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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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Place written

Year

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09 August 1788

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: political changes in France & calling of the Estates

Written as American Minister to France, to Moustier, the French Minister to the U.S. Published in: Boyd, Papers of TJ, 13: 491-92.

GLC03272

03 December 1788

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: thanks for information on France, American manners

Written by Morris as American Minister to France. Morris also writes that he "cannot flatter myself that my Country men and above all my Country Women will shew so much good Sense and such Sensibility as daily to render your Situation more and more agreable [sic]." He notes that American manners may not be "sufficiently advanced to have got around to what is quite natural."

GLC03274

February 23, 1789

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: thanking for letter of introduction, praise for service

Written by Morris as American Minister to France. Morris also talks about the elections for the Estates General and the optimism which pervaded France at this time.

GLC03275

13 March 1789

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: French fiscal crisis, political affairs, elections

Written as American minister to France. The electioneering was for the gathering of the Estates General. Moderate ink bleedthrough. Published in: Boyd, Papers of TJ, 14: 652-54.

GLC03276

27 April 1789

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: observations on Congress, hopes for France

Franklin expresses his regrets for the late assembly of Congress, and adds his best wishes for the momentous meeting of the Estates General meeting that very day, "I pray sincerely that by means of that Assembly the public Interests may be advanced and succeed, and the future welfare and Glory of French Nation be firmly established."

GLC03277

03 December 1790

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: regrets Moustier's return to Europe, Bill of Rights

Written as Secretary of State. Jefferson actually had helped engineer Moustier's recall after his stormy tenure as French ambassador.

GLC03280

October 15, 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier [in French]

Year inferred from similar letters. Letter discusses Lafayette's desire to visit America again. Lafayette writes that he is "impatient" to see again his American friends.

GLC03281.03

May 30, 1788

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier

Lafayette writes that the Republican style is sometimes "un peu froide" and that the American exterior can be a little cold compared to that of France. He comments on the importance of a National Assembly. Also, mentions Moustier feeling slighted and relations in French.

GLC03281.04

January 2, 1789

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier [in French]

Lafayette comments on the French whale oil industry, particularly the Company of Dunkirk ("dunkerque"). Letter mentions the importation of whale oil from the US to France.

GLC03281.05

1813

Jeakes, Joseph, fl. 1812-1813

Title: His Majesty's ship Shannon... capturing the American... Frigate Chesapeake

Published G. Webster. War of 1812 print.

GLC03282

13 August 1813

Birch, Thomas, 1779-1851

Title: U.S. Frigate Constitution... capturing... Frigate Guerriere

Hand colored engraving

GLC03284

29 March 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

President Adams approves the appointment of James Reid of New Hampshire as Vice Consul in Canton (Guangzhou, China). One black and white bust engraving of John Adams included.

GLC03297

22 November 1799

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Discusses the appointment of a consular agent at Embden, mentioning a Mr. Gregory as a possible appointee. Notes changes in France's government (Napoleon's seizing of power), doubting that it will produce a general peace in the Quasi-War between the United States and France. States that it is unlikely that "Prussia will interfere in any manner for the restoration of Peace, or that she could do much to bring it about were she ever so inclined to attempt it." Mentions two principles as the foundation for the war, but does not specify them. Written while Adams served as American Minister to…

GLC03298

16 June 1812

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to P.P.F. Degrand

Thanks Degrand for sending Boston newspapers containing "The Message of Govr. Gerry concerning libels, and the Act of Incorporation of the State Bank." Mentions lost correspondence from Degrand. Comments on an anecdote about assassination and discusses the assassination of British Prime Minister Spencer Percival. Also discusses American politics, particularly the pernicious effects of the "prevalence of party spirit among us, and the licentiousness of the press." Written while Adams was the American Minister to Russia shortly before the Declaration of War against Britain.

GLC03299

5 September 1800

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Writes regarding a disagreement between them over his expenses for a trip to Hartford, Connecticut. Burr states he and Hamilton are in agreement over what they believed would be the expense payment structure for the trip.

GLC03304

1 August 1783

Carleton, Guy, 1724-1808

Letter signed

Title: to Lord Frederick North

Transmits extracts of letters (not included) written by an unknown member of Congress to a friend which have come into his possession. Advises that the letters, " ... contain so much information, and appear to be written with so much judgment, that I cannot delay transmitting them to your Lordship." This letter is Carleton's retained copy, noted as duplicate no. 97. Written as Governor of Quebec to North as the British Secretary of State. One black and white bust engraving of Guy Carleton included.

GLC03305

14 March 1813

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Robert Andrews

Orders provisions from the assistant deputy quarter master for the march of troops from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, during the War of 1812. Signed as Major General.

GLC03316

05 December 1810

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jarvis re: Jefferson's pleasure at recent retirement

Written as retired President to Jarvis, American consul at Lisbon. Jefferson also thank Jarvis for Merino sheep and the wines he sent. Written in Monticello

GLC03320

19 October 1794

Fordham, Stephen, fl. 1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

A soldier's account of his experiences in western Pennsylvania near the end of the Whiskey Rebellion. Tells his wife that that they marched to Bedford, Pennsylvania, where many of the rebels were already being held as prisoners. Expects a trial and hanging soon. Notes the arrival of President George Washington in Bedford. Address leaf has some notes listing supplies.

GLC03111