Series I. Notable Correspondents, 1805-2023, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The Notable Correspondents series consists of letters removed from the General Correspondence files (see Series III) by prior N-YHS staff based on their perceived value and importance. Correspondents include former American presidents and significant scholars, authors, politicans, journalists, historians, and other figures.
A bulk of the letters are acknowledgments of election as an Honorary Member or responses to invitations to deliver a lecture or attend an N-YHS event. The content for every letter in this series is noted in the container list, with the exception of three files arranged and described based on common event or correspondent.
Highlights of the series include correspondence documenting the N-YHS acquisition of John Jay Audubon's original Birds of America watercolor portfolios from his widow Lucy and a letter from Thomas Jefferson Randolph discussing the condition of Thomas Jefferson during the year leading up to his death. Substantive manuscripts include an account by John R. Bartlett of his mid-19th-century travels through Mexico, the American Southwest, and California; report by Amos Kendall on the death of Tecumseh; extrapolation by Orasmus Holmes Marshall of research into the site of La Salle's 1679 shipyard; and contestations by George Gibbs of recent claims on the island discoveries of Christopher Columbus.
Arrangement Note
The series is arranged in chronological order.
Processing Information Note
This series was processed perhaps circa 2000, with documents transferred from original folders to archival containers. In 2015, archivist Brynn White refined the arrangement, integrated a few additional documents found, and provided description in a finding aid for the series and individual items.
N-YHS to John Henry, 1805-1806
Scope and Contents Note
Constitution sent with notice of election as a member of N-YHS.
Samuel L. Mitchill to John Pintard, 1807 May 25
Scope and Contents Note
Note accompanying donation of public and original national documents, praising Pintard's ability to gather, preserve, and arrange.
F.B. Winthrop to Samuel Miller, 1809 June 30
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Inventory of 21 historical books dated 1609-1725 and a 1630 manuscript of "A Modell of Christian Charity, written on Board the Ship Arrabella by John Winthrop" sent to Miller.
M.S. Willets(?) to John Pintard, 1809 September 2
Scope and Contents Note
Acceptance of invitation to dine at N-YHS and attend with ladies a lecture of Dr. Miller.
Academy of Arts to N-YHS, 1809 September
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Copy of resolution appropriating the North East Room of the second story of the Government House to N-YHS and its amendment changing the locale to the North West Room.
Representative of Samuel L. Mitchill to John Pintard, 1809 October 16
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Inventory of coins and metallic tokens donated by Mitchill to N-YHS.
Toasts, circa 1804-1809
Scope and Contents Note
Draft of toasts for delivery at unspecified N-YHS function.
Gouverneur Morris to John Pintard, 1810 January 27
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Acceptance of election to First-Vice President of N-YHS.
DeWitt Clinton to John Pintard, 1810 March 22
Scope and Contents Note
Report of the passage of the bill for endowment of N-YHS in the New York Senate.
C.C. Moore(?) to John Pintard, 1813 July 22
Scope and Contents Note
Declaration of intention to send books to N-YHS.
Thomas Jefferson to John Pintard, 1814 January 9
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
John Quincy Adams to Samuel Miller, 1814 July 31
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
Lewis, Rogers for John Pintard to Ogden Hoffman, 1821 April
Scope and Contents Note
Receipt for payment of annual dues.
John Quincy Adams to David Hosack, 1826 July 26
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of N-YHS resolutions to honor the memory of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
[Thomas Jefferson] Randolph to David Hosack, 1826 August 13
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment from Monticello of condolences for the death of Thomas Jefferson and personal account of Jefferson's health deterioration over the final year of his life.
Edward P. Livingston to John Delafield, 1828 November 27
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of receipt of N-YHS circular and inquiry into its probable indication that Delafield has been elected a member of N-YHS.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton to N-YHS, 1829 January 19
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
Isaiah Thomas to James Swords, 1830 June 22
Scope and Contents Note
Expression of appreciation for Swords' donation to American Antiquarian Society and discussion of health problems.
M. Thomas to N-YHS, 1831 May 24
Scope and Contents Note
Executor of the estate of Isaiah Thomas informing N-YHS of a $300 bequest.
