31 March 1853

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Robert G. Cole]

Cole was named Second Lieutenant in the Eighth Regiment of Infantry. Signed by Franklin Pierce as President and Jefferson Davis as Secretary of War. Cole was later Lee's engineer at Gettysburg. White and red papaer seal on upper lefthand corner. Docket in red pen on upper lefthand corner.

GLC03083

December 29. 1859

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred Burr

Remarks, " ... my conviction that this is preeminently the time, possibly the only time, for an earnest & successful effort to overthrow sectionalism in the Northern States." Marked private at top.

GLC02925.15

30 March 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Printed document signed

Title: [Authority to affix the seal to a treaty with Umpqua Indians and the Calapooia Indians in the Umpqua Valley]

Partially printed document signed as President. Treaty made on 29 November 1854. One bust engraving of Franklin Pierce included.

GLC03335

January 21, 1860

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McNeil re: foreseeing civil war

Written while on vacation. Argues that Civil War is inevitable unless the Democrats regain control of the government

GLC03660

27 April 1847

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Bowers

Requests that northern New Hampshire send more volunteer soldiers. Suggests using musicians to attract recruits. Lauds the hard work given to recruiting by Bowers, his father, and Frank Fletcher.

GLC03659

24 October 1862

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Writes concerning his opinion that fighting cannot restore the Union. Comments, "Good & patriotic men have not yet reached your stand point & mine, that no faith can be reposed 'in arms for the restoration of either peace or of the States to the Unity of other days.'" States that he cannot respond to the recipient's suggestions in writing and must see him in person to do this. Notes the rising opposition to the Civil War in the North, "The woe & wailing & hopelessness which arms have brought, are telling upon the public mind at the North, as no argument could."

GLC03661

12 July 1847

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Pierce

Writes to his wife that he is glad he is given the opportunity to write before marching further inland. Discusses his duties and responsibilities. Describes his encounters with guerillas. Written as a brigadier general.

GLC04012

4 June 1869

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sidney Webster

Discusses aspects of reconstruction, criticizing "the appointment of a Massachusetts negro to the office of Postmaster at Macon, Georgia." Inquires as to the well-being of Webster's family.

GLC04895

24 June 1853

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Manuscript document signed

Title: Pardon of Albert Mortimer, convicted of burglary.

Mortimer, convicted of burglary; sentenced to 14 years. (c/s William L. Marcy)

GLC04991

20 February 1841

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin P. McNeil

New Hampshire Senator Pierce writes to his nephew in Boston, Massachusetts, to offer him congratulations on his acceptance at West Point. Advises him that "this will be that period when your character will receive the stamp and impress that will probably go with it thro' life." Encloses for his edification a copy of a letter of support and encouragement (not included here) that he has written to "the only son of the late Jas. B. Thornton," an orphan. Docketed.

GLC07352

July 11, 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Commission of George A. Williams.

Partially printed standard commission form for George A. Williams as first lieutenant of the United States Army. Signed by both Pierce and Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of War. "I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him [Williams] First Lieutenant in the First Regiment of Infantry in the service of the United States..." Noted in the upper left hand corner in red: "Recorded, Volume 15, page 425, Adjutant General's Office, July 11, 1856." Signed in black below note "S. Cooper Set. Gen." Two engravings, located below header and as a bas de page…

GLC00010

July 28, 1854

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Pardon of August Kesling, alias August Kesting/Kestenger, convicted of transmitting forged federal documents.

Convicted of transmitting forged federal documents; sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Pardoned for "...divers other good and sufficient reasons..." (c/s William L. Marcy)

GLC00043.17

July 12, 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Pardon of the owners of the Steamer "Osiris," convicted of endangering lives of passengers by not having sufficient amount of life preservers.

Convicted of endangering lives of passengers by not having sufficient amount of life preservers; sentenced to pay $500 fine and additional $71.30 for violation of U.S. transportation safety law of 30 August 1852 [5th Section]. Conditionally pardoned, in that the $500 fine be remitted while the law violation penalty [$71.30] and other court costs be paid. (c/s W.L. Marcy)

GLC00043.18

15 May 1854

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Denny O' Sullivan].

