Browse Items (22278 total)

This Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance Company bank draft for $50 payable to Abraham Lincoln is one of two bank drafts Lincoln purchased before his trip to speak at Cooper Union in New York City. While Lincoln used the other draft, he retained…

Abraham Lincoln writes and submits his demurrer on behalf of John E. Laughery who is accused by Michael Henrichsen of stealing a cow. Henrichsen sues Laughery for slander.

Joseph Proctor writes his father and brother that he and Lizzie are enjoying good fortune. His engagement ends that evening and they plan to leave for Ireland at 10 PM on a steamer. Proctor states that his performances have been well received and…

This Illustrated envelope is addressed to George P. Davis of Beloit, Wisconsin. The bright yellow envelope has a three cent postage stamp in the upper right corner with a Galesburg postmark stamped over it. The envelope is illustrated on the left…

Abraham Lincoln replies to a June 19, 1860, letter from Joshua R. Giddings, an Ohio abolitionist congressman. Lincoln apoligizes for his failure to make his reply earlier due to illness in the family. Lincoln agrees that the suggestions Giddings made…

Lyman Trumbull writes to Samuel J. Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa, regarding Republican Party politics noting that "we are having a close fight in Ill." Trumbull, who later became senator, was an anti-slavery activist.

Joseph Proctor write to his father and brothers from "the Bonnie North, Englands divided Isle" Proctor recounts his tour of the Highlands and his plans to go to Cottage in mid-November. Proctor discusses the activities of his agents. He plans to…

William H. Herndon writes to John L. Douglas and Brothers regarding a letter Herndon received from a Mr Leland of Boston in reference to a mortgage held by him, as trustee of the Estate of Mr. Dutch,decd, and executed by the company. In that letter…

Joseph Proctor writes to Thomas McKeon regarding his upcoming schedule and the many cities he plans to visit. On the reverse side is a letter written by G.S. Ballard to N.B. and H.E. Proctor sending them the frock measurements of F.W. Kinsman and…

Joseph Proctor writes to his father and brothers: "You will perceive that I have arrived thus far towards home. I have arranged to open here at the Walnut St. Theatre on Monday, Nov. 4th, so you see I shall only be able to stop one week in…

William H. Herndon writes to Messrs. W. S. Douglas & Bro. concerning Mr. Leland of Boston. Herndon recommends that his client accept Leland's proposition immediately, "taking into consideration the pecuniary crisis which is now in our midst,…

This envelope is addressed to George P. Davis, Esq. of Beloit, Wisconsin, with a Bloomington, Illinois, postmark. The bright yellow envelope is illustrated with a portrait of Abraham Lincoln engraved by Mendel. The stamp once affixed to the envelope…

John Todd Stuart writes to Mr. McGalliard on Stuart, Edwards, and Brown Law Firm stationary regarding a legal case.

Edwin M. Stanton writes to B.B. French requesting a name of a case he cannot recall because a previous memo containing that name cannot be found. A stationer's mark is located in the upper left corner.

William Joshua Allen writes to his mother about a visit he and two southern "fire-eaters" had with President-elect Lincoln. Allen mentions attempts of other southerners to assassinate Lincoln by sending him poisoned fruit.

Richard Townsend writes to a cousin predicting that the electorate will be disappointed in Lincoln and acknowledging that he had voted against him in the recent election.

Frank writes from Philadelphia to his brother about his prospects at work and offers his reaction to Lincoln's inauguration and subsequent celebration in Washington.

An engraved parchment document signed "Abraham Lincoln," and countersigned by Secretary of War Simon Cameron appoints John J. Sweet to the rank of second lieutenant in the second regiment of cavalry.

Abraham Lincoln asks Hiram Barney to see him so that he may "...make up the New York card better...." once they talk. Hiram Barney is a prominent New York attorney Lincoln would appoint as collector of the port of New York in April 1861 only to be…

This hand-written copy of President Lincoln's proclamation ordering the blockade of harbors in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas opened the Civil War. On the reverse side of this manuscript is found the note…

Joseph Proctor writes to his brother John, about the state of Americans in England on the eve of the Civil War. Proctor is pro-Union. He informs his brother that the English government proposes a "strict new treaty" and will likely find "some…

Aide-de-camp Drake DeKay signs a pass through union lines for B.B. French incorporating an oath to the Union signed by French on the reverse side of the pass.

Abraham Lincoln writes a note regarding Theodore C. Dorsey's candidacy at West Point. Lincoln refers the request of Isabella Dorsey to appoint her sixteen year old brother as a cadet at West Point "when he shall be old enough."

President Abraham Lincoln requests U.S. Postmaster General Montgomery Blair the nomination of John Armstrong for postmaster at Springfield, Illinois. As an attorney, Lincoln once defended both Armstrong and his son Duff in the 1850's. Armstrong…

Future president Benjamin Harrison of Indianapolis,Indiana,writes to Albert G. Porter requesting a commission for his brother, Carter B. Harrison (later mayor of Chicago). Abraham Lincoln's endorsement of Harrison appears on the reverse side of this…