Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Wool, John E. (1784-1869) to George Opdyke

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05458 Author/Creator: Wool, John E. (1784-1869) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Letter signed Date: 3 July 1863 Pagination: 3 p. ; 25.1 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses his unwillingness to place New York City at the mercy of a privateer by sending troops to protect the city. Adds that if he had the troops to spare, he would gladly send them along. The subject of this letter is foreboding of the 1863 Draft Riots. Imprint of "Congress" written above the Captiol Building in upper left corner.

Opdyke was mayor of New York City from 1862 through 1864. In 1863 Wool successfully quelled draft riots in New York City.

Wool, John Ellis, 1784-1869
Opdyke, George, 1805-1880

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