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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.

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1788/05/26

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William Ellery Jr.] re: contempt for "pure democracy" of R.I. (ratification)

Rhode Island had not ratified the Constitution. Ellery shared Thomson's unhappiness.

GLC04847

1785/03/28

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [President of Congress] re: exposing a plot to forge army pension securities

The President of Congress is the presumed recipient for Thomson's attempt to expose counterfeiting.

GLC04849

1785/07/27

United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles

Document signed

Title: Resolution of Congress asking for copies of state legislation [printed]

The printed resolution asks for 13 copies of each state's legislation for the period from Sept. 1, 1774 to the present, for sharing among the states and Congress.

GLC04850

1788/05/22

United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles

Document signed

Title: Resolution of Congress "relative to public and unsettled accounts" [printed]

GLC04851

1789/06/01

Otis, Samuel A., 1740-1814

Document signed

Title: First act of Congress. Act to regulate certain oaths, to support Constitution

Printed act of Congress setting the form of oath: "I, A.B. do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States." Certified and Co-signed by Samuel A. Otis as Secretary of the Senate and John Beckley as Clerk of the House.

GLC04856

1789/05/20

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Wilson re: Wilson's role in ratifying Constitution, appointment

Wayne congratulates Wilson on the adoption of the Federal Constitution: "permit me to add that it was to a display of the perfect knowledge you entertained, & the plain elucidation you gave of the components of the System, which caused it to be approved by the [Ratification] Convention of Penna being the first that met...." Also congratulates Wilson on being appointed to the Chief Justiceship of the US (sic), and seeks a judicial appointment for himself.

GLC04865

February 16, 1789

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre Van Cortlandt

Refers to an enclosed letter (not present). Asks New York Lieutenant Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt to support the Federalist strategy to defeat New York Governor George Clinton by withdrawing from gubernatorial race. ". . . withdraw from a competition in which your friends can promise themselves no advantage to you and perceive much disadvantage to the cause they have so earnestly at heart-the removal of the present governor."

GLC04869

1820/06/26

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Calhoun

General Jackson writing to Secretary of War Calhoun, attempting to mediate a dispute between General Daniel Bissell and the Ordnance Department. Jackson emphasizes the need to maintain a proper chain of command.

GLC04872

1796/06/30

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Ellsworth re: asking advice in interpreting treaty on privateering

Discusses the sale of prizes taken from the British by the French which violates the 24th Article of Jay's Treaty (1794) with Britain.

GLC04875

1787, 1788, 1794/05/21

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Book signed

Title: A Defence of the Constitutions of the government of the United States...[1st ed]

First Edition. Vols. 1-2 issued 1787; vol. 3 issued 1788. Each volume inscribed by Adams to the famous French diplomat Charles M. Talleyrand, who in turn gave them to someone else. In this work, Adams forcibly states the principles on which he perceived the United States to be founded. The book was popular and went through numerous editions. Later, Adams' detractors sought to find in it a hidden desire for a monarchy. In 1788 Adams extended this work by publishing two additional volumes in London. Howes a60. Sabin 233. Evans 20176. DAB 1: 76. USE WITH CARE: volumes have chemical odor;…

GLC04878

March 22, 1781 - February 16, 1782

Manuscript document

Title: Extrait de Journal [in French]

Extract of a journal pertaining to the French naval campaign during the American Revolution. Briefly lists actions and movement of the French navy under Comte de Grasse. Covers period from French leaving Brest, France, up until shortly before the defeat of de Grasse's forces at the Battle of the Saintes. Includes fighting in Chesapeake Bay, Battle of Yorktown, French capture of Saint Kitts, and other events.

GLC04323.01

February 27, 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William A. Washington

Commisserates with his nephew, Colonel William A. Washington, on the death of his wife. Regrets he cannot find employment for Mr. Ashton, who had been recommended to him by his nephew, as he already has hired a clerk. Notes the grains he uses to make whiskey and the price he charges for it. Inquires about a source of staves for flour barrels, and tells him of queries on the Washington family genealogy from Sir Isaac Heard of the Heraldry Office in England. Asks about "Mrs. Washington of Bushfield".

GLC04445

September 9, 1775- February 16, 1776

Manuscript document

Title: [Orderly book of British troops in Boston]

Contains detailed orders, passwords, information on supplies and behavior, and court martials, among various other topics. Possibly the orderly book of Generals William Howe and Henry Clinton.

GLC04427

February 16, 1862

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Simon Buckner

Souvenir autograph copy of Grant's famous February 16, 1862, letter to Buckner demanding "unconditional surrender" of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, one of the best-known of Grant's wartime letters. This copy was written by Grant, probably in the late 1870's or early 1880's. Grant often signed copies of this letter for friends but this is only one of two copies known to be entirely in Grant's own hand. Misdated 1863. When the Confederates' breakout attempt failed, Buckner, an old friend of Grant's, asked what terms of surrender he would offer. Grant replied "No terms except unconditional and…

GLC04450

February 7, 1825

Hendricks, William, 1782-1850

Printed document signed

Title: "A JOINT RESOLUTION..."

Full title reads "A JOINT RESOLUTION, RESPECTING THE GRADUAL EMANCIPATION OF SLAVES, AND COLONIZATION OF PEOPLE OF COLOR WITHIN THE UNITED STATES." Respecting the Graduate Emancipation of Slaves, and Colonization of People of Color Within the United States. Signed by Hendricks as Governor of Indiana and directed to the Governor of Pennsylvania, John Andrew Shulze. Resolution approving the resolution of Ohio General Assembly which had called for the various states and U.S. Congress to consider a system of gradual emancipation of black slaves, provided they agree to be colonized elsewhere.…

GLC04521

February 26, 1901

Brown, Walter T., fl. 1900-1901

Envelope

Title: to Harvey L. Brown

GLC04546.018

February 7, 1881

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Taylor

Regrets his inability to attend a Mexican War reunion. Reminisces about the war and expresses his feeling that veterans should be remembered and honored.

GLC04068

1862/01/23

Wise, Henry A., 1806-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew H. Foote re: sending Lincoln's telegram; stirring up army ordnance

Cover letter accompanying Lincoln's telegram (GLC 4702.01). Quotes Lincoln saying to Wise: "Now I am going to devote a part of every day to these mortars and I won't leave off until it fairly rains Bombs."

GLC04702.02

1814/09/04

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Commission of Winfield Scott as Major General during the War of 1812]

This document is a record of the commission of Winfield Scott. It is signed by Madison as president and countersigned by James Monroe as secretary of state. The promotion was a brevet "for his distinguished services in the successive Conflicts of Chippewa & Niagara, and for his uniform gallantry and good conduct as an officer." The document is partially printed. It is encased in mylar and mounted.

GLC04735

1877/11/16

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Pamphlet

Title: Repeal of the Resumption Law, Speech of... [monetary policy]

Printed by R.O. Polkinshorn.

GLC04744

1804/07/17

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Uriah Tracy

Adams writes about the possibility of an amendment against slavery, the fact that the House of Representatives represents freemen, and discusses the New York elections.

GLC04754

1817/01/17

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Plumer

Regarding the European feeling that Americans shall "become dangerous members of the Society of Nations." Naval Victories, state of Barbary (fighting the pirates of Barbary and Algiers rather than giving them tribute), enemies everywhere, few friends except Russia. Also mentions subserviency to "Holy Religion, and the Press Gang."

GLC04755