Circa 1872

Chappel, Alonzo (1828-1887)

Print

Title: Engraving of Harriet Beecher Stowe.

"From the original painting by Chappel in the possession of the publishers." Published by Johnson, Wilson & Co. New York "Entered according to act of Congress AD 1872 by Johnson, Fry & Co., in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington."

GLC01091.01

13 September 1860

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Minard Granger for counterfeiting coins].

Countersigned by Secretary of State Lewis Cass. Minard Granger was convicted in October, 1853, and imprisoned in Auburn, New York. Buchanan pardoned Granger near the end of his sentence on the recommendation of his trial judge N. K. Hall. Reasons cited were that Granger gave valuable information to the marshal after his conviction and that his health had been destroyed by imprisonment. Incldues a blue paper ribbon on second page.

GLC01093

23 August 1935

Unknown

Photograph signed

Title: [Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the 1935 Bank Reform Act]

Also signed by ten other persons in the photograph, including Carter Glass and Henry Steagall. Shows Roosevelt sitting at his desk signing the act while the other ten men look on from behind.

GLC01094

31 March 1807

Madison, James (1751-1836)

Letter signed

Title: to James Monroe

Opposes a British order made in Council on 7 January 1807 prohibiting neutral nations from trading with France, which Madison deems a retaliatory "violation of those rules of law and of justice which are binding on all nations." Discusses the scope and injustice of this order at length. Madison claims this letter, along with other materials provided to Monroe, who was serving as minister plenipotentiary of the United States, contained the information necessary for Monroe to make "representations to the British Government...in order to produce a proper revision of the order." Instructs...

GLC01096.01

29 March 1807

Madison, James (1751-1836)

Manuscript letter

Title: to David Erskine [copy]

Clerical copy of a letter written by Madison to Erskine, the British minister plenipotentiary. The letter was sent to James Monroe, the American minister plenipotentiary, along with GLC1096.01. Secretary of State Madison criticizes tactfully and at length the British order made in Council on 7 January 1807 prohibiting neutral nations from trading with France. Considers the measure too extreme and discusses its consequences for trade and international relations. Stresses that President Jefferson seeks to "cultivate harmony, and beneficial intercourse." The British order was a response to...

GLC01096.02

14 October 1874

McClellan, George Brinton (1826-1885)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

McClellan send regrets that he was not able to attend the wedding of Sherman's daughter. States that they are leaving tomorrow for Venice, then Alexandria and the Nile to spend the winter. Mentions that it must be a relief to be away from all the politicians in Washington, as Sherman had moved to St. Louis. "I can imagine what a relief it must be to you to get rid of the politicians & the very disagreeable atmosphere of that abominable city." Written from the Hotel Byron, Villeneuve, Switzerland. Not docketed in Sherman's hand.

GLC01100

15 October 1783

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Written by Washington as commander of the Continental Army to Major General McDougall. References McDougall's letter of 5 October 1783. Authorizes McDougall to visit New York on business. Says he has tried to discourage American troops from visiting New York City, which was still occupied by the British, for trifling reasons.

GLC01106

01 May 1822

Monroe, James (1758-1831)

Letter signed

Title: to House of Representatives

Recommends Congress grant a request by the government of Norway that the United States provide reciprocity of a policy reducing port duties and cargo unlading fees for U.S. vessels using Norwegian harbors. Written a year before the Monroe Doctrine.

GLC01107

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

20 January 1869

Johnson, Andrew (1808-1875)

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of George S. Becker].

GLC01110

03 August 1865

Johnson, Andrew (1808-1875)

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon and authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of John Alsop of Spotsylvania for rebellion].

Alsop, took part of a rebellion against the government. He was granted full pardon and amnesty by President Andrew Johnson to all the offences he committed. Countersigned by the Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC01111

17 March 1863

Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865)

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Godfrey Weitzel as Brigadier General of Volunteers]

Also signed by Edwin McMasters Stanton as Secretary of War, and by Edward Davis Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General. Townsend attests that this appointment is recorded in the Adjutant General's office. Serves as an official United States Presidential form for appointments, containing an image of an eagle at the top of the page and a knight's helmet, weapons, and musical instruments resting amongst several flags at the bottom of the page. Contains a blue War Office seal.

GLC01115

22 August 1879

Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [Douglass quotation on each citizen's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness]

One note from Frederick Douglass dated August 22, 1879. Writes that the government owes every citizen equal opportunity to live and when it does not provide this service should be overthrown.