John Delafield to Executor of the Will of the Late Isaiah Thomas, 1832 March 27
Scope and Contents Note
Follow-up to Isaiah Thomas estate regarding the bequest to N-YHS.
Chris C. Baldwin to James Swords, 1832 April 19
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Request to N-YHS for use of its influence in the American Antiquarian Society's attempts to develop their historic newspaper collection.
Levi Lincoln to Robert Sedgwick, 1833 September 21
Scope and Contents Note
Letter of introduction for Chris C. Baldwin, Librarian of the Antiquarian Society.
Edward Everett to John C. Jay, 1839 March 16
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
John Quincy Adams to N-YHS Committee on Lectures, 1839 February 23
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to present series of lectures at N-YHS due to busy schedule.
John Quincy Adams to Joseph Blunt, 1839 April 13
Scope and Contents Note
Inquiry into the time and other logistics of Adams's April 30 lecture at N-YHS. A notation in the folder indicates this letter was presented to N-YHS by B.H. Field on March 4, 1884.
Henry Clay to N-YHS, 1839 April 22
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend the N-YHS celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Inauguration of George Washington due to distance.
Edward Everett to N-YHS, 1839 April 24
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend the N-YHS celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Inauguration of George Washington due to competing obligations.
Martin Van Buren to N-YHS, 1839 April 26
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend the N-YHS celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Inauguration of George Washington due to competing obligations.
John Quincy Adams to John C. Jay, 1839 May 7
Scope and Contents Note
Note accompanying submitted manuscript of discourse delivered at the N-YHS celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Inauguration of George Washington.
George Bancroft to Frederic De Peyster, 1839 July 6
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Member of N-YHS. Asks if the N-YHS library will accept a work of his in American history.
John Tyler to Frederick De Peyster, 1842 February 25
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
Letters of Watson and Cochrane Relating to the Journals of the British House of Commons, 1843, 1844
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two letters commenting on the 16 volume set dating from 1650 to 1676, with gaps, held by N-YHS. These letters were formerly held in the Miscellaneous Manuscripts collection. They were transfered to the N-YHS institutional archive correspondence record group in 2016.
John Jay to John Wakefield Francis, 1844 November 1
Scope and Contents Note
Printed invitation to November 5, 1844 meeting of N-YHS.
Albert Gallatin to E.H. Benedict, 1844 November 2
Scope and Contents Note
Report on circular invitations sent; recipients listed include Hon. John Pickering and George Ord of the American Philosophical Society. [typescript only; note to see original IN ARCHIVES]
Millard Fillmore to Erastus C. Benedict, 1844 November 13
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend the N-YHS 40th Anniversary celebration due to competing obligations.
John Quincy Adams to Erastus C. Benedict, 1844 November 12
Scope and Contents Note
Acceptance of invitation to attend the N-YHS 40th Anniversary celebration.
Martin Van Buren to Albert Gallatin & His Associates of the Executive Committee, 1844 November 15
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend the N-YHS 40th Anniversary celebration.
John Quincy Adams to Albert Gallatin, 1845 March 17
Scope and Contents Note
Note accompanying James Fenimore Cooper commemorative medal, presented to N-YHS on behalf of Commodore Jesse D. Elliott.
Henry O'Reilly to Prosper M. Wetmore, 1845 May 4
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Corresponding Member of N-YHS (under the new regulations); detailed description of O'Reilly's private scholarship on the history and westward expansion of New York since the Revolutionary period, and his manuscript collection assembled in support thereof, which he believes of interest to N-YHS.
Henry Clay to John Jay, 1845 May 7
Scope and Contents Note
Response to the N-YHS report on the country's adoption of a new national name.
Albert Gallatin to John Jay, 1846 July 15
Scope and Contents Note
Note accompanying letter from Charles J. Smith and his transmitted copy of General Nathaniel Woodhull's journal of General Amherst's expedition in 1760. [typescript only; note to see original IN ARCHIVES]
John F.W. Herschel to Albert Gallatin, 1846 December 10
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
Martin Van Buren to John Russell Bartlett, 1847 September 15
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of an unnamed honor (likley Honorary Membership) bestowed by N-YHS.
