This atlas, designed for British officers to use in the field, includes the “maps that the British high command regarded as providing essential topographical information in the most convenient form” (Schwartz & Ehrenberg).  The publishers claimed that their work would fit into an officer’s pocket, but it was more often carried in a holster. The present copy was bound in a more easily managed size with the maps cut, mounted on linen, and folded into a quarto-sized binding.

John André proudly writes to his mother in England of his recent promotion to Adjutant-General of the British Army in North America, serving under Commander-in-Chief Sir Henry Clinton. André handled Clinton’s official correspondence and managed his network of spies in New York and New Jersey, which brought him into contact with disgruntled Continental Army General Benedict Arnold and ushered him towards the dreadful fate that awaited him later that month. This is one of his last letters to his family.

“Good fortune follows me, the Commander in chief has raised me to the first Office in the Army, if that of most confidence and least proffit is to be stiled so. I am Adjutant General … My satisfaction at my Appointment is renew’d at my acquainting you with it, as I am persuaded I am giving equal pleasure to what I have experienc’d myself … I do not derive great power from my situation but what openings it gives me to provide for, or oblige (in a good cause) I shall avail myself of at your nod.”

Massachusetts Congressman John F. Kennedy makes a powerful statement about the place of religion, specifically his own Catholicism, in politics. Here he criticizes a priest in western Massachusetts for using religion as a political wedge in a local school election, reminding Catholics, who tended to vote Democratic, of the difficulties faced by Al Smith, a Catholic, in his presidential campaign in 1928. “I think that the priest up there should be reprimanded by the Bishop for attempting to make a religious war out of a school election. And then they complain about Al Smith’s treatment.”

“[2/11/64] This forenoon had a game at ball, knocked the ball to pieces & had to stop...[2/12/64] had a game at ball. Towards evening had another game at ball... 

Pair of war-date diaries of Wheaton J. Race, Company H, 114th Regiment of New York State Volunteers, incredibly detailed content on marching, daily camp activities and news, rumors, and more, fighting and retreating (“on the skedaddle”), and contains ink ownership signature of Race. The 114^th N.Y. served principally under Nathaniel Banks in Louisiana, capturing Port Hudson on July 8, 1863, fighting in the failed Red River Expedition, and was reassigned to the Eastern theater in 1864.

Order to pay a pilot who guided U.S. navy ships into Florida waters, enabling Jackson to remove Spanish influence there. The order includes payment for piloting the schooner that carried captured British agent Alexander Arbuthnot. Jackson’s hanging of the Scotsman would lead to an international outcry and a Congressional investigation.  

Also signed by John Baptiste, the pilot, with his mark, and witnessed by Surgeon Moses H. Elliott. Baptiste took this document back to the quartermaster at Fort Gadsden, where it was paid: “Fort Gadsden, May 7, 1818. Received of Maj. Milo Mason, Dept. Q.M.Genl., twenty six dollars in full of the above account.”

“The United States to John Baptiste for his service, as pilot on board the United States armed Schooner Thomas Shields under the command of Capt. McKeever from the 30th March to 14th April inclusive-16 days. For the same on board the Schooner Milo, Capt. Snow, from the 15 to 22nd April inclusive being- 8 days. For the same in piloting the Schooner Chance from the Bay of Apalache to St. Marks- 2 days. Total 26 days.  One dollar per day-- $26.  The Q.M. Genl. will pay the above account.”

“The record of modern warfare rarely shows a more desperate encounter than upon the parapet of Fort Gregg…”

Exciting manuscript battle report from the decisive campaign ending combat operations in Virginia. Brevet Brigadier General Edwin S. Greeley, regimental colonel of the 10th Connecticut, dispatched this “…to the adjutant general of Connecticut detailing the regiment’s involvement in the fall of Petersburg and subsequent surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox.” Included are detailed accounts of the Battle of Hatcher’s Run (April 1) and the final assault on Fort Gregg on April 2, 1865, which caused the collapse of the Confederate lines at Petersburg and the evacuation of Richmond the following day.

A uniquely important Douglass letter, written while still a fugitive slave, mentioning his desire to return to America, negotiations with his owner to purchase his freedom, and speaking engagements in London. “My Anna says ‘Come home’ and I have now resolved upon going home … I shall sail for America on the fourth November--and hope to meet the beloved one of my heart by the 20^th of that month. Do not allow this arrangement [to] interfere in any way with your correspondence with my owner--as whether you succeed or fail good may come of the effort.”

“As for your interest in the proclamation of May 14, 1948, any document or statement issued by the President goes through a series of statements to make certain of its accuracy and clarity of meaning. I continue to hope that a reign of peace will soon come to pass ...”

Rare ‘proof’ state, one of only a handful. Shows rare ‘Restitutio view’ of New-York and played a part in the Penn-Baltimore Dispute.

This decisive field order enabled Robert E. Lee to elude Union General George Meade, just as he had done in July after the Battle of Gettysburg. “…go with the Art^l [Artillery] tomorrow and at daylight towards the Rapidan river & see to its being placed in position to defend the fords”

Jackson gives directions to his division commander, D.H. Hill, on leaving the Shenandoah Valley to join Robert E. Lee in countering the Union offensive in Virginia. On December 13, Jackson and Hill contributed to the Battle of Fredericksburg, a decisive Confederate victory. “…Your route will be from New Market via Columbia bridge, & Fishers Gap. You will leave the Valley pike at New Market ...”

“Upon reading this day at the Board the Humble petition of W^m. Penn Esq^r … Her Ma^ty. in Councill taking the same into her consideration is Graciously pleased, to ord^r accordingly, that the s^d petition of the Lord Baltimore, Be, and it is hereby Dismissed”

The 1876 presidential election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden came down to a dispute over Florida’s electoral votes. This archive of 12 pamphlets, broadsides, and documents includes official signed copies of key Florida court and executive decisions. From the papers of Edward Louden Parris, an attorney for Tilden, who ended up losing the election by way of the “Compromise of 1877.”

The 1876 presidential election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden came down to a dispute over Florida’s electoral votes. This archive of 21 pamphlets, broadsides, and documents includes official signed copies of key Florida court and executive decisions. From the papers of Edward Louden Parris, an attorney for Tilden, who ended up losing the election by way of the “Compromise of 1877.”

The 1876 presidential election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden came down to a dispute over Florida’s electoral votes. This archive of 5 pamphlets and documents includes official signed copies of key Florida court and executive decisions. From the papers of Edward Louden Parris, an attorney for Tilden, who ended up losing the election by way of the “Compromise of 1877.”

This broadside announces the 1876 presidential election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden. Unknown at the time, the election would be among the most controversial in American history, with the entire contest resting on a dispute over Florida’s electoral votes. From the papers of Edward Louden Parris, an attorney for Tilden, who ended up losing the election by way of the “Compromise of 1877.”

Likely the first published map, of the historic battle, printed the same year.