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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Year

Sub-era

1860 ca.

Ewing, Thomas, 1829-1896

Photograph signed

Title: Carte de visite vignette bust portrait by Landy

GLC05596.07

1839/04/04

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin F. Butler

Praising his cabinet, recalling fight against the Bank of the United States, "the combined money-power & all its corrupting influence." Also discusses "sacred relations" after joining the church. Mentions his nephew A.J. Donelson.

GLC05613

1828/11/23

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Butler

Celebrating his inevitable election over John Quincy Adams, "A triumph of the virtue of the people over the corrupting influence of executive patronage." Promises "my best exertions...to promote the interest & prosperity, of the whole union." Until 1854 each state could choose when to hold popular elections. Though the winner of the election was not official until December 2nd, enough states had held their elections for Jackson to be confident of victory.

GLC05627

1853/01/15

Blodget, Lorin, fl. 1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ebenezer Meriam re: earthquakes & unusual weather changes (Smithsonian)

Written on stationery of the Smithsonian Institution.

GLC05856

1842/03/31

J., & G.S. Gideon (firm), fl. 1825-1858

Broadside

Title: Valedictory of Henry Clay, in the Senate of the United States

Clay announces his retirement and introduces his successor, John J. Crittenden. Briefly, Clay compares the senate to other legislative bodies. States that in November, 1840, he began planning to retire but remained because of President Harrison's death. He appeals to history to judge his work, and God to witness his disinterested motives. Alludes to his attackers and supporters and answers the charge that he has acted like a dictator. Describes his ardent temper and offers an apology to any senator who still feels resentment from "offensive" language used in debate. In conclusion, Clay…

GLC05863

1840/10/05

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Broadside

Title: Great Speech of the Hon. Daniel Webster at Richmond.... [on silk]

Full title: "Great Speech of the Hon. Daniel Webster at Richmond, Virginia, Monday, Oct. 5, 1840. Reported for the Herald, by William H. Attree." Report's Webster's speech at the Whig presidential nominating convention in Richmond with audience reaction. Criticizing Van Buren's administration at his party's convention: "Executive power has increased, and is dangerous to the free institutions of our land." Printed in 6 columns on silk with decorative bands framing the text and a hovering eagle at the top holding an "E Pluribus Unum" banner.

GLC05862

1821/11

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Book signed

Title: A report of the debates and proceedings of the convention of ... New York

Signed on p. 3 with Jefferson's coded initials "T.I." Compiled by L. H. Clarke. Published by J. Seymor. This Constitution expanded suffrage in New York. Debates include content on Negro suffrage and Missouri Compromise. Previously owned by John H. Peyton, with his signature on the front pastedown. Seven lines of manuscript on p. 367 (not Jefferson's hand), at the end of the index. Restored binding, with some chalk re-touching. This volume appears in the 1829 Nathaniel P. Poor sale catalog of Jefferson's Monticello library on page 11, item 690, as "Report of the Convention of New York,…

GLC05887

1846/01/15

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bennett re: lobbying support during his successful bid for Congress

Basler, Roy R. The Collected Works Of Abraham Lincoln. (New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 1953), Vol. I 1824 - 1848, p. 355

GLC05927

1855/03/03

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Book signed

Title: An Essay to prove the contagious character of maligant cholera... .

By Bernard M. Byrne. Published by Childs & Peterson. Second edition. Signed by Millard Fillmore and inscribed to Fillmore by the author. Book plate of Abram T. Kerr and Agnes Kerr.

GLC05928

1851/11/06

Hale, Sarah J.B., 1788-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caroline Gilman

Apologizes for the publisher's loss of Gilman's portrait that Hale had borrowed for the printing of her book, "Women's record" (New York, 1853).

GLC05955

1815/12/09

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Broadside

Title: Gazette and American---Extra.

This document is a newspaper extra dated Saturday morning, 9 December 1815. It includes a transcript of the Presidential State of the Union Address by James Madison. The speech was originally given in Washington, D.C. on 5 December 1815. Docketed on verso, "B.P. Robinson, Prov. R.I."

GLC05784

1854/02/26

Phelps, Anson, fl. 1854

Document signed

Title: New York Colonization Society certificate of membership for Alexander Fraser

Certificate of membership for life for Alexander Fraser of Fowlerville. The certificate has a large engraving at top showing a white man shaking the hands of thankful naked Africans while a ship rides at anchor in the background. Two scriptural quotations appear at bottom. Signed Anson Phelps as President (or possibly corresponding secretary).

GLC05781

1841/10/25

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Jean B. Plaunche.

Concerning victory over Whigs in election & proposed national bank.

GLC05970

1818/11/20

Livingston, Henry, 1753-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Walter Patterson re: difficulty living in New York

H[enry] L[ivingston] describes the problems a friend has had maintaining a job and a place to live in New York, and advises Walter to prevent his mother and sister from going to New York for the winter. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.04532

1818/11/23

Livingston, Henry, 1753-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Walter Patterson re: preparing food storage

Henry Livingston discusses his plans to kill and salt beef and pork for storage. Docketed on verso.

GLC03107.04533

1819/05/07

Mackenzie, R., fl. 1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Patterson re: request for better behavior.

The letter asks Mr. Patterson if he would "act in a more becoming manner."

GLC03107.04534

1821/04/18

Holly, Orville L., fl. 1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Walter Patterson re: support in a senatorial election

Orville L. Holley discusses the recent senatorial nominations, and partisan conflicts involving Clintonians and Bucktails. He assures Walter of support in the upcoming election, and notes that he has taken steps to gather support for Walter in other areas. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.04535

1821/04/18

Bay, Thomas, fl. 1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Walter Patterson re: reassurance for the upcoming election

Thomas Bay writes that Walter has nothing to fear for the upcoming election, and assures him of his support. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.04536

1821/06/05

Letter

Title: to Walter Patterson re: grief caused by illness [fragment]

Half of the letter is missing due to damage.

GLC03107.04537

1821/12/27

Calkin, J., fl. 1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Walter Patterson re: iron and timber business

J. Ca[tkin] writes of the state of business at Ancram, and his hopes for the timber and iron business. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.04538

1822/02/08

Paddock, Judah, fl. 1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Walter Patterson re: a new surveyor for Hudson

Paddock writes of various people looking to become surveyor for Hudson County. He notes that he would like to act as deputy to that position, but feels he is too old, and his health to poor to take on the responsibility. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.04539