Martin Van Buren to John Jay, 1849 June 20
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to special meeting of N-YHS following the death of Andrew Jackson.
Zachary Taylor to Luther Bradish, 1849 May 17
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
Zachary Taylor membership certificate, 1849 April 3
Scope and Contents Note
Signed by all N-YHS officials.
Benson J. Lossing to George H. Moore, 1851 January 2
Scope and Contents Note
Introductory letter and accompanying notes on the surrender of General Burgoyne.
Benson J. Lossing to George H. Moore, 1851 April 1
Scope and Contents Note
Descriptive note accompanying three Revolutionary War relics to be presented for inspection by N-YHS members at upcoming meeting.
Henry R. Schoolcraft to N-YHS, 1851 October 3
Scope and Contents Note
Introductory note accompanying extensive August 20, 1850 letter from Amos Kendall on the death of Tecumseh.
Jared Sparks to George H. Moore, 1852 March 16
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to deliver lecture at N-YHS due to poor health.
John R. Bartlett to "dear Friend", 1832 [1852?] May 20
Scope and Contents Note
Extensive dispatch from San Diego, recounting Bartlett's travels through Mexico, southwestern America, and California; details his study of indigenous languages and interviews with native tribes about mistreatment by white settlers and invaders. The letter appears to be dated 1832, but notations on an enclosed typescript indicate prior readers have taken it to be 1852 because of references to the discovery of gold.
Ogden Hoffman to Frederic De Peyster, 1852 June 9
Scope and Contents Note
Letter accompanying donation of papers of Lieutenant Governor Cadwallader Colden to N-YHS.
William Gilmore Simms to Rev. Francis L. Hawks, 1852 October 8
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to deliver lecture at N-YHS.
Edward Everett to Augustus Schell and George H. Moore, 1852 October 14
Scope and Contents Note
Confirmation of lecture to be delivered at N-YHS on December 2.
Edward Everett to Augustus Schell and George H. Moore, 1852 November 1
Scope and Contents Note
Request to postpone December 2 lecture at N-YHS until the adjournment of Congress.
Ephraim George Squier to George Moore, 1852 November 10
Scope and Contents Note
Confirms to Moore the subject of his upcoming paper on hieroglyphics of Mexico and Central America.
Hamilton Fish to George H. Moore, 1852 November 30
Scope and Contents Note
Note accompanying donation of eight volumes of the American Archives published by order of Congress.
James Buchanan to Augustus Schell and George H. Moore, 1852 December 31
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to deliver lecture at N-YHS.
Orsamus Holmes Marshall to George H. Moore, 1853 May 25
Scope and Contents Note
Introductory note and manuscript detailing Marshall's investigation into the site of La Salle's shipyard, settled in 1679 for the construction of Le Griffon; hand-drawn map also included.
Lyman C. Draper to George H. Moore, 1854 March 2
Scope and Contents Note
Request from Wisconsin Historical Society for N-YHS publications.
Donald Grant Mitchell to George Moore, 1854 January 24
Scope and Contents Note
Update on Mitchell's progress on a lecture to be delivered at N-YHS, tentatively titled "How to Look at Pictures."
William H. Seward to Luther Bradish, George Bancroft & Others, 1854 October 21
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend N-YHS 50th Anniversary celebration due to competing obligations.
George Grote to Andrew Warner, 1854 November 2
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend N-YHS 50th Anniversary celebration due to competing obligations.
James Buchanan to N-YHS, 1854 October 31
Scope and Contents Note
Confirmation of distribution of unspecified materials sent from N-YHS to their designated recipients.
William Gilmore Simms to Luther Bradish, 1854 November 9
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend N-YHS 50th Anniversary celebration, offering high praise to N-YHS.
William Cullen Bryant to John Romeyn Brodhead, 1854 November 14
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to write ode for N-YHS 50th Anniversary celebration.
Winfield Scott to Luther Bradish, 1854 November 15
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend N-YHS 50th Anniversary celebration due to competing obligations.
Edward Everett to George H. Moore, 1854 November 17
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend N-YHS 50th Anniversary celebration due to competing obligations; includes reflection on the past half-century of American history.
