Search Results: Authors starting with W from Seth Kaller, Inc.

"The Idea that an Army shall be entitled to receive whatever may be called for, is monstrous, and is what the Resources of no Nation can support."

Colonel Wadsworth provides a lengthy critique of a Senate bill to combine the Ordnance and Artillery departments. He insists on the need to maintain uniformity in arms manufacture and the necessity to control the flow of supplies. Many of his arguments about the tendency to waste in military expenditures resonate with modern critiques. DECIUS WADSWORTH.
Autograph Document Signed, critique of Senate bill to combine Ordnance and Artillery departments, ca. 1821. 7 pp., 8½ x 12½ in. [with] DECIUS WADSWORTH, Autograph Document Signed, proposal regarding Ordnance Department, ca. 1821. 3 pp., 8 x 10 in. #23067.04 [with] [JAMES MADISON]. An act for the better regulation of the Ordnance Department, passed by Congress, February 8, 1815, signed in type by President James Madison, Speaker of the House Langdon Cheves, and Senate President pro tem… Read More

"The loaning of Munitions of War, in such large quantities from our Magazines and Arsenals is viewed by me as highly impolitic and hazardous; and it is hardly necessary for me to add, that I have had no agency in the Transaction." DECIUS WADSWORTH.
Autograph Letter Signed, to Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, February 10, 1821, Washington, D.C. 2 pp., 8 x 10 in. [With] DECIUS WADSWORTH, Autograph Letter Signed, to Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, July 18, 1818, [ca. February 10, 1821, Washington, D.C.]. Marked "copy." 2 pp., 8 x 10 in.
Excerpts from February 10, 1821 letter:

"That Report seems to me calculated to leave an injurious Impression… The Committee state in their Report in the fourth Page, as follows. One of these Loans of 400 Barrels, was made to Israel Whelen, of Philadelphia, by Capt Jos. H. Rees, and seems to have been reported to the Head of the Ordnance Department in April, 1817." (p1)

"The Fact is I left Washington by Order in the beginning of April 1817 on the first… Read More

"They grinned and pushed on, and with a yell that told the southern chivalry their doom, [they] rolled irresistibly over and into the work." [CIVIL WAR].
Broadside. New England Loyal Publication Society No. 200. Boston, Mass., June 27, 1864. 1 p., 9 x 10¾ in.
A New York Tribune reporter praises the performance of the USCT: "I find that in my account of the assault upon the rebel works in front of Petersburg I hardly did the colored troops justice. As before stated, they held a position on the Jourdan Point road....They were first directed to assault the earthwork....the charge upon the advanced works was made in splendid style; and as the 'dusky warriors' stood shouting upon the parapet, Gen. Smith decided that 'they would do' and sent word for them to storm the first redoubt. Steadily these troops moved on, led by officers whose unostentatious bravery is worthy of emulation. With a shout and rousing cheers they dashed at the redoubt. Grape and canister were hurled at them by the… Read More

1864. No binding. Condition: Fine. Manuscript Pen and Ink Folk Art Song Book, ca. 1864. 24 pp., 6 5/8 x 8 in. This hand-sewn booklet contains eight songs popular during the Civil War era, with music and lyrics in calligraphy. Songs include "On a Green Grassy Noll" by J. D. Canning, with music by Ira Odell; "The Old Mountain Tree" by James G. Clark; "Harmonian Waltz"; "Year of Jubilee, or Kingdom has Come!"; "Squire Jones's Daughter"; "The Sweet Birds Are Singing"; "Lament of the Irish Emigrant"; and "Soon and For Ever," by J. B. Monsell. The last page of the booklet is dated February 21, 1864. Partial Transcript: Year of Jubilee or Kingdom has Come! I come up Norf on a little bender, Left Missus at home wid no one to tend her, Ole Massa's gone, I dun-no what to; Sambo pretty sure he don't much care to. [Chorus:] Den sound de horn, beat de drum, Sound de horn and beat de drum, De year ob jubilee am come, Sound de horn and beat de drum, De year ob jubilee am come. Met genral Bloaregard, on… Read More

[CIVIL WAR].
Broadside, "The Excursion of the Bought Nominations, The Large Balloon 'Union League,' Will Start Immediately. The Balloon is managed by the Old Hunkers in the Ring." [1864]. 4 ¾ x 8 ½ in. Historical Background

The Union League Club formed in New York in 1863 to support Union troops and cultivate civil devotion. Made up of prominent citizens in New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New Haven, and Chicago, the clubs raised money to provide for the U.S. Sanitary Commission and establish a group of political elites to sustain Union military efforts. The league favored a strong central government, tariff protections, and internal improvements.

