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

August 19, 1814

Armstrong, John, 1755-1816

Letter signed

Title: to Eleazor D. Wood

Transmits a brevet commission to the position of lieutenant colonel for Wood's service in the Battle of Lundy's Lane near Niagara Falls on July 25, 1814. One black and white bust engraving of John Armstrong included.

GLC01043.05

August 2, 1830

Jones, R., fl. 1830

Printed letter signed

Title: to nearest relatives of Eleazor D. Wood

Circular letter from the Adjutant General's Office signed by Jones as aide-de-camp. Requests a copy of the brevet commissions conferred by President Madison during the War of 1812. Wood had been brevetted lieutenant colonel on August 19, 1814 (see GLC01043.05). Handwritten note at the bottom of the letter indicates the intended recipients.

GLC01043.06

2 August 1813

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Eleazor D. Wood to major in the corps of engineers]

Madison signed as President and countersigned by John Armstrong as Secretary of War. The commission was a brevet for Battle of Lundy's lane near Niagara Falls.

GLC01043.07

September 15, 1857

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Capt. Nathan George Evans

The letter is concerning news and military assignments of friends. Also mentions Mormons uprising and a gang of 30 outlaws. Date of letter is 1857, not 1837.

GLC01053

November 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript

Title: Manuscript draft: [Sixth annual address to Congress]

Washington asserts the constitutional authority of the federal government during the Whiskey Rebellion. Written by GW's secretary Bartholomew Danbridge, on Washington's personal stationery, extensively corrected by Washington and signed by him at the end. Over 210 words struck by GW and 157 added. With docketing by John Jay on the verso of the last page.

GLC01054

September 29, 1794

Washington, Martha, 1731-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fanny Bassett Washington

Letter discusses Fanny's children's health and schooling, and a possible suitor named Tobias Lear, who was Washington's secretary. In regard to the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania, she notes that "The insurgents in the back country has carr[i]ed matter[s] so high that the President has been obliged to send a larg[e] body of men to settle the matter."

GLC01055

circa 1864

Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882

Autograph note signed

Title: to Thomas W. Sweeny

Mary Todd Lincoln writes that she and Taddie (Thomas Lincoln) are going to carry some flowers to the sick soldiers and asks that if he is free, will he accompany them. She remarks that Taddie is appropriating Colonel Sweeny for a horseback ride to the navy yard this afternoon. "It is sometimes unfortunate, to be a favorite, with so exacting a young man." Letter written on mourning stationery, possibly for her son William, who died in 1862. Written from the Executive Mansion.

GLC01056

21 September 1769

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph document signed

Title: The Deposition of John Posey, re: parcel of spoiled herring

Document signed by Washington in the text and at the end as Justice of the Peace, with a nine line docket in his hand. Concerning a parcel of spoiled herrings.

GLC01058

1832

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Book

Title: The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American forces, during the war which established the independence of his country . . .

Title continues, ". . .and first president of the United States, complied under the inspection of the Honourable Bushrod Washington, from original papers bequeathed to him by his deceased relative." Inscribed by Marshall to Major Henry Lee, "For Major Henry Lee with respects of/the author." Not signed, but inscribed in Marshall's hand. Printed by Carey & Lea, Philadelphia. Second edition. Two volumes plus an additional atlas of engraved maps related to the life of Washington, published by J. Chrissy, Philadelphia. Atlas housed with volume 2.

GLC01066

May 29, 1811

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Law

Robert Fulton, writing to economist Thomas Law, discusses steamboats, Benjamin Latrobe, and a "western Canal," and attacks John Armstrong for his criticism of Joel Barlow, Fulton, the Smiths, the Clintons, and Fulwar Skipwith. With integral address leaf. Fulton begins by lamenting the difficulty in hiring captains, presumably for his growing steamboat business: "I have taken much pains to find a captain with the qualifications you mention Honesty, activity, intelligence and capital, all such and whom we call smart fellows appear to be already engaged in some established trade." He goes on to…

GLC01067

June 26, 1834

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John MacKay

Written to his friend "Jack," in a lighthearted and comfortable manner. Lee arrived in Fort Monroe as an engineer in 1831 to improve works and build Fort Calhoun. Many of Lee and MacKay's mutual friends were there and Lee updates MacKay on their lives. He wishes MacKay could be there to enjoy "fine times." Lee mentions the ladies in the area, "As for the daughters of Eve, in this country they are framed in the very poetry of nature & would make your lips water & fingers tingle. They are beginning to assemble to put their beautiful limbs in this salt water . . . " Lee remarks briefly…

GLC01070

circa August 1776

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Manuscript document

Title: A Journal of a Scout from Crown Point to St. John's Chamblee by Lieut Benjamin Whitcomb and four men

Clerical copy of a report of Whitcomb's spying mission in Canada 14-27 July 1776. Details their progress, the weather, attempts to get prisoners, and sightings of British troops moving supplies, etc. Notes that Whitcomb fired on a British officer [Brigadier General Patrick Gordon], whom he ended up killing though he was not aware of Gordon's identity at the time. Includes a three-line autograph note signed by Continental Major General Horatio Gates to Richard Varick, who was serving as military secretary to General Philip Schuyler, advising that the report be forwarded to Schuyler.

GLC01072