Fitz-Greene Halleck to George H. Moore, 1854 November 22
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend N-YHS 50th Anniversary celebration.
Edward Everett to Luther Bradish, 1856 March 8
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of receipt of invitation to repeat lecture on the character of George Washington.
John Jay to N-YHS, 1857 October 15
Scope and Contents Note
Description of the house in Lower Salem, or Lewisboro, Winchester County, where British spy Major John Andre was confined following his capture and wrote a famous letter to George Washington, and of which Jay has prevented the destruction and hopes N-YHS will assume the preservation.
John Gibson to E. Ferry [Terry?], 1857 November 5
Scope and Contents Note
Assemblage of copies of letters, news clippings, resolutions, and research excerpts relating to movement to honor the late sculptor Thomas Crawford through a bronze cast of his famous Indian statue. The original letters were dated 1857, but these are copies, possibly from 1879 or later.
Fitz-Greene Halleck to Samuel Osgood, 1858 January 20
Scope and Contents Note
Expression of gratitude to N-YHS for unspecified favor.
George Morris to George H. Moore, 1858 April 15
Scope and Contents Note
Provision of the issue numbers for the Home Journal.
George Gibbs to George H. Moore, 1858 April 20
Scope and Contents Note
Introductory letter and accompanying manuscript contesting claims that Columbus discovered Watling's Island and Cat Island; copy of letter to claimant, author of Landfall of Columbus, Captain A.B. Becher R.N.; original letter to Moore lists original drawings and survey of Grand Turk Island by George Judson Gibbs as enclosed.
Fitz-Greene Halleck to Andrew Warner, 1858 May 17
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to dinner.
Rich Varrick De Witt to Frederic de Peyster, 1858 October 28
Scope and Contents Note
Letter accompanying transmittal of watercolor of Fulton's original experimental steamboat The Clermont, which navigated the North River, including extensive description and sketches as recalled by De Witt.
Trustees of Columbia College to N-YHS, 1858 October 30
Scope and Contents Note
Formal signed and sealed contract for Columbia to host Lectures in Post-Graduate Instruction in the lecture hall of the new N-YHS building. OVERSIZE
Oliver Wendell Holmes to N-YHS, 1858 December 27
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to deliver lecture at N-YHS due to competing obligations.
Edward Everett to George H. Moore, 1858 December 29
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to repeat his lecture at N-YHS on Thomas Dowse, due to his opinion it is of local and personal interest only, and request to postpone lecture on Benjamin Franklin.
Fitz-Greene Halleck to George H. Moore, 1859 April 23
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Corresponding Member of N-YHS.
Samuel F.B. Morse to Luther Bradish, 1859 May 28
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
Hamilton Fish to George H. Moore, 1859 October 24
Scope and Contents Note
Letter accompanying donation of Dictionnaire Universel des Contemporaries, on behalf of M. Hachette and M. Vattermare.
Hamilton Fish to N-YHS, 1859 December 29
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
Correspondence. 1860. Washington Irving Celebration, 1860 March-April
Scope and Contents Note
Letters relating to the April 3, 1860 N-YHS and Lenox Library event celebrating the anniversary of the birth of the "Patriarch of American Literature," Washington Irving, featuring an address on Irving's "Life, Character and Genius" by William Cullen Bryant. Correspondents in addition to Bryant are John Russell Bartlett, Vincenzo Botta, Mathew Brady (discussing an Irving portrait recently produced from an original daguerreotype), Lewis Cass, Joseph Greene Cogswell, Richard H. D(?) of Boston, Edward Everett, Isaac Ferris, Millard Fillmore, Salma Hale, Charles Gayarré, Fitz-Greene Halleck, John Hughes, Washington Hunt, Ebenezer Irving, John P. Kennedy, O.(?) King of Columbia College, H.(?) Lenox, Wadsworth Longfellow, George P. Marsh, Brantz Meyer, George Putnam, Samuel B. Ruggles, Henry R. Schoolcraft, Winfield Scott, William H. Seward, Benjamin Silliman, William Gilmore Simms, Jared Sparks, J.G. Thea(?), George Ticknor, J. Hammond Trumbull, Martin Van Buren, and Fernando Wood. Letters generally focus on acceptance or decline of the invitation and logistics of attendance; Gayarré, Marsh, Mayer, Schoolcraft, Seward, and Simms write more expansively on the legacy of Irving. 49 items
Correspondence. 1862-1863. Lucy Audubon, 1862-1863
Scope and Contents Note
Series of correspondence from Lucy Audubon, widow of John Jay Audubon, documenting the sale to N-YHS of portfolios of original Birds of America watercolors and volumes of his Ornithological Biography; also includes original letter of introduction from William A. Wheelock and copies of two letters addressed to L. Audubon from N-YHS president Frederic De Peyster. 17 items. 1 package of original envelopes
Correspondence. 1869-1870. George Catlin
Scope and Contents Note
Series of proposals from artist George Catlin for the N-YHS purchase of his collections of artworks documenting North and South American native tribes; includes extensive descriptions, copies of letters of recommendation and press notices, and notice indicating shipment of materials to Librarian George H. Moore for viewing. (Further attempts by Catlin's children following his death, in 1874-1875, located and noted in Series II.)
