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  Letter from Mary Custis Lee to Dr. Stabler requesting laudanum and opodeldoc, no date.

  Mary Custis Lee

  Mary Custis Lee asks for medicines on behalf of her mother Mary Lee Fitzhugh Custis.

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  John C. Calhoun letter to William H. Rogers

  John C. Calhoun

  Calhoun was the Secretary of State at the time of this letter. He commands the suspension of the trial of Capt. Hiram Gray, who was accused of violating the slave trade suppression law.

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  John Hale letter acknowledging a request to speak at the Mercantile Library Association, September 14, 1845.

  John P. Hale

  Hale writes that he has been so "harrassed with business" that he has "had but little time to attend to any thing else, or even to think of aught beside." "I have had to continue almost alone against the whole pack of profligate & venal newspaper Editors set upon me."

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  Gerrit Smith letter, Peterboro, N.Y., November 18, 1845.

  Gerrit Smith

  Smith writes a friendly letter to an unclear addressee.

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  Letter from Seargent Smith Prentiss to Albert Pike, April 25, 1846.

  Seargent Smith Prentiss

  In this letter, Seargent Smith Prentiss writes on the subject of a claim sold to Albert Pike and requests the names and residences for witnesses, dated April 25, 1846.

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  Warrant for $496.89 due John A. Watie, signed by Cherokee leader Stand Watie. January 26, 1847.

  Stand Watie

  Stand Watie signs a warrant for $496.89 owed his brother John A. Watie, January 26, 1847.

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  Transfer orders for Francis Gregory, signed by M.C. Perry and Franklin Buchanan. Mexico, 1847.

  Matthew Calbraith Perry, Francis Gregory, and Lewis W. Minor Surgeon

  During the 2nd Tabasco Campaign a midshipman (Francis Gregory) transfers ships due to health. A copy of the surgeon's recommendation is included with subsequent orders to a schooner (U.S. Petrel); signed by M.C. Perry and endorsed on the back by Franklin Buchanan.

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  Letter of recommendation for Andrew Wallace Hunter written by Leonidas Polk . May 11, 1848.

  Leonidas Polk

  A letter of recommendation for Andrew Wallace Hunter from Leonidas Polk for the position of midshipman within the Navy. Polk mentions that Hunter is of "more than ordinary worth" and that he has also been recommended by Senator Berrien of Georgia. Dated May 11th, 1848.

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  Thomas S. Jesup Letter regarding the Brig "Baltimore," 1849.

  Thomas Sidney Jesup

  Jesup was a Major General in the U.S. Army. This letter concerns the Brig “Baltimore,” which wasn’t seaworthy at the time it was chartered. Jesup writes that the owners have no legal claim to any charter money.

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  Martin Van Buren letter to Mr. Stickney, in which the former includes his autograph. New York, August, 1849.

  Martin Van Buren

  A letter from Martin Van Buren, containing his signature, to Mr. Stickney, an autograph collector, sending his autograph "with much pleasure." New York. Dated August 16th, 1849.

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  Letter from Daniel Webster concerning the word "slavery" in Constitution, dated 1850

  Daniel Webster

  Daniel Webster writes Reverand S. K. Lothrop to question where to find the observation from Mr. Madison that states the reason to keep the word "slavery" from the Constitution, dated Feb. 27, 1850.

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  Albert Sidney Johnson letter to Texas governor Peter Hansborough Bell introducing Charles Stewart Todd. New Orleans, 1850.

  Albert Sidney Johnston

  Albert Sidney Johnson letter to Texas governor Peter Hansborough Bell introducing Charles Stewart Todd, a commissioner appointed by the U.S. to execute aspects of the Treaty of Guadalupe (1848, between U.S. and Mexico). Specifically, Johnston notes Stewart is to "make such dispositions of the Indian tribes bordering upon the line about to be established between this [U.S.] government & Mexico, as will enable the Government of the U. States to carry out the stipulation of the treaty of Guadaloupe [sic]."

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  Letter from Matthew C. Perry, in Norfolk, Virginia aboard the U.S. Steam Frigate Mississippi, to William J.W. Clancy, commanding U.S. Steam Frigate Powhattan, directing him on the route by which he shall sail to Macau (China). November 23, 1852.

