The Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History: Apply now and join us for Fall 2024 courses
1836/09/10
Green, Thomas J., 1802-1863
to Thomas W. Ward re: asking for buttons for soldier's uniforms
Written as Brigadier General in the Texas Army, to Ward at New Orleans. With address on recto.
GLC02145.71
1847/12/10
Gibbs, George, fl. 1847
Gift acknowledgement by N-Y Historical Society for Mexican musket to Ward
Signed by Gibbs as librarian. The musket came from the battlefield at San Jacinto.
GLC02145.73
23 December 1847
Blair & Rives
Congressional Globe [New Series...No. 4]
Lincoln's Spot Amendment Speech on page 64 condemns the pretexts for starting the war with Mexico. Requests proof from President Polk that American blood was shed on American soil and that the enemy provoked the Americans, and asks if those Americans...
GLC02025
1829
Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
President's message
An Extra of the Hartford Times, reporting from telegraph the text of Jackson's first State of the Union. The address discusses what will be many of the major issues during his Presidency. Discusses removal of Native Americans, questions the...
GLC02009
1844/04/13
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
to Edward D. Gazzam re: Texas and the annexation treaty
Written as Senator from Pennsylvania to his friend Edward Gazzam. Buchanan's delaying tactics the following year as Secretary of State under Tyler allowed the president to ask for a declaration of war against Mexico. A portion of the letter on p. 1...
GLC02100
1840/12/09
to John B. Butler re: results of a meeting with the President
Written as Senator from Pennsylvania. Buchanan met with the President to discuss Edward Gazzam's claims (to be made minister to Texas). He adds "There is no news. The better opinion seems to be that Webster will be the Secretary of State under...
GLC02101
27 January 1847
to Edward D. Gazzam
Encloses a passport and a letter for General Campbell. Gazzam was to depart on a voyage to Havana soon and apparently asked Buchanan if there were any dispatches needing posting. Buchanan politely replies that dispatches post to Havana by mail very...
GLC02103
1844/02/03
to Edward D. Gazzam re: American interests better served by Texas independence
Written as Senator from Pennsylvania, regarding the bill for admission of Texas to the Union and South Carolina's opposition to another Tariff bill. Buchanan argues that an independent Texas would be better for America unless Great Britain were to...
GLC02104
19 December 1823
Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852
to John Davis
Serving as Massachusetts Representative, Webster informs United States District Court Judge Davis that the subject of District Judges' salaries has been brought forward (likely in the House of Representatives), and he plans to report a Bill on the...
GLC02043
1858/05/02
Pryor, Roger Atkinson, 1828-1919
to William M. Burnell
Explains his plans to travel to Washington, D.C., and recommends caution in regard to the Ynipani treaty. Indicates that "they will try to represent us as in sympathy with the British.
GLC02071
April 14, 1857
Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869
to William McBlair
Sailing orders from the Navy Department. Placing McBlair in charge of the sloop of war "Dale," and commanding him to sail to the African coast to combat illegal slave trading. McBlair is ordered to join the "United States African Squadron" and to...
GLC00722.01
May 2, 1858
Hawley, Charles E., fl. 1858
Letter, with McBlair's autograph endorsement signed on the verso. The letter, written on board the U.S.S. "Marion" at Porto Praya, Cape Verde, states that Hawley is ill with dyspepsia, does not believe he can recover on board, and wishes that "a...
GLC00722.37
1855-1859
William McBlair collection [Decimalized .01-.72]
Collection of more than 70 documents regarding William McBlair, a United States Naval captain involved in American efforts to suppress the slave trade on the African coast in the 1850s. McBlair commanded the "Dale" in the U.S. Navy's African Squadron...
GLC00722
January 19, 1858
Conover, Thomas A., 1794-1864
Ordering McBlair to return with his ship to his "cruising ground" and continue his "suppression of the slave trade." Says McBlair should first take on recruits and supplies, then proceed to the coast to suppress the trade. States he is enclosing two...
GLC00722.02
25 June 1857
General orders for the government of the U.S. Naval Forces on the West Coast of Africa
General orders regarding Navy protocols and conduct of officers. Clerical copy, tied with red ribbon. Conover's name appears to be clerically signed. Written on board the U.S.S. "Cumberland. " Forwarded to William McBlair by Conover.
GLC00722.03
1857
Extracts from the "Private Instructions" of the Navy Department to the Commander in chief of the U.S. Naval Forces on the West Coast of Africa
Includes extracts from GLC00722.01, noting that the U.S. flag "loses its true character, when it is worn by those who have no right to wear it...such a pretension would subject the flag to degradation and dishonor." Also includes a description of how...