William Cullen Bryant to George H. Moore, 1863 May 14
Scope and Contents Note
Acceptance of invitation to deliver lecture at N-YHS commemoration of William Bradford.
George B. McClellan to Andrew Warner, 1863 June 2
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
Alexander Anderson to George H. Moore, [1863]
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to attend unspecified N-YHS celebration.
Millard Fillmore to N-YHS, 1864 September 26
Scope and Contents Note
Announcement of attendance, along with delegates of the Buffalo Historical Society, at the October 12 commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the transfer of jurisdiction over New York from the Netherlands to England.
Benson J. Lossing to George H. Moore, 1865 September 10
Scope and Contents Note
Letter of introduction for San Antonio lawyer W.H. Cleveland(?).
N-YHS to general public, 1866 September
Scope and Contents Note
Recommendation of the Historical Magazine signed by officers Frederic de Peyster, Thomas De Witt, Isaac Ferris, George H. Moore, Benjamin H. Field, Benjamin R. Winthrop, Andrew Warner, and John Romeyn Brodhead.
Daniel Huntington to N-YHS, 1872 March 17
Scope and Contents Note
Request for N-YHS gallery admittance to bearer of note.
Alexander Jackson Davis to George H. Moore, 1873 August
Scope and Contents Note
Florid announcement of intent to donate collection of historical works, books, pictures, prints and manuscripts to N-YHS.
Alexander Jackson Davis to Frederick de Peyster, [1874]
Scope and Contents Note
Follow-up letter aiming to inspire N-YHS to broaden its approach to collection development; includes illustration of N-YHS Library.
George Bancroft to Andrew Warner, 1880 October 7
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of well wishes from N-YHS upon Bancroft's 80th birthday.
John Jay to N-YHS, 1883 February 14
Scope and Contents Note
Acceptance of invitation to deliver address at N-YHS seventy-ninth anniversary celebration, with extended discussion of research on the intended topic, the history of the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain; copy of original invitation sent February 6, 1883, by N-YHS officers.
Chester Arthur to N-YHS, 1883 November 13
Scope and Contents Note
Acceptance of invitation to attend the N-YHS 79th anniversary celebration.
Ulysses S. Grant to N-YHS, 1883 November 22
Scope and Contents Note
Acceptance of invitation to attend the N-YHS 79th anniversary celebration.
Henry O'Reilly to Jacob B. Moore, 1883 November 19
Scope and Contents Note
Update on writing progress and request to direct mail to O'Reilly's address in Rochester.
Martha J. Lamb to Jacob B. Moore, 1883 November 23
Scope and Contents Note
Request for special accommodations during attendance at N-YHS 79th anniversary celebration due to illness.
Harvey B. Dodworth to Jacob B. Moore, 1883 November 30
Scope and Contents Note
Request for payment of band services, presumably for N-YHS 79th anniversary celebration.
Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Isham, 1888 February
Scope and Contents Note
Acceptance of invitation to deliver lecture at N-YHS on "Gouverneur Morris and his Times."
Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Isham, 1888 March 12
Scope and Contents Note
Request for postponement of N-YHS lecture due to alternate obligations.
Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Isham, 1888 March 20
Scope and Contents Note
Confirmation of unavailability to deliver lecture on April 3.
Woodrow Wilson to N-YHS, 1888 September 3
Scope and Contents Note
Request to view N-YHS collections with accompanying party.
Theodore Roosevelt to John A. King, 1891 April 8
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of appointment as N-YHS delegate to the Patent Convention; but unable to confirm acceptance at time.
Theodore Roosevelt to Andrew Warner, 1894 April 27
Scope and Contents Note
Inquiry into the availability of a N-YHS member to replace him as lecturer for the Society for the Extension of University Teaching on August 7.
Theodore Roosevelt to Andrew Warner, 1895 September 13
Scope and Contents Note
Notification of presence of old Peter Stuyvesant pear tree in the New York Police Department and intent, if given the authority, to donate it to N-YHS.
John Addison Porter to John A. King, 1897 April 20
Scope and Contents Note
Acceptance, on behalf of President William McKinley, of Honorary Membership in N-YHS.
Fred W. Carpenter to John A. Weekes, 1909 April 8
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment, on behalf of President William S. Taft, of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
William H. Taft to John A. Weekes, 1914 January 12
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to deliver address at N-YHS 110th Anniversary celebration.
Theodore Roosevelt to John A. Weekes, 1918 September 3
Scope and Contents Note
Apologetic decline of unspecified invitation.
Correspondence. 1923-1931. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1923-1924; 1930-1931
Scope and Contents Note
Incoming and outgoing correspondence with N-YHS Librarian Alexander J. Wall, chiefly tracing the N-YHS reprinting and distribution of a volume of Minutes of the New York Council of Appointments (4/2/1777-3/4/1779) owned by FDR. Also includes research inquiries into seventeeth-century land grant Great Nine Partners Patent and other Dutchess County history; FDR's campaign to create a naval and marine museum in conjunction with N-YHS; and 1931 requests for support of FDR while he is serving as governor. Two letters addressed to N-YHS President John A. Weekes, a cousin of Roosevelt, decline his invitation to serve on the Executive Committee, due to health, and accept election as Honorary Member. Three letters from Roosevelt in regard to FDR sitting for a portrait prior to, and following, his election and inauguration as Governor to be painted by DeWitt M. Lockman for the Society. Portraits were to be exhibited at the Society once completed (see also Box 157 F 7). 34 items [17 originals from Roosevelt]
Poultney Bigelow to Alexander J. Wall, 1941 July 10
Scope and Contents Note
Critique of U.S. government and involvement in the War; marked as "Confidential -- at least until you see my body completely burned."
Dwight D. Eisenhower to R.W.G. Vail, 1947 October 28
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgement of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
Lyndon B. Johnson to Frederick B. Adams, 1964 January 30
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgement of election as Honorary Member of N-YHS.
Lady Bird Johnson to James J. Heslin, 1964 March 23
Scope and Contents Note
Expression of gratitude for personal tour of N-YHS, emphasizing appreciation of the Audubons and Peale portrait of Thomas Jefferson.
James J. Heslin to Lady Bird Johnson, 1964 April 1
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of request for loan of Rembrandt Peale portrait of Thomas Jefferson due to terms of the original deed of gift.
Lady Bird Johnson to James J. Heslin, 1964 April 7
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of decline of Jefferson portrait loan.
Johnson Family to N-YHS, 1973 February 23
Scope and Contents Note
Printed appreciation for sympathies following the death of Lyndon B. Johnson.
Ella Grasso to Charlotte Rowell, 1977 May 3
Scope and Contents Note
Decline of invitation to opening reception for N-YHS exhibition "Remember the Ladies."
James J. Heslin to N-YHS Staff, 1982 September
Scope and Contents Note
Expression of gratitude for gifts, presumably upon Heslin's retirement from position of Director.
George Bush to N-YHS, 1984 April 3
Scope and Contents Note
Expression of gratitude for gift of book New York and the China Trade.
