The Joseph Baily letters and printed materials were donated
by the Baily estate to the Washington State University Libraries
in 1998. Anna Vogt processed the collection under the supervision
of Trevor James Bond, Manuscripts Librarian.
Joseph Baily was born March 18, 1810 in Pennsburry Township
of Chester County, Pennsylvania to Jacob Baily and Elisabeth Parker.
As one of 12 children, Baily attended the "common schools."
According to his memoir, his "parents couldn't afford the
education beyond what could be acquired in the winter months."
He worked on his father’s farm until he was 16 years old
and then apprenticed in the trade of a hatter, which he carried
on in Parkersville. He then saved enough money to attended a boarding
school in New Jersey for one year. Following that, he returned
to journey work in New Jersey and started a shop in 1832. In 1840,
Baily served in the State House of Representatives and in 1843,
he became a member of the State Senate. Baily moved to Perry County
in 1845, where he purchased "the Caroline furnace estate."
He remained out of public office while he repaired the estate’s
furnace so that manufacturing iron could resume.
From 1851-1853, Baily was again elected as a member of the
Pennsylvania State Senate. In 1854, he was appointed the position
of State Treasurer of Pennsylvania and also joined the Know-Nothing
party. He served one year as Treasurer and then spent the following
two years studying law at an attorney’s office in New Bloomfield,
Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the bar in 1860. Baily was elected
as a Democrat to the 37th and 38th Congresses
(March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1865). A note from Baily to President
Lincoln is included in the collection as is an invitation to Lincoln'
funeral and the funeral crepe Mrs. Baily wore to the ceremony.
In 1872, he served as a member of the State constitutional convention.
Joseph Baily died at Bailey Station, Perry County, PA., on August
26, 1885. His interment is in the Bloomfield Cemetery, New Bloomfield,
PA.
Most of the documents relate to Baily's political career and
include letters regarding political appointments, requests, and
other printed political materials. Joseph Baily's manuscript Memoir
contains a wealth of personal information as well as Baily's opinion
of Lincoln, and contemporary politics. The collection is divided
into four series: Correspondence, Memoir,
Printed Documents and Other Articles.
The folders within each series are arranged in chronological order.
Note: Joseph Baily's name is also spelled "Bailey"
in a number of documents. In the subsequent document descriptions,
the spelling reflects a direct transcription of the original document.
| Series I. Correspondence |
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1 |
1 |
 James
Buchanan (1791-1868); Secretary of State during Polk administration.,
Mar. 31, 1845. Three page letter (signed "James Buchanan")
to the Democratic members of the legislature of Pennsylvania,
including Joseph Bailey, "Gentlemen…", marked
"copy", three pages, Washington [D.C.]. The whole document
appears to be a secretary’s hand
This document concerns the election of "general"
Simon Cameron (A Pennsylvanian businessman and politician) to
the U.S. Senate in 1845 "by means which won him the enmity
of Buchanan and regular party men." Later, as a Republican,
Cameron’s support of Lincoln in 1860 won the post of Secretary
of War, however his corrupt conduct of office caused his removal
in 1862. He was appointed as minister to Russia.
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2
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 Assistant
Postmaster General [Warren], DEC. 17, 1849.
One page partly printed document from the 2d Assistant Postmaster
General [Warren] to the Hon. [J. H M ] Lanahan, Ho. of Reps.
Regarding the appointment of Joseph Baily to the Postmaster
of Baileysburgh, Perry County, Pennsylvania.
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3
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  Abraham
Lincoln, as 16th President, MAR. 12, 1864.
One page note (signed "A. Lincoln") [to Congressman
Joseph Baily], [Washington, D.C.]
Response on the reverse of a card from Bailey requesting a
visit with the President "to hear his decision in the case
of Capt. C. Garrettson." Lincoln declines indicating that
the report from the Judge Advocate General "has not yet
come in."
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4
|
  Cpt.
Robert C. Lamberton, (Co.G 84th Reg. Pennsylvania
Volunteers), OCT. 11, 1864. A two page letter (signed "Robt.
C. Lamberton") to the Hon. Jos[eph] Baily, Camp, Fort Bross,
Va.
Advising Baily of the results of the regimental election "today,"
the regiment voted about 2/3 Republican. All six votes cast by
company G went to Baily. Lamberton describes of his new commission
and news of the war.
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5
|
 Abraham
Lincoln, 16th President, APR. 20, 1865.
Partly printed document (signed "E. A. Sawnford {?} Assistant
Adjutant General") to the Hon. Joseph Bailey, War Department,
Washington [D.C.]
Inviting Bailey to accompany "the remains of the late
President, Abraham Lincoln, from the City of Washington to Springfield,
Illinois with full transportation back."
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6
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 William
M. Porter, OCT. 21, 1865.
One page letter (signed "Wm. M. Porter") to the
Hon. Jos[eph] Baily, Carlisle Penns[ylvani]a
Porter seeks Baily’s "influence" in securing
a clerkship in Washington, preferably in the House or Senate,
but perhaps even in the "new Bureau of Rebel Archives"
which is, or "about to be, established."
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7
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  Joseph
Baily, NOV. 13, 1865.
