Browse Items (581 total)

Commissioner of Public Buildings B.B. French wrote an account of Abraham Lincoln's death soon after the event. His account later appears in The Republican as "A narrative of the president's murder." On page 249 of his scrapbook French pastes a…

A.E. Fostell asks Samuel B. Arnold for a photograph for which he is willing to pay. On the bottom of Fostell's letter, Samuel Arnold replies that he does not own a photograph of himself and that the only photograph available would be from the…

A.L. Spencer writes and signs his remembrances as a young boy at the Freeport Lincoln-Douglas Debate held on August 29, 1858.

Abbott H. Thayer writes to Ignatius R. Grossman of being wrapped up in his own work and admits that he has not yet heard of Grossman's son.

President Abraham Lincoln signs an order granting diplomatic power for Anson Burlingame to "conclude a modification of the 14th article of the treaty" between the U.S. and China.

Abraham Lincoln writes B.B. French regarding Thomas Stackpole & Louis Bargdorf, watchmen at the White House.

A note written and signed by President Lincoln to B.B. French reads: "If Comr. of Public Buildings chooses to give laborers at White House a holy-day, I have no objections." The holy-day refers to a celebration of Lincoln's re-election the day…

New Salem Postmaster Abraham Lincoln informs Blair & Rives, publishers of the Washington, D.C. Congressional Globe, that subscriber, John C. Vance, is deceased and no longer collects his paper.

On the morning of May 14, 1863, President Lincoln invites Senator Charles Sumner of Massachsetts to come to breakfast with General Hooker at 8:30 AM. Some believe that this frantic get-together and others like it most probably had something to do…

In a short letter to Edwin M. Stanton, Lincoln writes: "Senators tell me that Gen. Mitchell of Kansas nominated for a Major General, has been rejected." Lincoln proposes Thomas Ewing of Kansas be appointed in his place: "Please send me the…

President Abraham Lincoln requests Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton to appoint Robert J. Stevens, a son-in-law of Col. Edward D. Baker, as additional paymaster. Lincoln obliges the friendship of a family member of Baker's. Action on the request is…

Abraham Lincoln requests that Edward B. Jerome be made a lieutenant in the regular army as soon as it can be done. Jerome was the son of the sister of Col. E.D. Baker and was in the service with him when he fell at the Battle of Ball's Bluff.

President Lincoln asks Secretary of War Stanton to furnish a new pass for the embalmer Dr. Brown. Dr. Charles B. Brown was the embalmer of Willie Lincoln in Feb. 1862, and 3 years later in Apr. 1865, of the president himself.

On a narrow oblong card, Abraham Lincoln writes: "Hon. Sec. of War, please see Eliot and Mr. Baker. A. Lincoln." Lincoln probably refers to Representative Thomas D. Eliot of Massachusetts who introduced a bill to establish a Bureau of Emancipation.

Just after establishing a partnership with Stephen T. Logan, Springfield lawyer Abraham Lincoln writes Edgar County lawyer G.B. Shelledy regarding certain cases in which he is involved, and forwards the appropriate forms.

President Lincoln received an appeal on behalf of Daniel Hanson of the 97th New York Infantry who is sentenced to death for desertion. On behalf of that appeal, Lincoln writes to Gen. Meade for information on the case as usual. Lincoln repeated his…

Abraham Lincoln provides thoughtful advice to a legal client, informing him that "I do not think there is the least use of doing any more with the law-suit. I not only do not think you are sure to gain it, but I do think you are sure to lose it. …

President Lincoln sends the following note with Mr. Ruby: "Will Mr. Risley please see & hear the bearer, Mr. Ruby." Risley is an agent of the Treasury Department, charged with purchasing goods (cotton) from the Confederate States at Norfolk.

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…

Abraham Lincoln writes about his defeat in the contest for the Illinois Senate seat in Feb. 1855. Lincoln refers to himself as "quite convalescent," depicts Governor Matteson as the cause of his difficulties, and analyzes the ups and downs of the…

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…

Abraham Lincoln writes on a small oblong card a note to J.E. Allen: "Shoe Tad's horse for him. A. Lincoln." The note is part of a display enclosed in an elaborate red morocco folding case, with oval photo by A. Berger of Lincoln and Tad with the…

Abraham Lincoln appeals to his friend Jesse K. Dubois for frank information concerning the situation with certain stocks held by a bank. Since the stocks have depreciated, Lincoln tells Dubois that it is his responsibility to have the banks deposit…

Lincoln informs John Bennett that the new town of Petersburg has been granted permission to incorporate by the state legislature. He adds information on a new road to be built, and mentions Bowling Green, Bennett Abell and the election contest…

Abraham Lincoln writes to John Bennett regarding Lincoln's first bid for national office, his unsuccessful campaign for the Whig Party's nomination for the congressional seat of the 7th district of Illinois. Lincoln reveals his authorship of the…