April 4, 1840

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Miller

States that he would be happy to assist him in procuring a loan but feels that now is not a good time. Remarks, "There is a want of Capital and a want of confidence." Explains that he would be able to represent him well but that there is a tendency to not lend money to distant borrowers. Offers to supply him or his agent with letters of recommendation. Comments that chances are good for the election of General William Henry Harrison, who won the Presidency in 1840.

GLC01574.04

April 12, 1850

Clayton, John Middleton, 1796-1856

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Woodruff Buel

Letter regarding passage of U.S. ships on the St. Lawrence river. In response to a letter from Buel, Clayton writes, "[I]t is believed the Canadian Government has recently announced its determination not to grant this privilege [of American ships passing on the St. Lawrence river to the Atlantic Ocean] to our citizens during the pending of the Canadian Reciprocity Bill which is now before Congress. The Department, however, has no official knowledge of this fact, but derives its information on the subject from the journals of the day."

GLC01596.02

December 20, 1856

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry E. Rees

Senator Sumner replies to a letter from Rees. Claims that unless slavery is checked, "the liberty of white as well as black in our country will become a name only."

GLC01574.02

circa spring 1851

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Stone

Stowe writes from "Woodside Cottage." Says she just received his letter and hopes to see him in Boston next week. Asks him "to make no public mention if you have not, of the Uncle Tom project till I have seen you. Don't mention it at any rate till then." Stowe began writing "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in early 1851. The recipient may be Rev. Thomas Treadwell Stone (1801-1895), a Unitarian minister, writer, Transcendentalist, and abolitionist from Massachusetts. Letter written in spring of 1851.

GLC01584.01

December 29, 1855

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. S.C. Hall

Mentions the suffering of many families in England (likely a reference to the Crimean War) and hopes that it has not affected Mrs. Hall and her family. Stowe writes that she will probably be in England some time in the coming year, as there are many people she wants to visit. Reading over old letters has her reminiscing about a previous trip to England. Discusses a Miss Greenfield, a black singer. Envelope is adhered to first page of the letter. Mrs. S.C. Hall was a popular Irish-born novelist. Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield (ca. 1824-1876), known as "The Black Swan," was a singer noted for her…

GLC01586

October 29, 1852

Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom, 1819-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Duchess of Sutherland

Written as Queen, signed as "V R" for Victoria Regina. Mentions that Lord Carlisle has written the preface to "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe, "a book which is being increasingly read but I have not yet had time to read; did your brother know the Authoress in America?" Stowe has presented a copy of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to Prince Albert on publication day in March 1852 (see GLC01585). In the remainder of this letter, the Queen chides the Duchess for not writing, gives news of acquaintances and family (including her "Uncle Leopold," presumably King Leopold I of Belgium) and…

GLC01587

June 11, 1844

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Tingey Craven

Perry writes from U.S. Frigate Macedonian to Craven, Commander of the U.S. Brig Porpoise. He instructs Craven that upon arriving in Liberia, he should go directly to the Galenas River. Discusses procedure for cruising and for display of the American Flag, noting, "...in the neighborhood of the Galenas at least you may be able to prevent the desecration of the American Flag to the vile purposes of the foreign slave Dealer." Requests Craven's observations on the land, currents, and other features of the Galenas River. Craven and Perry were engaged in suppressing the slave trade along the West…

GLC01617

March 18, 1857

Johnston, Albert Sidney, 1803-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Samuel Cooper

Johnston writes a letter to Cooper discussing problems with the quartermaster.

GLC01560

September 4, 1829

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andre Paccard

Discusses being prevented by family and political obligations from visiting Chalons-sur-Saone, and mentions liberty. Paccard represented the citizens of Chalons-sur-Saone.

GLC01563

March 8, 1860

Bates, Edward, 1793-1869

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph Barrett

Letter written before the Republican Party Convention. Responds to a note from Barrett, fielding questions on legal matters and slavery. Argues that the United States should not extend slavery into free territories. Attests that in the Dred Scott case, Scott "being a negro could not be a citizen of Missouri therefore could not bring the actions in the Federal Court." Argues that the Constitution does not carry slavery into the Territories. Regarding a homestead bill, remarks that public lands "ought to be as little as possible, the subject of trade & speculation... I think it would be a…

GLC01567

19 December 1849

Shields, James, 1806-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James A. Bennett

Discussing military appointments. Two bust engravings of Shields included as collateral.

