December 22, 1823

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Clay

Briefly mentions a legal issue in Kentucky. Comments at length on Senator Richard M. Johnson's proposal that more than a simple majority of Supreme Court justices must agree in order to declare a law unconstitutional. He disagrees with Johnson's effort to weaken the court's ability to deliberate on the constitutionality of federal laws (which had been established in Marbury v. Madison). In the course of refuting Johnson, he also argues against expanding the size of the Supreme Court.

GLC00141

January 21, 1799

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Wayles Eppes

Written as Vice-President to his son-in-law. Jefferson discusses the Logan incident, in which George Logan, a Philadelphia Quaker, attempted to negotiate differences between the United States and the French Directory on his own initiative (the Logan Act of 1799 made it illegal). Jefferson thinks the Federalists forged documents "to ensnare Logan" in order to pass the act (he later in this letter writes that Logan's "enthusiastic enterprise" prevented war). Jefferson turns to revenue and expenses, which he lists, in order to show that additional army and navy will consume any budget surplus.…

GLC00148

July 5, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Letter signed

Title: to New Jersey Convention

The letter announces the Declaration of Independence. Stamps on verso: "Sold by Merchantile Library" [red stamp] "Tomlinson Collection" [purple stamp]. With docket on page 2.

GLC00154.01

1897

Kitchell, Joseph Gray, 1862-

Photograph signed

Title: [Photograph of Benjamin Harrison]

One photograph of Benjamin Harrison Dated 1897. The photo is a formal bust portrait, facing left. Clipped signature pasted onto the photograph at the bottom. Name Joseph Gray Kitchell carved into the mat at the lower right hand corner. Back has the studio seal and printing in green: Joseph Gray Kitchell/ High Class Photo Portraiture/Residence Studio/ 614 North Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis. Mounted with a white paper mat and then on dark green patterned cardboard.

GLC00162.09

27 October 1917

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Header Record

Title: to Herbert Hoover [Decimalized .01- .02]

Discusses the starvation relief in Europe and Hoover's part in its management. Expresses his support and advises Hoover as to the next steps in food distribution abroad. Discusses rationing. Stamped on page one by the U.S. Food Administration, received 30 October. Pages two and four have been written vertically by Theodore Roosevelt. Accompanied with photograph. [decimalized .13.01 - .13.02]

GLC00162.13

circa 1950

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972

Photograph signed

Title: [Photograph of Harry Truman]

One photograph of Harry S. Truman dated circa 1950. Depicts Truman at his desk reading the Bible, facing toward his right. Signed and inscribed "Kindest regards to Nathan Josselson. Harry Truman" on the mat below the picture. Outermost mat has a gold border around the picture opening.

GLC00162.20

March 21, 1884

Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886

Letter signed

Title: to Levi P. Morton

Chester Alan Arthur introduces an American newspaper man, Albert Pulitzer, to the American foreign minister to France, Morton, as Pulitzer will be travelling abroad. Also asks Morton to extend "any attention or courtesy you may be enabled, consistenly with your duties..." to Pulitzer. Written on executive stationery with header: Executive Mansion, Washington. Stationery watermarked as Royal Irish Linen Marcus Ward & Co. Number 143 is underlined and written in the upper left hand corner. One black and white bust engraving of Chester A. Arthur included.

GLC00118.02

March 23, 1892

Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901

Letter signed

Title: to Charles Hedges

Harrison thanks Hedges for editing a copy of his speech and for a book of them which Hedges compiled. Harrison writes that "[t]he care you have taken in the arrangement of these extempore utterances and the good style in which the book is gotten up are very gratifying to me; and I beg to thank you for your interest as well as for the copy of the book sent me." The letter is written on lined executive stationery with header: Executive Mansion Washington. Stationery watermarked as The American Linen Paper. One bust engraving of Harrison included.

GLC00118.03

November 20, 1900

McKinley, William, 1843-1901

Typed letter signed

Title: to Sydney E. Mudd

McKinley thanks Mudd for a message Mudd sent of congratulations. McKinley notes that the message was received and that the comment was appreciated. Typed on executive stationery in blue ink with header Executive Mansion, Washington. Stationery is thick and very pulpy. Watermark is perhaps CKANES ST 4.

GLC00118.04

February 27, 1910

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Typed letter signed

Title: to James A. Tawney

The letter discusses concerns about public estimates for a district jail and mentions previous letter received from Tawney who lodged a complaint. Writes "[w]e have no right to cut down our estimates and later increase them; and in so far as we have done this I would like to know, because I wish to make a public statement of it." Typed on White House stationery in blue ink with header The White House Washington. Stationery watermarked as Whiting's Woven Linen. One bust engraving of Taft included.

GLC00118.06

August 21, 1918

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Typed letter signed

Title: to Helen H. Gardener

Wilson expresses his distress at Helen Gardner being hospitalized. He explains that his distress arises mostly from her inability to continue to do her fine work. He also offers his assistance in helping her attain her goal. Typed on White House stationery in green ink with header, The White House Washington. Stationery watermarked Whiting's Woven Linen. One bust engraving of Wilson included.