The "Old Hunkers" were the conservative branch of the New York state Democratic party in the mid-nineteenth century. They favored the status quo, whether in business or on the contentious issue of slavery. The more progressive "Barnburner" faction stood in opposition to the old Hunkers, and were against slavery, strong state powers,… Read More

Showing Union troops arriving in Philadelphia from New Jersey via ferry and marching in formation towards the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, cheered on by Philadelphians. Text at the bottom lists members of the committee and men willing to accept donations for the saloon. This image became a choice souvenir for soldiers passing through Philadelphia. [CIVIL WAR].
Print. Union Volunteers Refreshment Saloon of Philadelphia. James Queen, delineator and lithographer. Philadelphia: Thomas Sinclair, 1861. In period frame, 35 x 29 in.

Historical Background

The Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon was organized in South Philadelphia in 1861 by grocer Barzilla S. Brown. He began informally distributing food to Union troops traveling through Philadelphia, an important rail and steamer hub. The relief effort became official on May 27, 1861. The saloon provided soldiers with food, drink, stamps and paper, and offered traveling troops a place to rest. This initial effort differed… Read More

1865. No binding. Fine. Archive of materials relating to the administering of loyalty oaths in North Carolina after the Civil War during presidential Reconstruction. 1865-1866. 21814.01. William H. Bagley, Autograph Letter Signed, as private secretary of Governor William Holden, to William Barrow, John Odom, and others. Raleigh, N.C., July 10, 1865, 1 p. quarto, on State of North Carolina, Executive Department lettersheet.Excerpt""Your Memorial ... has been received at this office, and the Governor directs me to say, in reply, that the matter therein referred to, will be attended to at the earliest possible moment. This, however, cannot be done until the Enrolling Boards shall have accomplished their work in the different counties, in administering the oath of amnesty to the people - separating the loyal from the disloyal. In the meantime the preservations of the Public peace will devolve upon the Justices of the Peace in the several counties, who have the right, on all occasions to control the… Read More

Broadside describing the first occupation of Winchester, Virginia, during the Civil War. [CIVIL WAR].
Broadside, signed in type by Colonel William D. Lewis, Winchester, Virginia, April 17, 1862, 1 p. 12½ x 11 in.
Partial Transcript

"HEAD QUARTERS,

Commander of the Post,

Winchester, Va., April 17, 1862.

CITIZENS OF WINCHESTER:

Upon me has devolved the duty of commanding this Post. My wish and my duty is to afford you all the liberty and protection, due to fellow citizens. The Government I represent, is the same our forefathers established to form a more perfect Union. . . promote the general welfare and secure to us and our posterity, the blessing of Liberty. We mean truly to represent its impartial Justice.

But no one can expect the privileges of a citizen and behave as an enemy. No one can expect kindness . . . who does not extend it to others.

Citizens are reminded that the troops now stationed here, are those of their own Government, and are lawfully here on their country's soil. . .… Read More

1862. No binding. Fine. Broadside. ""The Petition of Certain Non-Conscripts, Respectfully Presented to the Confederate States Congress."" Richmond, August 8, 1862. Signed in print, ""The Petitioners, By their Counsel, John H. Gilmer."" 1 p., 7 7/8 x 10 3/8 in. Petitioning against General Order No. 46 of the Confederate War Department, which rescinded the part of the Confederate Conscription Act of April 16, 1862 that mandated the discharge of all voluntary enlistees under age 18 or over age 35 in July 1862. ""These were the terms of the law. They were plain, unequivocal and mandatory. Common sense - universal public opinion ... understood, accepted and adopted the law ... Shall an army order revoke a solemn act of Congress? ... Have we a constitutional Government, with specific powers granted ... or have we an unlimited Government, dependent only on Executive will or ministerial caprice? Are the People free or is the Executive supreme?""… Read More

A remarkable broadside advertising the sale of bulletproof vests to Union forces in North Carolina in the wake of the occupation of much of coastal North Carolina by General Ambrose Burnside's Expeditionary Force. [CIVIL WAR].
Broadside. "Good News to the Army." Bartlett & Munn, Agents for Manufacturers. Newbern, N.C., April 17, 1862. 1 p., 9¾ x 6 ½ in."We beg leave to say to the officers and soldiers of the Expedition, that after some delay we have received another invoice of those Monitor, or Bullet Proof Vests, which we are selling at our stand, opposite the Post Office, and as it is impossible for us to visit all the various Camps, please call and examine, or order, with measure of breast and waist, which will insure a good fit. We shall be here only a week or two longer, therefore it is for the interest of all who may wish to purchase to call immediately..."

