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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February 21, 1785

Document signed

Title: [Land Grant for George Washington]

Signed by George Washington, George Dulany, and Elizabeth Dulany. Countersigned by David Steward, William Payne, Charles Lee, and Lund Washington with their respective seals. Restores Washington's inherited land grant dating from 1674.

GLC00496.106

1783-1815

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph note signed

Title: to unknown

Fragment from a longer letter with only the signature and postscript remaining. Postscript discusses surgeons in Philadelphia recommended by delegates of the Continental Congress. "Mr. Palmer" is visible on verso.

GLC00496.107

July 29, 1793

Dandridge, Bartholomew, 1737-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances Washington

Announces the death of Mrs. Lear, a family friend. Frances Washington, George Washington's niece, and Dandridge were cousins.

GLC00496.116

December 20, 1785

Wedgwood, Josiah, 1730-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eden

Recipient inferred from seller's note at top of page 1. Thanks recipient for support regarding business concerns. Applauds progress of commerce treaty with France. Wedgwood was Queen's Potter and a Royal Society Fellow. William Eden, Baron Auckland, was a British spymaster during the American Revolution whose surveillance revealed an alliance between France and the patriots.

GLC00496.110

November 15, 1783

Witherspoon, John, 1723-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Rutherford

Discusses legal matters regarding power of attorney. Introduces an unnamed messenger, a Dartmouth educated Native American.

GLC00496.112

February 8, 1787

Alexander, John McKnitt, 1733-1817

Letter signed

Title: to the Sheriff of Mecklenburg County

Requests the seizure of Robert Wiley's estate to cover debts owed to David Allison.

GLC00496.122

18 March 1791

Ball, Farling, 1730-1805

Document signed

Title: [Henry A. Bennett v. Farling Ball on charge of trespass]

Counter-signed by George Muir and John Davis. Fines Ball 9 pounds for trespassing on Bennett's property. Includes bill for 4 pounds, 5 shillings and 10 pence in court fees.

GLC00496.126

1783-1815

Burritt, Elihu, 1810-1879

Autograph note signed

Title: to Edmund Fry

The note offers special hotel rates for unspecified delegates.

GLC00496.135

November 21, 1793

Carroll, Charles, 1737-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Pinckney

Mentions the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. Fears that the political climate in France will hinder mail delivery.

GLC00496.140

March 30, 1799

Clark, John Innes, 1745-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harrison Gray Otis

Copy of Alexander Hamilton's opinion on the case of John Innes Clark v. Nathaniel Russell at the request of Otis. Transcribed by Clark.

GLC00496.163

4 June 1812

Hering, C., fl. 1812

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for Mr. Thalders]

Documents the payment of 52 pounds 12 shillings 6 pence.

GLC00496.167

July 21, 1814

Humboldt, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von, 1769-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Mentions David Bailie Warden, American consul general in Paris. Also mentions Mr. de Lafayette (possibly the Marquis de Lafayette), and Berthollet (possibly Claude de Berthollet, a French chemist). Contains a cardboard strip attached to the end of the letter, possibly to keep the pages from separating. Docketed by Madison.

GLC00496.173

August 24, 1790

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter

Title: to John Hancock

Thomas Jefferson asks Governor Hancock to collect data on the cod and whale fisheries. Seller's note reads: "an incomplete press copy of a contemporary transcript." First pages missing. Written while Jefferson was Secretary of State. Letter is incomplete.

GLC00496.175

2 May 1803

Longworth, David, 1765-1821

Document

Title: [Bill for two books]

Bill from David Longworth for two copies of "Telemachus" to Thomas Jefferson for $17.00.

GLC00496.176

February 11, 1807

Document

Title: [Ledger page listing medical purchases]

Lists purchases for Thomas Jefferson.

GLC00496.177

1806

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Manuscript document

Title: to Thomas Jefferson Randolph

Titled: "To Thomas Jefferson Randolph from his illustrious grand Father." Advises his grandson on such issues as choosing friends, using common sense, and knowing when to leave well enough alone. Notes on verso. Former owner Harry Dalton's note describes this as a 19th century transcription.

GLC00496.178

9 April 1803

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Circular letter about an act to protect U.S. seamen]

Printed circular letter, labeled "Duplicate" at top, regarding an act to further protect American seamen. Mentions the slave trade. Addressed to Thomas Aborn, Commercial Agent of the U.S. at Cayenne. Signed in type by Thomas Jefferson as president and Aaron Burr as vice president.

GLC00515

[ 06 August 1787 ]

Constitutional Convention, 1787

Document

Title: Constitution [printing of first draft, docketed by James Wilson]

First two leaves in facsimile, with docketed wrapper. Committee of Detail printing. First draft. Wilson chaired the Committee of Five which drafted this copy of the Constitution. With one correction in Wilson's hand. Docket on blank wrapper: "Report of the Committee of five. Later docket beneath: "Above endorsement is in the handwriting of Hon. James Wilson -- so his grand-daughter Miss Emily Hollingsworth tells me. Sept. 1. 1866 - Effingham B. Morris." Printed by Dunlap and Claypoole

GLC00528

1786 - 1901

Header Record

Title: Collection of letters of the Presidents [decimalized]

[decimalized 00529.01-00529.08]

GLC00529

July 14, 1786

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Comments on an impending lawsuit. Discusses Virginia Governor Patrick Henry's recent request to Congress for assistance against the Indians and the problems it poses for the federal government : "as the ultimate decision of Congress upon the propositions presented to them in a report...hath been contrary to the sense of the State and may perhaps be the subject of investigation as to its propriety upon the principles of the federal compact." Describes the present states of the government as deranged. Also discusses the accusation that he might have a personal interest in the lands and how he…

GLC00529.01

May 15, 1789

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Searle

Written by Adams as vice president to Searle, a former Continental Congressman, who was involved in business in Philadelphia. Says he is happy to hear of Searle's success and happiness in business. Says it was one piece of good news he has received recently and claims, "My Correspondence has Served to little other purpose than to pour out before me the Griefs Complaints and Distresses of my Friends and the Friends of their Country, whose Ruin has been accomplished in Part by the turn of affairs at the Revolution and in part by the bad Policy of our Country, Since the Peace." Asks Searle not…

GLC00529.02

May 13, 1812

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Plumer

Discusses his isolation and the lack of fresh news, his criticisms the writings of a man named Walsh (probably Robert Walsh), his opposition to War of 1812, and his inability to write openly because his letters are opened and read in transit. Adams was then minister to St. Petersburg. Plumer was then Governor of New Hampshire. Document paginated 285-88 at top center.

GLC00529.03