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April 18, 1790
Adams, John, 1735-1826
to Dr. Benjamin Rush
Also discusses corruption and his unhappiness as Vice President. Very affectionate towards Rush. Beliefs on government and other reflections.
GLC00704
05 November 1862
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of John Woodcock].
GLC00710
April 8, 1785
to Richard Price
Recipient from contents. Thanks Price for his book Observations on the importance of the American Revolution. Has received 1st and 2d editions. States that to him the chief liberty is that of conscience.
GLC00782.01
January 16, 1766
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
to Joseph Galloway
Describes the debate in Parliament over whether or not to repeal the Stamp Act of 1765. Comments at length on the speech given by William Pitt in favor of the American position. Marked "Copy" on p.3. Some notes in the form of a list pertaining to...
GLC00782.03
27 February 1869
Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872
[Fifteenth Amendment resolution]
Reconstruction amendment passed to combat southern opposition to federal policies toward freed slaves. Printed certificate sealed and signed, attached to printed resolution with a purple ribbon and red State Department seal. With printed circular...
GLC00788.01
March 1, 1863
Wilkes, Jane J., fl. 1863
to Charles Wilkes
Incomplete letter from which author has been inferred (says "Mrs. Wilkes" in the body). Mrs. Wilkes discusses her meetings with President Lincoln, Secretary of Navy Gideon Welles, Secretary of State William Seward, Senator Issac Arnold, and General...
GLC00496.265
October 24, 1775
to unknown
May have been source for Declaration of Independence's list. Cosigned by George Wythe and Silas Deane, with an AMS copy of the resolution signed by Charles Thomson.
GLC00505.01
January 22, 1861
Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863
to H. H. Waters
Semmes's retained copy. Writes to the Secretary of Governor Joseph Brown of Georgia. Replies to Waters' earlier letter advising Semmes that a brigade he formed cannot be recognized as it was not formed according to the proper rules (see GLC 572.25)...
GLC00572.30
March 3, 1837
Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848
To the Inhabitants of the 12th Congressional District of Massachusetts
Discusses the attempts to censure Adams' conduct through the "Gag Rule," the machinations of House Speaker Polk, and attempts to expel Adams.
GLC00639.05
March 4, 1809
to Benjamin Rush
Discusses Madison taking office, politics, national divisions.
GLC00639.01
January 10, 1813
To Governor William Plumer
New York State, party and sectionalism.
GLC00639.02
June 4, 1776
Hancock, John, 1737-1793
to the Convention of Maryland
Written by Hancock as President of the Continental Congress. Begins by saying "Our affairs are hastening fast to a Crisis; and the approaching Campaign will in all Probability, determine for ever the Fate of America." Says the king and Parliament...
GLC00639.12
September 5, 1822
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
to Samuel McKay
Opines that two parties are essential to a functioning democracy. McKay was a farmer and local political leader in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The Fourth of July oration was entitled "An Address," delivered at the Request of the Republican Committee...
GLC00639.14
[ 06 August 1787 ]
Constitutional Convention, 1787
Constitution [printing of first draft, docketed by James Wilson]
First two leaves in facsimile, with docketed wrapper. Committee of Detail printing. First draft. Wilson chaired the Committee of Five which drafted this copy of the Constitution. With one correction in Wilson's hand. Docket on blank wrapper:...
GLC00528
[ April 1789 ]
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Inaugural address [leaf from 1st draft of discarded first inaugural = pp.36-37]
Concerning foreign relations, American trade, manufacture and defense. This was a first draft which Washington later discarded. The manuscript was disassembled by Jared Sparks and leaves or clippings were given away as samples of GW's handwriting....
GLC00639.25
January 23, 1777
to Pres. of the Convention of New Hampshire
Washington pleads for the troops alloted to the state of New Hampshire and argues that "nothing but their [i.e., British] ignorance of our number protects us." The second leaf is not conjugate.
GLC00639.28
24 December 1814
Gambier, James Gambier, Baron, 1756-1833
[Certification of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent]
Cosigned by Henry Goulburn and William Adams. Certification made by the British signers of the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812. Indicates that Secretary of Legation Christopher Hughes will deliver the treaty to the United States. Gambier...
GLC00639.32
20 May 1863
Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864
[John H. Morgan's endorsement on an offer for an exchange of prisoners]
Morgan's endorsement as Brigadier General and Confederate raider. On verso of a letter copy to Union Major General Ambrose Burnside from John W. Finnell, Adjutant General Kentucky Volunteers, dated 21 April 1863, regarding the exchange of a pro...
GLC00649
July 6, 1776
to William Cooper
Enclosing Declaration of Independence, with personal notes to his friend and description of sabotage of a captured American ship. Cooper was town clerk of Boston.
GLC00595
December 10, 1880
Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891
to Winfield S. Hancock
Docketed. With engraved portrait of Johnston.
GLC00907
05 December 1791
Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804
Report of the Secretary of Treasury on the subject of manufactures
Howes H123. Disbound and boxed. One of Hamilton's most important reports as Secretary of Treasury, to justify his system of tariffs.
GLC00891
December 23, 1932
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
Memorandum for D. Basil O'Connor
Advises in humor that the Knickerbocker Ice Company has a cold storage plant in Brooklyn that O'Connor can rent, commenting that "After visits from your old friends like Gus and Meyer and Julian, a night spent in the cooler will restore you to health...
GLC00894
20 April 1775
Fullam, Phinehas T., fl. 1775
[Attesting to Battle of Concord]
Fullam apparently was a postrider for a Committee of Safety, who, like Paul Revere, was employed to spread the news of Lexington and Concord and bring reinforcements. Says he saw the Battle of Concord with his own eyes and that he confirms about 200...
GLC00869
06 August 1787
Constitution [printing of first draft] [Committee of Detail]
Report of the Committee of Detail, the first draft of the Constitution, signed by Pierce Butler with his annotations. The leaves are printed recto only. Uncut and unbound, sealed in Plexiglas string mat. "We the People of the States of New-Hampshire...
GLC00819.01
18 June 1787
Lansing, John, 1754-1829
The Supreme Legislative power of the United States of America...
Hamilton's constitutional plan for two legislative bodies, as Assembly and Senate, and a permanently elected executive. In the hand of John Lansing, Jr.
GLC00819.10
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