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[Appointment of Joshua Potts as Navy Agent]
21 April 1812
Madison, James, 1751-1836
Countersigned by Secretary of Navy Paul Hamilton. Appoints Potts as Navy Agent for Wilmington, North Carolina. Includes Navy Department seal.
GLC00496.058
[Report defending actions as Minister to France]
circa January 1825
Monroe, James, 1758-1831
Draft. Defense of actions taken and request for reimbursement of debts incurred while Minister to France. Monroe was Minister to France from 1794-1796. Proof of innocence regarding government-subsidized housing is found in GLC00496.065.02.
GLC00496.065.01
[Advertisement for sale of land]
22 May 1816
Advertisement written by Monroe as Secretary of State for the sale of 2000 acres of land in Loudoun County, Virginia. He had been attempting to sell the land to liquidate his debts as early as 1814, when he placed advertisements in various newspapers...
GLC00496.067
[Appointment of Robert S. Falconer to Surgeon's Mate in the U.S. Navy]
March 28, 1820
Countersigned by Secretary of Navy Smith Thompson. Registered by John H. Sherburne. Document says President Monroe has nominated, and the Senate has consented to, the appointment of Robert S. Falconer to Surgeon's's Mate in the U.S. Navy. Includes...
GLC00496.068
to unknown
September 23, 1820
Written by Monroe as President to an unknown recipient. He is anxious about Samuel Gouverneur, his son-in-law and private secretary, and his child, perhaps because they are ill. Sent down letters with John Coburn because there was no mail going out...
GLC00496.070
Authorization for transfer of funds
July 10, 1822
Authorizes the transfer "from the Appropriation for the Pay of Subsistence of the Marine Corps to the Appropriation for Clothing the Marine Corps, The sum of Ten Thousand Dollars." Permitted by virtue of the May 1, 1820 "Act further to amend the...
GLC00496.072
[Deed from the General Land Office]
1 May 1824
Document signed by President Monroe and countersigned by George Graham as Commissioner of the General Land Office. Proclaims the sale of U.S. land in Huntsville, Alabama, to Jesse Coe acting as assignee for John L. Doxey. Paper seal still extant.
GLC00496.073
Report of a committee of the Bank of the United States that was formed to investigate an alleged counterfeiting ring in North Carolina
July 20, 1804
Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821
Also signed by George Fox, both as members of the committee. They confirm the existence the ring, saying of it that it is a "very extensive Combination, and of a very formidable nature, to counterfeit & pass Notes purporting to be of the Bank of the...
GLC00496.012
to Stephen Row Bradley
August 20, 1792
Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
Requests Judge Stephen Row Bradley's professional opinion and advice regarding the gubernatorial election of 1792 in which Burr disqualified votes in several counties.
GLC00496.015
Articles of a treaty concluded .... [with] the North Cherokee Indians
4 March 1784
Cherokee Nation
Certified as a true copy on p.6. Apparently ratified Nov. 1785.
GLC00496.016
[Civil war patriotic postal cover collection]
1861-1865
Two scrapbooks with 2133 covers and some broadsides pasted in. Containing many unusual Union covers, a number of which are rare and unlisted in Wolcott. Scarce designs from printers such as Magnus, Berlin & Jones, etc., with single, tonal or...
GLC00496.017
to Committee of Correspondence of the County of Berks
April 18, 1775
Clymer, George, 1739-1813
Also signed by Joseph Reed, John Cadwalader, Thomas Mifflin, Jonathan B. Smith, John Benezet, James Mease, John Nixon, and Samuel Meredith. Circular to the committees of Pennsylvania encouraging the formation of military associations in each county...
GLC00496.022
A Proclamation
February 20, 1781
Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805
Written and signed by aide-de-camp Henry Broderick. Also signed by Cornwallis. A proclamation stating it is King George III's "gracious Wish to rescue His faithfull & loyal Subjects from the cruel tyranny under which they have groaned for several...
GLC00496.023
to William Ernest
February 22, 1901
King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom, 1841-1910
Writes to Ernest, the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach. Announces the death of his mother Victoria. Signed "Edward Rex" with his addition of the day and closing salutation "Good Brother and Cousin." Written on black-bordered stationery.
GLC00496.024
circa May 1777
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Signed by Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. Reports on their activities in France including getting Mr. Hodges released from the Bastille for lying about outfitting a privateer. Mentions receipt of commissions for Ralph Izard and...
