MA in American History: Apply now and enroll in graduate courses with top historians this summer!
1869
Butler, John George (1826-1909)
Courageous Thankfulness
A sermon given on the twentieth pastoral anniversary of St. Paul's Church in Washington D.C., July 4, 1869. Inscribed "compliments of" J. Geo. Butler on the front cover.
GLC01265.37
17 July 1776
Noyes, John (1740-1784)
to Mary Noyes
Writes his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts about how much he misses her and how he thinks about her all the time. Relays that the British sent a truce flag but that the colonies have declared independency. He believe George Washington would be glad...
GLC01450.056.08
10 July 1863
Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks) (1837-1892)
to Jane Brisbin
Informs his wife that he arrived in Washington, D. C. the previous day. Referring to his introduction to Colonel Windham, an Englishman, he states "I hate foreigners particularly the dutch- Windham offered me a very nice place but I asked to be sent...
GLC01505.02
14 July 1902
Root, Elihu (1845-1937)
[Copy of a telegram from Secretary of War Root to William Howard Taft]
Thanks him for the succesful result of his negotiations with the Vatican about the Friar Lands in the Phillipines. Explains the position of the United States government toward these lands. He is to represent this position to the Phillipine...
GLC01625.03
9 May 1902
Instructions of the Secretary of War to Governor William H. Taft in the matter of the purchase of the Friar Lands in the Philippines.
Because Congress has not yet acted on recommendations of the commission in regards to the Friar Lands of the Philippines and Taft cannot delay his return there, the President authorizes Taft to travel to Rome to determine which authorities of the...
GLC01625.04
1825
Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848)
[Album autographed by John Quincy Adams and Marquis de Lafayette].
A note by Lafayette dated January 23, 1825 indicates he was an "old friend" of the parents of the young lady who owned this album. Adams writes a seven-line poem dated March 10, 1825. A note from William White dated March 23, 1825 quotes Proverbs...
GLC01826
29 April 1847
Webster, Daniel (1782-1852)
to Harriette Story Paige
On a tour through the southern states, Webster writes to his sister-in-law Paige, stating that Richmond, Virginia has a "pleasant beat." Poetically describes morning as a "new image of light, a new breaking forth of the sun, a new waking up of all...
GLC01946.35
5 February 1851
to James William Paige
Sends papers to his brother-in-law, including his famous Plymouth Oration (also entitled "First Settlement of New England") delivered in Plymouth, Massachusetts on 22 December 1820. Informs Paige that the papers were refined by New York...
GLC01946.48
1808/02/17
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
to Jean Guillaume Neuville re: whether foreigners can own land in the U.S.
Written as President to Baron Hyde de Neuville. Jefferson ventures an opinion but refers the question to lawyers, particularly in the several states.
GLC01960
4 August 1786
Washington, George (1732-1799)
[Certifying return of three runaway servant men from the Potomac Company]
Certificate signed by Samuel Love Jr. that John Dubell brought before him three "Runaway Servant men the property of the Potomack Company." Says they were brought from Anthony Baine's property, which he thinks is 28 or 30 miles away. Verso has note...
GLC01976
April 3, 1933
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (1882-1945)
to Homer Cummings
Inquires of Attorney General Cummings if his Executive order 6102, which bans the ownership of gold, also applies to resident aliens. Written as President. One bust engraving of Roosevelt included.
GLC01983.01
8 August 1807
[Land grant for Toppan Webster].
Countersigned by Secretary of State James Madison. Grants 100 acres to Webster, an assignee of Samuel Jess, on the basis of the act of Congress appropriating land for former soldiers and for the society of the United Brethren. The act had been...
GLC02010
1819/09/26
Austin, Moses (fl. 1802-1819)
Deed to plot of land sold to Robert Bruffy (cos. Mary Austin)
Notarized by Sam Woodson, clerk. Conveying deed to Robert Bruffy. Early land document for Missouri settlement.
GLC02022
1865/04/04
Unknown
to Frank Richardson
Written from an unknown soldier. Written on stationery of the Sergeant of Arms Office, House of Representatives, noted "Q.M. Gen.s Office." Envelope with 3 cent (1861) pink stamp, postmarked. Discusses the fall of Richmond and the celebration of...
GLC02034.02
October 1862
Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865)
Collection of two Lincoln endorsements. See decimalized entries.
See descriptions in GLC02086.01-.02
GLC02086
1 October 1862
Forney, John Wien (1817-1881)
to Abraham Lincoln
Secretary of the Senate J.W. Forney recommends William Cole, Esq., editor of the "Irish American," for a paymastership in the U.S. army. Cole also comes recommended by Bishop John Hughes, General Michael Corcoran, Horace Greeley, and New York...
GLC02086.01
6 October 1862
[Abraham Lincoln endorsement of William Cole].
