President Adams Writes to an Old Friend, Reflecting on the Vicissitudes of High Office
by JOHN ADAMS
President Adams Writes to an Old Friend, Reflecting on the Vicissitudes of High Office A wistful letter to a boyhood friend in which Adams mentions some guileful political colleagues and laments the "popular Passions of the times" and the general neglect of his political writings. "The Difficulty of leading or guiding Millions, by any means but Power and Establishments can be known only to those who have tried Experiments of it." JOHN ADAMS. Autograph Letter Signed, as President, to Tristram Dalton, March... Read More
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Reporting the Infamous XYZ Affair
by JOHN ADAMS
The XYZ Affair was a political and diplomatic episode in 1797 and 1798, early in the administration of John Adams, involving the United States and Republican France. Its name derives from the substitution of the letters X, Y, and Z for the names of French diplomats in documents released by the Adams administration. The three American diplomats sent to France were approached through informal channels by agents of the French Foreign Minister Talleyrand, who... Read More
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Newspaper Belonging to John Quincy Adams Reports Transfer of the Floridas to the U.S.
by [JOHN QUINCY ADAMS]
This issue contains an inside page report of the U.S. taking possession of Florida from Spain under the terms of the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819. This issue was owned by, delivered to, and read by John Quincy Adams (the "Adams" in the Adams-Onís Treaty) when Adams was the Secretary of State in the James Monroe administration. "Hon. John Q. Adams" is written in contemporary brown iron gall ink in the top blank margin on... Read More
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John Quincy Adams Scathing Anti-Masonic Letter After the Murder of a Prominent Anti-Mason Who Threatened to Reveal their Secrets
by JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
Washington, D.C., 1833. No binding. Fine. Autograph Letter Signed as Congressman, to Stephen Bates. Washington, D.C., April 1, 1833. 3 pp. 8 x 9 3/4 in. ""To all members of the Masonic fraternity, who entered it before the murder of Morgan I would extend the most liberal Toleration. Most of them took the Oaths without reflecting upon what they imported....Now the case is otherwise. How they can now take or administer the cutthroat Oath to keep Secret, what... Read More
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President Andrew Johnson’s Copy of “New-York Daily Tribune” Detailing Proposed Regulations for Alaska
by [ALASKA]
This copy is stamped "THE PRESIDENT" at the top of the front page, indicating it belonged to President Andrew Johnson. The President would have read this copy of the act before Congress submitted it to him with some amendments on July 25. The report uses the early variant spelling of "Aliaska" for the territory and peninsula. [ALASKA]. Newspaper. New-York Tribune, July 17, 1868. Featuring the terms of the "Aliaska" Bill as passed by the... Read More
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Vibrant Print of Fifteenth Amendment Celebrations
by [FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT].
The colorful central image of this lithograph depicts a Black Zouave regiment on parade in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 19, 1870, to celebrate passage of the Fifteenth Amendment. Framing the central scene are vignettes and portraits of individuals important to the cause of African American men's voting rights. Individuals pictured include Ulysses S. Grant, Frederick Douglass, Martin R. Delany (first U.S. Army African American field officer), Hiram R. Revels (first African American U.S. Senator), Schuyler Colfax, Abraham Lincoln, and John... Read More
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New Hampshire Ridicules South Carolina's Attempts to Game the System After Rejecting the 14th Amendment
by AFRICAN AMERICAN
[AFRICAN AMERICAN]. Broadside. "Part of a Speech of the N. H. "Champion of Democracy" on the Negro Question," no place, [New Hampshire], c. 1867. 1 p., 9½ x 13½ in. Excerpt "New Hampshire and South Carolina. There are more than three hundred thousand white people in New Hampshire. In South Carolina, there are less than three hundred thousand whites, and more than four hundred thousand negroes. If the negroes are not counted, there are more people... Read More
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Susan B. Anthony Signed Vol. IV of The History of Woman Suffrage, Inscribed to President of Iowa Suffrage Society "Yours For the Battle to the End…"
by SUSAN B. ANTHONY
nscriptionMiss Adelaide Ballard / Hull Iowa It is with the greatest pleasure that I present you with this volume to complete your full set of this History of Woman Suffrage – a record most wonderful of the struggle for Liberty – no other class has made such a valiant fight. Yours for the battle to the end. Susan B. Anthony / Rochester N.Y. August 28, 1905 SUSAN B. ANTHONY. Signed Book, Volume IV of The History of Woman Suffrage, edited by Anthony and Isa... Read More
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Washington Attorney and Inventor Writes to Arms Manufacturer about Andrew Johnson’s Impeachment
by [ANDREW JOHNSON]. CLIFFORD ARRICK
"Our Convention having gone off half cocked, after the nomination of the noble Abraham we had nothing else to do, but endorse what they did, and adopt this modern bogus 'Moses.'" "The infliction of Andy upon us was after all a probable God Send. Mr Lincoln would have adapted himself to events probably, and his noble heart would have stopped far short of what is now, as inevitable as death." Written on March 2, 1868, the day the... Read More
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A Ruff-Necked Hummingbird by Audubon
by JOHN JAMES AUDUBON
