Meet the 2024 History Teachers of the Year!
December 20, 1856
Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874
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
July 5, 1699
Penn, William, 1644-1718
to Joseph Pike
Writes about preparations for his last trip to America. Accompanied by a separate leaf signed "M. Jacob" stating that the letter is "to my great great great grandfather Joseph Pike." A merchant in Cork, Ireland, Pike was an old Quaker friend.
GLC01577
February 7, 1819
Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866
to unknown
Regarding his public quarrel with General Andrew Jackson. Feels that Jackson is trying to make him look bad in any way possible, but is not too concerned. Addressed to "Major," from whom he had received correspondence. Surname of recipient may be...
GLC01581
March 16, 1863
Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
to Stephen Augustus Hurlbut
Writes about his surprise that General Hurlbut's nomination is being opposed in the Senate. Castigates the press, "I have been foolish to excite the animosity of the Newspaper fraternity ... but this class of men are so supercilious that whenever I...
GLC01582
circa spring 1851
Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896
to Dr. Stone
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."...
GLC01584.01
March 20, 1852
to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
On its first day of publication in 1852, Stowe sends a copy [not present] of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Slavery had been abolished throughout the British Empire in 1833, and Stowe holds Britain up as a model for...
GLC01585
28 September 1787
Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814
to Catharine Macaulay
Written by Warren three days after the publication of the Constitution. She writes "[a]lmost every one whom I have yet seen reads with attention, holds the page with solemnity, & silently wraps up his opinion within his own breast...." (Not dated...
GLC01800.03
1850
Read and ponder the Fugitive Slave Law!
A large anti-Whig broadside, attacking Samuel A. Elliott of Boston, and re-printing the Fugitive Slave law. Emphasis added with capital letters in some sections. Declares that the law is against the Constitution, habeas corpus and Christianity...
GLC01862
December 1857
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
"House divided" speech fragment re: slavery, Dred Scott, Kansas
A single page beginning "Why Kansas is neither the whole, nor a tithe of the real question." Written before the debates with Stephen A. Douglas, apparently in response to that Senator's Dec. 9, 1857 speech in opposition to Buchanan's State of the...
GLC02533
18 January 1863
Southgate, William Wallace, 1834-1896
to R. W. Southgate
Written by a soldier in the 12th Vermont Militia. Argues that soldiers generally oppose the emancipation of enslaved people. Mentions James Ewell Brown [Jeb] Stuart's Cavalry charge upon them but says it did not turn into anything as they were...
GLC02617
September 1, 1864
Ingalls, Rufus, 1818-1893
to Montgomery C. Meigs
Copy of GLC02649.17 with slight textual variations. Ingalls, Brigadier General and Chief Quartermaster of the Armies operating against Richmond, writes to Major General Meigs, U.S. Army Quartermaster General, to add to his annual report a...
GLC02649.20
18 August 1861
Hopkins, David, fl. 1861
to my dear brother and sister
Hopkins, a sailor on board a Union ship, replies to a letter from his brother and sister [N. N. and Lacey Hopkins?], of Ashtabula County, Ohio. Discusses problems with the mail. Notes that he feels better than he has in years, despite a persistent...
GLC03043
7 September 1791
Davis, Ignatious, 1759-1828
Thirty Dollars Reward
Printed by John Winter of Frederick-Town (now known as Frederick), Maryland. Broadside which announces Ignatious Davis's offer of a 30 dollar reward for Arch, an enslaved man seeking refuge. He is described as "a handsome Negro Lad ... About twenty...
GLC03157
16 January 1863
Lewis, Amos, 1785-1876
to Seth Lewis
Lewis writes an eloquent letter to his nephew Seth, in Marshall, Michigan. Comments on the Civil War, his good health, and his ability to make a good living despite "the high prices of all we have to buy and the low rates of what little we have to...
GLC03229.01
17 September 1787
Constitutional Convention, 1787
United States Constitution. Printed Dunlap & Claypoole edition inscribed to Jonathan Williams
One printing of the United States Constitution by Dunlap & Claypoole dated September 17, 1787. This printing of the Constitution is missing the last two pages cutting off after the second paragraph of the sixth article. It is a members printing of...
GLC03585
1777/05/27
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
to nephew Jonathan Williams re: belief in ultimate success of American cause
Franklin states that "You and your Country are engag'd in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage." Franklin also mentions Williams' son John in Nantes. Franklin concludes: "I continue amazing well and hearty...