GLC00722.04
June 16, 1857
Livingston, John William Turk, 1804-1885
Ordering McBlair to sail to Porto Praya and await further orders. Also orders him to deliver enclosed orders to Commander Thompson. Written on board the U.S.S. "St. Louis" in Funchal Bay, Madeira. John W. Livingston was then a United States Naval...
GLC00722.11
July 26, 1857
Morse, W.H., fl. 1857
Refusing McBlair's request to store naval materials in a United States owned warehouse, because the warehouse is too full already. William H. Morse was the U.S. consul in Cape Verde.
GLC00722.12
October 12, 1857
McBlair, William, ?-1863
to Charles Wise
Discussing the capture by a British ship of a vessel flying the American flag. Commodore Wise was the captain of the HMS "Vesuvius," which had recently captured the "Bremer." McBlair states that because the "Bremer was flying the United States flag...
GLC00722.14
October 22, 1857
Cunningham, John S., ?-1894
Lists how many rations sailors are willing to give up, and how long the current rations will last at that rate. Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," on the "Kongo River." John S. Cunningham was a purser in the United States Navy; he later rose to...
GLC00722.15
October 27, 1857
Walker, Theodore L., fl. 1857
Reports on his expedition to the H.M.S. "Myrmidon" and subsequent journey up the Congo river. Walker, a lieutenant on the U.S.S. "Dale," had been sent by McBlair in an armed boat to join the British vessel (which took them in tow) in its cruise for...
GLC00722.16
November 8, 1857
Reports that on his expedition up the Congo River one of the launch boats was lost. Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at the mouth of the Congo River.
GLC00722.19
November 11, 1857
Pelot, Thomas P., ?-1864
Reporting the events that led to the British capture of the slave trading ship "Clara B. Williams," which had been falsely flying the American flag. The crew is being sent to Sierra Leone to be tried. Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," on the Congo...
GLC00722.21
12 November 1857
Copy of certificates of Lieuts. Walker & Cummings, regarding the casks left by the "W.G. Lewis"
Copy of Walker's statement certifying that he saw about ten large casks which Captain Fredell said belonged to him "but that he did not want them." Fredell was the captain of the barque "William G. Lewis," a suspected slave ship captured by the U.S...
GLC00722.22
[Copy of a statement regarding capture of a slave ship]
Copy of a statement regarding a captured suspected slave ship. Certifying that "Mr. Curtis, the 1st mate of the barque 'Wm G. Lewis," stated that no one on board the ship had contact with the mainland. With the names of Theodore L. Walker, Hunter...
GLC00722.23
November 13, 1857
Burgess, George F., 1827-1860
Unable to furnish information regarding captured slave trading vessels. Written on board the H.M.S. "Hecate," off the Congo River. George F. Burgess was a Commander in the British Navy and captain of the "Hecate."
GLC00722.24
September 1858
Meeuwsen, C., fl. 1858
[Listing ports of call and cargoes of a Dutch ship] [in Dutch]
Listing ports of call and cargoes of a Dutch ship, with prices in dollars listed as well. Items listed range from January through 2 September 1858.
GLC00722.27
9 January 1858
Goodridge, J. Jr., fl. 1858
Regarding the arrest of Charles Campbell, a sailor from the "Dale." Campbell, who had deserted McBlair's ship, had been taken prisoner by Goodridge and his men when he was found hiding on a whaling ship. Written from the United States Consulate on...
GLC00722.28
4 February 1858
Sullivan, Jeremiah, fl. 1858
[Affadavit regarding his imprisonment]
Details events of his imprisonment on the African coast, along with Patrick Kelly and Manoel Ackmore, all sailors in the United States Navy. Affidavit relates the arrest of these three sailors after a scuffle with Portuguese soldiers and discusses...
GLC00722.29
April 13, 1858
King, Stephen G., fl. 1858-1859
Requesting a survey of the ship's sails. Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale." King was the Sail Master on the "Dale."
GLC00722.32
Reports that the ship's sails have been inspected, and that they are "unfit for further use." Instead recommends "that they be used for parcelling." Signed by King, Davidson and Cummings, and signed and approved by McBlair. Written on board the U...
GLC00722.33
April 23, 1858
Davidson, Hunter, 1827-1913
Copy of letter to William McBlair
Copy of a "survey upon all the important iron-work of this ship." Reports that much of the ship's ironwork is "much worn and appear unsafe." With the names of Davidson, Cummings and Dixon (all three are clerical signatures). Written on board the U...