1871. No binding. Fine. Print. Ruff-Necked Hummingbird, [1871]. Best known for his seminal Birds of America, Audubon's prints are among the world's most recognized images. The Birds of America octavo edition was published in 6½"" x 10"" (approximate size) volumes, depending upon the publisher's binding. The first octavo edition, in seven volumes, sometimes referred to as the ""royal octavo folio"" or the ""royal octavo edition"" was published jointly by John James Audubon in New York and J.B. Chevalier... Read More
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A Harlequin Duck by Audubon
by JOHN JAMES AUDUBON
Best known for his seminal Birds of America, Audubon's prints are among the world's most recognized images. JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. Print. Harlequin Duck, [1871]. 14 x 12 in. framed. The Birds of America octavo edition was published in 6½" x 10" (approximate size) volumes, depending upon the publisher's binding. The first octavo edition, in seven volumes, sometimes referred to as the "royal octavo folio" or the "royal octavo edition" was published jointly by John James Audubon... Read More
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A French Wall Map of the Western Hemisphere
by GASPARD BAILLEUL
Lyon, France, 1752. No binding. Very Good. Map. L'Amerique Divisee en ses Pricipales Parties ou sont distingues les ud de autres les Estats, selon quils appartiennents presentement aux Differents Souverains De L'Europe . . . Par le Sr. Bailleul le jeune Geographe. Jean Louis Daudet, Lyon, France, 1752. Approximately 31 x 40 in., on original wooden rollers. Historical BackgroundJean Louis Daudet, a Lyonnais map and book seller, published this map of the known states and territories of the... Read More
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Beauregard's Thanks for Donation for "our gallant soldiers now battling manfully for our rights & our Independence..."
by G. T. BEAUREGARD
A cordial letter to Col. Charles J. Helm, Confederate agent in the West Indies, sending thanks to "Mrs. Phebe M. Newcomb" for her donation of wool socks to the Confederate Army. He takes the opportunity to speak eloquently to the privations that Southern troops, specifically the Washington Artillery of New Orleans, have endured. "Permit me to thank you, & thro' you Mrs. Phebe M. Newcomb, for the wollen socks she has been kind enough to make…" ... Read More
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Celebrating a Report of McClellan's Death
by BENJAMIN PRENTISS (1819-1901)
1862. No binding. Fine. Autograph Letter Signed (""Prentiss"") Columbus, [Kentucky], March 4, 1862. 1 p., 7 3/4 x 8 3/4 in. Partial Transcript""Columbus: Mch 4 , 1862Dear CWe had news last evening of another repulse of our forces at Manassas & the death of McLellan [sic]. The news generally credited for an hour or two was by the abolitionists well recd particularly the death of Mc. some even going so far as to say that if he was... Read More
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Report of Attacks on Forts Walker and Beauregard
by JUDAH P. BENJAMIN
Richmond, Va., 1861. No binding. Fine. Autograph Letter Signed as Confederate Secretary of War, to President Jefferson Davis, with Davis's endorsement. Richmond, Va., December 30, 1861. 1 p., plus docket, 7 5/8 x 8 7/8 in. Benjamin sends his official reports on the attacks on Forts Walker and Beauregard to Jefferson Davis, to be communicated to the Confederate Congress. Transcript ""30 Dec 1861SirI have the honor to submit herewith copies of the official reports of the Bombardment of... Read More
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Senator Judah P. Benjamin of Louisiana 1859 speech supporting acquisition of Cuba
by JUDAH P. BENJAMIN
"in the expansion of our system we seek no conquest, subjugate no people, impose our laws on no unwilling subjects. When new territory is brought under our jurisdiction, the inhabitants are admitted to all the rights of self-government." In a speech in the United States Senate, Benjamin supports the annexation of Cuba with no hint of irony in his declaration that the people of the United States "impose our laws on no unwilling subjects." His... Read More
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Claims that First Republican Presidential Candidate is Foreign Born & Ineligible
by STEPHEN H. BRANCH
Ogdensburgh, N.Y. October 31, 1856. 1 p. 10 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. Foxing, some paper remnants on verso. A campaign poster for the first Presidential election with a Republican candidate, John C. Frémont. This broadside makes a sweeping attack against Frémont, claiming he is ineligible for the Presidency as he was born in Montreal and also unsuitable for the position because he was a Roman Catholic. In fact, Frémont was born in Savannah, Georgia, but he was the illegitimate... Read More
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The Acting Governor of New York Thanks William Penn for a Gift
by ANTHONY BROCKHOLLS
New York, 1683. No binding. Fine. Autograph Letter Signed to Governor William Penn. New York, May 1, 1683, ""As the loadstone attracts Iron, so ought acknowledgemts to pursue faviours ... [I] dare not presume any further having soe lately recd soe great a marke of your bounty....""Deputy Governor Anthony Brockholls of New York extends a cordial note to Governor William Penn in the midst of continuing deliberations between Penn and Lord Baltimore over the southern boundary of Pennsylvania and possession... Read More
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John Brown cashes $50 to check slavery in Kansas
by JOHN BROWN
JOHN BROWN. Endorsement Signature on verso of Syracuse City Bank check filled out and signed by GERRIT SMITH to "Pay Captain John Brown of Kansas or bearer, fifty Dollars." May 16, 1857, 2 pp. 7.6 x 2.6 in. Historical Background In 1846, Gerrit Smith purchased 120,000 acres of land in the Adirondacks, centered around North Elba, New York, specifically to settle African Americans on the land. In April 1848, John Brown went to see... Read More
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Ledger Report by Colored Sergeant, U.S.C.T., “Selling Government horse & bridle...” &c.
