16 July 1851

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac G. McKinley

Buchanan voices his support for the Fugitive Slave Law, enacted under the Compromise of 1850. Believes the law will be the deciding issue in the upcoming election, and that the Democrats should strongly support it. He writes: "The great issue...ought to be: the maintenance of the fugitive slave law without modification." Another central issue must be "the repeal of our State law denying the use of our jails for the detention of fugitive Slaves." Worries that the South is already distressed, and will become more so if the Fugitive Slave Law is attacked. Mentions a Colonel, possibly Bigler…

GLC04903

1931/09/21

Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. H. Waldo

Writes to Waldo in New York, who was possibly a newspaper reporter, to tell him that "It would not be worth your while to see me about daily dispatches." He concludes by thanking Waldo "for the information about England," noting (in accord with the non-interventionist views of the Republican Party) that "We are paying too much attention to Europe." Written on Coolidge's personal stationary.

GLC04905

2 April 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Gordon Meade

Grant, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army, writes from Headquarters of the Armies of the United States to Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Discussing an assault on Petersburg, states that General Horatio Wright can contribute his force, except for a garrison of enclosed works. Relates that General Edward Ortho Cresap Ord is moving to assist Wright. Reports that General Philip Henry Sheridan "intended to start at day break and sweep the White Oak road and all North of it down to Petersburg." Accompanied by two collateral maps; one depicts the Siege of Petersburg 31…

GLC04907.01

29 October 1760

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Perkins

Hancock writes to Reverend Perkins, his step-father. Hancock has not yet received communication from Perkins, and writes to let his family know that he is well. Hancock discusses the death of King George II and the impending coronation of George III.

GLC04908

1914-1923

Harding, Warren G., 1865-1923

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Speech given to an Elks Club]

A draft of a lengthy disquisition on the nature of history and memory, human fellowship and greatness, and the enduring quality of true goodness. Contains many autograph edits. Date approximated from his tenure in national public offices.

GLC04909

1796/11/27

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Document signed

Title: Requisition for 1796 survey of U.S.-Florida boundary

Countersigned by Andrew Ellicott. A requisition for the 1796 survey of U.S.-Florida Boundary, with docketing on the back concerning supplies received.

GLC04910

1934/11/05

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus C. Dawes

Congratulates Rufus C. Dawes, the President of the "Century of Progress Exposition," a world's fair celebrating the city of Chicago's centennial from 1933-1934. Written on personal stationary.

GLC04912

1838/12

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frederick W. Porter

Jackson's letter is one page, written on the back of a two page letter sent to him by Porter. The address is also from Porter's letter. Porter's letter was sent from Philadelphia 27 November 1838. Porter's letter explains to Jackson that "A friend in Tennessee", unnamed, has paid for him to become a member of the American Sunday School Union, and explains the Union's work. In Jackson's reply he refuses to accept the membership, stating "Charity begins at home." He will not accept charity from others, and cannot afford to pay the fee himself, though he agrees with the Union's work.

GLC04913

1843/06/05

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Mouton

Thanks Mouton and the Louisiana legislature for a resolution that repaid to him a fine from 1815. He thanks them for "wiping from my memory the past imputations." In 1815 Judge Hall fined Jackson for enforcing martial law in New Orleans. Jackson strongly resented the fine, since he felt he had done what was necessary. Finally, not long before his death, the state legislature agreed to repay him the fine, with interest.

GLC04914

1844/04/29

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin F. Butler re: annexation of Texas; Van Buren's presidential career

Commenting on the impending annexation of Texas and Martin Van Buren's presidential career.

GLC04915

1791/03/03

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Printed document signed

Title: An Act supplementory to the Act, making Provision for the Reduction of the Public Debt.

Act states that the loan the United States has taken from Holland is in accordance with a previous act "for the reduction of the public debt," (see also GLC04675.01, Jefferson's 15 March 1791 letter transmitting legislation, including this act). Act states that this loan from Holland meets all rules of the previous act, and is therefore a valid loan. Signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State.

