June 1848

United States. Congress

Pamphlet

Title: A short statement of the causes which led to the war with Mexico...

Title continues "showing the inconsistent course of the Whig party on the subject." Record from Congress detailing contradictory Whig votes in the 29th and 30th Congresses, first supporting the Mexican War and then declaring that it was "unnecessarily and unconstitutionally begun by the President of the United States." Abraham Lincoln's name appears in the voting lists.

GLC05162

3 March 1841

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Book

Title: Message from the President of the United States, transmitting a report from the Secretary of State, in relation to seizures or search of American vessels, & c.

House doc. no. 115. Pertains to "Search or seizure of American vessels on coast of Africa, & c."

GLC05163

February 23, 1833

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James A. Hamilton

Writing to James Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton, Jackson comments on the rush of official business at the height of the Nullification Crisis. Mentions that he heard from Hamilton's mother, wife of Alexander Hamilton, and is pleased that she is still well. Asks that Hamilton come to Washington before 4 March 1833, the date of Jackson's second inauguration. Comments on the positions of Henry Clay and John Calhoun on nullification. "Nullification cannot be recognized as a peaceful & constitutional measure, and the American system of M Clay being on the wane, a union between these two…

GLC05176

22 August 1834

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: [Patent for Otis Tufts' improvement in the power printing press]

Signed by Andrew Jackson as President. Countersigned by John Forsyth as Secretary of State and Benjamin Franklin Butler as Attorney General. Tufts' written description of his improvement is signed by Robert Henry Eddy and possibly Caleb Babbit as witnesses. Contains five pages of diagrams depicting the invention. Sealed and bound with yellow ribbon.

GLC05183

circa 1857-1859

Beckers, Alexander, fl. 1857-1859

Object

Title: [Becker's patent table-top parlor stereo viewer, one person model]

Alexander Beckers' stereo viewer, New York. One person viewer. Top opens so that multiple stereocards can be loaded. Turning knob on right side for changing to the next stereocard. Brass tag on one side reads, "Alex Beckers, New York, Patents, April 11, 1857, March 1 & 29, 1859, April 12 1859, Dec 13, 1859." Stereocards that came with it are cataloged in GLC 5139.03. Handle with care. Height is 45.5 cm.

GLC05139.02

circa 1843-1847

LeMoyne, Francis Julius, 1798-1879

Broadside

Title: To the free and independent voters of the city and county of Philadelphia

The Liberty Party of Philadelphia suggests nominations for an upcoming election. States the Party's principle as "opposition to slavery as the great moral and political evil of this land" and requests voters to consider the "continual encroachments of the slaveholding States upon the rights of the free States."

GLC05159

1850s

Tieman, Daniel T., fl. 1850

Header Record

Title: Three portaits of a NYC reformer mayor: daguerreotype, ambrotype & later carte

The three items are: 1. Daguerreotype. Half view, seated, with left hand holding jacket label and right holding a book. Cased: 15.2 x 12.0 (2.0) cm. 2. Ambrotype half view, seated with hands in lap, no case, 8.2 x 7.1 (.6) cm. Varnished back. 3. Modern print of carte de visite by Brady-NY, tucked into slits on mount, with note of F.H. Meserve, CDV 8/2 x 5.3, mount: 21.6 x 13.9

GLC05188

1850

Truth, Sojourner, 1797-1883

Book

Title: Narrative of Sojourner Truth : a northern slave, emancipated from bodily servitude by the state of New York, in 1828. With a portrait.

Printed for the author by J.B. Yerrinton and Son. Original paper front cover but lacks original back wrapper.

GLC05194

January 20, 1842

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Brooks

Adams comments upon his "essay" in defense of British actions in China during the Opium War. He maintains that he confined himself "to the question of right from wrong between the parties, as it stood upon the ransom of Canton." He bases his judgments on two principles: the equality of men and the love of God and neighbor. Adams alludes to Chinese demands of submission, and contrasts that with the Britons, "a Christian nation of Freeman" whom he hopes will practice mercy and moderation.

GLC05508.001

12 October 1836

Key, Francis Scott, 1779-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Apparently written to a clergyman friend who refused to baptize the child of unbelieving parents. Key dwells at length on the sponsors' obligations in baptism, supporting his friend's decision. He gives specific advice on how he would have proceeded. He also expresses sympathy for the child who would grow up unbaptized, but sees more danger from "profanation of a Sacrament." Key also mentions other options such as baptizing the child with religious sponsors (acceptable) or without sponsors (unacceptable).

GLC05508.007

January 11, 1838

Haughton, Richard, 1799-1841

Newspaper

Title: Atlas. [Vol. 6, no. 164 (January 11, 1838)]

Most prominent on this page is a report on the debate of "Calhoun's resolutions" concerning the parameters of the "gag rule," which was renewed by the senate annually between 1836 and 1844. The debate touches on states' rights, free speech, and secession, and provides an example of how the Senate avoided direct consideration of slavery by instead debating how they should discuss slavery. Contributions are made by senators John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, James Buchanan, and Thomas Morris, among others. The page also includes a resolution by Martin Van Buren urging U.S. citizens not to…

GLC05508.025

2 April 1836

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriet Henry

Buchanan writes to his sister because he is concerned for her health. He writes: "let me strongly urge you to resist the gloomy feelings & apprehensions which I fear you indulge." He asks her to submit to the will of God, but also acknowledges he is not a model Christian. Buchanan assures Harriet that should he survive her, he will comply with any requests she makes of him.