by WILLIAM BUCKNER
Scarce signed colored officer's report listing several entries, including "selling of Government horse and bridle and saddles sold." Report also mentions barrels of whiskey. William Buckner was a sergeant in the 46th Regiment of United States Colored Troops. From April through November 1864, this regiment was stationed in the District of Vicksburg at Milliken's Bend. Sergeant William Buckner's African American Civil War Memorial plaque number is C-59. WILLIAM BUCKNER. Manuscript Document Signed. July... Read More
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Aaron Burr Manages his New York City Law Office From Albany
by AARON BURR
In July 1791, Burr was serving as New York State commissioner of Revolutionary claims and as freshman U.S. Senator, while also practicing law. Here, the future presidential candidate instructs the clerk keeping his New York office on everything from entering pleas, to sending case paperwork, to ordering vials of an eye moisturizer and books analyzing the French Revolution, to correspondence. AARON BURR. Autograph Letter Signed, to William Ireson. Albany, N.Y., July 20, 1791. 3 pp., folio, with integral address leaf to... Read More
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Accusing the Recently Retired Hamilton of Financial Malfeasance
by JAMES CALLENDER
JAMES CALLENDER. Book. Historical Memories of the United States for 1796. Jan 1797. [Philadelphia: Bioran and Madan]. 288 pp. Half calf and marbled boards, bound in antique style, spine gilt, corners leather tipped. Callender (secretly backed by Jefferson) characterizes Alexander Hamilton's push for centralized power as a moral betrayal of the Revolution. The public questioning of Hamilton's personal finances and motivation was soon taken up again in Callender's History of the United... Read More
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Responding to Grant’s Postwar Request for a Report of Guns Captured at Fort Donelson, His First Success
by ULYSSES S. GRANT. FRANKLIN D. CALLENDER
St. Louis, MO, 1866. No binding. Fine. Manuscript Letter Signed as Lt. Col of Ordnance and Brevet Brigadier General, to Adam Badeau, Grant's Military Secretary, St. Louis, Arsenal, Mo., August 1, 1866. 2 pp., 7 3/4 x 9 1/2 in. Callender responds to Grant's aide-de-camp Adam Badeau's request ""for a statement of the number and calibre of guns captured at Fort Donelson, February 16th 1862,"" the Tennessee battle that was Grant's first success. Not having that report, he... Read More
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A Fatal Duel Set Up by N.C. Congressman & Later Republic of Texas’s Secretary of State
by SAMUEL PRICE CARSON
1827. No binding. Very Good. Autograph Letter Signed. Daring Former North Carolina Congressmen Dr. Robert B. Vance to challenge him to a duel, September 12, 1827. 2 pp. Browned paper, stain on verso, some losses on the edges and minor tears, but unique. ""the malignant shafts of your disappointed ambition fell perfectly harmless at my feet. I am incapable of any revenge towards you & let me assure you that my chivalry would not permit me to avenge... Read More
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"George Washington" - Keith Carter Photograph
by [GEORGE WASHINGTON]. KEITH CARTER
[GEORGE WASHINGTON]. KEITH CARTER. Photograph. Child holds his copy of Gilbert Stuart's famous "Athenaeum" portrait of George Washington. 1990. Number 6 of 50, 15 x 15 in. Keith Carter (1948 - Present). Internationally recognized photographer and educator. He holds the endowed Walles Chair of Art at Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. He is the recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts Regional Survey Grants and the Lange-Taylor Prize from The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. In 1998, he received... Read More
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