Historical Background

Several firms attempted to sell such bullet proof vests during the war, with ads for body armor even… Read More

[DORR WAR].
Pamphlet. The Dorr Movement in Ohio; Being an Examination into the Causes, Progress and Probable Effects of the Revolutionary Course of Locofocoism in the Organization of the General Assembly of This State, for the Session of 1848-49. [Columbus, Ohio]: Legg & Murray, Columbus, [1849]. Disbound. Inscribed in pencil on the title by H.A. Swift, the author, in presentation. Historical Background

The Locofocos were a faction that split from the New York Democratic party in 1835 after local disagreements with machine politicians and Tammany Hall's support of Andrew Jackson's stance on the national bank. They opposed state banks, monopolies, exclusive privilege, and other antidemocratic measures. They also advocated suspending paper money and legal protection of labor unions. In New York, the machine politicians ultimately prevailed by co-opting their principal issues and nominating fusion candidates and reabsorbing the dissidents by 1838.

The anti-bank, anti-corporation, and… Read More

Washington, DC, 1862. No binding. Fine. Printed Document Signed, ""General Orders No. 34."" War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D.C., April 4, 1862. 1 p., 5 x 7 1/2 in. Excerpt"" I.. That portion of Virginia and Maryland lying between the Mountain Department and the Blue Ridge, shall constitute a Military Department to be called the Department of the Shenandoah, and will be under the command of Major General Banks..."" II.. That portion of Virginia east of the Blue Ridge and west of the Potomac, and the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, including the District of Columbia and the country between the Potomac and Patuxent, shall be a Military District to be called the Department of the Rappahannock, and be under the command of Major General McDowell.""Historical BackgroundEdward Davis Townsend (1817-1893) was a Union officer from Massachusetts. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1837. In… Read More

JOSEPH S. PITMAN. [DORR WAR].
Book. Report of the Trial of Thomas Wilson Dorr, for Treason; Including the Testimony at Length...Together with the Sentence of the Court, and the Speech of Mr. Dorr Before Sentence. Providence, R.I., B.F. Moore, 1844. 1st ed., 115 pp., 5 1/3 x 8¾ in.
Based on Rhode Island's colonial charter, over half of adult males were disenfranchised. Thomas W. Dorr led the effort to change Rhode Island's political system and expand voting rights. After trying to change the system internally, he created the People's Party, held an extralegal constitutional convention, and set up a competing government. The Rhode Island General Assembly drafted a rival constitution, and in 1842, both groups voted on their respective Constitutions. Both Dorr and sitting Governor Samuel Ward King were elected governor, but King refused to accept the People's Constitution, declared martial law, and accused Dorr of treason. While he did not attempt to seize the State House or… Read More

Philadelphia, PA, 1779. No binding. Fine. Pennsylvania Packet or General Advertiser. Newspaper. Pennsylvania Packet or General Advertiser. John Dunlap, Philadelphia, Pa., July 1, 1779. 4 pp., 10 1/2 x 17, untrimmed. Page 1-2 leads with extracts from the Journals of Congress regarding Indian Affairs and New Hampshire land disputes. Extensive content on the Revolutionary War medical department, including a lengthy, serialized ""Doctor Morgan's Vindication"" regarding the Continental Congress's dismissal of Dr. John Morgan (who had great success managing military hospitals for Washington's Army) without cause or explanation. Here, he obtains testimony from General Nathanael Greene, and even Washington himself, to defend his reputation.Page 3 reports war news from Pennsylvania, as well as a June 29, 1779 act of the Continental Congress borrowing $20 million to maintain fiscal solvency.Page 4 includes advertisements for runaway slaves, book auctions, and stolen… Read More

William Bundy's 5-volume set of the "Senator Gravel Edition" of the Pentagon Papers, with annotations, marginal notes, and two legal-size pages with handwritten notes arranged chronologically. [VIETNAM WAR].
Books. The Pentagon Papers. Boston: Beacon Press, 1971-1972. First Editions. Five paperback books, volumes I-IV in green printed covers, volume V in orange. 5¾ x 9 inches each. Pages varies by volume. Volume V (Critical Essays, edited by Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn) has a Beacon Press review copy slip taped to the half-title and an address label paperclipped to the same page. The label is addressed to Bundy as editor of Foreign Affairs and has a handwritten date, "9/25/72."
Historical Background

