5 July 1854

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Authority to affix the seal to Power for James A. Peden

Authorizing Emissary James A. Pedden to negotiate a commercial treaty with "Buenos Ayres."

GLC01109

13 August 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: to the Senate

Based on a report from Captain M.C. Meigs, Pierce requests that the Senate appropriate $750,000 for "the Capitol extension."

GLC01188

circa 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George C. Whiting

Discusses the pension for the widow of Navy Commander Samuel Larkin. Mentions testimony given on the cause of his death which showed that Larkin contracted the disease while on duty in Africa. Paper watermarked "Joynson/1856." Written during Pierce's presidency and docketed "President Pierce."

GLC00655.09

24 July 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Kell to Lieutenant of the United States Navy]

Commission effective from 15 September 1855. Co-signed by James Cochrane Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy, and L.B. Hardin. Features two detailed patriotic scenes and a paper seal.

GLC00684.03

07 April 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Authority to affix the seal: Treaty with Cherokee Indians (1855 Feb. 2)

Original treaty dated Feb. 22, 1855

GLC00787

2 October 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Commission of David Farragut as a captain in the U.S. Navy]

Partially-printed document on vellum signed by President Franklin Pierce and countersigned by James C. Dobbin as Secretary of the Navy. Note on margin signed by J.B. Hardin: "Registered No. Four - the lowest number of the same date takes rank.". Features two detailed patriotic scenes and a paper seal.

GLC00626

15 December 1838

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Harvey

Expresses his optimism for the Democratic party in the upcoming elections. "I think the prospects for the democratic party have rarely been more cheering. We have many great advantages over our opponents." Goes on to say that the Democratic party is united on several principles while the opposition is not. States that, "Under such circumstances I entertain no fears for the result. We must triumph." Written as Senator from New Hampshire.

GLC02327

10 December 1867

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Letter signed

Title: to Carroll Spence

Writes that he has been sick. Hopes that Spence was somewhat cheered by the fall elections. Laments fanaticism and states, "There is no hope however except through tribulation and suffering, either for the South or for the North. Madness & wickedness of fanaticism have brought us all to the brink of ruin." Written to diplomat Spence is Baltimore, Maryland.

GLC02328

16 August 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Pamphlet

Title: [Message of the President...communicating...claims presented by...John C. Frémont]

Fremont's claim for repayment of money and supplies furnished by the people of California was approved in 1852 by an army appropriation act. This publication includes the letters and vouchers in support of Fremont's claims. Pamphlet lacks a proper cover. SED 109.

GLC00267.113

December 12, 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John W. Geary

President Pierce writes to Geary, the newly appointed Governor of the Kansas Territory, emphasizing the delicacy and impartiality with which matters in the heavily pro-slavery territory should be handled. Covers the removal from office of various pro-slavery officials in the Kansas Territory that Geary and Pierce considered disruptive to their efforts to maintain peace in the territory. Praises Isaac Winston of Virginia, the carrier of this letter, who replaced George W. Clarke as Indian Agent. Reprimands Geary for overstepping his authority by re-arresting Charles Hayes (for the murder of a…

GLC00375

August 10, 1853

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Writes that he is upset to hear what his brother has said about David L. Gregg, who was appointed Commissioner to the Sandwich Islands. Informs that this is the first he has heard about Gregg's Catholic sentiments and that it did not occur to him to ask Gregg about his religious opinions. Advises that maybe his brother's informants are mistaken. Postscript note to the Honorable John Aiken in Andover, Massachusetts saying that he will write to Mary soon. Written on mourning stationery.

GLC00152

14 November 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Christian Krouse, convicted of assault with intent to rape.

Convicted of assault with intent to rape; sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. Pardoned for "...divers other good and sufficient reasons...". (c/s William L. Marcy)

GLC00159

17 November 1854

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Lucy Wheeler, "a negress," convicted of two counts of aggravated assault.

Wheeler, convicted of two counts of aggravated assault: sentenced in one case to 1 year imprisonment, and to pay a $0.50 fine and court costs; sentenced in the other to 6 months imprisonment [to be served following the first term], and to pay another $0.50 fine and court costs. Pardoned after serving out her first prison term and paying $0.50 fine. (c/s William L. Marcy)

GLC00173.05

March 15, 1838

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Hill

Writes about the sickness and death of a friend. States that he has rendered a query with the Committee of Investigation in Boston about it. Discusses an election and politics in his native state, New Hampshire. Addressed to Hill in Concord, New Hampshire.

GLC00225

1 November 1854

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Authorization for James Buchanan to conclude a Consular Convention with Great Britian]

President Pierce directs Secretary of State William Learned Marcy to affix the United States seal. Confirms full power for Buchanan, Minister to Great Britain, to conclude a consular convention.

GLC02585

18 March 1838

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to D. W. Burroughs

Pierce, writing as a United States Senator from Vermont, responds to a letter from Reverend Burroughs. In reference to their conflicting views on slavery, promises to send Burroughs a copy of the United States Constitution, as he requested. Writes, "I am no advocate of slavery. I wish it had no existence upon the face of the Earth, but as a public man, I am called upon to act in relation to an existing states of things- one, which neither you or I have had any agency in producing- One older than that Constitution of our Country and expressly recognized by it." Argues that violent…

GLC02634

31 March 1853

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Commission of Robert G. Cole]

Cole was named Second Lieutenant in the Eighth Regiment of Infantry. Signed by Franklin Pierce as President and Jefferson Davis as Secretary of War. Cole was later Lee's engineer at Gettysburg. White and red papaer seal on upper lefthand corner. Docket in red pen on upper lefthand corner.

GLC03083

1853/08/26

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary A. Aiken re: weariness, loneliness, & a political appointment

Written as President to his sister. He complains of being beset by problems, especially now that Webster has left for New England.

GLC02793.029

1854/08/19

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Aiken re: letter of condolence to his brother-in-law

Written as President, offering his condolences for the loss of "Alfie" (mentioned in #2793.029 as being sick).

GLC02793.030

December 29. 1859

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred Burr

Remarks, " ... my conviction that this is preeminently the time, possibly the only time, for an earnest & successful effort to overthrow sectionalism in the Northern States." Marked private at top.

GLC02925.15

21 January 1860

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McNeil re: foreseeing civil war

Written while on vacation. Argues that Civil War is inevitable unless the Democrats regain control of the government

GLC03660

27 April 1847

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Bowers

Requests that northern New Hampshire send more volunteer soldiers. Suggests using musicians to attract recruits. Lauds the hard work given to recruiting by Bowers, his father, and Frank Fletcher.

GLC03659

24 October 1862

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Writes concerning his opinion that fighting cannot restore the Union. Comments, "Good & patriotic men have not yet reached your stand point & mine, that no faith can be reposed 'in arms for the restoration of either peace or of the States to the Unity of other days.'" States that he cannot respond to the recipient's suggestions in writing and must see him in person to do this. Notes the rising opposition to the Civil War in the North, "The woe & wailing & hopelessness which arms have brought, are telling upon the public mind at the North, as no argument could."

GLC03661

30 March 1855

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Printed document signed

Title: [Authority to affix the seal to a treaty with Umpqua Indians and the Calapooia Indians in the Umpqua Valley]

Partially printed document signed as President. Treaty made on 29 November 1854. One bust engraving of Franklin Pierce included.

GLC03335

1853/03/05

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Newspaper

Title: Pierce's Inaugural Address

This document is a clipping from "Stark Co. Democrat---Extra." from Canton, Ohio on 5 March 1853. On it is printed a copy of President Franklin Pierce's Inaurgual Address. The publisher of the newspaper is not listed.

GLC04751