1857

Ruffin, Edmund, 1794-1865

Pamphlet

Title: The political economy of slavery

First edition of Ruffin's pro-slavery pamphlet, signed by Andrew Johnson. Johnson writes on the cover "Send this to my room with my mail." The pamphlet was published in 1857, Johnson most likely signed it in 1858. Untrimmed edges. Lacking wrappers. Printed by Lemuel Towers. Likely signed in Washington D.C. Reads in part: "Judging from the early existence and continued duration of the institution of domestic slavery-its almost universal extension-its beneficial influence in subduing barbarism and savage indolence and ignorance-in inducing the culture and improvement of the earth, and…

GLC00774

30 August 1862

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

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Petition to President Lincoln recommending "the immediate removal of George B. McClellan from the Command of any army of the United States," signed by Chase, Stanton, and Smith. These three members of Lincoln's cabinet feel "constrained to urge this by conviction that after a sad and humiliating trial of twelve months and by the frightful and useless sacrifice of the lives of many thousands of brave men and the waste of many millions of national means he has proved to be incompetent for any important military command." Also cites "recent disobedience" and a failure to aid General Pope at…

GLC00776

18 March 1859

United States War Department

Document signed

Title: Appointment of Thomas Ward as cadet at West Point with instructions

Signed on front by John Floyd as Secretary of War. Blue paper. With instructions for qualification for admissions, exercises and extract of regulations.

GLC00778.01

January 21, 1860

United States War Department

Document signed

Title: Appointment no. 47 of Thomas Ward Cadet

Blue sheet folded, signed by Floyd as Secretary of War.

GLC00778.02

01 April 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Thomas Ward, Second Lieutenant in 1st Regiment Artillery]

Commission of Thomas Ward as a Second Lieutenant in the First Regiment of Artillery, beginning on June 11, 1863. Signed by Abraham Lincoln, countersigned by E. M. Stanton as Secretary of War. Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General, note reads "Recorded Volume 18 page 38 - Adjutant General's office, April 4, 1864". Features a paper seal from the Office of War and two patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.04

01 June 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Thomas Ward as First Lieutenant in 1st Regt Art.]

Commission of Thomas Ward as First Lieutenant in the First Regimental Artillery. beginning on June 18, 1864. Signed by Andrew Johnson as President and countersigned by Edwin M. Stanton as Secretary of War. Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General, note reads "Recorded Volume 18 page 122 - Adjutant General's Office June 1, 1865". Features a paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.05

20 August 1866

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Thomas Ward as First Lieutenant, brevet]

Commission of Thomas Ward as First Lieutenant by brevet, beginning on June 3, 1864. Stamped signature by Andrew Johnson as President, countersigned by Edwin M. Stanton as Secretary of War. Awarded for "gallant and meritorious services at the Battle of Cool Arbor [sic], Virginia." Mistake for Cold Harbor. Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General, note reads "Recorded Volume 5 page 34 Adjutant General's Office August 20, 1866". Features a paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.06

20 August 1866

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Thomas Ward, Second Lieutenant in 1st Regt Artillery]

Commission of Thomas Ward as Second Lieutenant in First Regiment Artillery, beginning on March 13, 1865. Stamped signature by Andrew Johnson as President, countersigned by Edwin M. Stanton as Secretary of War. Given "for good conduct and gallant services during the war." Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General, note reads "Recorded Volume 5 page 34. Adjutant General's Office August 20, 1866". Features a paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.07

December 20, 1876

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

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Thomas Ward, Captain in the First Regt. Artillery]

Appointment of Thomas Ward as Captain in the first Regiment of Artillery, beginning on November 1, 1876. Signed by Ulysses S. Grant as President, countersigned by James D. Cameron ("J.D. Cameron") as Secretary of War. No reason given for promotion. Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Adjutant General, reads "Recorded Volume 21 page 260. Adjutant General's Office December 21, 1876". Features a paper seal from the Office of War, and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.08

08 July 1884

Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Thomas Ward, Assistant Adj. General with rank of Major]

Appointment of Thomas War as Assistant Adjutant General with the rank of Major, beginning on June 28, 1884. Signed by Chester A. Arthur as President, countersigned by Robert T. Lincoln as Secretary of War. No reason given for promotion. Docketed at top by Acting Adjutant General, reads "Recorded Volume 22 page 593. Adjutant General's Office, July 8, 1884". Features a paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.09

11 September 1893

Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Thomas Ward, Asst. Adj. General with rank of Lieutenant]

Appointment of Thomas Ward as Assistant Adjutant General with rank of Lieutenant, beginning on August 31, 1893. Signed by Grover Cleveland as President, countersigned by L.A. Grant as acting Secretary of War. Docketed at top, reads "Recorded Volume 24 page 547. Adjutant General's Office September 11, 1893". Features paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.10

May 29, 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

Written to South Carolina's governor, Pickens in response to Pickens concerns about the city of Charleston. Lee writes in part, "The loss of Charleston would cut us off almost entirely from communication with the rest of the world and close the only channel through which we can expect to get supplies from abroad now almost our only dependince. [.... ] Let it be distinctly understood by every body, that Charleston and Savannah are to be defended to the last extremity. If the harbours are taken, the cities are to be fought street by street and house by house as long as we have a foot of ground…

GLC00751

28 June 1919

Paris Peace Conference, 1919-1920

Document signed

Title: Peace Congress, Versailles 1919, Session of 28 June 1919: Agenda. Signature of the Treaty of Peace between the Allied and Associated Powers and Germany

Printed souvenir program signed by Wilson, Lansing, Balfour and others, including Paderewski (Polish premier and pianist) and the new leaders of the new nations of Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia.

