February 1, 1805

Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Tilghman

Samuel Chase informs that he has heard that one cannot be a director of the offices of discount without being a stockholder and he does not own stock. He mentions that he is happy to hear of the acquittal of the Pennsylvania judges, but is dismayed to find out that 13 members voted them guilty. He comments that "party-rage" prevails in the courts of justice.

GLC00775

13 April 1820

Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery

Document signed

Title: [Preamble and resolution]

Printed petition signed by William Rawle as President of the Abolition Society and [Benjamin] Williams as secretary. Sent to Jacob H. De Witt, member of the House of Representatives from the 7th District of New York. Petition states that the society unanimously passed a resolution for the exclusion of slavery from the Missouri Territory. Written during the Missouri Compromise debates. States "We deem this a proper occasion to declare, that with a deep conviction that slavery is inconsistent with moral principle, national interest, and above all, with the Christian dispensation." Says the…

GLC00777

1859-1917

Various

Header Record

Title: Commissions of Thomas and Philip Ward, including Lincoln [decimalized]

With corrections and additions in Harrison's hand.

GLC00778

11 June 1863

Mahan, D.H., fl. 1863

Document signed

Title: [Diploma of Thomas Ward from West Point]

Signed, amongst others, by D.H. Mahan.

GLC00778.03

December 18, 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

The letter discusses a debt owed to him and his shortage of funds.

GLC00655.01

September 24, 1842

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George N. Briggs

John Quincy Adams declines an invitation to a Cattle Show and fair, citing age, and his inability to attend public functions, and previous engagements. He hopes to soon meet Briggs in Washington, D.C., "under better auspices than those which have overshadowed us since Captain Christopher Sly was installed at the white house," possibly referring to John Tyler. Briggs was a congressman from Massachusetts.

GLC00655.03

December 13, 1823

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Calhoun

Andrew Jackson requests to the Secretary of War that he make sure that Rufus Bowyer be allowed to enter the military academy as a cadet. He recommends him based on his own merits, and those of his father, Colonel Bowyer. Docket labeled "Va. [77]."

GLC00655.04

October 2, 1844

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Wilkins

John Tyler acknowledges the receipt of Pennsylvania Congressman Wilkins' letter and thanks him "for the Kindness furnished Mrs. Tyler to New York." He desires Wilkins quick return to Washington, D.C. so that he can expedite the removal of the Choctaw Indians, because Tyler fears "Mr. Crawford is inclined to present impediments, from a misapprehension of the true position of things."

GLC00655.07

January 5, 1861

Furniss, John P., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Judge Haden

John P. Furniss asks for financial remittance due to his having taken "private classes to improve [himself] in particular branches of Medicine." He relates that two convicts hung the day before, and a friend of his took a part of one of the bodies for Furniss to dissect. Signed "Your friend & ward." Furniss was a Confederate doctor.

GLC00653.24.01

January 3, 1863

Lewis, Henry, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to cousin Charlie

Lewis describes the destruction in the town from artillery when Union forces occupied it. He mentions pickets and surveillance balloons, and talks about morale. Letter written from Camp Opposite Fredericksburg, in Virginia.

GLC00653.25

April 7, 1864

Cheney, Edward, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roelzo J. Warren

From a soldier in the Vermont corps. Letter discusses the Rappahannock Wilderness campaign. Letter written while the solider was hospitalized. The letter has some military content and mentions General Ulysses S. Grant.

GLC00653.26

January 22, 1865

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel H. Hill

Major General Wheeler writes to General Hill about adjusting the speed of the courier line, his orders to General Ferguson, his troop and enemy movements, and the disposition of his troops to General Hill. With a long postscript addressing some possible strategies. Docketed on page four. Written from the "Head. Qu. Cav. Corps."