GLC00496.025
to Elizabeth Oakes Smith
November 1, 1851
Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872
Greeley tries to discourage Smith from founding a woman's newspaper as a poor business decision and discusses differences between business and reform. He concludes by preferring that they be "former acquaintances" rather than "friends" or "enemies."...
GLC00496.026
to John Blighe
circa 1580
Grenville, Richard, Sir, fl. 1541-1591
Writes to his cousin to ask him to lend him money. In 1585, Grenville sailed to Virginia with 300 settlers that he successfully disembarked on Roanoke Island (off the coast of what is now North Carolina).
GLC00496.027
to Harrison Gray Otis
December 23, 1800
Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804
Hamilton suggests that the Federalists should support Thomas Jefferson for President rather than Aaron Burr when the tied election goes to the House of Representatives. Hamilton's response is an extended comparison of the two men concluding with the...
GLC00496.028
Treasury Department circular
20 July 1792
Printed circular docketed "No. 78." Explains the various responsibilities and duties of Customs Officers with regards to collection of revenue, port duties, jurisdiction, and uniformity of practices.
GLC00496.029
December 27, 1798
Reply to Massachusetts Congressman Otis' letter dated December 20, 1798 regarding his thoughts on the organization of the United States Army. Enclosed was a copy of a letter on this subject (GLC00496.030.02) which Hamilton wrote to James Gunn during...
GLC00496.030.01
to James Gunn
December 22, 1798
Transcribed excerpt of letter to Senator James Gunn written during the Quasi-War with France. Discusses military tactics and provisions. Enclosed with a December 27, 1798 letter (GLC00496.030.01) from Hamilton to Massachusetts Congressman Harrison...
GLC00496.030.02
[Resolution to Colonel Anthony Wayne]
February 12, 1776
Hancock, John, 1737-1793
Transcribed by Charles Thomson Secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774-1788. Resolve requesting all colonels of the Pennsylvania battalions to send a report detailing the number condition of the enlisted men as well as the places where they...
GLC00496.031
to Joseph Gales, Jr. and William W. Seaton
October 16, 1822
Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841
Letter to the publishers of the "Annals of Congress: Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States" regarding his finances. Says he will pay them as soon as the "account for adjustment" he has before the "2nd & 3rd Auditor" is approved...
GLC00496.032
to Clarence Stedman
August 7, 1888
Howe, Julia Ward, 1819-1910
Sends a picture. Promises a copy of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Written at Oak Glen, Howe's summer home.
GLC00496.033.01
[Battle Hymn of the Republic]
circa 1861-1910
Transcript of all five stanzas.
GLC00496.033.02
Engraved portrait of Julia Ward Howe
circa 1880's
Letter mentions a portrait; signature appears printed
GLC00496.033.03
Lithographic letter requesting autograph
1886
Stedman, Edmund Clarence, 1833-1908
Hopes to insert into his private copy of "Poets of America" original drafts or autographic copies of poems by the authors represented in the book. He is also collecting engravings of the authors, and asks his correspondent to send a photograph if...
GLC00496.033.04
to Emma Y. Donelson
May 17, 1845
Jackson, Sarah Yorke, 1805-1887
Addressed "My dear sister." Includes updates on mutual friends and family. Andrew Jackson adopted his wife's nephew and named him Andrew Jackson, Jr. Sarah Yorke, his wife, was the president's daughter-in-law. Emma Yorke Farquhar Donelson married...
GLC00496.034
to Thomas J. Donelson
March 21, 1843
Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
Discusses the duties Donelson, Jackson's nephew, will be responsible for when he visits the Hermitage, Jackson's home in Hermitage, Tennessee.
GLC00496.035
April 30, 1845
Written primarily by Sarah Yorke Jackson. Discusses family, mutual friends, and the president's declining health in detail. Andrew Jackson adds postscript notes regarding his health and the inheritance Emma should receive for caring for her aging...
GLC00496.036
[Virginia land grant for Josiah Smith]
January 1781
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
For thirty-five shillings sterling, Smith was granted 343 acres of land, the borders of which are described. With state seal. Printed document, partially filled in by hand, signed as Governor of Virginia.
GLC00496.038
to Littleton W. Tazewell
October 30, 1799
Letter clarifying a late payment of an estate debt that is currently under Tazewell's management. Eulogizes his father, Henry Tazewell.
GLC00496.039
to James Ronaldson
July 18, 1822
Docketed by Ronaldson. Jefferson compares the specimens (probably Ronaldson and Binney no. 1) to those used in a book in the mid-eighteenth century, and is cheered by the prospect of human progress. Ronaldson-Binney's first typeface was the first...