GLC04430
October 13, 1776-1782
Kościuszko, Tadeusz, 1746-1817
Requests provisions promised by Quarter Master General Thomas Mifflin. Written on October 13.
GLC04630
14 December 1852
to Ralph Wardlaw
Writes to thank Wardlaw for his invitation to visit Scotland. Mentions her surprise at the success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," her belief that the work was divinely inspired, and her hope that its popularity shows Christ has mercy to the cause of...
GLC04631
1860/06, 1881
Platinum print by Alexander Hesler & George P. Ayres, image from 1860 with flyer
Blind copyright stamp of Ayres dated 1881. Accompanied by a Ayres promotional flyer which notes: "I have two negatives. [....] These were taken at Springfield Ill. in June 1860 immediately after Mr. Lincoln's nomination to the Presidency."
GLC04698
1835
Prud'homme, R., fl. 1835
Alexander Hamilton.
Engraved from the original miniature by Arch. Robertson. From the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans, conducted by James B. Longacre and James Herring under the superintendence of the American Academy of the Fine Arts. Accompanied...
GLC04842.08.02
circa 1861-1865
Wagon fording the Rappahannock River
A wagon, loaded with people and pulled by oxen, is emerging from fording the Rappahannock River, while what appears to be a colored regiment stands guard. Inscription on verso: "Fugitive Negroes fording Rappahannock River." Numeric notation on verso...
GLC05111.01.0926
Benjamin Franklin Butler as major general, seated, right profile
Imprint on recto "Gurney & Son Photo N.Y." Graphite inscription on verso "23" "+." Photographers imprint on verso: "Photogaphic Artists J. Gurney & Son, 707 Broadway N.Y."
GLC05111.02.0264
Camp scene
Image shows an African-American man standing in front of two steaming kettles. In the background is a set of train tracks, an A-frame tent, a log cabin, and a wood building surrounded by barrels and other supplies. Graphite inscription on verso "2...
GLC05111.02.1354
June 3, 1782
to Nathanael Greene
Ko´sciuszko, a colonel and engineer in the Continental Army, discusses military preparations for the Yorktown campaign. Comments on his earthworks and the need for more troops to protect them. Written "at Colo. Mayens."
GLC05545
1801/02/20
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
Stipple engraving after R. Peale engraved by C. Tidout
Printed by M. Carey. Full title: "Thomas Jefferson. President of the United States." The text at bottom quotes the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths...."
GLC05669
18 November 1863- October 1864
Woodlin, William P., fl. 1863-1864
[Diary of an African American soldier in 8th Regiment United States Colored Troops, Company G]
Woodlin's brief entries describe camp life, his service with the regimental band as a horn player, several battles, the weather, equal pay with white soldiers, and the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment, among many other topics. He describes his...
GLC06599
2 December 1863
Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865
to Martha Weir
Writes that his wife, Olive, has gone to Fort Donelson with two of his children. Has been appointed Captain of Company Division 16th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry. Expresses his satisfaction at fighting alongside former slaves -- "iff it is...
GLC07006.05
28 May 1864
Fletcher, Francis H., 1841-?
to Jacob C. Safford
Fletcher, a black soldier in the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, complains bitterly of the inequality of treatment and pay between the white and black soldiers. "Just one year ago to day our regt was received in Boston with almost an ovation...
GLC07345
24 November 1846
Lowrie, Walter, 1784-1868
to Hugh Auld
Lowrie, a former United States Senator from Pennsylvania, informs Auld that Henry Richardson of England has sent him 150 pounds sterling for the purchase of Frederick Douglass. Asks that the legal transfer papers of Douglass from Thomas Auld to Hugh...
GLC07484.03
1864
Stebbins, Lucius, fl. 1864
Reading the Emancipation Proclamation
One lithograph dated 1864. Depicts black family gathered around a black soldier reading a newspaper. The family all look to the soldier in varying stated of shock and hope as he reads the emancipation proclamation. Present are eleven people including...
GLC07595
6 December 1864
[Fragment of Lincoln's last State of the Union address concerning the thirteenth amendment]
An 11-line fragment of his last Annual Message to Congress dealing with the failure of Congress to pass the thirteenth amendment and recommending they reconsider: "At the last session of Congress a proposed amendment of the Constitution [inserted...