GLC00722.34
Copy of a letter to McBlair, stating that some of the bolts, chains and ironwork on board the "Dale" are "defective and unsafe." Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at Porto Praya, Cape Verde.
GLC00722.35
Adams, John, fl. 1858
Requesting permission to return to Liberia. States that he needs to return to personally report a death, or be liable for punishment under the laws of Liberia, of which he is a citizen. Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Adams is not in the May...
GLC00722.36
July 8, 1858
Winder, Edward L., fl. 1858
Relates a conversation with British Naval Commander Wise regarding capture of a slave trading ship. Winder, an American sailor had been stationed on the British ship "Vesuvius," under the command of Wise. Wise told Winder that he had boarded a ship...
GLC00722.39
31 August 1858 - 3 September 1858
Report of target practice on board the U.S.S. Dale
Reporting the outcomes of three target practice sessions, for cannons, muskets and rifles, on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Docketed in clerical hand, with note: "Sent to Chief of Bureau"
GLC00722.41
January 1, 1859
Reports on the capture of the American schooner "Angeline" by a British ship. Relates a conversation he had with William Kerr, a sailor on the "Angeline," regarding its capture. States that forces from the British steamer "Conflict" captured the...
GLC00722.43
January 31, 1859
Reporting, at McBlair's request, that $1,568 is "on board to the credit of the government" and $1,450 is due to the "Kroomen" (native crewmen from Liberia) of the ship. Also notes that he requested $6,000 from the flag ship, but received $4,000....
GLC00722.47
1858
to V. McBlair
Letter to his wife discussing life at sea and his visit to Liberia. Upon arrival in Liberia, McBlair's ship "Dale" gives the young nation a twenty-one gun salute. In Monrovia, the Liberian capital, McBlair meets with President Benson and former...
GLC00722.59
Writing to his wife, discusses British pressure regarding American suppression of the slave trade, as well as his daily operations at sea, family affairs and religion. Hopes to return to the United States by the first of December and believes "The...
GLC00722.60
To his wife discussing naval life and family matters. Discusses his movements and activities at sea. Notes that some Liberians misspell their names, including a young boy he has taken on board the ship to help for a time. States that he is getting...
GLC00722.62
1858-1859
To his wife, discussing family and life at sea. Has received small gifts of gold jewelry for his family from a local governor and a native chief. Hopes he will return home in May, and says the weather has cooled recently. Written on board the U.S...
GLC00722.63
February 7, 1859
To his wife, discussing attendance at state dinners and a Liberian church service. Enjoys the state dinners, and does his best to create good will with other nations. Enjoys the church service, though much of it feels very foreign to him. Also...
GLC00722.64
March 1859
To his wife, discussing his dislike of the British, the death of a United States Consul in Sierra Leone by "homicide", and the island of Goree, a former center of the African slave trade. States he is "Anti-Anglais," calling the British "National...
GLC00722.65
James, William, ?-1827
English account of the capture of the H. M. Brig Alacrity
A handwritten excerpt from William James' "Naval History of Great Britain, Volume V," giving an account of the capture of the British brig "Alacrity" by the French brig "Abeille," which occurred on 26 May 1811 near Corsica. James describes the...
GLC00722.66
March 15, 1858
Unknown
Discussing events at Saint Helena since McBlair left. A friendly letter, sent via Captain Goodridge of the U.S.S. "Hazard." Name of the signer is illegible.
GLC00722.69
September 27, 1858
Sends letters and information, and thanks McBlair for a dog given as a gift. Written from Saint George's Castle, also known as Elmina Castle, a former prison and center of the African slave trade. Name of signer is illegible.
GLC00722.70
May 6, 1849-June 16, 1849
Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900
to Mary Kell
Writes to his sister while suspended from duty and awaiting Court Martial aboard the Albany. Describes surrounding islands of Santo Domingo and Navaro with stories of landscape and native islanders. Arrives at Aux Cayes, Haiti, on 11 June 1849 and...
GLC00684.02
March 27, 1828
Clay, Henry, 1777-1852
to Daniel Hugunin, Jr.
Marked "private and inofficial" at the top of the page. Referring to trade between the United States and Great Britain, Secretary of State Clay informs Hugunin, a Representative from New York, that "sound policy requires that there should be the...
GLC00754
May 22, 1836
Fiske, E.G., fl. 1836
to Miss S. H. Fiske
Writes to his sister concerning Indian problems. Discusses Texas and the capture of Santa Anna.
GLC00765
Showing results 101 - 150