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July 19, 1796
Jay, John, 1745-1829
to Supreme Court re: requesting pardon
Requests the secretary of state make out a pardon for Brasher. Brasher had been convicted in January 1796. Signed by Jay as governor of New York.
GLC01082
July 6, 1874
Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
to unknown
Briefly states that "sovereign states cannot rebel."
GLC01089
30 June 1895
Sarony, Napoleon, 1821-1896
[Portrait of Harriet Beecher Stowe]
One portrait of Harriet Beecher Stowe taken by Sarony dated June 30, 1895. Inscribed to Frank Leonard. Signed twice, recto and verso after an excerpt from Uncle Tom's Cabin.
GLC01091
April 27, 1789
Smith, James, 1713-1806
to Edward Burd
Summarizes cases heard in court. Addressed to Burd as the prothonotary of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
GLC01097
26 September 1776
Morton, John, 1724-1777
[Payment of salary to Benjamin Bartholomew]
Authorizes the treasurer for the county of Chester, Pennsylvania to pay Bartholomew 31 pounds and 12 shillings for 79 days attendance as a member of the house. Also three pounds, 16 shillings for mileage. Note on verso dated 12 October 1776 states...
GLC01098
March 18, 1777
Duer, William, 1747-1799
to Samuel Townsend
Continental Congressman Duer orders Captain Townsend to send an inventory of the effects of Israel Seaman and William Crocker to "the Commissioners appointed for his County." Townshend had apprehended Seaman and Crocker earlier by order of the...
GLC01099
May 22, 1634
Winthrop, John, 1588-1649
to Nathaniel Rich
One letter from John Winthrop to Nathaniel Rich dated May 22, 1834. Describes the agricultural developments, establishing a local government and church system. Mentions that most local indigenous people had died from smallpox which he felt allowed...
GLC01105
December 1864
Collection of two items related to Abraham Lincoln and Lazarus Whitehead Powell [Decimalized]
GLC01011
24 September 1862
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
General orders no. 139.
Preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation published for the Army War Department printing, removed from a compilation of general orders. Noted on pages 117-120 are the orders that all people enslaved in the south will be freed. Beginning on...
GLC01024
April 26, 1844
Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
to Amos Kendall
Writes to the former Postmaster General, also Jackson's close friend and biographer. Jackson relates how he learned that nullifiers secretly sent an agent to Great Britain for aid during the Nullification Crisis of 1832. "... the nullifiers of the...
GLC01025
March 6, 1824
Clay, Henry, 1777-1852
to John D. Godman
Discusses the upcoming presidential election. Speculates on the contest between himself, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and William H. Crawford. Thinks it certain that the election will be decided in the House of Representatives (it was)....
GLC01028
1765-1781 ( bulk: 1765-1766 )
Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824
Manuscript journal and letter book
Bulk, 1765-1769 on Stamp Act Congress; some pages cut out. In four sections: 1) Correspondence of CT and Philadelphia Merchant's Committee, re: Stamp Act, 1765-1766; 2) Resolves of colonies re: Stamp Act Congress, with minutes of the Congress from...
GLC01018
23 - 28 September 1776
Pemberton, James, 1723-1809
Extracts from minutes of our yearly meeting of Pennsylvania & New Jersey, held in Philadelphia by adjournments from the 23rd day of the ninth month.
One copy of a meeting minutes dated September 23-28, 1776. States that Quakers should not participate in governments active in war, or contribute to the promotion of war through business or other activity. Condemns all forms of slavery and...
GLC01021
December 15, 1810
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
to David Howell
Jefferson attacks the Federalists as favoring hereditary rule. Free franked. Mentions that public news draws him from reading Tacitus and Horace, which he calls "more agreeable reading." He also mentions Gov. Fenner of Rhode Island. Jefferson...
GLC01027
3 October 1778
Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795
Manifesto and proclamation to the members of the Congress
Double-column format. Issued by the British Peace Commissioners Lord Carlisle, Sir Henry Clinton and William Eden after the failure of their peace initiative. Offered a general amnesty and pardon with internal self-government and the repeal of...
GLC01032
1790
Osgood, Samuel, 1748-1813
General post-office, New-York [postmaster's first report]
First report of the Post Office, by Postmaster general Samuel Osgood. Evans 22978. Folio.
