5 May 1865

Ruggles, Daniel, 1810-1897

Autograph manuscript

Title: to William Terry and John Daniel Imboden

Order to Confederate generals Terry and Imboden to exchange federal prisoners. "The Commissary General of prisoners directs me to instruct you to parole all Federal prisoners of war now held within our jurisdictions, according to established forms, and to send them under flag of truce in charge of competent officers to the nearest accessible points in the Federal lines for exchange ... " Though unsigned, letter has a pencil endorsement signed by Ruggles, dated 1897, stating this is an original order in his own handwriting. Ruggles was serving as the commissary general of prisoners of war…

GLC00618

January 24, 1775

Broadside

Title: The Testimony of the people called Quakers, given forth by a meeting of the representatives of said people, in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey.

Title continues: "held at Philadelphia the twenty-fourth day of the first month, 1775." Communicates Quaker opposition to public resolutions created by the colonies against the legislature of Great Britain. Promotes lawful action to address the colonies' dissatisfaction without violence. "Signed in, and on behalf of the said meeting, James Pemberton, Clerk at this time." Evans 14052.

GLC00620

October 5, 1780

Penn, John, 1741-1788

Letter signed

Title: to Jethro Sumner

Written by Penn, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a Continental Congressman to Brigadier General Sumner in North Carolina. Informs Sumner that the militia must serve three months from the time they were at headquarters, not counting the time they were absent from their regiments since the defeat. Mentions insubordinate soldiers by saying, "those Men that are refractory ought to be informed that they must be obedient to the Laws of their Country." States that the board has written to Colonel Polk to furnish provisions for Sumner. Tells Sumner that Colonel Daniel Morgan and…

GLC00621

September 22, 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Rosecrans

Wishes to move on Tupelo, destroy the railroad there, and also destroy all enemy boats on the Yazoo river. Says he may move to Columbus to improve his communications.

GLC00624

14 June 1936

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Typed document signed

Title: [Press release of an address by President Franklin Roosevelt at the dedication of a monument honoring George Rogers Clark]

Headed by a request by Presidential Assistant Secretary Stephen Early that the press release be held as confidential until 10:30 of that day, with Early's printed signature. The President states that Clark began his expedition with a religious service, and that freedom of worship is a foundation of the Constitution: "today religion is still free within our borders: it must ever remain so." Ecology is a goal of his administration: "we have wounded nature and nature has taken offense." Concludes: "may the Americans who, a century and a half from now, celebrate at this spot the three hundredth…

GLC00625

May 22, 1863

Pettigrew, James Johnston, 1828-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Zebulon B. Vance

Encloses letters (not included) sent to soldiers from their homes encouraging desertion. Discusses the growing problem of desertion in the army at length and attributes it to one cause, the negative state of public opinion on the home front. Believes that the commanding officers are not doing enough to combat desertion in their ranks. Remarks that, "The great majority of my Brigade would shoot a deserter as quick as they would a snake, but our place is here and not in the rear..." States that he has sent men out to bring back the deserters dead or alive but thinks they will not be successful…

GLC00627

July 21, 1787

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Huntington

Serving as Secretary of the United States Congress, Thomson sends a copy of a recently ratified treaty (not included) between the United States and Morocco to Samuel Huntington, the Governor of Connecticut. Requests that Huntington inform the Connecticut citizens of the treaty.

GLC00630

July 20, 1835

Crockett, David "Davy", 1786-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to The Truth Teller

In the letter to a Tennessee newspaper, he denies that he accused Governor William Carroll of corruption, and defends Judge Heskill. Judge Heskill may be the same as a Judge Joshua Haskell, a Tennessee judge from this era who lived near Crockett. Asks the paper to question Carroll about his relationship with Martin Van Buren. Written eight months before his death at the Alamo.

GLC00631

August 3, 1829

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cleves Short

Written after recall by Jackson as U.S. Minister to Colombia. Attacks Andrew Jackson and Simon Bolivar in some detail, and accuses them both of being ruthless men. Worries that Colombia will soon be very unstable, and that with his departure the United States will lack a capable man there during these troubled times. John Quincy Adams appointed Harrison the first Minister to Colombia on May 19, 1828. Harrison did not arrive until February 5, 1829. One month later Jackson replaced Adams as President, and four days into office relieved Harrison of his duties and recalled him to the United…

GLC00632

February 5, 1864

Everett, Edward, 1794-1865

Header Record

Title: Speech given to the Putnam Phalanx accompanied by transmittal letter, for presentation at the 1864 Soldiers' Sanitary Fair [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC00633

1775-1784

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Header Record

Title: Military estimates for 1780 budget and personal papers [Decimalized .01.01-.03.11]

Documents detailing expected military expense for the 1780 Budget, prepared by the office of the Quarter Master General, Nathanael Greene, and a number of Greene's personal financial papers.

