. Warren

Contains two letters, both copied by James Preston. Page one contains a copy of a letter from Richardson to General Warren dated 18 February 1865. Original created near Petersburg, Virginia. Discusses attacking Petersburg: "I am satisfied in my own mind... that the works of the Enemy in front of Petersburgh, or at almost any point in the line, can be carried by assault... " Refers to the Battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, assuming that an assault on Petersburg should have the same success. Thinks two corps will be sufficient for the assault. The second page contains Warren's reply…

GLC02297.04

22 December 1863

Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Letter

Title: to Charles A. Heckman

Secretarial letter written and signed for Butler by R. C. Davis. Writes to Brigadier General Heckman, commanding forces at Newport News, Virginia. Encloses orders for Captain Belger's Rhode Island battery to report to Point Lookout, Maryland for duty. "The reason for this move is that that country has been added to this Department and an attack by the Rebels is apprehended to release the prisoners now confined there." Written on stationery of Headquarters 18th Army Corps, Department of Virginia & North Carolina.

GLC02297.05