1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Pamphlet

Title: Inaugural address of President Davis: delivered at the capitol, Monday, February 18, 1861, at 1 o'clock, P.M.

Printed by Shorter & Reid. First Printing. Uncut.

GLC02691.01

9 April 1860

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Alfred Edmund Burr

Davis, a United States Senator from Mississippi, declines an invitation from Burr, Chairman of the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee, to attend a canvass preceding the 1860 presidential election. Writes "Although the state of my health & that of my family would not have allowed…I am sure I would have been much pleased with a visit to your state…My public duties however so completely engross my time as to leave me no opportunity for such enjoyments during the Session of Congress ...". Davis served as a U.S. congressman (1845-1846) and senator (1847-1851, 1857-1861) and as…

GLC02925.08

1 April 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Bocock

Text written for Davis by his private secretary, Burton Harrison. Indicates he is sending a communication from the Secretary of the Navy (not included) related to the budget for prosecuting the Civil War. "I herewith transmit to the House of Representatives a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, conveying information sought by a 'Resolution of the House' requesting the President to communicate to the House what additional sums of money, if any, are in his judgment necessary to the departments of War and Navy in order to secure a successful prosecution of the War and effective…

GLC02950

30 April 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Document signed

Title: [Amendment to an act approving letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods]

Signed as President of the Confederate States and countersigned by Speaker of the House Thomas S. Bocock and President of the Senate (and Vice President) Alexander H. Stephens. This document amended the original act that approved letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods on the high seas, which was passed 21 May 1861 (Bill #170 of the second session of the Confederate Provisional Congress). The amendment allows the Board of Naval Officers created under the original act to have the power in cases of any armed vessel sunk or destroyed "to take and receive such depositions, affidavits,…

GLC02778

August 17, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bragg

Draft of a letter defending General Braxton Bragg (he had been criticized for his leadership in the campaign in Kentucky earlier that year). Written in response to an article his correspondent send about Bragg. Davis wrote the draft on the address leaf of another letter (not present) docketed received on 24 August from John Bragg (Braxton's brother), who is likely his correspondent. Signed with initials. Contains several pencil revisions.

GLC03384.01

10 April 1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Johnston

Writes in a telegram, "A scout reports that Genl. Lee surrendered the remnant of his Army near to Appomatox [sic] C.H. yesterday. No official intelligence of the event, but there is little room for doubt, as to the result." Davis orders General Henry H. Walker to join Johnston at Greensboro, North Carolina, asks for news and notes that they will need "to confer as to future action." Labeled "Cypher."

GLC03233

February 23, 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis W. Pickens re: introducing Maj. Whiting, to survey Charleston forts

Written as President of the Confederate States, to Gov. Pickens of South Carolina. Docketed by Pickens on the verso.

GLC03308

20 March 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Davis tells General Bragg that he is glad Bragg's threat of force against the Georgia State Railroad to forward arms and ammunition did not need to be carried out. Notes that the Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown, who had complained about Bragg's plan to seize the railroad, contended that he was doing all he could to help. Advises Bragg to ask for aid from the governor in the future, in fulfillment of his view that "Any conflict between Confederate and State authorities...should always be avoided if possible." Docketed by Bragg.

GLC03803

18 August 1882

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter

Title: to Mrs. Randall L. Hunt

Written entirely and signed by Varina Davis, for her husband. Declines an invitation to visit a church festival because he has a prior engagement and must be in New Orleans at that times. Explains that his daughter "would be very glad to contribute by a song to the laudable purpose you have in view" if someone could be sent to rehearse with her beforehand. Written at Davis's home, Beauvoir.

GLC03574

19 April 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Document signed

Title: Appointment of Alexander H. Stephens as agent to treat with Va. (c/s Toombs)

Countersigned by Robert Toombs. Stephens was to negotiate Virginia's joining the Confederacy.

GLC03724

28 June 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Lee

Reviews confederate military position on the eve on Gettysburg. Discusses General U.S. Grant's entrenchment at the Mississippi and attempt to take Vicksburg from General Joseph Johnston. Mentions the need to reinforce Johnston with troops from Generals P.T. Beauregard and Braxton Bragg, who also face attack. Also discusses rumors of an attack on Richmond, and preparations to defend the city. Because of the potential attack, Davis cannot send Lee many reinforcements. Mentions unverified reports that General W.F. Lee has been captured. Davis concludes by expressing regret that he does not…

GLC03778

20 February 1879

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Sarah Dorsey

Promise to pay $2,500 by January, 1882 for the Beauvoir plantation owned by Dorsey in Harrison County, Mississippi. The note was to serve as a lien against the property. Davis and his wife moved onto the estate grounds in 1877, so that Davis could write his memoirs. Dorsey died before the note came due, but left Beauvoir and three other plantations to Davis in her will.

