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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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2 April 1814

Kettle, John, fl. 1814

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph B. Varnum

Written as town clerk of Boston regarding appointments, public works, and the court of sessions.

GLC03845.18

7 December 1820

Swett, D., fl. 1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph B. Varnum

Writes of the well being of his children. The remaining paragraphs include a copy of a letter from James (last name unknown) received on the 27th. It discusses how James is working vigilantly among the Republicans. James speaks of Swett's appointment to collectorship and how they must wait on the "Power of Recommendations" or the "Power & influence of the recommendations." James speaks of other members in the Senate who would be comfortable with Swett's appointment. Swett requests that Varnum replies with comments regarding James' letter.

GLC03845.20

12 December 1820

Swett, D., fl. 1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph B. Varnum

Informs of letter he received from James dated December 6, which stated that Mr. Prince of Newburyport was nominated to the Senate for Collector for the District. Swett requests a recommendation on behalf of Varnum and James to name him Naval Officer of the District.

GLC03845.21

February 13, 1798

Varnum, Joseph B., 1751-1821

Manuscript document

Title: [Mr. Thatcher's Speech] [Fragment]

Possibly in Joseph Bradley Varnum's hand. Mentions, via Harrison Gray Otis, the publication of a Constitutional report by Alexander Hamilton. Also notes George Thatcher claim that the "System was deficient" and that he could write a better Constitution in two hours.

GLC03845.22

circa 1858

J.E., Farwell, & Co. (publishers), fl. 1852

Broadside

Title: [Broadside advertising The life and personal adventures of Uncle Tom, for 40 years a slave! Also, The surprising adventures of wild Tom...]

Autobiography of Uncle Tom Jones, aka Thomas H. Jones, with an additional biography of Wild Tom, a fugitive slave from South Carolina, included. Published in 1854 and 1858, this edition is offered by Boston's J.E. Farewell & Co., who boast of its veracity. They also claim that buying a copy serves the cause of humanity and affords relief to Uncle Tom Jones.

GLC05508.013.08

1853

New York, National Theatre

Broadside

Title: [Broadside advertising Uncle Tom's cabin at the National Theatre, New York]

A note from G.L. Aiken, the author of the specific play version of Uncle Tom's Cabin being advertised, warns the public that his play has only been performed at the Troy Museum before its current run at the National Theatre. Also includes excerpts from four newspapers praising the play, dated 8 August through 19 September 1853. Printed by Cameron's Power Presses on 21 & 23 Ann Street, New York.

GLC05508.013.09

circa 1853-1863

Concanen & Lee, fl. 1853-1863

Title: Uncle Sam.

Sheet music cover depicting a male runaway slave, Uncle Sam. "The Great Slave Song, respectfully dedicated to Anderson, the fugitive slave & sung with immense success by T. Maclagan." Written by G. W. Hunt with music by Frederic Archer.

GLC05508.013.11

4 August 1984

Kalinsky, George, fl. 1984

Photograph signed

Title: [Muhammad Ali photo montage]

Photomontage from programme autographed by Muhammad Ali, with typed biography on the back. Accompanies autographed note (GLC05508.019.01).

GLC05508.019.02

22 April 1894

Montefiore, C.G., fl. 1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Montefiore answers a man's questions about apparent contradictions in the Pentateuch involving the usage of divine names. He cites the difference between Genesis 22:1-13 and Genesis 22: 14-18 as evidence of the work of the different authors who penned the Pentateuch. He suggests looking at W.E. Aldis' "The Documents of Hexateuch" for fuller explanations. The recipient's name is illegible.

GLC05508.187.01

circa 26 July 1894

Montefiore, C.G., fl. 1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gukie Cobb

Montefiore declines Cobb's request to sign a circular in support of Cobb's ministry against another Christian ministry: "it would be quite unbecoming for me a non-Christian, --a Jew-- to take part or interfere."

GLC05508.187.02

14 November 1980

Muzorewa, Abel Tendekayi, 1925-?

