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to Mary Magie

Written three miles from Nashville on the Franklin Pike. Writes that the regiment is on its way to Franklin. Describes the vast destruction of local property: "There are the ruins of several magnificent places between here and Nashville. The...

GLC05241.11

to Mary Magie

Reports that he was appointed Brigade Postmaster. His new position will allow him to make $30 to $50 a month by selling writing paper, envelopes and newspapers. The colonel is still under arrest. A strange order requires the regiment to get up at...

GLC05241.12

to Mary Magie

Written from camp near Franklin. Date inferred from content. Labeled "No 1." Writes that he travels to Nashville every other day to retrieve the mail. He buys newspapers for 5 cents each and sells them for 10 cents.

GLC05241.13

to Mary Magie

"No. 2." He has been promoted to Division Postmaster. Recounts three incidents which occurred while traveling between Nashville and Franklin. First, he tells of finding a group of men in Butternut whom he thought to be Confederates. He thought...

GLC05241.14

to Mary Magie

"No. 3." Writes of the basic itinerary he follows on his trips Nashville. Besides picking up the mail, he buys newspapers and for a fee runs errands for other soldiers. Laments the destruction of fences and houses for firewood.

GLC05241.15

to Mary Magie

"No 4." He makes a great deal of money by selling newspapers and running errands, and if he can hold his position he hopes to send his wife $1,000 by the end of the war. Asks that she not tell anyone how much he sends her because the soldiers do not...

GLC05241.16

to Mary Magie

Sends his wife $10 and asks her to allow the bearer of the letter, Mr. Freeman, to stay at the house for one night. Notes that he believes there will be a battle soon but does not expect to be involved. A pencil sketch of a grave marker and verse...

GLC05241.17

to Mary Magie

He wants to loan out $50 with interest. Mentions a battle at Franklin [4-5 March 1863] including the fact that their general was arrested afterward for a blunder.

GLC05241.18

Speeches of Gerrits Smith. In Congress, 1853-'4.

Published by Buell and Blanchard. Includes speeches by Smith on war, the homestead bill, the Nebraska bill, the Pacific Railroad, the postal system, the reciprocity treaty, and the sale of intoxicating drinks in Washington, D.C., among other topics...

GLC04717.02

Speech of Gerrit Smith in the Kansas meeting, at the capitol in Albany, March 13th 1856.

At the Capitol in Albany. Criticizes Missouri aid societies that offer large bounties to proslavery inhabitants of Kansas. Deplores the allowance of slavery in Missouri, referring to the Missouri Compromise as liberty bargaining with slavery. Also...

GLC04717.25

Letter of Gerrit Smith to S.P. Chase, on the unconstitutionality of every part of American slavery

Published by S. W. Green, Patriot Office. Letter was written at Peterboro, New York 1 November 1847. Chase recently disagreed with Smith's resolution at the National Convention of the Liberty party that slavery is unconstitutional. Argues that the...

GLC04717.01

The true office of civil government. A speech in the city of Troy.

Printed by S. W. Benedict. Smith declares, "The legitimate action of Civil Government is very simple. Its legitimate range is very narrow. Government owes nothing to its subjects but protection... from crimes... committed against their persons and...

GLC04717.03

Controversy between New-York Tribune and Gerrit Smith.

Printed by John A. Gray. Correspondence covers the Tribune's report that Smith was absent from the House of Representatives on the evening of the passage of the Nebraska Bill. The Tribune recently acknowledged Smith was present, and voted against...

GLC04717.04

Three discourses on the religion of reason.

Covers, among other topics, the reflection of God in man and man's role and responsibility concerning religion.

GLC04717.05

Gerrit Smith and the vigilant association of the City of New York.

Published by John A. Gray, printer. Includes correspondence related to a law suit in which Gerrit Smith accuses several individuals of libel. In a manifesto, members of the Vigilant Association linked Smith's name with the Central Association, a...

GLC04717.06

Religion of reason, no. 4. The one test of character. A discourse by Gerrit Smith, in Peterboro, July twenty-second, 1860.

Published in New York City by Ross & Tousey. In closing, Smith writes, "The morals and manners of a church should be such, as to realize our highest conceptions of human dignity... Church of Peterboro! Be true to your own God at the approaching...

GLC04717.07

Gerrit Smith on religion.

Published by Sinclair Tousey. Includes a letter to Dr. G. B. Cheever (possibly George Barrell Cheever), "Discourse in Peterboro... The Good See: The Bad are Blind," a letter to Henry Ward Beecher on Stonewall Jackson, and a "Funeral Discourse in...

