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The collection consists of Americana dating, primarily, from the period of the American Revolution and the thirty years immediately following, collected by Straus. Included are autograph letters from, and documents signed by, some of the leading figures of the period, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John Jay (1745-1829), James Madison, James Monroe, Robert Morris, and various signers of the Declaration of Independence. In addition, there are autograph letters from later presidents--Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, James Buchanan; a folder of letters from various other 19th-century statesmen, English and American; and a folder of colonial bills of lading, dating back to 1698.
Specific items include John Adams's letter to Richard Rush (1813) in support of the War of 1812; letters patent (1835) for a new kind of brick, with accompanying diagrams and description by the inventor; an autograph memorandum (1637) of Roger Williams; George Washington's letter to James Madison (1788) in which he rejoices at all the states having, so far, adopted the Constitution; John Hancock's letter to the Assembly of the State of Delaware (1777), enclosing a copy of the Declaration of Independence for the state's archives; the petition (1676) of Peter Freeman, Indian, to the Court of Mass. for the freedom of his wife; and a document circulated by the Massachusetts' Committee of Correspondence (1773), discussing the colonies' common grievances against Great Britain and anticipating war.
The collection is open for research.
Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under
A list (7 pp.) of the documents is available in the Dept.
Bequest of Mrs. Gladys G. Straus, James Moore.
No appraisal information is available.
During 2022, restrictions on Thomas Jefferson and George Washington items were lifted as part of a restrictions review project.
Roger W. Straus was a twentieth-century American industrialist, philanthropist, and collector.
Signer of the Declaration of Independence, ADS, small 4to., 1 p.
DS, bond to King George II for two thousand pounds, also signed by Isaac low, Nicholas Gouveneur, Robert Yonge, William Livingston, and Elias Desbrosses, 1 p.
Signer of Constitution, member of the "Stamp Act" Congress and the Congress of 1774, DS 4to, as President of Philadelphia, PA, endorsed by Gen. James Irvine.
ALS to Honorable Robert J. Walker.
ALS to President Day.
ANS to the cashier of the Bank of the United States.
ALS to Richard Rush, Esq., Comptrouler of the Treasury, regarding the War of 1812, 4pp.
ALS to "Dear Sir" from Mount Vernon, 1 p.
ALS to Mr. Ellicot asking him to attend to Mr. Gammond, Minister of Great Britain, and Mr. Smith of South Carolina as they pass through the Federal City, 1 p., Mount Vernon.
Signer of the Declaration of Independence, autograph signature on an addressed wrapper to Gov. Thomas Johnson of Maryland, folio.
Signer of the Declaration of Independence, ALS to "Sir," 4to, 2 pp., Philadelphia, relative to an enquiry by the Secretary of the Treasury in regard to the advances made in maufacturing industries.
Signer of the Declaration of Independence, ADS, 8vo, Baltimore.
ALS to Honorable James Campbell, Postmaster General, recommending Mrs. Maria Schell, 1 p.
ALS to "Dear Sir," 3 pp.
LS to John S. Warner, noting his receipt of medals, Philadelphia, 1 p.
ALS to Morgan Neville, 1 p.
ALS to J. P. Benjamin mentioning Grant's Cabinet, 2 pp.
ALS to John E. Hall, 1 p.
Autograph memoranda while Secretary of State under President Madison, with autograph signature, 2 pp., 8vo.
LS to "The President and Directors of the Bank of the United States," 2 pp., 4to.
DS, power of attorney to Thomas McEwen, signed also by Clement Biddle of Philadelphia, the "Quaker Soldier," 1 p., 4to.
LS to "The President of the United States," forwarding a pamphlet (not present), 2 pp.
ALS to Richard Henry Lee, New York, 3 pp., 4to.
Commander in Chief of the Confederate States Army, DS, rating of Cadet Ephraim P. Abbot at West Point at the time of his resignation, also signed by Capt. Seth Williams, folio.
ALS to C. M. Stanton, 1 p.
ALS to Honorable James Campbell, Postmaster General, asking for restoration of Henry Rogers to his clerkship, 1 p., 4to.
ALS to the President of the United States, 1 p., 4to.
ALS to "Dear Miss Silvester," personal letter, 3 pp., 8vo.
ALS as Secretary of War to Ashbury Dickens, regarding the Annals of Congress, 1 p., 4to.
DS appointing James Parker as Justice of the Peace, 1 p.
DS, patent to James Parker for a new shape for rooftop bricks, 2 pp., folio.
ADS releasing George Ludlow of any money owed him, 1 p., 4to.
LS to Theodoria Blander, severely criticising Franklin and Silas Deane, and charging that the latter had made 60,000 pounds while he was Commissioner; also refers to the defeat of Col. Baylor and to Washington, of whom he writes "there never was a soldier of more circumspection that your Commander in chief," Paris, 5 pp., 4to.
ALS to Mr. Madison, expressing pleasure at Mr. Jefferson's acceptance of the appointment of Secretary of Sate, 1 p., 4to.
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ALS to James Madison rejoicing at all the States having, so far, adopted the Constitution, 2 pp., 4to.
ALS to General Putnam giving military advice, 2 pp.
ALS to the Assembly of the State of Delaware, enclosing a copy of the Declaration of Independence for preservation, 2 pp.; ADS, copy of the Declaration of Independence, also signed by Charles Thompson, 4 pp.
