June 3, 1782

Kościuszko, Tadeusz, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Ko´sciuszko, a colonel and engineer in the Continental Army, discusses military preparations for the Yorktown campaign. Comments on his earthworks and the need for more troops to protect them. Written "at Colo. Mayens."

GLC05545

1801/02/20

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Print

Title: Stipple engraving after R. Peale engraved by C. Tidout

Printed by M. Carey. Full title: "Thomas Jefferson. President of the United States." The text at bottom quotes the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths...."

GLC05669

18 November 1863- October 1864

Woodlin, William P., fl. 1863-1864

Diary

Title: [Diary of an African American soldier in 8th Regiment United States Colored Troops, Company G]

Woodlin's brief entries describe camp life, his service with the regimental band as a horn player, several battles, the weather, equal pay with white soldiers, and the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment, among many other topics. He describes his part in the siege of Petersburg, Virginia, where his regiment arrived two months after fighting began. The middle section of this journal includes blank leaves, followed by several pages of notes and lists. The diary was rebound, but includes the separated original cover.

GLC06599

2 December 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes that his wife, Olive, has gone to Fort Donelson with two of his children. Has been appointed Captain of Company Division 16th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry. Expresses his satisfaction at fighting alongside former slaves -- "iff it is glorious to enlist the oppressed it is certainly doubly so to be privelidged to lead them against their oppressors." Describes a school system he has instituted to give the black soldiers literacy skills so "they will be well prepared to appreciate the sweet boon of freedom" after the war. Plans to bring his wife to live with him in winter quarters.

GLC07006.05

28 May 1864

Fletcher, Francis H., 1841-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob C. Safford

Fletcher, a black soldier in the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, complains bitterly of the inequality of treatment and pay between the white and black soldiers. "Just one year ago to day our regt was received in Boston with almost an ovation, and at 5 P.M. it will be one year …in that one year no man of our regiment has received a cent of monthly pay all through the glaring perfidy of the U.S. Govt." He references an act for equal pay passed in 1864, "All the misery and degradation suffered in our regiment by its members' families is not atoned for by the passage of the bill for equal…

GLC07345

24 November 1846

Lowrie, Walter, 1784-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Auld

Lowrie, a former United States Senator from Pennsylvania, informs Auld that Henry Richardson of England has sent him 150 pounds sterling for the purchase of Frederick Douglass. Asks that the legal transfer papers of Douglass from Thomas Auld to Hugh be included with Douglass's freedom papers, and that the freedom papers be examined and confirmed by a lawyer (Meredith) in Baltimore. Lowrie does not wish to be connected to the transaction, noting that his involvement has been unpleasant from the beginning.

GLC07484.03

1864

Stebbins, Lucius, fl. 1864

Print

Title: Reading the Emancipation Proclamation

One lithograph dated 1864. Depicts black family gathered around a black soldier reading a newspaper. The family all look to the soldier in varying stated of shock and hope as he reads the emancipation proclamation. Present are eleven people including a mother and two children who is kneeling and praying in the center of the image.

GLC07595

6 December 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Fragment of Lincoln's last State of the Union address concerning the thirteenth amendment]

An 11-line fragment of his last Annual Message to Congress dealing with the failure of Congress to pass the thirteenth amendment and recommending they reconsider: "At the last session of Congress a proposed amendment of the Constitution [inserted above: abolishing slavery throughout the United States,] passed the Senate, but failed for lack of the requisite two thirds vote in the House of Representatives. Although the present is the same Congress, and nearly the same members, and without questioning the wisdom or patriotism of those who stood in opposition, I venture to recommend the…

GLC08094

1861-1865

Header Record

Title: Confederate acts concerning prisioners of war and the use of slaves or free negroes for the war [Decimalized .01-.10]

GLC08979

15 February 1864

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: Joint Resolutions in reference to the treatment of colored troops

Confederate act resolves that the abolition of slavery is against the rules of war and that former slaves who are captured while fighting for the Union will be returned to their masters. States "emancipation of the negro slaves within the Confederate States by the enemy, is not among the acts of legitimate war; but is...among such acts as 'putting to death all prisoners in cold blood.'" With war department stamp.

GLC08979.05

31 March 1864

Fleetwood, Christian, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Gibbs

Civil War letter of one of first African-American soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and the first honored by the Smithsonian, to "Mother Gibbs." "…the expedition brought in altogether 502 contrabands. I had the good fortune of being instrumental in freeing fifty or more of them…I had the pleasure of depriving our southern brethren of over fifty contrabands, four or five horses with carts, wagons etc [?], five or six teams with carts and a considerable part of their good temper. For all of which I am truly thankful."

GLC09405

1883

Johnson, Fry, & Co., fl. 1825-1873

Engraving

Title: Thomas Jefferson

One print of President Thomas Jefferson dated 1883. Engraved by Johnson, Fry & Co.