  Matthew Calbraith Perry Commander East India Squadron and William J.W. Clancy Commander U.S. Steam Frigate Powhattan

  Intructions from Mathew C. Perry to William J.W. Clancy regarding his voyage on the Powhattan to China. Perry directs Clancy to stop in Madeira to refuel and then again at the Cape of Good Hope, and again at Mauritius or Isle of France. Perry also discusses other details of the voyage. November 23, 1852. Norfolk, Virginia, abourd the U.S Mississippi.

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  General Order No. 1, signed by U.S. Navy Commander in Chief Matthew C. Perry, dated December 21, 1852.

  Matthew Calbraith Perry Commander in Chief U.S. Naval Forces

  Matthew C. Perry, the Commander in Chief of U.S. Naval Forces, stationed on the U.S.S. Frigate Mississippi at the time of this order, publishes General Order No. 1 stating that notes, journals, articles of communication and other items prepared by officers or persons will be endorsed and transmitted to the Commander in Chief and Navy Department to be used for government convenience. Signed at sea, December 21, 1852.

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  Letter of recommendation from Sterling Price to President Elect Franklin Pierce regarding Jesse Morin for the position of Indian Agent. Jefferson City, Missouri. January 16, 1853.

  Sterling Price

  Letter of recommendation from Sterling Price to President Elect, General Franklin Pierce regarding Mr. Jesse Morin from Platte County, Missouri. Price explains that Morin has proved his skills as an officer in the Mexican war and would give "entire satisfaction" for the position of Indian Agent. Carte de visite of Sterling Price included with this item. Jefferson City, Missouri. 16 January 1853.

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  Missouri bond No. 32 for $1000. Signed by Sterling Price, governor, April 15, 1853.

  Sterling Price, John M. Richardson, and A. W. Morrison

  Missouri bond No. 32 for $1000, redeemable 30 years thereafter. Signed by Governor Sterling Price and Secretary of State John M. Richardson. Registered on April 15th, 1853.

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  Letter of recommendation from Phillip Barton Key II to President Franklin Pierce, dated July 15, 1853.

  Philip Barton Key II

  A letter of recommendation for democrat David Hines from Philip Barton Key II to President Franklin Pierce, dated July 15, 1853.

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  Thomas Benton letter to Dr. Harry Boernstein, 1853.

  Thomas Hart Benton

  Thomas Hart Benton writes a letter to Henry Boernstein, a German publisher of the Anzeiger des Westens [“Western Reporter”] in St. Louis. In this letter, Benton discusses proposed changes for the paper, expresses his gratitude for Boernstein's support in the previous election, and looks forward to the continued participation of German-Americans in future elections.

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  Letter from Louis T. Wigfall to a T. King in New York, Marshall, Texas, May 17, 1855.

  Louis T. Wigfall

  Wigfall writes to King imploring him to come to Texas. He also notes several others matters of business and politics.

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  Receipt signed by J.K. Duncan for Iron for Mint Branch Repairs, New Orleans, 1856

  Johnson K. Duncan

  J.K. Duncan acknowledges receipt of iron from Cooper and Hewitt of New York for use in the repair of the New Orleans Branch Mint, 1856. Duncan is noted as one of the few generals in the Confederate Army who was born and raised in North. He commanded Confederate forces in the defense of New Orleans. He was a graduate of West Point.

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  Receipt for advertisement placed in "Alexandria Gazette" denoting several slaves for sale, by John A. Washington, 1857.

  John Augustine Washington

  This is a receipt for a classified ad in the Alexandria Gazette - the actual advertisement that ran in the paper is attached. The advertiser, John A. Washington, announces that, as trustee for the estate of a William S. Mason, he will be selling "at public auction, to the highest bidder" two people: "one a young mulatto woman aged about 22 years, and a good house servant; the other, a negro boy aged ten years."

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  Letter from David Livingstone to E. Baines, Dundee, September 27, 1857.

  David Livingstone

  Livingstone writes that his mother's illness prevents him from being able to know precisely which day his will be able to meet Baines. Livingstone further advises about when specific meetings should be held and his objectives for those meetings.

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  Letter from David Livingstone to Mr. Oswell, March 2, 1858.

  David Livingstone

  Livingstone conveys travels plans.

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  Receipt for sale of Permelia, an enslaved woman of African descent. January 24, 1859.

  A. M. Holland and John Susan

  Receipt "for a Negro Woman named Permelia," 21, from John Susan (name unclear) to A.M. Holland for "eleven hundred dollars" ($1100 USD), January 24, 1859. Location not stated.

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  Promissory note, States Rights Gist is lender. 1859.

  States Rights Gist

  Promissory note for payment of States Rights for $56.34. 1859