GLC08094
Paxson, Charles, fl. 1864
Learning is wealth. Wilson, Charley, Rebecca, and Rosa
Subtitled "Wilson, Charles, Rebecca and Rosa. Slaves from New Orleans." Shows an older black man reading with three fair-skinned slave children. No. 6. Published by Charles Paxson, NY. Trimmed. (Other cartes in this series appear in the Brady...
GLC08475
1861-1865
Confederate acts concerning prisioners of war and the use of slaves or free negroes for the war [Decimalized .01-.10]
GLC08979
15 February 1864
Confederate States of America. Congress
Joint Resolutions in reference to the treatment of colored troops
Confederate act resolves that the abolition of slavery is against the rules of war and that former slaves who are captured while fighting for the Union will be returned to their masters. States "emancipation of the negro slaves within the...
GLC08979.05
31 March 1864
Fleetwood, Christian, fl. 1864
to Mary Gibbs
Civil War letter of one of first African-American soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and the first honored by the Smithsonian, to "Mother Gibbs." "…the expedition brought in altogether 502 contrabands. I had the good fortune of being...
GLC09405
1883
Johnson, Fry, & Co., fl. 1825-1873
Thomas Jefferson
One print of President Thomas Jefferson dated 1883. Engraved by Johnson, Fry & Co.
GLC08878.1198
June 28, 1780
Home, James, fl. 1780
to William Home
James, a British soldier aboard the Europe, writes to his father. Discusses the mail. States he has been a week in [New] York and Long Island. Mentions that German mercenary General Wilhelm Knyphausen took Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Comments that...
GLC01450.045
1755-1763
Nourse, James, 1731-1784
to Horatio Gates
Discusses Major Gates' son, comments on the law requiring giving arms to the militia, and mentions Colonel George Washington twice.
GLC01450.264
1776
Johnston, Francis, 1749-1815
to Persifor Frazer
Says he should have waited for Frazer in the morning, but was indisposed. Did not sleep well last night because David Matthews "a Capital Tory (no less than the present Lord Mayor of N York" was quite loud next door. He was accompanying Matthews...
GLC01450.457.01
November 9, 1779
Warren, James, 1726-1808
to Elbridge Gerry
Discusses "A new Constitution of Government now forming by the Convention at Camebridge," referring to the debate over the Articles of Confederation. "The people seem convinced of the necessity of a new form of Government," but progress is slow....
GLC01450.528
1862/10/03
The President, General McClellan and suite on... Antietam [by Gardner]
GLC04346
1903/06/15
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
to William P. Frye re: reinstating Dickey against principles of good government
"If I have stood for anything it has been for honesty in public life, and it would be a shameless betrayal of every principle of good government to reinstate [Senator] Dickey...."
GLC05913.03
1907
Harris & Ewing, fl. 1905-1977
"T. Roosevelt at his desk."
Title from verso. Stamp of George Grantham Bain on reverse.
GLC07002.77
1961
Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, 1917-1963
The Inaugural Address of John Fitzgerald Kennedy
GLC09528
1942
War Manpower Commission
United We Win
GLC09542
December 1947
Committee on Civil Rights
To Secure These Rights: The Report of the President's Committee on Civil Rights
Final report of President Truman's Committee on Civil Rights. The report identifies race discrimination in virtually every area of American life such as education, employment, voting, and military service. Recommendations include: to establish a...
GLC09621
May 25, 1779
Nicholson, John, 1757-1800
to John Lawrence
No Free Frank. Encloses a Congressional resolution (not included) to advance $150,000 to Laurence's state of Connecticut.
GLC01412.15
October 7, 1779
Ten Broeck, Abraham, 1734-1810
to George Clinton
Written by Ten Broeck as a Brigadier General of Albany County militiamen to New York Governor Clinton. References Clinton's letter of 4 October 1779 and thanks him for its enclosures. Says he has consulted with Colonel Klock and that he has sent out...
GLC01412.62
March 24, 1780
Rogers, Daniel Denison, 1751-1825
to Martha Rogers
To his sister, whom he calls Patty, a common nickname at the time for Martha. Comments on her impending marriage, his own bachelorhood, and shirts she has sewn for him. Roger's wife, Abigail Bromfield, was the subject of a famous painting by John...
GLC01412.64.13
February 8, 1865
Unknown
to his mother
An officer named "Rob," writing to his mother. Says his most recent duty as "Brigade Field officer of the Day" kept him up all night. He was in charge of a long line of pickets and several scouting parties. Says "The troops in our part were negroes,...
GLC01448.02
Showing results 90401 - 90450