GLC04916

1811/11/14

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph note signed

Title: to David Gelston re: thanks for supplying statistics on use of steamboats

Letter or note in the third person, thanking Gelston for supplying information on use of newly invented steamboats on the Hudson River. Written in Monticello

GLC04918

1872/11/19

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Letter signed

Title: to A. J. Kellar re: condemning "military secession combination"

Condemning "the military secession combination which I trust is forever broken" and its "tyrannical and wicked rule."

GLC04919

1854/11/09

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: Appointment of John Halderman commissioner of Tennessee for Kansas Territory

An appointment as commissioner of Tennessee for the Territory of Kansas.

GLC04920.02

27 March 1866

Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Foot

Expresses deep sympathy for the illness of her husband, Senator Solomon Foot, and refers to her own trials, "I pray that our Heavenly Father may be merciful to you . . .and spare you the cup of affliction, which I have been called upon, so freely to drink. I have passed through such a baptism of sorrow as but few have known." Laments that it would have been better if Abraham Lincoln had passed away after an illness so that she would have been able to say goodbye to her husband. Written on mourning stationery.

GLC04923

1795/01/17

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [John Jay] re: France's concern over terms of Jay's treaty

Discusses France's concern with the terms of Jay's Treaty. Recipient inferred from contents.

GLC04925

1852/06/27

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Aiken re: acknowledges congratulations from sister-in-law

After winning the Democratic Presidential nomination, he acknowledges congratulations from his sister-in-law, thanks his family and Christian faith.

GLC04927

1967/08/15

Reagan, Ronald, 1911-2004

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Glenn Dumke

Attacks the liberal mind set on college campuses (possibly with the University of California Berkeley in mind) by criticizing the "trash" on campuses and condemning "the excuse of academic freedom & freedom of expression." He also remarks that he would not permit Le Roi Jones (later named Imamu Amiri Baraka), the black activist and author whose critically acclaimed play "Dutchman" contained offensive content, to spend time in his home. Explains that the state of California should expect the same behavior from students and faculty as individuals expect from their families. Writes as…

GLC04929

20 January 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philemon Ewing

Brigadier General Sherman reflects upon his suitability for high command and notes the handicap of having been influenced by his years spent in the South, "I am not fit to be a leader in such a war, and have from the first desired to keep in the background ..." Written from Benton Barracks near St. Louis on stationary marked "Head-Quarters, Camp of Instruction."

GLC04931

1911/07/01

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Misses Loring re: thanks for notes and books of poems

Thanks for notes and books of poems.

GLC04932.02

1839/04/08

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Letter signed

Title: to William Davenport

Discusses efforts to remove the Seminole Indians from Florida during the second Seminole War. Mentions General Macomb's plan to negotiate. Comments on his own plan to canvas central Florida to flush the Seminoles out of the everglades. Asserts "that there are two objects in view of prosecuting this war - to wit: the protection of the [American] inhabitants and to drive the Indians from the country."

GLC04933

1846/01/28

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E.B. Alexander re: waiting for orders near the Rio Grande (Mexican War)

Related to the Mexican War and the argument over borders for the state of Texas. He writes: "I look daily for orders which will carry us to the Rio Grande or beyond." Addressed on page 6.

GLC04934

1959/06/02

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972

Typed letter signed

Title: to James M. Pendergast

With postscript: "You've always had your say & I've had mine & I am as fond of you as I always have been."

GLC04935.02

1945/12/21

Anderson, John, 1882-1958

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harry S. Truman re: meeting, atomic energy

GLC04935.04

17 January 1797

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Document signed

Title: Land grant transferring land from Capt. Gallohill Minnis to Richard Means

Signed by George Washington as President and countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State. Includes handwritten description of the boundaries of the property. Docket on verso signed by James McHenry as Secretary of War on January 16, 1797. Also docketed and signed by the Chief Clerk at the Department of State. Features paper and wax seal.

GLC04842.39