Marquis de Lafayette's letter thanking the Continental Congress for a sword and a Leave of Absence 114765 1778 October 26

Major John André's appeal to Washington to be shot like a soldier rather than hung as a spy 114763 1780 October 1

Lord Cornwallis's proposal to surrender the British Army under his command at Yorktown to Washington and the French Allies. 114761 1781 October 17

Washington's reply to Col. Nichola rejecting a subtle offer to the Crown of the United States. 114759 1782 May 22

Aaron Burr's letter to Alexander Hamilton challenging him to a duel 114757 1804 June 8

Commander Perry's letter to the Secretary of the Navy announcing victory over the British fleet in Lake Erie 114755 1819 September 10

Andrew Jackson's instructions to his Secretary of War directing him to prepare for war against the Nullifiers of South Carolina. 114753 1832 December 17

Message from Col. William Travis, written shortly before massacre at the Alamo 114751 1836 February 24

General Beauregard's demand for the surrender of Fort Sumter 114749 1861 April 11

Robert E. Lee's letter to Cousin Roger announcing his resignation from the U.S. Army and his decision to defend his native state against the Union. 114747 1861 April 20

Abraham Lincoln's War order #1 114745 1862 January 27

Grant's demand for "Unconditional Surrender" of Fort Donelson 114743 1862 February 16

Admiral Farragut's order for the passage of the Forts at Vicksburg. 114741 1862 June 25

Stonewall Jackson's last message to General Lee 114739 1863 May 2

General Grant's message to Major General Halleck in which he proposes "to fight it out along this line if it takes all summer" 114737 1864 May 11

Abraham Lincoln's letter to Mrs. Bixby who lost five sons in battle 114735 1864 November 21

Resolution submitting the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution 114733 1864 December 5

Grant's terms to Lee for the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox 114731 1865 April 9

Grant's terms to Lee for the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox 114729 1865 April 9

"Home Sweet Home" in the handwriting of the author, John Howard Payne 114727 undated

The first page of Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence with interpolations by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams 114725 undated

Declaration of Independence 114723 undated

The Star Spangled Banner in the handwriting of the author, Francis Scott Key 114721 undated

George Washington's tentative list of Cabinet and appointments under the new constitution 114719 undated

The page of James Monroe's Message to Congress in which he first enunciated the principles of the Monroe Doctrine 114717 undated

Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address 114715 undated