Subject: Politics

A sepia-toned carte-de-visite portrait of Judah P. Benjamin, presented in a head-and-shoulders view. Benjamin is depicted with a beard and wearing a dark suit with a bow tie, facing forward with a slight smile. The item is a photograph mounted on cardstock, characteristic of the carte-de-visite format popular in the mid-19th century. The reverse side of the card contains handwritten text, including the name "Benjamin." Judah Philip Benjamin served as Attorney General, Secretary of War, and Secretary of State for the Confederate States of America. He was the first Jewish-American to hold a cabinet position in American history and is often referred to as the “brains of the Confederacy” due to his close relationship with Jefferson Davis.

Printed broadside advertising a contest to guess the 1896 presidential vote by party and state. The prize is $1000 and "General Arthur" cigars. The broadside was issued by Kerbs, Wertheim & Schiffer, located at 1016-1020 Second Avenue. Edward Fulda gave the broadside in San Francisco, California. The back features a list of each state's electoral votes and 1892 results. The individual who donated this item to the University of Pennsylvania Library noted that the issuer was active in Jewish affairs. The broadside is dated January 1, 1896.

This item is a handwritten letter from Edward Salomon of the law firm Salomon, Hall & Dulon, addressed to George W. Lyon, Esq., Secretary, and dated October 29, 1880. In the letter, Salomon expresses his regrets that prior engagements prevent him from accepting an invitation to make an address at a "Citizens Meeting" at Cooper Institute that evening, which was organized to endorse the nomination of Mr. Dowd for Mayor. He notes his hearty sympathy with the object of the meeting. The letter is printed on the law firm's stationery, which features ornate Victorian-style lettering for the firm name, its partners (Edward Salomon, Edward S. Hall, Rudolf Dulon), and its address at 115 Broadway (Post Building), New York. 3.

Two-page business letter written by Adolph L. Sanger on his law office stationary, "Adolph L. Sanger...Counselor at Law, 113 Broadway, NYC," dated May 15, 1885. Sanger was a prominent figure in American Judaism, serving as a leader in the B'nai B'rith, president of the Board of Delegates of American Israelites, and vice-president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. The letter's content pertains to mercantile affairs. Biographical information about Sanger is included in the description.

Two-page letter written by David Levy Yulee to J. W. Pearson on February 1, 1846, from Washington, D.C. The letter details Yulee's plans for a log house and was written during his first term as a U.S. Senator (1845-1851).

Autograph letter signed by David Levy Yulee, written in Washington, D.C. on May 24, 1846. The letter concerns payments. Yulee was a U.S. Senator from Florida and later a Confederate congressman.

A letter dated November 19, 1855, from Circuit Court Judge George Johnston in San Francisco, California, to Congressman James William Denver in Washington, D.C., requesting a presidential pardon for Julius Levy, who was convicted of smuggling cigars and is in poor health due to imprisonment. The letter was sent via Joseph Duncan.

This letter, dated October 27, 1852, was written by H. Labatt of New Orleans, Louisiana to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia. Labatt expresses concern over anti-Semitic attacks targeting J.P. Benjamin and E.W. Moise, prominent Louisiana politicians. The letter highlights the religious prejudice faced by Jewish individuals in the political arena of antebellum Louisiana.

One-page letter dated January 27, 1858, written and signed by U.S. Congressman Henry Myer Phillips (1811-1884) to John Rumsey. Written from Washington, D.C., the letter discusses the return of letters from the Rothschilds and a requested statement from Rumsey. Approximately 6 1/2" x 8" with integral leaf and one vertical fold.

One-page, stampless letter concerning legal matters from Joseph Jacobs of the firm Jacob Levi & Jacobs in New York City to Henry Myer Phillips in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated March 6, 1855.

A copy of a letter, possibly created by a secretary, from Judah P. Benjamin to President James Buchanan declining an appointment as minister to Spain. Dated September 7, 1858, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The letter discusses Benjamin's financial considerations and the upcoming Louisiana state legislature's judgment on his public conduct. The letter is written on watermarked stationery featuring a shield surrounded by stars and an embossed crown.

Two-page letter written by Mayer Sulzberger on his letterhead (6th & Chestnut, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) to Simon Muhr on May 31, 1880. The letter, part of a set of eight, was written while Muhr was traveling abroad. The content includes commentary on political investment.

This item is an issue of the "Daily Advertiser" newspaper from Boston, dated Tuesday, January 11, 1848. The primary content focuses on the "Admission of Jews to Parliament," detailing the debates in the British House of Commons regarding the removal of civil and political disabilities for Jewish subjects. It includes the speech of Lord John Russell introducing his motion and the responses from figures like Sir Robert Inglis and Lord Ashley, who opposed the motion. The article discusses principles of religious liberty, the Christian character of the constitution, and historical precedents. Visually, the item is a text-heavy newspaper clipping with multiple columns, typical of periodicals from the mid-19th century, showing some signs of age and staining.

This is an issue of the "Daily National Intelligencer," a newspaper published in Washington, D.C., on July 12, 1843. Page 3 notably features the first instance of "Noah's Weekly Messenger," a weekly column by Mordecai Manuel Noah. The newspaper is laid out in a multi-column format with densely printed text and includes small woodcut illustrations, typical of 19th-century periodicals.

Issue of Niles' Weekly Register, published in Baltimore, Maryland on October 14, 1826. This issue reports on the election of S. Etting and J. L. Cohen, the first Jewish men elected to office in Maryland.

A handwritten promissory note from P. Melvin Cohen to Col. F. I. Moses, dated Charleston, SC, August 2, 1860. The note states that P. Melvin Cohen promises to pay Col. F. I. Moses the sum of $46.67 (stated as "Forty Six Dollars & 67 cents") twelve months from the date, with the amount due August 2, 1861. The note also indicates "value received". The verso includes an endorsement by Moses dated December 5, 1867. The document is written on lined paper in an ornate cursive script typical of the period.

This document is part of a series titled "Papers for the Jewish People." Numbered XXIX, it addresses the intersection of religion and politics. The document's content is not further specified beyond that, but it is dated January 1, 1931. The document was part of a collection donated to the university.

Issue of *The Balance & State Journal*, a newspaper published in Albany, New York on October 15, 1811. This issue includes a list of people petitioning under the new insolvent law and an editorial urging war with England. The newspaper also contains news from Saratoga and Kings County, New York.