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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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1776/08/10

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene congratulating Greene for his appointment as Major General and sending along the General's uniform.

In part: "Confident of your zeal and attachment to the Liberties of America, I am persuaded, you will do every thing, to merit the Honour your country has now conferred on you."

GLC07884.01

1778/07/17

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catherine Greene

An apologetic yet firm letter to his wife, explaining the need for them to be separated during the war: "You must be assured that there must be something very uncommon to prevent my coming home." Greene then goes on to reassure his wife of the stability of their marriage and his love for her and his desire to soon be reunited with her and their children.

GLC07884.02

1780/03/20

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James M. Varnum

Responding to an inquiry about the ship "Corilinia," saying that he doesn't possess much information about it but that he will pass on what he has.

GLC07884.03

1780/06/20

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nehemiah Hubbard

Seeking his help in locating someone to accompany Mrs. Greene on her travels from Hartford home. He then goes on to report on military operations. In part: "The Enemy is out in this side of Elizabethtown. They marched about four miles into the Country and then retreated back again....It is expected they mean to penetrate the Country; but I hope they will meet with such a sour face, that they will not like the looks of things and quit their enterprise."

GLC07884.04

1781/06/27

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Greene excoriates Thomas Jefferson for not doing enough to help Greene's troops by deploying troops from Virginia to assist in the struggle. Written at both Broad River and Catawba River.

GLC07884.05

1781/08/25

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Lee

Discusses military strategy and the status of current troop movements. He also touches on a recent approbation sent to him by Congress, about which he says "I have nothing to complain of. But to the troops it is but a cold compliment."

GLC07884.07

1781/12/27

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Nelson

Requesting assistance from Virginia, particularly more troop reinforcements as soon as possible. In part: "It is long since I informed your Excellency of our disagreeable situation, the unequal contest we were carrying on, and the hopeless prospect we had before us when the term of service of the Virginians expired, which takes place this month. I entreated you to forward us reinforecemtnts, as well to secure us afainst the enemy's present force, as to guard against any reinforcements the enemy might receive. But I have the mortification to hear no troops are coming from Virginia, &…

GLC07884.09

1781/12/28

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Lee

Granting Lee a conditional leave of absence, perhaps against his better judgement; Greene also discusses troop movements and information regarding enemy activities. In part: "I confess I shall grant you [a] leave of absence with great reluctance, should the enemies reinforcements arrive you mention in your body of intelligence..."

GLC07884.10

178[2]/01/01

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Lee

Discussing the enemy's current placement and status, and reviewing military strategy for various upcoming campaigns in and around Charleston. He also discusses provisions he has made for the deployment of his own troops. In part: "I have indeed a detachment of North Carolina troops to replace the Virginians going home..."

GLC07884.11

1782/01/09

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathan Brownson, Esq.

Seeking to resolve grievances about who has the right to command troops in Georgia. He both complains about certain actions by Brownson and begs his forgiveness for a misundertanding in which Brownson apparently took offense. In part: "...I hope to convince you that you did me an injustice in harboring a suspicion....With respecting to your appointment as Surveyor I am afraid I have done you an injury without intending it..."

GLC07884.12

1782/01/27

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Lee

Emphatically triying to convince Lee not to leave the Continental Army. In part: "I have beheld with extreme anxiety for some time a growing discontent in your mind....Whatever may be the source of your wounds I wish it was in my power to heal them..."

GLC07884.13

1783/11/24

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: To unknown

Attesting to the good character of Samuel Bowne. In part: "...As I am acquainted with his [Browne's] character and convinced of his being of a good disposition [I] shall esteem it a favor to have him protected from insult should any confusion arise which I don't expect."

GLC07884.14

[1795 ca.]

Clymer, George, 1739-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to city commissioners

Seeking reimbursement for an advance. On the verso of the letter there is a draft, also in Clymer's hand, of an unrelated document; it seems he was just reusing this paper to send his letter to the commissioners and that the scrap of autograph text on the verso is to be ignored.

GLC07885

1859/12/06

Realf, Richard, fl. 1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Judge Duval

Offering a confession for his participation in the Canada Convention of 1858 and presenting himself for punishment in response to his actions. Also elaborating on the reasons for his participation. In part: "Sir: I have the honor to announce to you that, for the reasons which follow, I am desirious of surrendering myself...to the Constitutional authorities of the United States, as being, by my admission in the presense of witnesses, guilty of participation in the Canada Convention of May, 1838, which, it is suppossed, gave rise to the recent Harper's Ferry Insurrection....[My reasons…

GLC07886

circa May-June 1856

Burns, Anthony, fl. 1854

Broadside

Title: ["The man is not bought!"]

Printed broadside protesting slavery. The text reads, in part: "The Man is Not Bought!....The kidnapper agreed, both publicly and in writing, to sell him for $1200. The sum was raised by eminent Boston citizens and offered him. He then claimed more. The bargain was broken....Be on your guard against all lies! Watch the SLAVE PEN! LET EVERY MAN ATTEND THE TRIAL."

GLC07887