Box 2

New Jersey politician Southard (1787-1842) requests a certified copy of legal proceedings.

Fragment of a document signed by United States Secretary of the Treasury John Canfield Spencer (1788-1855) in circa 1843-1844.

Affidavit from the New York colonial governor at Fort William Henry respecting probate of the will of Colonel Lewis Morris and administration of his estate by his heir, nephew Lewis Morris (1671-1746); upon his death Lewis owned a plantantion in Harlem and an iron works, among other lands in New York.

Letter from abolitionist author Stowe (1811-1986) to New York publisher James Cephas Derby (1818-1892) about a missed opportunity for them to visit at her home near Jacksonville, Florida; she writes that she hopes to return to her Hartford, Connecticut, residence in June.

Massachusetts Senator Sumner (1811-1874; Harvard AB 1830) discusses circulating a printed address by Horace Greeley.

Topics include the Senate elections, Know Nothings, Sumner's and addresses to political meetings. He also tells Baker a speech made by Seward was "a masterpiece." Pasted on the letter is an illustration of a younger Sumner with his signature, probably cut from a newspaper.

Tells Baker that the ambivalence of the New-York Tribune to Sumner's June 4 speech on the Senate floor, titled "The barbarism of slavery," surprised him since he felt it reflected the paper's own public sentiments. Sumner also refers to the challenges and cost of distributing printed copies of the oration, writing, "To some men a speech for liberty is always 'out of place' and 'out of time'. The politicians will not circulate my speech. I am not able to do it."

Tallmadge, Jr. (1778-1853), then a solicitor of the Court of Chancery in New York, appoints Nathan Sanford as his agent.

President Taylor (1784-1850) authorizes a transfer of an appropriations surplus related to consular offices abroad.

Appointment by New York Governor Throop (1784-1874) of two commissioners to review Saugerties and Woodstock turnpike road.

Testimony sworn by Tompkins (1774-1825) as solicitor for the complainant in the case of Peter Griffin versus Phebe Griffin, which related to alimony claims.

Letter from Tompkins, then governor of New York, to unknown recipients discussing American values and the Constitution.

Letter to Colonel Platt (1754-1830) regarding payment for muskets and methods of loading buckshot into cartridegs.

Schedule of net gain to New York from an exchange of weapons by Richard Platt, the state's commissary of military stores, which was effected by sale of old musket stands by the United States. A note on the verson by Tompkins testifies the muskets received in exchange by New York for those sold were more valuable and the state benefited from the transaction.

Note from Tyler (1810-1897), a professor at Amherst College, to an unknown recipient on August 25, 1842, about payment for a map, attached to a memorandum about a messenger horse by Secretary of State Upshur (1790-1844), dated November 29, 1843.

Letter from former Confederate Army officer Vance (1828-1899) respecting the date of his commission by President Jefferson Davis as a brigadier general on June 13, 1863.

Certificate declining to prosecute the case of James Morrison versus John Rancier any further in New York Chancery Court. Van Vechten (1762-1837) was solicitor for the complainant.

Order to pay New York attorney Adrian Kissam the amount of records fees due to Varick (1753-1831), then serving as Recorder of New York.

Letter from former Harvard President Walker (1794-1874; Harvard AB 1814) regarding social matters and invitation to visit his home in New York.

Maine Congressman Washburn (1813-1883), in Washington, D.C., discusses rumors Baker had referenced in another letter, which Washburn writes were probably circulated by enemies. He also expresses optimism about Pennsylania, probably meaning the Presidential election, and confidence Republicans would triumph.

Fragment of a paper with the signature of Tuskegee Institute President Washington (1856-1915), closing with "yours truly" and "principal" in another hand. In the same hand written on the verso is a New York address and date, 1/22/02, on stationery of J.G. Phelps Stokes (1872-1960), a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute.

Letter to New York Governor Clark respecting a meritorious case and political news.

Fragment of a letter signed by Washington, and a paper on which he wrote "Scott Pringle Cheap & Co. in Madeira." The company was Washington's supplier of madeira wine beginning in 1766.

New York City court record related to letters of administration of the estate of George Masters.