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me...]

Abel Muzorewa quotes Luke 4: 18-19.

GLC05508.192.02

27 July 1875

Newman John H., fl. 1873-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward R. Russel

Newman thanks Russel for sending his 55th pulpit critique. He discusses the possible effects the sermon might have on the audience.

GLC05508.193.01

5 September 1873

Newman John H., fl. 1873-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Long

Newman answers Long's nine questions about sin and eternal punishment, commenting at length on the meaning and implications of eternal punishment.

GLC05508.193.02

12 September 1873

Newman John H., fl. 1873-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Long

Newman writes to Long answering questions about eternal punishment of those who die impenitent, according to Catholic teaching. He also raises a question regarding the Pope's infallibility.

GLC05508.193.03

14 September 1873

Newman John H., fl. 1873-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Long

Newman writes that he is unable to answer Long's question about whether the 'pona damni' (loss of God's presence) has degrees as well as the 'pona sensus' (positive suffering). Newman believes the answer is beyond human comprehension, as is Divine Providence. He concludes the letter by rejecting Long's suggestion that the Roman Catholic system of penance and cult of the saints is "inconsistent with God's other attributes."

GLC05508.193.04

circa 1873-1875

Photograph

Title: [Photograph of Cardinal John H. Newman]

GLC05508.193.05

12 May 1968

Niemöller, Martin, 1892-1984

Typed letter signed

Title: to Rector Harvey

Niemoller writes to Harvey, an American pastor, arguing that "preaching" is not on the way out, but changes need to be made in preaching style to fit modern audiences that find traditional sermons too impersonal. He believes the Gospel is the only answer to problems of the day and the means to prevent the "victory of inhumanity." He agrees that religion as "a kind of mythological piety is passing swiftly."

GLC05508.195.01

25 March 1947

Niemöller, Martin, 1892-1984

Typed letter signed

Title: to Brother Leis

Niemoller writes to Leis that his travels in the US, where he has learned about Church life in America, are coming to an end. He thanks Leis for his prayers and fellowship: "We have been badly in need of this brotherly help and I am sure, we are now, since the situation in Germany as well as in the rest of Europe has become more embarrassing than ever before." Also mentions that he will attend the meeting of Committees of the World Council of Churches in April. Written on stationary of the Inn at Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania.

GLC05508.195.02

18 July 1967

Reagan, Ronald, 1911-2004

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Hubler

Reagan offers condolence to Hubler after his son was killed in a car accident. He writes that there is a divine scheme that humans cannot understand, so "we can only have faith that we'll be helped and strength will be given to us in our hour of greatest need."

GLC05508.210.01

January 16, 1968

Reagan, Ronald, 1911-2004

Autograph note signed

Title: to Senator

A note drafted by Reagan, with instructions to send it to each of the Senators who attended a prayer breakfast with him. Reagan comments on his shared feelings about "the need for spiritual recognition in our lives."

GLC05508.210.02

January 19, 1967

Romney, George, 1907-1995

Typed letter signed

Title: to Marshall E. Bean

Romney responds--late and apologetically--to Bean's request for an expression of faith during his time of suffering. Romney's writes that the greatest words of faith are: "That, as in Adam, all men die; so in Christ shall all be made alive."

GLC05508.216.01

January 19, 1967

Romney, George, 1907-1995

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Earl Hunt

Romney sends a note to Bishop Hunt with his favorite quotation: "Unless our knowledge is in order[,] the more knowledge we have the greater will be our confusion." He then comments that "for our own knowledge to be in order we need to know that we are personally accountable to an almighty creator."

GLC05508.216.02

January 29, 1864

Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. Wiley Edmands

Smith writes to Edmands to provide the words for "My Country 'Tis of Thee" (GLC05505.230.02). Smith comments that the song's chief merit is the occasion and circumstances in which it was produced, referring to providing momentary joy during the suffering of the Civil War.

GLC05508.230.01