todaysdocument

[todaysdocument]

Presidential Message of Abraham Lincoln, transmitting a letter from James W. Nye, Nevada Territorial Governor

Record Group 46: Records of the U.S. SenateSeries: Presidential MessagesFile Unit: Presidential Messages to the 38th Congress Suggesting Legislation or Submitting Specific Information or Documents

[left corner] S. H. Sonegal [?]

[top center page] 1/2

To the Senate of the United States.

In compliance with the Resolution of the Senate of the 27th instant, requesting information in regard to the condition of affairs in the Territory of Nevada, I transmit a copy of a letter of the 25th of last month addressed to the Secretary of State by James W. Nye, the Governor of that Territory.

Abraham Lincoln

Washington,

29th April, 1864.

[top of page] 1

Governor Nye to Mr Seward

[left margin] Gordon.  [right margin] Territory of Nevada

[right margin] Executive Department

[right margin] Carson City, Mar. 25, 1864

Hon. Wm. H Seward

Secretary of State

Washington D.C.

Sir:

This territory since I had the honor last to communicate with you, has been making rapid progress in all things pertaining to moral & material improvement. Churches have been built; schoolhouses erected. In almost every form in the territory, substantial improvements in every brand of industry are made, giving us quite the appearance of an old settled country. Business is becoming thoroughly systemized, & carried on with a rigor I never observed in any other locality. Obstacles that would seem insurmountable in many places, here seem only to quicken the pace & the energies of our people; they fly themselves to their reward with a will absolutely irresistable. Mountains are tunneled; shafts are sunk thousands of feet through solid rock; rivers are turned from their channels; canals are made conducting water for 50 or 60 miles; roads are constructed over our highest mountain peaks with a wonderful facility & rapidity; mines are opened & quartz mills erected as by magic; cities sprung up like the "gourd in the night"; wealth is going out & coming in to the territory with a power of current in its flow, that bears us

[full document and transcription at link]

#archivesgov #April 29 #1864 #19th century #abraham lincoln #nevada #nevada history #us history

[todaysdocument]

Letter from Inspector in Charge J. H. L. Eager to Commissioner General Frank P. Sargent Alleging the Ward Line Company was Engaged in Smuggling Chinese, with Enclosed Passenger List

Record Group 85: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization ServiceSeries: Subject and Policy Files

Department of Commerce and Labor

Immigration Service

Office of Inspector

Port of Tampa, Fla.,

April 28, 1904.

Hon. FRANK P. SARGENT,

COMMISSIONER-GENERAL,

Washington, D.C.

Sir:-

I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of the names of Chinamen who sailed from Havana, Cuba, on two of the Ward Line S/S. Those marked with an asterisk did not make known their intended destination. The one that I have underscored with red ink-- LEONG HOPP, or Wing Lee Hopp, an alias, is the one whom Mr. Seraphic captured at Pensacola as cook for the U.S. Army officer.

Believing that the Ward Line S/S Co is deeply engaged in the Chinese smuggling business the fact is patent that there are but two Captains whom they trust, as all go on these two boats.

Notwithstanding the fact that communications--official papers-- which I have sent to Mr. Howard at New Orleans fail to elicit an acknowledgneny of receipt, I have sent him this day a copy of these names.

Respectfully,

J.N.L. Eager

Inspector in Charge.[full transcription at link]

#archivesgov #April 28 #1904 #1900s #chinese american

[todaysdocument]

Colleges and Universities - Tuskegee Institute - Students Army Training Corps mechanics at N.A. training branch, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama

Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special StaffsSeries: American Unofficial Collection of World War I PhotographsFile Unit: Colleges and Universities - Tuskegee Institute

This black and white photograph shows four African American men working on a piece of machinery.  They are standing in a large workroom.  The photograph is mounted on a card.

