American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

A collection comprised of more than 35 documents, photographs, and other material related to the New York City Draft Riots, including:

Partly-printed "New York County Substitute Committee" commutation bounty form. Reg. No. 1166, Certificate No. 1166. 11 December 1863. 8 1/2 x 7 in. , 1p. Adhered along top edge line to partly-printed forms "No. 1" and "No. 2," for volunteer as substitute. The top form reads in part: ""Francis Mullen by occupation a Seaman resident at Staten Island having agreed to volunteer as a Substitute Soldier, and been actually mustered into the service under the ordinance adopted by the Board of Supervisors, October 26, 1863, ...for and in consideration of the sum of $300 to be paid him as Bounty by the County of New York. The partly-printed yellow form, approx. 8 1/2 x 12 1/2 in., is completed in part, " I, Francis Mulen, for and in consideration of the sum of $300 to me in hand paid, by Jas. T. Durjan do hereby assign to said Jas. T. Durjan all claim I have against the County of New York...." 10 December 1863. A scarce set of substitute soldier commutation forms.

Superb eyewitness account of the Draft Riots: Autograph letter signed ("C.A.M.") from Charles A. Macy, cashier at "The Park Bank." New York, 14 July 1863. 2pp, 5 1/2 x 9 in. Letter reads, in part: "Mob violence prevails here to a fearful extent & rumors reach us Every few minutes of some fresh outbreak. A person was here a few moments since who stated that they had thrown Mayor Opdyke's furniture into the street there are so many rumors that it is difficult to tell which are true and which are false. We have closed are own shutters deeming it more safe....I sent a letter to thee last Eve, while I as writing it (at the house) the mob attacked the Tribune building broke in the windows of the lower story and then the Police dove them off...." -- Also with Autograph letter signed ("Theodore A. Irvine"), Minnesota 1st Infantry, 2x POW, to his father. Camp Near Culpepper Virginia, 9 October 1863. 4pp, 5 x 8 in. Irvine was on duty in the Provost Marshall's office. "We had our quarters in the basement of the building where they were drafting to be ready for any emergency as a large crowd had gathered in the street during the time the drafting was going on...." -- A husband writes to his wife, New York, 26 August 1863, The city is full of troops the Park which I have to cross two or three time during the day is full of troops & horses & cannons and I am told that every park in the city is the same, these troops are brot from the Army of the Potomac to protect the authority in case of an attack while drafting is going on....." -- Manuscript Special Order informing a captain to assemble at the armory. Head quarters 7th regiment, New York. 21 July 1863.

Autograph letter signed ("George Opdyke") by New York City Mayor George Opdyke. "Mayors Office," letterhead. New York, 23 January 1862. With accompanying cover. -- Also with another note signed "George Opdyke" in response to an autograph request. -- Two CDVs of George Opdyke.

A group of 12 New York City Draft Riot Damage Bond receipts. - A group of 20 checks signed paying for Draft Riot damages, with 15 issued to temporary clerks processing draft riot claims, and another 5 issued for other reimbursements including, "damage by rioters," "professional services to Corporation Counsel in Riot [damage?] suits," "bread furnished to police Central Office July 14 - 17th 1863," and "meals furnished police of 20th Precinct July 17 to 22d 1863."

The New York City Draft Riots were a violent, four-day uprising in July 1863, sparked by the first federal Civil War conscription act which was perceived as unfair to the working class. Primarily Irish-American, white working-class New Yorkers protested the draft law, which allowed wealthy individuals to pay for a substitute and which they feared would be compounded by the prospect of increased competition for jobs from newly freed African Americans. The riots targeted draft offices, wealthy neighborhoods, and, most brutally, Black residents and their institutions, resulting in widespread destruction and the deaths of hundreds. Federal troops were eventually dispatched to quell the unrest, with the riots ending by July 16th.