Two page unsigned letter from Joseph Baily to Thaddeus Stevens
(1792-1868), lawyer, political leader; Newport, Pennsylvania
Stevens, a Congressman form Pennsylvania became chairman of
the House Ways and Means Committee upon Lincoln’s election,
and exerted wide authority over measures dealing with the prosecution
of the Civil War. After Lincoln’s assassination, Stevens
prepared to give battle with Andrew Johnson on the question of
reducing the South to a "territorial condition." When
Congress met in December 1865, a joint committee on Reconstruction
was appointed on his motion; as chairman of the House group,
Stevens was the dominant member of the committee. An intense
partisan, his career was marred by a harsh and vindictive temper,
which in his last years made him frankly vengeful towards the
South. This letter condemning the rebellion and the rebels would
appear to add fuel to Stevens’ vindictiveness.
Docketed in Baily’s hand as "copy of a letter to
Thaddeus Stevens".
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8
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 Thaddeus
Stevens, NOV. 16, 1865.
One page letter (signed "Thaddeus Stevens") to the
Hon. Joseph Baily, Lancaster
Responding to Baily’s letter of Nov. 13, 1865. "Your
writings sound like gospel…"
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9
|
 David
R[itterhouse?] Porter (1788-1867), FEB. 4, 1867.
One page note (signed "David R. Porter") to the
Hon. Joseph Baily, Harrisburg
Porter, an iron manufacturer, who after long service in the
Pennsylvania legislature served as the State’s Democratic
governor between 1839 and 1845. In this note, Porter solicits
Baily’s testimony as to his qualifications for appointment
as "Director of the mint at Phil[adelphia]."
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10
|
 John
Covode (1808-1871), MAY 4, 1868.
One page letter (signed "John Covode") to Hon. Joseph
Baily, Washington [D.C.]
Regarding the impeachment of President Johnson in response
to a letter from Baily. Covode served in the Pennsylvania legislature
and as Congressman of the Whig party from 1854 to 1863 and again
in 1867 though 1871. Covode introduced the House impeachment
resolution against President Johnson.
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11
|
 Simon
Cameron (1799-1789), businessman, politician, MAR 1, 1870
One page note (signed "Simon Cameron") to Joseph
Baily Esq., Newport, Pa., Senate [Washington, D.C.]
Simon's response to a letter from Baily requesting an increase
in the salary of "the P[ost] M[aster] at New Bloomfield"
and citing "the policy of retrenchment which now controls
the PO Department."
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12
|
 Simon
Cameron, JUNE 1, 1873.
One page note (signed "Simon Cameron") to the Hon.
Jos[eph] Baily, Harrisburg
A request for Baily to supply Cameron with "Locust Posts."
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13
|
 James
Donald Cameron (1833-1918), businessman, politician, son of Simon
Cameron, whom he aided in security enterprises and in control
of the Republican party in Pennsylvania. Sec. of War, 1876-77;
U.S. Senator, 1877-97, MAY 25, [18]78.
One page letter signed (signed "J.D. Cameron") to
an unidentified recipient, Washington D.C.
Regarding increasing the circulation of the New York Tribune
in Pennsylvania now that it is resuming "its old place as
a steadfast supporter of the Republican Party."
|
| SERIES II. MEMOIR |
| |
14
|
 Baily’s
autobiographical memoir, JAN. 1, 1855 – 188[?].
A 150 page leather bound pocket size daybook, which includes
genealogical information and opinions concerning the Civil War,
slavery and the South, his role as a political figure both in
national and state politics, the Knights of the Golden Circle,
etc.
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15
|
 Folder with notation describing
Baily's estate
Card of Abraham Lincoln, Real Estate, Deed Cemetary Lot, Dee[d]
160 Acres Land, Stevens County Home at 1302…
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| Series III. Printed
Documents |
| |
16
|
 The
Daily Globe , "The Official Paper of Congress,"
MAY 27, 1862.
Six page newspaper printed in Washington [D.C.]
Also included is the envelope in which Baily kept this item.
Baily’s annotation indicates the envelope’s contents:
"The Globe containing the Confiscation and Emancipation
bills and the yeas and nays on the same."
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17
|
 "Joseph
Baily A Know- Nothing!," [1864].
One page broadside, [York County, Pennsylvania]
An article written during Baily’s campaign for Congress
denouncing his involvement with the Know-Nothing Party.
|
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18
|
 M’Cellan Democrat
"Democratic District Ticket for Congress Joseph Baily,"
Thursday, SEPT. 22, 1864. Two page broadsheet from Carlisle,
Pa.
Contains Baily’s acceptance to run for a third term as
Congressman on the Democratic Union ticket in response to his
nomination by members of the 208th Regiment of the
Pennsylvania Volunteers, then at Camp Curtin, city of Harrisburg,
Pa. Also Gen. George B. McCellan’s letter of acceptance
as the democratic presidential candidate.
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19
|
 "Baily,"
[1866?]
One page newspaper article by James [Shuck ?]
Article about Joseph Baily, described as "honest Joe",
"Renegade Joe" and socially "Sneak Joe."
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20
|
 "History
of the Constitutional Amendment (from the Tribune Almanac of
1866)," [1866?]. One page broadside, No. 2
History of the passage of the XIII Amendment through Congress
in 1865 with voting records of senators and representatives.
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| Series IV. Other
Articles |
|
2
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21
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Abraham Lincoln, 16th President, MAY 1865.
Black cloth crepe and cloth "badge" worn by Joseph
Bailey to Springfield, Ill. May 1864 "as one of the escort
to attend the remains of Abraham Lincoln…"
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22
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Joseph Baily, MAY 1865.
One page note (signed "Joseph Baily") attesting
to the facts about the crepe and badge, undoubtedly used as a
wrapper for the articles. Also included is an envelope on which
is written by Baily, "Badge of Crape worn at Lincoln's funeral
at Springfield."
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