GLC00118.07

June 25, 1924

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Typed letter signed

Title: to John A. Stewart

Signed as Commerce Secretary to the chair of the George Washington Bicentennial Celebration Committee in New York. Declines serving on a George Washington Committee because he has too many commitments already. Typed on Department of Commerce stationery in black ink with header Department of Commerce/Office of the Secretary/Washington. Stationery has a United States governmental watermark on the upper left side. The initials HH.KA (typed) are on the lower left. One bust engraving of Herbert Hoover included.

GLC00118.09

September 9, 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gov. Edward Rutledge SC

The letter discusses the European war and military preparedness.

GLC00122

September 27, 1790

Pendleton, Edmund, Jr., fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Turner

Edmund Pendleton, Jr., accepting a promissory note from Mr. Thomas Turner. Accidentally retained with the Pendleton correspondence by the Madison family.

GLC00099.156

June 11, 1863

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes

Writes to his wife that he "wept like a child" when reading her last letter. Expresses his thoughts before going into battle on route to Gettysburg. Discusses his concerns about his possible death, the welfare of his family, and his diminished wealth. Exclaims, "If my life be spared, we will have to return & live humbly & economically - If not spared, Oh! My Lord! What will become of my Dear, My Dear Family?" Mentions his life insurance policy and states that since his life is so uncertain, it might be best to renew it despite the cost. Sends love to the children and stresses the need…

GLC00101

circa 1776-1777

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Journal of William Ellery's journey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Dighton, Massachusetts]

Signed "W.E." Discusses his travels and expenses through eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, southern New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Contains descriptions of Moravian settlements near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; imprisoned Tories at Newton, New Jersey; room and board at Fishkill, New York; and news of General William Howe's evacuation of New York. William Whipple accompanied him on his trip.

GLC00107.01

20 October - 15 November 1777

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Journal of William Ellery's journey from Dighton, Massachusetts, to Yorktown, Pennsylvania]

Discusses British General John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga and meetings with Generals Oliver Wolcott and Israel Putnam, and with Members of the Continental Congress Francis Dana, John Hancock, John Adams, and Samuel Adams. Includes allusions to Cervantes' "Don Quixote" and Laurence Sterne's "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman."

GLC00107.02

June 28, 1778-July 23, 1778

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Journal of William Ellery's journey from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts]

Discusses his travels through Eastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Princeton, New Jersey, southern New York State, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island, and Massachusettes. Describes the defeat of Sir Henry Clinton at the Battle of Monmouth and speaks of Philadelphia's mood after its liberation. Mentions Elbridge Gerry and Francis Dana, members of the Continental Congress. Item in original brown wrappers fastened with a pin.

GLC00107.03

24 October 1778 - 14 July 1779

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Journal of William Ellery's journey from Dighton, Massachusetts, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]

Discusses travels through Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. Describes preparations for Independence day in Philadelphia on the day of his departure (3 July 1779) and reports news of British marauding on the Connecticut coastline. Details his expenses as a Member of Congress. Note in Ellery's hand on back cover reads: "Mr. William Redwood of Philadelphia joined me at Providence in his way home." Item includes original sewing in margin.

GLC00107.04

November 10, 1779 - April 15, 1780

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Journal of William Ellery's journey from Cranston, Rhode Island, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]

Discusses his travels through Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The bulk of the journal records the journey from Rhode Island to Philadelphia. Discusses a debate about blood chemistry and other medical matters that he provoked between Dr. Graham of Westbury and Thomas Tillotson, the Surgeon General of the Northern Department. Mentions a letter discovered on the road, which speaks of the forthcoming British evacuation of New York. Details his expenses as a Member of Congress.

GLC00107.05

January 4, 1930

Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mabel T. R. Washburn

Answers a genealogical inquiry on the Moors and Davises, possibly for a book Washburn is writing. Typed on Coolidge's personal stationery with header Calvin Coolidge/Northampton Massachusetts. Stationery watermarked "R CO HOLYOKE." One black and white bust engraving of Coolidge included.

GLC00118.08

30 October 1868

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of James O'Neill].

GLC00173.07

02 May 1871

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Document signed

Title: Pardon commuting death sentence of Charles Purdue, convicted of arson while at sea.

Convicted of arson on the high seas; sentenced to death by hanging. Pardoned by recommendation of the convicting jury and since it was the first such conviction to fall under the statute of 1790, imposing the death penalty for the said offense, and that Purdue could not have known the consequences of the crime. It was also stated that there had been no intention to destroy life and none were lost. Grant recommends "...his sentence be commuted to some long term of imprisonment at hard labor...". (c/s Hamilton Fish)

GLC00173.08

December 19, 1889

Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Frank Lucas, convicted of counterfeiting.

Convicted of passing counterfeit silver dollars; sentenced to four years hard labor, and to pay a $500 fine and court costs. Pardoned since his innocence had been corroborated by the U.S. Marshall, deputies, and clerk. (c/s James G. Blaine)

GLC00173.09

January 7, 1916

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Document signed

Title: [Presidential commutation for Tonko L. Milic, convicted of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. on 25 March 1915 and sentenced to one year imprisonment]

Tonko L. Milic was sentenced to one year imprisonment in the state penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia. Wilson commuted his sentence to expire immediately, no reason mentioned. Countersigned by Attorney General Thomas W. Gregory. Printed document with blanks filled in by hand.

GLC00173.10