#archivesgov #april 27 #1919 #1910s #tuskegee institute #tuskegee university #hbcu

[todaysdocument]

Barber Shop at American Center, Brisbane, Australia

Record Group 111: Records of the Office of the Chief Signal OfficerSeries: Photographs of American Military Activities

Original caption: April 26, 1944 Barber shop at American Center, (Brisbane, Australia.) Photographer: Pfc Joseph McCoy

This black and white photograph shows a row of six barber chairs, each with a man sitting in it, covered with a cloth.  Barbers stand behind each chair in white coats, cutting hair.  You can see the feet of people in another row of chairs facing the first row on the left side of the photograph.  More people sit in the back of the barber shop.

#archivesgov #april 26 #1944 #1940s #world war ii #wwii #barbarshop #Brisbane

[todaysdocument]

Boxing default won by T. Gherity, championship tournament held at the Cirque de Paris, April 25, 1919. Paris, Seine, France

Record Group 111: Records of the Office of the Chief Signal OfficerSeries: Photographs of American Military Activities

Original caption: DEFAULT WON FROM T. GHERITY, (boxing).  Championship tournament held at the Cirque de Paris Saturday night April 25th, 1919.  Paris, Seine, France.

This small black and white photograph pasted to a card shows a shirtless man with his arms folded, looking directly at the camera.

#archivesgov #April 25 #1919 #1910s #wwi #boxing #world war i

[todaysdocument]

News Note: A Bill Has Been Introduced in the Illinois Legislature Limiting Women's Hats to a Diameter of Eighteen Inches

Record Group 46: Records of the U.S. SenateSeries: Berryman Political Cartoon Collection

This illustration entitled, "News Note: A Bill Has Been Introduced in the Illinois Legislature Limiting Women's Hats to a Diameter of Eighteen Inches", by cartoonist Clifford Berryman, which appeared in the Washington Evening Star on April 24, 1909, depicts the serious nature of issues caused by women wearing large hats, especially for men sitting behind them at sporting events.

Two women with enormous hats sit in the front row of a sporting event.  One is holding a scorecard and pencil.  The men behind them are maneuvering to see around them.  A man further back is standing up calling to a policeman, “Officer, do your duty!”  The man wears a sport coat, tie, starched collar, and a straw hat.  The other men in the stands are similarly dressed.  The police officer is standing amid the crowded stands.  His helmet says, “Hat Cop.”  He holds an 18 inch ruler and measuring tape.

#archivesgov #April 24 #1909 #1900s #hats #illinois #clifford berryman #political cartoons

[todaysdocument]

Diary of Robert E. Peary, page 5

Collection XP: Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary Family CollectionSeries: North Pole Diaries

[double underline] C. Columbia [/double underline]

16 ret. m.      61 d. 

Wed-Thurs. Apr. 22-23

8.-a.m. Apr. 23

My life work is [ended - crossed out] accomplished. The thing which it was intended from the beginning that I should do, the thing which I believed could be done, & that I could do, I have done.

I have got the North Pole out of my system.

After 23 yrs. of effort, hard work, disappointments, hardships, privations, more or less suffering & some risks, I have won the last, great, geographical prize, the North Pole, for the credit of the U.S., the Service to which I belong, myself, & my family.

My work is the finish, the cap & the climax, of 300 years of effort, loss of life, & expenditure of millions, by some of the best men of the civilized nations of

#archivesgov #April 23 #1909 #north pole #arctic #arctic exploration #robert e. perry

[todaysdocument]

Application for Headstone for Looking Back Isaac

Record Group 92: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster GeneralSeries: Applications for Headstones

Isaac Looking Back - South Dakota, Pvt. 355 Inf. 89 Div. September 12, 1918

Killed in action.

Application for Headstone

NAME: Isaac, Looking Back

RANK: Private

COMPANY: L

U.S. Regiment, State Organization, or Vessel: 355 Inf.

DATE OF DEATH: Sept. 12 - 18.

If World War Veteran -

Division: 89th

State: S.D.

Emblem: Christian

NAME OF CEMETERY: Messiah

CITY: McLaughlin

STATE: S.D.

TO BE SHIPPED TO: George Looking Back, McLaughlin, Corson Co., South Dakota.

 May 9, 1929

PERMANENT ADDRESS: Little Eagle, S.D.

DATE: April 22, 1929

Geo Looking Back, Consignee

Approved: TATE, GEORGIA APR 13 1931

Shipped: 5-2-31

Address: Little Eagle, S.D.