GLC04717.08

Speeches and letters of Gerrit Smith (from January, 1863, to January, 1864) on the rebellion.

Published by John A. Gray & Green, printers. Includes various letters and speeches by Smith.

GLC04717.09

Speeches and letters of Gerrit Smith (from January, 1864, to January, 1865), on the rebellion. Volume II.

Published by the American News Company. Contains Smith's opinion on the Constitution of the United States in relation to the Civil War, the Democratic Party, and other topics.

GLC04717.10

Report From the County of Madison.

Smith inspires Madison County abolitionists following a recent election: "We have 'kept' the whole antislavery 'faith.' We have stood up for all its righteous and glorious principles; and have stood by each other. We have pursued slavery, hotly and...

GLC04717.11

to William H. Seward

Informs Seward why he did not support Henry Clay, the Whig Candidate, in the Presidential election of 1844. Presents an argument as to why the Liberty Party did not support Clay: "Mr. Clay would not have been defeated, had he done his duty. If he...

GLC04717.12

To the Editors of the Emancipator, Boston

Discusses an extract of a letter he wrote in 1843 printed in a recent issue of the Emancipator. Pertains to Smith's views of the Liberty Party.

GLC04717.13

To J. K. Ingalls, editor of the Landmark, New-York

Smith writes, "I hardly need say, that I am deeply interested in the present movement against the extension of slavery; and that I infinitely prefer the election of the candidates, who are identified with it, to the election of the Whig and...

GLC04717.14

to Chancellor Walworth

Smith responds to a paper Walworth signed as chairman of an unspecified committee. Attacks Walworth's claim "that democracy and slavery may be in full fellowship with each other." Reuben Hyde Walworth served as Chancellor of the State of New York...

GLC04717.15

Anti-Fugitive Slave Law Meeting. At a large meeting of persons from various parts of the State of New York, held in the City of Syracuse...

(title continues)... January 9th 1851, and of which Frederick Douglass was President, the following resolutions and address were unanimously adopted. The address is the same, and, with an inconsiderable exception, the Resolutions are the same, as...

GLC04717.16

Gerrit Smith's reply to the colored citizens of Albany.

Smith writes: "Would, gentlemen, that the following mottos, which antislavery Conventions, in different parts of the State, are cordially adopting, were engraven on every heart: 'No slaveholder for civil office; and no person, who thinks a...

GLC04717.17

to Frederick Douglass

Smith offers his opinions on Lajos Kossuth, the Hungarian revolutionary hero. Writes, "I have not seen Kossuth:- but I have read his Speeches. The impression they have made upon me is, that he is not only transcendently eloquent- especially when...

GLC04717.18

to Greene C. Bronson

Retaliates against Bronson, former chief justice of the Supreme Court, who depicted Smith as an example of misconduct in a letter to Mr. Delevan. Discusses the political opinions of Myron Holley Clark, a candidate for Governor (Clark was Governor of...

GLC04717.19

to William Goodell

Expresses his opinion that the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 will benefit the Whig party.

GLC04717.20

to William Henry Seward

Smith writes to Seward, a United States Senator from New York. Praises Seward's intellectualism and philanthropic spirit. Notes that Seward's recent speech on the Fugitive Slave Act "does not, in all respects, come up to my expectation of what...

GLC04717.21

Abolition documents. Number one. Principles and measures.

Created at the convention from 26-28 June in Syracuse. The abolitionists declare, "We...maintain that there can be no legitimate civil government, rightfully claiming support and allegiance as such, that is not authorized, nay, that is not morally...

GLC04717.22

To the New York Tribune

Smith discusses the Tribune's former claim that he was absent from the House of Representatives on the night of the Kansas-Nebraska Act's passage in 1854. Thanks the Tribune for finally admitting he was present in the House, and voted against the...

GLC04717.23

to Governor Chase, Ohio

Smith writes to Salmon Portland Chase, Governor of Ohio, also an abolitionist. Expresses his disappointment in Chase's Inaugural Address: "The habit of the whole country is to justify the pretensions of slavery, and, therefore, to adopt the...

GLC04717.24

Address reported by Gerrit Smith to the Jerry Rescue Convention, held in Syracuse October 1, 1857.

Regarding William "Jerry" Henry, who had been arrested under the Fugitive Slave Law in Syracuse in 1851, and rescued by local citizens. Smith commends the rescue, claiming no Christian can disapprove of the rescue. Discusses his disappointment in...

