American Historical Ephemera & Photography

EVERETT, Edward (1794-1865). Secretary of State under Millard Fillmore and renowned orator of Gettysburg fame. Autograph letter signed ("Edward Everett"). Cleveland, OH, 13 April 1861. 3pp, 4 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. (oxidization residue from paper clip binding, creases at folds).  Addressed to "Dr. Sprague," concerning arranging a personal visit. Written just a day after the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter, Everett writes this following his signature: "I started last week on a lecturing tour in the West, but the sad state of affairs, which has since come on, leads me to abandon it & to return home immediately."

EATON, John Henry (1790-1856). Secretary of War under Andrew Jackson and husband to Peggy Eaton, of the "Petticoat Affair." Autograph letter signed ("J.H. Eaton"). Washington, DC, 22 December 1820. 2pp, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in. (adhesive residue along entire left side, small tears at creases, spotting). Possible reference to Andrew Jackson. Concerns financial matter.

BRYAN, William Jennings (1860-1925). Autograph letter signed ("W.J. Bryan"). Lincoln, NE, 19 December [1907?]. 1p, 8 1/2 x 11 in., on "The Commoner" letterhead (creasing at folds, pencil notation alongside date). Addressed to Mrs. W.H. Hinrichsen, widow of the Illinois congressman, extending his sympathy.

[With:] HARRISON, William Henry (1773-1841). 3 letters written in hand of secretary or aid, each from Vincennes, Indiana, including: 6 August 1805, in which Harrison proposes that the Federal government enact legislation prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages to Native Americans in the territories that Harrison governed. -- 15 August 1805, in which Harrison proposes that the Federal government enact legislation prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages to Native Americans in the territories that Harrison governed. Appears to be revised version of previous letter. -- 16 September 1805. Harrison discusses the details of treaties with several Native American tribes and the Federal Government's attempts to get the tribes to surrender their lands to the government.

[Also with:] PIERCE, Franklin (1804-1869). Secretarial signed land deed (laminated). 3 June 1856. Issued to the purchaser, Nicholas Hurst, of Lake County, Indiana, for public lands in Indianapolis, IN. -- WHITLOCK, Brand (1869-1934). Mayor of Toledo, OH. 2 ANsS ("Brand Whitlock"). Each discuss meeting cancellations. --2 Democratic Whig tickets, ca 1860s. Candidates include William Wetmore, Solomon Day, Ephraim L. Williams, John V. Gardner, John N. Skinner, William S.C. Otis, and William O'Brian.