GLC00654

1785-1932

Header Record

Title: President's collection [decimalized]

[decimalized 00655.01-00655.20]

GLC00655

June 30, 1805

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Lee

Written to William Lee, who was serving as American consul at Bordeaux, France. Mentions that he arrived in Paris on June 20, 1805 after a 25 day trip and that he will soon proceed to London. He mentions the unsuccessful mission to Spain. In the autumn of 1804 he went to Madrid to assist Charles Cotesworth Pinckney in his efforts to secure the definition of the Louisiana boundaries and the acquisition of the Floridas. They negotiated with Don Pedro de Cevallos, the Spanish minister of foreign affairs, from January to May 1805, without success. This letter finds Monroe between missions. On his…

GLC00655.02

November 27, 1842

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry D. Gilpin

The letter discusses electoral politics. Written from Martin Van Buren's estate, Lindenwald, in Kinderhook, New York.

GLC00655.05

October 1, 1836

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Gives the county official voting results for electoral candidates Martin Van Buren and Hugh L. White. The votes were 1695 to 1200 respectively.

GLC00655.06

July 9, 1826

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to B. Tappin

William Henry Harrison asks Tappin to send more lime for use in the construction of an aqueduct for Harrison's distillery.

GLC00655.08

circa 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George C. Whiting

Franklin Pierce discusses the pension for the widow of Navy Commander Samuel Larkin. He mentions testimony given on the cause of his death which showed that Larkin contracted the disease while on duty in Africa. Paper watermarked "Joynson/1856." Letter written during Pierce's presidency and docketed "President Pierce."

GLC00655.09

October 17, 1856

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Campbell

James Buchanan writes to U.S. Postmaster General Campbell regarding his decision to delay the appointment of a postmaster for Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for political reasons. Date "17" was overwritten on "16." Docketed as 16th. Written as a candidate in the 1856 presidential election from his estate, Wheatland, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

GLC00655.10

December 1864

Header Record

Title: Collection of two items related to Abraham Lincoln and Lazarus Whitehead Powell [Decimalized]

GLC01011

12 September 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Petition for promoting Colonel Andrew Wood Denison].

Lincoln submitted this petition to Secretary of War Stanton. Fifteen prominent men from Maryland signed the petition asking that Colonel Denison be promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers. The petition recounts Denison's service to the Union, including his recruitment Maryland soldiers and his efforts leading them in battle. Denison's contribution culminated in the loss of an arm due to being shot at the Battle of Spotsylvania, but the petition contends, he has recovered and wants to be of service to the U.S.

GLC01012

24 September 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document

Title: General orders no. 139.

Preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation published for the Army War Department printing, removed from a compilation of general orders. Noted on pages 117-120 are the orders that all people enslaved in the south will be freed. Beginning on Page 120 but not complete is General Orders No. 140, order respecting Special Provost Marshals and defining their duties. Printed circa 1863.

GLC01024

April 26, 1844

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos Kendall

Jackson writes to the former Postmaster General, also Jackson's close friend and biographer. Jackson relates how he learned that nullifiers secretly sent an agent to Great Britain for aid during the Nullification Crisis of 1832. "... the nullifiers of the south having sent a secrite agent to Great Britain to obtain aid in carrying into effect their designs against the Union." He details the source of his information so that it might be enclosed with his papers by Kendall. Without naming his former vice president, John C. Calhoun, Jackson accuses him and other nullifiers of being traitors and…

GLC01025

March 6, 1824

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John D. Godman

Letter discusses the upcoming presidential election. Speculates on the contest between himself, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and William H. Crawford. Thinks it certain that the election will be decided in the House of Representatives (it was). Between himself and Crawford, he guesses that whoever wins New York will be considered by the House along with Adams and Jackson. Predicts that if he makes to the House, he will win; otherwise he suspects Adams will win. Comments on other states and possible outcomes. Discusses how Godman and his other political supporters in Philadelphia can…

GLC01028

July 2, 1813

Wood, B.G., fl. 1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Wood

He writes to his sister about his activities in Canada at Fort George and elsewhere in the northern campaign during the War of 1812. Also discusses the heroism of their brother, Eleazor D. Wood, at Fort Meigs, as recounted by General William Henry Harrison. Notes that congress will be putting a heavy duty on all spirits, and mentions the naval fight on Lake Champlain.

GLC01043.02