Date: April 22. -29

This application is for the UNMARKED grave of a Soldier.  It is understood the stone will be furnished and delivered at the railroad station or steamboat landing above indicated, at Government expense, freight prepaid, and agreed it will be promptly removed and set up at private expense.

Martin Littledogg, Applicant

HD. 5-13-29

#archivesgov #April 22 #1929 #1920s #veterans #native americans #wwi #world war i

[todaysdocument]

134 - Combat - Operation Oklahoma Hills - April 21, 1969

Record Group 127: Records of the U.S. Marine CorpsSeries: Black and White Photographs of Marine Corps Activities in VietnamFile Unit: Divider/Subject - 134 - Combat - Operation Oklahoma Hills

[handwritten] 96 [/handwritten]

[stamp] 35mm Negative [/stamp]

ID-12-111-69

1st MarDiv

Vietnam

21Apr69   Photog: Sgt. A.V. Huffman

OPERATION OKLAHOMA HILLS--Private first class Willie Brown sends a steady stream of M-60 machine gun fire at the enemy.

DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS)

jld

A371937

127 GVB-134

[photo of two soldiers, soldier on right firing machine gun]

#archivesgov #April 21 #1969 #1960s #us marines #vietnam war

[todaysdocument]

San Cristobal Bridge - Erection Crew

Record Group 30: Records of the Bureau of Public RoadsSeries: Historical Photograph FilesFile Unit: Highways - Inter-American - Panama

Original caption: Bridge 7 No. 29 San Cristobal Bridge - Erection crew - Taken April 20, 1939. State: Panama.

This photograph, mounted on a yellow card, shows five construction workers posing for the picture on a tall utility pole.  One stand on top of the pole with one arm raised.  Two sit on cables extending from the pole, and two more stand further down the pole on foot rests.

#archivesgov #April 20 #1939 #1930s #panama #bridges #san cristobal

[todaysdocument]

Letter from Mrs. H. Lipsett to the Department of Justice Requesting an Investigation into an Unnamed Bolshevik Living in Los Angeles

Record Group 60: General Records of the Department of JusticeSeries: Straight Numerical FilesFile Unit: 20600 Section 5 [1/2]

ESTABLISHED 1921

                                                       O. B. Dry Goods Store

                                                          MRS. H. LIPSETT

                                                           PROPRIETOR

                                                      5034 NEWPORT AVENUE

                                                      OCEAN BEACH, CALIF.

[stamped on left margin] CRIMINAL DIVISION APR 24 1929 RECEIVED [/stamped on left margin]

[stamped on right margin] RECORD [/stamped right margin]

[red check mark on right margin]

[written in red on right margin 202600]

[stamped on right margin] illegible APR 24 ?? A.M. BU. INV. LUMBING [/stamped on right margin]

                                                        April 19, 1929

Department of Justice

Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

Do you encourage Bolshevism in this country?  Do you tolerate Bolshevism in the United States?

If you do then I am awfully sorry to waste my time in writing and your time in reading these few lines.  [stamped] APR 26 1929 [/stamped]

But if you do not (and I am sure that you do not) then the address which I am enclosing will stand a little investigation and a great deal of your attention, I presume.  

This man has been a stark raving socialist, social democrat, and at the present time he is a bolshevik.

He is a born Russian, a Canadian subject, and for the last seven years he has been living in Los Angeles.

I do not believe that at the present time he is taking an active part in any bolshevik movement, but he has a recently made a will leaving his property to the Communist party.

Any questions that you care to ask me I will be glad to answer.

                          Respectfully yours,

                         [handwritten] Mrs. H. Lipsett [/handwritten]

#archivesgov #April 19 #1929 #red scare #1920s #bolsheviks #Los Angeles

[todaysdocument]

Presidential Proclamation 3282 of April 18, 1959, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower declaring May 1, 1959 Loyalty Day.