GLC00091.01

August 1841

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. H. Carroll

Writes as a member of the United States Senate from New Hampshire. Discusses the Whig party's chances in the election. "The great Universal Whig Party is undoubtedly smashed -- broken up - Who does not perceive a wise, beneficient overruling Providence in these great events?" States that the Bank Bill passed the House by a majority of 31 votes. Believes that President John Tyler will veto the bill. "The clouds of doubt in which everything here has been enveloped are rolling away. - Gentlemen will now show their hands- positions will be re-defined - In a word Tyler will veto the bill." Reports…

GLC00096.01

16 August 1841

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph manuscript

Title: to H. H. Carroll

Discusses President John Tyler's veto of the Bank Bill. States in part, "Will not our friends rejoice? Will not the enemies of the Constitution dispair? ... Let the young men take from this, fresh encouragement in the darkest and most portentous hour never to dispair of the Republic." Letter is not addressed or signed but the recipient is identified in the seller's description and in GLC00096.01.

GLC00096.02

March 23, 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Charles Bentz, convicted of perjury.

Convicted of perjury; sentenced to 4 years imprisonment in March of 1851. No reason for pardon. (c/s William L. Marcy)

GLC00045.13

November 22, 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Pardon of John Marders, convicted of assault.

Convicted of assault; sentenced to 3 months imprisonment and to pay a $1 fine and court costs. No reason given for pardon. (c/s W. L. Marcy)

GLC00045.14

31 July 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Geary as governor of the territory of Kansas]

Partially printed document signed by Franklin Pierce as President of the United States. Countersigned by William L. Marcy as Secretary of State. Accompanied by paper seal.

GLC00071

January 25, 1854

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Louis Burry].

Loius Burry, convicted of counterfeiting; sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. Pardoned for unstated reasons.

GLC00076.04

December 12, 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John W. Geary

President Pierce writes to Geary, the newly appointed Governor of the Kansas Territory, emphasizing the delicacy and impartiality with which matters in the heavily pro-slavery territory should be handled. He covers the removal from office of various pro-slavery officials in the Kansas Territory that Geary and Pierce considered disruptive to their efforts to maintain peace in the territory. He praises Isaac Winston of Virginia, the carrier of this letter, who replaced George W. Clarke as Indian Agent. He reprimands Geary for overstepping his authority by re-arresting Charles Hayes (for the…

GLC00375

13 August 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: to the Senate

Based on a report from Captain M.C. Meigs, Pierce requests that the Senate appropriate $750,000 for "the Capitol extension."

GLC01188

15 December 1838

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Harvey

Expresses his optimism for the Democratic party in the upcoming elections. "I think the prospects for the democratic party have rarely been more cheering. We have many great advantages over our opponents." Goes on to say that the Democratic party is united on several principles while the opposition is not. States that, "Under such circumstances I entertain no fears for the result. We must triumph." Written as Senator from New Hampshire.

GLC02327

10 December 1867

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Letter signed

Title: to Carroll Spence

Writes that he has been sick. Hopes that Spence was somewhat cheered by the fall elections. Laments fanaticism and states, "There is no hope however except through tribulation and suffering, either for the South or for the North. Madness & wickedness of fanaticism have brought us all to the brink of ruin." Written to diplomat Spence is Baltimore, Maryland.

GLC02328

September 18, 1866

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fitz-John Porter

Pierce, former President of the United States, discusses General Porter's court martial and conviction for his actions at the Battle of Second Manassas. Writes, "There are reasons why I am disinclined at at [sic] present to address any request to the President, altho' I concur with his views upon the issues which now particularly Engross the public mind." Transmits a "brief expression of my convictions with regard to yourself- your services and the infamous sentence with which these services have been rewarded" (document not present). Remarks that if Porter wishes, he may send the enclosed…

GLC01513