Lincoln recommends, possibly to Secretary of War Stanton, that William Cole, Esq., editor of the "Irish American," be appointed to a paymastership in the U.S. Army. Originally written on p. 4 of an integral blank leaf of the letter of recommendation...
GLC02086.02
23 April 1892
Washington, Booker T. (1856-1915)
to Anne Abbott
Written on printed stationery of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, as Principal, to Anne Abbott, regarding a fund "to help girls who go as missionary teachers".
GLC02087
20 September 1861
Blair, Montgomery (1813-1883)
to Francis P. Blair Jr.
Telegraph draft to his brother, regarding the quarrel between Francis Blair and John C. Frémont. Blair writes, "Fremont requests your letter from President & I sent it, It will do to stand by - Caution friends against controversy with the Provost...
GLC02089
16 June 1865
Schurz, Carl (1829-1906)
to Alfred Howe Terry
Lengthy letter describing the war-time sacrifices of Erhandz Richter, a Richmond brewer, presumably of German origin, who sacrificed his fortune and risked his family to serve in the Union Army. Schurz pleads Richter's cause with the commander of the...
GLC02094
1860
Sumner, Charles (1811-1874)
The barbarism of slavery. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, on the Bill for the admission of Kansas as a free state.
Given in the Senate, 4 June 1860. Condemns slavery as barbaric and criticizes various pro-slavery arguments, including that slavery was not upheld by the United States Constitution. Published by Thaddeus Hyatt, Washington, D.C. Printed as the clergy...
GLC02095.21
3 February 1848
Dix, John Adams (1798-1879)
[Members of Congress agree on Washington D.C.'s need for an Episcopal Church]
Written and signed by Congressmen John A. Dix. Cosigned by George E. Badger, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, H. Johnson, (possibly either Henry or Herschel Johnson), Robert Winthrop, John Sergeant, William D. Dayton, John Macpherson Berrien, and Joseph...
GLC02288
18 May 1883
Lee, John F. (1813-1884)
to Henry Jackson Hunt
States "I say you are still fit for the tented field; full pay; and to hold your own with any hero or patriot of them all (even with Cullum- I will tell you, someday, why I put him first)." Scolds Hunt for going to Little Rock, Arkansas because...
GLC02382.098
1871-1894
Hemans, Daniel W. (fl. 1872-1881)
Letters with wife Nancy, to Rev. & Mrs Shiras [decimalized]
Letters by missionaries from north of the Missouri River, 38 miles north of Santee Mission in South Dakota, describing teaching English, arithmetic, and bible to Yankton Sioux Indians. The collection was written to Rev. and Mrs. Alexander Shiras of...
GLC02429
21 July 1776
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
to Lucy Knox
Thanks her for writing and remarks that "Religion and virtue dictated every line" of her last letter. Discusses death from a religious perspective. Informs Lucy that this letter will be delivered by Elbridge Gerry, a member of the Continental...
GLC02437.00387
29 July 1776
Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)
to Henry Knox
Responds to a letter in which Knox described a meeting between George Washington and an adjutant general from the British army seeking to deliver a letter and negotiate a truce (the story was written to Lucy in GLC02437.00385). Claims that the...
GLC02437.00400
15 August 1776
Expresses thanks for their ability to communicate while separated and is looking forward to their future together. Philosophically expresses hopes that reason and religion will someday dictate man's actions. Writes that he "will make a very family...
GLC02437.00419
7 January 1777
Asks if she has received his previous letter (GLC02437.00511). Details the fighting from 2 January onward. Discusses the American retreat from Trenton, for which the artillery provided cover, Washington's decision to next attack Princeton where...
GLC02437.00514
23 March 1777
to William Knox
Says that since William's happiness is important to him, he will not prevent his brother from joining the army once William has completed certain essential family business. Arranges for William to pick up his baggage from various spots in New...
GLC02437.00556
8 June 1777
Colonel Jackson writes "by way of Peekskill" [New York]. Reports that a Massachusetts state cruiser has taken two British transport ships bound for New York with Hessians on board. Of the Hessians, writes "it is said they show'd the greatest joy...
GLC02437.00610
3 June 1778
Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794)
Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp, apologizes for the delay in sending a box owned by William. Reports that the army plans to leave Valley Forge, and Henry Knox is unwilling "to leave any thing of his in this d-n'd State." Refers to military and...
GLC02437.00707
after 1783
A List of Officers, Massachusetts Line of the Army of the U. States
Pages 1 and 2 comprise "A List of Officers, Massachusetts Line of the Army of the U. States Jany. 1. 1781." Dozens of names are listed, broken down by rank. Page 2 also contains a chart of seven "General Officers killed in battle," including names...