GLC04717.26

Personal Liberty Bill

Begins with a list of the foremost duties of the New York Legislature: to close the dramshops, to prevent withholding suffrage from Black men, and to protect the "weary and heart-broken fugitive slaves" within State limits. Includes an excerpt of a...

GLC04717.27

Compensated emancipation: a speech by Gerrit Smith, in the National Compensation Convention, held in Cleveland, Ohio, August 25, 26 and 27, 1857.

Smith declares, "We are here for the purpose of making a public and formal, and, as we hope, an impressive confession, that the North ought to share with the South in the temporary losses that will result from the abolition of Slavery. Indeed, such...

GLC04717.28

to John Thomas, Esq.

Smith declines Thomas's invitation to preside at the anniversary of the Rescue of Jerry, who had been arrested in Syracuse under the Fugitive Slave Law and freed by local citizens in 1851. Informs Thomas, Chairman of Jerry Rescue Committee: "The...

GLC04717.29

To the Liberty Party

Discusses the Liberty Party's objectives, including the foremost goal of overthrowing slavery. Analyzes modification and expansion of party objectives, regarding issues such as banks, tariffs, and association with slaveholders.

GLC04717.30

To the Liberty Party of the County of Madison

Offers encouraging words to the Liberty Party following the recent Canastota Convention: "The New-York State Liberty Car is again upon the track."

GLC04717.31

Letter of Gerrit Smith, to the Liberty Party of New-Hampshire

Criticizes the Liberty Party of New Hampshire for voting for slaveholders. Encourages the state to reconstruct a "true" liberty party, "a Party, which will sooner perish than vote for a proslavery man- and a Party, too, which will practically...

GLC04717.32

Speech of Gerrit Smith, made in the National Liberty Party Convention at Buffalo, September 17th, 1851, when the following Resolutions were under discussion...

(title continues)... 1. Resolved, That righteous civil government is an indispensable agency for blessing and saving the world; and that every political party which does not identify itself, openly and heartily, with such government, is unworthy of...

GLC04717.33

To the Liberty Party of the County of Madison

Smith addresses the Pittsburgh Convention of the Liberty Party. Urges the Convention to organize a permanent party, and to "declare slavery to be utterly incapable of legalization."

GLC04717.34

National Liberty Party: at the National Liberty Party Convention, held in Syracuse September 30th, 1852, the following resolutions reported by Gerrit Smith, as chairman of the Business Committee, were unanimously adopted...

The Convention, held in Syracuse 30 September and 1 October 1852, chose to nominate William Goodell as President and S. M. Bell as Vice President. Includes Gerrit Smith's address to the Party. Lists officers nominated to lead the New York State...

GLC04717.35

To the voters of the Counties of Oswego and Madison

Complains that he was nominated for a Congressional seat, a position he did not seek. Assures he will not resign, but will perform his duty, pursuing abolition from his position. Includes his political creed, asserting that slavery is not in the...

GLC04717.36

Second Letter of Gerrit Smith to the New-York Tribune

Addresses grievances he holds against the Tribune: "The 'error', 'weaknesses', 'eccentricities', 'excessive passion' or 'monomania', which you attribute to me, have, doubtless, had not a little to do in encouraging you to select me as the person, on...

GLC04717.37

to Edward Cornelius Delavan, Esquire

Smith writes to Delavan, a temperance leader. Discusses his views on the government's power to educate the people in relation to slavery and alcohol. Expresses his opinion that the government should regulate alcohol consumption.

GLC04717.38

Gerrit Smith's acceptance

Includes a State Mass Convention's nomination of Smith as a candidate for Governor of New York. Contains Smith's reply, which begins: "My years have been spent in seclusion. My habits are all formed to private life. It is emphatically true that...

GLC04717.39

To the men who put me in nomination!

Discusses meetings he held across the state during his campaign for the position of Governor of New York. Hopes the good accomplished by the meetings is not estimated by the low number of votes he received. Encourages temperance and abolition....

GLC04717.40

Letter from Gerrit Smith to Rev. Dr. John Marsh; Letter from Gerrit Smith to Joshua R. Giddings.

Smith responds to an editorial published by Marsh, editor of Journal and Prohibitionist, New York. Marsh accused Smith of being "unsound on Temperance." Also replies to a published letter from Giddings, in which Giddings sought to defend the...

GLC04717.41

An appeal for the Sabbath.

Smith declares, "the spirit of the age and the tide of our prosperity threaten to wrest from us this most precious institution of the Creator of the world." Includes a printed patterned border.

GLC04717.42