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21 April 1846
Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848)
To Miss Cordelia Frye.
Adams composes a poem at the request of Frye, the daughter of Maine Senator William Frye. Eight stanzas, six lines each.
GLC00095
8 December 1810
Madison, James (1751-1836)
to Peter Stephen Du Ponceau
Thanks Du Ponceau for a copy and commends his translation of Bynkershoek's "Treatise on the Law of War." Continues with the comments: "A nation which appeals to law, rather to force, is particularly bound to understand the use of the instrument by...
GLC00117
11 April 1808
to Alexander H. Everett
Thanks Everett, Adams' law apprentice, for a letter written in a classical language (Latin or Greek). Senator Adams praises the value of "ancient learning," but writes this letter in English because he has not used his knowledge of the ancient...
GLC00125
3 February 1829
to Miss Anna McKnight
A poem in which he expresses his attachment to her and asks her to consider him a true and honest friend: "My pulses, mix'd emotions blend, unchang'd by wind or weather. Of lover-brother-father-friend, to take them all together." Adams was President...
GLC00209
15 December 1880
Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891)
to Mrs. Anderson
A personal note written while Sherman was Commander-in-Chief on United States Army Headquarters stationery, reflecting some previous correspondence. Mentions Scott's Heart of Midlothian, which he calls a great novel, and speaks about the joys of...
GLC00331
25 November 1946
Eisenhower, Dwight David (1890-1969)
to Ralph Cooper Hutchinson
Writes about returning Hutchinson's biography of General Grant. Mentions that he can no longer make the Army-Navy game because his schedule is too busy. Congratulates Hutchinson, who was president of Lafayette College, on his team's victory....
GLC00456.02
31 August 1836
Dickerson, Mahlon (1770-1853)
to President of the Geological Society of New Haven
Indicates that preparations are being made for the Wilkes expedition, "an exploring & surveying Expedition for the Southern Ocean." Requests for advice on the "formation of a scientific Corps" and recommendations of suitable members. Needs men...
GLC00507.01
20 May 1844
to Barbara O'Sullivan Addicks
Thanks her for the copy she sent of her "pocket manual treating the Science of the French Language" ("An elementary practical book for learning to speak the French language, expressly adapted to the capacity of children. Tr. from the German of Doctor...
GLC00693.05
16 January 1840
Fillmore, Millard (1800-1874)
to Solomon Haven
Fillmore writes as a U.S. Representative to Haven, serving as lawyer in Buffalo, New York. Complains of the cold, writing "People here know nothing of comfort in cold weather. Their houses are all built for a southern summer, but by some mistake we...
GLC01088
1908/11/26
Roosevelt, Theodore (1858-1919)
to George Bird Grinnell re: Grinnell's request that he write about Africa
Signed as President. Roosevelt had not been to Africa yet.
GLC02793.058
1939/01/27
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (1882-1945)
to William E. Shepherd re: declining membership in the Beaux-Arts Institute
Signed as President on White House stationery. He notes he is a rank amateur
GLC02793.083
1990/04/25
Bush, George (1924-)
to Dr. F. Terry Hambrecht re: enjoying "The Toy Shop" and a story of Lincoln
Written as President
GLC02793.119
1840/03/04
to Roscoe G. Greene re: Grey's Elegy, the Constitution
Adams comments at length upon punctuation in Grey's "Elegy in a Churchyard" (and the powers of Congress as limited or expanded by a semi-colon in the Constitution. He also writes that "No land of slavery could ever have produced Grey's Elegy."
GLC02847
7 September 1795
Washington, George (1732-1799)
to Thomas Paine
President Washington thanks "Thos Paine - of Boston" (not the famous author of "Common Sense," who was in Paris until 1802) for a poem inscribed to him.
GLC02858
circa 1861
Unknown
[Poem praising John Augustine Washington]
Written in praise of Washington, who died 13 September 1861. States "No soldier of fortune, no seeker or pelf, No lover of glory and fame; But simply a man who was true to himself, The home where he'd dwelt and his name..."
GLC02953.02
17 June 1848
Madison, Dolley (1768-1849)
[Quotation for Miss Saltonstall]
Poetically compares human actions to nature. "The passions were like sounds of nature, only heard in her solitude! Our senses may captivate us with beauty but in absence we can forget . . ." Inscribed to Miss Saltonstall.
GLC03010.01
22 August 1914
Mosby, John S. (1833-1916)
to Sam Chapman
Says he has published an article defending Ulysses S. Grant against attacks by Adolphus Richards. Sends a copy of the article, which he has had published anonymously. The article also criticizes General Custer, whom Richards had defended....
GLC03073
18 April 1785
Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)
to Henry Knox
Discusses the proper time to sell goods recently arrived from London that were consigned to Henry Knox. Relates that Granville Sharp sent a box of books intended for Knox, Harvard College, Rhode Island College, and George Washington. The books were...
GLC02437.03128
8 May 1785
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
to J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur
Knox writes to Crevecoeur, French consul at New York. Expresses his regret at Crevecoeur's loss of important papers. Apparently responding to Crevecoeur's request for information related to the Revolutionary War, writes, "...I was not at the...
GLC02437.03141
2 April 1786
to William Gordon
Writes that he is unaware of a present being sent from the King of France to General George Washington; declares that Colonel Laurens received money and goods but he thought they had been purchased. Provides information about a wartime incident...
GLC02437.03257
14 November 1786
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
to George Washington
Extract of a letter in the hand of Tobias Lear, secretary to George Washington. Explains that he proof-read entries from the "Encyclopedie Methodique" on the "Etats unis" and the "Cincinnati," and gave corrections to the author. Also gave the...
GLC02437.03338
circa 27 April 1787
Lear, Tobias (1762-1816)
Informs Knox that George Washington will not be able to attend the Society of the Cincinnati general meeting "in consequence of an account which he received by express that his Mother & only Sister lay dangerously ill, & that he was obliged to make...
GLC02437.03536
15 May 1788
to Marquis de Lafayette
Marked "Copy." Letter in a secretarial hand. Says that Joel Barlow, later known as one of the Connecticut Wits, will deliver this letter. Knox identifies Barlow as the author of "The vision of Columbus," a long epic poem in heroic couplets. Barlow...
GLC02437.03874
4 February 1788
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de (1757-1834)
Lafayette anxiously awaits ratification results of the U.S. Constitution, discusses debates between himself, Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson and "Common Sense" [Thomas Paine] regarding the need for Constitutional amendments, and stresses the importance of...
GLC02437.04105
18 June 1789
Warren, Mercy Otis (1728-1814)
Would like to recommend Major Henry Warren (likely her son) for the position of Collector of Customs for Plymouth and Duxborough, and mentions that he had worked with General Benjamin Lincoln. Hopes Knox might be able to use his influence with...
GLC02437.04245
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