Record Group 11: General Records of the United States GovernmentSeries: Presidential Proclamations

LOYALTY DAY, 1959

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS loyalty to the United States of America, its democratic traditions and institutions, and the liberties embodied in our Constitution is essential to the preservation of our freedoms in a world threatened by totalitarianism; and

WHEREAS it is fitting and proper that we reaffirm by special observance our loyalty to our country and our gratitude for the precious heritage of freedom and liberty under law; and

WHEREAS the Congress, by a joint resolution of July 18, 1958 (72 Stat. 369), has designated May 1 of each year as Loyalty Day, and has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon the people of the United States, and upon all patriotic, civic, educational, and other interested organizations, to observe Friday, May 1, 1959, as Loyalty Day, in schools and other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies in which all of our people may join in the reaffirmation of their loyalty to the United States and the renewal of their dedication to the concepts of the freedom and dignity of man.

I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed. DONE at the City of Washington this eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-third.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

By the President:

Robert Murphy

Acting Secretary of State

[black stamp] The National Archives and Records Service Filed and Made Available for Public Inspection APR 23 1 35 PM '59 in the Federal Register Division

3282

#archivesgov #April 18 #1959 #1950s #cold war #dwight d. eisenhower #eisenhower #loyalty day

[todaysdocument]

Segre's anti-proton experiment, counting area, Tom Elioff. Photograph taken April 17, 1959. Bevatron-1783

Record Group 434: General Records of the Department of EnergySeries: Photographs Documenting Scientists, Special Events, and Nuclear Research Facilities, Instruments, and Projects at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

This black and white photograph shows two men in a room of 1950’s computer equipment, with many dials and cables everywhere.  One man is standing and appears to be adjusting the equipment, while the other is sitting at a desk looking at a large binder and making notes.

#archivesgov #April 17 #1959 #1950s #computers #science #protons

[todaysdocument]

NSDD 119 Strategic Defense Initiative

Collection RR-NSC: Numbered National Security Policy PapersSeries: National Security Decision Directives (NSDDs)

NSDD 119 (handwritten)

SECRET (crossed out)

 THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

SYSTEM II

91482

C.F.

1855545.

N00018

SECRET (crossed out)

NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION 

DIRECTIVE NUMBER

STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE (U) (crossed out)

The current strategy of nuclear deterrence based upon the threat of retaliation has been successful to date; but it is subject to a number of destabilizing factors in the next generation. The U.S. has actively sought to strengthen the stability and credibility of deterrence and reduce the threat of nuclear war through modernization of its strategic forces and by making significant arms reduction proposals. The Soviet Union's unwillingness thus far to consider true arms reductions, and its massive increases in strategic offensive forces have necessitated continued U.S. actions to preserve our deterrent capabilities. NSDDs 12, 13, and 91 establish Administration policy on strategic forces modernization and nuclear weapons employment and outline our continued adherence to the concept of nuclear deterrence as the means for protecting the security of the United States and our allies. (S) (crossed out)

However, given the uncertain long-term future of offensive deterrence, I believe that an effort must also be made to identify alternative means of deterring nuclear war and protecting our national security interests. In particular, the U.S. should investigate the feasibility of eventually shifting toward reliance upon a defensive concept. Future deterrence should, if possible, be underwritten by a capability to defeat a hostile attack. (S) (crossed out)

New technologies appear to offer the possibility of helping eventually eliminate the most destabilizing threat to the U.S. and its allies, ballistic missile attack. The technology and policy studies undertaken in response to NSSD 6-83 have confirmed that a defense against ballistic missile attack might eventually be developed and could play a critical role in enhancing deterrence. The Defensive Technologies Study described a technology program of R&D and demonstration which might eventually lead to a decision to proceed with development of a ballistic missile defense system. (S) (crossed out) There is also growing concern over a potential Soviet breakout from ABM Treaty. Evidence of Soviet efforts to develop a ballistic missile defense capability makes it incumbent upon the U.S. to do its utmost to acquire its own strategic defense

[full transcription at link]

#archivesgov #April 16 #1984 #1980s #cold war #ronald reagan #missile defense

[todaysdocument]

Condemnation Decree filed in U.S. v. All the Rights, Titles, of Robert E. Lee (Robert E. Lee Confiscation Case)

Record Group 21: Records of District Courts of the United StatesSeries: Confiscation Case FilesFile Unit: U.S. v. The Right, Title, Interest, and Estate of Robert E. Lee

[printed] At a special term of the District Court of the United States of America for the Eastern District of Virginia, held at the Court Room in the [handwritten] Customs House Building [typed] in the city of [handwritten] Alexandria [printed], on [handwritten] Friday the 15th day of April, [printed] in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred sixty three

[printed] Present, the Honorable John C. Underwood, District Judge.