GLC08878.1198

1776

Johnston, Francis, 1749-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Persifor Frazer

Says he should have waited for Frazer in the morning, but was indisposed. Did not sleep well last night because David Matthews "a Capital Tory (no less than the present Lord Mayor of N York" was quite loud next door. He was accompanying Matthews as a prisoner to meet General Washington. Asks Frazer for a "duplicate of the general abstract for my use," and says he will meet him at Mr. Airey's. David Matthews was the Tory Mayor of New York from 1776 to 1783. He was implicated in a plot to murder or kidnap George Washington, and arrested by the Colonial Army on 22 June 1776. He quickly…

GLC01450.457.01

1862/10/03

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Photograph

Title: The President, General McClellan and suite on... Antietam [by Gardner]

GLC04346

1903/06/15

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to William P. Frye re: reinstating Dickey against principles of good government

"If I have stood for anything it has been for honesty in public life, and it would be a shameless betrayal of every principle of good government to reinstate [Senator] Dickey...."

GLC05913.03

1907

Harris & Ewing, fl. 1905-1977

Photograph

Title: "T. Roosevelt at his desk."

Title from verso. Stamp of George Grantham Bain on reverse.

GLC07002.77

1961

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, 1917-1963

Broadside

Title: The Inaugural Address of John Fitzgerald Kennedy

GLC09528

1942

War Manpower Commission

Poster

Title: United We Win

GLC09542

December 1947

Committee on Civil Rights

Pamphlet

Title: To Secure These Rights: The Report of the President's Committee on Civil Rights

Final report of President Truman's Committee on Civil Rights. The report identifies race discrimination in virtually every area of American life such as education, employment, voting, and military service. Recommendations include: to establish a permanent Civil Rights Commission, Joint Congressional Committee on Civil Rights, and a Civil Rights Division in the Department of Justice; to develop federal protection from lynching; a permanent fair employment practice commission; and to abolish poll taxes.

GLC09621

February 8, 1865

Unknown

Autograph letter

Title: to his mother

An officer named "Rob," writing to his mother. Says his most recent duty as "Brigade Field officer of the Day" kept him up all night. He was in charge of a long line of pickets and several scouting parties. Says "The troops in our part were negroes, & during Sat evening they made very peculiar demonstrations." Says he is inexperienced with infantry duty and had no orders about firing because of the tacit truce between pickets in this quarter. It seems like he gave orders to fire despite the truce and stayed up with his scouts all night. Says it was thrilling and that his actions were…

GLC01448.02

May 14, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. Discusses letters received and sent. Informs him that he has finally been able to purchase a promotion and is now a captain in the 57th Regiment. States the price he paid was astonishing but he would not have gotten another chance and would have been a subaltern for years. He paid 2300 pounds and had to do the transaction quietly because there were many older lieutenants in the army who would have given more. He considers himself lucky given his short time in the army. Gives love to family and friends. Post script states he sent the letter…

GLC01450.023.11

August 3, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. Discusses the mail and that he usually expects to receive letters on the arriving packet boats. States that sending something by private conveyance is certain to not arrive. Mentions his promotion to captain and comments that his rise in ranks was more rapid than he ever could have hoped. Thanks him profusely for helping him financially. Asks for information on family and friends and gives his love. Charles Irvine was a soldier in the British army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.023.12

October 28, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he is well and they expect to stay on Staten Island for the winter. He had previously mentioned that the regiment might be sent to the West Indies but that is no longer probable. Some regiments may be sent next spring. Mentions the match between their sister Bell and a Mr. Allan. Comments that he is living quite frugally. Asks him to have Mr. Moir update him on his financial affairs of which he is ignorant at present. Gives love to family and friends. Charles Irvine was a soldier in the British army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.023.13

December 17, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that his regiment has moved from Staten Island to York Island and have been there a month. He is very comfortable. Regrets that Balfour (a soldier returning home who delivered his last letter) could not visit Alexander. Reports that three of the regiment captains' are prisoners, one at Halifax, and the others at home. He and one other captain remain with the regiment but the duties are easier than on Staten Island where they had many detachments. Fears he may miss getting this letter to the packet boat. Anticipates news from Gibraltar. If the…

GLC01450.023.14

April 24, 1777

Goevansson, Andrew, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

States that he received forged a letter which he believed was from Hancock last night authorizing him to join in matrimony Lawrence Wilson and Jane Bevan. He states he performed the act believing the note to be genuine. Asks what he should do when pressed to marry soldiers in the Continental service who do not have enough time to get a legal license. Asks if he can be empowered within limitations to perform marriages without a license from the government. Informs that this letter will be delivered by Mr. [Allcock?] who has an application to be married and is in the same position.…

GLC01450.034.02