Joseph Baily Political Papers
Cage 670

James Buchanan (1791-1868); Secretary of State during Polk administration March 31, 1845 

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Three page letter (signed "James Buchanan") to the Democratic members of the legislature of Pennsylvania, including Joseph Bailey, "Gentlemen...", marked "copy", three pages, Washington [D.C.]. The whole document appears to be a secretary's hand.

This document concerns the election of "general" Simon Cameron (A Pennsylvanian businessman and politician) to the U.S. Senate in 1845 "by means which won him the enmity of Buchanan and regular party men." Later, as a Republican, Cameron's support of Lincoln in 1860 won the post of Secretary of War, however his corrupt conduct of office caused his removal in 1862. He was appointed as minister to Russia.

Abraham Lincoln, as 16th President March 12, 1864 

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One page note (signed "A. Lincoln") [to Congressman Joseph Baily], [Washington, D.C.]

Response on the reverse of a card from Bailey requesting a visit with the President "to hear his decision in the case of Capt. C. Garrettson." Lincoln declines indicating that the report from the Judge Advocate General "has not yet come in."

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President April 20, 1865 

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Partly printed document (signed "E. A. Sawnford {?} Assistant Adjutant General") to the Hon. Joseph Bailey, War Department, Washington [D.C.]

Inviting Bailey to accompany "the remains of the late President, Abraham Lincoln, from the City of Washington to Springfield, Illinois with full transportation back."

Joseph Baily November 13, 1865 

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Two page unsigned letter from Joseph Baily to Thaddeus Stevens (1792-1868), lawyer, political leader; Newport, Pennsylvania.

Stevens, a Congressman form Pennsylvania became chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee upon Lincoln's election, and exerted wide authority over measures dealing with the prosecution of the Civil War. After Lincoln's assassination, Stevens prepared to give battle with Andrew Johnson on the question of reducing the South to a "territorial condition." When Congress met in December 1865, a joint committee on Reconstruction was appointed on his motion; as chairman of the House group, Stevens was the dominant member of the committee. An intense partisan, his career was marred by a harsh and vindictive temper, which in his last years made him frankly vengeful towards the South. This letter condemning the rebellion and the rebels would appear to add fuel to Stevens' vindictiveness.

Docketed in Baily's hand as "copy of a letter to Thaddeus Stevens".

David R[itterhouse?] Porter (1788-1867) February 4, 1867 

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One page note (signed "David R. Porter") to the Hon. Joseph Baily, Harrisburg.

Porter, an iron manufacturer, who after long service in the Pennsylvania legislature served as the State's Democratic governor between 1839 and 1845. In this note, Porter solicits Baily's testimony as to his qualifications for appointment as "Director of the mint at Phil[adelphia]."

Simon Cameron (1799-1789), businessman, politician March 1, 1870 

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One page note (signed "Simon Cameron") to Joseph Baily Esq., Newport, Pa., Senate [Washington, D.C.]

Simon's response to a letter from Baily requesting an increase in the salary of "the P[ost] M[aster] at New Bloomfield" and citing "the policy of retrenchment which now controls the PO Department."

James Donald Cameron (1833-1918), businessman, politician, son of Simon Cameron, whom he aided in security enterprises and in control of the Republican party in Pennsylvania. Sec. of War, 1876-1877; U.S. Senator, 1877-1897 May 25, [18]78 

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One page letter signed (signed "J.D. Cameron") to an unidentified recipient, Washington D.C.

Regarding increasing the circulation of the New York Tribune in Pennsylvania now that it is resuming "its old place as a steadfast supporter of the Republican Party."

Baily's autobiographical memoir January 1, 1855-188[?] 

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A 150 page leather bound pocket size daybook, which includes genealogical information and opinions concerning the Civil War, slavery and the South, his role as a political figure both in national and state politics, the Knights of the Golden Circle, etc.

The Daily Globe, "The Official Paper of Congress" 

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Six page newspaper printed in Washington [D.C.]

Also included is the envelope in which Baily kept this item. Baily's annotation indicates the envelope's contents: "The Globe containing the Confiscation and Emancipation bills and the yeas and nays on the same."

M'Cellan Democrat "Democratic District Ticket for Congress Joseph Baily" Thursday, September 22, 1864 

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Two page broadsheet from Carlisle, Pa.

Contains Baily's acceptance to run for a third term as Congressman on the Democratic Union ticket in response to his nomination by members of the 208th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, then at Camp Curtin, city of Harrisburg, Pa. Also Gen. George B. McCellan's letter of acceptance as the democratic presidential candidate.

"History of the Constitutional Amendment (from the Tribune Almanac of 1866)" [1866?] 

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One page broadside, No. 2

History of the passage of the XIII Amendment through Congress in 1865 with voting records of senators and representatives.

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President May 1865 

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Black cloth crepe and cloth "badge" worn by Joseph Bailey to Springfield, Ill. May 1864 "as one of the escort to attend the remains of Abraham Lincoln..."