James B. Bell to N-YHS, 1988 November 24
Scope and Contents Note
Note accompanying donation of books.
Bill Clinton to Margaret Heilbrun, 1990s
Scope and Contents Note
Printed portrait and expression of appreciation for support and friendship during administration.
Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton to Margaret Heilbrun, 1994
Scope and Contents Note
Printed portrait and expression of appreciation for support for the Democratic party.
Rudy Giuliani, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, John V. Lindsay, Edward I. Koch, David N. Dinkins, Abraham D. Beame, Mario Cuomo, 1994-1995
Scope and Contents Note
Includes letters donated to N-YHS, apparently for a possible fundraising auction, by various New York political figures apparently in response to a request from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum for their recollections of the most dramatic or significant moment in New York in their personal experience. Giuliani, Moynihan, Koch (ALS); Lindsay, Koch (LS); Dinkins, Beame, Cuomo (photocopies). Found during processing in 2016 of Gotbaum's Executive Office files.
Rudolph W. Giuliani to N-YHS, 1995 May 10
Scope and Contents Note
Greetings from the mayor on the occasion of N-YHS's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the re-opening of its exhibition galleries.
Duchess of York to Betsy Gotbaum, 1998 July 14
Scope and Contents Note
Expression of appreciation for work on Tea to benefit Chances for Children on June 25, 1998. 3 items
Rudolph W. Giuliani to N-YHS, 1998 October 20
Scope and Contents Note
Acknowledgment of N-YHS and New York City Police Foundation collaboration on the exhibition "New York's Finest: A History of the New York City Police Department."
A.M. Rosenthal to Betsy Gotbaum, 1999 October 26
Scope and Contents Note
Descriptive letter accompanying donation of personal note written upon discovery and decision to print the Pentagon Papers; photocopy of original manuscript.
Carl Bernstein to Betsy Gotbaum, 1999 November 15
Scope and Contents Note
Descriptive letter accompanying donation of carbon copy of original draft of page 960 of the manuscript of All The President's Men; photocopy of original manuscript.
Bill Clinton to Kenneth T. Jackson, 2001 August 31
Scope and Contents Note
Expression of appreciation for event held in honor at N-YHS and election as Honorary Member; printed program for "An evening at the New-York Historical Society with Former President William Jefferson Clinton" on July 17, 2001.
Hillary Rodham Clinton to "Friends", 2001 November 26
Scope and Contents Note
Greeting to confirmed attendees of the N-YHS event "History Makers Gala 2001," honoring William B. Harrison with the De Witt Clinton Award.
Barack Obama to [gala attendees], 2015 October 16
Scope and Contents Note
Presidential message provided to be read to attendees of the 2015 History Makers Gala.
Ed Ruscha to Louise Mirrer, 2015 December 10
Scope and Contents Note
Expression of enthusiasm at learning of N-YHS's addition of his painting Fanned Book to the Library.
Mo Willems to Louise Mirrer, 2016 September 27
Scope and Contents Note
Thank you note for the exhibition of his work.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg to N-YHS, 2017-2018, inclusive
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two related items from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to N-YHS. In a letter to Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Schantz dated 30 October 2017, Ginsburg complimented N-YHS on its Citizenship Project, as described in the New York Times on October 29, and offered to participate in a naturalization ceremony at N-YHS if schedules allowed. Subsequent to that letter, Ginsburg did participate in a ceremony on April 10 at N-YHS and N-YHS sent her a gift in thanks. On a note card to Schantz and Chief Executive Officer Louise Mirrer dated 6 June 2018, Ginsburg expressed her thanks for the gift, recalled her pleasure at participating in the ceremony and observed that the diversity among the new citizens is what the USA means to her.
Stephen Breyer to Louise Mirrer, 2023 March 12
Scope and Contents Note
Written on Supreme Court of the United States printed letterhead, this autograph letter signed from Justice Stephen Breyer to New-York Historical Society Chief Executive Officer Louise Mirrer declines Mirrer's invitation [the context of the invitation is unclear] because he is writing a long book. He calls the invitation a "considerable honor" and hopes she will "consider [him] again in a year or so." With envelope.