GLC02458.13

1849-1867

Header Record

Title: Foreign-born Civil War generals [Decimalized .01-.14]

Fourteen letters and documents from Civil War general born in foreign countries.

GLC02458

1855-1865

Header Record

Title: Civil War generals: 14 letters & docs [decimalized]

[decimalized 02459.01-02459.33]

GLC02459

30 August 1855

Thompson, Jacob, 1810-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James C. Dobbin

Informs Dobbin, United States Secretary of the Navy, that J. P. Milton, presently the Secretary of the Commandant of the Navy Yard at Memphis, desires appointment as a Naval purser. Writes, "By the discontinuance of the Navy Yard at this place, he will be thrown out of employment. I hope you may be able to confer this appointment... the Government could not do better than to avail itself of his services- Let me insist upon a favorable consideration of his application..." Docket indicates that the appointment is desired by John P. Milton.

GLC02459.31

1836-1874

Confederate States of America. Generals

Header Record

Title: Confederate generals from the deep south: 21 letters & docs [decimalized]

[decimalized 02460.01-02460.21]

GLC02460

14 August 1860

Barksdale, William, 1821-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Toucey

Barksdale, a United States Representative from Mississippi, writes to Toucey, Secretary of the Navy. On behalf of his congressional district, nominates James G. Baldwin for the position of midshipman at Annapolis. Includes several dockets, dated 22 August 1860 and 29 September 1860.

GLC02460.02

9 July 1860

Cobb, Thomas Read Rootes, 1823-1862

Document signed

Title: to Colonel Robert McMillan

Cobb discusses an order from Mr. Burch and mentions A. Kennan, who Cobb encouraged to fill the position of auditor in Athens. Says "...have the auditing ex-parte- & leave to Thomas to enforce it-which I know he will- In such event is it not better policy for you to have no counsel present..."

GLC02460.04

18 August 1836

Tattnall, Josiah, 1795-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Commanding Officer of the Boston recruiting station

Discusses Benjamin Harris' appointment as a "Seaman for the South Sea Surveying and exploring expedition." Requests that Harris be paid for "three months ... when he appears on board the receiving ship." States that he received orders regarding Harris from Captain Catesby Jones.

GLC02460.15

1853-1885

Confederate States of America. Generals

Header Record

Title: Confederate generals born in Virginia: 34 letters & docs [decimalized]

[decimalized 02461.01-02461.34]

GLC02461

14 November 1853

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lorenzo Thomas

Then Lieutenant Jefferson Davis writes to Assistant Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas to request permission to rejoin his company in Virginia instead of Florida. The first artillery had been transferred from Fort Myers, Florida, to Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia, and would leave Florida before he could rejoin it.

GLC02455.03

8 August 1860

Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander R. Boteler

On committee letterhead, Stevens, as Chairman of the National Democratic Executive Committee writes to Boteler as Chairman of the National Executive Committee of the Constitutional Union Party. Requests copies of campaign literature circulating. Letterhead of the National Democratic Committee is printed with John C. Breckinridge for President, and Gen. Joseph Lane for Vice President. Boteler was a U.S. congressman from Virginia (1859-1861). During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate Army as a member of Stonewall Jackson's staff. He was elected from Virginia to the Confederate…

GLC02455.12

5 December 1855

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Brown

Brown discusses the free state struggle, and reports there are rumors of a free state man being murdered, and that it may lead to more violence. Says "We feel more, & more certain that Kansas will be a Free State." Also discusses family affairs, health, and his plan to stay in Kansas at least until spring. Bottom of the page and all of the second page are written by Samuel and Florilla Adair, with the end of their letter missing. They recount how the murder of the free state man happened, state that it is leading to war, and discuss the buildup of armed forces. The man murdered was…

GLC02454

1860-1866

Header Record

Title: Civil War Generals: 13 letters & docs [decimalized]

[decimalized 02455.01-002455.13]

GLC02455

1846-1888

Header Record

Title: Civil War generals from border states: 33 letters and documents [decimalized]

[decimalized 02456.01-02456.33]

GLC02456

15 August 1846

Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Conner

States the amount of time served in the Navy and positions held. Complains that as first lieutenant of the vessel John Adams, he is "constantly on duty." Requests relief by a junior officer and transfer to a larger vessel. Requests an exchange with "Humphreys," who "has applied to be detached." Written aboard the U.S. Brig Porpoise. One bust engraving of Semmes included as collateral.

GLC02456.26