GLC00634

1775-1865

Header Record

Title: Presidents and important Americans [decimalized]

GLC00639

March 4, 1809

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

In his letter, Adams discusses Madison taking office, politics, and national divisions.

GLC00639.01

January 10, 1813

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Governor William Plumer

In the letter, Adams discusses New York State, party, and sectionalism.

GLC00639.02

July 23, 1836

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dolley Madison

The letter includes stories for the eulogy of James Madison.

GLC00639.04

December 24, 1814

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certification of courier and transmittal of the Treaty of Ghent]

Cosigned by James A. Bayard, Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell, and Albert Gallatin. The Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812. The word "Passport" appears on the verso. Written in Adams' hand.

GLC00639.06

October 10, 1812

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Everett

Discusses their correspondence and Everett's international travel. Comments on Oxford and mentions Shakespeare. Discusses reading Clarke's travels, possibly referring to Edward Clarke's "Travels in various countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Part the first. Russia, Tartary, and Turkey." Also comments on other literary works. Discusses politics, Napoleon's invasion of Russia, and Russian defenses. Adams had been the U.S. minister to St. Petersburg since 1809. Everett had served as his private secretary from 1809 to 1811.

GLC00639.07

November 30, 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. J. Speed

General Grant praises Speed, President of a Louisville, who organized the Kentucky Fair to benefit widows and orphans of deceased Civil War soldiers. Expresses gratitude, through Speed, to the ladies of Louisville for "the patriotic steps taken by them to provide for the wants of those unfortunate women and children whos natural protectors have offered up their lives a sacrifice for the preservation of our free and united government." Updates Speed on recent Union success in the Civil War.

GLC00639.08

August 24, 1864

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Grant requests a promotion for Theodore S. Bowers, which Lincoln approves with his own signature. Grant wishes that Bowers be promoted from Lieutenant Colonel in the volunteer army to the Adjutant General's Department in the regular army. For this to be accomplished he must first be promoted to a lower post in the regular army, which Grant requests be done. Lincoln's autograph endorsement on docket reads "Let General Grant be obliged in the matter within," agreeing to the promotion. Also, signed and dated by Lincoln. Docket also includes an autograph signed endorsement discussing this…

GLC00639.09

March 18, 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward O. C. Ord

"(Cipher)" written at top. In this telegram, Grant informs Ord that Sheridan reached White House, VA today; and tells Ord to hold crossings of the Chickahominy River and send a division of troops to meet Sheridan. Marked "Copied" on verso. Written on stationary marked Head Quarters Armies of the United States.

GLC00639.10

September 14, 1864

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George G. Meade

Grants signs as Lieutenant General. Writes to Major General Meade about enemy movements reported by General Benjamin Butler. Poses the question, "May it not be the enemy are massing everything on this right for an Attack?" Advises, "I think it would be well to push reconnaissance both West & South from our extreme left to ascertain if any movements are in contemplation." Asks Meade to telegraph him in Harper's Ferry.

GLC00639.11

June 4, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Letter signed

Title: to the Convention of Maryland

Written by Hancock as President of the Continental Congress. Begins by saying "Our affairs are hastening fast to a Crisis; and the approaching Campaign will in all Probability, determine for ever the Fate of America." Says the King and Parliament has left no measure unemployed to accomplish their destruction. Says they are blockading the coast and about to pour in foreign troops. Says the affairs in Canada have "a melancholy Aspect" to them. Says it is likely the colonies will have to deal with Canada and the northern Indians as well as Great Britain. Sends resolves of Congress (not included…

GLC00639.12

April 27, 1820

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to John C. Calhoun

One letter from by Major General Andrew Jackson to John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War dated April 27, 1820. Jackson notes that he is sending documents (not included) from General Gaines related to the illegal enslavement of Black people and freed people in Georgia. Also sending along a letter (not included) from Major James Bankhead, commander at Fernandina, Florida on the same subject. Says he will take any measures Calhoun directs him to.

GLC00639.13

September 5, 1822

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel McKay

Suggests that two parties are essential to a functioning democracy. McKay was a farmer and local political leader in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The Fourth of July oration was entitled "An Address," delivered at the Request of the Republican Committee of Arrangements, at Pittsfield, on the Anniversary of American Independence, July 4, 1822. Someone has altered Jefferson's capitalization, inserted 18 before 22 in the date, added underscoring, and quotation marks, possibly for publication.

GLC00639.14

November 9, 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Remsen, Jr.

Jefferson writes after a Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia had scattered the functions of the federal government through the countryside, and questions whether Congress could gather after voting to re-convene in Philadelphia. Question of seat of government. He looks forward to retirement as farmer and briefly discusses a threshing machine. The letter is docketed.

GLC00639.16