Search | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

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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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18 June 1819

Macaulay, Zachary, 1768-1838

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Macauley

Encloses a one pound note and instructs his son John on how to divide it up between his siblings. Tells him to obey his uncle in all matters because without good conduct, they might not be invited to visit the temple again. Advises John to watch over his siblings.

GLC07483.27

22 September 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to George Baylor

Advises Baylor to "use every means in your power" to ascertain as much information as possible about the British troops embarking from New York. Also instructs him to keep an eye on the North River and to notify West Point if he sees any British transports go by. Written just prior to British General Charles Grey's attack at Old Tappan on 28 September 1778. Water damaged ink.

GLC07486

March 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Fairfax

Before leaving Mount Vernon to serve his first term as President of the United States, Washington instructs Fairfax regarding management of the estate. States that all matters should ultimately be directed by his nephew, Major George Augustine Washington. Encourages Fairfax to manage Mount Vernon more diligently, stating "I have a very good opinion of your honesty, sobriety and industry, and now is the time to give me proofs of your capacity and skill." Laments the current condition of his manor, stating "it is idle and vain for me to attempt to stall feed any kind of Meats; when I have…

GLC07487

14 November 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Charles Lee

Anticipates a prisoner exchange. Worries the British will try to exchange men who are not really continental soldiers, therefore requests Lee to order all officers to make lists of those in their units who are missing or dead. Encloses "a recommendation of the officers for the State of Rhode Island." Postscript states British forces suspected to be moving to South Carolina. Saw small number of British troops near Mount Washington, and speculates as to their possible movements. Written from "General Green's Quarters." Two days later the British would drive Washington and his forces from…

GLC07491

1841/01/26

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Solomon G. Haven re: blasting Loco Focos, inauguration of W.H. Harrison

GLC07499

1829/12/08

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: Patent to Oliver Teal for excavating earth underwater (c/s Van Buren)

"New and useful...machine for excavating earth under water, called Teal's invented metallic scraper." Countersigned by Martin Van Buren as Attorney General. With green ribbon and seal.

GLC07506

1808/12/30

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dinsmore re: building bed at Monticello, with sketches

GLC07509

13 March 1776

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Encloses articles (not present) in reply to McDougall's questions about Seamans wages. Informs that a model of a pike will be sent to him. Hopes that he has received word of the resolution of Congress restraining military officers from offering oaths to inhabitants as a test. Remarks, " ... to impose a Test is a sovereign Act of Legislation - and when the Army becomes our Legislators, the People that moment become Slaves."

GLC07489

18 November 1780

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Jay agrees to attend to Mr. Warren (the son of the late General Joseph Warren, killed at Bunker Hill), should he visit Madrid. He also refers to passage of the Massachusetts Constitution and asks Gerry to send him a copy. Jay states that he has been "led to entertain high Expectations of your form of Government." Docketed by Gerry. Gerry's draft autograph letter response is penned in the left margin to Jay. Gerry writes back from Marblehead, Massachusetts on 20 September 1781, enclosing a copy of Massachusetts' new constitution and some newspapers [not present]. He concludes by predicting…

GLC07490

1812/09/18

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: Jefferson and Madison's Presidential terms, War of 1812

"Those who brought us into this confusion are the best qualified to bring us out of it" (War of 1812).

GLC07492

1776/05/10

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Clinton re: last stages of unsuccessful Canadian invasion

GLC07493

1778/01/24

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Heath re: requesting Stark's aid for a second invasion of Canada

GLC07494

1778/06/09

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Clinton re: defending northern borders against British & Indian raids

Written to Governor Clinton of New York.

GLC07495

[1775]/10/05

Montgomery, Richard, fl. 1775-1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert R. Livingston re: Canada, wishes to be home

"Our Liberties are so intimately connected with freedom in Canada... would I were at my plough again!" (Montgomery is writing to his brother-in-law.)

GLC07496

1780/02/06

Rutledge, John, fl. 1739-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Governor of Havana re: British forces in Georgia

Rutledge asks Spanish Governor of Havana: "To concoct a plan for reducing the British force in Georgia."

GLC07497

1777/09/21

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Varick re: victory at Freeman's Farm

Discusses discord between Gates and Benedict Arnold.

GLC07498

1779/01/01

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquise de Boulainvilliers re: humorous use for Franklin's lightning rods

Written in French. With a collateral wrapper (with note in French), identifying it as a letter concerning marriage of the Marquise's daughter.

GLC07500

1759/11/19

Amherst, Jeffery Amherst, Baron, 1717-1797

Letter signed

Title: to John Bradstreet re: cost of British Army victories at Ticonderoga

GLC07501

1756/08/20

Johnson, William, 1715-1774

Document signed

Title: to Jacob Glen re: calling militia to assemble 6 days after Montcalm took Oswego

"A Good firelock well fixed, a sword, or hatchet [and] forty rounds".

GLC07503

1814/01/14

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Hayes re: insubordination during Creek Indian wars

GLC07504.01

1841/11/06

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos Kendall re: giving his deposition

"I lost no time, as far as my strength would permit to answer the interrogatories, and Judge Brown... was good enough to come up today & take my deposition."

GLC07504.02