GLC00496.042
to Carter Page
June 12, 1781
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834
Reply from headquarters indicating regret at learning Captain Page's corps will return home. Carter Page served as a captain in the New Jersey and Virginia cavalries during the American Revolution.
GLC00496.043
to Major John J. Key
December 27, 1862
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
A short note that reads, "The within, as appears, was written some time ago. On full consideration, I can not find sufficient ground to change the conclusion therein arrived at./A. Lincoln/Dec. 27. 1862.” Probably written in the Executive Mansion...
GLC00496.045.02
to Ward H. Lamon
January 7, 1860
Abraham Lincoln refuses Lamon's request for him to take on a new case at Bloomington, because he is "so pressed" in Springfield at the time.
GLC00496.048
to Caleb Smith
October 7, 1860
Davis, David, 1815-1886
Confirms Smith's much anticipated speaking engagement at Bloomington, Illinois. Davis, a judge of the eighth judicial circuit of Illinois and later a senator, was a close political and personal friend of Lincoln.
GLC00496.050
to James Leander Cathcart
April 9, 1803
The letter discusses that peace had just been made with Algiers. Also, mentions commission as consul to Tunis.
GLC00496.051
to William Fitzhugh
February 23, 1787
Mason, George, Sr., 1725-1792
Discusses Fitzhugh's disagreement with his neighbor, Mr. Steptoe, over land boundaries and property lines. Suggests drawing up a plat map to prevent future disagreements.
GLC00496.059
November 7, 1794
Discusses a meeting with French diplomats regarding Treaty of Amity and adoption of a national free market. Reports on Mr. Paine's and Mme. Lafayette's imprisonment. Transcribed duplicate letter signed with a closing note.
GLC00496.060
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
May 19, 1803
Regarding Mr. Marbois' help in negotiating Spanish territory east of the Mississippi River. Maurice Talleyrand-Périgord was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, intermittently, from 1797-1815.
GLC00496.061
Mr. Monroe's claims
1825-1829
Written by Monroe in retirement after his presidency. Starting in 1825, in order to pull himself out of $75,000 of debt and save his Oak Hill estate, he requested reimbursement of back salary and expenses from his diplomatic missions and governmental...
GLC00496.062
Major Mountflorence
circa 1830
Note to himself about Mountflorence's information-gathering. Mountflorence was a prize agent and former secretary under Minister to France Robert Livingston.
GLC00496.063
Copy of a letter from Col. James Lewis to Col. James Monroe
October 12, 1826
Lewis, Monroe's attorney, describes the circumstances under which he sold Monroe's land above Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1806; the land on which the University of Virginia was later established. A need to settle Monroe's debts compelled the sale...
GLC00496.064
The Commissary of Foreign Affairs to the Minister Planipotentiary of the United States of America
22 August 1794
Transcribed letter, with response, declining government-subsidized housing as it contradicts the Constitution. Philibert Buchot was Commissary of Foreign Affairs for the French Republic in 1794. Monroe was Minister to France from 1794-1796. Serves...
GLC00496.065.02
to Joseph Gales
May 19, 1814
Written by Monroe as Secretary of State. Recipient inferred from docket. "Mr. Gales" is Joseph Gales, the editor of the National Intelligencer newspaper. This is an advertisement titled "Letters miscarried," that was eventually printed in the May 21...
GLC00496.066
[Commendation for service]
20 April 1820
Describes a soldier's courage under fire and bravery in the face of the enemy. According to the Monroe Papers, these are remarks made by Monroe during the presentation of a sword to Richard M. Johnson for service during the War of 1812.
GLC00496.069
June 5, 1820
Possibly written to President Monroe's lawyer. Involves a financial claim Mr. Coffin held against Monroe, who disparagingly refers to Coffin as a "adventurer, without talents, & therefore an impostor." Monroe paid Coffin $35 for four busts, but...
GLC00496.071
[Land Indenture between Burr Powell, William Noland and Lewis Berkley].
5 March 1830
William Nolan and his wife deeded a tract of land in Loudoun County Virginia on May 17, 1822 to Burr Powell and Thomas R. Mott. In order to satisfy a debt owed to Lewis Berkeley, Nolan "has resolved to release all equity of redemption in the lands"...
GLC00496.074
Report on the United States and Mexican boundary survey made under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior
1857-1859
Emory, William H. (William Hemsley), 1811-1887
Report commissioned by Robert McClelland, Secretary of Interior; survey conducted by Emory. Includes detailed information on the boundary region between the United States and Mexico. Includes data, illustrations, and plates of the region's...
GLC00423
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