Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874 Collection of signed materials, pamphlets and Civil War-related items of Charles Sumner [Decimalized .01 - .41]

to Benjamin F. Butler

Comments on Butler leaving government service: "I see that you are no longer in the service of the Government of the U.S. The country may now claim you." Asks if Butler can address the State Convention in Boston on September 6th and 7th.

GLC02095.01

to unknown

Regrets having to decline attending a meeting: "Consider me always as deeply interested in the cause, but as reluctantly compelled to forego participation in your meeting."

GLC02095.02

to T. P. Chandler

Writes about speaking in the Senate: "Had I made that speech, I would have taken a vacation of a week or more. Now I wait the Civil Appropriation Bill, when I shall move an Amendment, that nothing be paid [to] the execution of the Fug. Sl. Bill, but...

GLC02095.03

to Thomas L. Sprague

Thanks Sprague, a schoolboy, for his compliments: "Through my mother, who recently visited your friends in Hingham, I have learned your kind interest in me, & the manner in which you have spoken of me in one of your exercises at school. The words of...

GLC02095.04

to Azariah Smith

Thanks him for his letter. Plans to leave for Washington, D.C., "simply to vote" presumably in Senate. After Washington, Sumner plans to travel to Europe "in search of that complete restoration which I have not yet found at home."

GLC02095.05

to [Arnold B.] Johnson

Written "to Johnson," possibly his secretary Arnold B. Johnson. Writes that he lost his pocketbook on the journey from Washington to Philadelphia and believes it was stolen. States that it contains a draft for $1800, and discusses the process by...

GLC02095.06

to [John] K. Wiggin

Written from the Senate Chamber. Discusses autographs and thanks Wiggin for preparing engravings: "The Milton autograph was photographed by C. H. Brainard who has copies- I suppose. I have none... I am glad to know that the Engravings are framed, &...

GLC02095.07

to unknown

Thanks an unknown "sir" for his words of sympathy: "Accept my thanks for the words of cheer & sympathy which you kindly write. I have tried to do my duty & shall continue unto the end."

GLC02095.08

[Note declining Charles Sumner's attendance at Mr. Lincoln's circle]

Signed in text. Dated 6 January, no year specified. States that Sumner regrets not being able to attend "Mr. Lincoln's circle," to be held that evening, due to the state of his health.

GLC02095.09

to A. M. Knapp

Replies to a request from Knapp, in Boston, for written works. States that he has no more to distribute. Informs Knapp that he can obtain copies of "Emery's work" at [Burnham's] bookstore in Boston. Written from the Senate Chamber.

GLC02095.10

to unknown

Mentions Mr. Woodman and a provostship. Writes "Charleston is to be taken on the field of battle - by beating their armies," a reference to the unsuccessful ironclad attack on Fort Sumter 7 April 1863 undertaken by Union admiral Samuel F. DuPont.

GLC02095.11

to Epes Sargent

Sumner thanks Sargent for his sympathetic praise. Writes, "The verses on Shaw I had enjoyed before, & had sent to England," likely a reference to Sargent's poem, "Colonel Shaw: On Hearing that the Rebels Had Buried His Body Under a Pile of Twenty...

GLC02095.12

to [Arnold] B. Johnson

"The 'water-closet' is one of the gifts of modern civilization, & must always be taken into account when you select a house." Written to Johnson in Washington, D.C.

GLC02095.13

to Theseus Apoleon Cheney

Writes that he is glad Cheney is regaining his health. Comments on the upcoming presidential election and the Civil War: "The good news must stimulate you. Of the result, political or military I cannot doubt. Mr. Lincoln will be re-elected, &...

GLC02095.14

to John T. Hoffman

Writes to the Governor of New York and encloses a letter (enclosure not included). States he does not know anything of the writer nor of the case, but transmits the letter because it concerns a human life.

GLC02095.15

to [Edward W.] Kinsley

Marked private. Written from the Senate Chamber. Complains about the Boston press being hard on him, criticizes President Ulysses S. Grant's attempt to annex Santo Domingo, and rails against Grant's leadership in general: "I did not write to...

GLC02095.16

to Elliot C. Cowdin

Wishes Cowdin a happy New Year. Addressed to Cowdin in New York.

GLC02095.17

to [Edward W.] Kinsley

Criticizes Buenaventura Baez, President of the Dominican Republic. Kinsley apparently informed Sumner of a dinner for Baez. He states in full, "A Dinner to Baez! Why not invite the murderer of the Virginius crew? At least please read an authentic...

GLC02095.18

Mr. Sumner's Lecture on White Slavery in the Barbary States.

Sumner's lecture given before the Boston Mercantile Library Association, 17 February 1847. Published by William D. Ticknor and Company. Printed in Cambridge by Metcalf and Company, printers to the University. Inscribed on the original orange cover...

GLC02095.19

The Crime Against Kansas. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts. In the Senate of the United States, May 19, 1856.

Sumner delivered this speech after the May 1856 debates on slavery in Kansas. Condemns Southern advocacy of the expansion of slavery. Published by Greeley and McElrath, New York. Advertised on cover page as being "for sale at the office of the New...

GLC02095.20