GLC04054

14 October 1880

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter

Title: to Marcus Wright

Written and signed by Varina Davis, for her husband. Responds at length to General Wright's questions concerning the conduct of General Joseph E. Johnston's defense of Richmond during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862. With references to numerous letters, Davis explains his own decisions, comments on problems with supplies, and discusses the role of records in building, maintaining, and defending personal reputations. Many of Davis's official letters had scattered since the war, and so-called supporters of Davis had stolen quite a few, including much of the correspondence between Davis and…

GLC04269

24 December 1886

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter

Title: to Daniel Harvey Hill

Written from Beauvoir, the estate of former Confederate President Davis. Written and signed in the hand of Davis's wife, Varina. Davis relates, "I truly regret that you should have misconstrued my action in relieving you from duty with the army of Tennessee as a condemnation of your conduct in the battle of Chickamauga. That was not the question upon which I had to act... I assigned you to duty with the Army of Tennessee without an application from the commander of that Army... The relations which I found existing between yourself and the Commander of the Army of Tennessee, made it…

GLC04545.03

1870

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [Quote on the authority of governments from Davis's inaugural address]

Writes: "The Rightful powers of government are derived from the consent of the governed." Quoted from his inaugural address as Confederate president, but probably written after the Civil War. Written on a card.

GLC04677

25 April 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: [Message to the Confederate House of Representatives vetoing an act for investigating committees].

Vetoes "an act to aid committees of Congress in the investigation of matters referred to them and to punish false swearing before said committees" passed by the Confederate Congress. Davis believes that conferring upon the Congress the power to fine and imprison those appearing before it without trial would be unconstitional. Such powers are reserved for the judicial branch. The fourth leaf has a purple stamp which has been obliterated, possibly a Rebel War Archive stamp.

GLC04974

5 January 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Broadside

Title: An Address to the People of the Free States by the President of the Southern Confederacy.

Contemporary fake on emancipation. Imprint, "Richmond Enquirer Print." A fictitious response of Jefferson Davis to the Emancipation Proclamation, threatening retaliation by enslaving Black people. It says in part "All negroes who shall be taken in any of the states in which slavery does not now exist, in the progress of our arms, shall be adjudged, immediately after such capture, to occupy the slave status, and in all states which shall be vanquished by our arms, all free negroes shall, ipso facto, be reduced to the condition of helotism...."

GLC05018

7 December 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Pamphlet

Title: [President's Message from Jefferson Davis to the Confederate Congress]

After recounting various successes and failures, including comments on the capitulation of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, the fighting in Mississippi, and the Battle of Gettysburg, Davis discusses foreign relations at length. Other topics covered include: finances, the army, prisoner exchanges, the Trans-Mississippi Department, the navy, and enemy conduct. With "Rebel Archives" stamp from the Record Division of the War Department on the first page. Stab-stitched.

GLC06158.01

14 October 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Broadside

Title: [Message to the Army of Tennessee from Confederate President Jefferson Davis]

Printed by John H. Seals & Co.'s Power Press Print in Atlanta. Congratulates soldiers on the 18-20 September Battle of Chickamauga. States "A grateful country has recognized your arduous service, and rejoiced over your glorious victory on the field of Chickamauga. When your countrymen shall more fully learn the adverse circumstances under which you attacked the enemy- though they cannot be more thankful- they may admire more the gallantry and patriotic devotion which secured your success... To zeal you have added gallantry; to gallantry, energy; to energy, fortitude. Crown these with…

GLC05987.02

circa 1861-1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Photograph

Title: In civilian suit, bust portrait

Graphite inscription on recto "Jefferson Davis." Graphite inscription on verso "**Book" "Jefferson Davis." Illegible partial library stamp on verso.

GLC05111.02.0890

circa 1861-1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Photograph

Title: As commodore, seated 3/4 length portrait with arms rested on back of chair

Ink inscription on recto "Com Davis." Graphite inscription on verso "**Book" "Com Davis." Photographers imprint on verso: "Published by E. Anthony 501 Broadway, New York. From Photographic Negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery."

GLC05111.02.0964

circa 1861-1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Photograph

Title: In civilian suit, bust portrait

Graphite inscription on verso "**Book" "Jefferson Davis Died Dec 1889- Sec War 1853-1857."

GLC05111.02.0879

circa 1861-1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Photograph

Title: Sketch of Jefferson Davis and wife excanging clothes.

Drawing shows a woman handing Jefferson Davis her dress. She is wearing just her slip and corsette. His pants are on the ground next to his knife. A Confederate flag flies in front of a palm tree over a sign that reads: "H'd. Q'ts" and another that reads: "Last Ditch 1 Mile." Imprint on image "Strategy or Change of Base." Imprint on recto "Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by Wm. H. Mumler, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. 258 Washington Street, Boston."

GLC05111.02.1373

circa 1861-1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Photograph

Title: Sketch of Jefferson Davis in a dress

Drawing shows Jefferson Davis in a woman's dress, with a bayonetted musket pointing at his head, a snake about to bite his leg and an ominous vine/noose hanging from a tree. He is holding a very large knife. There is an A-frame tent in the background with a group of people gathered in front. Ink inscription on image "Jeff's Soliloquy, To be or Not To be (hanged), that's the Question." Imprint on recto "Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1865, by Francis Hacker, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Rhode Island."

GLC05111.02.1371

circa 1861-1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Photograph

Title: Sketch of Jefferson Davis in a dress

Drawing shows Jefferson Davis in a woman's dress, wearing a bonnett and carrying a pail. Ink inscription on recto "Jeff Davis as captured in his wife's dress &c. Thorne 60 Nassau St. N.Y." Graphite inscription on verso "60" "Jefferson Davis." Ink inscription on verso "[a jumble of math calculations]."

GLC05111.02.1372