GLC01033
[1791]
Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813
Report of the Attorney-General. Read in the House of Representatives,
A2-H2 I2(-I2) ($1 signed). Submitted by Edmund Randolph as Attorney General on the U.S. judicial system and revising the Judiciary Act of 1789. Randolph was helped in drafting this report by Justice James Wilson. Sabin 67816. Evans 23909
GLC01035
[1790]
Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804
The Secretary of the Treasury [...], relatively to [...] a Mint
A-E2 F2(-F2) ($1 signed). Regarding establishment of a Mint. Submitted by Hamilton as Secretary of Treasury as an appendix to his report on the Public Credit. Evans 23920.
GLC01036
1792
Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, on the subject of the Public Debt.
A-D2 ($1 signed). Submitted by Hamilton as Secretary of Treasury. With his name misspelled "Alexarder" on p.15. Evans 24926
GLC01037
1793
Communications from the Secretary of the Treasury, to the House ....
A-Q2 R2 ($1 signed). Evans 26343, Bibliotheca Hamiltoniana 246. Submitted by Hamilton as Secretary of Treasury. With foldout "General Statement of the Appropriations" for 1792
GLC01038
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
A Plan for the general arrangement of the militia of the United States
A-F2 G2 (-G2) ($1 signed). Submitted by Henry Knox as Secretary of War, the first report issued by his department. Evans 22958, Howes K220. 1 black and white bust engraving of Peter Cooper included.
GLC01039
1778
United States. Treaties, etc.
Treaties between the United States and France
Printed by John Dunlap. First American printing of the first United States treaty. Contains both the Treaty of Alliance with France and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. The Treaty of Alliance is the first Philadelphia printing and the first...
GLC01040
04 March 1790
The Secretary of Treasury respectfully reports.... [state debts report]
An appendix to Hamilton's Public Credit report on state debts. Proposes raising customs duties. Evans 23003, Bibliotheca Hamiltoniana 165
GLC01041
1795
Northwest Ordinance
An Ordinance for the government of the territory of United States, northwest of the river Ohio
One printed copy of "An Ordinance for the government of the territory of United States, northwest of the river Ohio" dated 1795. Details new laws on property rights. This printing comes from the first section of Laws of the Territory of the United...
GLC01042
13 December 1790
Report on public credit. Appendix Treasury Department, March 4, 1790
Written by Hamilton as an appendix to his Public Credit report and issued six weeks later. He recommended raising duties on imported liquor and enacting an excise tax on domestic Whiskey. (This tax eventually led to the Whiskey Rebellion).
GLC01044
May 20, 1824
Monroe, James, 1758-1831
to John Quincy Adams
Written by Monroe as President to an unnamed recipient. The recipient is likely John Quincy Adams, however; this is inferred based on the content and on information in John Quincy Adams diary, discussing his meeting with Monroe on this topic on this...
GLC00969
28 November 1898
McKinley, William, 1843-1901
[Draft letter]
Discusses appointing a governor to Havana, Cuba. Written in pencil on Executive Mansion letterhead. Some words have been retouched by another hand.
GLC00970
March 6, 1918
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
to Harvey D. Gibson
Wilson informs Gibson that he has selected him to serve on the National War Finance Committee. Indicates that the Red Cross was about to "appeal to the American people for additional funds to carry on its work" during World War I. Written on...
GLC00972
May 17, 1801
to Governor Clinton
Seeking advice on various appointments from the Governor. In part: "To you I need not make the observation that of all the duties imposed on the Executive head of a government, appointment to office is the most difficult & most irksome..." Goes...
GLC00986
April 10, 1861
to his Holiness, Pope Pius IX
Letter of credence for Rufus King as U.S. Minister to Papal States.
GLC01000
December 10, 1778
Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797
to Arthur Lee
Warns his brother, then on a diplomatic mission with Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane to obtain aid from France during the American Revolution, about the intrigue surrounding the recently recalled Deane. Indicates that Deane has formed a faction...
GLC00975
1829-1835
Biddle, Nicholas, 1786-1844
Letters to William B. Rochester regarding establishment & closing of the Bank of United States [decimalized .001-.040]
Forty letters written as President of the Bank of the United States to William B. Rochester, who intended to establish a new branch of the bank in Buffalo, New York. Letters are regarding the re-chartering of the Bank of the United States as Biddle...
GLC00976
October 13, 1862
Dana, Richard Henry, 1815-1882
to John Dennison Baldwin
Discusses his recollection of an anti-slavery convention and his support for President Abraham Lincoln. Dana was currently U.S. district attorney for Massachusetts, appointed by Lincoln.
GLC00978
March 13, 1837
Whittier, John Greenleaf, 1807-1892
to Samuel Joseph May
Invites May to the quarterly meeting of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in Lynn, Massachusetts. Indicates that "Stanton, Garrison, Loring, Sewall, everybody wishes thee to be with us on the occasion." Mentions a Missouri statement from years...