GLC02437.00868
18 April 1781
to George Washington
[Lewis] Garanger "gave some specimens of his knowledge in artillery" at West Point. Mentions Major Sebastian Bauman, commander of artillery at West Point, who was in charge of assessing Garanger's knowledge of artillery.
GLC02437.00940
28 April 1781
[Certifies that Lewis Garanger entered the Army of the United States in late 1778 as a captain]
Appears to be a draft. Attests that Garanger was a Captain of the French Bombardiers before he joined the Continental Army. George Washington granted him permission to return to France when he could not obtain active service. "Captain Garanger has...
GLC02437.00943
22 March 1782
Cutting, John Browne (fl. 1782-1797)
Thoughts on various topics of the day, including the ways people understand the war and military strategy; shifting American perceptions of the war, especially those of people in Massachusetts; financial problems and supply shortages; squabbles among...
GLC02437.01374
14 April 1782
Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786)
Written by Major General Greene to Major General Knox. References two letters from Knox. Congratulates him on the birth of his son. Asks how his godson is. In reference to the godchild says, "Such a set of responsers I believe never happened before...
GLC02437.01388
31 December 1782
Baron, Asa (fl. 1783)
[Three letters regarding the furlough of Seth Warren, requested so he can settle his father's estate]
Baron writes 31 December 1782 on behalf of the heirs of the estate of Samuel Warren, a "shaking quaker," to ask that Warren's eldest son, Seth, a soldier, receive a furlough to return to the estate to help settle his inheritance. On page two, in an...
GLC02437.01792
25 February 1783
Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin (1730-1794)
Written by Major General von Steuben to Major General Knox. Reports that "In all proba[b]ility the Peace is signed." Says "At present all our lost Battles are turned to Victories. Great Britain acknowledges our Independence, may other nations...
GLC02437.01952
25 June 1783
Knox, William (1756-1795)
Written by William to his brother Major General Henry Knox. Mentions he wrote a letter from Bristol, England about two weeks previous. Says he consigned 108 pounds worth of jewelry to Sears and Smith, to be delivered to his order. Says another...
GLC02437.02181
26 August 1783
[Journal of Revolutionary War military officers and other staff]
Hierarchical lists of (named) officers serving under Colonels [John] Lamb, [John] Crane, [Lewis] Nicola (Invalid Corps), [Benjamin] Tupper (10th Mass.), Butler (1st Conn.) and [Samuel] Webb (3rd Conn.), and Engineers and Sappers under Major [Jean...
GLC02437.02419
Informs Washington of the status of several commanders. States that the Baron von Steuben, is at Saratoga, New York and to expect more information regarding the situation at Newburgh, New York from Colonel Villefranche. Asks to send a detachment to...
GLC02437.02421
14 December 1783
to Marquis de Lafayette
Says he wrote Lafayette "several letters" expressing his affection for him. Says America as a nation believes the same thing and that "you must not regard [such expressions] as compliments but the language of sincerity." Goes on to say "Our...
GLC02437.02830
8 August 1785
Winslow, Isaac (1763-1806)
Isaac Winslow, a relation of Knox's through his wife, Lucy, discusses a variety of business propositions with Knox. Mentions that he wishes he could have had time to visit with Knox. Describes ways to get the Court to accept a resolve. Discusses...
GLC02437.03173
16 June 1786
Later copy of letter written by Knox to Lafayette at GLC02437.03276. Thanks Lafayette for the kind treatment given to his brother William. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase...
GLC02437.03275
References Lafayette's letter of 11 February 1786. Thanks Lafayette for his kindness toward his brother William when he was ill. Says that William has recovered and has been with him since October 1785. Hopes the recovery is permanent. Discusses the...
GLC02437.03276
1 December 1787
Doughty, John (1754-1826)
Informs that he has debts in Jersey and is willing to have his pay applied to discharge the debt. Writes about the new constitution and the western territory, "I am much obliged to you for the new constitution & for the plan of Government for the...
GLC02437.03718
17 February 1788
Swan, James (1754-1830)
Relates the details of his passage to France. Had planned to avoid conversing with people from Boston, but ran into people he knew aboard ship. Received introductions from French nobility during his passage. Asks for news related to the United...
GLC02437.03801
14 August 1788
Discusses a financial matter involving [William] Duer, [possibly Joseph] Peirce, [Richard] Platt, and Henry Jackson. Encloses a letter (not present) from the Marquis de Lafayette to St. John (possibly Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur). The letter was...
GLC02437.03961
6 January 1789
Written from Canton, present-day Guangzhou, China. Writes, "I love you too much to trouble you with a long tale of my disappointments. Randall has not yet arrived, nor do I know any thing of him since the 5 March at Madeira. Advantages which I had...
GLC02437.04075
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
Showing results 1 - 50