[handwritten] No. 85

United States

vs.

All the rights titles interests and the Estate of Robert E Lee in and to All that certain piece parcel or lot of land and to the Home and buildings thereon situated lying and being in Alexandria County in the Eastern District of Virginia known as the Arlington House Estate formerly owned by George Washington Parke Custis and lately occupied by the said Robert E Lee Consisting of Eleven Hundred acres more or less Together with all the goods chattels and the personal property of the said Robert E Lee in and upon the said premises [illegible]

[printed] The papers in this cause having been heretofore returned, the usual proclamation having been made, the default of all persons being duly entered, and notwithstanding said default, witnesses having been called and examined by [handwritten] L H Chandler [printed] , Attorney for the United States, and due deliberation being had on the pleadings and proofs, it is thereupon, on motion of the said [handwritten] L H Chandler [printed] , ordered, adjudged, sentenced, and decreed by the Court, that the real and personal property mentioned and described in the libel in this cause, be, and the same accordingly is confiscated and condemned as forfeited to the United States.

 [printed] And upon like motion it is further ordered, adjudged, and decreed, that the Clerk of this Court issue a decree of venditioni exponas to the Marshall of the District, returnable upon [handwritten] ascending [illegible word]; [typed] and that the said Marshal, after having given at least [handwritten- Tene?] [printed] days notice of the time, place, and terms of sale [carrot-handwritten in] of the personal property [printed] by publication thereof in [handwritten] the Virginia State District in one or more [illegible word] [printed] published in the city of [handwritten] Alexandriae. [illegible 3 words] dat. Notice of [illegible word] place and [illegible word] of sale of the Real Estate by [persecutions?] thereof in one or more [illegible 2 words] in the City of Alexandria and in one or more [illegible 2 words] in the City of Washington DC [printed] sell the said property at public sale, for cash, to the highest bidder, and execute a deed for the real estate to the purchaser, and bring the proceeds of said sale into this Court for its action thereon.

[handwritten signature] John C. Underwood 

Dist Judge

#archivesgov #April 15 #1864 #us civil war #arlington #robert e. lee #19th century #us history

[todaysdocument]

And the Clerk Will Call the Roll!

Record Group 46: Records of the U.S. SenateSeries: Berryman Political Cartoon Collection

This cartoon depicts members of the House as puppets manipulated by the Clerk of the House.  The many members of the House sit in rows on benches.  Strings lead from each man to the Clerk of the House who is depicted as much larger.  He is in the gallery holding all the strings in one hand and a gavel in the other.  He wears a top hat

#archivesgov #April 14 #1929 #1920s #clifford berryman #political cartoons #us house of representatives

[todaysdocument]

Letter from Louise E. Jefferson to Secretary Harold Ickes Regarding Marian Anderson's Concert

Record Group 48: Records of the Office of the Secretary of the InteriorSeries: Central Classified FilesFile Unit: Racial Discrimination - Anderson, Marian

[stamped in upper right corner "Interior Dept Recvd Apr 14 1939 Office of the Secretary"]

Louise E. Jefferson

130 West 130 St.,

New York City, N.Y.

April 13, 1939

Honorable Secretary Harold Ickes

Department of Interior

Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Ickes,

It is safe to say that eight million Negroes listened to the glorious voice of Miss Marion Anderson on Sunday last: listened with gratitude for her offering but with deeper gratitude to you for making it possible.  

The occasion was the most significant and distinctive that has yet occurred to promote better race relations and to sponsor Negro achievement.

Please accept my thanks and congratulations for affording this honor and privilege.

Most respectfully,

Louise E. Jefferson

#archivesgov #April 13 #1939 #1930s #marian anderson #civil rights