GLC00979
25 July 1794
United States. Congress
Broadside re: bringing rioters to justice [Whiskey Rebellion]
GLC00981
March 25, 1794
Addison, Alexander, 1759-1807
to David Redick
Judge Addison discusses punishing those involved in the Whiskey Rebellion who have signed submission papers. Contends, in regard to whether the offenders should be tried in federal or state court, that "our common view is...to have a specifick...
GLC00982
March 17, 1851
Tyler, John, 1790-1862
to Robert Tyler
Writes to his son about visiting a friend and his health. Remarks that he would be happy to see Robert's friend win the governorship. Comments that, " ... the preservation of our institutions depends on the maintenance of the sound Jeffersonian...
GLC00984
March 9, 1779
Hancock, John, 1737-1793
to Joseph Clarke
Hancock writes to Treasurer Clarke that he must deny his request for a loan, as the state is too burdened with debt. " ... the Situation of our publick Funds, & the large Calls for Money by Loans for the Service of the State, makes it impossible to...
GLC00987
November 27, 1804
McKean, Thomas, 1734-1817
to Joseph Clay
Written by McKean as Governor of Pennsylvania to Clay as a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania. According to the docketed note of McKean, this is a retained rough draft of a letter to Clay. References Clay's letter of 15 November 1804. Clay claims...
GLC00989
18 February 1865
[Confederate act to authorize the exportation of produce and merchandise]
Passed by the Confederate Congress, Thomas Bocock as speaker of the House, and R.M.T. Hunter as president pro tempore of the Senate and approved by Davis as president. Authorizes the export of government-owned "cotton, tobacco, and other produce and...
GLC00990
10 May 1776
Massachusetts Bay Council
[Appointment of Thomas Dingley as Massachusetts militia captain]
Partially printed document signed by Perez Morton as deputy secretary of the council. Other signers from the Massachusetts Bay Council included: James Otis, W. Spooner, Caleb and Thomas Cushing, B. Chadborn, Moses Gill, John Whitcomb, Jedediah...
GLC00993
25 July 1775
Warren, James, 1726-1808
[Appointment of Second Lieutenant Enos Briggs]
Document of the Congress of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay appoints Enos Briggs a second lieutenant of a Company of Foot. Signed by James Warren, President of the Congress and Samuel Freeman, Secretary of the Congress. On verso is note written by...
GLC00994
January 5, 1792
Otis, Samuel A., 1740-1814
to Henry Remsen
Written by Otis as Secretary of the United States Senate to Remsen as principal clerk of Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Otis says he will send five copies of the journals of the First Congress and says he will send eight additional copies in...
GLC00995
24 December 1776
Ward, Henry, 1732-1797
[Rhode Island laws]
Signed by Ward as Rhode Island Secretary of State. Printed set of laws passed by the legislature and Nicholas Cooke, Governor of Rhode Island. Second page lists members of the legislature. Each page lists resolutions and laws and each paragraph has a...
GLC00996
8 May 1779
Greene, William, 1731-1809
[Appointment of John Collins as a Rhode Island delegate to the general congress]
Signed by Greene as governor of Rhode Island, countersigned by Henry Ward as secretary of state. Commissions Collins to represent Rhode Island in the general congress in Philadelphia until ratification of the Articles of Confederation.
GLC00997
February 18, 1793
to Beverley Randolph
Secretary of State Jefferson writes to Randolph, a former Virginia Governor and a commissioner to the Indians of the northwest frontier, to request (with the blessing of President George Washington) that he represent the South at an "assembly of...
GLC00936
03 May 1834
[Presidential appointment of James Dunlop, William O'Neale, and Thomas Carbery as inspectors of the District of Columbia penitentiary]
Countersigned by Secretary of State Louis McLane. With two engraved portraits of Andrew Jackson. One bust engraving of Jackson included as collateral.
GLC00937
03 January 1899
[Presidential pardon of Bay-bah-Maush who had been convicted of resisting arrest in October 1898 and sentenced to 8 months in Otter Tail County Jail]
Bay-bah-Maush, an Indian, was pardoned by McKinley. No reason for pardon mentioned. Countersigned by Attorney General John W. Griggs.
GLC00943
06 May 1875
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of C.A. Hayne].
GLC00956
March 27, 1820
Williams, Eleazer, 1787-1858
to Jasper Parish
Writes to Parish, an interpreter and Indian agent to the Six Nations, about a proposal to remove the Iroquois tribes of upstate New York to the Old Northwest. Discusses Secretary of War John C. Calhoun's intention to arrange for the move, which...
GLC00923
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