GLC01116

13 February 1776

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Mumford, Groton, re: begging for gunpowder

Docketed. Containing the comment that gunpowder "will be of the utmost service to the cause of Liberty & America." Free franked "On the service of the United Colonies" (probably not GW's hand), but not signed.

GLC01117

10 June 1832

Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell) (1782-1850)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to S.L. Gouverneur

Vice President Calhoun wrote this letter after his falling out with President Andrew Jackson over Jackson's pursuit of the Seminole Indians into Florida during the first Seminole War. Discusses the Seminole Affair and questions a recently published article that claims Jackson had invaded Florida on secret orders from President Monroe. Calhoun had disapproved of Jackson's actions and considers this a "wicked attempt top transfer the odium from where it ought to rest & to place it on the memory of Mr. Monroe."

GLC01118

15 June 1841

Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Aspinwall

Introduces George Bishop to Aspinwall, United States Consul to London. Recommends Bishop, claiming that he "has invented a mode of making cloth without spinning and weaving." Informs Aspinwall that while in London, Bishop will attempt to gain a patent for his invention.

"Mr. George G. Bishop, a gentleman who has invented a mode of making cloth without spinning and weaving and recommended to me by several friends of highly respectable character, is going to London with a view to obtain a patent for his invention, and I beg leave to commend him to any kind of service which it may at your...

GLC01123

21 July 1801

Madison, James (1751-1836)

Letter signed

Title: to David Lenox

One letter addressed to David Lenox from James Madison (serving as Secretary of State at the time) dated July 21, 1801. Pertains to two seamen detained in British ships of war. The seamen are identified as Nathaniel Heard and David, a Black man enslaved by a merchant named Lowndes. Lowndes had written for special attention to be paid to the situation.

GLC01124

26 March 1862

Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865)

Printed document signed

Title: [Commission of Orville Babcock as a First Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers]

Partially printed form from an engraving signed by President Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Note signed by Adjutant G. Thomas on top left corner indicating the commission was recorded on 27 March 1862 in "Volume 17. Page 70." Includes a blue seal intact. Orville Babcock was later U.S. Grant's aide.

GLC01128

08 December 1877

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893)

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Frank Doyle].

GLC01130.01

30 April 1877

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893)

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of John Smith].

GLC01130.02

25 January 1879

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893)

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of George W. Epley].

GLC01130.03

20 May 1842

Tyler, John (1790-1862)

Letter signed

Title: to Elisha R. Potter

Written at the height of the Dorr controversy, when Thomas W. Dorr's followers who wanted to put a new Rhode Island state constitution in place to expand suffrage, illegally elected Dorr the governor. Tyler explains his response to the affair, his desire for amnesty, peace, and to undercut public sympathy for the Dorrites who invoked the right of rebellion. Concedes that "Dorr's recent proceedings have been so extravagant a character as allmost to extinguish the las hope of a peaceable result." Notes that the developments make it difficult for Rhode Island Governor Samuel Ward King to yield...

GLC01131

6 December 1927

Coolidge, Calvin (1872-1933)

Pamphlet signed

Title: Message of the President... to the two Houses of Congress...

State of the Union address, signed by Coolidge at the conclusion.

GLC01132

21 January 1776

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Trumbull

Written by Washington as commander of the American army around Boston to Trumbull as Governor of Connecticut. Trumbull was the only colonial governor to join the patriot cause. References his hasty dispatch of 19 January 1776. Says he forgot to inform Trumbull that he will give troops heading north to Canada a month's pay in advance, on behalf of Congress. Trumbull had previously offered to send a regiment of Connecticut troops to Canada and Washington suggests they also be advanced a month's pay, to help them make the arduous journey, provide for families being left behind, and to avoid...

GLC01138

7 February 1777

Heath, William (1737-1814)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Wooster

Written by Heath as Major General in the Continental Army to Major General Wooster. Orders a grand forage for the next morning. Mentions complaints about vandalism of local houses by soldiers and asks Wooster to look into it. Requests that soldiers be prohibited from traveling to New York City without the consent of the Committee of Convention. Adds that the Detachment of Artillery will soon be inactive and he would like General Treadwell and the other detachments to come to Kingstreet so that they may all be together. Heath was soon to be censured by Washington and would be given commands...

GLC01139