ALS to David S. Fransk, Assistant Cashier of the Bank of the United States, 1 p.
"Additional Instruction to the public and private armed vessels of the United States," DS, signed as Secretary of State, 1 p.
ALS to The Secretary of State, requesting a draft, Mount Vernon, 1 p.
DS, resolution appointing a committee to meet in September in Philadelphia to confer with representatives of other colonies regarding the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain, 1 p., folio. This resolution was the first official movement for a Continental Congress. It was passed, 117 to 12, behind locked doors, to prevent Governor Gage from dissolving the Assembly.
ALS, unaddressed, 1 p.
DS, presenting a report on encroachments made by British Subjects on the Eastern Territories of the Commonwealth (not present) to the Senate and House of Representatives, with added notes from each body that it had been read, 2 pp.
ALS to Arthur Lee, regarding Virginia's ratification of the Constitution, 2 pp.
ALS to "Sir," 2 pp.
AD, description of the news of Lexington when recieved in New York, companies arming, and the destruction of a cargo of tea, 4 pp.
DS, commission signed as President of Congress appointing Joshua Jacobs Captain of a Company, also signed by Charles Thomson, 1 p., folio.
ALS to "Sir" discussing religion, 2 pp.
AL (signature cut off) to "Dear Sir," regarding gift of land in Orleans to the Marquis de La Fayette, suggesting he be given the most valuable land possible, as his presence would improve the opinion of the French inhabitants there, 1 p., 4to.
LS to Robert Walsh, expressing esteem and gratitude for a favor, 1 p.
ALS to Aron Vad, introducing Arthur P. Hayne, 1 p.
ALS to "My Dear Sir," friendly letter, including a letter to be forwarded to a mutual friend, Mr. Crawford, 1 p.
ALs to William V. Murray, 2 pp., 4to.
ALS to "Sir" regarding international affairs, St. Petersburg, 4 pp.
ALS to the editor of the New York Daily Times giving information from Vienna regarding international affairs, 4 pp.
48 DsS, bills of lading and sales, with 2 articles regarding the bills.
ADS, Certificate of M. Tanner, Deputy Clerk of the Peace, that J. Forneard has given security to transport to Virginia, in the ship Honour, R. Langley master, 60 convicts (whose names are given), with signitures of M. Tanner and R. Langley, and of the witnesses, J. Parry and T. Brownell, small folio.
138 autograph signatures in autograph book, including John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Millard Fillmore, Andrew Johnson, Martin Van Buren, James Madison, James Monore, John Tyler, and many more.
ALS to the Commissioners in France in relation to the policy to be pursued, signed also by James Lovell, York Town, 3 pp., folio.
ALS to the president of New Hampshire, regarding commerce under the new Constitution, from the office of Secretary of Congress, 2 pp.
Approximately 40 various documents (ALsS, autographed photgraphs, playbills, DsS) of various statesmen.
One pound war note with signature of George.
Copy of AL to Oscar Straus, 4 pp.
ALS to Straus, 3 pp.
Article from "The Sun."
Pamphlet titled "Remarks in the Senate of the United States, Vindicating the late James A. Bayard of Delaware and Refuting the Groundless Charges Contained in the "Anas" of Thomas Jeferson, Aspersing his Character."
DS, certifying that a black man, Benjamin Ammir, is free, 1 p.
Printed booklet, "an account of the churches and their constitutions, ministers, members, associations, their plan and sentiments, rule and order, proceedings and correspondence, also remarks upon practical religion."
ALS to Colonel Francis, discussing the idea of moving to America and promising to send a formal power of Attorney, 3 pp.
Petition of Freeman, Indian, to the General Court of Mass., for the freedom of his wife by reason of services rendered the English and as promised by Gov. Winslow. Ordered by the General Court, but disapproved by the council, signed by Edward Rawson, 1 p., folio.
ALS to "Dear Sir" regarding an oration on the 4th of July, Monticello, 2 pp.
ALS to "Sir" signed by Stratford Canning, Constantinople, 11 June 1827; "Constantinople, from Cassin Pacha," copy of engraving, n.d.; copy of engraving of Lord Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe, n.d.; copy of engraving of Captain William Downe, n.d.
D, addressed to "Gentlemen," discussing grievances with the British ministry.
Published copy of Washington's Letter accepting his appointment as Lieutenant-General and Commander in Chief of the Army.
ANS, two-dollar Confederate bill.
11 ADs, receipts of Oscar S. Strauss for the purchase of various documents.
"A Sermon Preached at Plimmoth in New-England... Wherein is Shewed the danger of self-love and the sweetness of true Friendship," printed document, 19 pp.
"A Sermon Preached at Plimmoth, in New England," printed document, 8 pp.
Facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, certified by J. John Hay.
Photocopy of ALS to Mr. Madison, expressing pleasure at Mr. Jefferson's acceptance of the appointment of Secretary of Sate, 1 p., 4to. Copy of letter in Folder 36.
Copy of ALS, "I never knew a man who wishes to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing, that no man desires for himself," 1 p.
2 copies of ALS to Richard Rush, Esq., Comptrouler of the Treasury, regarding the War of 1812, 4pp. Original in Folder 7.
4 copies of engravings: 1 of Elbridge Gerry, 2 of George Washington, and 1 of John Hancock.