Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This double-sided broadside reprints a message to Congress by James Madison (June 10); a report from the Committee on Foreign Relations; the declaration of war, signed by Henry Clay and William Crawford, and approved by James Madison (June 18); a proclamation by the president, signed by James Madison and James Monroe (June 19); and a letter to the citizens of West Tennessee from Felix Grundy (June 25). President Madison’s message lays out the provocations by Great Britain and the decision...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This double-sided broadside is addressed to “the free and independent voters of Madison County,” and presents to them Huntsman’s positions on the upcoming constitutional convention so they can decide whether or not to elect him as their delegate. Before beginning his description, he points out that critics should offer a better suggestion, and that if they do, he might change his mind. For the legislative branch, he suggests that voters elect a lieutenant governor to act as...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: Governor Newton Cannon published this circular to present his position and objectives in the current race for governor. This document is addressed to Mr. John Rhea in Marshall County, Tennessee. In it, Cannon supports a national bank, deplores Van Buran’s profligacy, refers voters to his record in office, anticipates supporting the Whig/Republican candidate in the presidential campaign two years hence, and opposes a large standing army and government support of West Point. Cannon closes...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This eight-page pamphlet, entitled "The Abolitionist Attack!" consists primarily of an article previously published in the National Era newspaper that described Franklin Pierce’s voting record against abolition during his years in the U.S. House and Senate. The pamphlet provides a description of the current situation, an excerpt from a letter Pierce had written to Major Lally, and a defense of Pierce’s cooperation with slavery forces in order to encourage...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: Andrew J. Fletcher published this circular in order to refute accusations made by Mr. Bullen, his Republican opponent in the state senate race. Bullen’s previous circular accused him of voting for more papers than necessary, of reducing jurors’ pay by twenty five cents, of passing tax reform laws, and of revising the payment structure for tax assessors. Bullen also stated that all lawyers are corrupt. Fletcher refutes the charges, turns several back on Bullen, and then adds additional...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This Special License to Ship into Insurrectionary States and Districts was awarded to Henry Bell and Son to enable them to ship merchandise to James Bond in Brownville, Tennessee. It is attached to a three-page inventory amounting to $1083.26. The inventory contains various articles of clothing and shoes, an assortment of fabric and sewing notions, coffee and several different kinds of spice, nails, and a saddle and harness.

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This newspaper clipping contains three editorials, none with signatures. The first affirms Mr. Harlan’s claims that Andrew Johnson supports "negro" (sic) suffrage, praises Johnson for his sympathy and honesty, and reminds readers that Andrew Jackson also supports this cause. The second announces that the Evening Star advocated ratifying the Constitutional Amendment because of financial gain, before calling on citizens to reject it as the forerunner of black...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This broadside presents the twenty six sections of the law code for the town of McMinnville, Tennessee. It is signed in type by John Pickett, Mayor and is certified by W.H. Walling, Recorder. The laws address issues such as disorderly conduct, guns and turpentine fire balls, religious meetings, interfering with law officers, prostitution and public indecency, gambling, removal of dead animals, public intoxication, nuisance wood piles, and treatment of horses. Each offense carries a fine,...