The Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History: Apply now and join us for Fall 2024 courses
1818/09/23
West, Benjamin, 1738-1820
to June Porter re: sending three pencils used in creating religious works
(Pencils not included.) Written on Newman Street of London
GLC07030
1864/04/16 ca.
Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881
re: removing chaplain at Camp Dennison; on verso of M.T. Carey ALS
GLC07031
7 July 1864
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
[Authorization to affix the seal to "my proclamation," for a day of national humiliation and prayer]
Partially printed document ordering the seal affixed to a presidential proclamation praying for an end to the Civil War. A pencil note on verso explains the circumstances of the document.
GLC07108
1842/04/24
Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848
to Samuel Elliot re: inability to review Elliot's book
Returning Elliot's book "upon Politics and Law, Morals and Religion" and saying he is unable "to give my opinion upon its merits" because of "perpetual pressure of indispensable occupations and absorbing cares." He writes "I have read many of its...
GLC07119
1864/05/10
Latimer, George, fl. 1864
Appeal for prayer and thanksgiving "Union liberty and victory. Thanks to God"
Pottstown, Pa. printing by a local minister, rector George Latimer, of Lincoln's appeal for a day of prayer and thanksgiving after the fighting in the Wilderness
GLC07165
1791/03/11
Van Schaack, Henry, 1733-1823
to unknown [incomplete]
Writes at length on the relationship between church and state, particularly in regard to unconstitutional tax assessment and the use of public funds to build a Congregational meeting house in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Discusses the Constitution...
GLC07160.01
26 October 1791
Stillman, Rev. Dr., fl. 1791
to Henry Van Schaak
Thanks him for his letter. Regrets that he suffers so much persecution on account of his "adherence to the Episcopal Church." Reminds him that current law protects the free exercise of religion. Stillman is possibly Samuel Stillman, pastor of the...
GLC07160.03
1791/12
to Loring Andrews
Writes a letter to the editor of the Western Star to condemn the practice of using public funds to pay for parish teachers linked to denominational majorities. Such taxation and town treasury appropriations, he charges, violate the constitutional...
GLC07160.04
14 December 1794
Danforth, Joshua, 1759-1837
to Henry Van Schaack
Advises that there are certain expenses that must be taxed on the Congregationalists. Requests information on the damages and costs resulting from a suit against the town. Sends two Philadelphia newspapers containing the speech of Mr. Sedgwick on...
GLC07160.05
1792
[Notes on taxation and establishment of churches in Massachusetts]
Notes outlining his arguments against the practices of taxation and appropriation of public monies to fund construction of meeting houses and payment of teachers for denominational majorities. Cites the state constitution and its Bill of Rights. In...
GLC07160.06
1863/03/23
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
Draft General Order re: Fredricksburg
Announcing day of fasting and prayer in wake of victory at Fredericksburg; "Soldiers! No portion of our people have greater cause to be thankful to almighty God than yourselves. He has preserved your lives amidst countless dangers..." and pray that...
GLC07057
1802/05/20 ca.
Crew, Micajah, fl. 1802
re: slavery and Quakers
"Some circumstances attendant on the lot of slavery as permitted in these states, have at this time claimed the deep sympathy of the [Quaker] meeting, and a concern has arisen to labor as we may open for a mitigation of the laws in behalf of this...
GLC07194
1863/08/13
General Orders no. 83 re: day of fasting and prayer
After Gettysburg: "Soldiers! we have sinned against Almighty God . . . we have not remembered that the defenders of a just cause should be pure in his eyes--that our lives are in his hand, and we have relied too much on our own arms for the...
GLC07177
1842/05/19
Vinton's address on ... Newport artillery
Thanking God for quick suppression of insurrection. (Losses affecting text.)
GLC07248.02
1842/06/29
King, Samuel Ward, 1786-1851
Proclamation by His Excellency Samuel Ward King [Dorr as fugitive]
Offering $1,000 reward for the "delivery of the fugitive traitor Thomas Wilson Dorr"
GLC07249.01
1842/11/07
Proclamation. By His Excellency Samuel Ward King [day of Thanksgiving]
Regarding setting aside day of thanksgiving
GLC07251.01
1909/02/12
Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915
Speech draft re: influence of Lincoln, given at New York Republican Club of NYC
Original draft of speech: "I was born a slave...my first recollection of Abraham Lincoln was...by the prayers of my mother...as she was kneeling over my body earnestly praying that Abraham Lincoln might succeed and that one day she and her boy might...
GLC07232
1863/07/10
Oden, Mary, fl. 1863
to Emily J. Semmes re: death of Gen. Paul Semmes (to his widow)
Written from his deathbed nurse, on the day he died with postscript: "A few moments before the General died, he asked for his sword, laying it across his arm, he asked again for his testament." Page 5 is a smaller, additional sheet.
GLC07225
1856/12/10
Brown, John, 1800-1859
to brother and sister Adair re: concern for his son Owen
Written while on the run from authorities after Pottawatomie massacre: "Owen (my son) is I trust somewhere on the way from Iowa; but I have a good deal of anxiety about him, as I learn that I was hotly pursued even in Iowa. I can only say that God...
GLC07229
2 December 1859
to Aaron D. Stevens
Written on the day Brown was hanged from Charlestown Prison, Virginia, present day West Virginia. Writes in full, "He that is slow to anger; is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, that he, that taketh a city" Solomon."; with...
GLC07230.01
7 February 1817
Adams, John, 1735-1826
to Samuel Latham Mitchill
Adams in retirement to Mitchill, a well-known scientist from New York City. Their correspondence deals with archeological findings. From the docket they are discussing "Babylonian bricks." Asks when a monument to Daniel, the Biblical prophet, was...
GLC07532
26 June 1825
to William Smith Shaw
Former President Adams discusses Native American and African religion with Shaw, his nephew and former private secretary. States "Dr. Jarvis has assigned some good causes of the too general inattention to the religion of the indians. But those...
GLC07533
1840/09
Printed fundraising document for the Amistad captives
"Here are thirty men taken out of the midst of a heathen nation in the interior of Africa, and in the providence of God thrown on the shores of New England. If they should be delivered from the fangs of wicked oppressors, (for which many prayers...
GLC07606
1945/04/16
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972
First address to Congress re: death of Roosevelt and his legacy in Europe
"The Laws of God and Man have been violated and the guilty must not go unpunished." Typed document reproduced by an offset process. Signed on page 4.
GLC07529
1771/05/20-25
The Epistle from the Yearly Meeting Held In London [Quaker conduct]
Letter to the quarterly and monthly meetings in Great Britain, Ireland, and elsewhere guiding Quaker conduct. The letter warns against overuse of credit, "[f]or by these Practices, many inncocent Wives and Children have been inevitably and...
GLC07628
Showing results 326 - 350