Defense Secretary Robert McNamara commissioned a massive study, later called the Pentagon Papers, in 1967 and appointed Pentagon arms control director Leslie Gelb as the project's supervisor. Gelb hired 36 military officers, civilian policy experts, and historians to write the study's… Read More

Brigadier General William Cogswell offers a dramatic farewell message to the troops under his command in the Army of Georgia. A Salem, Massachusetts lawyer, Cogswell turned his law office into a recruiting station after learning the 6th Massachusetts had been attacked in Baltimore. He was first in, last out, in his Civil War service: In 24 hours, he raised the first full company of the war (Company C, 2nd Massachusetts Volunteers) and his brigade fought in the final battle of the war in Bentonville, North Carolina. Despite his relative obscurity, Cogswell's eloquence rivals the great farewell messages in military history. WILLIAM COGSWELL. CIVIL WAR.
Manuscript Document Signed. General Orders No. 14. [Farewell to the Army of Georgia], Near Washington, D.C., June 9, 1865. 1 p., 7¾ x 12 in.
Complete Transcript

Head Quarters, 3rd Brigade, 3d Div., 20[th] A[rmy] [Corps],

Near Washington, D.C. 9th June 1865

General Orders

No. 14

Officers and Enlisted… Read More

"We, the members of the Loyal League, do hereby pledge ourselves, by words and acts, whenever practicable, to use our influence in support of the Government in all its measures for the suppression of the present unholy rebellion; and we will use our influence to discountenance and oppose all efforts in opposition to the Government and the Union." [CIVIL WAR--RHODE ISLAND].
Pledge and original membership roll of the Loyal League of Providence, Manuscript Document Signed, with 161 signatures, ca. January 1863, [Providence, RI]. 2 pp., 7¾ x 22¼ in.
Historical Background

Loyal Leagues (also often known as Union Leagues) were men's clubs established during the Civil War. They usually consisted of the professional, merchant, and artisan classes in northern cities. The first such club formed in Philadelphia in 1862.

Many of the signers of this membership roll were born between 1844 and 1850, and many were probably students at Providence High School. In 1861, students from the high school… Read More

The central image has a full length Standing Portrait of George Washington as President with his sword, after the original painting by Gilbert Stuart painted for William Constable, better known as the "Landsdowne Portrait." Washington's portrait is framed by a portion of his farewell address on the left, and his epitaph on the right. The bottom bears three panels, including the Great Seal of the United States, a sailing ship scene labeled "Commercial Union," and "The British Lion."
GEORGE WASHINGTON. A rare glazed cotton kerchief printed in black bearing a full length portrait of George Washington and a portion of his Farewell Address. Germantown Print Works, c. 1806.

Complete Transcript
THE EFFECT OF PRINCIPLE
BEHOLD THE MAN
[Left side:]
Though in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert… Read More

"The prospect of national prosperity now before us is truly animating, and ought to excite the exertions of all good men to establish and secure the happiness of their Country, in the permanent duration of its Freedom and Independence. America, under the smiles of a Divine Providence—the protection of a good Government—and the cultivation of manners, morals and piety, cannot fail of attaining an uncommon degree of eminence, in literature, commerce, agriculture, improvements at home and respectability abroad." [GEORGE WASHINGTON].
Newspaper. The Gazette of the United States, March 17, 1790. Pages 3-4 only (of 4 pages).
George Washington's Letter (p3/c1-2)

To the Roman Catholics in the United States of America.

Gentlemen,

While I now receive with much satisfaction your congratulations on my being called, by an unanimous vote, to the first station in my Country; I cannot but duly notice your politeness in offering an apology for the unavoidable delay. As that delay has… Read More

[MARTHA WASHINGTON]. Portrait Signed by the artist ("Fabre"). 2¾ x 3¾ in.
This portrait of Martha Washington, hand-painted on ivory, is likely by noted Swiss/French miniaturist Louis André Fabre (1750 – 1814). The French had a penchant for painting mid-nineteenth-century miniature portraits, including images of American historical figures, on ivory. This miniature is in its original frame and back insert. Though "Mère de Washington" (Mother of Washington) is written on the reverse, the image is clearly Martha.