17 August 1861

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Printed document signed

Title: [Notification to George H. Thomas of his appointment by President Lincoln to Brigadier General of Volunteers]

Partially printed document issued by the War Department. If Thomas accepts the appointment, he is instructed to return an oath enclosed with the letter. Thomas is also instructed to report to Brigadier General Robert Anderson for orders.

GLC03816.01

1854-1874

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Header Record

Title: Letters from Simon Cameron to Robert G. White [Decimalized .01-.17]

Seventeen letters from Simon Cameron to Robert G. White. Most of the letters concern Cameron's campaigns for various offices and his political maneuverings and use of influence. Cameron was a Senator from Pennsylvania and President Lincoln's Secretary of War in 1861. Thanks to his wealth and connections he was power broker in national and Pennsylvania politics throughout his life. Robert Gray White was a district court judge in Pennsylvania, and was Cameron's friend and political ally.

GLC05891

10 March 1862

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Discussing Mary Todd Lincoln's influence in military matters. Says that others have "asserted that Mrs Lincoln was one of the parties whose influence had operated on me." Also praises some of Stanton's early changes in dispositions of troops. Marked "Private."

GLC07091

January 16,1862

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Pamphlet

Title: Letter of the Secretary of War, in answer to a resolution of the Senate of the 6th instant, relative to the purchase of extracts of coffee for the use of the troops

Report submitted to the Senate by Secretary of War Cameron extols the advantages of Professor H.A. Tilden's coffee extract, apparently a synthetic or ersatz coffee and condensed milk mixture. Claims "[t]he coffee and sugar ration for 100,000 men for twenty days weighs two hundred and fifty tons, one-half of which is saved, or hundred and twenty-five tons, an important item on a march or advance, reducing the number of wagons for this ration half." Consists of various correspondence reporting the benefits of the coffee and its general acceptance. Dated from the date it was ordered to be…

GLC00267.255

May 22, 1866

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses Mercur

Cameron responds to a letter from Mercur, a United States Representative from Pennsylvania. He denies recommending W. Clark for political appointment. Referring to the debate regarding reconstruction between Congress and President Andrew Johnson, he states "the contest now, between congress & the President in my mind, is very far above all personal considerations. Congress must be sustained or the rebels, who have been murdering our kindred will control and destroy the Government."

GLC01232

1 August 1860

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Pitt Fessenden

Cameron, a United States Senator from Pennsylvania, informs Fessenden, a United States Senator from Maine, that Pennsylvania is as likely as Maine or Massachusetts to elect Abraham Lincoln as President and Hannibal Hamlin as Vice President in the 1860 election. Written from Lochiel, Cameron's Harrisburg residence. Fessenden served as a U.S. congressman (1841-1842) and senator (1854-1864; 1865-1869), and as Secretary of the Treasury (1864-1865). Docketed by Fessenden on verso.

GLC02490.03

17 July 1840

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to S. Shock

Agrees to become security for Shock's bond.

GLC05603.01.05

February 28, 1866

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Typed letter

Title: to Andrew Johnson

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Cameron, former Secretary of War, and John Cerode request that President Johnson appoint Brisbin as a Colonel or Brigadier General in the regular army. These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

GLC01504.02.09

21 May 1861

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Printed letter signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Partially printed letter informing McParlin that he has been appointed a Surgeon in Medical Department of the U.S. Army. Sent to McParlin at Fort Walla Walla, Oregon. On War Department stationery. Envelope from Adjutant General's Office; free franked by Julius P. Garesche.

GLC02649.04

11 April 1866

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses his upcoming bid for the Senate and political patronage.

GLC05891.14

14 July 1867

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Writes regarding the employment of White's daughter.

GLC05891.16

8 July 1874

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses the appointment of the local Post Master, which is under contention. Docketed in pencil.

GLC05891.17

29 March 1867

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Suggests nominating General John White Geary, Union Civil War hero and Governor of Pennsylvania, for President. Cameron states he does not wish to run for President himself, but seems to desire some influence over the man who is in office. Also expects the Senate to be recalled soon by President Andrew Johnson.

GLC05891.15

15 March 1860

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses the upcoming Republican Presidential Convention in Chicago. Doubts he will be nominated, but is attempting to control the votes of delegates from his home state of Pennsylvania, in hopes of increasing both his chances of nomination and his importance at the convention.

GLC05891.10

January 30, 1860

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses the upcoming Republican Presidential Convention in Chicago, at which he is a delegate. Worries that the plan to have the delegates vote by district, and not as a coalition, will greatly weaken his power and reduce his support among the delegates from his home state of Pennsylvania. Marked "Confidential." Cameron served as Secretary of War under Lincoln from 1861-1862. He also served a number of terms as a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania (1845-1849; 1857-1861; 1867-1877). Cameron remained a power broker in national and Pennsylvania politics throughout his life. White, a district…

GLC05891.11

21 May 1854

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses local Pennsylvania politics.

GLC05891.01

26 June 1854

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses local Pennsylvania politics, elections for the United States Senate, and worries about the Whigs taking control of the state Legislature.

GLC05891.02

17 October 1854

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses local Pennsylvania politics and an upcoming election, which he believes he can win.

GLC05891.03

12 March 1855

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses a recent election he has just lost. Believes his opponents defeated him only because of dubious practices, hopes for another election, and believes he will prevail in the long run.

GLC05891.05

6 August 1855

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses White's financial situation.

GLC05891.06

18 August 1856

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses upcoming elections, support of Fremont over Buchanan. Believes he can help Fremont win the election.

GLC05891.07

28 November 1856

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Asks White to make sure that a State Legislator votes for him in his upcoming bid for the Senate. Cameron believes "With his vote, I can essentially be elected." Cameron was successfully elected to the Senate that year. Written at "Lochiel," Cameron's estate.

GLC05891.08

30 April 1854

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses politics, upcoming elections, and plans to use promises of political patronage to secure votes.

GLC05891.09

22 December 1862

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses personal affairs, and does not expect to return to the Senate. Written at "Lochiel," Cameron's estate.

GLC05891.12

17 March 1862

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Promises to speak to Secretary of War Stanton about Captain Niles, and request his promotion. He had intended to promote Niles before he was forced to resign as Secretary of State. Written at "Lochiel," Cameron's estate. Captain Niles likely refers to Alanson Errick Niles.

GLC05891.13