GLC00752

14 March 1777

Hart, John, 1708-1780

Autograph document signed

Title: [Act of Assembly constituting a Council of Safety]

Written by Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as speaker of the New Jersey Assembly. Also signed by Stevens as Vice President of the New Jersey Assembly. Establishes a committee of safety to govern New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. Lists members of the newly created Council of Safety, including among others, John Cleves Symmes, Silas Condict, Dick Samuel, and Nathaniel Scudder, who were all members of the Continental Congress. Has 10 sections that describe how the council will work. Allows the body to operate under a quorum of five and appoints the governor as…

GLC00753

28 February 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Printed document signed

Title: An Act making Appropriations for the Support of Government for the Year one thousand seven hundred and ninety three.

Sets the federal budget for the year at $1,589,044.72. Lists the salaries to be paid to members and employees of government, the amount of their expenses, such as stationary, to be covered, and other costs of the federal government, such as the Indian Bureau. Gives the President the power to borrow money from the Bank to pay off these expenses. Signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State.

GLC00755

November 11, 1853

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis M. Hays

Encloses a draft for $100 (not present). States he did not receive Hays' letter dated October 12th until yesterday as he was out of town.

GLC00756

11 March 1861

Cobb, Howell, 1815-1868

Book signed

Title: Constitution of the Confederate States of America

First printing, signed by Howell Cobb, President of the Constitutional Congress at end. Parrish & Willingham 8 is a variant with space for signing by Cobb, for private distribution (cf. Parrish 1)

GLC00759

July 20, 1854

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Capt. John Lestor

Written on blue lined paper. The letter discusses the annexation of Texas and California. Letter written to Captain John Lestor of Baltimore.

GLC00760

May 20, 1863

Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah B. Seddon

Sends news home to his wife from wartime Richmond. He comments on working with Confederate President Jefferson Davis. He laments recent military engagements in Mississippi under generals John Pemberton and Joseph E. Johnston. Notes his anxiety about "our affairs in Miss" after the loss of Jackson, Mississippi to the Union Army. Comments that "Virginia is the sacred soil still."

GLC00761

1865 ca.

Photograph signed

Title: Cabinet photograph of Andrew Johnson, signed on mount

Background and clothing have been painted. Seated portrait.

GLC00763

May 22, 1836

Fiske, E.G., fl. 1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss S. H. Fiske

E. G. Fiske writes to his sister concerning Indian problems. Discusses Texas and the capture of Santa Anna.

GLC00765

February 12, 1761

Peters, Richard, 1704-1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Johnson

Richard Peters writes to the British commissioner about Northern Indian Affairs in upper New York. He discusses Indian tribes and Connecticut's attempt to get a new grant from the King. He concludes: "I most heartily congratulate You in the Surrender of Canada and on the most favourable Solution of all our Affairs." Richard Peters, Provincial Secretary, superintended Indian affairs and attended the Albany Congress, 1754.

GLC00766

1814

Hall, John E., fl. 1814

Book signed

Title: American Law Journal : vol. V. : being the second in a new series

Signed by John Marshall three times. Once on the main title page and once on the title page of each pamphlet. Includes printings of Thomas Jefferson's, "The Proceedings of the Government of the United States, in Maintaining the Public to the Beach of the Mississippi, Adjacent to New Orleans," and Edward Livingston's reply, "An Answer to Mr. Jefferson's Justification of His Conduct in the Case of the New Orleans Batture." The rest of the volume is synopses of important state cases. Edited by Hall, a counselor at law in the Supreme Court. Printed by William Fry. Entire cover of the book…

GLC00767

1866-1892

Melville, Herman, 1819-1891

Header Record

Title: [Collection of 2 documents pertaining to Herman Melville.] [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC00768

1866

Melville, Herman, 1819-1891

Book signed

Title: Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.

First edition of Melville's only book of poetry. Inscribed on inital blank facing the titlepage: "Major Edward Y. Lansing from H. Melville. As a souvenir of his soldier hospitality at the cavalry camp in the Virginia woods, April 1864." Also inscriped by Lansing in pencil on page 187 above the peom "The Scout toward Aldis": "Major Edwin Y. Lansing's cavalry camp in the Virginia woods, April 1864." In April, 1864 Melville and his brother obtained a pass to visit the front to search for their cousin, Colonel Henry Gansevoort. Melville met Lansing in a scouting party he and his brother…

GLC00768.01