GLC05508.054

1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: Collection of two items pertaining to Thomas Sully [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC05503

31 August 1842

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary P. Payson

Jackson sends Miss Payson a sentiment: "Seek true wisdom[:] it is the pearl of 'great price' which cheers us thro' life, and ends in happy mortality." One black and white bust engraving of Jackson included.

GLC05508.005

3 January 1855

Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his uncle

A heartfelt letter noting the spiritual guidance that Jackson's uncle gave to Jackson's now deceased wife, Ellie. Jackson expresses thanks for his uncle's condolence after her passing. He discusses his sadness and changed outlook on life. Jackson also writes of his faith in God overlooking him.

GLC05508.006

10 February 1846

Blanchard, Jonathan, 1811-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Homer H. Stuart

Blanchard discusses living the Christian life. He focuses on how worldly suffering brings you closer to salvation, because it is partaking in Christ's suffering. Last page of a longer letter.

GLC05508.040

December 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Broadside

Title: Address of John Brown to the Virginia Court, when about to receive the sentence of death, for his heroic attempt at Harper's Ferry...

Small broadside with lithograph signature of Brown produced by the Liberator, reprinting his address to the Virginia Court before sentencing. Brown denies wanting to murder or cause an uprising. He argues that his raid on Harper's Ferry was just and aligned with the teachings of the Bible.

GLC05508.051

circa May 1, 1850

Burnet, David G., fl. 1830-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mattie

Burnet writes to a young girl who is feeling swings in emotion, and ascribes the problem to excessive indulgence in "fashionable amusements." He advises putting "a philosophical curb on our enjoyments and restrain[ing] them from exciting us too much," and preserving "our minds from too great depression by contemplating the transitory nature of all earthly things." The rest of the letter continues with family news and concludes with general marriage advice.

GLC05508.056

18 July 1836

Butler, Josiah, fl. 1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rev. N. Wells

Butler talks of his desire to be baptized and join the Congregational Church, but suspects he is not wanted and rescinds his desire. The circumstances that prevented Congressman Butler from joining the church are unknown.

GLC05508.057

circa 1843

Carlyle, Thomas, 1795-1881

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Excerpt from Thomas Carlyle's 'Past and Present'].

From chapter 8 "Unworking Aristocracy," on p. 172-74 of Carlyle's 1843 book, "Past and Present." A note on the top identifies the content: "A scrap of T. Carlyle's manuscript of 'Past and Present.' RW. Emerson," although, it is probably not in Emerson's hand. The manuscript attacks the aristocracy for doing nothing in the face of others' suffering.

GLC05508.060

April 1842

Caroline, Amelia, fl. 1842

Autograph quotation signed

Title: to Mrs. Fry

Writing as the Queen of Denmark, Caroline quotes Proverbs 19:17: "He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord, and that which he hath given will He pay him again."

GLC05508.061

28 October 1841

Seneca chieftains

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Petition to New York Governor William H. Seward signed by 58 chieftains of the Seneca Tribe]

Requests that the $500 annuity paid by the state, be paid only to the trusted chiefs listed. The annuity had been misused by chiefs favorable to the Ogden Land Company, and the money embezzled by the man to whom it had been paid. Endorsed by Seward with his initials. Written at Cattaraugus Reservation.

GLC05487

31 May 1850

Clarke, Matthew St. Clair, 1791-1852

Printed letter signed

Title: [American Colonization Society circular proposing steamship line between the United States and Africa]

Addressed to "His Excellency the Gov of NJ" (Daniel Haines). Signed by [Matthew St. Clair Clarke]. Copy of the memorial of Joseph Bryan, of Alabama, to Congress, proposing to establish a line of steam ships between the U.S. and Africa. Cites the need for maintaining a naval force on the western coast of Africa, the need for extinguishing the slave trade, to extend trade between the United States and Africa, and to convey that emancipated people can emigrate to Africa, if they wish.

GLC05492

14 March 1830

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Chase

Writes to his brother, a lawyer in Lockport, New York, about his journey from Washington, D.C. to Cincinnati, Ohio. Laments his undesirable traveling companions among whom was a woman convict. "A woman too - who had been committed for Infanticide and discharged because she was the only female in prison. You may imagine I was not highly delighted with my company..." Describes the events of the rest of his trip and the scenery along the way. Exhorts his brother to act in "...the great cause of truth and virtue. I look to see you standing beside the ark of national purity ... I hope to…

GLC05494.01

1859-1860

Duncan, Stephen, 1787-1867

Header Record

Title: Collection of letters pertaining to Stephen Duncan [Decimalized .01-.12]

Written mostly to Charles P. Leverich, a financial agent active in New York and New Orleans. Discusses accounts, supplies, secession, and slavery.

GLC05339